Chapter Twenty-Six: Ding Jiashi

Returning to the detective agency, Li Changqing went straight to his own bedroom, placing the iron bead Hu Xiong had given him and a pistol on the table.

The iron bead appeared plain and unremarkable, but the pistol was far superior to the revolver he had bought for himself—it was heavier, sleekly black, and the bag held more than twenty bullets. He picked up the pistol and, somewhat clumsily, loaded bullets into the chamber, then flipped the safety on and off, removed the magazine, reloaded it, and assembled it again. He repeated these actions several times, gradually becoming less unfamiliar with the process. When he finally felt somewhat proficient, he took out all the bullets and carefully placed them in his wardrobe.

Firearms were straightforward enough, but what about the iron bead?

Would the spiritual energy he had cultivated be effective on it?

Li Changqing closed his eyes, feeling the iron bead in his hand as he tried to channel his inner spiritual energy slowly into it. He sat there, holding the bead, a minute passed, but he was unsuccessful.

“Was I able to infuse spiritual energy into talismans before because of the brush acting as a medium? Or is there another reason?” Li Changqing frowned. Though he could gather his spiritual energy to his palm, he couldn’t manage to have it overflow from his body and transfer it onto the iron bead. The process was not as easy as he had imagined.

Should he try using the brush?

Just as he was about to attempt it, suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Li Changqing’s heart stirred slightly. He glanced at the wardrobe and swiftly loaded bullets into the pistol Hu Xiong had given him, though he left the safety on. He tucked the pistol into the inner pocket of his jacket before leaving the bedroom.

The door to the living room was already open.

Two men with somber expressions stood outside, while Guan Wenyan, who had opened the door, was smiling at them.

“Hunters in the darkness,” the two men said in low voices.

Li Changqing understood at once. He stepped forward and took out Hu Qideng’s token, the black badge, and showed it to them. “The shadow walks with you.”

The two men exchanged glances and knelt respectfully, saying, “Ding Jiashi, Ke Linzhi, greetings to Protector Hu.”

Both men were not young, seemingly in their forties or fifties, dressed in identical black coats. Ding Jiashi had phoenix eyes, a flat nose, and teeth stained black, likely from years of smoking. Ke Linzhi’s skin was dark and his build was slightly plump, his face carrying a faint smile; both men were slightly hunched as their only distinguishing feature.

Li Changqing maintained a composed demeanor and said evenly, “You’ve arrived? Come in and sit.” With that, he turned and entered the living room, sitting casually, while the two followed and surveyed their surroundings.

“Are we sure we’ve found the right person?” Ke Linzhi whispered to Ding Jiashi. “Protector Hu was never so young.” Though spoken softly, Lin Fan heard it clearly—Ke Linzhi was obviously letting him hear it, seeking a reasonable explanation.

“Wenyan, pour some tea,” Li Changqing said, sitting carelessly on the sofa and fixing his gaze on the two. “I was nearing the end of my lifespan, suffering from cancer, and used the life-borrowing method to extend my years. My appearance has returned to what it was in my youth.”

He didn’t know if the life-borrowing method could truly restore youth, but for now, it was the only explanation he could offer.

These two were not as simple-minded as Guan Wenyan. Since entering, they had been scrutinizing Li Changqing relentlessly.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Tang Xiaoyu had transformed into the shadow of Hu Qideng, quietly lying on Li Changqing’s back.

The doubts in the two men’s eyes were instantly dispelled.

Yet Li Changqing covertly glanced at Guan Wenyan, who had seen Tang Xiaoyu’s previous form and might raise questions. Fortunately, Guan Wenyan remained where he was, watching silently and saying nothing.

“I’ve long heard of Protector Hu’s formidable holy arts. Seeing it today, your reputation is well deserved,” Ke Linzhi offered a compliment.

Guan Wenyan added, “And that’s not all—Protector Hu’s power now allows his shadow to possess independent thought and transform into other forms.”

Ding Jiashi and Ke Linzhi were visibly shaken, exchanging glances filled with surprise.

They looked at Li Changqing, evidently hoping to witness something extraordinary.

Li Changqing coughed, and the shadow creature on his back gradually morphed into a beautiful young girl.

Ding Jiashi and Ke Linzhi gasped audibly—this was the art of shadow transformation. Such a feat could only be accomplished by those who had mastered the shadow demon arts to a high degree.

This Elder Hu Qideng before them was likely even more powerful than they had imagined.

Joy appeared in the eyes of both men as they exchanged glances!

The cult leader of the Shadow Demon Sect had died three years ago from severe injuries, leaving the sect without a head for three years. Many protectors coveted the leader’s position, but only three were truly capable: Hu Qideng and two others.

After deliberation, Hu Qideng and the other two protectors decided to select a new leader from among themselves soon, with the venue set in Nanlin City. News of this decision led many sect members to pledge allegiance to the protector they favored.

This group that came to pledge loyalty to Hu Qideng hoped he would stand out and become the leader, promising them greater rewards.

Ding Jiashi knelt respectfully and said, “Protector, you have cultivated your shadow to its ultimate state. The other two protectors are in no way qualified to compete with you!”

Ke Linzhi chimed in, flattering, “Protector Hu, we represent our brothers and are willing to follow you!”

Li Changqing sat on the sofa, his face stern, feigning slight displeasure. “Is it only the two of you who have come to pledge yourselves?”

Ding Jiashi answered respectfully, “Over eighty sect members have come to pledge themselves, but they are currently hiding throughout Nanlin City. You know, this is the territory of Bureau Thirty-Six, and the brothers fear trouble.”

Seeing that the two men no longer doubted his identity, Li Changqing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Tang Xiaoyu had certainly played a key role—it was her shadow transformation that had put their worries completely to rest.

“Protector Hu, your shadow has reached the ultimate state. In my opinion, the other two, surnamed Qi and Gou, are no match for you. When the time comes for the election, you’ll surely subdue them completely!” Ding Jiashi had absolute faith in Li Changqing’s shadow.

When the old cult leader was alive, his shadow always outmatched those of the other protectors.

What’s there to compare or to vote on? Hu Protector should simply become the leader.

The corner of Li Changqing’s mouth twitched. He said in a deep voice, “Ding Jiashi, we are all brothers within the sect. Resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement sets a bad example for unity—it’s inappropriate!”

Letting Tang Xiaoyu, that timid soul, fight against the shadows of those two would-be leaders? That’s madness.

If all else fails, he could only resort to some shameless tactics…