Chapter 94

Even though Qin Cheng mentioned a ‘man’, Jiang Ping knew some things about Qin Cheng through Qu Zhiwen. Everytime Qu Zhiwen and him would get in contact, Qu Zhiwen would tell Jiang Ping some of the things he got to know.

That was a personal choice, and although Jiang Ping didn’t agree with him that much, he still knew that he was an outsider. So, he simply nodded and didn’t comment on it.

“Sometimes, immortality isn’t necessarily a good thing, is it?” In some kind of trance, Qin Cheng seemed to be looking out the window at the flowers on the terraces, but in reality, his gaze was unfocused.

‘ So what if you can live forever? When the people you love end up dying one after the other, who will be there to remember you in this world? What’s the use of living when the people you want the most are already gone? ’

“Maybe….” Without wanting to continue whis topic, Qin Cheng shook his head and said: “Anyways, I came here to ask you for help. I want you to get some information from Qu Zhiwen. Even if what Qu Zhiwen has to say cannot be trusted, and there’s no bad omen in sight, I have always had the feeling that something bad is about to happen.”

“You mean to say that you think Qu Zhiwen will make a move?”

“I don’t think so, no. But one thing is for sure, he wouldn’t have done so many things just to help. At the very least, he must have something planned.”

Jiang Ping pondered for a moment before shaking his head and saying: “I don’t think he will tell me anything.”

“On the contrary, I’m sure he will reveal something if you’re the one asking the questions.”

Qin Cheng fixed his gaze at Jiang Ping, only to see that the detective in front him was awkwardly trying to squirm away from his stare.

Qin Cheng’s heart began to beat faster. ‘ It seems that something is going on between Jiang Ping and Qu Zhiwen… ’

“Qu Zhiwen is a Heavenly Master, and he will certainly be able to figure out things faster than we can…. Didn’t you say that those murders were planned by living people? Since there’s no evidence, then ask Qu Zhiwen to help you find some clues. Say that you won’t be able to do it on your own.”

“I did find some evidence about Jiang Bo’s death. Speaking of which, I would like to ask you something.”

Qin Cheng didn’t expect to hear this from Jiang Ping, but in the end, he simply nodded and asked: “You really found something?”

“Yes. Jiang Bo’s mother called me saying she had found that Jiang Bo had written a passage in his diary about a strange man just before his death. Jiang Bo called this man ‘Mr. Chen’. I suspect that Mr. Chen was the one to induce Jiang Bo to dig the tunnel that led Jiang Bo to his death.”

“Chen?” Qin Cheng then began to think about the people around him that were surnamed ‘Chen’. Indeed, there were one or two people surnamed ‘Chen’ that shared Jiang Bo’s point of view and advocated digging an exploratory tunnel to the burial chamber as a first step. However, Jiang Bo never called those people ‘Mr. Chen’. With so many people surnamed ‘Chen’ in the country, how can they find the right one?

“What does that person look like? What about his full name? Did Jiang Bo not mention any of this in his diary?”

“No,” Jiang Ping shook his head. “I asked Qu Zhiwen to find Jiang Bo’s ghost in that big tomb—”

“Jiang Bo’s ghost?!” Qin Cheng was stunned for a moment. “Is Jiang Bo’s ghost inside the tomb? Qu Zhiwen went to look for him? When did that happen?!” Before Jiang Ping could finish his words, Qin Cheng iterrumped him eagerly.

“It was during the time you traveled to Shanxi.” Jiang Ping looked at Qin Cheng suspiciously and continued: “Didn’t you go see the tomb owner? He didn’t tell you? The souls of those who die inside that tomb would be limited by the formation, meaning that they won’t be able to leave the tomb at all. Jiang Bo died inside the tomb. Naturally, his soul would be trapped there.”

“Then….Lin Hongxing, is he….”

“It’s a different situation. Although Lin Hongxing was injured in the tomb, he didn’t die inside it. Qu Zhiwen said that his soul had gone to the underworld already.”

Qin Cheng was completely unaware of that fact. Otherwise, he would have gone to find Jiang Bo a long time ago. If Qin Cheng had known that Jiang Bo was inside the tomb beforehand, since he was able to see ghosts now, he would have gone to ask Jiang Bo for an explanation. After all, Jiang Bo was the closest person involved in this matter.

When Jiang Ping saw that Qin Cheng wasn’t pretending to be surprised, he was a bit puzzled. ‘ It seems that the owner of the tomb didn’t tell Qin Cheng anything at all…. ’

“Qu Zhiwen said that he found Jiang Bo and asked him some questions, but Jiang Bo couldn’t recall the face, height, and name of that ‘Mr. Chen’. He simply said that he got to know Mr. Chen through Tang Jiaming.”

“Tang Jiaming?” Qin Cheng thought for a moment before saying, “As far as I know, Tang Jiaming doesn’t have any friends or acquaintances surnamed ‘Chen’.”

Jiang Ping nodded, “Indeed, I checked on Tang Jiaming after I returned from Pingyao. His background is clean, and he’s from Shanxi. His mother is a government official, and his father was a professor of archeology in N University, who died ten years ago due to an illness. Later on, Tang Jiaming studied steadily and got admitted into your X University.”

“A professor of archeology at N University?” Qin Cheng’s face changed when he heard about this university.

Seeing this reaction, Jiang Ping knew immediately that Qin Cheng must have realized something, so he hurried to ask: “What? Is there a problem?”

Qin Cheng looked at Jiang Ping and nodded: “If it was a professor from another university, I wouldn’t think anything of it. However, N University has some issues. You haven’t checked Li Guoxian’s background, have you? Li Guoxian was a professor of archeology at N University before changing to X University. Besides, he came to X University ten years ago….”

As soon as Qin Cheng said this, Jiang Ping caught the hint of a clue: “Ten years ago….It’s too much of a coincidence. As soon as Tang Jiaming’s father just died, he decided to change jobs?”

Qin Cheng was also vaguely aware that something didn’t seem right: “Could it be that Tang Jiaming’s father’s death may be related to Li Guoxian? If he’s related to it, then why is Li Guoxian not avoiding Tang Jiaming? Tang Jiaming is even Li Guoxian’s right-hand-man and Li Guoxian trusts him a lot….”

Jiang Ping glanced at Qin Cheng and said: “Ten years ago, after Tang Jiaming’s father died, he left Shanxi with his mother…. Then, he changed his surname. Not only is Tang Jiaming using his mother’s surname, but his mother is also a remarried woman.”

“….Then, what was his father’s name?”

“Qi Shengkang.”

As soon as Jiang Ping mentioned that name, without knowing why, Qin Cheng shivered as an uneasy smile formed on his mouth. “I know who he is…. As an archeologist, who wouldn’t know who Qi Shengkang is? After all, his archeological achievements are above Li Guoxian’s….”

Qin Cheng followed that man’s work before his death. His understanding of ancient tombs, his accuracy in exploring tombs and locating caves, and his innovation in archeological methods were unmatched. Not even the current archeological leader, Li Guoxian, could compare to him.

It was even said that Li Guoxian and Qi Shengkang had a good friendship.

“Tang Jiaming can see ghosts, and his ability could be comparable to Qu Zhiwen’s.” Qin Cheng exhaled, and continued: “Not only that, but he also happens to be Li Guoxian’s right-hand-man. What a coincidence….”

“Yes….”

Qin Cheng and Jiang Ping glanced at each other, each with a worrying theory already formed in their minds.

“Even if Tang Jiaming’s father’s death was related to Li Guoxian, in the end, Qi Shengkang passed away due to an ‘illness’, which means there was not a single piece of evidence left. Therefore, Tang Jiaming must have deliberately stood by Li Guoxian’s side to find something.”

After considering the psychology of many criminals, Jiang Ping nodded: “Tang Jiaming may want to torture him a bit, or perhaps he wants to take advantage of Li Guoxian. In any case, he may also want to obtain the elixir of immortality.”

“So, you mean to say that it would be easier for you to reach the Heavens than to obtain any piece of evidence from him. As for that ‘Mr. Chen’….since I can see ghosts now, and you just said that Jiang Bo is inside the tomb, I’ll go find him and see if I can get any useful information from him. As for what we talked about, don’t tell Qu Zhiwen.”

‘ In the past, I wasn’t aware that Jiang Bo’s ghost was still inside the tomb, but now that I know about it, I can get information from Jiang Bo himself about what happened in the tomb while I was away, and if anyone came to visit it…. ’

‘ But, how will I avoid Su Jingmo? ’

‘ If Su Jingmo knows that I want to look for Jiang Bo, I’m sure Su Jingmo would stop me from doing so…. ’

“I won’t.” Jiang Ping sighed lightly as he looked at the young man in front of him. “However, do you really want to get involved in this?”

“….I have no other choice….” Qin Cheng’s frown dropped when saying this. “You should also be aware that this matter cannot be resolved without me being involved in it.”

Jiang Ping didn’t reply, but he also didn’t deny it.

“Three out of the four unrelated people involved in those murders died, and I was the only one to survive. I’m living evidence of what happened. The only way I have to force the perpetrators to act again is to get myself involved, am I right? After all, the more I know, the less safe they will be.”

Jiang Ping nodded and finally said: “Indeed. In this situation, if they attack that big tomb and destroy it, without the evidence for the murders, what’ll happen to the people who died? How will we seek justice for them? The only way to get the evidence would be to let them strike at you instead. Besides, the ghosts inside the tomb don’t dare to attack you, so the only way they have to harm you is if they do it themselves. It’s just….”

“Just what?”

“It’s just that by doing this, you’re putting yourself in danger. I’m asking myself whether I’ll have the ability to save you from those messy people knowledgeable on sorcery, and the hands of those so-called Heavenly Masters. If you’re not careful enough, not only will you fail to get any evidence, but you will also be killed because of it….”

Jiang Ping was reminded of something similar by the Chief of the Bureau some time ago, which is why he stopped in his tracks for a while. Without the complete knowledge to act arbitrarily, not only will he lose his life, but he will also make other people die as a result….

“But it’s the only way. Since I want to step into it by myself, I came to you. Not only because I want you to help me, but also because you can protect me, right?”

Jiang Ping frowned but didn’t reply, and Qin Cheng was anxious. Especially today, after meeting that person who may be the reincarnation of Su Jingyan. But he was more upset about that fact than anything else. Regardless of what Jiang Ping might answer, Qin Cheng said: “By the way, I met a person in the hospital yesterday, and I think you may want to check him out.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know his name, only that he’s surnamed ‘Su’.”

“…..Su?”

“That’s right.” Qin Cheng didn’t notice that Jiang Ping was momentarily stunned and continued talking: “It seems that Li Guoxian got in contact with him recently. Qu Zhiwen knows him too.”

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