Chapter 1 In Feng Manor

As Jiang Cheng and the others walked in, before they could even get a clear look at the courtyard, they heard a "bang" from behind.

Liu the Cripple slammed the door shut with great force and then deftly slid the bolt into place.

He sized them up a few times, then Liu the Cripple began to hobble towards the inside, gesturing for them to follow. "Since Director Qiao sent you, you should know the rules. I won't say much more."

"Now that you're in our Feng residence, you must abide by our rules here."

At this point, Liu the Cripple, who was leading the way, suddenly turned around and stared at everyone with his one good eye. The Fatty was so startled by this unexpected move that he almost jumped, "What are you doing?"

Liu the Cripple didn't answer, but his gaze swept over each of them one by one. After a moment, he turned back around, leaving them with a strange view of his back.

They first walked through a cloister, then through a garden, before arriving at a building.

The building was also three stories high, but in terms of scale and luxury, it was much worse than what they had seen outside the gate.

"You'll stay here for now. Food will be sent over at meal times. The mansion is a bit chaotic right now, so don't wander around unless you have to." After saying that, Liu the Cripple turned around, seemingly ready to leave.

But Jiang Cheng quickly took a few steps and stopped him. "Brother Liu," Jiang Cheng said, "Director Qiao sent us here to investigate. Your residence is in a critical situation. How can we bear to just stay here and stand idly by?"

A strange look flashed in Liu the Cripple's eyes, though he quickly concealed it. Still, everyone noticed. "You want to go now?" Liu the Cripple asked.

His voice made everyone feel very uncomfortable, especially coupled with his face.

"We were thinking of doing it as soon as possible," Jiang Cheng said, then lowered his voice, "That's also what Director Qiao wants."

After all, they only had 7 days, and this case looked wrong from the start, probably quite tricky.

Liu the Cripple pondered for a moment, then nodded. "In that case, come with me, but don't talk nonsense along the way, and don't look around."

"Otherwise…" Liu the Cripple said with a grim expression, "You might attract something you shouldn't. If that happens, no one can save you."

"Attract… what?" Pi Ruan looked around, swallowed, and asked softly.

Liu the Cripple didn't answer this question. He just gave Pi Ruan a meaningful look that made Pi Ruan shut his mouth.

"Follow me."

This time, after they passed through another wooden door, the view opened up, and not far away was the three-story Western-style building.

Several black cars were parked on the gravel road in front of the building.

From this, one could see the Feng family's wealth and status in Grey Stone Town. At least, they hadn't seen anyone at the police station with a car.

But strangely, as they walked all the way through most of the Feng family compound, they didn't see a single living person besides Liu the Cripple who was leading the way.

How was that possible?

Were there only a few Feng family members left alive, or had they all run away to seek refuge?

But there should be some servants left, right?

Just as the Fatty was craning his neck to look around, a cold voice suddenly rang out, "What are you looking at?"

When the Fatty came to his senses, he met Liu the Cripple's cold, murderous gaze. The Fatty, a large man, immediately wilted. "N-nothing," he stammered.

"Didn't I tell you not to look around?!" Liu the Cripple raised his voice, which sounded very shrill.

"Enough," Jiang Cheng said, still with that calm expression.

But for some reason, Liu the Cripple, who had been so aggressive, actually calmed down slowly after seeing Jiang Cheng's eyes.

"Brother Liu, the investigation is important," Jiang Cheng continued.

Liu the Cripple stared at the Fatty for a few seconds. The Fatty lowered his head, feeling as if the other man's gaze was like a steel knife scraping across his body.

"It's not convenient for outsiders to enter and exit the Feng family's main residence. You can go to the altar set up by the Celestial Master," Liu the Cripple said. "This morning, we found his body there."

They had heard Wu Dali, who led the way earlier, mention the Celestial Master. He was likely a charlatan, but unexpectedly, he encountered a real ghost this time and directly lost his head.

"Okay," Jiang Cheng said, "Then we'll trouble you."

A few seconds later, Liu the Cripple's voice came. He raised his crutch and pointed to a spot in front of them. There were several buildings there that looked very old.

"It's there," Liu the Cripple said hoarsely. "I have something to do, so I won't accompany you. I'll come pick you up later."

After saying that, he cautioned them again, as if he were still worried, "Don't wander around. Just stay in that area, or don't blame me for not reminding you if something happens."

"Understood," everyone said, acting very cooperative.

Liu the Cripple hobbled away. Despite his strange gait, his speed was no slower than an ordinary person's.

After watching Liu the Cripple leave, everyone walked towards the buildings. "This Liu the Cripple is strange," Huai Yi said in a low voice. "And Wu Dali, who brought us here, can't be trusted either."

"Do you remember their conversation after we came in just now?" Chen Qiang interjected. "This Liu the Cripple actually asked Wu Dali if we were the people Director Qiao sent?"

The word "sent" gave everyone a very bad feeling.

What kinds of things would use the word "sent"?

They weren't cargo.