Chapter 129: Black market substance

At 2:40 p.m., the law enforcement officers summoned by the Wei family to investigate the unusual incident discovered traces of an unknown liquid scattered around the perimeter of the mansion.

At 3:00 p.m., a servant discovered a man sleeping like a dead pig in the wine cellar, surrounded by several empty wine bottles.

The man was identified as Mr. Qian, who was supposed to have left with the other guests earlier that day.

It was then confirmed that someone had impersonated Mr. Qian and used the opportunity to leave the mansion unnoticed.

By 3:30 p.m., the preliminary laboratory results from the on-site testing had arrived.

The substance was an illegal chemical compound circulating on the black market.

It was a newly developed endocrine-disrupting chemical designed to mimic aggregation pheromones, which were the chemical signals animals used to attract others of their kind. By interfering with their natural behavioral responses, it could cause animals to gather in unusually large numbers.

A law enforcement officer was reporting the findings to his superior.

Beside them, Wei Tianyu, Wei Yue, and the Wei family’s patriarch listened attentively.

"We searched the surrounding area and found traces of the substance scattered across the mountainside, all the way to the perimeter of the mansion. Even now, a few animals are still wandering around after being attracted by it."

"So this is the most likely cause of the sudden beast tide?" someone asked.

"Almost certainly. According to the laboratory results, the substance can cause small animals to gather in large groups, but its effects on larger animals are relatively limited. Perhaps because the animals in this area had never encountered it before, their reactions were particularly intense, resulting in the sudden beast tide."

The Wei patriarch and Wei Yue exchanged glances before asking for confirmation.

"In other words, something like this is unlikely to happen again?"

"Yes. The animals in this area have already been exposed to the substance and will likely develop a tolerance to it. If the same substance is used again, it will no longer have the same effect. That’s why this product was considered a failed development. However, because of its potential to trigger a beast tide, it was banned. It is now only traded through the dark web."

"Is it toxic? What will happen to the nearby farms, orchards, and lake?" This was what worried the Wei Patriarch the most right now.

"Based on the preliminary tests, the concentration found here is unlikely to cause serious poisoning in humans or animals. The substance gradually loses its effectiveness after being exposed to the air for a certain period. Fortunately, it does not leave any permanent side effects on the soil or water."

After listening to the back and forth, the officer’s superior finally turned toward the Wei family and began asking as well.

"Did you find anything missing from the house? We suspect that the culprit is the person who impersonated Mr. Qian. He may have used the beast tide as a distraction to complete his mission, either by stealing something or planting something inside your residence."

The Wei patriarch shook his head.

"I’ve already had the servants search the entire mansion. We haven’t found anything amiss."

"Are you certain? We would still like to conduct a thorough investigation inside your residence for security reasons."

The Wei patriarch and Wei Yue nodded in agreement. They naturally felt more comfortable having the experts double-check everything.

Meanwhile, Wei Tianyu’s expression was complicated.

His brother, Hou Yizhen, was indeed very capable.

To think he had managed to arrange everything before the police had even begun their investigation.

Wei Tianyu couldn’t help wondering whether his brother had done anything else behind their backs.

Forget it. What was the point of worrying about it now?

Although his brother did not exactly have a high moral compass, he would not deliberately target innocent people. At most, he would retaliate against those who offended him and make them pay for their actions.

Especially when someone had dared to hurt such a lovely and gentle person.

Wei Tianyu decided that whoever was responsible deserved whatever punishment his brother had in store for them.

Later that night, shortly after Lin Feng returned to his room after dinner, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

It was Hou Yizhen.

"Hello, Uncle. Good evening."

The boy’s voice was still soft and gentle, without a trace of the turbulent emotions he had displayed earlier that day.

"Mmm. Good evening, Lin Feng."

The man on the other end had just stepped out of the dim basement. Hearing the boy’s soft voice, he smiled.

Under the dim lighting, his black hair and eyes seemed even darker. There were small splatters of blood on his cheeks that he hadn’t noticed.

After leaving the basement, he had gone to the nearby washroom to wash his hands. Now, he stood beside the sink, drying them with a towel as he listened to the boy in speakerphones.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Lin Feng listened to the man’s steady breathing, and gradually, his own thoughts settled.

One listened while the other finished drying his hands.

By the time Hou Yizhen finally spoke again, a full minute of silence had passed.

Although he wondered why the boy was even quieter than usual tonight, Hou Yizhen attributed it to the fright he had suffered earlier that day.

"I’ve already taught the person who pushed you a lesson," he said, trying to comfort the boy. "He’s a hitman who takes commissions through the dark web. Someone hired him to teach you a lesson, but not to kill you."

Lin Feng finally came out of his thoughts.

"The dark web... do you mean the black market?"

"Yes." Hou Yizhen confirmed it. "He had already reported through the dark web that the job was completed before hiding inside the mansion. I’ve made sure he can’t return to his old trade. I broke both his arms."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"As for the person who commissioned the job, I’m still investigating."