Chapter 54: Too Embarrassed to Show One's Face (Part Two)

Lin Shaowei took the folder.

"Let me brief you on the situation. Within the past three or four days, in Fuling City and various parts of Nanxing Province, a rampant undergarment thief has emerged. He specifically targets the undergarments of famous, influential, and beautiful women, and his crimes have been captured on surveillance cameras multiple times," she said.

"Some people have witnessed his crimes, and awakened individuals have attempted to capture him without success. Currently, it is estimated that his cultivation is around Tier 8 or above, with a primary focus on water-element abilities. Judging by his speed, he may have also cultivated wind-element abilities, making him a rare dual-element practitioner of both wind and water."

"According to incomplete statistics, over the past few days, the number of various women's undergarments stolen by this individual is at least between eighty and one hundred. Furthermore, his targets are all well-known women under the age of forty with attractive appearances. For instance, female political leaders, entrepreneurs, famous actresses, celebrated singers, renowned models, prominent professors and scholars, awakened individuals, sect leaders or managers, and even female law enforcement officers from the four major official organizations of Heavenly Court, Kunlun, the Proving Grounds, and Wujin. Some undergarments he steals covertly, while others he takes brazenly, right in front of the victims! It can be said that this person has absolutely no bottom line, no restraints, no shame, and no reverence for the law!"

"The victims currently recorded by the Heavenly Court organization are only a portion of the total; many victims, out of regard for their pride and reputation, have chosen not to speak out. These victims generally wield extensive influence. Aside from their high cost, the stolen undergarments are often crafted from special materials, possessing immense value. For example, the gold undergarment stolen from the famous Nanxing Province actress Ms. Bai Niuniu is valued at over 3.2 million yuan. Others are embedded with diamonds, gemstones, specialized awakened materials, or even otherworldly substances, carrying exorbitant values."

"The two most expensive undergarments even feature rare otherworldly stones obtained from the Two Realms Mountain, complete with spatial storage capabilities, making their value impossible to measure in mere money."

Yan Ruobing and Wen Fengxian were left dumbfounded, involuntarily letting their imaginations fill in the details as they listened to her description.

The imagery was too vivid; they dared not dwell on it.

What on earth was that scoundrel actually... doing?!

Lu Xingzhou wore a slightly depressed expression: "Who would have thought that a Tier 8 awakened individual of such formidable strength would stoop to such petty and shameless acts? With power like his, the victims or their personal guards are simply incapable of detecting and stopping his vile deeds. As the agency in charge of awakened-related cases in Donghua Country, the Heavenly Court organization has the duty to apprehend this individual, but constrained by our limitations and his elusive whereabouts, we have never succeeded. We don't even know his name or where he is from. We have cross-referenced the faces and cultivation levels of countless powerful figures above Tier 7, but none match. It is truly a headache."

"I wonder how much the eldest miss of the Yan family knows about this person?" Lin Shaowei asked.

How much the Yan family knows about this person...

The implication behind their words was crystal clear. The eldest miss of the Yan family was also one of the victims.

That damned inside informant. Wen Fengxian clenched her fists in secret. The eldest miss had given strict instructions that any words related to her stolen undergarment must be choked back before leaving anyone's lips.

The whole world knew that the eldest miss was naturally aloof, nicknamed the Ice Beauty, and never gave anyone the time of day. If outsiders were to learn that she wore fiery red undergarments symbolizing passionate warmth beneath her exterior, and if word spread widely, the eldest miss would never be able to face people again.

Yet now, this matter had been leaked by an internal informant and reported to them.

Yan Ruobing finally understood why they insisted on discussing this case before her younger brother Yan Ruosong returned; it indeed concerned her reputation. However, for law enforcement officers, having investigative leads meant the information truly could not be concealed.

Lu Xingzhou continued sincerely, "Eldest Miss, this case of Mei Yulang is deeply entangled with numerous victims and carries immense social and public pressure. While it may not be a major issue for the Yan family, it is of utmost importance to the Heavenly Court organization's law enforcement department for awakened beings. We kindly ask for the Eldest Miss's cooperation."

Not a major issue for the Yan family?!

Yan Ruobing did not immediately respond to Lu Xingzhou; instead, she picked up her teacup while weighing her options.

After a short moment, Yan Ruobing took a deep breath and said, "This person has indeed committed a crime here at the Yan estate."

"Eldest Miss!" Wen Fengxian said anxiously.

"It's fine, Fengxian." Yan Ruobing had come to terms with it now and said slowly, "This person goes by the name of Mei Yulang."

Lu Xingzhou was overjoyed and quickly told Lin Shaowei, "Write that down!"

Without needing to be told, Lin Shaowei had already jotted it down in her notebook.

"Looking like the character he is, he has the nerve to call himself 'Yulang' (Jade Lad)," she muttered discontentedly as she wrote. It seemed she held a deep aversion to the fellow's actions. She wondered if her own undergarments had also been defiled by that wretched pervert.

"Officer Lin, we are conducting an official investigation; leave personal emotions out of it," Lu Xingzhou reminded her.

Turning back to Yan Ruobing, he asked, "Eldest Miss Yan, how did you come to know his name?"

"Speaking of this matter, it relates to a young man from the fishing village of Wang'ao Village." Yan Ruobing, who was about to explain, hesitated the moment she thought of Shuisheng, pausing in silence. She had forced Mei Yulang's name out of Shuisheng herself.

That brat...

At that moment, Lu Xingzhou gave Lin Shaowei a meaningful look, signaling her to take full control of the questioning. Previously, certain female victims had been hesitant to be interrogated by male officers, which had caused quite a few complications.

Bringing a female staff member along was precisely for this purpose.

Communication between women ought to be smoother.

"The situation arose suddenly, and our arrival was rather rushed; please forgive us, Eldest Miss," Lin Ruobing said slowly, weighing her words carefully. "How about this? There are a few things I would like to discuss privately with the Eldest Miss. Section Chief, would you mind stepping outside for a moment?"

The latter finished his tea and stood up. "Eldest Miss, I will leave Officer Lin to discuss a few more details with you. When I came in just now, the scenery in the Nanhuayuan garden was quite delightful. I wonder if I might be so bold as to take a brief tour?"

Yan Ruobing cast a glance at Wen Fengxian. "Fengxian, take Section Chief Lu for a walk."

With those words spoken, everyone present understood the unspoken intent.

Wen Fengxian hesitated slightly. "But Eldest Miss..."

"It's fine, go ahead. If anyone dares to come make trouble in Nanhuayuan at a time like this, I guarantee not even their bones will be left behind." A flash of killing intent crossed the corner of Yan Ruobing's eyes.

"Then Section Chief Lu, please follow me." Wen Fengxian bowed slightly and led Lu Xingzhou out.

Lu Xingzhou accompanied her on a tour around the garden, offering genuine or polite compliments on the exquisite ancient pavilions, rockeries, and carp ponds. When he returned to the main hall shortly after, he found Lin Shaowei smiling as she thanked Yan Ruobing and bid her farewell. Yan Ruosong was still nowhere to be seen.

"Did you get everything sorted out?" Once they left the Yan estate and stepped back into the official vehicle, Lu Xingzhou could no longer suppress his curiosity and hurriedly asked.

"Everything is clear, though the details are scarce. The young master of the Yan family also arrived just now; after hearing what the Eldest Miss and I discussed, he immediately went to report to the head of the Yan family. Section Chief, this matter is quite significant; let's hurry back to headquarters and brief the captain! As for the case of Zou Zhimin, we should assign someone else to take over," Lin Shaowei said.

This played right into Lu Xingzhou's wishes.

"That fellow is actually..."

"Section Chief, do you remember Shuisheng, the youth from Wang'ao fishing village whom we detained for seven days? This Mei Yulang is the one he fished out of the sea. He had previously mentioned this to Eldest Miss Yan. She just recounted it, and I've written it all down," Lin Shaowei continued.

"That brat really seems to manage to get himself involved in several major events concerning the Yan family lately," she added in a lower voice. "Section Chief, have you heard about the old master's will? That is also connected to this kid."

Lu Xingzhou was shaken.