Volume 1, Chapter 3: Even Monsters Must Be Reasonable

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Facing the crowd, Qin Zheng felt a wave of dizziness sweep through his mind. How did the case at the Entertainment Bureau start to resemble a tri-department joint trial? Steady now, stick to the original plan—I can’t let them see that I have no leads!

But what was going on with the Chief Justice of the Court of Justice? His face flushed red and green, like an enraged Churchill. Wow, this uncle is truly imposing—wearing a Flying Fish robe, wielding embroidered spring knives, and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard has arrived? No wonder he’s the very person I’m about to surrender to—truly heroic and extraordinary, full of gravitas. Perfect, I’ll put on a good show right before him. If I perform well and earn merit, I won’t even need to surrender.

I, Qin Zheng, possess an unyielding spirit; I would never serve as a lackey to the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Huh, the little snot-nosed brat has grown up so beautifully—soft, adorable, and pitifully charming. I almost want to make her cry.

Ugh! That’s definitely the obsession of my former self, Qin the academic failure. I, Qin the lecherous rogue, cherish and respect women; how could I entertain such improper thoughts?

Qin Zheng recalled Xie Qingluan, his comrade from the official academy—the once beloved prodigy, the academy’s top scholar. Back in the day, when Qin the academic failure was mocked by all and mingling with his pals, he especially enjoyed catching this scholar to spank her, often leaving her bawling and snot flying everywhere...

Ah, those youthful days. Thankfully, we were young then; otherwise, she might have forced me to take responsibility for her, insisting she would marry no one but me—hmm, with those long legs, marrying her might lead to malnutrition.

As Qin Zheng’s thoughts wandered, the trio investigating the case scrutinized him suspiciously—this condemned prisoner from the Court of Justice, involved in the Entertainment Bureau case, the only living witness among thirteen crime scenes, now claiming to possess crucial clues just before execution? Was this a sudden insight before death or a desperate bluff?

Cui Guangyuan’s face darkened instantly as he asserted his authority, demanding, “Qin Zheng, if you want to redeem yourself by solving this case, what leads do you have?”

I don’t want to solve the case, I just want to become a lackey for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but the pretense must be thorough...

Qin Zheng’s expression turned serious, adopting a humble posture: “Your Honor, I do have some discoveries. May I first examine the case files to avoid misleading you?”

Cui Guangyuan’s face was as cold as water. He waved his hand toward the files, signaling Qin Zheng to proceed.

Xie Qingluan, realizing her earlier lapse, composed herself and arrogantly warned, “With me here, don’t speak nonsense. If I tolerate you, the art of physiognomy will not!”

Physiognomy? A lie detector? Has the snot-nosed brat gotten into the Astronomical Bureau?

Qin Zheng glanced at Xie Qingluan’s pert posterior but dared not reply. He walked to the center of the three and began flipping through the case files.

Xie Qingluan’s body stiffened. She felt this academic failure’s gaze brimming with malice and nearly lost her temper on the spot.

As soon as Qin Zheng clearly read the files, his heart sank.

Five days. Thirteen family annihilation cases. The Entertainment Bureau case has evolved into a serial killing spree?

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The suspect is likely a demon race. Can my past experience still be of use?

After a moment, Qin Zheng’s expression grew grave as he exclaimed in disbelief, “Thirteen cases, twelve disappearances each time, one hundred and fifty-six missing in total? Hmm, if these are demon race crimes, does this pattern make sense?”

Cui Guangyuan and Yang Fengqing also flipped through the files and paused at Qin Zheng’s words. They glanced toward the official academy’s evaluation of Qin Zheng: literate in nearly a hundred characters, stable grades, strong practical skills.

Xie Qingluan, however, stared intently at Qin Zheng and softly scoffed, “You were dull-witted from childhood, barely recognizing characters, and now you understand numerology? That fast?”

What’s so difficult about that? You bunch of ancient dunces don’t even know basic abacus calculations...

Qin Zheng continued perusing the files without looking up, replying calmly, “Nonsense. I have been intelligent since childhood, well-read, only low-key and modest. Those who crave attention as children grow foolish as adults.”

Xie Qingluan was taken aback, grinding her silver teeth as she watched Qin Zheng’s composed demeanor.

This uneducated, arrogant scoundrel dares to boast and mock me to my face?

What sort of character is he? Does he think my physiognomy is just for show?

She pressed her jade finger to her forehead. Brilliant green light burst from her almond-shaped eyes, which burned brightly as she scrutinized Qin Zheng’s five vital energies.

After a moment, her pretty face froze, eyes blank, as if struck by lightning, filled with countless question marks.

He hadn’t lied—he truly was intelligent since childhood, well-read, just modest and unassuming...

But how was that possible?

Could it be that His Majesty is secretly—

Xie Qingluan’s thoughts spiraled into chaos, unable to continue.

Cui Guangyuan and Yang Fengqing watched Xie Qingluan falter but both secretly rejoiced—Qin Zheng passing the physiognomy test clearly meant he wasn’t bluffing or babbling out of desperation!

Meeting Xie Qingluan’s glowing gaze, Qin Zheng felt like he was center stage under the concert spotlight. He casually waved a hand, “Lady Xie, best you end your divine powers…”

You use physiognomy to detect lies on me, Qin the lecherous rogue? Do you know how much we had to study for the imperial exams?

Shortly after, Qin Zheng finished reading the files and, after a brief pause, bowed to Yang Fengqing, asking, “May I inquire if demons possess any cloaking or invisibility techniques?”

If demons can become invisible, I’d better cling to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and beg for protection.

“Any magic requires spiritual energy; it cannot appear from nowhere, nor can it vanish without trace!” Yang Fengqing explained. “Invisibility is merely an illusion—a trick to deceive others’ perception, no different from a charlatan’s antics. The energy fluctuations of such magic cannot evade the detection of martial warriors’ senses or the Astronomical Bureau’s monitors!”

Qin Zheng’s mind stirred—conservation of energy? I understand that.

It seems even in a world of cultivation, basic physical laws apply; otherwise, the planet would collapse.

Immortals flying on swords are just like mortals with rocket boosters...

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But since demons must obey physics, that means I have more room to maneuver.

Yang Fengqing narrowed his eagle-like eyes, fixing Qin Zheng with a faint smile: “Rather than pondering the killer’s extraordinary methods, consider this—how did you survive? Thirteen crime scenes, nearly a thousand dead; why was the killer merciful to you?”

Qin Zheng shivered under that piercing gaze, hastily chuckling nervously, “I do not know, Your Honor. I also wish to catch the killer quickly and understand the reason…”

Boss, I’m here to surrender, please don’t treat me like a criminal...

Qin Zheng gathered his thoughts and asked suspiciously, “Were there truly no concrete clues found at any of the thirteen crime scenes?”

This question hit Cui Guangyuan’s sore spot, as if accusing him of incompetence. The Chief Justice’s face darkened: “Qin Zheng, if you have no leads, you will return to the dungeon to await death!”

“Please forgive me, Your Honor, I meant no offense.”

Qin Zheng quickly apologized, then asked Cui Guangyuan, “May I ask if, during the examination, you paid attention to secret chambers, dungeons, or hidden passages?”

Cui Guangyuan slammed the table in fury, “Qin Zheng, do you take me for a fool? I have led the Court of Justice for years—do you think I would overlook such investigative directions? If you have no real leads, I will have you publicly quartered!”

Qin Zheng remained unfazed and continued, “Your Honor, there is no sign of major renovations at the Entertainment Bureau. How can you be sure there are no secret chambers or hidden devices?”

Cui Guangyuan suddenly stood, his face flushed dark red like pig liver. The tea lid clattered against the cup’s rim as he gasped, “Bring… bring this traitor…”

This condemned prisoner comes with no leads, yet he insinuates and probes everywhere. First, he calls me incompetent, then accuses me of neglect, and now questions my investigative methods—how can this be tolerated?

Before he finished, Yang Fengqing waved his hand to interrupt. The few clerks who had rushed in quietly withdrew from the Spring Shirt Pavilion.

Yang Fengqing narrowed his eagle eyes, speaking kindly, “Qin Zheng, we have repeatedly used spiritual senses within the Entertainment Bureau—there can be no mistake. If you only boast here and waste time without leads, you will be taken to the Imperial Prison to explain yourself!”

Qin Zheng felt a pang but composed himself: “Your Honor, please forgive me. I only wish to verify a few times to avoid misleading you!”

Boss, I’m wholeheartedly surrendering and being this polite; can’t you see?

You don’t even try to recruit me, yet come empty-handed like a desperate lackey of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Fortunately, with the current information and my reasoning in prison, it’s already enough!

Qin Zheng cleared his throat, drawing three pairs of eyes upon him. He spoke deliberately, “Esteemed lords, I can solve the case!”

This single sentence was earth-shattering.

This academic failure, literate in nearly a hundred characters, with stable grades and strong practical skills, who came merely claiming to have leads and mocked the Chief Justice a bit—now suddenly says he can solve the case?