Chapter 53 Too Embarrassing to Show One's Face

The murder of Yan family guard Zou Zhimin on Spirit Street was reported by the Yan family to the Fuling City Brigade of the "Heavenly Court" organization.

The "Heavenly Court" organization is the official supernatural law enforcement agency within the borders of the Donghua State, responsible for investigating and handling all crimes committed by supernatural beings, as well as arresting criminals.

In the world of supernatural beings, there are laws and law enforcement agencies tailored to it. With laws being just and enforcement powerful, the Yan family did not need to take revenge into their own hands.

The nature of this incident was entirely different from the deaths of the four Yan family subordinates on Ice Prison Island. The deaths on Ice Prison Island occurred during combat against entities from another world and did not constitute criminal cases. The incident on Spirit Street, however, was a grave felony—a blatant, malicious provocation and assault committed by someone.

It was only natural for the "Heavenly Court" organization to intervene in such a case. Furthermore, given that the incident involved a prominent and influential family like the Yan, Lu Xingzhou, the deputy head of the Combat Law Enforcement Division of the brigade, once again took the field in person.

......

At noon.

After having a simple midday meal, Eldest Miss Yan Ruobing returned to her study to carefully ponder the events that had unfolded over the past few days.

That detestable undergarment thief was still at large, and the utter humiliation she had suffered remained unavenged, leaving her proud heart deeply unsettled. She wanted nothing more than to banish from her mind the memory of that day when her undergarments were brazenly stolen right outside her bath, and even more so, the scene of those undergarments being pressed against the face of a fishing village boy. Yet these two scenarios clung to her like lingering ghosts, flashing incessantly before her mind's eye.

The eldest miss felt as though she were going mad.

"Beep, beep." Her cell phone rang.

The caller was Wen Fengxian. Residing on the ground floor of the villa, she was responsible for guarding the Yan residence and acting as the primary receptionist for all un-appointed social engagements.

Pressing the answer button, Yan Ruobing asked, "Fengxian, what is it?"

"Eldest Miss, the reception desk called to say that two people from the Fuling City Brigade of the Heavenly Court organization wish to see you. They are currently waiting in the main hall," Wen Fengxian said.

"Matters dealing with official authorities are always handled by Ruosong. Why didn't you just have him come forward instead of bothering me?" the eldest miss asked irritably, her mood far from pleasant.

"I told the reception desk the same thing," Wen Fengxian replied. "However, they specified that the visitors asked for you by name. Besides, Young Master Ruosong is not in the South-Return Garden; he went to a municipal hall luncheon. His accompanying secretary says he is already on the way back and is expected to arrive in about fifteen minutes. Young Master Ruosong said it wouldn't do to keep the Heavenly Court's law enforcement officers waiting too long, so he asked if you could receive them first."

That being the case, she would indeed have to step in and handle the situation for the moment. Yan Ruobing thought for a moment and said, "Tell the reception desk I will change my clothes and be right down."

A few minutes later, Yan Ruobing, having changed into an elegant yet simple dress, entered the guest reception main hall of the South-Return Garden, accompanied by Wen Fengxian.

The main hall was archaic, elegant, bright, and grand, built in ancient Donghua style. From the furniture to the decorations, everything possessed an antique charm.

In the two horseshoe armchairs on the left, a young man and a woman dressed in tight-fitting black martial attire sat upright. The man was around twenty-six or seven, with sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a handsome appearance. The woman wore short, ear-length hair with ordinary features, yet her brows radiated vigor. Slung across the backs of both were slender, black horizontal sabres.

They were none other than Lu Xingzhou and Lin Shaowei, the very people who had previously taken Shuishheng from Wang'ao Fishing Village into custody.

"Apologies for keeping the two of you waiting. I am Yan Ruobing," Yan Ruobing apologized as soon as she entered the main hall. Wen Fengxian stood coldly to the side, expressionless.

The two law enforcement officers stood up. "Greetings, Eldest Miss."

Lu Xingzhou introduced himself, saying, "I am Lu Xingzhou, Deputy Head of the Combat Law Enforcement Division of the Fuling City Brigade of the Heavenly Court organization, and this is Lin Shaowei, a division officer and law enforcement agent. Our visit today is primarily to investigate the murder of Yan Estate guard Zou Zhimin on Spirit Street."

His tone was quite direct, getting straight to the point.

"Please be seated, both of you." Yan Ruobing took the central master chair at the head of the room and invited the two to sit in the adjacent chairs.

A servant brought them steaming cups of fragrant tea.

"Thank you," Lu Xingzhou acknowledged the servant.

"I remember Deputy Head Lu's name. You are the son of Mr. Lu Xianming from the second branch of the Lu family," Yan Ruobing remarked. "I just didn't know when you joined the Heavenly Court organization and even became a combat law enforcement division head."

"Yes, my father is indeed him," Lu Xingzhou nodded. "Ever since graduating from the Heavenly Thunder Academy of the Heavenly Court organization six years ago, I have been working in the Combat Law Enforcement Division of the Fuling City Brigade. A month and a half ago, due to the former deputy head, Deputy Liu, falling from grace over corruption, I was suddenly promoted."

"I see," Yan Ruobing smiled slightly. "Actually, the Yan and Lu families are allied by marriage. My aunt married into the Lu family, though not in Fuling City; it seems she went to Dongzhou City in Dongming Province."

"You are referring to my paternal uncle, Lu Xianping," Lu Xingzhou said. "Yes, shortly after his marriage, he was dispatched by the family to manage businesses in Dongzhou City, so he has lived there year-round."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Xingzhou changed the subject. "Actually, besides the case of Zou Zhimin, I have another matter to address during this visit to the Yan family. The Zou Zhimin case will probably have to wait for Young Master Ruosong's return to coordinate and handle. As for this other case... I would like to touch base with the eldest miss first." With that, Lu Xingzhou drew a folded piece of paper from his briefcase, slowly unfolded it, and laid it flat on the coffee table. The paper bore a portrait of a person with a wretched appearance.

Upon seeing the portrait, Yan Ruobing felt a violent jolt in her heart.

Wen Fengxian, standing nearby, almost let out a gasp.

Was this person none other than the scoundrel Mei Yulang, who had brazenly stolen her undergarments right to her face! Remembering the events of that day, and considering that the young man before her might have uncovered something, the eldest miss's face flushed slightly, and the tips of her ears turned red.

"Does the eldest miss have any impression of the person in this sketch?" Lu Xingzhou asked.

Yan Ruobing raised her delicate brows. "I do not know this person."

She truly did not know this person. Given how vile his character was, he had likely committed other crimes as well. She could not possibly allow that shameful incident to be made public.

"Eldest Miss," Lin Shaowei said, "this person is connected to a major case with widespread impact, and the evidence-gathering process is extremely crucial. In the interest of fair law enforcement, please do not conceal anything. We know that he has committed crimes within the Yan family estate."

Yan Ruobing's expression turned serious. *You know? How do you know? I suppose the Yan family has an informant from your "Heavenly Court" organization. Who could be so bold as to bite the hand that feeds them and leak such confidential information?*

It seemed the Yan family needed to properly straighten out its internal discipline.

"Eldest Miss, please take a look." Lin Shaowei handed over a folder and opened it. The very first page featured a photograph of Mei Yulang. Unlike the sketch, it was clearly captured by a surveillance camera. The scene depicted showed the fellow in broad daylight on the balcony of a dozen-story building, reaching out to steal women's undergarments.

From the second page onward, there were numerous printed and collaged photographs. Every single picture showed the fellow caught in the act of stealing, or snapshots of various styles of women's undergarments.

Yan Ruobing's heart gave a jolt, her pulse inexplicably accelerating. She terrified herself with the thought that documentation of her own stolen undergarments might also appear among these files.

As the eldest miss of the Yan family, she could not afford to lose face to that extent.

She flipped to the very end. Fortunately, there was none.

None of her own.