Chapter 913: The Cursed Deity’s Relic

As soon as the group entered, one of the burly men dressed as a child barked, “Outsiders are not allowed in this sacred place.”

“What the hell? What kind of get-up is this? Did you two grow like this from too much hormone treatment? Open your mouths and let uncle see your baby teeth,” KK taunted.

“Get out!” the burly man roared.

“Is this your turf? So what if we entered?” KK kicked over a floor cushion.

The burly man raised his broom to strike, but KK shielded his face in fear. Another burly man pulled him back, shaking his head and speaking in a high-pitched voice, “Qingfeng, don’t stoop to the level of these commoners.”

“Qingfeng and Mingyue? Seriously?” Sun Zhen burst out laughing.

Wang Haitao coughed, “Let’s go somewhere else.”

As they left the small temple, Lin Dongxue asked, “Has the old man recently gotten into this kind of thing?”

Wang Haitao just smiled without explaining.

Lin Dongxue commented, “Rich people sure have their whims.”

From another room came the sounds of men and women laughing. The door was closed, but KK, curious, pulled out his lock-picking tools. Chen Shi warned, “Be careful!”

“What’s happening? My hands are out of control!” KK pretended to be surprised as he skillfully picked the lock and pushed the door ajar. Sun Zhen and Chen Shi peeked in.

Inside, a “party” was in full swing. Several men and women were drinking and laughing. Most of the men were in their twenties or thirties, all sporting hairstyles typical of Taoist priests. One particularly enthusiastic man had let his long hair down over his shoulders.

But they looked nothing like religious figures. Tattoos and scars marked their bodies, and their complexion suggested they were indulging in excess.

Lin Dongxue asked, “Is it vulgar?”

“Very,” replied Chen Shi.

“Let me see,” Lin Dongxue leaned in, “Wow, those girls have great bodies.”

KK said to Sun Zhen, “So this hotel offers these services, huh? We should come here next time.”

“Mr. Wang, who are these people?” Chen Shi asked Wang Haitao cautiously.

Wang Haitao still didn’t answer, smiling as he said, “Let’s move on to the next place.”

Most of the doors were locked, all ornately carved wooden doors, giving the illusion of walking through a temple.

One room had been converted into a resting place for a Taoist priest. Peeking through the door, they saw a master in robes sitting cross-legged on a Taoist bed, meditating. He had a long goatee, sunken cheeks, and the room was filled with incense smoke.

Wang Haitao gestured for everyone to be quiet.

They then entered another small temple-like room, but this one did not have the Three Pure Ones statues or sweeping attendants. Instead, an altar with a plaque was flanked by incense burners and candles. Offerings of pig trotters, goat horns, and a pack of beef jerky were laid out.

Lin Dongxue asked, “Why another temple? Is this whole floor dedicated to religious activities?”

Chen Shi read the inscription on the plaque and nearly cursed, “North Star Greedy Wolf Deity Zhou Xiao.”

“Why is the old man worshipping a serial killer? Zhou Xiao is still in prison, not even executed yet. Has he become a god?” Chen Shi said.

Lin Dongxue, KK, and Sun Zhen were equally shocked.

Wang Haitao pointed to a spot on the table, “Mr. Chen, my father needs something to complete this setup, something only you can acquire.”

“Let me guess, you want Zhou Xiao’s murder weapon?”

“Exactly. Name your price.”

Thinking of Zhou Xiao’s heinous crimes, Chen Shi felt insulted and his blood boiled, “I can’t do it. Goodbye!”

He turned to leave, but Wang Haitao chased after him, pleading, “Mr. Chen! Mr. Chen!”

Down the hallway came two figures: the old man and a man in sunglasses. They were in front of the master’s door, the old man bowing respectfully, “Master, I ordered a set of purple sandalwood furniture for you. When would be convenient to deliver it?”

He pressed his ear to the door to listen, then noticed Chen Shi and company, his expression changing. He quickly said to the person inside, “I’ll send someone after your meditation.”

Leaning on his cane, the old man approached, glaring at Chen Shi, “Song Lang, you’re meddling again… Haitao, did you bring this dog here?”

Chen Shi laughed angrily, “Last time it was ‘No dogs allowed,’ and now I’m a dog?”

The old man raised a finger, “This is my turf. I do what I want. You’re not welcome here.”

Wang Haitao stepped forward, “Father, I brought them to help you get that relic. Mr. Chen is now the captain of the criminal investigation team. Only he can help.”

The old man scrutinized Chen Shi, “When will it be delivered?”

Chen Shi shrugged, “I haven’t agreed yet.”

The old man’s face darkened, turning to Wang Haitao, “If he messes up my plans, you’re out!”

“Yes, Father…” Wang Haitao mumbled.

Chen Shi suddenly understood Wang Haitao’s predicament. The old man was stubborn and capricious, and as his son, Wang Haitao had likely tried and failed to reason with him, resorting to this roundabout way to seek help.

So Chen Shi said, “We’re just negotiating the price. Mr. Wang, I can get what you need.”

Wang Haitao looked deeply relieved, “Name your price!”

“It’s just a knife, after all. How about four thousand?”

“Song Lang, are you mocking me?” the old man snapped, “Four million. No bargaining. Son, write the check!”

The man in sunglasses pulled out a checkbook and quickly wrote a check, handing it to Chen Shi. Chen Shi was more shocked by the man’s appearance than the amount—he looked nothing like the old man and seemed somewhat mixed-race. How was he the old man’s son?

“Old man, when did you make this mistake?” Chen Shi asked.

“Do you want to die?” the old man fumed, “This is my true son, the future heir to the group!”

“And him?” Chen Shi pointed to Wang Haitao.

“Him?” The old man’s expression turned disdainful, “He’s just a stranger with my genes.”

“What kind of logic is that?” KK muttered.

Wang Haitao tried to smooth things over, “Father, let’s have some tea in the private room and talk.”

“I have nothing to discuss with him. Song Lang, you’ve taken the money. Deliver the knife before Mid-Autumn Festival and don’t mess up my plans! Son, let’s go!” The old man turned, not forgetting to warn Wang Haitao, “Say anything, and you’re dead!”

Supported by his “true son,” the old man left. Chen Shi couldn’t help but think, “What a display of arrogance!”