Chapter 98.2

"Solving a case this old—and rescuing a trafficked child to boot—such a big achievement, you’re not gonna treat us?"

"All of us here have been waiting to hear your secrets over drinks. Seriously though, how did you know there was a body buried under that tree?"

"My son studies at that university."

"Yeah, we know that."

"One day I went to visit him. We were walking behind the dorm building, and I noticed that one tree was taller and thicker than the rest. That made me suspicious."

"That’s it?"

"What else? You don’t expect me to say I summoned Tang Qiuying’s ghost and she led me to her body, do you?"

"Hahaha! Tan-ge, you really know how to joke.

"But seriously, that’s incredible. Your intuition is amazing."

Tan Yunlong gave a couple of dry coughs and reached for the teacup on the table, taking a sip.

Just then, someone called from nearby, "Tan-ge, your phone."

Tan Yunlong got up and answered it.

"Hello, this is Tan Yunlong."

"Hello, it’s Tan Wenbin."

"Out with it already."

"Watch your mouth! What’s with that attitude?"

"You brat, want me to show up at your school right now?"

"Come on then, hit me if you dare. Come on, I dare you."

Tan Yunlong took a deep breath.

He used to blame himself for this—how every time after seeing Xiaoyuan, he'd go visit his own son and find the kid unbearably irritating.

He used to think it was a flaw in himself as a father. But now, he realized—sometimes it’s not about you.

"Dad, we found the real killer of Qiu Minmin."

…

Late at night, a police car rolled into the campus once again. The arrest went smoothly.

Leaning against the car door, Tan Yunlong watched his colleagues lead the old professor, Chen Deliang, into the vehicle.

Elsewhere, Shi Yuqing had already been apprehended and was now being interrogated.

Over the radio came the report that the woman’s psychological defenses were weak—she had already started talking, trying hard to distance herself, claiming she was only aware of the murder but not an accomplice.

It was a case from seven years ago, and the recent string of related disappearances had made it even harder to solve. No one expected the breakthrough to come now.

On the drive back, the younger officers in the car looked at Tan Yunlong differently—open admiration in their eyes.

Xiao Zhou asked the question again:

"Tan-ge, where did you get your lead this time?"

Tan Yunlong didn’t really want to answer. But he had to—some things had to go in the case file.

"My son goes to that university."

The others listened intently—only Xiao Zhou found the opening line oddly familiar.

"There’s an Old Sichuan restaurant by the north gate—I’ve taken you guys there. One night, I went to visit my son. We ate in a second-floor private room. The two suspects were in the room next door. I overheard them arguing."

"Then I started my own private investigation, found some corroborating evidence, and that’s when I decided to make the move."

Of course, there were holes in Tan Yunlong’s story. Maybe Shi Yuqing and the old professor didn’t go to Old Sichuan often—maybe this was their first time. If you scrutinized it, it wouldn’t hold up.

But he didn’t want to say it was his son who heard them. The procedural follow-ups would be a hassle, and Xiaoyuan didn’t like hassle.

Besides, as long as the evidence was solid and guilt could be confirmed, how the lead was “triggered” wasn’t that important.

Sometimes, to protect informants, police would deliberately obscure how tips were reported.

In one case, the victim’s family claimed they dreamt of where the body was buried. The police dug and, astonishingly, found it. From there, they tracked down the killer—who turned out to be a neighbor.

Clearly someone had witnessed the burial but wanted to stay anonymous.

As the others marveled at Tan Yunlong’s luck, only Xiao Zhou said:

"Tan-ge, your son really is your lucky star."

…

"Ah, that feels great."

Tan Wenbin stretched lazily in bed. After being possessed by a ghost yesterday, he’d had a hearty meal and a long sleep. He felt completely revived.

"Huh? Xiaoyuan-ge, why are you here?"

Tan Wenbin rubbed his eyes. Normally by this time, Yuanzi-ge would be with Liu Yumei and Ah Li.

"Binbin-ge, do you know what time it is?"

Tan Wenbin turned to look at the clock—eleven in the morning. Yesterday, they’d planned to leave for Tong’an Town at noon to find the circus troupe.

“Crap!”

He jumped out of bed and rushed to wash up. When he returned and tried to pack, he found everything had already been sorted by the boy.

"Uh, Xiaoyuan-ge, why didn’t you wake me?"

"We’ve got time. You needed the rest."

Tan Wenbin leaned over the desk and saw a set of charm-needles laid out.

The boy had bound a Dissolution of Evil charm, a Calming Talisman, and a Sealing charm to needles using red thread.

"Xiaoyuan-ge, are these for launching?" Tan Wenbin mimed a throwing motion.

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head. "They’re for Lin Shuyou. Based on what the Sutra of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva says about spirit-writing, I came up with a simple, brute-force way to enhance it."

"Ah You is going to be so touched."

Tan Wenbin knew this set of needles was just something Xiaoyuan-ge had whipped up that morning. In reality, Xiaoyuan had already prepared a whole series of clever tricks for Lin Shuyou.

After this, Lin Shuyou’s understanding of Officers of the Command Banner would be on a whole new level.

He’d finally have the confidence to challenge his master and grandfather for the top spot.

Assuming, of course, that Yuanzi-ge didn’t break or destroy him in the process.

"It’s about time. Let’s go."

"The Dragon King sets out~"

Tan Wenbin slung on his hiking pack and followed Li Zhuiyuan out of the dorm.

As they passed by Lu Yi’s door, Tan Wenbin gave a dramatic shout:

"Though a thousand stand in my way, I march forth~"

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