The entire plan was completely disrupted.
The "mineral water" that Su Ning Shuang was supposed to drink was consumed by a bored woman.
And there was only one bottle of water to which "jade ash" had been added.
"Su Xue Qing," filled with anxiety and fear, knew that if this mission failed, she would face the most severe punishment.
Just then, a feminine voice from behind her said, "It doesn't matter. Although Liu Mei Hong ran away, we just lacked an Eastern sacrificial altar. This foolish woman can serve as a complete replacement."
"Su Xue Qing" breathed a sigh of relief. "The Abbot's calculations are divine. I almost ruined everything this time. I won't make such a mistake again."
"Hmph, Xue Nu, you are now inhabiting Su Xue Qing's body. Later, I want you to appear before Qin Ye Xuan!"
"Ah! Abbot, I barely managed to escape the Su family last time. This body is exquisite, perfectly carrying my soul. If I go out to meet Qin Ye Xuan, I will lose this perfect vessel."
"You are mistaken. If Qin Ye Xuan hadn't wanted you to leave, you wouldn't have escaped the Su family even if you fought with your life. It's just that this person values relationships and did not wish to harm Su Xue Qing's body."
The feminine voice chuckled. "In terms of strength, I wouldn't dare to fight him head-on. But his greatest weakness is precisely this deep sense of loyalty. Once a person has a tie, they are no longer invincible or perfect."
Xue Nu chuckled softly. "The Abbot's plans are flawless. Having me go out is to disrupt Qin Ye Xuan's state of mind?"
"Precisely. He has brought several disciples this time and has gained the upper hand. I do not wish to face him so soon."
Across the way, Zhang Ya Shi and Lu Xiu Ming were already locked in combat.
Su Ning Shuang watched, exasperated. "Lu Xiu Ming, handle your own affairs. I'm giving you an extended leave. After the banquet, you don't need to come to the Investigation Department anymore!"
Was this an outright dismissal?
Lu Xiu Ming's face turned red, his composure shattered. "Su Ning Shuang, without me, your Investigation Department is nothing but trash. After all the hard work I've done for you, this is how you repay me?"
Su Ning Shuang's eyebrows rose. "Presumptuous! Since you say so, I will disband this Investigation Department right now and replace all personnel. What else can you do besides eat, drink, play, and bully others?"
The members of the Investigation Department now stood behind Lu Xiu Ming.
They had no choice; they had been well-fed by the young master of the Lu family and were unwilling to lose such a good "superior."
Su Ning Shuang's face turned pale. She hadn't expected to be threatened by such a petty individual.
At this moment, Qin Ye Xuan walked out. He looked at the arrogant Lu Xiu Ming and gently shook his head. "You don't have much time left. Prepare your last words quickly."
Damn it!
Lu Xiu Ming burst into laughter. "Each one more arrogant than the last. What do you mean? You've got me cornered?"
Qin Ye Xuan shook his head. "In three minutes, you will start to sweat uncontrollably. Moreover, you will sweat blood. In another two minutes, you will feel an itch all over your body, a metallic taste in your throat, and you will vomit blood, suffer nosebleeds, and bleeding from your eyes."
His tone was very calm, yet it shocked everyone around.
Lu Xiu Ming's forehead began to redden, and he sneered. "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child, easily scared?"
Qin Ye Xuan continued to shake his head. "By then, the blood sacrifice will begin. Every pore of your body will bleed..."
Three of the ancient witch's sacrificial rituals had now been completed.
After Liu Mei Hong was sent away, it was believed that this ritual had been disrupted.
Even if Lu Xiu Ming consumed the jade ash and his blood was sacrificed, it would be a failure.
But for some reason, Qin Ye Xuan felt that something was wrong.
He looked at the mineral water bottle on the ground, his eyes flashing. He patted the little cat on his shoulder.
The Green-Maned Lion flexibly jumped down, its paw nudging the bottle. It then turned and climbed up his shoulder along his pant leg.
In a low meow, it said, "It's the jade ash. The woman who drank the water just now is the sacrificial offering in place of Liu Mei Hong."
Qin Ye Xuan's gaze was sharp as he quickly scanned the surroundings.
"Someone is directing here. It's their leader!"
This person's methods were like lightning; they were a terrifying enemy. In a short time, they had replanned and completed the preparations for the remaining five sacrificial rituals.
Fortunately, he discovered it early.
Qin Ye Xuan was about to order Zhang Ya Shi to be apprehended.
"You'd better think carefully!" A mysterious power warned him in his consciousness. "The ritual of the Heavenly Wisdom Jade is complete, and it will bring you immense benefits."
"What benefits?"
"Heh heh, old man, if you get your hands on the Heavenly Wisdom Jade, you can restore Su Xue Qing's soul and expel the soul that has taken over her body. Although there will be 'side effects,' I guarantee this will perfectly resolve the soul issue."
Qin Ye Xuan slowly lowered the hand he had extended.
The mysterious power laughed. "Of course, the choice is yours. I doubt you are the kind of person who would sacrifice yourself to save the common people, are you?"
Qin Ye Xuan smiled, slowly stepped back, and remained silent.
He was curious to see what would happen if the ritual of the Heavenly Wisdom Jade succeeded.
"What, chicken out?" Lu Xiu Ming chuckled. "I knew it. What kind of person are you? I'm second only to one in the police department, I've seen all sorts of big shots. You're still wet behind the ears..."
As he spoke, his forehead suddenly felt itchy. He casually wiped it, and a gasp of surprise erupted from the surroundings.
Lu Xiu Ming looked down at his hand, which was covered in red.
His heart felt as if it had been struck by a sledgehammer. He staggered back, then turned and bolted for the exit.
"No, it's impossible. What blood sacrifice? I'm going to the hospital right now..."
Behind him, a grotesque figure appeared and rushed forward with astonishing speed in high heels, grabbing his clothes.
Lu Xiu Ming turned around in disarray, only to see Zhang Ya Shi.
"You damn bitch, still bothering me..."
Lu Xiu Ming tried to struggle, but Zhang Ya Shi's strength was terrifying. Her eyes were filled with madness. "Don't go. The ritual is not complete. You and I will dedicate ourselves to an eternal cause. We will enter the Pure Land after death. What a glorious thing!"
Lu Xiu Ming felt chills down his spine. This woman had gone mad.
Zhang Ya Shi, still holding a fruit knife in her right hand, dragged him towards the parking lot in the east.
She muttered incessantly and, with her perfectly manicured hands, adorned with fake nails, began digging at the ground with all her might.
Blood flowed from her fingers, her nails cracked, but she paid no heed.
Lu Xiu Ming was terrified, his body covered in sweat. Suddenly, a golden light appeared before his eyes.
He looked up blankly and saw a world that seemed like a fairyland.
Was that the "Pure Land"?
Strange thoughts flooded his mind. Lu Xiu Ming's nose and mouth bled, yet he clapped his hands and laughed madly. "Yes, yes, the Pure Land! What is this earthly wealth and glory but dog dung? That is the ultimate bliss of the other shore. I am willing to offer everything, offer everything, haha, haha..."
Blood spurted from every pore of his body.
And Zhang Ya Shi, muttering to herself, plunged a knife directly into her own body, seemingly without feeling any pain, desperately digging at her lungs.
The ritual was complete. Unbeknownst to them, a black mist began to shroud the area from all directions, slowly enveloping it.
The black mist passed over the hotel parking lot. The luxury cars parked there began to emit strange creaking sounds. They were suddenly lifted by the strong winds within the mist, smashed together in mid-air, crushed, and then compressed further. In the end, they formed a wall of steel composed of fragments.
Luxury cars, buildings, trash cans, everything on the ground was gathered and compressed into long bricks and stones, which were then stacked layer by layer, surrounding the Liu Yang River Restaurant...