Chapter 6: The Art of Puppetry.

If that's the case, then he's probably not far from packing up and going home.

Old man, how long have I been unconscious?" I looked at the old Taoist and as soon as he spoke, I realized that my current identity seemed different. I should address him as "Master".

Hello, Mr. Li. This is Liu Yang from the Criminal Investigation Department. We met this morning. Have you seen any puppets or similar objects around Li Sisi? No? Are you sure? Okay, I understand. If you notice anything unusual, please contact me as soon as possible.

I turned around and left while holding the box. The purple-red wooden box is about half a meter long, a little over a palm wide, and about ten centimeters thick. The surface is smooth with delicate grain, resembling twisted silk threads like cow hair, and dotted with a few golden stars.

It's the seventh branch, the thirty-second generation guardian, and you are the thirty-third generation. Our guardian lineage has always been single-passed down.

Boss, you are truly amazing. How did you know that Li Sisi once had a puppet?" Zhang Wei asked excitedly when he saw me.

Although Lao Dao appeared unwilling, I know that this is definitely not his true thoughts.

"What puppet?" Qi Yan finally couldn't help but ask, curious and somewhat disgusted.

I shook my head and muttered in my heart, "Childish."

Upon hearing this response, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Immediately, I began to concern myself with my own situation. The sensation of warmth flowing through my body was no longer felt, but my whole body still felt warm and full of energy. Moreover, I looked at my hands and it seemed that the skin had improved somewhat. I didn't notice anything else.

When I woke up again, Lao Dao was leisurely sitting in a chair drinking alcohol, and I was also leaning on a chair. Qi Yan was still nowhere to be seen, it seems she had made up her mind not to see Lao Dao again.

After listening to Lao Dao's words, I was speechless. I couldn't believe there was such an irresponsible master. I don't know if it's fortunate or unfortunate, but in the end, I still picked up the box and bowed deeply to Lao Dao, saying, "Master, I will come to see you when I have time."

Do you want to bring this Li Yuanshan back for investigation? Zhang Wei suggested as he saw me lost in thought.

Liu Yang ... ...

Clean and neat, wearing a pair of glasses, thin figure, ordinary appearance, this is my first impression after seeing the photo of Li Yuanshan. Indeed, based solely on the photo, this Li Yuanshan belongs to the kind that would not stand out in a crowd.

"What? Puppetry technique?" Qi Yan stared wide-eyed, with an incredulous expression.

Before, that jade pendant was nurtured by you for eighteen years using a special method. Now, once absorbed by you, it is equivalent to directly laying the foundation, improving your physique. From now on, your practice of Taoism can be twice as effective. There is a meditation diagram in the box by your feet, as well as a manual of our lineage's techniques. After you return, diligently cultivate yourself. If there is anything you don't understand, try to figure it out on your own first. If you really can't figure it out, then keep it for now, and I will help you understand it next time you come.

Of course... Zhang Wei opened his mouth, but didn't say anything. There is currently no evidence to prove that Li Sisi is the one who killed Li Yuanshan. Are we going to rely solely on speculation? Are we going to accuse someone of being the murderer based on a wooden carving?

Currently, is it possible that you have discovered anything else during your investigation at school?" I continued to ask.

Did you find anything on the restaurant side? Are you at school now? That's great. Find her dormitory classmates and ask if they have seen Li Sisi or a puppet around her. Also, investigate whether Li Sisi's fingers have been injured in the past month. Also, pay attention to any strange behavior among Li Sisi's friends and classmates, especially boys. Okay, I got it. I'll be able to go back soon.

This person's surname is also Li, named Li Yuanshan, a junior, and the vice president of the school's literary society. These are his basic information. Meanwhile, Li Sisi is also a member of the literary society. Zhang Wei handed me a document, all of which were things he had sorted out.

Yes, as long as I know your birth date and time, and take a drop of your blood to write on the Ghost Acacia puppet, I can control you. My tone was heavily suggestive as I spoke to Qi Yan.

Only ten minutes, I let out a sigh of relief. I thought I had been unconscious for a long time.

Zhang Wei, how is the investigation going on your end?

Did it really happen? Do you know who sent it? I became excited and immediately asked.

No, this is what I collected indirectly. Zhang Wei added, "Boss, could this person be the murderer?"

I was startled by my own thoughts. The reason why I have knowledge about rosewood is because when I was in the police academy, one of my classmates had a rosewood round stool that had been passed down from the Qing Dynasty. It was said to be worth millions, and he often showed it off in front of us.

I remember you previously mentioned something about the ninth branch of the Daoist school, and how many generations of guardians have there been? I first hesitated about the name.

I slightly raised the corners of my mouth and remained silent. My previous studies in psychology were not in vain, as I didn't need to use much effort to deal with this little girl.

"Forget it, I don't want to know." Qi Yan snorted and turned her head to the side.

Did you find anything? I asked directly, sitting across from Zhang Wei.

On the way, I called Zhang Wei.

Miss, let's go. I came to Qi Yan's side and saw that she seemed unaware, couldn't help but call out.

Do you know where Li Yuanshan lives? I asked again.

I don't know. In the past, there were a total of forty-nine branches of the Daoist hidden lineage, corresponding to the art of Tianyan. As for how many branches are left today, I don't know. Perhaps we are the last one. The old Taoist drank his wine and suddenly became somewhat desolate.

It's nothing else. Zhang Wei thought for a moment, then slapped his head and said, "Oh, by the way, there was a ghost story about this school last year. A girl committed suicide by jumping off the building, and some people said they saw her afterwards. It caused quite a stir at the time."

Did we not alert the other party? I asked while flipping through the materials. Li Yuanshan is not a prominent figure in school, but he writes excellent articles and often publishes them in the school magazine. As a typical literary youth, he has some fans to a certain extent.

During the past three years, I haven't been in a romantic relationship. My hobby is root carving. As I read this, my gaze becomes fixed.

Ten minutes. Master Dao said lightly.

By what reason? I gave him a white look.

No matter whether I admit it or not, Lao Dao is my master. Perhaps all of this was destined 18 years ago. The medicine I drank and the jade pendant I received were all preparations for today.

So that's why it's the seventh branch. The old saying replied naturally.

"Is it not very easy to die out if it is only passed down through one lineage?" I asked with some confusion.

"Suicide?" I frowned slightly. This is similar to Li Sisi, who also committed suicide and appeared afterwards. I am increasingly convinced that Li Yuanshan is the murderer.

Qi Yan was unconsciously led into that kind of imagination by me. Her face turned pale instantly, and I could even see a layer of tiny goosebumps on her body.

When he returned to the office, it was not yet four o'clock, and Zhang Wei was immersed in studying the case.

Sometimes making a girl angry can be absolutely terrifying. I once again understood the true meaning of this sentence. When I got off the car, there was already a big bruise on my waist. As for teasing and kissing, girls are very easy to learn on their own in this regard, and they can cultivate to a profound level.

If you have the ability, marrying ten or eight is not a problem.

I hung up on Zhang Wei's phone call and dialed the number of Li Sisi's father that I had previously saved.

Hmph. Qi Yan stood up, gave me a glare, and walked straight down the mountain.

If one day I don't do well, and sell this box, wouldn't I have a house and a car? I hope Lao Dao won't pursue it in the future.

Can Taoist priests get married? I asked cautiously.

I hadn't walked far when I saw Qi Yan squatting on the stone steps, lost in thought, and the excitement I had before was long gone.

Hmph. Watching me grimace and rub my waist, Qi Yan tilted her little head, and with a clatter, she left, her victorious expression on her face undisguised.

After bidding farewell to my grandfather, eldest aunt, and eldest uncle, I drove with Qi Yan to head back. The reason I was the one driving was because someone was throwing a tantrum.

Oh!

Well, go away quickly, so as not to disturb the old Tao's sleep.

And that was just an ordinary rosewood furniture. If what I had in my hand was a so-called antique piece of Venus rosewood, it would definitely be more valuable.

Could this be rosewood? And is it the most precious Venus rosewood among the small leaf rosewoods?

While I'm not yet drunk, feel free to ask any questions you have," said Lao Dao, taking another sip of his drink. It was only then that I noticed he was already on his second bottle.

Now it is still uncertain. I suspect that someone has used puppetry techniques to control Li Sisi, causing her to commit suicide and imprisoning her soul. Then, they may have used this to harm others or achieve some other purposes. I thought about it and tried to explain all this to Qi Yan using concise language.

Do you want to know about the puppet that solves the case? Seeing her like this, I can't help but want to tease her.

Hello, are you going to speak or not? Finally, Qi Yan couldn't bear it anymore, staring at me fiercely as if she would throw a punch at me in the next moment if I didn't speak.

Do you mean the first six have already been extinguished? I couldn't help but be a little surprised.