457: Chapter 457 Our Captain Bai is a powerful mental ability user

"Young Master, you're back."

Butler Li Tiansheng immediately stepped forward to greet him respectfully.

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw a young man wearing a Body Integration haute couture suit and gold-rimmed glasses walking briskly in from outside the main gate.

He had a refined appearance, steady footsteps, and exuded the calm poise characteristic of someone who had been in a position of authority for a long time.

He was none other than Second Young Master Chen Xuan of the Chen Family.

After handing his briefcase to the butler, Second Young Master Chen Xuan walked over to Madam Chen Li, bent down to support his grandmother's arm, and gently comforted her:

"Grandmother, the doctor said you need to rest more and not wear yourself out over these matters."

Although his words were thoughtful, his movements appeared somewhat stiff.

That posture felt more like a Junior performing a routine formality toward an elder rather than heartfelt affection.

Seeing this, Lin Chuqiao quietly stood up, stepped back, and walked back to Fang Cheng's side.

Fang Cheng exchanged a glance with her, and both of them read the same judgment in each other's eyes.

The internal workings of this Family were far more complicated than they appeared on the surface.

"I am a bit fatigued."

Madam Chen Li waved her hand, the fatigue on her face deepening slightly: "Xuan, you're back. I'll leave the matter of hosting the guests to you."

"Alright, Grandmother, you can rest assured."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan nodded, watching as Li Tiansheng supported the old lady and walked slowly into the inner hall.

Until his grandmother's figure disappeared behind the door, did he turn around, wearing an apologetic and polite expression as he took the initiative to extend his hand toward the three of Fang Cheng.

"The three of you, I am truly sorry. I was delayed by some matters at the company."

"I am Second Young Master Chen Xuan. For the time being, I am in charge of matters at home. If you have any needs, please feel free to speak up and don't stand on ceremony."

Every word and action of his was impeccable, perfectly matching the upbringing and demeanor expected of a scion of a prominent Family.

"It doesn't matter, Young Master Chen."

Fang Cheng politely reached out to shake his hand, responding in a calm tone:

"We also just arrived at your esteemed residence and were just learning about the situation from the old madam. My name is Xiaobai, and these two are my companions, Xiaochu and Bailing."

This was the code name he casually filled in when accepting the mission at Naihe Bridge.

Both parties sat down on the sofa again.

Second Young Master Chen Xuan's gaze swept across the faces of the ethereally refined Lin Chuqiao and the lively, spirited Bailing, finally landing on Fang Cheng, who possessed a steady aura and was clearly the person in charge.

"Mr. Bai, Miss Chu, Miss Bailing."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan spoke, apologizing once more with a sincere tone:

"My grandmother's attitude was a bit cold just now, so I ask the three of you to please bear with her."

"It's truly because our Family has repeatedly suffered disasters, and we are already mentally and physically exhausted. Moreover, before you, the Family has already invited many capable people and strange masters, but in the end, it was of no help..."

He let out a light sigh, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness:

"Therefore, the old lady inevitably feels somewhat disheartened and has less patience for outsiders."

"We can understand."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng nodded slightly and smoothly took over the conversation:

"I just don't know how many batches of people your esteemed residence has invited before us?"

"You are the fourth batch."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan sighed again, leaning back into the sofa with slightly furrowed brows as he said:

"Actually, before posting the commission task, we suspected that members of our Family had been cursed with black magic. We even used Family connections to specially invite a renowned white-robed Ajarn from Siam."

"That Great Master was originally skilled in dealing with such evil arts, but after staying here for just one night, the next day he vanished into thin air without a trace."

"We realized that the seriousness of the matter far exceeded our estimations, which is why we had no choice but to enlist the power of Naihe Bridge."

"Later, Naihe Bridge also successively sent two batches of people, only..."

His words suddenly stopped there, Second Young Master Chen Xuan's expression sinking as he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

It seemed he wanted to use the warm tea to suppress some unpleasant memories.

"Young Master Chen, can you elaborate on what happened back then?"

Lin Chuqiao looked at him with a gentle gaze, her eyes carrying a hint of psychological guidance.

Second Young Master Chen Xuan put down the teacup, the bottom colliding with the tabletop to produce a soft click that was exceptionally clear in the silent living room.

He gave a bitter smile:

"The second batch to come was a mercenary squad calling themselves 'Fox Hunting', in groups of three. It is said they had dealt with quite a few similar supernatural incidents in the Nanyang region and were very experienced."

"They stayed at our house for three days and three nights, investigating during the day and setting up ambushes at night. They indeed looked very professional."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan paused for a moment, recalling the scene at that time, a trace of chill involuntarily welling up in the depths of his eyes:

"Right during dinner on the fourth day, a very strong man in the squad took a sip of the meat soup brewed by our servant."

"Hardly a few seconds after swallowing it, he suddenly clutched his neck and fell to the ground, his entire body's skin rapidly turning crimson, just like a shrimp boiled alive in boiling water."

"We watched helplessly as white steam rose from his body, the entire person convulsing violently on the ground, and in less than a minute, he lost his breath."

"According to the later forensic appraisal, all of his internal organs had been cooked by high temperature in an extremely short period of time..."

Hearing this, Bailing's face turned slightly pale, and she subconsciously hugged her arms tighter.

"The other person died even more miserably."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan lowered his voice even further, seeming to carry a hint of a slight tremor:

"He didn't drink the soup, but not long after his companion died, large patches of red rashes suddenly erupted on his body, and then the rashes rapidly festered."

"He said his body was extremely itchy and constantly scratched at it with his hands. We wanted to stop him, but couldn't stop him at all. His strength was shockingly large, and like a madman, he tore off his own skin."

"In the end, he even... gouged out his own eyeballs, while muttering in his mouth, 'So many bugs'..."

"Ah!"

Bailing finally couldn't help letting out a soft exclamation, clearly frightened by this terrifying and bloody story.

Fang Cheng and Lin Chuqiao exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.

The way these people died was actually far more direct and tragic than the way the Chen Family members described in the intelligence died.

Lin Chuqiao took a slight breath and calmly analyzed:

"Given the physical fitness of ability users, ordinary viruses and bacteria could never cause such a rapid infection. As for the internal organs being cooked due to drinking soup..."

"I feel this is more like a medium for instantly triggering a certain curse, very likely the handiwork of that black magic sorcerer. He is warning everyone who attempts to meddle."

"We also conjectured the same."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan nodded slightly, his expression growing even heavier:

"The third batch to come was a Maoshan Sect Daoist priest, bringing several attendants. It is said he was proficient in various Talisman techniques for warding off evil and suppressing baleful spirits."

"The day he arrived, he set up an altar to perform rituals in our Family courtyard. Compasses, peach-wood swords, and yellow paper Talismans were scattered all over the ground, making a huge display."

"But halfway through the ritual, he suddenly stopped and began talking nonsense, saying he saw gold paper ingots floating down all over the sky."

"Then... right under the gaze of all of us, a cluster of fire flew out from the fire basin, instantly enveloping his entire person. In just over a dozen seconds, he was burned into a charred corpse."

After Second Young Master Chen Xuan finished speaking, the entire living room fell into a death-like silence.

That invisible enemy seemed to be using three bloody death incidents to declare 'his' absolute right of rule over this mansion.

"Young Master Chen, I'd like to ask."

Fang Cheng took the lead in breaking the silence, his sonorous and powerful voice instantly dispelling the heavy chill.

"Among these batches of operatives, did such two people appear?"

He briefly described them:

"One is around fifty years old, wears glasses, and has a scholarly temperament; the other is in his thirties, tall and thin, with an elongated face and two tufts of mustache on his lips."

This was precisely the image of Uncle Li Dingjian and the professor.

Hearing this, Second Young Master Chen Xuan thought carefully for a moment, and ultimately shook his head:

"No, I am certain no investigators matching these two characteristics have ever come to the house."

A trace of disappointment flashed in the depths of Fang Cheng's eyes.

To be honest, whether the Chen Family's case could be solved and whether the Naihe Bridge mission could be successfully completed were not important to him.

Finding his uncle's whereabouts as soon as possible was the true purpose of his coming to Tiannan Province this time.

Just when Fang Cheng thought the clues were broken, Second Young Master Chen Xuan suddenly let out a soft exclamation, as if remembering something.

"Wait... that bearded man you described, I seem to have some impression of him."

He frowned and tried hard to recall:

"About a week ago, the day my eldest brother had a car accident, I drove away from home preparing to rush to the hospital. It seemed I saw someone very similar to your description on the street outside the estate."

"He had a horse-like face and also sported a short beard. At that time, he was skulking around the neighborhood, and as soon as he saw my car driving out, he immediately turned and walked away."

"Where did he go?"

Fang Cheng pressed further.

"At the time, I was anxious to get to the hospital and didn't pay much attention to other things, nor did I see clearly which direction he specifically walked..."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan shook his head apologetically.

Seeing Fang Cheng remain silent, Lin Chuqiao very naturally took over the conversation, attempting to cut into the investigation from another angle:

"Young Master Chen, according to the mission data records, besides the three decedents who suffered misfortunes among the Chen Family members, there should also be two survivors. Can we get in touch with them?"

"I'm afraid that might not be very convenient."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan showed a troubled expression:

"My eldest brother's injuries are very severe. He is still in the ICU and has not completely left the critical period. The hospital stipulates that no one is allowed to go in for visits."

"What about the other mentally deranged member of the Chen Family?"

Lin Chuqiao did not give up and continued to make the request:

"We guarantee we will just take a look at the situation and will never make any moves that would stimulate him."

"The one who went crazy is my second uncle; he is no longer here now."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan's tone sank, looking slightly helpless.

"Where is he?"

Lin Chuqiao was slightly startled upon hearing this.

"For my second uncle's safety, and also to cure his mental problems, Grandmother sent him into our Chen Family's Secret Realm to recuperate."

Lin Chuqiao understood instantly in her heart and did not continue to ask further.

She knew very well what these words meant.

Every prominent Family's Legacy Secret Realm was a fundamental and crucial stronghold of the Family, and outsiders were strictly forbidden from setting foot in it.

Moreover, the Secret Realm itself would produce a natural repulsive force against people of non-clan Bloodlines.

Even female relatives by marriage, unless they resided there long-term and their Qi completely fused with the Family, could not enter it.

The two most direct investigative clues seemed to be cut off right here.

Just when the atmosphere fell into a deadlock, Fang Cheng suddenly spoke up again:

"Young Master Chen, I'd like to go to the room of the first decedent, Mr. Chen Shaoze, to check out the scene."

"It's useless."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan instinctively vetoed:

"Whether it's the police, the experts of our Family, or those subsequent batches of people, they have all checked inside and out countless times, and found nothing."

"Moreover, more than half a month has passed since the incident; even if there were any traces, they would have long since vanished."

Lin Chuqiao looked at Fang Cheng's profile, her gaze shifting slightly, and turned to Second Young Master Chen Xuan, smiling as she said:

"Young Master Chen, you might not know this, but our Captain Bai's abilities are quite special."

"He is a powerful mental ability user who can perceive subtle traces that ordinary people cannot observe. Perhaps he can discover something different."

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Second Young Master Chen Xuan's eyes, and he re-examined the seemingly young "Captain" before him.

He pondered for a moment, and ultimately nodded:

"Alright, since the three of you have come from afar, I have no reason to refuse this request."

Led by Second Young Master Chen Xuan, the three of them walked up the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.

The stairs were made of precious teak and covered with a thick, soft carpet, producing not the slightest sound when stepped on.

The entire second floor was empty and quiet. On both sides of the long corridor, most of the rooms had their doors tightly shut, exuding a desolate air of people having left and the place emptied out.

"Young Master Chen, forgive my presumption."

Lin Chuqiao walked and asked softly: "Your esteemed residence seems very desolate; why are no other people seen?"

"Speaking of which, it's shameful."

A trace of bitterness appeared on Second Young Master Chen Xuan's face:

"Accidents have happened back-to-back in the Family, yet the real culprit still cannot be found."

"For safety reasons, Grandmother has already transferred most of the direct relatives into the Secret Realm to take temporary refuge, leaving only a few people outside to maintain the normal operation of the Family."

"Then aren't you afraid staying outside by yourself?"

Bailing, who had been quietly following behind, couldn't help asking.

Second Young Master Chen Xuan's footsteps paused slightly, then he smiled faintly and said nonchalantly:

"Afraid? Of course I'm afraid, but as a descendant of the Chen Family, someone always has to stay behind to hold up this home. This is a responsibility that cannot be dodged."

While speaking, the group had already arrived in front of a door at the end of the corridor.

"This is it."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan pulled out a bunch of keys and inserted one into the keyhole.

"Creak—"

Along with a soft sound, the door was pushed open.

A stifling aura mixed with dust and mold immediately rushed toward them.

"Ever since the incident, this room has been sealed off. Except for the police and the previous investigators, no one else has ever come in."

Second Young Master Chen Xuan stood at the doorway, having no intention of going in.

Fang Cheng walked in alone, while Lin Chuqiao and Bailing also stood at the doorway without disturbing him.

The room's furnishings were very youthful, showing that the decedent was a young person who pursued fashion during his lifetime.

But at this moment, all the furniture was covered with a thin layer of dust, appearing lifeless.

This was the source of the entire incident. Chen Shaoze, the youngest grandson of the Chen Family, was scared to death alive in this locked secret room with bolted doors and windows late at night more than half a month ago.

There were no signs of a struggle at the scene, and the estate's multi-million-dollar security System had no record of any intrusion.

Fang Cheng slowly scanned the entire room, and within his pupils, scenes invisible to ordinary people quietly emerged.

The Scavengers Eye had silently activated.

In the dark red filter, the entire room was instantly filled with countless bright and dim energy halos.

On the doorknob, the bright fingerprints just left by Second Young Master Chen Xuan remained.

On the ground were scattered footprints belonging to the police and other investigators that had long since grown dim.

Too much time had passed, and most of the traces had dissipated, but Fang Cheng still patiently inspected inch by inch.

His gaze swept past the desk, swept past the wardrobe, and finally landed on that large bed.

Suddenly, Fang Cheng's pupils contracted slightly.

On the wall tightly against the headboard, he saw a few extremely faint yet somewhat abnormal halos.

(End of Chapter)