"That's alright. I can conceal his aura." Helian Wei Wei had mastered the trick a long time ago.
The son of King of Hell was fl.u.s.tered. That was why he felt no threat when he was summoned. Now he understood how did the Great Demon King stand there without revealing his aura. They applied their contract to conceal his aura!
"Then, you should bring him along. He can handle everyone." The son of King of Hell paused before he added, "But now, the most important thing is to locate the source of the infection. If you cannot find the source, everything will go in vain. The main culprit might Jing Wushuang, but he might not carry the source of infection. At most, he may be the enchanter. We must find out who he has been messing with..."
Chapter 685 - Wei Wei’s Ability And Intelligence
The investigation of the source could not be delayed further. After all, five days were not a very long period of time.
As soon as they sent the son of King of Hell off, Helian Wei Wei summoned the minister of Official Personnel Affairs.
The most efficient way to detect any anomalous events in the Capital was to find out the location of the recent deaths.
Others might not come up with this idea.
However, it was not difficult to put two and two together for Helian Wei Wei.
The Minister of Official Personnel Affairs did not expect that the Third Princess Consort would be interested in these. They looked at Baili Jia Jue to seek approval. After receiving a nod from Baili Jia Jue, they handed her the doc.u.ments.
Helian Wei Wei flipped the pages before she abruptly stopped at one of the pages. "There are missing persons cases on two consecutive days? What is going on?"
The minister exclaimed before he took a glance at the doc.u.ment. Appearing unconcerned, he replied, "Oh, we are investigating these cases. It is probably not a big deal. The person who reported the case was a town crier. He heard someone screaming for help when he passed by the alley. However, when he went to check, he discovered nothing. Apparently, he misheard."
"But, someone went missing that day, right?" Helian Wei Wei chuckled, "Lord Li, don't panic. Just tell me the truth and everything will be fine."
The minister of Official Personnel Affairs wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and glanced at Baili Jia Jue discreetly. Then, he answered with a muffled voice, "After we received the report, my subordinates went to the scene and nothing seemed amiss. There was no trace of struggles in the alley. Coincidentally, there was a couple who were arguing at the time. Therefore, I suspected that the town crier might have been mistaken. On top of that, the town crier confessed that he drank some wine that night and might have made a mistake. To our surprise, the very next day someone came to report that their daughter, who was about to wed, had disappeared. Then, on the third day..."
"Someone else reported about their missing family member too." Helian Wei Wei interrupted and continued to analyze, "And these girls have been to that alley before their disappearances. Not only that, all of them all live somewhere nearby, right?"
Not knowing how to answer, the minister of Official Personnel Affairs mulled over the question. "How do you know?" Although the cases were recorded on the doc.u.ments, but the details were not mentioned.
"Logically speaking, if the girls have never been to that alley, you would not have specifically jotted down the town crier's report. How did I know that the missing ladies are people from the neighborhood..." Helian Wei Wei said nonchalantly as she picked up the doc.u.ments again. "Since all the missing victims are girls who are about to get married, that limited the perimeter of their activities. Usually, single women will not travel far. Therefore, they must be from somewhere nearby the alley. "
Minister of Official Personnel Affairs was dazed by Helian Wei Wei's analysis. With a pair of widened eyes, he stared at Helian Wei Wei and before he shifted his gaze to look at Baili Jia Jue.
Shock was plastered on his face. Your Highness, where did you find such a capable woman?
If the Third Princess Consort joined their ministry, all those old and unresolved cases could be elucidated!
Helian Wei Wei did not bother to look at the minister's glistening eyes. She tapped her fingers mindlessly on the table and continued, "Since they have something in common, then the investigation will be easier. You can pass the case to me, but you have to keep it confidential. The Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs should continue to investigate the cases accordingly. But, do not tell anyone that I am involved, and you do not have to help me. His Highness and I will head over to the scene personally. None of your officers or soldiers have seen us before. If you meet us there, please behave naturally and do not let the cat out of the bag."
"His Highness... His Highness will be there too?" Lord Li was concerned about Third Prince's safety. "With the current situation of the imperial court..." He was worried about the chaotic situation of the imperial court and reckoned that it was not the best time for His Highness to leave the palace. However, he quickly recalled how His Highness had just beaten the envoys of the three countries to a pulp. Now, all the people at the borders were especially obedient and were more than willing to offer gifts to the War Dragon Dynasty so that His Highness would spare their lives. The appeals had even reached the Retired Emperor. All the ministers did not dare say anything in front of His Highness again. The entire imperial court was unbelievably peaceful and there was really no reason to stop His Highness from visiting the scene.
But...
"Is it not too dangerous for His Highness to visit the crime scene? Should I make some arrangements in advance?" Lord Li feared that something might happen to Baili Jia Jue. If any mishap occurred, it would not be enough even if he paid with his own life.
Helian Wei Wei smiled and said, "Lord Li, do you think there is anyone in this world can beat His Highness?"
The minister of Official Personnel Affairs was tongue-tied. That… is actually true. His Highness's combat skills had always been superb. Whoever provoked him would be sent to the King of Hell directly.
Helien Wei Wei grinned as she stood up.
The minister of Official Personnel Affairs looked at the elegant yet graceful side profile of His Highness and knew that he should not comment further. However, he was relieved that the Third Princess Consort was taking over this case.
According to his many years of experience, missing person cases were tough to solve.
The first 24 hours were vital in a missing person case.
Four days had passed and no one knew where the missing persons were.
Helian Wei Wei certainly understood the rule. That very night, she dressed up like a commoner and was ready to visit the scene.
When she turned around, she saw that His Highness was still sitting gracefully in his seat. With his long legs crossed, he wore a fur coat around his shoulders as he leisurely read the scrolls.
Helian Wei Wei raised her eyebrows and asked, "Are you not coming with me?" It was unusual for His Highness to allow her to go out alone.
Baili Jia Jue put down the scroll in his hand and looked at her as though she had made an absurd statement. He then reached out and grabbed Helian Wei Wei by her wrist before he gently pulled her into his arms. With a soft voice he commanded habitually, "Let's leave only after our meal."
"Sure." Helian Wei allowed him to c.a.r.e.s.s her hand before she let out a lazy yawn. "I reckon that I've been eating more than usual. Do you think I'm chubbier than before?"
A faint smile painted across Baili Jia Jue's thin lips. From behind, he grabbed her soft bumps with his big hands and whispered under his warm breath, "You have really grown chubbier."
"You..." Helian Wei Wei was lying in his arms and she had nowhere to run, causing her heart to flutter.
However, Baili Jia Jue did not have the intention to let her go. He gently pinched her body with his long fingers while his soft lips brushed across her ear. Then, he began to kiss her slowly along her neck.
However, Baili Jia Jue did not stop his move. Ins
tead, he got increasingly aggressive.
It was a little painful, but her body was immediately engulfed by his warmth and went soft...
Chapter 686 - The Bossy Prince
Helian Wei Wei furrowed her brows, bit her lips while her eyes began to tear, "Please, don't..."
Her pleas deepened Baili Jia Jue's gaze, and his kiss grew increasingly potent and domineering.
Helian Wei Wei felt that she was almost burned by the high temperature of his skin, which was closely stuck to hers. She could faintly hear his words ringing in her ear, "Can the hot guys, who you infatuate with, please you like this?"
Helian Wei Wei felt a tingling sensation on her scalp. Her body temperature rose as he groped her body. Even the fools would understand that His Highness was trying to make her pay for the words she spoke before.
In fact, she merely made a casual joke.
How can he even remember that?
As if he could read her mind, Baili Jia Jue spoke in an indifferent tone, "Unfortunately, I am indeed a petty and ruthless grudge-holder."
Helian Wei Wei ran out of argument.
"Don't ever think about leaving me." Baili Jia Jue's large hands grabbed her body tight before he kissed her soft b.r.e.a.s.ts through her blouse. "Otherwise, I will make sure that you will never get off this bed."
Despite her reluctance, Helian Wei Wei shivered involuntarily as though her soul was s.u.c.k.e.d out of her body. Her cheeks were flushed red as she gasped for breath.
On the other hand, the culprit remained wearing an elegant and virtuous expression as his fingers ran along the curvature of her body before his lips eventually pressed against hers. "Do you hear me?"
Being her sensible self, Helian Wei Wei understood that she should not defy His Highness. Therefore, she blinked as a sign of submission.
Pleased, Baili Jia Jue released his grip on her. "Good girl. You may now have your dinner."
Helian Wei Wei was speechless. Wait a minute, is he done? But, I still have a lot to say! She reckoned that it was about time to give His Highness a lecture! She was a person of principles and he should not touch her without her consent every time he tried to threaten her.
"I have ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare your favorite spicy crab and beef shank." Baili Jia Jue tidied his shirt. When he noticed that Helian Wei Wei was staring at him, he raised his eyebrows. "What do you want? Would you like me to proceed?"
Helian Wei Wei quickly shook her head and sat down obediently with her bowl in her hands. Beef shank! She had been craving for beef shank for a very long time. Perhaps I'll talk to him on another day.
The dinner was served. The Imperial Kitchen was certainly more efficient when Baili Jia Jue was around.
Beef shank was briefly boiled with water to preserve the chewiness of the meat. It was then stir-fried without any seasonings. The cooked meat would later be sauced before the dish was served. The freshly served hot beef shank smelled extremely delicious.
However, her stomach was not filled no matter how much she ate.
She felt thirsty as her stomach continued to growl, requesting to be fed.
Therefore, she ate another two spicy crabs, three bowls of rice, a big meat bun and two sweet rice dumplings… As Helian Wei Wei feasted, she noticed that something was amiss. Apparently, she had even devoured His Highness' portion of food.
Helian Wei Wei paused her action before she threw a glance at Baili Jia Jue.
However, His Highness did not make any comment. He looked good even when he was eating. With the chopsticks in his hand, he appeared like a model who wore an ancient costume in the poster. After she took a piece of crab and silently put it in his bowl, he put down the chopsticks in his hand. Then, he received a white handkerchief from the maid to wipe his hands before he gently tidied her messy hair that was covering her cheeks. "You don't have to give it to me. You should eat more."
Helian Wei Wei nodded before she savoured all the food on His Highness' plate, so that no food would be wasted.
She knew that His Highness was a picky eater. Although he remained expressionless as he ate food like carrots, the corner of his lips would droop. She decided to take the food he disliked and put it into her bowl as she enjoyed all food equally.
Baili Jia Jue was done before her, but he did not leave the dining table. He sat quietly beside her, resting his left arm on the back of Helian Wei Wei's chair. Occasionally, he reached out with his right hand to take more food for her.
Eventually, Helian Wei Wei was so full that she could barely move. It was Baili Jia Jue who wiped her hands for her and helped her up. "How do you like to start the investigation?"
"Of course we will start with the person who still hasn't fallen victim. All the girls around the area have gone missing, but there's a girl, Yan Liu'er, still remains unaffected. Don't you find this strange?" Helian Wei Wei rubbed her little belly leisurely as she spoke.
Looking at her fox-like and shrewd expression, Baili Jia Jue could not help but kissed her on her lips, "How so?"
"Usually, the person who is exempted from harm is either the criminal or somehow related to the criminal. Otherwise, she should be the culprit's next target," Helian Wei Wei spoke in a nonchalant tone, but her eyes were sparkling. "Regardlessly, we have to locate her."
Helian Wei Wei's intuition told herself that the undeciphered disappearance of these people must be related to the source of the infection.
She began to feel suspicious when Lord Li said, "There was nothing amiss at the scene."
There must be, more or less, some traces left behind at the scene, but the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs said that they discovered absolutely nothing.
If he was right, then this case should not be handled the same way as a common missing person case.
Nevertheless, she had to act quick to unearth the truth...
The sun had yet to set and it was snowing outside. The Capital appeared lively as people of all ages passed by the main streets. The place seemed peaceful as usual.
However, the air was totally different in the back alley. The surroundings were swamped by darkness and complete silence. As they walked into the alley, their footsteps echoed across the atmosphere.
Yan Liu'er had no intention to leave her house at dusk as the neighborhood had not been peaceful recently. However, she was supposed to deliver the shoes she made to her customers and she had to send it by dawn.
She hastily left her home and the trip was smooth as usual.
All of a sudden, she felt a chill down her spine. It was as though someone was tailing her and the thought creeped her out.
Yan Liu'er felt increasingly perturbed and uneasy as she approached the alley.
Frightened, she briefly stopped in her tracks before she held her breath and sprinted forward.
She stopped to catch her breath when the fear had finally vanished. She rested with her hand pressing on her long legs.
However, at that moment, she noticed an additional shadow on the ground!
Yan Liu'er froze as the blood rushed toward her brain. She was too horrified to raise her gaze.
Fortunately, the shadow seemed to be a good distance away from her. If she could run fast enough, she should be able to reach home, which was located at the corner of the alley, safe and sound. The people who lived along the alley were still awake at that hour and they should be able to notice her if she screamed for help.
When Yan Liu'er was contemplating on how to run away from danger, the owner of the shadow spoke, "Liu'er? Are you alright?"
Upon listening to the familiar voice, Yan Liu'er heaved a sigh of relief...
Chapter 687 - The Investigation Couple
"Nothing." Yan Liu'er was relieved and she began to speak at a faster pace.
"You don't look like you're fine." The owner of the shadow stood at the door with a wooden tub in his hands and spoke in an unvarying tone, "It's better for beautiful girls like you to stay home after sunset."
&nb
sp; Smiling, Yan Liu'er approached the owner of the shadow. "I'm fine, really. I was feeling a little uneasy for what has happened around here during the past few days."
"Since you're alright, you should head home as soon as possible. You are the only modest girl in this neighborhood," the silhouette put the wooden tub on the floor as he spoke. Then, he murmured, "Don't be like the other girls."
Yan Liu'er replied with a silent grin and nod. However, the creepiness in the air was too evident. She could not help but take another glance behind her back.
The silhouette was still there, staring at her. He waved his hand and urged her to go home.
Yan Liu'er did not hesitate this time and scurried home. When she opened the door, she was welcomed by a tranquil voice. "Excuse me. Is this Yan Liu'er's residence?"
Yan Liu'er shivered before she turned to see two people, who were extraordinarily beautiful in spite of their casual outfits. She was briefly stupefied until she regained her senses and nodded to acknowledge the guests.
Helian Wei Wei, who disguised herself as a man, eyed the girl before her gaze eventually fixed at the girl's shoes. "Did you pass by the entrance of the alley just now?"
"How..." Yan Liu'er was fl.u.s.tered. How does he know where I've been to?
Helian Wei Wei would certainly not reveal to Yan Liu'er that she had surveyed the entire area. The entrance of the alley was the only place with snowpack while the snow at other places had melted. Besides, there were salt stains on Yan Liu'er's shoes. Not only that, her face was pale and she was panting, making it rather obvious that she had been running for a considerable amount of time.
It was highly possible that she was running out of fear. Otherwise, she would not have shivered before she turned around when Helian Wei Wei greeted her.
It was one of the most common reactions when one panicked.
After Helian Wei Wei studied her for a moment, her lips curved upward. "We saw you just now."
The Anarchic Consort c1-1376 Page 295
