All that remained was a faint instinct to protect herself.

After bidding farewell to Xie Qingfa and Chen Yiming, Ji Ningzhao made a trip to the Special Bureau.

She asked the staff there to bring her all the recent records of unusual fluctuations detected in Hang City over the past month. Technically, such records were not to be shown to outsiders like Ji Ningzhao, but she had helped the Special Bureau with several major cases and was, to some extent, regarded as a trusted outsider.

Moreover, with the recent matter concerning Kong Xi, the Special Bureau had already realized that the young woman had openly come to seek vengeance, bearing an underworld token, and their investigation had come to a halt with no progress. Now that Ji Ningzhao expressed her willingness to assist, the Bureau certainly didn't refuse. It was just a matter of pulling up some records—barely five minutes later, all the materials were handed over to her.

As Ji Ningzhao’s figure receded, a fresh-faced recruit sidled up to his mentor and whispered, “Master, who was that just now? Even the Captain was so polite to her.”

His mentor promptly gave him a kick and snapped in a low voice, “Don’t ask what you’re not supposed to. Didn’t I tell you before? The Special Bureau isn’t an ordinary place. Mind your own business.”

Back home, Ji Ningzhao pored carefully over the materials from the Special Bureau. She had a rough idea now; the rest would be confirmed after speaking to Chen Yiming the following day.

When she was done, Ji Ningzhao, as was her routine, went to the small room tucked in the corner of the first floor. With practiced ease, she pricked her finger and let a drop of blood fall into the oil lamp.

A flash of golden light shimmered over the spirit tablet, barely visible beneath its red cloth, before fading into stillness. The lamp flickered with a tiny flame blossom, illuminating Ji Ningzhao’s face—so pale it was almost inhuman. She leaned on the offering table for a long moment before straightening and leaving the room.

Among the words exchanged between Chen Yiming and Wen Rujin, there was one detail that preoccupied Ji Ningzhao: both of them first noticed something amiss in a mirror.

But that night, when the entity came to threaten her, she hadn’t had the chance to look into a mirror before it was scared off by the sudden surge of aura from the presence on the first floor.

After being swept clean by such a fierce, righteous force, she doubted she could summon that thing again, even with rituals at home. The remaining aura had no consciousness—only a vestige of instinct compelled it to protect her, leaving no room for negotiation.

Thinking of this, Ji Ningzhao could only sigh inwardly. The light in the bathroom was bright yet gentle, casting a flawless visage in the mirror. From her appearance, none could tell how much time had flowed past her.

If anyone looked closely below her collarbone, they would notice that with each breath, her skin shimmered faintly, forming patterns like scales.

Ji Ningzhao’s hand brushed gently over those scale-like marks, and she couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Upon hearing that Ji Ningzhao would visit, the Chen family had their house thoroughly cleaned at dawn—even the teacups were replaced with brand new, freshly washed sets.

Chen Yiming was dragged out of bed at seven by his father and sent to wait for Ji Ningzhao at the entrance of her residential complex.

From their son and from Xie Qingfa, Chen’s parents understood that their boy’s life now hung in Ji Ningzhao’s hands.

Moreover, who wouldn’t want to befriend someone as truly capable as Ji Ningzhao? If any trouble arose in the future, who else could they turn to?

From every angle, the Chen family would treat Ji Ningzhao as an honored guest.

Ji Ningzhao messaged Chen Yiming and was rather surprised to find him waiting at the entrance. Yet Chen Yiming had matured a great deal recently and respected her. In the past, if he’d been roused at seven to pick someone up and left waiting at the gate, he would have lost his temper long ago.

Unlike Ji Ningzhao, who preferred the suburbs, the Chen family lived in the heart of Hang City, where every inch of land was precious.

Today, Madam Chen had given the housekeepers the day off after the cleaning; when Ji Ningzhao arrived, only the family of three remained.

“Madam Chen, there’s no need for such formality,” Ji Ningzhao smiled as Madam Chen inquired enthusiastically about her drink preferences. “I’m actually here to ask Mr. Chen a few questions.”

This made Mr. Chen hesitate. “Miss Ji, do you suspect my son is still hiding something?”

No one understood his son better than he did. By now, he was certain the boy would never dare conceal anything—unless he was courting death.

Ji Ningzhao caught the implication and shook her head with a smile. “Of course not. As I said the first time I questioned Mr. Chen, there are some things he doesn’t hide by choice, but because something doesn’t want him to remember.”

“So this time, the questioning will require special means.”

She turned to Chen Yiming. “I can assure you that this method won’t harm Mr. Chen in any way. The only question is whether you all agree.”

At this point, there was nothing for Chen’s parents to object to—especially Madam Chen, who had waited long for this only son and poured her life into him. Even if Ji Ningzhao swore nothing would happen, Madam Chen would be willing to trade her own life for her son’s if necessary.

With their consent, Ji Ningzhao continued, “It’s just a small ritual. If you’re worried, you may watch from the side, but whatever you see or hear, please stay silent.”

Ji Ningzhao had brought all the essential items for the ritual; the Chen family only needed to provide a basin filled with water.

Mr. and Mrs. Chen sat together on the sofa, while Ji Ningzhao and Chen Yiming placed two chairs face to face, the basin between them.

Once everything was set, Ji Ningzhao suddenly asked Madam Chen, “Madam, do you know where your jade pendant was sourced from?”

Madam Chen was taken aback, then replied, “This pendant? My father gave it to me,” and mentioned a well-known jade-producing region.

Ji Ningzhao gave a quick mental calculation and said, “If you don’t mind, please remove it and let Mr. Chen hold it in his palm.”

Jade from the west possesses qualities akin to gold and stone—beneficial for someone like Chen Yiming, who had recently been plagued by excessive yin energy.

After Chen Yiming took the pendant, Ji Ningzhao grasped his hand and guided it into the basin.

At first, Chen Yiming flushed, for Ji Ningzhao’s hand was cold but incredibly soft.

But soon, he had no time for such thoughts, for in the next instant, he lost all consciousness.

To his parents, it appeared that as soon as Ji Ningzhao held his hand in the water, Chen Yiming slumped sideways in his chair, as if he had fallen into a deep faint.