Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 418: I’ve seen opportunities being given away, but never as easily as this_1
The next day, the head of the Cheng Family brought seventeen articles of the "Bright Heart Treasure Mirror" over, and Cheng Li was naturally scolded severely. Wang Linchi happened to witness this. He noted that their clothing and attire were far beyond what one would expect in a small place like Baihe County; they clearly belonged to a Big Aristocratic Family. After a few inquiries, he grasped the full situation.
I thought I’d have to gather them slowly, but it turns out they’ve all been delivered to me at once, Wang Linchi mused with a sigh. Truly a protagonist’s luck, quite extraordinary. He was currently concealed near the Baihe Cheng Family’s residence, observing them as they laid out the seventeen articles. They appeared to be preparing some kind of Spirit Law ritual to track the Exhortation to Learning piece he had acquired. However, their intentions, though good, were futile; they were fundamentally incapable of finding it. Consequently, when they performed the Spirit Law, there was no reaction whatsoever.
"It’s not within range," the leading Cheng Family elder said, his expression grim. "Are you certain you lost it yourself and it wasn’t stolen?"
Hearing this, Cheng Li’s face paled. "That shouldn’t be possible," he stammered. He had always believed he had simply lost it. But if it were merely lost, it was unlikely to have left Baihe County.
"Think carefully," the elder continued, his gaze shifting. "During this time, did you come into contact with anyone? Or was any information leaked?" The first part of his question was for Cheng Li, the second for Cheng Xun. After all, while it was unlikely Cheng Li would leak such information, the same couldn’t be said for Cheng Xun. Besides Cheng Xun, some of his trusted aides also knew, making it possible that one of them had seized the opportunity to steal it.
"I didn’t come into contact with anyone," Cheng Li insisted, recalling his journey. After leaving the Cheng Mansion, he hadn’t stopped until his fall. As for Wang Linchi? If it were stolen, it clearly couldn’t be him. He’s still in the county, showing no signs of having left. So, he’s ruled out.
Cheng Xun’s expression soured slightly. "Everyone who knew about the Exhortation to Learning piece is present."
The Cheng Family elder scanned the assembled people. His initial suspicion was that Cheng Xun had faked the loss to frame Cheng Li. He didn’t actually suspect Cheng Li himself; although Cheng Li had mishandled the matter, the current circumstances suggested someone was deliberately targeting the Cheng Family. Otherwise, this situation wouldn’t make sense. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"This matter is indeed unusual and requires a thorough interrogation," the elder declared. "I’ve brought my own men. However, as our branches of the family are technically separate, I should still ask for your opinion." He said this out of consideration for their shared ancestry, but it was merely a formality. Whether Cheng Xun agreed or not was irrelevant. The elder had offered him a degree of respect; if Cheng Xun failed to appreciate it, that courtesy would be withdrawn. After all, their familial ties had weakened over generations of separation, and who knew how long it had been since they last had contact? There was practically no affection left between their branches.
"We all share the Cheng surname. Naturally, we will follow your instructions, esteemed Grand-uncle," Cheng Xun replied, not daring to resist. His Baihe Cheng Family was no match for the main branch, which could handle even the Liu Family within three days, let alone them.
"Good," the Cheng Family elder said. "Cheng Zun, Cheng Ni, Cheng Die... you will immediately establish a perimeter. Not a single person is to escape. Also..." These men were of the same generation as Cheng Li, though their ages differed considerably. Their generation’s names typically included the fish radical, a tradition Cheng Xun’s long-separated branch did not follow.
The men quickly dispersed to carry out the elder’s orders. The Cheng Family elder carefully collected the seventeen articles of the "Bright Heart Treasure Mirror" and secured them on his person to prevent further mishaps.
Observing this, Wang Linchi began to scheme. Killing him would be easy enough. With my laser weapon, a headshot would do the trick. But as simple as that is, it would likely draw the main Cheng Family’s forces here. Wouldn’t it be better if this incident were framed as an internal dispute? The Cheng Family would then be mired in internal conflict, endlessly searching for a non-existent mole. That would be far more entertaining. Currently, it’s only the Baihe Cheng Family that’s suspected of harboring a traitor. If these seventeen articles of the "Bright Heart Treasure Mirror" also go missing from the main Cheng Family, they’ll have a ’traitor’ in their midst too. The amusement factor would certainly increase.
After deploying a mosquito-sized memory device for surveillance, Wang Linchi returned to his work crafting Combat Armor. There was no point in lingering and becoming mosquito bait. This operation requires patience; perhaps I’ll make my move tonight. Spirit Masters, despite their abilities, are still human. They need to eat, drink, sleep, and attend to other bodily functions. The necessities of life—food, clothing, shelter, and travel—are part of their routine. Therefore, there’s bound to be a lapse in the elder’s vigilance or security eventually. Besides, with my skills, I can definitely steal the articles without anyone knowing. I don’t need to worry about a thing.
Night gradually descended. The Cheng Family elder pored over the interrogation transcripts, his brow furrowed. According to these testimonies, none of these people seem to be involved. Yet, the more everything appears normal, the more uneasy I become. The item couldn’t have simply vanished into thin air.
"Cheng Li," the elder said, "recount the events again, starting from the moment you left the Cheng Mansion."
Cheng Li dutifully retold his story from start to finish.
"You’re saying there was a doctor at the scene?" the elder exclaimed, his frustration mounting. "Why didn’t you mention such a crucial detail!"
"Well..." Cheng Li began, but the elder cut him off.
"Enough. Cheng Xun, this is your domain. Take some men and search that place. Cheng Huan, Cheng Fu, you and your group will assist." Though the elder nominally placed Cheng Xun in charge of the search, he also sent his own men to oversee it.
"Yes, Grand-uncle," Cheng Xun replied, a bitter taste in his mouth. My authority here has been completely usurped.
Observing this through his surveillance, Wang Linchi couldn’t help but chuckle. Aren’t they just handing me an opportunity to clear my name on a silver platter?
Cheng Xun and his men quickly reached the Health Medical Hall and began knocking on the door. They refrained from breaking it down, fearing a desperate confrontation that could backfire. One Wang Linchi is insignificant. If we can retrieve the Exhortation to Learning piece, nothing else matters.
"Coming, coming! No need to rush," a voice called from inside, accompanied by footsteps. The door of the Health Medical Hall swung open, revealing Wang Linchi. "Gentlemen, what seems to be the problem?"
"Doctor Wang," Cheng Xun began, "my cousin fell outside your establishment earlier. You’re aware of this, I presume?"
"Ah, you must be... Mr. Cheng," Wang Linchi replied, his tone wary. "Yes, I’m aware of that incident. Surely you’re not here to demand compensation for some injury he sustained? That would be quite unfair. He fell on his own; it had nothing to do with me."
"It’s not about that," Cheng Xun started, "he lost something, and therefore..."
Wang Linchi cut him off. "I see. You suspect I took it, so you’ve brought your men to search my place." He feigned comprehension, then continued, "The Cheng Family is powerful, so I’ll permit a search. However, I expect you not to damage anything. If you do, this matter won’t be over."
"Rest assured, Doctor Wang," Cheng Xun said. "We will proceed with care. If this proves to be a misunderstanding, I will personally apologize and offer you satisfactory compensation."
"Be my guest," Wang Linchi replied, stepping aside as the men filed into the medical hall.
The search party had already coordinated their roles and search procedures on the way over. They had no intention of ransacking the place; it was well-organized, which would simplify their task. Creating a mess would only cause them unnecessary trouble.
Meanwhile, the mosquito-sized memory device Wang Linchi had planted earlier sprang into action.
"Mr. Cheng," Wang Linchi casually remarked to Cheng Xun, who wasn’t participating in the search, "I wonder what valuable item your family lost to cause such a stir? Your cousin even asked me not to mention anything." The actual searching was being handled by the members from the main Cheng Family, as, ultimately, the Exhortation to Learning piece belonged to them, not the Baihe Cheng Family.
"Sigh, it’s a long story, Doctor Wang. I won’t burden you with it," Cheng Xun replied evasively. He couldn’t possibly confide in Wang Linchi, not with the main Cheng Family members present; he wouldn’t dare. If they find nothing, it’ll confirm this was a misunderstanding regarding Wang Linchi. Then I might be suspected of engineering the theft or collaborating with an insider. Revealing anything now would only invite trouble.
"Ohh, a Family Secret, is it?" Wang Linchi observed with a curious expression, though he didn’t press the matter. "Well, it seems it’s not my place to inquire further."
After a search so thorough it was as if they’d dug three feet into the earth, they, of course, found nothing. The entire medical hall, however, was now in disarray.
"Doctor Wang, I am truly sorry for this disturbance," Cheng Xun said, offering some money. "Please accept this to hire some help for cleaning up. I will visit in a few days to offer a formal apology." With the search yielding no results, he had no choice but to prepare to leave.
"Not a problem at all," Wang Linchi replied, accepting the money with a broad smile. Just half an hour ago, my memory device successfully acquired all seventeen articles of the "Bright Heart Treasure Mirror." And that old Cheng Family elder is still completely oblivious.
