After Liu Mei finished speaking, the group of snakes raged. Their murderous intent was like tumultuous waves and landslides.
In the face of the agitated Liu family, Li Xianyu frowned. The sequelae of Gluttony were too strong and Great-Grandma was not around to suppress Slime. The consequences of activating Gluttony were very dangerous, and he was most likely to fall into an irreparable abyss.
But it was his only chance at the moment. Liu Yao was here to help, so he couldn’t cause her to die here.
There was no doubt that he was framed tonight. Not to mention he didn’t know it was a trap, even if he knew it, he had to jump. He couldn’t joke around with Ice Shard’s life.
Although his sister often put him in his place, she was still his sister, no matter how bad her personality was.
“Let’s be merciful and lenient… We are all civilized people, let’s talk this over nicely.”
At this critical juncture, a drunken man walked in from the collapsed gate, holding a bottle of wine in his hand. Bright yellow liquor poured out of the bottle.
The little snakes that stood in the way retreated one after another, and they seemed to hate the wine. The large snakes, which were more deadly and refused to retreat, were kicked away by him.
“Wu Xin, who are you with?!” a golden python roared.
Several other massive pythons turned their heads, looking silently at Comrade Wu. The snake’s vertical pupils were born with a skill buff of cold gaze. If the average person was stared at by a python of this size, he would pee in fear within a few minutes.
“I haven’t used this name for many years, and every time I hear someone mention it, it reminds me of my humiliating past.” Minister Wu shrugged and drank all the realgar wine in the bottle. “You want to kill someone of Baoze, and I knew that all of you say I am a useless minister, but a useless minister is also the minister. There is not a word of explanation and you want to kill my staff casually, do you think I don’t want face?”
Liu Mei said nonchalantly, “He killed my Liu family owner, this sin is enough.”
Minister Wu Sanjin let out a “tsk” but did not answer. In a flash, he came to the fourth floor landing window beside Li Xianyu.
Li Xianyu heaved a sigh of relief. “I thought you would be a coward.”
Wu Sanjin glanced at the study, went to the wall and found a bottle of whiskey in the wine cabinet under Liu Tong’s snake body. He unscrewed the lid, placed it under his nose and took a deep breath. “Before the executives from headquarters arrives, I have to take responsibility as minister.”
He strongly kicked the ferocious snake head. “Old Liu, why were you killed out of the blue?”
“Everyone!” Minister Wu came to the window and walked like a third-rate cowboy. “I have showed my utmost sincerity by coming alone. You can choose whether you want to use force due to anger and burn bridges with Baoze thoroughly, or sit down and talk about it cordially.”
…
Half an hour later, in the lobby of a villa.
“Liu Tong’s hearts was sealed with this nail, and it was a fatal blow. According to Li Xianyu and Liu Yao, there was no trace of fighting in the study. Of course, they are still suspects, and what they say is not necessarily credible.” Minister Wu lay lazily on the soft sofa, took a sip of wine and said.
“Uncle, you were the first to receive them.”
The elderly uncle sat on the sofa opposite them and nodded.
There were two people and eight snakes gathered in the lobby, six of which were currently the highest combat strength of the Liu family in Jiuhu Mountain. Each of them was at the standard of senior staff. The strongest was the brown scaled and white belly python Liu Shan, second only to the owner Liu Tong. He had an angular square face and was a very serious middle-aged man.
“You said you heard the movement and went upstairs to check it out. You then found that Liu Tong was dead. It was only a few minutes from when they went upstairs to when you heard it,” Minister Wu said.
“Yes,” the uncle replied hoarsely.
“All of you present are well aware of Liu Tong’s power. If they are the killers, do you think they can kill Liu Tong in just a few minutes?”
Liu Mei crossed her beautiful legs, her left hand supporting her ample chest, as she twirled her hair with her right index finger and murmured, “The owner was attacked behind and a sharp weapon was pierced into his heart. He didn’t even have a chance to transform into his original form after his death. So the man who attacked him should be the one who is closest to and trusted by the owner of his family.”
Minister Wu snapped his fingers. “You are an incredibly intelligent snake indeed. I like to talk to snakes with high IQ like you.”
Li Xianyu and Liu Yao listened and remained silent. They had not yet been cleared of suspicion and could not express their opinions. Otherwise, he could snark at the snakes with low IQ.
Liu Mei leaned forward, pinched the copper nails on the table between her slender fingers, and appraised them carefully. “This nail is the only valuable clue.”
Everyone glanced at the copper nails. It was surprising that others did not know what it was, let alone a rookie like Li Xianyu.
In the silence, Wu Sanjin said nonchalantly, “An item from the Wu family.”
One man and eight snakes all looked towards him. Liu Mei raised her eyebrow. “Minister Wu, do you know what you are talking about?”
Wu Sanjin said expressionlessly, “When I was a child, I saw the above mantra on a book in the family collection pavilion. I don’t know if it was done by the Wu family, but the mantra belonged to the Wu family.”
Liu Shan slapped his palm on the table and roared in fury, “So Big Brother was killed by a member of the Wu family? Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll charge to the Wu family, demand for justice, and avenge Big Brother.”
With the exception of Liu Mei, the other members of the Liu family agreed. “Charge to the Wu family and demand for justice…”
“Take it easy.” Liu Mei’s words calmed the people down. She stared at the copper nails and looked at Wu Sanjin. “Uncles, the nails are the Wu family’s items, but the Wu family members are unable to enter Jiuhu Mountain. We have a mole amongst us.”
Li Xianyu said, “Just ask the snakes in the villa to know who had been to the villa, before I came.”
She made a phone call, and a few minutes later, a seductive woman sashayed in and whispered a few words to her ear. “No one has entered the villa,” Liu Mei said.
“No way!” Li Xianyu opened his eyes wide.
“These little things’ words cannot be used as evidence. There are plenty of ways to enter the villa quietly and they may not be able to detect them.” Minister Wu expressed his views.
“Or we can solve the problem from a different angle,” Liu Yao said suddenly. When the others looked over, she said, “Since there are not too many valuable clues here, can we start with the people who kidnapped Li Xianyu’s sister?”
A master of the Liu family frowned. “What do you mean?”
Liu Yao had an expression of aversion that said “I don’t want to talk to the same kind that have a low IQ” as she turned her head and looked at Li Xianyu.
“Why are you looking at me? My mobile phone was crushed by this woman. Goddamn it, it costed 7000 dollars for one,” Li Xianyu said exasperatedly.
Liu Yao took out her mobile phone and handed it to him.
Li Xianyu typed Ice Shard’s mobile phone number and dialled. It rang a few times and his call connected, “What’s the matter?”
“Sis, are you asleep?” Li Xianyu’s voice unconsciously had a tone to please his sister.
“If you need anything, just say it.” Ice Shards was as straightforward and crisp as ever.
“Where have you been all night?”
“Having dinner.”
“Besides having dinner? Have you met anyone strange?”
“No.”
“Where did you eat at?”
“Master Lyu’s Seafood Noodle shop.”
Liu Shan asked impatiently, “What are you trying to say?”
Li Xianyu did not answer but turned to Wu Sanjin and said, “Old Wu, can you send someone to check the CCTV of Master Lyu’s Seafood Noodle shop?”
Wu Sanjin thought about it and understood. He got up and said, “I’ll go out and make a phone call.”
Li Xianyu explained, “I did get a text message that my sister was kidnapped. On the way, I have been calling her but the voice message kept saying her phone was turned off. Although I do not know why Liu Mei could call through, but I did not get through. You may still doubt me so I won’t explain. We just have to look through the surveillance to see what happened to my sister and you will naturally believe what I said.”
Liu Shan hummed. “Who knows if your sister cooperated with you to act? You also said you will annihilate the Demons Alliance in the day.”
“Exactly.” The snakes echoed each other.
The invisible murderous intent began to pervade the hall again.
Tsk, are these snakes relatives of Brother Flattop? They want to fight and could not be negotiated with. Fortunately, Liu Mei still had the scene under control. This snake sister’s IQ probably went through gene mutation and was still rational. She managed to suppress the anger of several of her uncles.
After calling back, Minister Wu waited for about half an hour and received a text message. He asked, “Can I borrow a computer?”
Liu Mei had the computer delivered at once.
Minister Wu logged in to his private email, and a few minutes ago, a video email was sent to his mailbox. It was a surveillance video edited from Master Lyu’s Seafood Noodle shop.
Minister Wu opened the video and turned the laptop screen towards the crowd.
The video began when a beautiful, aloof beauty entered the noodle shop. She ordered an amount of food enough for three people and it was all kinds of seafood. She ate the noodles gracefully and quietly. Before long, a man in a cap entered the shop and went straight to the aloof beauty.
When the man wearing a cap sat down, he turned back to look at the surveillance. He was wearing a mask and his face could not be seen.
The two said something but it was unknown. He then picked up the mobile phone that the aloof beauty put on the table for a moment, and then turned and left.
“Rewind,” Liu Mei said.
Minister Wu pressed the rewind button, and Liu Mei said, “Stop!”
In the video, the man sat down. After a few words with Ice Shards, he took off his mask. If the surveillance was on the opposite side, they would be able to see the man’s face. Liu Mei didn’t want to see this, as she pointed to the video and said, “Look carefully at what technique this is.”
In the picture, after the man took off his mask, he snapped his fingers and everyone saw what happened clearly. The cold beauty suddenly froze and her eyes became empty. Due to the surveillance quality, the video pixels resolution were not high, and Ice Shards was perpetually expressionless. If one did not look carefully, it was easy to ignore this detail.
“The Hu family’s Charm!” Liu Shan grit his teeth.
Just like the Huang family’s technique, Spirit out of Body, the five different families in Northeast China all have their distinctive iconic characteristics.
Li Xianyu turned his head and looked at Minister Wu, who nodded and gave a positive answer.
“Damn it, it turned out to be a member of the Hu family.”
“The Hu and Wu families have formed an alliance and targeted our Liu family.”
“Gather all the Liu family members in the northeast immediately. We will pursue this feud with the Hu and Wu families endlessly until we die.”
The Liu family members had a temper again, and this time, it was as if they were possessed by Brother Flattop.
“I will go to the Wu and Hu families’ houses in person and ask them for an explanation. But before the truth comes out, the Li family descendant is still a suspect, so please do not leave the northeast during this period of time.” Liu Mei smiled and asked, “Is that alright?”
Li Xianyu nodded slightly.
“Well, according to the rules, Baoze will not interfere in the personal grievances of the demon descendants community, and will remain neutral. But after all, our staff is involved, so the headquarters will send some colleagues to help with the investigation,” Minister Wu said.
Li Xianyu could not help looking at him. He could guess which of Old Wu’s colleagues he was referring to. Isn’t it better to take him out of the matter? Does Old Wu know he’s on a secret mission?
“If that is all, I’ll take my leave.” Minister Wu motioned towards Liu Yao and Li Xianyu to follow him and went to the door. He paused and turned back, as if he had thought of something. “I am devastated about Liu Tong’s death, but the dead cannot come back to life. I mean, since he’s dead, can you give me his corpse?”
Liu Mei frowned. “Of course not.”
Minister Wu swallowed his saliva, and showed a greedy expression, “Then, can you give me the snake gallbladder, I can take it home to brew wine.”
“Scram!”
“Alright fine. Petty,” Wu Sanjin muttered. Seeing that the house full of snakes had a tendency to rage, he hurriedly ran away.
After they left the villa and came to the side of the car, he tossed a cigarette to Li Xianyu.
The night was dark, as the moon was obscured by dark clouds. A thunderstorm was coming.
Comrade Wu lit the cigarette butt and spat out a puff of green smoke. He looked at the dark night, and commented, “There seems to be a big storm coming tonight.”
In a trance, Li Xianyu seemed to sense a deeper meaning from the useless minister.
“Do you have any ideas, Minister Wu?”
Wu Sanjin returned to his flippant and lazy appearance. “I don’t have any ideas. I’m just a useless high-ranking person. I’ll drink my wine and have a good sleep, regardless of the bloodshed.”
After Liu Mei finished speaking, the group of snakes raged. Their murderous intent was like tumultuous waves and landslides.
In the face of the agitated Liu family, Li Xianyu frowned. The sequelae of Gluttony were too strong and Great-Grandma was not around to suppress Slime. The consequences of activating Gluttony were very dangerous, and he was most likely to fall into an irreparable abyss.
But it was his only chance at the moment. Liu Yao was here to help, so he couldn’t cause her to die here.
There was no doubt that he was framed tonight. Not to mention he didn’t know it was a trap, even if he knew it, he had to jump. He couldn’t joke around with Ice Shard’s life.
Although his sister often put him in his place, she was still his sister, no matter how bad her personality was.
“Let’s be merciful and lenient… We are all civilized people, let’s talk this over nicely.”
At this critical juncture, a drunken man walked in from the collapsed gate, holding a bottle of wine in his hand. Bright yellow liquor poured out of the bottle.
The little snakes that stood in the way retreated one after another, and they seemed to hate the wine. The large snakes, which were more deadly and refused to retreat, were kicked away by him.
“Wu Xin, who are you with?!” a golden python roared.
Several other massive pythons turned their heads, looking silently at Comrade Wu. The snake’s vertical pupils were born with a skill buff of cold gaze. If the average person was stared at by a python of this size, he would pee in fear within a few minutes.
“I haven’t used this name for many years, and every time I hear someone mention it, it reminds me of my humiliating past.” Minister Wu shrugged and drank all the realgar wine in the bottle. “You want to kill someone of Baoze, and I knew that all of you say I am a useless minister, but a useless minister is also the minister. There is not a word of explanation and you want to kill my staff casually, do you think I don’t want face?”
Liu Mei said nonchalantly, “He killed my Liu family owner, this sin is enough.”
Minister Wu Sanjin let out a “tsk” but did not answer. In a flash, he came to the fourth floor landing window beside Li Xianyu.
Li Xianyu heaved a sigh of relief. “I thought you would be a coward.”
Wu Sanjin glanced at the study, went to the wall and found a bottle of whiskey in the wine cabinet under Liu Tong’s snake body. He unscrewed the lid, placed it under his nose and took a deep breath. “Before the executives from headquarters arrives, I have to take responsibility as minister.”
He strongly kicked the ferocious snake head. “Old Liu, why were you killed out of the blue?”
“Everyone!” Minister Wu came to the window and walked like a third-rate cowboy. “I have showed my utmost sincerity by coming alone. You can choose whether you want to use force due to anger and burn bridges with Baoze thoroughly, or sit down and talk about it cordially.”
…
Half an hour later, in the lobby of a villa.
“Liu Tong’s hearts was sealed with this nail, and it was a fatal blow. According to Li Xianyu and Liu Yao, there was no trace of fighting in the study. Of course, they are still suspects, and what they say is not necessarily credible.” Minister Wu lay lazily on the soft sofa, took a sip of wine and said.
“Uncle, you were the first to receive them.”
The elderly uncle sat on the sofa opposite them and nodded.
There were two people and eight snakes gathered in the lobby, six of which were currently the highest combat strength of the Liu family in Jiuhu Mountain. Each of them was at the standard of senior staff. The strongest was the brown scaled and white belly python Liu Shan, second only to the owner Liu Tong. He had an angular square face and was a very serious middle-aged man.
“You said you heard the movement and went upstairs to check it out. You then found that Liu Tong was dead. It was only a few minutes from when they went upstairs to when you heard it,” Minister Wu said.
“Yes,” the uncle replied hoarsely.
“All of you present are well aware of Liu Tong’s power. If they are the killers, do you think they can kill Liu Tong in just a few minutes?”
Liu Mei crossed her beautiful legs, her left hand supporting her ample chest, as she twirled her hair with her right index finger and murmured, “The owner was attacked behind and a sharp weapon was pierced into his heart. He didn’t even have a chance to transform into his original form after his death. So the man who attacked him should be the one who is closest to and trusted by the owner of his family.”
Minister Wu snapped his fingers. “You are an incredibly intelligent snake indeed. I like to talk to snakes with high IQ like you.”
Li Xianyu and Liu Yao listened and remained silent. They had not yet been cleared of suspicion and could not express their opinions. Otherwise, he could snark at the snakes with low IQ.
Liu Mei leaned forward, pinched the copper nails on the table between her slender fingers, and appraised them carefully. “This nail is the only valuable clue.”
Everyone glanced at the copper nails. It was surprising that others did not know what it was, let alone a rookie like Li Xianyu.
In the silence, Wu Sanjin said nonchalantly, “An item from the Wu family.”
One man and eight snakes all looked towards him. Liu Mei raised her eyebrow. “Minister Wu, do you know what you are talking about?”
Wu Sanjin said expressionlessly, “When I was a child, I saw the above mantra on a book in the family collection pavilion. I don’t know if it was done by the Wu family, but the mantra belonged to the Wu family.”
Liu Shan slapped his palm on the table and roared in fury, “So Big Brother was killed by a member of the Wu family? Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll charge to the Wu family, demand for justice, and avenge Big Brother.”
With the exception of Liu Mei, the other members of the Liu family agreed. “Charge to the Wu family and demand for justice…”
“Take it easy.” Liu Mei’s words calmed the people down. She stared at the copper nails and looked at Wu Sanjin. “Uncles, the nails are the Wu family’s items, but the Wu family members are unable to enter Jiuhu Mountain. We have a mole amongst us.”
Li Xianyu said, “Just ask the snakes in the villa to know who had been to the villa, before I came.”
She made a phone call, and a few minutes later, a seductive woman sashayed in and whispered a few words to her ear. “No one has entered the villa,” Liu Mei said.
“No way!” Li Xianyu opened his eyes wide.
“These little things’ words cannot be used as evidence. There are plenty of ways to enter the villa quietly and they may not be able to detect them.” Minister Wu expressed his views.
“Or we can solve the problem from a different angle,” Liu Yao said suddenly. When the others looked over, she said, “Since there are not too many valuable clues here, can we start with the people who kidnapped Li Xianyu’s sister?”
A master of the Liu family frowned. “What do you mean?”
Liu Yao had an expression of aversion that said “I don’t want to talk to the same kind that have a low IQ” as she turned her head and looked at Li Xianyu.
“Why are you looking at me? My mobile phone was crushed by this woman. Goddamn it, it costed 7000 dollars for one,” Li Xianyu said exasperatedly.
Liu Yao took out her mobile phone and handed it to him.
Li Xianyu typed Ice Shard’s mobile phone number and dialled. It rang a few times and his call connected, “What’s the matter?”
“Sis, are you asleep?” Li Xianyu’s voice unconsciously had a tone to please his sister.
“If you need anything, just say it.” Ice Shards was as straightforward and crisp as ever.
“Where have you been all night?”
“Having dinner.”
“Besides having dinner? Have you met anyone strange?”
“No.”
“Where did you eat at?”
“Master Lyu’s Seafood Noodle shop.”
Liu Shan asked impatiently, “What are you trying to say?”
Li Xianyu did not answer but turned to Wu Sanjin and said, “Old Wu, can you send someone to check the CCTV of Master Lyu’s Seafood Noodle shop?”
Wu Sanjin thought about it and understood. He got up and said, “I’ll go out and make a phone call.”
Li Xianyu explained, “I did get a text message that my sister was kidnapped. On the way, I have been calling her but the voice message kept saying her phone was turned off. Although I do not know why Liu Mei could call through, but I did not get through. You may still doubt me so I won’t explain. We just have to look through the surveillance to see what happened to my sister and you will naturally believe what I said.”
Liu Shan hummed. “Who knows if your sister cooperated with you to act? You also said you will annihilate the Demons Alliance in the day.”
“Exactly.” The snakes echoed each other.
The invisible murderous intent began to pervade the hall again.
Tsk, are these snakes relatives of Brother Flattop? They want to fight and could not be negotiated with. Fortunately, Liu Mei still had the scene under control. This snake sister’s IQ probably went through gene mutation and was still rational. She managed to suppress the anger of several of her uncles.
After calling back, Minister Wu waited for about half an hour and received a text message. He asked, “Can I borrow a computer?”
Liu Mei had the computer delivered at once.
Minister Wu logged in to his private email, and a few minutes ago, a video email was sent to his mailbox. It was a surveillance video edited from Master Lyu’s Seafood Noodle shop.
Minister Wu opened the video and turned the laptop screen towards the crowd.
The video began when a beautiful, aloof beauty entered the noodle shop. She ordered an amount of food enough for three people and it was all kinds of seafood. She ate the noodles gracefully and quietly. Before long, a man in a cap entered the shop and went straight to the aloof beauty.
When the man wearing a cap sat down, he turned back to look at the surveillance. He was wearing a mask and his face could not be seen.
The two said something but it was unknown. He then picked up the mobile phone that the aloof beauty put on the table for a moment, and then turned and left.
“Rewind,” Liu Mei said.
Minister Wu pressed the rewind button, and Liu Mei said, “Stop!”
In the video, the man sat down. After a few words with Ice Shards, he took off his mask. If the surveillance was on the opposite side, they would be able to see the man’s face. Liu Mei didn’t want to see this, as she pointed to the video and said, “Look carefully at what technique this is.”
In the picture, after the man took off his mask, he snapped his fingers and everyone saw what happened clearly. The cold beauty suddenly froze and her eyes became empty. Due to the surveillance quality, the video pixels resolution were not high, and Ice Shards was perpetually expressionless. If one did not look carefully, it was easy to ignore this detail.
“The Hu family’s Charm!” Liu Shan grit his teeth.
Just like the Huang family’s technique, Spirit out of Body, the five different families in Northeast China all have their distinctive iconic characteristics.
Li Xianyu turned his head and looked at Minister Wu, who nodded and gave a positive answer.
“Damn it, it turned out to be a member of the Hu family.”
“The Hu and Wu families have formed an alliance and targeted our Liu family.”
“Gather all the Liu family members in the northeast immediately. We will pursue this feud with the Hu and Wu families endlessly until we die.”
The Liu family members had a temper again, and this time, it was as if they were possessed by Brother Flattop.
“I will go to the Wu and Hu families’ houses in person and ask them for an explanation. But before the truth comes out, the Li family descendant is still a suspect, so please do not leave the northeast during this period of time.” Liu Mei smiled and asked, “Is that alright?”
Li Xianyu nodded slightly.
“Well, according to the rules, Baoze will not interfere in the personal grievances of the demon descendants community, and will remain neutral. But after all, our staff is involved, so the headquarters will send some colleagues to help with the investigation,” Minister Wu said.
Li Xianyu could not help looking at him. He could guess which of Old Wu’s colleagues he was referring to. Isn’t it better to take him out of the matter? Does Old Wu know he’s on a secret mission?
“If that is all, I’ll take my leave.” Minister Wu motioned towards Liu Yao and Li Xianyu to follow him and went to the door. He paused and turned back, as if he had thought of something. “I am devastated about Liu Tong’s death, but the dead cannot come back to life. I mean, since he’s dead, can you give me his corpse?”
Liu Mei frowned. “Of course not.”
Minister Wu swallowed his saliva, and showed a greedy expression, “Then, can you give me the snake gallbladder, I can take it home to brew wine.”
“Scram!”
“Alright fine. Petty,” Wu Sanjin muttered. Seeing that the house full of snakes had a tendency to rage, he hurriedly ran away.
After they left the villa and came to the side of the car, he tossed a cigarette to Li Xianyu.
The night was dark, as the moon was obscured by dark clouds. A thunderstorm was coming.
Comrade Wu lit the cigarette butt and spat out a puff of green smoke. He looked at the dark night, and commented, “There seems to be a big storm coming tonight.”
In a trance, Li Xianyu seemed to sense a deeper meaning from the useless minister.
“Do you have any ideas, Minister Wu?”
Wu Sanjin returned to his flippant and lazy appearance. “I don’t have any ideas. I’m just a useless high-ranking person. I’ll drink my wine and have a good sleep, regardless of the bloodshed.”
