Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 187: Chapter 88 Dead Souls

Li Yelai got into the detective’s car and headed to the antique store first.

He found that the antique store, where he had worked for four years, had changed significantly.

Not only were there two new employees, but the store also had many more items.

Under the curious gazes of the two employees, Li Yelai and the detective walked into the store.

The boss and Old Zhao immediately came out to greet them.

”You’re here, now I can relax,” Old Zhao said as he shook hands with Li Yelai and the detective. ”If you can clean this up well, I can add a bonus to your pay!”

He was very surprised by the detective’s arrival; he was not clear on the scale of the abilities of Spiritual Ability Users, but having one more was certainly a good thing.

”We will naturally do our best, and if similar issues arise in the future, remember to call us,” the detective responded with a smile, handing out a business card, laying the groundwork for future cooperation.

”When exactly did the abnormal occurrence start?” Li Yelai then asked.

”It’s always at night, randomly appearing after dark. The staff staying at the estate to repair the house have seen silhouettes at different times,” Old Zhao explained. ”Now, some of the staff are distracted, unwilling to leave the estate. We have to forcibly take them away, but they still try by all means to get back into the estate.”

”Mental interference?” the detective pondered. ”What does the original owner have to say?”

”The original owner...” Old Zhao hesitated before responding, ”His family used to be well-off, but fell onto hard times. He planned to sell the estate to start over. However, it was said that his deceased grandfather had insisted that the house should not be sold. But he himself is completely ignorant of the current anomalies.”

”Has he himself ever encountered anything like this?” Li Yelai asked.

”He says he hasn’t,” Old Zhao replied. ”We don’t know if that’s true or not.”

”It’s not impossible that he knows about it but hides it to make the sale,” the detective analyzed. ”We should really go and check the site directly.”

Whatever the situation, it required investigation first.

If it turned out to be a Spiritual Ability User, an Abnormality, or even a Taboo Item,

they would have to request official support.

”Okay, okay,” Old Zhao hurriedly nodded.

Then, the three of them got into Old Zhao’s van and headed to the New District.

During the ride, he explained that the buyer had already paid a deposit and that the advance team would arrive at No. 3 Border City soon.

If the situation wasn’t resolved by then, not only could the deal be voided, but Old Zhao himself would also offend the buyer.

This made Li Yelai and the detective quite surprised. It was said that even a powerful dragon could not suppress a local snake. Could an afar Trader Guild from the Giant City really suppress the local trade association?

”I know your identities. You may also be aware of the others’ existence. The Family...” Old Zhao said with a distressed look. ”I used to be a Scavenger in the north and had dealings with them. They hold high status and have unusual methods. I really don’t want to offend the Yao Qingjing Family.”

”The Jing Family... A Family from the Yaoqing Giant City?” the detective frowned, although he was unfamiliar with the Yao Qingjing Family and had never visited the north. But as a Processor, he naturally knew of the Families.

They originated from the Catastrophe Era, a tiny fraction of the humans engulfed by the Disaster Fog who managed to fight their way back to the Physical World.

They brought back rich knowledge of Spiritual Energy, even the founding of the Giant Cities was based on the knowledge they brought.

A small portion of them preserved some knowledge and traditions, establishing their own families.

Since the descendants of Spiritual Ability Users had a higher probability of becoming Spiritual Ability Users themselves,

with intentional cultivation and strategic marriages, their offspring mostly became Spiritual Ability Users.

Their grasp on power and knowledge allowed them to wield significant influence.

”The Yao Qingjing Family?” Li Yelai’s expression changed; he had heard about this family in the ark, a family that had once produced a ruler. Now, it was said that a Spiritual Ability User of the Eighth Awakening was in charge. It was a force not to be underestimated.

According to intelligence from the ark, the Jing Family was coming to No. 3 Border City. The so-called large caravan was actually their group.

No wonder they had such confidence... daring to carry large sums of money across mountains and wilderness.

Perhaps the team included powerful Spiritual Ability Users?

Li Yelai immediately picked up the Communicator to report the intelligence to Yin Fire.

A few minutes later, Yin Fire responded, [We are aware of this, continue your investigation, and if the presence of an Abnormality is confirmed, notify us immediately. However, you could also invite a few Spiritual Ability Users to check together. Safety first.]

[Okay, if things go wrong, will the Jing Family come after us?] Li Yelai asked. He didn’t know much about the Families but understood that they were difficult to deal with.

[They won’t cause much trouble.] Yin Fire sent a ’Hahaha’ emoji. [It’s not just the creatures of the Void Realm in the Forbidden Zone that fear the Old Mad King.]

Li Yelai nodded in understanding; he guessed that Huang Chao from the end of Tang, known for ’Stepping on the Bones of Ministers on Heaven Street,’ would also approve!

Afterward, Li Yelai contacted Cheese. [Cheese, are you free now?]

[If you’re asking me out, then I need to put on some makeup,] Cheese replied.

Li Yelai ignored Cheese’s teasing and quickly briefed her on the situation.

He planned to enlist Cheese’s help to use her ravings and hypnotic ability to get information directly from the original owner.

The original owner must still be hiding information.

[Alright, give me the address. I’ll drive over.] Cheese did not refuse. [This counts as a favor you owe me.]

[Deal!]

Afterward, the vehicle continued for over four hours before finally reaching the outskirts of the New District.