He then pulled Chen Qiming over and walked toward Fang Cheng and the others to introduce both sides:
"These three are my third brother, Chen Qiming. Don’t be fooled by his young age; he has quite a talent in Feng Shui."
"Qiming, these three are experts sent by Naihe Bridge to assist us in investigating the case, Mr. Bai, Miss Chu, and Miss Bai Ling. They all have quite a research into witchcraft."
"Pleasure to meet you."
Fang Cheng nodded and responded briefly.
Chen Qiming responded with a light laugh, but his gaze skipped over Fang Cheng and landed directly on the elegant Lin Chuqiao standing behind him.
"I didn’t expect there’d be such a pretty lady among the experts. I thought they’d all be old men and rough guys, like previous batches..."
As he spoke, he extended his hand for a handshake with Lin Chuqiao, his gaze fixated on her bright face with undisguised covetousness.
Lin Chuqiao ignored this uninvited kindness, her brows furrowing imperceptibly.
Noticing her lack of response, Chen Qiming didn’t mind.
He then withdrew his hand, a playful smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth:
"I’ve heard from my brother that you have quite a research into witchcraft. I wonder if Miss Chu is interested in Feng Shui and face reading?"
"Perhaps later we could grab a drink and have a nice chat. Maybe I can help you check your fortune for this trip to Cui City, whether it’s auspicious or ominous, all at a glance."
Lin Chuqiao smiled slightly, her gaze cool as she politely declined:
"Thank you for the kind offer, Third Young Master Chen, but unfortunately, we’re here to solve the Chen Family’s troubles, not for a vacation."
She paused, slightly changing the focus of her statement with a bit of a mocking tone:
"As for Feng Shui and metaphysics, I do have some modest research. Pardon my frankness, Third Young Master Chen; you’re entangled with romantic affairs, and it seems a disaster may be your way soon. I advise you to be cautious."
Bai Ling stood by, slyly covering her mouth as she laughed, looking at Chen Qiming with distaste.
Upon hearing this, Chen Qiming’s playful smile faltered slightly, a hint of surprise flashing through his eyes.
It seemed he hadn’t expected this woman to dare retort to him, with words laced with ominous predictions.
Seeing the atmosphere grow tense, Chen Xu’an quickly pulled Chen Qiming into a nearby lounge under the guise of discussing family matters.
The door closed with a soft "click."
In the corridor, besides visiting Chen Family relatives, stood three somewhat incongruous figures.
Lin Chuqiao turned her head, her gaze landing on Fang Cheng.
He was staring at the closed lounge door, his broad shoulders slightly hunched forward, as if deliberately blocking someone’s view.
Lin Chuqiao wasn’t angry about what had just happened; her lips curled into a pleasant curve instead.
The curve was faint, but it carried a hint of warmth and playfulness.
Her eyes held a twinkle, much like a girl secretly pleased after a successful prank.
"What? Afraid I’ll be seen through?"
She cheekily winked, her voice soft, tinged with amusement.
Fang Cheng turned in response to her words, meeting her gaze filled with laughter.
His eyes reflected a faint, gentle smile, his brows slightly raised, ambiguous.
Lin Chuqiao lifted her hand, drawing the personal Qilin Wood Talisman from her collar, her fingers gently tracing the carved patterns.
"Don’t worry, I’m well-prepared."
"The ’Spiritual Eyes’ of the Chen Family may sound daunting, but essentially, it’s just a form of spiritual power use, merely scratching the surface."
Her tone was composed, speaking softly:
"This Amulet isn’t an ordinary ornament. It can disrupt spiritual flow, like an invisible fog, veiling my spirit and body."
"When Chen Qiming attempted to spy with ’Spiritual Eyes,’ he probably saw nothing more than a blinding aura, unable to discern anything further."
"Besides, ever since absorbing the Blood Rain, my spiritual energy has reached A-Class level; I don’t regard a mere playboy seriously..."
Lin Chuqiao let out a light laugh, confidence evident in her words.
Fang Cheng listened to her explanation, not interjecting.
After all, the topic was quite private, and seeming somewhat overstepping bound.
Their relationship hadn’t reached the level of intimacy where such subjects were freely discussed yet.
Lin Chuqiao seemed to sense his thoughts, quietly pressing her lips together.
Their eyes met briefly, an invisible current seeming to zip through the air.
Her cheeks flushed a faint pink, her eyes subtly adopting a soft allure, long lashes fluttering gently.
An ambiguous atmosphere quietly sprouted and spread between them.
Just then, Bai Ling, who had been silently listening to their conversation, leaned forward curiously, her eyes darting between Fang Cheng and Lin Chuqiao.
"Sister Xiao Chu, what are you guys talking about? What’s this fog and aura?"
Bai Ling’s voice was clear, carrying the unique innocence of youth and instantly shattering the delicate, intimate air between them.
"Also, that Third Young Master Chen is so annoying, like his eyes are toxic, always staring at people!"
Hearing this, Lin Chuqiao couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.
The prior ambiguities were swept away entirely by Bai Ling’s straightforwardness.
She shook her head helplessly, reaching out to ruffle Bai Ling’s hair: "Nothing complex, just discussing the ’Spiritual Eyes’ of the Chen Family."
Fang Cheng steadied himself, shifting his mind back to business, turning to Bai Ling to ask:
"Right. Bai Ling, what exactly happened after you fell asleep last night? It was a chaotic at the time, and I didn’t get to ask you all the specifics."
Hearing this, curiosity on Bai Ling’s face was soon replaced by recollection, her brows furrowing slightly:
"I can’t say exactly; I was asleep, then suddenly heard loud commotion from upstairs, like something was being smashed, and someone shouting ’Help!’"
"I and Sister Xiao Chu rushed up, then saw... the Chen Family matriarch on the ground, bleeding heavily."
"It was like she was pierced all over with sewing needles, blood beads oozing out, and she kept shouting, ’Stop stabbing, stop stabbing.’ It was terrifying!"
After Bai Ling finished speaking, Lin Chuqiao picked up the conversation, her tone growing more serious:
"The Chen Family matriarch likely encountered ’Needle Curse,’ and the caster might be within the Chen Family."
Fang Cheng sharpened his gaze upon hearing this: Follow current novels on noⅴelfire.net
"What makes you say so?"
"While studying Southern Ocean folklore, I encountered Black Magic. Its deployments are primarily of two kinds: Medicine Lowering and Flying Decline."
Lin Chuqiao cleared her throat and then explained:
"Medicine Lowering is relatively straightforward, using poison or gu in food or water for enhanced effect through curses."
"Flying Decline is remote casting, yet still requires a medium."
"A novice Black Magic Master needs the victim’s blood, hair, birth details, but a top-tier one might plant the curse with just a thought or gaze without anyone noticing."
She paused, her eyes shimmering.
"The ’Needle Curse’ afflicting the Chen Family matriarch is a vicious, cruel magic wherein the caster must preemptively administer specially made needles via Medicine Lowering."
"These ’Black Magic Needles’ lie dormant until triggered by Flying Decline, wreaking havoc inside the body and causing unbearable agony."
She looked at Fang Cheng, her voice grave:
"Achieving this requires both Medicine Lowering and Flying Decline methods in tandem, with intimate knowledge of Chen Family affairs."
Fang Cheng, rubbing his chin, speculated:
"So, it’s likely there’s a mole in the Chen Family?"
Lin Chuqiao nodded, continuing along Fang Cheng’s line of reasoning:
"As the saying goes, ’A dragon cannot crush a snake in its domain.’ The Chen Family, with hereditary abilities, has been entrenched in Tian Nan Province for years; no matter how powerful that Black Magic Master is, they couldn’t act so boldly, leaving the Chen Family clueless."
"Right, that doesn’t make sense, there must be a mole."
Bai Ling drew an enlightened expression at this.
Lin Chuqiao’s eyes turned sharp, speaking softly:
"Either someone is secretly aiding the Black Magic Master with information and means, or... the perpetrator is themselves a member of the Chen Family!"