456: Chapter 456 The Chen Family, Curses

Cui City, a border metropolis known as the "Spring City".

Unlike the neat and orderly Dongdu.

Here, it concealed colorful and vibrant exotic customs, while also exuding the gentle poetry reminiscent of Jiangnan.

When the plane landed at Cui City International Airport, it was already close to noon.

"Whoa, it's been many years since I last came here for a vacation, it has changed so much!"

As soon as he walked out of the VIP channel, Pan Wendi let out an exaggerated shout, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the entire city.

By the roadside, an extended black Bentley had long been waiting quietly.

The driver hurried forward and respectfully opened the car door for everyone.

"The hotel has already been arranged, the top-floor suite of the Cuihai Pearl, guaranteed to make you feel at home!"

Pan Wendi enthusiastically greeted Fang Cheng, Lin Chuqiao, and Bailing to get into the car, saying with great interest:

"Once we find Fang Cheng's uncle and that professor, I'll take you guys around properly. The ancient city, snow mountains, and ethnic minority bonfire parties here are much more interesting than Dongdu."

The vehicle steadily drove toward the urban area.

Along the way, Pan Wendi played the role of a guide, pointing and commenting on the scenery along the way.

About half an hour later, the black Bentley slowly drove into a sailboat-shaped modern hotel standing on the shores of Cuihai Lake.

Without needing to go through the front desk, the exclusive hotel butler was already waiting in the lobby, leading the group to take the VIP elevator straight to the top floor.

The butler handed several gold-stamped room cards to everyone respectively, and smiled to inform them that lunch had been prepared in the executive lounge.

Lin Chuqiao waved her hand and said to everyone:

"Let's all return to our rooms to rest and tidy up first, see you at the restaurant in an hour."

Fang Cheng took the room card handed by the butler, swiped it, and pushed open his room door.

The room was spacious and bright, and the minimalist decoration style exuded low-key luxury.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, a corner of Cuihai's rippling light could still be glimpsed, inexplicably easing one's mind.

He casually put down his luggage and walked into the bathroom.

The warm water poured down from the overhead showerhead, washing away the dust of the journey.

After a moment, he changed into a dry casual outfit and walked out, stepping barefoot on the soft carpet, walking up to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window was Cui City's proudest scenery.

Nearby were the hotel's exquisite gardens and the bustling lake-loop road.

In the distance, a vast lake rippled in the sunlight like a huge emerald; that was the famous Cuihai.

Although it was not the peak tourist season right now, the plank roads along the lake were still crowded with tourists.

However, Fang Cheng was not here for a vacation.

His gaze fell on the distant lake surface, and his eyes gradually grew deep.

The Chen Family of Tiannan, this jade behemoth entrenched here for hundreds of years, its energy was far from comparable to ordinary wealthy tycoons.

The late head of the Family, Chen Jintang, was not only a leading figure in the jewelry industry, but had also served as the president of the Xia Country Jewelry Association, with influence spreading across the entire country.

For such a Family, it was no exaggeration to say they wielded power over a region.

Their Bloodline ability relied upon for making their fortune, "Spirit Pupils", was said in the intelligence data to be able to see through falsehoods and discern the true from the false.

To put it bluntly, it was an ability similar to "X-ray vision", especially skilled at seeing through the interior of raw stones, and could even be used to explore the trends of jade mineral veins.

But this was definitely impossible to be the Chen Family's entire backing.

A purely auxiliary ability was simply not enough to support a Family in firmly controlling a super-profitable industry like jade for hundreds of years in the Southern Border province where ethnic minorities lived mixed together and forces were intricate and complex.

Massive wealth, if not guarded by matching force, would only become a fat piece of meat that attracted covetous eyes.

For the Chen Family to stand tall to this day, they must be hiding an unknown, powerful force sufficient to deter all kinds of petty scoundrels.

Yet even so, they still fell victim.

If there truly existed a sorcerer behind this matter.

Even the prestigious families standing at the top of society were helpless against them and could only turn to "Naihe Bridge" for help to issue a commission task.

Then their strength was definitely not to be underestimated.

Fang Cheng faintly had a premonition.

This trip to Tiannan was probably not that simple.

Wanting to find his uncle's whereabouts, he would perhaps inevitably have to clash head-on with that enemy hiding in the dark.

Thump, thump.

The knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Fang Cheng turned around to open the door, only to see Lin Chuqiao and Bailing standing outside the door.

The two of them had obviously also just showered; Lin Chuqiao had changed into an elegant and plain cotton-linen long dress, and her face, washed clean of makeup, appeared even more pure and refined.

Bailing was wearing a refreshing sports short outfit with a high ponytail tied up, looking lively and pretty.

"Are you ready? Wendi probably can't wait anymore."

Lin Chuqiao looked at him with a trace of a smile at the corners of her mouth.

As soon as her voice fell, Pan Wendi's room door opposite opened with a "bang", and he had already changed into a flamboyant floral shirt and beach shorts:

"Let's go, let's go eat! I'm starving to death, any later and the good dishes in the restaurant will be snatched away!"

"You think you're still rushing to the cafeteria on Yongan Island?"

Lin Chuqiao helplessly rolled her eyes at him.

Hearing this, Fang Cheng couldn't help but chuckle.

The group simply had lunch in the hotel's member-exclusive restaurant and officially began their operation.

Fang Cheng, Lin Chuqiao, and Bailing planned to head to the Chen Family for an on-site investigation in the afternoon.

As for Pan Wendi, who originally wanted to join in the excitement, he was given another task by Lin Chuqiao.

He was asked to audit a three-day academic seminar on folklore and religion at Cui City University, and take photos to check in every day as "evidence" to report back to his aunt.

Upon hearing "attend classes" and "mom", Pan Wendi's face instantly collapsed.

But facing his cousin's gaze that allowed no argument, in the end he could only sigh and accept the order to leave.

The commercial car reserved by the hotel carrying the three of them drove on the way to the Chen Family mansion.

Inside the car, Lin Chuqiao took out two walnut-sized wood-carved pendants strung with red ropes from her carry-on leather bag and handed one to Bailing.

The wood carving had a warm texture, with a lifelike Qilin with closed eyes carved on it, emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance.

"Sister Lin, what is this? So exquisite."

Bailing held it in her hand, curiously examining it over and over.

"A talisman, I spent a whole day making it in Dongdu."

Lin Chuqiao instructed in a very serious tone: "Hide it close to your body, and never take it off."

After saying that, she handed the other pendant to Fang Cheng.

Seeing a hint of doubt in Fang Cheng's eyes, Lin Chuqiao explained:

"Sorcery is known for being weird and unpredictable, impossible to guard against. Once we enter the Chen Family, it's equivalent to stepping into that sorcerer's hunting ground, so having more preparation is always good."

Fang Cheng pinched the warm wooden talisman, feeling slightly heavy in his hand, and could sense that a weak but pure Mental Energy was attached to it.

So he asked: "Is this thing useful?"

Lin Chuqiao smiled brightly:

"Whether it's useful or not, we have to try it to know."

"However, even if it's just psychological comfort, it's better than nothing."

"You mustn't underestimate the power on the mental level; sometimes, firm belief itself is the most powerful defense."

Fang Cheng smiled slightly, and following her example, put the red rope around his neck and hid the wooden talisman inside his T-shirt.

The commercial car drove away from the bustling urban area and turned into a wealthy residential area nestled against the mountains and rivers.

The architectural density here was extremely low, and every villa was half-hidden among lush green trees, appearing quiet and private.

The Chen Family mansion was located at the best-viewed spot on the mid-mountain.

That was a sprawling Chinese-style estate with black tiles and white walls, flying eaves and bracket sets, exuding a heavy historical heritage amidst the modern villa complex.

The three of them got out of the car, and Bailing, looking at the imposing carved gate, couldn't help whispering in admiration:

"Wow, this house is just like a palace, how much must it be worth..."

Fang Cheng walked forward and pressed the doorbell.

Previously when accepting the task at Naihe Bridge, the other party provided contact information.

He had already made a phone call while at the hotel, reported the agreed password, and established contact with the Chen Family.

The gate slowly opened, and after the gatekeeper confirmed their identity, they were allowed to pass.

A maid in uniform hurried up to welcome them, leading them through the neatly trimmed front yard and into the main residence.

The Chen Family living room was extremely spacious, with a high ceiling, a full set of mahogany furniture, matched with famous calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, fully displaying the grand style of a large estate.

However, almost nobody could be seen in the huge space, and even servants were rarely seen, appearing overly empty and quiet to the point of being somewhat eerie.

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a black cross-collared Tang suit with meticulously combed hair walked out from the inner hall and slightly nodded to the three of them:

"Three guests, please forgive us for not welcoming you from afar. I am Li Tiansheng, the steward of this mansion."

In his words and actions, he exuded the rigor and politeness of an old-style wealthy Family.

Fang Cheng nodded in response:

"Steward Li, as we agreed previously, coming over today is to understand some situations from the master of the house."

"I'm truly sorry."

Li Tiansheng bowed slightly, an apologetic expression appearing on his face:

"The Old Madam is chanting scriptures in the Buddhist hall. According to her old lady's rule, she will not get up until a session of scriptures is finished."

"The Second Young Master has received the news and is hurrying over from the company. I'm afraid I must trouble the three of you to wait a moment."

He led the three of them to sit on the sofa in the living room, instructed the maid to serve fragrant tea, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and excused himself to go to the Buddhist hall to check on the situation.

After he left, the living room fell into silence once again.

"This Li Tiansheng is a relative from the Chen Family Old Madam's maiden Family. He has followed her for decades and can be considered a confidant."

Lin Chuqiao lowered her voice, quickly introducing the information she had additionally inquired about outside the intelligence data:

"The one currently in charge of the Chen Family is the Old Madam, Madam Chen Li, and the Family head Chen Jintang passed away from illness two years ago."

"The eldest grandson who originally managed the Family business suffered a car accident some time ago, was seriously injured and fell into a coma, and hasn't woken up yet."

"So right now, the Family industries are temporarily handed over to the second grandson to manage, which is Second Young Master Chen Xuan whom we will meet in a moment."

"The youngest one died, and the eldest one is heavily injured and in a coma. Isn't the ultimate beneficiary this second one?"

Bailing spoke her mind fast and couldn't help guessing:

"Could this series of events in the Chen Family be related to this Second Young Master?"

Excitement flickered in her eyes, as she had already imagined a grand drama of a wealthy Family fighting for the succession.

"This is also one of the directions I suspect."

Lin Chuqiao nodded: "However, before there is evidence, everything is just guesswork."

Fang Cheng didn't speak, merely picking up his teacup and calmly scanning this empty and oppressive hall.

After waiting for about twenty minutes, Li Tiansheng led an old lady wearing a plain-colored qipao and with full silver hair, slowly walking out from the inner hall.

The old lady was around seventy years old, with a lean face and sharp eyes.

Although leaning on an agarwood cane, her back and waist were still held straight, naturally imposing without anger.

Lin Chuqiao immediately stood up, took a proactive step forward, and introduced herself:

"Old Madam, we are..."

"I know the purpose of your visit."

Madam Chen Li interrupted Lin Chuqiao's words, her voice somewhat hoarse, exuding a coldness that kept strangers at a distance.

Supported lightly by the steward, she took a seat on the main sofa, raising her eyes to look at the three of them:

"The data given to you by Naihe Bridge has already written the course of events very clearly. What else are you coming to ask an old woman like me for?"

Evidently, before them, several batches of people who accepted the task had already come, but all returned without success, which exhausted her patience completely.

Seeing this, Fang Cheng replied in a steady tone:

"Old Madam, the records in the data are, after all, secondary information passed through multiple people, inevitably containing biases and omissions."

"More than half a month has passed since the case, and many ignored details can perhaps only be recalled by those who experienced it firsthand."

"That's right, Old Madam."

Lin Chuqiao also chimed in at the right time:

"We understand your grief-stricken mood, but precisely because of this, we hope even more to hear the most original description from you, so that we can find out the truth and track down the culprit even faster."

Bailing also nodded along, her crisp voice carrying a hint of sincerity:

"Old Madam, we genuinely want to help. Please tell us about it. Only by catching that bad guy early can your Family members have peace of mind!"

Madam Chen Li was silent for a long while, her sharp gaze sweeping back and forth across the faces of the three of them, and finally slowly nodding:

"If you want to ask anything, go ahead and ask."

"Your esteemed mansion has already had three people meet their demise so far."

Fang Cheng pondered a little and began to ask:

"I want to know, during the last period before the incident happened to them, the on-site situation you witnessed with your own eyes, rather than the description on the case files."

"I'm not clear about the others; I only saw my youngest grandson... Ze'er's last night."

Mentioning her most beloved youngest grandson, there was finally a trace of obvious tremor in Madam Chen Li's voice.

Fang Cheng immediately asked again:

"According to the intelligence records, Mr. Chen Shaoze seemed to have abnormal behaviors before the incident?"

Madam Chen Li closed her eyes, as if falling into painful memories, and slowly spoke after a long time:

"That wasn't an abnormal behavior... That child was pestered by a ghost."

"The week before the incident, Ze'er started acting not quite right. At night, he always couldn't sleep peacefully and hid alone in his room crying."

"At first I thought it was due to heavy work pressure on young people and didn't pay much attention. Until late that night, I was awakened by a sound coming from the kitchen downstairs..."

The old lady's voice became even deeper:

"I went downstairs to take a look and saw Ze'er... He was standing alone in front of the refrigerator, with his back to me, taking out frozen raw beef that hadn't been thawed yet, and just like that... tearing it bit by bit and shoving it into his mouth, his whole mouth covered in blood..."

"I called him, but he couldn't hear. I walked over and patted him, but he didn't react either, his eyes hollow and empty, just like a puppet."

"After eating the meat, he just sleepwalked like that, walking back to his bedroom step by step and locking the door."

"The next day when I asked him, he didn't have any impression at all, only saying that he had a very hungry dream."

Fang Cheng listened quietly; these details were far more horrifying than those cold words on the case files.

"I originally thought that Ze'er had just awakened the Family's Bloodline ability, and his mental burden was too heavy, causing physical exhaustion, so I thought of nourishing him well and sending him to the Chen Family's Secret Realm for quiet recuperation in a few days."

"But who would have known... that thing acted up so fast; within just a week or so, he..."

Madam Chen Li's voice choked up, and she could no longer continue speaking.

Lin Chuqiao hurriedly stepped forward, gently patting her back and soothing her softly:

"Old Madam, please restrain your grief..."

Right at this moment, a man's voice came from outside the main door.

"Grandma, why are you talking about these sad things again?"