Investigation Report of the Gods

Chapter 96: Wei Lan

The sudden turn of events left Han Su and Xu Ji somewhat stunned. They lowered their heads to look at the shattered crystal ball fragment.

Now that the crystal ball had broken, the black and white hues had vanished without a trace. Instead, within the largest shard of the crystal ball, a wisp of red light once again swirled. Eerie, enchanting, and lively, it floated and spun within the remnants.

‘There is residual mysterious power on both Xu Ji and me... Could it be...’

At that moment, a thought stirred in Han Su’s heart, prompting a different answer to rise within him. His brows furrowed tightly.

“Mr. Xu, don’t ask me…”

While he was deep in thought, the old woman had already refused to stay any longer. In a panic, she pushed against Special Assistant Xu’s hand. “As for the rest, I can’t see clearly. Nor do I dare to.”

“The Disaster Management Bureau is not to be trifled with. The appearance of this department has thrown everything into chaos…”

“I’m not shirking responsibility either. I already used the best aromatherapy on him. Any ordinary mysterious influence would’ve been thoroughly removed. But now it’s clear—there’s only one answer. The mysterious power affecting him is too strong, and the influence too deep…”

“This is beyond my capability. I can only give you one piece of advice: If you want to solve the young master’s problem, it’s simple. Hiding won’t help. You’ll have to eliminate the source directly…”

“…Transfer the remaining payment to my account. And it’d be best to include compensation for my crystal ball!”

“That’s a treasure passed down from my teacher. When the Disaster Management Bureau was first established, they tried to buy it at a high price, and I still refused…”

“….”

With those words, she hurried off without even glancing back at Han Su. Special Assistant Xu had no choice but to escort her out, leaving Han Su and Xu Ji alone, staring at each other.

Han Su glanced at the crystal ball fragments, contemplative. “Where did you find that old woman?”

Xu Ji replied, “No idea. Special Assistant Xu brought her in. Apparently, she’s some kind of expert in esotericism, the kind who can serve as a mysterious consultant to the authorities. When I was grounded a few days ago, she burned some strange herbs to smoke me out every day. You know that?”

“She made me strip completely—didn’t even leave me underwear—and smoked every inch of my body. Sometimes I fell asleep, and she’d chant spells outside my bedroom door the whole day.”

“She’s not young anymore. Earning money isn’t easy. Even though I didn’t feel any difference after the chants, when she asked me, I still said I felt much better.”

“…”

“The conscience of rich folks like you shouldn’t be wasted on these weird things, alright?”

Han Su was speechless. “That’s just money down the drain. Might as well donate to an orphanage.”

Combining what he had learned since joining the Disaster Management Bureau, Han Su confirmed that what Xu Ji had undergone was likely an extremely expensive and rare form of “treatment.”

Ordinary people encountering such things had only three possible outcomes. Yet the Xu family, with its vast resources, had managed to seek out a fourth.

However, judging from the current result, Xu Ji had not rid himself of the mysterious power’s influence. In fact, it seemed even worse?

Did the Ghost Freight Truck truly have such a high status?

That absurd speculation in his mind only grew stronger. He looked up and saw his own reflection in the glass frame on the wall.

“It’s confirmed, Mr. Han.”

As he pondered, Special Assistant Xu returned from seeing the guest out and said solemnly, “You and the young master share the same residual contamination of mysterious power. And the only thing you both encountered was that Ghost Freight Truck. This only proves that that grotesque has been influencing the young master all along…”

“…and influencing you.”

“It’s just…”

He paused here, sighed, and with a helpless, conflicted expression, turned to Han Su. “Mr. Han, does the Disaster Management Bureau currently have plans to subdue that Ghost Freight Truck?”

“Yes.”

Han Su slowly looked up. “That would be me.”

Even Special Assistant Xu visibly froze for a moment. “You… got promoted this quickly?”

Han Su ignored the surprise on his face. Since the topic was already on the table, a bold idea flickered in his mind.

After a quick calculation, he looked directly at Special Assistant Xu. “And precisely because I’m the one in charge…”

“…would the Xu family be willing to trust me once? Let me take Xu Ji to deal with the Ghost Freight Truck. Though risky, it would eliminate the threat permanently.”

“…”

“Ah… this…”

Even someone as composed as Special Assistant Xu found his expression twisting at this proposal. He instinctively wanted to reject it outright, but remembering his role, he restrained himself and hesitantly said:

“This is not a decision I can make. If you don’t mind, Mr. Han, I’ll make a phone call?”

“…”

Han Su nodded for him to proceed.

When he turned around, he saw Xu Ji curiously eyeing his suitcase and reaching out again to touch it. Han Su swiftly moved the suitcase out of reach. “Are you afraid of ghosts?”

Xu Ji replied, “Yeah. I even censor ghost movies when I watch them.”

“You still watch them with censors?”

Han Su was speechless, then added, “What if I asked you to face the kind of thing we encountered last time…”

“I’m in!”

Xu Ji’s eyes lit up instantly. He grabbed Han Su’s hand tightly. “You must take me! This is way more exciting than racing…”

Han Su could see this guy’s excitement was genuine. He could only shake his head. Special Assistant Xu wasn’t back yet, but considering how much the Xu family cared about Xu Ji, the chance of them agreeing to this was virtually zero.

“What’s more exciting than racing?”

Just then, footsteps echoed from the wooden staircase nearby. A laugh followed: “If it’s fun, take me too!”

Han Su turned around in surprise and saw a tall, radiant, impossibly beautiful woman descending lightly with a group of assistants carrying clothes, laptops, and bags. Even the air around her seemed to brighten.

He couldn’t help but look twice. This woman was the most beautiful he had ever seen in his life—without exception.

Even the stars on screens and billboards paled in comparison.

Yet strangely, despite her beauty striking him like a force, he felt no wicked thoughts—only awe. It was as though some unseen power suppressed his desires.

While wondering about her identity, Xu Ji grinned. “Miss Wei Lan, come over! Let me introduce you to this handsome guy…”

“Wei Lan?”

A simple sentence, yet Han Su, who had just looked away, suddenly raised his head to look at her again.

Her features were exquisite and youthful, yet the confidence and subtle air of mystery softened any traces of immaturity.

Overall, she was the type of beauty that exuded aggression. Her skin glowed with brightness, and her smile was sweet beyond measure.

Men couldn’t help but look at pretty girls, but when a woman was too beautiful, she was like a piercing light—blinding and humbling. She was that kind of woman.

But the key was…

Wei Lan…

He remembered the call he received earlier from Special Assistant Xu. He said the person suspected to be “Meilan”… was her?

Han Su tried to find a trace of familiarity in her features—the little girl he once carried out of the Ancient Castle—but found none. Her brows and eyes seemed vaguely familiar, but at this distance, he couldn’t see if there was a scar on her temple.

“Old Han, look at the beauty.”

Xu Ji tugged at Han Su’s arm and grinned. “This is Miss Wei Lan. Don’t be fooled by her being our age—while we’re still in school, she’s about to become a superstar in the entire Eastern District!”

“She came back to join a beauty pageant. She’s been training in Ti City and already very popular there. I didn’t expect her to return to Qinggang City for the competition.”

“And she’s a frontrunner for the crown. Want a photo together?”

“It’s not often you get to meet her.”

“…”

While chatting, Wei Lan had already walked over. Noticing Han Su’s gaze, she wasn’t fazed at all. Such looks were all too common for her.

Those bold enough to look her in the eyes were always the strong-willed.

“I’m here to test makeup for the next round of the pageant.”

“As my sponsor, shouldn’t your Xu family increase the sponsorship fee? I’m about to be famous, after all!”

She greeted Xu Ji with a soft laugh, nodded at Han Su naturally and generously, then under the crowd of assistants, headed toward the opposite corridor.

She had no intention of staying for a photo—after all, she wasn’t wearing makeup.

Yet for some reason, after taking a few steps, she felt a slight hesitation and an odd sense of loss. The further she walked, the stronger it grew.

Suddenly, she turned lightly and walked back toward Han Su, leaving her busy assistants standing there stunned.

Wei Lan quickened her pace, stopped before Han Su, extended her hand with a smile. “Hello, Mr. Han.”

Han Su also extended his hand, nodded. “Hello.”

Nothing changed.

Just a simple handshake, and they let go. Wei Lan turned and walked away. There was no strange effect, no reaction triggered.

Everything was utterly natural, like a passing breeze.

She truly didn’t remember him. They were now nothing more than strangers with a fleeting encounter.

Even fate seemed like two parallel lines—never to cross again.

Yet neither Han Su, nor Wei Lan, nor the giggling Xu Ji at the side noticed—

The crystal shard that had fallen beneath the table had suddenly begun to glow with a demonic red light, even brighter than before. It twirled gently, then slowly disappeared into the fragment.