Chapter 365: Chapter 364: Jiang Liao, Old Affairs

Jiang Yini was naturally rebellious, and she had the capital to be arrogant.

She had ability and talent.

Not to mention she was here at the moment.

Even if she wasn’t, there was no way she could sit idly by.

Li Jing, who was crucial to her, was obviously under her monitor.

If she were to be cowed by her father’s stern face, how could she have left for Jianghai at will?

At this moment, facing her father Jiang Liao’s words, Jiang Yini prepared to cross swords with her father with a humph.

However, before she could speak, Jiang Liao, who was well acquainted with the nature of his own daughter, spoke lightly.

"Be obedient, don’t cause any trouble."

As he spoke, he turned and walked towards the other courtyard on his left.

It was not that his tone was apparent stern, but it made Jiang Yini pause and watch as Jiang Liao walked away.

The six siblings on the scene saw Jiang Liao walking towards the other courtyard on his left and looked at each other with different expressions, then looked at Li Jing strangely and continued to busy themselves with their own affairs.

Li Jing had seen the unusual reactions of the seven children of the Jiang family, including Jiang Yini.

It was easy for him to perceive that from the moment Jiang Liao turned and walked towards the other courtyard on his left, the atmosphere in the entire courtyard had changed.

What’s going on?

Is there something special about the other courtyards on the left and right?

Just as he was wondering, Jiang Yini let go of his arm by his side.

"You go ahead, I’ll wait for you in the courtyard."

"Okay."

Li Jing nodded subconsciously and took a good look at Jiang Yini, whose expression was calm but obviously hiding something. Then he stepped away.

...

Shortly after, Li Jing followed Jiang Liao into the other courtyard on the left.

Upon entering the courtyard, Jiang Liao led him to the doorway of a side house and stopped there.

Seeing Jiang Liao seemingly having no intention of entering the house, and stopping in front of the side house to look at its entrance, Li Jing spoke out of confusion while also stopping.

"Director Jiang?"

Jiang Liao glanced at him when he heard the sound, saying.

"You are familiar with Yini, and we are not in formal conversation now, just call me Uncle."

As he spoke, he continued.

"Tell me what’s going on with the God Church Country. Don’t try to fool me. I’ve already been in touch with the defense personnel of the Lingnan Reserve and understood the situation with the Lingnan Fox Clan. I know you went there to investigate the Demon Beast Union. As for where God’s Capital is, that information is already held by our Administration Bureau’s intelligence department, which then informed the Lingnan Fox Clan."

"..."

Li Jing.

Calling him Uncle, that was no problem.

But everything he was supposed to say had been said by Jiang Liao.

The man almost completely controlled his actions, and also knew clearly what he had blasted with the Forbidden Skill. What else could he say?

Seeing Li Jing’s expression of not knowing what to say, Jiang Liao tutted and said.

"The incident provoked a rude crossing of an Eighth Realm, entering the territory of the Northern God Country, there must be some particular reason for this, right?"

Upon receiving the direct question, Li Jing was a little startled and replied in an orderly manner.

"I’m not particularly sure about the specifics, but there was a report from the God Kingdom afterwards. They said that the two Guardian Gods left behind mentioned that there was a laboratory in God’s Capital that was modifying the biochemistry of monsters, and the White Hawk was involved."

After saying this, he recounted the matter of the God Church Country and the monsters in God’s Capital conspiring to blackmail the White Hawk after making breakthroughs in their research based on the information that Yuliya had told him.

Jiang Liao listened to Li Jing’s narration with an unmoved expression, only uttering an indifferent "um". Then he asked again.

"It’s rumored that a civilian from the Northern God Country took action and easily repelled the invading Eighth Realm of the God Church Country. Was that you?"

When faced with such a question, Li Jing was taken aback.

Being directly suspected, that was quite something!

Considering this involved whether he could continue his uninhibited life in the future, Li Jing didn’t dare to show the slightest confusion, and protested with a wry smile.

"Uncle, you’re giving me too much credit. I’m a little capable, but I only have the cultivation level of the Sixth Realm at the moment. Defeating an Eighth Realm is not something I can do."

Hearing him admit this, Jiang Liao turned to look at him.

"You’re only twenty-three and already have the cultivation level of the Sixth Realm. You were able to destroy a city of tens of thousands with a Forbidden Skill, acting swiftly and decisively, catching the God Church Country off guard to the extent of dispatching an Eighth Realm. This is not as simple as being a little capable."

"Uh, this..."

Li Jing coughed.

The rest was not that significant.

What he wasn’t clear about mainly was whether Jiang Liao was complimenting him or implying something.

But he had already thought through what to say on his way here.

"Uncle, since I dared to go to the God Church Country and destroy God’s Capital, I certainly had a full plan beforehand."

After saying that, Li Jing continued.

"With the Forbidden Skill in hand, it’s not difficult to destroy a city that only has tens of thousands of inhabitants. I went to the God Church Country through the territory of the Northern God Country and had already thought about how to escape. It was unexpected to alarm the Eighth Realm of the God Church Country. I had not thought that there would be such a situation, let alone that there would be a biochemical laboratory inside God’s Capital."

Speaking of this, he continued.

"The reason for this situation is mainly due to a hiccup when I cast the Forbidden Skill, and the power of the Forbidden Skill exceeded expectations. According to my original plan, I would at most face the Seventh Realm or the Guardian Gods of the God Church Country. The Northern God Country had sent a Guardian God to pick me up. If it hadn’t been for the unexpected, this wouldn’t have happened."

He spoke these words very sincerely.

His original plan was indeed like this.

Jiang Liao, after listening to his narration, fell silent for a while and then asked.

"Have you seen the one from the Northern God Country who repelled the Eighth Realm of the God Church Country?"

"No."

Li Jing responded.

"To avoid being caught red-handed and causing an international issue, I chose to leave immediately after entering the territory of the God Country. I was not there at the time."

"Ok."

Jiang Liao nodded.

"You did a good job, you shouldn’t do it again in the future."

Li Jing was surprised to hear this, he didn’t expect Jiang Liao to end with that.

Does this mean the matter is simply done with?

Isn’t there supposed to be some punishment?

As if he knew what Li Jing was thinking, Jiang Liao said calmly.

"I did consider punishing you for such a serious incident, if not seriously at least symbolically. But if I were to punish you, I’m afraid I would not get a moment’s rest for a long time. Besides, the Northern God Country has detected information that seems to signal the presence of a Secret Realm Passage, which I also have in my control. Under these circumstances, it is not quite right to be talking about penalizing you."

While speaking, he continued.

"Let’s leave the matter at that. I have issued a gag order to all those who knew about it, you should act as if it never happened, and refrain from mentioning it to anyone else."

"Oh."

Li Jing silently nodded his head.

Jiang Liao indeed lived up to his title as the Director of the Management Bureau.

He had all the information under control.

Li Jing dared not say anything else, but...

The information regarding the detection of a possible Secret Realm Passage by the Northern God Country was definitely not yet reported to Longyu.

On the one hand, they weren’t certain if it was actually a Secret Realm.

Before they obtain definitive confirmation, even with mutual agreements in place, they have no obligation to immediately report it.

On the other hand,

Since Yuliya purposely mentioned it to him, it was obviously internal news.

The information was probably not known by many senior figures within the God Kingdom.

Jiang Liao’s effortless control over the internal affairs of the God Kingdom, which were not yet clearly defined, clearly went beyond the bounds of effective intelligence work.

While he was in awe, Jiang Liao turned his attention back to him.

"One final question, what kind of grudge do you have against the Demon Beast Union, that would make you dare to risk using a Forbidden Skill to strike at them?"

"Ah, well..."

Li Jing was taken aback.

Jiang Liao was a master strategist and his comprehension was clear.

He dared not evade his direct inquiry.

After hesitating for a while, Li Jing said,

"It’s not like I have a major grudge with the Demon Beast Union, it’s just that I’ve destroyed three of their strongholds. They just don’t know yet that I was behind it all. You should know that I now have a family to take care of. I hold a grudge against the Demon Beast Union to prevent..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Liao shook his head.

"Don’t use such high-sounding reasons, give me a more realistic one."

"..."

Li Jing’s words were cut off, which made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

Seeing that he needed a more convincing reason, Li Jing hesitated and said softly,

"Great Demons are worth a lot of money."

Jiang Liao looked at him and frowned.

Obviously, he hadn’t expected Li Jing to come up with such a reason.

After watching Li Jing for a moment, he said in a strange tone,

"Are you short of money?"

Li Jing instinctively wanted to say yes, but then he remembered that his background was well known.

Although Jiang might not know how much money he has in his darknet account, the amount of Merit he had accumulated with the Management Bureau was evident.

By now, the Merit he had gained was enough to make most of the Bureau’s members look up to him...

If he were to say that he was short of money now, it would be somewhat forced.

After much thought, Li Jing said with a shy face.

"I used to lack it, I don’t now, but I always have to work for the future, don’t I? As a man, especially one with a family to support, I need some ambition."

In response to Li Jing’s "ambition", Jiang Liao remained silent for a long time, speechless.

"I think I have some understanding of why Yini likes you."

???

Li Jing, startled.

We were having a serious conversation, how did it come to Yini liking him?

Did Yini have any feelings for him?

He was dumbfounded when Jiang Liao opened a soundproofing barrier with a wave of his hand.

When he suddenly saw the soundproofing barrier unfold, Li Jing was stunned.

Before he could react, Jiang Liao took a deep breath.

"There are two reasons why I asked to see you. One is to understand the situation in the God Church Country. The other is a personal matter, an old case that I can’t let go of, and I hope that you can investigate it for me."

At his words, Li Jing frowned.

Jiang Liao had more than just punishing him in mind when he called him. He also hoped that Li Jing could also help him investigate something. This was unexpected.

But after hearing Jiang Liao say this, he had an inkling of the situation.

Li Jing had noticed the unusual behavior of Yini and the others.

Looking around at the surroundings of the courtyard, Li Jing cautiously asked,

"Uncle, does this old case you’re talking about has something to do with my aunt?"

"Yes."

Jiang Liao nodded, looked him in the eye, and said.

"Because of Yini, I have been paying attention to you for a long time. My little fool of a girl is good in every way, but she is incapable of keeping secrets. If given a chance, she will find a way to jump into my face. It’s somewhat difficult not to pay attention to you."

"..."

Li Jing, speechless.

Jiang Liao, as compared to Chen Jing, who had deep and extensive connections despite being stationed at a Patrol headquarter,

Was truly a big figure.

He was in control of the entire Longyu Management Bureau.

Who Longyu would go to war with might not be solely decided by him,

But it had to be approved by him.

Being noticed by such a figure was not a pleasant experience.

Especially considering that he was used as a "tool" by the "foolish girl of the landlord’s family" to provoke her father.

"Let’s skip the small talk, I’ve heard that you are very good at solving cases, I hope you can bring me some surprises."

Jiang Liao said in a low voice, looking at the courtyard,

"Twenty-six years ago today, my wife died mysteriously in this house. The Forensics Department concluded that the cause of death was due to cultivation crisis leading to the collapse of her cultivation foundation and the exhaustion of her Spiritual Qi. In consideration of my unique status, the Patrol Bureau set up a special investigation team at the time, but it fell through. Ultimately, my wife’s death was hastily closed as a cultivation accident."

Li Jing looked puzzled as he heard the words.

He was indeed a skilled investigator.

He had even handled cold cases in the past.

Like the case involving the Baboon Pig Demon Girl in Shangcheng of Jianghai, where many unsolved cases were related.

But at least in that case, there were clues to follow, and the Baboon Pig Demon Girl had committed the crime again.

In Jiang Liao’s case, however, it seemed that he was being overly optimistic about Li Jing’s capabilities.

Jiang Liao’s request for his help suggested that things might not be that simple.

In fact.

Just by hearing Jiang Liao’s words, Li Jing also felt that this matter was not simple.

It’s common for people to encounter difficulties during cultivation.

But to stumble to the point of spiritual qi completely collapsing and even losing one’s life, out of ten thousand people who made mistakes in their cultivation, not everyone might be so unlucky.

Moreover, with modern medical means, as long as the foundation is not completely collapsed beyond repair, not only will one’s life not be in danger, but it could even be restored with medical assistance, at most the future cultivation will be slower than the average person.

Even if it were.

If someone really does meet such a tragic end because of a mistake in cultivation, why is it Jiang Liao’s wife?

Nothing is absolute.

It is not impossible for his wife to suffer such a misfortune.

But considering Jiang Liao’s background, anyone with some sense would think in a certain direction.

However, what is currently in front of Li Jing is an old case from twenty-six years ago that took place in the well-controlled Jiang family estate.

Where should he start with this investigation?

Jiang Liao himself had said it.

Because of his special identity, the Patrol Headquarter once set up a special case team for him, but it was eventually closed due to the lack of further progress.

The efforts that the Patrol Headquarter had exerted on him would definitely not be small.

How could he tackle an issue that even the Patrol Headquarters could not solve?

Perhaps relying on his deduction abilities and connections, Li Jing can often uncover the truth faster than the Patrol Headquarter in cases he handles, but the same cases in the hands of the Patrol Bureau are not necessarily unsolvable.

It’s just that due to formal procedures and personnel mobilization, the Patrol Bureau is not as efficient as he is.

Li Jing himself is no super detective.

After some hesitation, Li Jing started to speak.

"Uncle, I’m afraid this old case might be..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Jiang Liao cut him off.

"You don’t need to reject me in a hurry. I have not asked you to certainly solve it, only to give it a try. If you can find a clue to this case, anything you need in the future will be my business."

"..."

Li Jing.

Jiang Liao’s words were quite strong.

The underlying meaning was clear.

If you can’t find a clue, I won’t blame you.

If you do find one, I will back you up from now on.

Having the Director of the Administration Bureau backing you up...

Furthermore, there was another clear fact in front of Li Jing.

Jiang Liao had been grieving his wife’s death for twenty-four years.

Thinking of his friendship with Jiang Yini, coupled with Jiang Liao’s request, Li Jing reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, I can try."

Upon hearing his agreement, a slight smile appeared on Jiang Liao’s normally stern face.

"Let’s make a deal, three weeks from now. If you can’t find a clue by then, we’ll call it quits."

Without waiting for Li Jing to respond, he continued.

"Don’t worry about the Northern God Kingdom. If there is confirmed news about the secret realm passage in a week, I will have Yini arrange a team for you to explore it. As for communication with the God Kingdom, someone else will be responsible."

"Based on the usual norms, about a week after the spatial fluctuation is detected, the passage will open and there will be time needed for preliminary exploration. The God Kingdom might have agreed with you, but they probably won’t let you participate in the preliminary exploration. We also need to consider the potential personnel loss problem in the preliminary exploration. For the next three weeks, you just focus on this case."

"Also, I will get in touch with Chen Jing later to let him know that I am borrowing you for a while. As for the Patrol Headquarter, I will also inform the Director later to grant you access to the related records."

After stating these points, Jiang Liao added.

"Concerning this matter, this is all the help I can provide for you."

Li Jing remained silent after hearing this.

The fact that he had promised meant that he certainly couldn’t renege due to the limited information.

It is foreseeable that figuring out this matter would be extremely difficult.

The archival records that the Patrol Headquarters would make available to him likely won’t be of much help.

If there were, the Patrol Headquarters would have continued the investigation already.

To seriously initiate the investigation, he likely would need to start from understanding who Jiang Liao’s wife was.

With this as a starting point, the most he could do would be to gain an understanding of Jiang Liao’s wife.

This would not be meaningless to the investigation, but it wouldn’t be very significant either.

In the grand scheme of things.

If this was a case of murder, what would be of great relevance would be Jiang Liao’s work as the Director of the Management Bureau.

Upon some contemplation, Li Jing looked up.

"As for the Management Bureau, I need your permission to access all the files of the cases you were handling at the time of the incident."

Jiang Liao frowned, then nodded after a moment of pondering.

"That’s possible, but you need to promise me that whatever you read must remain confidential."

"Uncle, rest assured, I know what’s important."

Li Jing responded.

The conversation ended, and Jiang Liao, without additional words, waved his hand to remove the Soundproofing Talisman.

"It’s almost time. Let’s go, you’re coming with me to the cemetery to pay respects to my deceased wife."

"Huh?"

Li Jing was taken aback.

The thought of Jiang Liao wanting him to accompany him to the grave had never crossed his mind.

Before he could make sense of it, Jiang Liao, with his hands behind his back, started walking towards the inner courtyard.

Upon seeing this, Li Jing blinked and figured following him to sweep a tomb wasn’t that big a deal so he mustered up the courage to follow him.

...

Inner courtyard.

Jiang Yini and her six siblings had already tidied up.

Instead of gathering to chat, they were spread out in various corners of the inner courtyard. Some have gloomy and depressed expressions that made them appear as if they were preoccupied with troubles.

Suddenly, when Jiang Liao and Li Jing walked out of the courtyard, all seven people looked and gradually restrained their emotions.

Meeting the gazes of the seven, Jiang Liao looked towards the eldest among them, Jiang Wu.

"Xiaowu, is everything ready?"

"Ready."

Jiang Wu responded and then asked.

"Dad, are we leaving now or...?"

"Yes, let’s leave now."

Jiang Liao responded and said,

"I have some work later, so we should hurry."

Having said that, he turned to look at Jiang Yini.

"Yini, you will be driving along with Li Jing."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yini frowned slightly, then nodded.

...

Without much more discussion,

Jiang Liao’s family of eight, including Li Jing, set off in seven business cars with special license plates, slowly leaving the Jiang Mansion.

Li Jing rode in Jiang Yini’s car.

In the car, usually talkative Jiang Yini didn’t start a conversation with him.

Li Jing remained silent all the way, he didn’t insist on chatting with her either.

He could guess from all their reactions earlier what Jiang Liao wanted him to investigate, and he understood that the seven siblings had been aware of this since they saw him coming from the guest house.

From the looks on their faces when they returned to the courtyard, it was clear that Jiang Liao’s wife was a respectable mother.

Today was the anniversary of their mother’s death.

It’s understandable that all seven siblings were in low spirits.

The key was Jiang Liao’s thoughtful gesture, which stirred their memories.

The journey was quiet.

After a nearly two-hour drive, the convoy halted in a cemetery located in the suburbs of the national capital. They parked their cars one after another.

Having parked the car and pulled up the handbrake,

Jiang Yini, who had been silent all the way, glanced at Li Jing, who was unbuckling his seatbelt, and let out a sigh.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t expect dad to..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Li Jing smiled.

"No worries, I don’t have much on my plate recently. I can help with the investigation. Consider it for you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yini paused slightly, turned her head, and scrutinized him.

"Hiss, how did you get so eloquent all of a sudden?"

"Was I mute in your eyes before?"

Li Jing tilted his head mirroring Jiang.

Seeing this, Jiang Yini couldn’t help but laugh and rolled her eyes at him after unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Stop your smooth-talking, if you and Yuran end up together, remember I’m supposed to be your aunt!"

"Okay, Auntie."

Li Jing nodded.

When Jiang Yini heard this, she smirked and was about to pinch him but then thought something was off, squinted and questioned him.

"Wait, you just agreed so easily? So, you and Yuran...?"

Upon hearing her question, Li Jing didn’t bother to pretend.

"Nothing’s set in stone yet. There are signs, but it’s uncertain."

"Hiss!"

Jiang Yini took a deep breath.

Because of Chen Jing, she had little contact with Jiang Jingxian.

Still, she had always cared about her being in Jianghai.

While Jiang Jingxian was not related to Jiang Liao’s line, she was a notable figure in the family and was closely connected to the family head.

Jiang Yini and she might have a big age gap, but technically they are sisters. They had quite a few interactions.

Learning out of nowhere that her niece might be making progress, Jiang Yini was somewhat complex.

She, the aunt, was not even married, but her niece was already showing signs.

Such a big thing, and Jiang Jingxian didn’t mention anything to her!

Looking at Li Jing on the passenger seat who seemed pretty relaxed at this point, Jiang Yini pouted.

"Jingxian is no longer a part of Jiang family. You and I are not that far apart in age and it doesn’t make sense for you to call me auntie. From now on, don’t call me Auntie, I suggest calling..."

Before she could finish, Li Jing interrupted.

"Hold on, aren’t we quite a bit apart in age?"

"Tsk!"

Jiang Yini clicked her tongue, glaring at him.

"Does a ten-year gap count as a lot?"

Seeing that she was about to blow, Li Jing raised his hands in a surrender gesture.

"No, it doesn’t."

"You’ve got some sense."

Jiang Yini hummed, then turned to see her family, including her father, waiting on the side of the road. She blushed, coughed and said,

"Enough, no more banter. Let’s get out of the car, everyone’s waiting for us."

...