Chapter 21: A Thorough Investigation! No Mercy!

Chen Angxi, a fifty-four-year-old archaeology professor, possessed a gentle and refined demeanor. He had graying hair, wore black-rimmed glasses, and was dressed in a dark brown sweater.

He proved to be more reasonable than Zhou Quan had anticipated.

"Please, have some tea, the three of you."

Chen Angxi sat opposite Zhou Quan. Between them stood a solid wood tea table, upon which sat four cups of tea with wisps of steam rising into the air.

Zhou Quan did not touch his cup. He got straight to the point: "Professor Chen, I am visiting you late at night because of my parents."

He took out a map and placed it on the tea table.

Chen Angxi glanced at it and nodded. "I sold this map to Mr. Zhou. Whatever you wish to ask, I will answer without reservation."

"I am already aware of the Divine Remains," Zhou Quan said in a deep voice. "What is the deal with the curse?"

Chen Angxi countered with a question: "Have you examined the map?"

Zhou Quan gave a slight nod.

Chen Angxi continued: "This map is incomplete. It contains only the first third. Relying on it alone makes it impossible to obtain the Divine Remains."

Zhou Quan frowned. "Did you warn them when you sold it to them?"

"I did," Chen Angxi paused. "In fact, it is precisely because the map only covers one-third of the journey that I sold it to others; otherwise, I would have used it myself."

Zhou Quan nodded thoughtfully. Chen Angxi was a member of the Radiant Star Society; if he had possessed the complete map of the Divine Remains, he would certainly have kept it within the organization rather than selling it to an ordinary person.

"However, Mr. and Mrs. Zhou seemed to have reasons that forced them to take such a risk." Chen Angxi’s expression turned regretful. "They were surveying the entrance to the labyrinth when they accidentally triggered a mechanism set by the deity during its lifetime, and they were struck by the deity's curse."

"A deity's curse?" Zhou Quan’s brows knit tightly together.

Chen Angxi nodded and explained: "For the tombs of mortals, it only takes a few hundred years for the mechanisms within to decay and vanish; the emperors of the Qin and Han dynasties are no exception."

"But the tombs of deities are different."

"Every deity is a great existence trending toward eternity. The traps they leave behind can resist the erosion of time even long after their death."

"After thousands or even tens of thousands of years, they remain as pristine as if they were brand new!"

Zhou Quan remained silent. He grasped the essence of what Chen Angxi was saying. His parents, desperate to find a cure for his younger sister’s illness, had purchased the incomplete map and resolved to take the risk. As a result, they had been struck by a divine curse before they had even managed to enter the labyrinth.

Zhou Quan clenched his fists. In the face of supernatural power, ordinary people were far too fragile; even billionaires were left without any means of resistance.

"I bear some responsibility for what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Zhou," Chen Angxi said sincerely. "I happen to know someone who specializes in dispelling curses. If you are willing, I can act as an intermediary and invite her to examine the condition of Mr. and Mrs. Zhou."

Zhou Quan was slightly taken aback. He immediately realized that the Radiant Star Society was a supernatural organization focused on archaeology; they must frequently encounter curses and possess methods to deal with them.

"Then I leave it in your hands," he said in a low voice.

Chen Angxi waved a hand. "Hear me out first."

"I can help you invite her to take a look, but I cannot guarantee that she can dispel the curse on them. Furthermore, regardless of success or failure, you must pay that person ten million."

"Agreed," Zhou Quan replied without hesitation. If the curse on his parents could be lifted, he would pay ten million—even a hundred million—without a second thought. Even if it could not be dispelled, it would at least provide him with professional advice.

"It is too late today; I will contact her tomorrow." Chen Angxi handed Zhou Quan a business card. "This is my card. There is no need to visit in person next time; just give me a call."

Zhou Quan nodded and left his own card behind. Shortly after, he led his group and left the hotel. He was not worried about being unable to find Chen Angxi again, as Chen was merely an ordinary man, a professor at a university in a neighboring city, with his whole family living together. In other words, like himself, Chen Angxi had a glaring vulnerability. Yet, whether in terms of worldly wealth and status or supernatural background and personal capability, Chen was far inferior to him. He had a firm grip on this man.

Twenty minutes later, he returned to the villa with Ni Hao and Li Muchi. The sky was beginning to brighten, and birds were singing one after another.

"There are two guest rooms on the east side of the third floor," Zhou Quan instructed. "Ni Hao, go and tidy those two rooms up. You will live in one, and Li Muchi will live in the other. Until you have earned my trust, you are not permitted to leave without authorization."

"Understood." Ni Hao had no objections. She knew that surviving was a stroke of fortune and had no other expectations. She moved quickly and climbed the stairs.

Zhou Quan watched her go. He did not trust her, which was why he was forcing her to stay. Ni Hao’s abilities were mediocre, but her value lay in her knowledge of the supernatural world. He could consult her whenever he had questions, and if she caused trouble, it would be easy for him to handle.

"Go with her," Zhou Quan said to Li Muchi. "I need to think about how to arrange your schedule. Once I’ve decided, your training will begin."

Li Muchi nodded his small head. "As long as I can be of help to you, I will do whatever training is required," he said earnestly. With that, he scurried up the stairs.

Zhou Quan watched Li Muchi’s retreating figure. The boy had stood behind him in silence, like a living shadow.

"Such a prime age for molding..." he murmured to himself.

He turned and looked around the living room. The carpet, sofa, and rocking chair were gone. The entire room stood empty, looking profoundly jarring.

"I need to buy a new set of furniture." Zhou Quan sighed softly. He had to replace it as soon as possible, or when the "little ancestor" woke up, she would suspect that the family had gone bankrupt.

Zhou Quan took out his phone, intending to order a new set from a shopping site. Just then, he remembered something. He hesitated for a moment, then moved his finger to the browser icon and tapped it.

*Swish.*

As soon as the browser opened, a series of grim news headlines silenced him.

*Shocking! Famous Diva Found Dead in Hotel!*
*The "Farewell" Concert*
*Horrifying! Renowned Singer Weng Lin Murdered!*
*Thorough Investigation! Zero Tolerance!*
*Tragic News! We Have Lost Her Voice Forever!*

...

Zhou Quan stood in silence, unable to utter a single word. A crushing sense of guilt wrapped around his heart, growing thickets of thorns that pierced into his flesh. His mood turned incredibly heavy, making even breathing feel like a struggle.

He had killed another good person. Compared to the director of the orphanage, the impact of the diva Weng Lin’s death was far greater. Weng Lin had accompanied an entire generation with her songs, and her contributions to charity were at least five hundred million, if not a billion!

Zhou Quan looked dejected. When he killed the old orphanage director, he could console himself by running an orphanage. The old director ran one? He would run two! But now that he had killed Weng Lin, how could he possibly console himself? He was not as wealthy as she was.

Was he expected to break his word and act as if he had never said anything at all?