A heretical cultivator in Bureau 749, I'm the fiercest at pulling out tendons and skinning peop

The more Ji Zuodao listened, the brighter his eyes became.

As soon as Li Shuwen finished speaking, he suddenly waved his hand, and the laziness on his face vanished, replaced by an almost excited expression.

"Setting rules?"

He chuckled, his lips parting to reveal his gleaming white teeth.

"What kind of rules are these! All this dawdling and indecisiveness, how much profit can you possibly make?"

Ji Zuodao leaned forward and grabbed Li Shuwen's wrist with considerable force, his eyes flashing with an alarming light:

"Good lad, you're quick-witted! Now that you mention it, I understand! How much can we make by setting rules? If we're going to do it, let's do something big! Once and for all, we'll take everything!"

Li Shuwen's wrist ached from being gripped so tightly. Looking at Ji Zuodao's excited, slightly reddened eyes, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt that something was wrong.

That familiar, ominous premonition started bubbling up again.

"No...no..."

His tongue was a little tied.

"Investigator Ji, what you're saying... I don't understand! How is it my idea? What do you mean by 'make it big'? Please explain clearly!"

"Tsk, still don't understand?"

Ji Zuodao released his grip, tapping his fingers excitedly on the table, speaking rapidly like a machine gun:

"Look at these bald monks from out of town, aren't they the best at feigning poverty and hiding their wealth deeper than a rat hole? Fine, I'll grant them their wish!"

"I'll spread the word first, saying I'll come to check their accounts, assets, and see if they've evaded taxes!"

"The Taoist priest is giving them time, letting them hide as much as they can, hide as desperately as possible! The better, let them hide until they can't even find their way back!"

"Then, as promised, I went to their place and pretended to do a thorough inspection. They love to put on an act, right? So I played along! I inspected all that junk they showed me!"

"Pots and pans, tattered robes and rotten wooden fish—I'll register them all, make a clear list, and label everything perfectly!"

He paused deliberately, leaned back, crossed his arms, and gave a wicked, smug smile:

"Once this play is over, the forms are all set up, and the gates are closed... hehe."

"If their temple 'accidentally' loses any extra items that aren't registered on the forms... then it has absolutely nothing to do with me, the Taoist priest."

"After all, I didn't see any of those things when I was investigating, right?"

Li Shuwen gasped, a chill running from his tailbone to the top of his head.

Absolutely!

That's absolutely amazing!

This isn't setting rules, it's digging up graves of people who will die out!

First, they give you time to hide the stolen goods, then they register the "stolen goods" you hide, and finally they take all your real money and valuables.

Even if those monks eventually realize that Ji Zuodao was behind it and come knocking on their door to argue—

Did you lose something?

Okay, come on, take out the form, let's check it one by one.

What? You're saying the lost item isn't on the form?

Okay! So that means you concealed information and evaded taxes?!

Don't tell me it happened later, I don't believe it.

He's obviously a repeat offender, a veteran!

You must have done a lot of work in previous years, right?

Come on, let's seal the mountain gate first, and then we'll investigate slowly, starting from your ancestor's generation!

This is driving people to their deaths and blocking all avenues for seeking justice!

even……

Li Shuwen shivered.

In fact, if that happens, the investigators from Bureau 749 might be hoping that those monks will be driven to desperation and resort to force to resist.

That would be even better; there would be no need to even investigate.

Revolt?

Good, this confirms the violent resistance to law enforcement, so let's raid their home!

It is perfectly justified and reasonable!

"Um... Investigator Hime."

Li Shuwen swallowed, feeling a bit dry in his throat.

"That's a brilliant idea... but those bald monks are as cunning as ghosts; their hiding places won't be easy to find."

"hey-hey……"

Ji Zuodao grinned from ear to ear, patted the human skin bag at his waist, and kicked Dog Master, who was lying at his feet yawning.

"Don't worry. When it comes to finding things and taking stock of someone's belongings..."

"Dog and I are professionals."

Li Shuwen was taken aback, then remembered how this man had thoroughly examined him from head to toe yesterday.

They even went after the holes in his clothes...

That was incredibly meticulous, incredibly professional.

A chill ran down his spine for no apparent reason, and he gave a dry laugh.

"Haha... You're really professional."

"Then I wish Investigator Ji a resounding success and a swift victory."

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Ji Zuodao smiled and refilled his cup, his tone incredibly enthusiastic:

"Ha! You scholars really do have sharp minds, quick thinking! If it weren't for your words just now, I wouldn't have thought of this move. I'll remember you for this, you absolutely must!"

"Not at all, Investigator Ji, you flatter me..." Li Shuwen subconsciously waved his hand modestly, with a smile on his face.

But before the smile could fully unfold, it froze on her face.

With a soft "clatter," he had lost his grip on the wine glass, causing it to hit the edge of the table and spill wine all over his hand.

Li Shuwen felt a jolt, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his body.

He finally realized what was wrong!

and many more!

From beginning to end, wasn't this all your own "brilliant plan," Investigator Ji?

What does this have to do with me, Li Shuwen?!

How did I get credit for this?!

Why are you trying to pin this huge mess on my head?

If those visiting monks knew that Li Shuwen had contributed to the plan...

Will he be able to see the sun rise over Jinghai tomorrow?!

"Hime... Investigator Hime!"

Li Shuwen's voice trembled slightly as he quickly straightened his wine glass and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"This method is clearly your brilliant and far-sighted idea! How could I dare to claim credit for your work? That's inappropriate, really inappropriate!"

"Eh—"

Ji Zuodao dragged out his words, giving him a "why are you being so formal?" look, and patted his shoulder.

"What do you mean, 'yours' or 'mine'? Do you think I'm the kind of person who steals credit? What's yours is yours, and nobody can keep it!"

"Here's the deal: in a few days, we'll go together! You can help out from the sidelines and broaden your horizons. When we get some benefits, I'll share with you! How about that, isn't that a good deal, Daoist Master?"

"No, no, no! You mustn't! Absolutely not!"

Li Shuwen shook his head like a rattle drum, his hands almost blurring out afterimages.

"This is against the rules! I'm not an investigator from Bureau 749, I'm not on the official payroll, and I have no authority. How can I participate in official bureau operations? This violates discipline!"

"Hey, Comrade Li Shuwen, that's a narrow-minded view."

Ji Zuodao's expression turned serious, his back straightened, and he instantly switched to "leader's speech" mode, speaking earnestly:

"Cooperating with investigators from Bureau 749, actively providing clues, and assisting in maintaining harmony and stability between the spiritual community and secular society... this is the duty of every registered Qi practitioner!"

Li Shuwen's mouth was agape, and she felt her vision go black; she was on the verge of tears.

"Alright, alright, look how scared you are."

Ji Zuodao suddenly dropped his official tone, waved his hand dismissively, leaned back in his chair, and pursed his lips:

"If you don't want to go, fine. Do you think I can force a cow to drink water?"

"This is... a golden opportunity that others would kill for, and you're turning it upside down when it's offered to you for free..."

Li Shuwen slumped in his chair, secretly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, only one thought remaining in his mind:

survived.