Starting as a prodigy wanting milk? A world-destroying deception in the opposite direction.

Despite his travel-worn appearance, he couldn't hide the heroic spirit between his brows. Seeing the brother and sister chatting happily in the courtyard, a smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

During this period, Shen Zhenglan's mindset gradually changed.

He was no longer as consumed by guilt over his wife's death as before, and he became much more cheerful.

He strode into the courtyard and asked with a smile:

"What are you talking about that makes you so happy?"

Upon seeing her father return, Shen Xuan immediately released Shen Zhen's sleeve, ran joyfully forward, hugged his arm, and said:

"Father, my psychic powers have improved considerably. Now I can protect the capital like you and my brother!"

A look of satisfaction flashed across Shen Zhenglan's eyes:

"Good, as expected of my daughter, she has ambition!"

Seeing the changes in his father, Shen Zhen was genuinely happy. Their relationship also became increasingly harmonious. He stepped forward and asked:

"Father, are things going smoothly?"

"It went fairly smoothly," Shen Zhenglan chuckled softly.

"Come on, let's go inside and talk."

Back inside, Shen Zhenglan recounted what he had done.

It turned out that he had inadvertently tracked down a group of heretics and discovered their hideout.

During this time, Shen Zhenglan had been investigating clues to a four-year-old case, but he was struggling to find any leads. However, he inadvertently discovered traces of the heretics.

He followed the clues and finally found the suspicious hideout of this heretic group.

Shen Zhenglan's expression turned serious, and he continued:

"This group of heretics is very cunning, changing their hiding places several times."

They seem to be plotting some huge conspiracy, which I fear could threaten the safety of the capital.

Furthermore, this group seems to greatly admire hedonism and indulge in extreme extravagance.

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhen felt a chill run down her spine and stepped forward to ask further:

"Dad, is there a fragrance around them when they're out and about?"

And during these gatherings, do they promote ideas like "the world is a vain place, so live for the moment"?

A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Zhenglan's eyes, and he nodded, saying:

How did you know?

Their temporary base did indeed have a cloyingly sweet smell that was unsettling.

Moreover, I had secretly overheard their gatherings.

The nonsense you're spouting is exactly what you're saying, like "it's better to indulge yourself for a while than to blindly follow the rules," and that a "guide" has shown them the right path.

"They really are in cahoots!" Shen Zhen frowned and briefly explained the details of the Jubao Fang case to Shen Zhenglan.

"The core of the Jubao Fang case we are investigating today is a woman who has been bewitched."

Her psychic powers, imbued with fragrance, manipulated people into indulging in self-harm using the same ideology.

Chief Ling has already handed over the relevant clues to Lord Wang Juan of the Ceremonial Office. I wonder if they'll be able to find anything.

Shen Zhenglan's face darkened. He walked to the table and sat down, lightly tapping the surface with his fingertips.

"In that case, this group of heretics must be connected to the Jubao Fang case."

It's very likely that the same group of people are manipulating things behind the scenes.

I've been tracking them for some time now and discovered that their activities are scattered, but they always seem to frequent the brothels and gambling dens in the capital.

They specifically target those whose resolve has wavered due to natural disasters or setbacks.

"And they are very cautious," Shen Zhenglan added.

"I almost reached their core stronghold several times, but they detected it in advance and moved it each time."

During the last tracking, I saw a heretic wearing a jade pendant with strange patterns carved on it. It didn't look like the style of the capital city; it was more like...

"Like what?" Shen Zhen pressed.

"Like... the totem of the western barbarians." Shen Zhenglan frowned slightly, tracing two lines on the table with his fingertip.

"I took a closer look and saw that the patterns had a rough and rugged feel, with half a broken animal head carved on the edge."

Shen Zhenxin felt a chill run down her spine:

"Have the western barbarians also infiltrated the capital? This situation is getting increasingly complex."

His brow furrowed, and his mind automatically pieced together the fragmented clues:

The sweet fragrance of the magical energy in Jubao Fang, the "guide" mentioned by the woman, the heretics the father was pursuing, and the jade pendant engraved with the totem of the western barbarians.

It is clear that the same organization is behind both incidents.

"Father, this heretical organization is not simple," Shen Zhen said in a deep voice.

"Before she died, the woman from Jubaofang also mentioned the Guide, saying that the Guide would make everyone understand her philosophy."

Shen Xuan, who was standing to the side, seemed a little nervous, but still clenched her small fists and said:

"Brother, Dad, we must find these bad guys!"

They not only want to harm the people of the capital, but they're also spreading such wicked ideas!

Shen Zhenglan patted his daughter's head, his eyes gentle yet firm:

"Don't worry, your father and brother will protect the capital."

He turned to look at Shen Zhen.

"Since the two cases have the same origin, I have tracked down a few possible hideouts of heretics that might be of help to you."

Shen Zhen immediately stood up:

"Father, I was just about to say that you are my savior! I will report those accommodations to Chief Ling tomorrow."

Shen Zhenglan chuckled and said, "Why are we being so polite, father and son?"

He paused for a moment, then said, "By the way, next time you see Yi Tianxing, remember to thank him for me."

Shen Zhen smiled knowingly:

"Okay, Dad, you've really worked hard these past few years."

Shen Zhenglan naturally knew that Shen Zhen was referring to his wife's death. He closed his eyes slightly and said calmly:

"That's all in the past. Protecting you is my most important thing now, but I will not give up on the pursuit of the truth."

Shen Zhen nodded solemnly.

"Dad, if we work together, there's no difficulty we can't overcome."

Shen Xuan, listening from the side, was filled with excitement and tugged at Shen Zhen's sleeve, saying:

"Brother, I want to go with you guys too! My telekinesis has improved a bit, I can be of help!"

Shen Zhen smiled helplessly and gently patted her hand:

"Xuan'er, it's too dangerous. You're still young. Stay home and cultivate properly first."

"Once you get a little stronger, I'll definitely take you on missions with me, okay?"

Although Shen Xuan was a little disappointed, she still nodded sensibly.

"Okay! I'll definitely train hard and become powerful as soon as possible!"

......

The next morning, at the Jingxie Division.

Lei Lie, Han Yan, and the others had arrived long ago, and the new recruits' team had also gradually arrived.

Upon seeing Shen Zhen enter, Lei Lie immediately began shouting in his loud voice:

"Xiao Shen, you've come at the perfect time!" He slammed his hand on the table.

"I was just telling Captain Hanyan that we chased those heretics yesterday, and they got away faster than rabbits."

Han Yan's cold gaze swept over Shen Zhen, she nodded slightly as a greeting, and then said:

"The message just came back from Lord Wang Juan of the Ritual Office, confirming that the aura on the token is the same as that of the heretics who caused a great disturbance at the Fushen ceremony last time."

She paused, then looked at Shen Zhen.

"The woman from Jubao Fang that you dealt with has a strange origin in her power, and it is not yet possible to determine whether she is directly related to this group of heretics."

Shen Zhen understood immediately.

The "hedonistic" philosophy of the women of Jubaofang is more abstract and desperate, seemingly different from this organized and purposeful heretical action, but there is a subtle connection behind it.

Just as Shen Zhen was about to speak and report the clues his father had provided the previous night, Chief Si Ling walked in with steady steps, speaking softly.

Everyone immediately fell silent.

Ling Buyu's gaze swept across the entire room, and he said in a deep voice:

"Everyone is already aware of the situation."

Lord Wang Juan confirmed that the tokens obtained by Lei Lie and Han Yan were indeed heretical items from the Fushen ritual.

As for the Jubao Fang case, it is currently impossible to determine its direct connection to that heretical group.