Chapter 3: Li A-Si

Beifeng is dead! When Liang Xi received the news, he was shocked. Originally, Liang Xi’s plan was to kill this man himself, which would have allowed both the South Market and the East Market to return to Luo Mingyu’s control. But now, Beifeng is dead? Who exactly killed him? Overnight, the South Market was gripped by panic, and everyone feared for their safety. Yet, the news that shocked Liang Xi even more was yet to come. After a thorough investigation, all the incriminating evidence pointed to Luo Mingyu! He had been imprisoned!

"I knew you would come, kid!"

In the dim dungeon, Luo Mingyu looked calm and relaxed. He gazed at Liang Xi outside the cell door. At a time like this, besides Liang Xi, there was no one else who would think to visit him.

"Big Brother, you are a murder suspect. Being this relaxed probably isn't a good look, is it?"

Liang Xi, of course, did not believe Luo Mingyu was a murderer. If this man wanted to kill someone, he wouldn't need to put in so much effort. The current situation was clearly a frame-up.

"If I were a murderer, would you still come? Alright, alright, I could smell the fragrance of wine from far away. Leave the matter of how that bastard Beifeng died to you; now, hand over that fine wine to me!"

Luo Mingyu loved to drink. Having been locked up for a day and a night without food or water, his inner cravings for wine had long since started to protest. In any case, he knew Liang Xi would never let him die.

Eating roasted chicken and drinking fine wine in a dungeon was a rare experience. After taking a deep gulp of wine, Luo Mingyu wiped his mouth with his palm and slowly exhaled, seemingly still savoring the taste. "I didn't kill him, that’s the truth. Last night, Beifeng sent someone to ask me to meet him, saying he had something important to discuss. I went, but who knew that by the time I arrived, Beifeng was already dead in his study. I hadn't even figured out what was going on before I was arrested. A bunch of people claimed I was the murderer!"

"Humph, I find that lot detestable; I couldn't be bothered to waste words with them. Whatever they say I am, I am. If someone wants me dead, I’ll oblige them. But to you, I must be honest: I didn't kill him. I took a brief glance yesterday; the fatal blow to Beifeng was a heavy strike to the back of the head. The palm strike to the abdomen was a diversion, a trick to deceive people. You must remember this!"

"Beifeng loved to read and spent most of his time in his study. He valued his privacy, so there was only one entrance and exit to the study. Furthermore, Beifeng was struck from behind without any signs of a struggle. What does that tell you?"

"It was someone he knew!" Liang Xi immediately realized and blurted out.

"Exactly. Someone he knew, and not just an ordinary acquaintance. That is all I can tell you for now. The rest you must investigate secretly on your own. However, you need to hurry—you only have three days. If I really end up finished, the old brothers in the East and South Markets will be left to you, my good brother!"

This was a entrustment, and it was trust. Liang Xi naturally dared not be the slightest bit careless.

"Big Brother, don't worry. Three days is enough. I will definitely catch the killer and clear your name!"

"Good. With that promise from you, I can rest easy. Now get out of here and stop bothering me while I drink."

The once-famous "First Gentleman of the World" had become a prisoner. Truly, good news never travels beyond the gate, but bad news travels a thousand miles. Those who once deeply respected Luo Mingyu were now defecting, one by one, speaking ill of him. It seemed that in a single night, this man had turned into a heinous villain! Liang Xi decided to head to the Qingshan Tavern first; perhaps he could find some different clues there.

No matter when one visited, the Qingshan Tavern was always packed; business was booming. As soon as the patrons saw Liang Xi, they retreated, fearing that a trace of his bad luck would rub off on them. Liang Xi didn't care at all. He came to the tavern to investigate, and he was indifferent to their attitudes. The only person whose attitude toward him hadn't changed was Xiao Liu.

"Come inside first and quench your thirst. I’ve heard about what happened to Young Master Luo Mingyu. I don't believe he’s a murderer. A person like him wouldn't stoop to such things!" Xiao Liu’s tone was incredibly firm. She had only met Luo Mingyu once, but that one meeting was enough. Sometimes it is just that mysterious; one glance is enough to see what kind of person someone is.

"Lady Liu, why are you letting this kid in? He’s full of bad luck, aren't you afraid? Your tavern has seen many ups and downs over the years, and now that it’s finally picking up, you shouldn't let your hard work be ruined by a moment of soft-heartedness. These words might be harsh, but they come from the bottom of my heart!"

A regular customer, unable to bear seeing Xiao Liu’s years of hard work ruined by Liang Xi and Luo Mingyu, kindly offered a warning. This person was clearly drunk; his tongue was tripping over his words. He tried to stand up but fell over, snoring loudly as he drifted off to sleep.

Xiao Liu had her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing arms like white lotus roots—slender yet strong. No matter when you saw her, she was always clean and refreshed. "Brother Liang, don't listen to that old drunkard. The tavern is mine, and I make the rules. Come in."

Liang Xi sat down in a corner. He could feel that the surrounding patrons were very unfriendly toward him, but because Xiao Liu was present, they didn't dare to act.

"The world is really going to the dogs. Even the brother of a murderer is so arrogant now. Is there really no one to manage this?" These patrons didn't necessarily respect Beifeng, but now that he was dead, their businesses in the South Market were all at risk of going under, so they were naturally angry. Whoever stood in the way of them making money deserved to die!

Unable to attack, they resorted to saying disgusting things to make the kid leave in disgrace. In short, they were determined not to let him have an easy time!

*Clatter.*

Before Liang Xi could react, Xiao Liu in the kitchen smashed a wine bowl into pieces. She grabbed a kitchen knife and rushed out, pointing it at the group of patrons. "Whoever keeps spouting nonsense, don't blame me for being ruthless! The Qingshan Tavern has always had one rule: do not gossip about others! You seem to have forgotten. I know what you’re thinking—you’re worried about your businesses going down the drain. But why don't you think about this kid?" Xiao Liu pointed at Liang Xi. "He is here to help you. The sooner the killer is found, the sooner your businesses can avoid further losses!"

"I, Lady Liu, am not a great figure in the South Market, but today I am willing to vouch for Luo Mingyu. He is absolutely not a murderer. If I am wrong, my life is yours. If you understand, then shut your mouths! Mouths are for drinking wine, not for spewing nonsense!"

The young Lady Liu radiated a powerful aura and strength that didn't seem to belong to her at that moment, silencing all the men in the tavern. Despite how tough these men usually acted outside, they couldn't utter a single word. They snorted coldly and went back to their drinking, as if the scene that just happened never occurred!

Liang Xi was also stunned into silence. This Lady Liu was truly formidable. Then again, a beautiful young woman who could run a tavern in the South Market was destined to be no pushover.

Lady Liu put down the kitchen knife and placed the prepared food in front of Liang Xi. "After Young Master Luo was arrested, you must not have eaten properly. Come, don't say anything for now. Filling your stomach is more important than anything else!"

Liang Xi was only sixteen, after all. He could feign composure in front of Luo Mingyu or a group of strangers, but when faced with the primal instinct of hunger, he could no longer hold back. He ate ravenously, and in a short time, the entire table of food was cleared. Eating until full felt wonderful.

"Lady Liu, I came to find you to ask if you’ve heard any clues regarding Beifeng’s death. Anything at all will do. I only have three days to investigate this. If I can't prove Luo Mingyu isn't the killer, he will be executed in three days!"

"Humph, isn't Luo Mingyu known as the 'First Gentleman of the World'? Since he has such great ability, let him prove his own innocence. Why beg others? A person like that deserves to die!"

*Thud.*

Before the man could finish his sentence, he felt liquid flowing down his cheek. He touched it with his hand and found it was his own blood. The kitchen knife Lady Liu had thrown with force was now deeply embedded in the wall, with only the handle protruding! Had the knife been even slightly off-target, the drunkard would have been a dead man.

"You crazy woman! Damn you, you actually dared to strike!"

The man had a fiery temper and rushed toward Lady Liu. He couldn't believe a little girl had gotten the better of him!

The man was fast, but Lady Liu was faster. The sharp blade was pressed against the man's throat. "Speak! Why don't you continue? Weren't you very tough just now?" The drunken man, who had been emboldened by alcohol, was now sobered by fear. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He stepped back, raising his hands in surrender, and smiled apologetically: "Lady Liu, what are you doing? We’re all friends. Put the knife down. Hurting someone is a small matter, but ruining the harmony is a disaster!"

Lady Liu advanced step by step. "Hurting someone? Ruining the harmony? Li Asan, do you think you have the right to say that? What if I killed you right now? I have my own reputation. When you were spreading rumors every few days, did you think about harmony? How you treat me doesn't matter, but if you hurt my friends, just try it! Believe it or not, I’ll chop off your dog head to use as a side dish for wine!"

A crazy woman, she was simply a crazy woman! That’s right, Lady Liu was a madwoman; in this tavern, she was the queen! The sharp blade had already grazed the skin of the man's throat, and he was terrified out of his wits, collapsing to the floor. "Humph, spineless thing, only good at flapping your mouth. When you meet someone tough, you immediately turn into a coward! Now, I’ll give you two choices: die, or shut up!"

Who dared to say another word of nonsense now? They didn't even dare to breathe loudly! They still wanted to use their mouths to drink wine. "Yes, the food today is truly excellent!"

"I won't do it again, I won't do it again!"

Li Asan was the type of person who only cared about the temporary pleasure of his tongue. How had such a foul-mouthed man survived until now? Simple: he knew how to read the room! Although his mouth was annoying, he had a skill others couldn't match—gathering information. It was no exaggeration to say that as long as Li Asan wanted to know something, he would find it out.

He was foul-mouthed, but he had many friends. "Lady Liu, don't be angry. You just want to know what happened when Beifeng died, right? I know!"

Li Asan used his left index finger to push away the blade from his throat, stood up, dusted himself off, and sat back down on the bench, looking smug. He always made money because he had plenty of information, and these pieces of information could often be sold for a good price. A moment ago, Li Asan was a dog; now, he was a master!

Lady Liu snorted coldly, "You’d better make sure everything you say later is true, or I’ll make you regret it today!" Lady Liu turned and went into the kitchen; she had to prepare food for this "Master Li." Once he was fed and satisfied, he would naturally talk.

"Ah~~ That’s right! I knew it, Lady Liu, you are indeed the woman who understands me best. Don't worry, don't worry. Although I, Li Asan, am not a good man, my sources of information are all authentic and reliable! I have a reputation for that."

Li Asan sat with his legs crossed, looking smug, with a bamboo toothpick in his mouth. The world had many delicious things, but for his taste, nothing beat the Qingshan Tavern.

The others, though drinking, had long since pricked up their ears. They also wanted to know how Beifeng had died; the master of the South Market couldn't just die so mysteriously.

Before long, Lady Liu came out from the kitchen with a tray. "Here, eat! Eat until you die, you bastard! Once you’re done, talk!" Lady Liu didn't have a pleasant tone; she wished she could smash the wine and meat on the tray into Li Asan’s face.

"Wine is here, wine is here! Delicious, delicious! Lady Liu, your craft is getting better and better!" Li Asan praised while eating, completely unbothered by the fact that this woman had just wanted to kill him.

"Senior, your heart is truly big. Aren't you afraid there’s poison in the wine and food?" Liang Xi had never met someone like this before and spoke up.

"Poison? Hahaha, *cough, cough!* Poison is fine! Dying at the hands of Lady Liu is something I would pray for! But unfortunately, kid, you don't understand this woman. She would kill you with a knife, but she would never use poison. The tavern is her life; she wouldn't mess it up!"

*Hiccup.*

It seemed he was truly satisfied, to the point of hiccuping.

Li Asan used the toothpick to pick his teeth, feeling very comfortable. "Ah, it's been a long time since I ate so well. Satisfying. Don't look at me like that, I keep my word. Last night, I was in a good mood and had a few extra drinks. When I passed by Qingshi Street, I suddenly noticed a suspicious figure. Although it was night, I concluded that the figure was a woman, and a beautiful one at that. I might misjudge other things, but I never misjudge women!"

Everyone believed this. While Li Asan was greedy and foul-mouthed, he was not a lecher. He enjoyed appreciating beauty, and over time, he had developed an eye for identifying beautiful women.

"I wondered, at this hour, why would someone be wandering the streets instead of resting? You all know that the end of Qingshi Street is Beifeng’s house. I know the rules of the South Market—no one is allowed to walk on Qingshi Street without a reason, not during the day, and even more so at night. Seeing a beauty on Qingshi Street made me curious. I wanted to see what she was up to, so I decided to follow her quietly."

The other patrons also put down their bowls, listening intently. Li Asan looked at the reaction of the crowd, which satisfied him. He cleared his throat and continued, "The woman walked to Beifeng’s door, looking very hesitant. After pacing back and forth three or four times, she finally made up her mind and leaped over the wall."

"And then? What happened next?" one of the patrons couldn't help but ask. What happened? Don't leave us hanging; just say it already! This suspense was agonizing.

Li Asan found it strange, "What 'then'? There is no 'then'! Brother, I was tracking someone, did you expect me to jump over the wall too? If I had done that, wouldn't I have been discovered? Would I be able to sit here drinking and telling you this? You look smart, but your question is incredibly stupid!"

"Tell me, at night, a good-looking woman jumps into Beifeng’s house, what else could happen? Does that need saying? A bunch of idiots! It’s precisely because it was shameful that they had to meet in the dark. I remember you all are experts in this sort of thing!"

"Later, the man died. Beifeng, come to think of it, was a figure. Who would have thought he’d end up dying at the hands of a woman? It’s truly a pity!"

"How about that? Is this news worth the wine? I saw it with my own eyes, it absolutely can't be wrong. Luo Mingyu is certainly not the killer, but the man had bad luck. Shortly after, he arrived. What happened in the end? He couldn't clear his name. Who would believe his story? Everyone prefers to believe what their own eyes see."

"It's over, it's over. Now no one can save him. Kid, you and Luo Mingyu are just casual acquaintances, why throw away your life for this man? Why not be like me: eat and drink for today, isn't that better?"

"Senior, I naturally believe your eyes. Besides seeing the back of a woman, can you remember anything else?"

"Nothing, really nothing. Alright, I’ve told you everything I know. Now, I’m going to have a comfortable sleep. I’m truly exhausted!"

Li Asan stretched, yawned, and walked out of the Qingshan Tavern looking weary. Before leaving, he turned to Liang Xi and said: "Kid, take this chance and leave now. The waters of the South Market are very, very deep."

The waters of the South Market are very, very deep? What did that mean? "Wait, do you know something else?" Unfortunately, Li Asan had already walked far away. This man must know who the real killer was, but due to various circumstances, he wouldn't say!

Liang Xi wouldn't let this man go. "Thank you, Lady Liu. I’ll be back in a moment; I have to catch Li Asan!" He quickly unleashed his "Bird Dance" movement technique and rushed out. However, the South Market was huge, and finding someone was naturally not easy!

But "Bird Dance" was a top-tier movement technique in the world. Finding someone was hard for others, but for Liang Xi, it was quite easy. After a few leaps, he spotted Li Asan’s back!

Li Asan must have been pursued throughout his life, as he had developed a sixth sense superior to others. "Kid, I’ve already told you everything I should have. Why are you still hounding me?"

"Senior, you aren't being honest. You haven't finished speaking, why are you leaving? You must know who the real killer is. Tell me, otherwise, I don't know what I might do!"

"What? Kid, are you trying to kill me? Although I, Li Asan, have no real talent, if you want to kill me, you won't succeed. Kid, you’re right, I do know who the real killer is. I only had to see her back to know it was her. But I’ve always been one to cherish beauty; I won't betray her. Excuse me!"

"Of course, if you can catch me, I might consider telling you who the killer is. But looking at it now, you probably won't have that chance!"

*Swish.*

A sharp whistling sound cut through the air. A sharp steel spike pierced Li Asan’s neck. Blood sprayed from his throat. Li Asan looked stunned and shocked. He looked at the figure in the distance—she was still as beautiful as ever, and after all these years, time hadn't left a single trace on her!

"Why? Why is this happening? I clearly promised you I would never tell anyone! Why wouldn't you believe me? I loved you so much, I was willing to do anything for you!"

"Love? What is love? The love of a loser is useless to me," she said. "It’s simple: people change. I never believe your words. Only when you’re dead can I be safe. Didn't you say you loved me? You said you’d do anything for me, so now I want you to do one thing: die!"

"Don't worry, once you’re dead, I’ll remember your good points. You said Beifeng died at the hands of a woman. Look at you now; you’ve become the same. What a good pair of brothers!"

Her voice was still so pleasant, but unfortunately, this woman was so vicious, completely disregarding their past. *Hahaha*, this was simply retribution, his own retribution!

"Stop!"

Liang Xi had also seen the figure on the mountain peak. He unfolded his movement technique and chased frantically!

"Hahaha, kid, your movement technique is good, but unfortunately, it’s absolutely impossible for you to catch me. From now on, everyone will die because of your curiosity!"

The woman disappeared like a ghost, leaving only a faint scent and a few words echoing in the air. Liang Xi knew he couldn't catch her. He returned to check on Li Asan; it looked like he was severely injured.

"Li Asan, wake up! How are you?"

Liang Xi kept watching the unconscious Li Asan, calling his name repeatedly. "Li Asan, you are not allowed to die! You bastard, where did your smugness go? Wake up!"

Someone was calling him. Li Asan recognized it—it was that kid, Liang Xi. He slowly opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of blood. "Enough, I’m not deaf, why are you shouting so loud? I’m not dead yet."

Li Asan had missed his artery, but the spike had still damaged his throat. Now he could only communicate through mental transmission, but even with mental transmission, he wouldn't last long.

"You’re awake? I knew you weren't that easy to kill. Come, I’ll take you to the Divine Healer. With the Divine Healer, these internal injuries are nothing!"

Liang Xi no longer cared who the real killer was. As long as Li Asan lived, the clues wouldn't be broken! He tried to carry Li Asan on his back, but Li Asan stopped him. "Kid, this strike was fatal. I know the Divine Healer Su Wen’s ability, but unfortunately, there’s not much time left. You must remember what I’m about to say: last night, besides me, there was another person at the scene. If you have any doubts, you can go find him. That person is Qin Zhen, the largest supplier in the South Market."

"As for me, I should have died long ago. Being able to survive for so many years, I am satisfied. I didn't expect the result to be this way myself. Alright, don't be so sad. Having known each other, I... I originally had many things I wanted to tell Lady Liu. I like her very much, but I never speak seriously, so even when I tell the truth, no one believes me!"

"Who says that? From now on, as long as you say it, I will believe it. Didn't you always say you liked me? Get up! As long as you get up, I’ll let you like me. This time, I promise I won't lie to you."

Lady Liu had come after all. For the first time, panic appeared in her eyes. Was this man who liked her the most finally leaving her? No! She would never allow such a thing!

"Good, seeing you again now, I am satisfied. From now on, no one will bother you anymore, you can finally rest easy!" Suddenly, Li Asan seemed to have discovered something, or perhaps he remembered something. He looked at the woman he had loved for many years, his eyes seemingly filled with reluctance and deep affection, and then he closed his eyes.

Liang Xi looked at the man who had no breath left. The anger and unwillingness in his heart reached their peak. He swore that no matter who the real killer was, he would reveal their true face with his own hands!

"Liang Xi, I know you must feel powerless now. Let’s go. Didn't Li Asan say there was someone else at the scene last night? Maybe finding him will solve all the mysteries. Leave this place to Lady Liu. I understand her mood right now; she must have many things she wants to say to Li Asan."

"Gu Zhenzhen is at the inn; she is safe. From now on, I will accompany you to reveal the true face of the killer!" Ji Anran naturally knew that Liang Xi must be furious right now. What could she do? Ji Anran had originally thought that once they reached the South Market, she and Liang Xi could live peacefully, but that had turned out to be a luxury.

She squatted down and looked closely at Li Asan’s expression. She felt he was a bit strange, especially his expression, but she couldn't pinpoint what exactly was strange. In short, it was weird. "Liang Xi, come look. Don't you think Li Asan’s expression is a bit strange?"

The only person who could make Liang Xi instantly regain his calm was Ji Anran. "Strange expression? What do you mean?"

"Look, Li Asan’s expression was initially a smiling satisfaction, but then his face distorted. Looking at the lines, his eyes were terrified at the end. What could have happened to make this usually cynical man’s eyes turn into terror?" A woman’s intuition was always accurate.

"What terror? You’re just overthinking it. This person suffered a fatal wound and finally saw his beloved Lady Liu, so naturally, he was happy. This excitement exhausted his last bit of strength. This man is truly pitiful, isn't he?"

Liang Xi was thick-skinned and had no extra energy to consider what Ji Anran meant. His mind was filled with thoughts of Qin Zhen; he had to find this man.

"Li Asan, how arrogant you used to be! But how did you end up like this? I also had many things I wanted to tell you. But now, no matter how much I say, you can't hear me. Do you understand how much sadness is in my heart? Right, you won't understand. Actually, I have liked you for many years, but before, I didn't understand. By the time I truly understood, you had left me. Is this my punishment? If so, I am willing to bear this punishment!"

"Now, being able to accompany you a little longer is good. For so many years, we never had a proper talk. Now, we finally have this opportunity, and we don't have to worry about anyone bothering us."

Deeply affectionate people suffer the most when they are hurt; it was inevitable. "They were clearly two lovers, and yet they ended up in such a state. It’s truly heartbreaking, Liang Xi. Don't you think so?"

"Qin Zhen, Qin Zhen, where is this person now? I’ve asked around, but I still haven't gotten the exact location of this man. Is he still here?"

After a long while, Liang Xi reacted. Ji Anran seemed to have been talking to him. "Hmm? What did you say?" This was Liang Xi’s personality; once he fell into deep thought, he couldn't care about anything else.

"I said, you should think carefully about what you are going to do next. What if that Qin Zhen is also dead? What will you do then? This is everyone’s worry, and it’s everyone’s lack of trust in you. I know you are having a very hard time, but don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I will be by your side!"

"Liang Xi, get out of the South Market! Wherever you go, people die. Humph, what a jinx! Your big brother Luo Mingyu is a murderer, and you aren't any better!"

Countless rotten eggs and rotten vegetables were thrown at Liang Xi’s face. This kid had always been full of vitality, but now, he seemed to have no strength left. He began to deeply doubt himself—was what he was doing right? Why did he have to get involved in such troublesome matters?

"Shut up, all of you! Whoever throws another rotten egg, I promise I will kill them!"

Ji Anran could not bear to see the man she loved suffer such blows for helping a friend! Ji Anran hadn't been angry for a long time. Water vapor was already gathering in her hands. She hadn't used the "Water Control Technique" in a long time, but today, she didn't mind using it again, just to let everyone know that those who bullied Liang Xi deserved to die!

Ji Anran’s aura was very powerful now; the moisture in the air seemed to gather around her. Her eyes were cold. When had those people throwing eggs ever seen such eyes? For a woman to have such eyes, she must be a witch!

"Everyone, attack together! Kill this witch and the brat. Only when these two are dead can our South Market return to its former peace. If we all work together, I don't believe this little girl can kill all of us!"

"Stop!"

At the moment they were about to strike, a tall man walked slowly out of the crowd. His shout was like a thunderclap, making everyone’s eardrums ache. He had seen everything that had happened. He was grateful to Ji Anran for always protecting Liang Xi, and he wanted to help; he knew he should.

"Everyone here is a figure who has been famous for many years. Although you have long since left the martial path, ask yourselves: can you really forget everything that happened when you were practicing? This boy and the little girl in front of you are exactly like you were. This boy is just looking for the truth. Is this matter difficult? It’s difficult because you don't allow him to do it!"

"Is this matter simple? It is very simple. As long as you are all willing to believe him and help him, the truth will surely come out. I also know that Beifeng’s death has made everyone deeply saddened, and no one wanted such a thing to happen. Now that it has happened, shouldn't we be helping him? What kind of ability is it to bully a junior together?"

"Liang Xi, weren't you looking for me? Now I’m here. What do you want to say to me? I am Qin Zhen!"

Qin Zhen had finally arrived, but Liang Xi no longer had the energy. He didn't know if his efforts still had any meaning. He fell into a deep sleep, but it was an uneasy one.

"Senior, what is wrong with Liang Xi? He has never been in this state before. Your skills are profound; you must be able to wake him."

Ji Anran had never seen Liang Xi like this. His brows were locked, and his face was ugly, as if he had suffered a grave blow. "The kid’s heart is tired. He doesn't know what he is struggling for. I can wake him up, but after waking, he will become like a walking corpse. Do you want a man like that? You want the man full of vitality. Now, whether he wakes up or finds the meaning of his struggle, everything must depend on himself. Others cannot help him, even if you are the person he loves most!"

"The only thing we can do now is wait—wait for him to wake up, truly wake up!"

"I’ve heard about the matter. I was a long-time friend of Beifeng, and I must investigate his death. Unfortunately, I trapped myself years ago and cannot leave freely, so this matter ultimately falls to Liang Xi. It’s a pity he has become like this!"

*Am I asleep? No, I seem to have fallen into self-doubt. I’ve become someone who doesn't believe in myself!*

*Is this really me? A haggard face, intermittent breathing... no, this isn't me. Where is Anran? Where is she now? With her here, I really don't have to fear anything, but she’s not by my side.*

"Liang Xi, don't be afraid. I’m here, I’ve always been here. I know you’re having a hard time, but you must persist. Since you were born, this must be the most troublesome case you’ve encountered, right? There are no clues, and two people are already dead. Wake up! You don't have time to sleep anymore!"

Liang Xi woke up. This sleep had been too long, so long that he almost didn't recognize himself. Ji Anran was in front of him; she hadn't left. Her soft hands gave him immense strength at this moment!

"Don't worry, I won't fall so easily. Everyone wants me dead, but I know that the more it is like this, the more I must persist. Only by persisting to the end can I get what I want! It was like that before, and it will remain so in the future!"

"Good kid, you really woke up on your own. Let’s reintroduce ourselves: I am Qin Zhen. I hope this time, I can help you. Beifeng was my good friend, and his death makes me very sad. You must promise me that no matter what happens, you will catch the real killer and avenge my friend!"

"Don't worry, I will!"