What do you mean by saying that the corpses I sew are all ominous creatures?

"Thirty million?"

I held the phone, my tone still unhurried, even with a hint of teasing.

"Old Jin, it seems my valuation on the black market is rising faster than the housing prices in Jiangcheng."

"Last time, those people from the Shadow Sect only offered you 20 million, right?"

On the other end of the phone, Jin Wanliang couldn't laugh.

His voice was very low: "Oh my brother Chen, please stop teasing me. That money is too hot to handle!"

However, what does it mean that the other party specifically asked for that black bone needle?

This shows that they not only knew it was a good thing, but also knew that it was in your possession.

Your background has probably been half-examined by someone.

My eyes narrowed slightly.

Jin Wanliang is right. The people who know I have bone needles are either people close to me or evil cultivators I've fought.

However, most of the heretical practitioners who have seen me use bone needles either end up inside or die.

Could it be the Shadow Sect group?

"Is it possible to find out who posted the bonus?"

I asked, my fingers gently stroking the scalpel hidden in my sleeve, feeling its cool touch.

"It's difficult," Jin Wanliang sighed.

"The money went through an offshore account overseas, changed hands seven or eight times, and finally entered the black market system through underground banks."

Moreover, the person who placed the order used a contract of absolute certainty, the highest level of entrustment where they wouldn't act until they saw a tangible benefit.

but……"

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat meaningful: "At this critical juncture, I can't think of anyone other than those lunatics from Southeast Asia who would dare to spend 30 million to buy the life of an embalmer."

Give me some time. I'll follow the trail of the money exchange. If the money moves, it will leave a trace.

"Okay, thank you for your help. Let me know as soon as you find out."

I didn't dwell on why Jin Wanliang knew about the Nanyang affair.

In Jiangcheng, Jin Wanliang has a very keen sense of smell.

"Don't be so polite with me. Take care of yourself. I bet the shady characters in Jiangcheng are going to get active these next few days."

Thirty million is enough to drive many desperate criminals to take the risk.

I hung up the phone and turned around.

Lu Yan had been standing next to me the whole time. Although she didn't hear everything that happened, she got pretty much the gist of it.

"What do you mean?" Lu Yan took two steps closer, her brows furrowing slightly.

"If it's a bounty on your head, the Folklore Bureau can intervene immediately."

I can deploy a special forces team to provide you with 24-hour protection, or directly raid several black market strongholds.

I shook my head and looked at the bustling street outside the funeral home.

"No." I raised my hand to stop her.

"Director Lu, if it really is those people from Southeast Asia who put the bounty on your head, then if you start a large-scale operation to control the situation now, you'll be playing right into their hands."

Think about it, those people in Southeast Asia just lost a protector, and now they're suddenly making such a big fuss and offering a bounty on me. Besides revenge, it seems more like they're trying to...create chaos.

Lu Yan was a smart woman and understood immediately: "You mean, a diversionary tactic?"

"Possibly."

I analyzed, "Now that bronze box is in your hands, if the elites of the Folklore Bureau are all deployed to protect me or to raid the black market, then the defenses of the headquarters will be weakened."

Moreover, although 30 million is a lot, it is just a drop in the ocean for the power of a large gang.

Using this small amount of money to stir up trouble in Jiangcheng, giving them a chance to fish in troubled waters, is a very worthwhile deal.

Lu Yan's expression darkened, clearly realizing this as well.

She took a deep breath and nodded: "You're right, the contents of that box are too important, we absolutely cannot afford any mistakes."

"Then I'll head back to the station and oversee the lab's security."

At this point, she looked at me with some concern: "And what about you? You're facing so many assassins all by yourself, plus the sorcerers from Southeast Asia..."

"I am not alone."

I smiled and pointed to my phone.

"I'll go find Li Qing right now."

Although that kid seems unreliable, there are few people in Jiangcheng who can break his feng shui formations.

"Staying close with him is more effective than being in the safe house at the station."

When Lu Yan heard me say this, her expression softened slightly: "Li Qing is indeed a good helper."

Tingyuxuan... I've heard of that place too. The owner has a powerful background, and ordinary thugs don't dare to cause trouble there.

Okay, since you've already made up your mind, I won't force you.

Contact me anytime if anything happens. You know my personal number; it's available 24/7.

"Okay. Be careful too."

Watching Lu Yan's imposing SUV disappear into the distance, I did not leave the funeral home immediately.

Instead, he went to Director Wang's office first, greeted him, and said that he had some urgent matters at home and needed to ask for a few days off.

Director Wang looked at me with a complicated expression, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

He finally just sighed and said, "Xiao Chen, although I don't know what trouble you've gotten into outside, you're a good kid."

Be careful in everything you do. If things really don't go well... come back. Although this funeral home has a heavy yin energy, ordinary wandering ghosts don't dare to come in casually.

Hearing this, I felt a warmth in my heart.

Although Director Wang is just an ordinary person who looks timid, he has worked in the funeral home for so many years and knows that I am not just an ordinary mortician.

"Don't worry, Director Wang, I'm just going back to go on a blind date. I'll be back in a few days."

I made up a lie on the spot, not wanting him to worry.

After leaving Director Wang's office, I drove away.

Tingyuxuan is located in the old town of Jiangcheng, not too far from the funeral home, about a 20-minute drive.

Throughout the journey, I remained highly vigilant.

The malevolent energy flowed slowly within my body, while the cool aura between my brows circulated to its maximum, making my five senses even more acute.

That feeling of being watched persisted, intermittently, sometimes visible, sometimes not.

It seems that quite a few people have their eyes on me because of those 30 million.

But they are still watching, waiting for someone to take the lead, or waiting for me to reveal a weakness.

A cold smile curled at the corner of my lips.

You want to trade my life for money? You'll have to see if you're even alive to spend it.

Twenty minutes later, I parked the car at the entrance of an old street paved with bluestone slabs.

Tingyuxuan is located deep within this street.

Although the location is somewhat remote, business here is surprisingly good.

The lobby on the first floor was full of tea drinkers, some discussing business, some playing chess, and others simply there to listen to the music.

I walked through the noisy first-floor lobby and went straight up the stairs.

The second floor has private seating areas, which are relatively quieter.

The third floor, however, is private property and not open to the public.

Compared to the hustle and bustle downstairs, the third floor was as quiet as another world.

The corridor was covered with thick carpets, and several paintings and calligraphy works by famous artists hung on the walls. A faint sandalwood scent permeated the air.

I walked to that familiar room number 100, and before I could even knock, the door opened from the inside.

Li Qing was wearing loose cotton and linen pajamas, her hair was messy like a bird's nest, and she was holding a game controller in her hand, looking like she hadn't woken up yet.