“Ahem…”

Having finally shooed away the traumatized onlookers, Lucky Li cleared his throat with gusto. His voice boomed with restored confidence as he addressed the An siblings, who had only just begun to calm down.

“Young Mistress, Young Master. This servant… er, wait, I mean I, Li Mingwang, have conducted a thorough investigation. I discovered that your mother actually passed away two or three years ago. She suffered a cultivation deviation while attempting to break through to the Foundation Building realm.”

Li adopted a solemn tone. “Your father, the City Lord, loved her deeply. He simply couldn’t accept the reality of her death.”

“He concealed the news and ventured out alone, exploring various ancient ruins in a desperate search for a resurrection method. Tragically, it was during one of these expeditions that he was seized and possessed by that old ghost, Lu…”

“Huh? You were that accurate?”

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise. Lucky Li usually operated with the reliability of a wet paper towel, yet he had somehow turned into a master detective overnight.

In just two days, he had uncovered the entire truth. His description of the events was so vivid, down to the finest details, that one would think he had witnessed it personally. He was practically Sherlock Holmes.

Even Richie Zhang, who had been staring blankly at the sky nearby, glanced over in disbelief.

“Hold on, when did you get this smart? How did you dig up something that well-hidden?”

Hearing the praise, Lucky Li smugly adjusted his crooked servant’s cap. “Oh, it was nothing, really. Since I was assigned as the Young Master’s study attendant, I had free access to the study.”

He grinned. “I just happened to find a diary the master kept in his desk. He wrote everything down, clear as day…”

That works?

Qi Yuan’s expression turned strange.

An Lingxiu—a dignified Golden Core cultivator and ruler of a city—kept a daily diary?

Even more absurd, he didn’t carry such a sensitive item in his spatial storage? He just left it lying around in his study for a brand-new servant to find?

And Lu Jiuyuan, the possessor, clearly wasn’t a reader. After seizing the body, he must never have stepped foot in the study, or he would have burned that evidence long ago.

Through a comedy of errors and sheer dumb luck, Lucky Li had actually cracked the case.

While Qi Yuan was internally roasting the plot convenience, the chubby little boy standing next to An Cailan stomped over to Lucky Li. He puffed up his cheeks, his face red with indignation.

“Little Li! I trusted you! How could you peek at my dad’s diary?”

The boy stomped his foot. “And didn’t I tell you to take care of Big Yellow? Where did you take him?”

“Well… about that…” Lucky Li’s eyes darted guiltily toward the drying pool of blood on the floor. He whispered weakly, “To deal with the old ghost possessing your father, I needed a basin of Black Dog Blood. I had no choice… I had to drain Big Yellow…”

“How could you?!”

The little fatty burst into tears, wailing at the top of his lungs. “Waaaaah! Big Yellow was a yellow dog! He didn’t have a single black hair on him! Why would you use him for Black Dog Blood?”

Lucky Li hurriedly waved his hands to explain.

“That stupid dog bared its teeth at me the moment we met! He even bit me yesterday! Clearly, his heart was black. Therefore, he counts as a black dog!”

Hearing this twisted logic, the boy cried even harder. He glared at Lucky Li with hatred, looking ready to bite the man himself.

Qi Yuan rubbed his temples. He couldn’t watch this anymore.

“Li, stop bullying the child,” Qi Yuan scolded. “In a few days, go find him a new puppy.”

Lucky Li thumped his chest. “Holy Scion, don’t you worry! I promise I’ll find him a dog even yellower than the last one.”

“Junior Brother Li.” Qi Yuan glanced at the sobbing boy, then back at his chaotic lackey. “Out of curiosity… the ‘Boy’s Urine’ you used earlier to break the spell. Was that also from this child?”

Lucky Li gave a shy, bashful smile and looked down at his feet.

“You guessed wrong, Holy Scion. Your humble Junior Brother is currently single. Technically speaking… I can still be considered a ‘boy’ myself.”

Qi Yuan’s face darkened instantly. He waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.

“Take Richie and go heal up. Get out of my sight. Just looking at you two makes me tired.”

The An siblings and Bai Xirou—a future disciple of the Sanctuary—were watching. If he let Dumb and Dumber continue their improv comedy routine, the majestic reputation of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary would be dragged through the mud.

“Right away! This subordinate withdraws!”

Sensing the Holy Scion’s murderous vibe, Lucky Li grabbed the dazed Richie Zhang and scrambled out the door like a rat fleeing a sinking ship.

Once the chaotic duo was gone, the hall finally returned to a peaceful silence.

Bai Xirou, who had been quiet until now, looked at An Cailan with deep sympathy. “Sister An, now that both your parents have met with misfortune… what will you do?”

An Cailan gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Though her gaze was dim with sorrow, a spark of steel determination flickered within.

“Thank you for your concern, Sister Bai. I have already sent word to our main clan in the capital. They will send someone to handle the city’s affairs soon.”

She took a deep breath. “Once my parents’ funeral rites are complete, I will take my brother to the capital. Our grandparents are still alive there. My brother has no cultivation aptitude; only under their protection can he live a safe, stable life.”

As she spoke, she turned toward Qi Yuan, her expression transforming into one of profound gratitude.

“Holy Scion. You not only avenged my father but also saved my brother and me. Such a great favor… I cannot leave it unpaid!”

“Once my brother is settled, I will travel to the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary to seek entry. I will cultivate with everything I have, so that one day, I might be of use to you, Holy Scion!”

Qi Yuan opened his mouth to give the standard ‘virtue is its own reward’ speech, but seeing the girl’s fierce resolve, he swallowed the words.

He couldn’t exactly say, ‘I don’t need your repayment, go away,’ could he?

Besides, he had checked An Cailan’s constitution earlier. She possessed a Wood Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root—an extremely rare aptitude.

With that kind of talent, assuming her mental state held up, she wouldn’t just join the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary; she would be fast-tracked as a core disciple.

As the Holy Scion, having a genius with a Heavenly Spirit Root join the faction was a massive win. The stronger the Sanctuary, the more resources and prestige he could leech off of.

More importantly, this genius was currently looking at him with 100% loyalty and adoration. If nurtured correctly, she would become a powerful asset in his pocket.

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan offered a warm, enigmatic smile.

“Very well. In that case, your Sister Bai and I will await your arrival at the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary.”