absurd deduction game.

"It is extremely difficult to identify the heart of a corpse."

The archbishop's tone carried a hint of weariness: "They cannot be detected by conventional means. Only by relying on the holy emblem bestowed by the Mother Goddess and closely sensing the lifeless heart within their body can they be identified."

"But the town has a large population, and the chaotic rain affects a wide area... We are far from having enough manpower, and progress is slow. New victims are appearing almost every day, especially in the poor areas where information is scarce and protection is weak..."

He didn't say anything more, but the sorrow and pressure he felt were already palpable.

The church was clearly struggling to cope with this sudden disaster—limited by the times and various contradictions, their organizational capabilities were really backward.

“As far as I know, many investigators are not afraid of the bizarre and love going to the center of the incident, so the casualties have been heavy these past two days.” Yu Xing stated calmly, smiling at the archbishop. “Now, every person less available will make things more difficult, won’t they?”

He put it very tactfully. Putting aside the investigators, the deducers who volunteered for this instance were willing to do anything risky for the sake of the mission, the ranking, and their own benefits.

Especially those on the "degenerate line," it's difficult to understand them using normal human thinking.

Therefore, it's understandable that only nineteen out of fifty people survived.

The archbishop nodded gravely: "Yes. The chaos brought by the Chaos Rain has greatly hampered our efforts and also cost the lives of our investigators."

However, compared to other clergy and the public, the archbishop did not seem to care much about the casualties of the investigators. Having taken this position in the church, he knew very well that the investigators, like the clergy, were already prepared to sacrifice themselves for their faith or mission.

They enjoy a high status and more resources than ordinary people, precisely so that they can play a role in such times.

Yu Xing remained noncommittal.

"From a time perspective, destroying the City of Terror did not immediately stop the pollution in the real world." Yu Xing brought the topic back. "The influence of the ancient gods is multi-faceted. The City of Terror is an important coordinate and outpost, but the activities of the cult in the real world, as well as the pollution of natural disaster level like the Chaos Rain, are also important components of their plans."

He looked at the archbishop, his tone both consultative and deliberate: "If I were to judge, we should take a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, we should continue to eliminate the spawning monsters in the town, stabilize the situation, and reduce civilian casualties; on the other hand, we must launch an investigation into the 'Lighthouse Bookstore' as soon as possible. It is still unknown how important it is to the cult, but what is certain is that it is definitely connected with the cult."

The archbishop wholeheartedly agreed: “I completely agree. In fact, before you returned, we had already listed Lighthouse Bookstore as a highly suspicious entity based on some scattered clues. But several tests failed to detect any monster-like reactions, because it is Baron Clay’s property, and it is difficult for us to be too forceful without solid evidence.”

"Given the deteriorating situation in town, we didn't want to alert the enemy, so we haven't been able to take decisive action. Now, with the intelligence that Edgar obtained at the cost of his life, we don't need to wait any longer."

He hesitated for a moment, then decisively said, "I will immediately increase manpower to prioritize the monitoring and containment of the Lighthouse Bookstore area. At the same time, I will expedite the investigation of 'Corpse Heart' and restore basic order to the town as much as possible. As for the specific investigation operations..."

His gaze swept over Yu Xing and the other two, a questioning tone in his eyes: "The three of you have just returned from a fierce battle, and you should be allowed to rest. However, the situation is urgent, the investigation of Lighthouse Bookstore is crucial and fraught with unknown risks. I wonder if you..."

“We can go.” Yu Xing interrupted him directly, her tone without any hesitation. “No need to rest. We need a detailed structural diagram of the bookstore’s interior, as well as all the information you have regarding the bookstore and its owner.”

Qu Xianqing nodded silently, indicating his stance.

The actor shrugged, a playful smile on his face: "It sounds more interesting than catching frogs and searching for 'corpse hearts' outside. Although I want to rest... but, to be a good person to the end, I will participate."

A flicker of gratitude and decisiveness crossed the archbishop's eyes: "Very well! I'll have preparations made immediately! All relevant documents and maps will be delivered to your temporary residence as quickly as possible. In addition, our deacons will also be on the mission, but to prevent the people in the Lighthouse Bookstore from becoming suspicious of the church, the deacons will temporarily remain outside the bookstore to monitor and await orders. I will sign a warrant authorizing you to mobilize them to cooperate with the operation if necessary."

He walked to the table, picked up a quill, and quickly wrote on a piece of parchment, saying, "The three of you can go back to your rooms and rest for a while. Supplies and intelligence will be delivered soon. The Mother Goddess is with you, and may this operation bring us the final turning point!"

The exchange of intelligence has temporarily come to an end. Both sides could sense that the other was holding back, but they tacitly agreed.

Yu Xing took the key to the temporary residence from Ai Fan after he was summoned back in, nodded slightly to the archbishop, and then turned and left the office with Qu Xianqing and the musician.

The candlelight in the corridor remained dim.

On their way to their lodgings, just as they had come, they once again "encountered" Elder Sister Tian, ​​who was carrying a stack of clean cloths and seemed to be heading somewhere to get busy.

She stopped and gave the three of them her signature gentle and calm smile, her gaze lingering for a moment on Yu Xing's face, her tone warm and natural:

"It seems you have finished your talks with the Archbishop? May the Mother Goddess bless your next mission with all success."

Her blessing sounded incredibly sincere, like that of an elder who truly cares about the younger generation.

Yu Xing stopped and returned the same impeccable, slightly aloof, polite smile:

"Thank you for your kind words, Sister Tian."

“We also hope that the upcoming ‘cleaning’ work will be able to successfully uncover all… the ‘filth’ hidden in the light.”

After he finished speaking meaningfully, he didn't linger and brushed past Sister Tian.

Sister Tian's smile remained unchanged. She stood there, watching the three figures disappear around the corner of the corridor, her knuckles tightening slightly as she held the cloth.

Deep within those seemingly calm eyes, a faint, cold glint flashed and disappeared in an instant.

The break time went by quickly.

After lying down briefly in the temporary accommodation arranged by the priest, everything the archbishop had promised arrived. Yu Xing could only drag himself up, sigh, and use Carlos's paper doll to send him a message. Then, together with Qu Xianqing and the musicians, he left the church with the priests.

This was the first time they had stepped outside the church since returning from the city of terror.

The difference in the outside scenery is indeed immediately apparent.

……

The night, like thick ink, enveloped the town of Yolikev.

Although the chaotic rain has stopped, the wounds it left behind are clearly imprinted on every corner of the street.

The damp stone pavement reflected the pale moonlight, giving it an unhealthy, greasy sheen.

The air was filled with a lingering odor, a mixture of rust, rotting organic matter, and a faint, sweet, fishy smell—the embers of pollution settling, more subtle yet more persistent than direct rain.

Many shops had their doors and windows tightly shut, their wooden boards roughly nailed shut, and some windows still had dried, indescribable stains on them.

Occasionally, a gust of wind would sweep through the empty streets, swirling up scraps of paper and trash on the ground, making a mournful sound that added to the desolation and deathly silence. The faint sounds of people that could be heard during the day had completely vanished, as if the entire town was holding its breath in fear.

However, in this almost absolute darkness and silence, there is a glimmer of light that stubbornly pierces through the night, like the only beacon in the fog.

That's Lighthouse Bookstore.

It is located on the corner of a relatively wide street, and the two-story detached building has a simple and rustic style.

At this moment, its ground floor shop window facing the street is bright and warm, with soft yellow light pouring onto the steps in front of the door through the spotless glass.

The shop window displays several beautifully bound books, alongside vintage globes and brass telescopes, creating a tranquil and knowledge-rich atmosphere.

This light, in this town shrouded in shadow, seemed so abrupt, so... out of place.

It's not like a refuge; it's more like a carefully laid-out lure, waiting for moths to fly into the flame.

Yu Xing, Qu Xianqing, and Lingren appeared silently in the shadows of a narrow alleyway opposite the bookstore, like ghosts blending into the night.

Yu Xing's gaze swept across the deserted street and landed on the "lighthouse" that radiated a warm glow.

His senses, like invisible tentacles, extended forward, but when they reached the bookstore, he felt a subtle resistance, as if the light itself had built an invisible barrier, refusing any outside exploration.

That's it again.

From the beginning of the instance, every place that could hinder his perception was eerily guarded.

"The light is still on," Qu Xianqing said softly, her voice unusually clear in the silence.

She crossed her arms, her aura of blood sword completely concealed, her entire being like a sharp blade sheathed, her eyes sharply scanning the surroundings of the bookstore—closed-off neighboring buildings, dark windows, and any corners that might conceal danger.

The actor took a light sniff of the air, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on his lips: “Hmm… the stench of knowledge, mixed with… hmm, a faint, lingering scent of old parchment and… hmm, never mind, perhaps it’s just my imagination.”

The pauses and unfinished sentences in his words only added to the eeriness of the situation.

"Proceed according to plan." Yu Xing withdrew his senses, his voice steady. He stepped out of the shadows and onto the deserted stone path.

Qu Xianqing and the actor followed closely behind. The three of them walked with ease, yet they carried an invisible sense of oppression, breaking the deathly silence of the street.

Instead of heading directly to the bookstore's main entrance, they first went around to a narrower alleyway behind the bookstore.

There were some discarded wooden crates and miscellaneous items piled up here, and the air smelled even more musty.

Almost as soon as they stepped into the alley, several figures hidden in the deeper shadows moved.

The leader pulled down his hood, revealing a resolute yet weary face. He was the scarred high-ranking deacon who had met Yu Xing once before.

Behind him followed four fully armed church guards, their auras heavy and menacing. They gripped swords and shields engraved with wheat ear runes, their eyes wary.

“Investigator, sir/madam.” The scarred deacon lowered his voice and nodded slightly to Yu Xing as a gesture of respect. “I am Deacon Herbert, here to meet you on the orders of the Archbishop.”

His gaze swept quickly over Yu Xing and the other two, pausing slightly on the actor, clearly wary of this uniquely charismatic individual, but he said nothing more.

"How is the situation?" Yu Xing asked directly.

“The target building has remained unchanged, with the lights still on.” Deacon Herbert spoke quickly, with the efficiency of a soldier. “We have been monitoring it in shifts for more than six hours. Only twice did ‘someone’ draw the curtains on the second floor from the inside. The action was normal, and nothing seemed amiss. We did not observe any entry or exit.”

He paused, then added, "We've used the Holy Light to test the employees of Lighthouse Bookstore several times before, and it showed no abnormalities. Just now, we tried using the Holy Emblem for remote sensing, but it didn't work well either."

Herbert's gaze fell on the light shining from the bookstore's entrance: "There's some kind of interference inside, preventing me from clearly sensing any life force within. But I'm certain there's something moving inside the bookstore!"

Yu Xing nodded; this matched his perception.
“The signal remains the same.” Yu Xingyan succinctly confirmed the action plan. “If we remain inactive for an extended period, or if the agreed-upon danger signals emerge from within, then you may proceed.”

Deacon Herbert solemnly replied, "Understood. May the Mother Goddess protect you." He made a prayer gesture, and the guards behind him also stood at attention.

Having finished explaining, Yu Xing didn't linger any longer.

He turned around and led Qu Xianqing and the performer back to the main street. This time, they went straight to the brightly lit bookstore door that seemed to lead to another world.

The closer you get, the more enticing the warm light becomes, and a faint, comforting scent of ink seems to waft from inside the bookstore.

The brass bells hanging above the door remained motionless in the night wind.

Yu Xing paused briefly in front of the door, then reached out and pushed open the seemingly ordinary wooden door.

jingle--

The crisp sound of a bell rang out, breaking the silence inside and outside the bookstore, as if a boundary had been crossed.

The door closed gently behind me, shutting out the chill of the night outside and the lingering stench of pollution.

A wave of warmth washed over me, carrying a dry, comforting heat that instantly dispelled the chill from outside.

The first thing that fills the senses is the rich and mellow aroma of books.

It wasn't a single scent, but a complex aroma composed of old paper, freshly printed ink, tanned leather covers, and a faint, sandalwood-like fragrance—rich and comforting.

The smell was so normal, so in line with all the things one could imagine about a bookstore, that for a moment, one could almost forget the perilous world outside.

It was as if... the Chaos Rain had never come at all. (End of Chapter)