Chapter 20 Clues

Before long, Shen Lian and the other two returned to the Zhang family mansion.

The Zhang family mansion was brightly lit at this moment. After what had just happened, the Zhang family mansion had been placed under martial law.

"Halt! Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Outside the mansion, a man who appeared to be a steward looked at Shen Lian and the other two and questioned them.

Shen Lian revealed his Demon Suppression Division badge and said in a deep voice, "The Demon Suppression Division is investigating a case. Someone just broke into your residence with malicious intent, but we scared them away. Please inform Madam Zhang that we need to question the young lady of your household about some matters and examine the evidence at the scene."

Upon recognizing the waist token in Shen Lian's hand, the steward immediately bowed and said, "So you are the officials of the Demon Suppression Division. Please follow me, gentlemen."

Shen Lian and the other two followed the steward into the Zhang residence.

Mrs. Zhang waited in the hall, sitting in the main seat. She was about thirty years old, and there was no trace of age on her face.

A young girl was huddled to one side; she was Miss Zhang.

Miss Zhang's face was deathly pale; she had clearly been quite frightened.

Shen Lian clasped his hands and said, "Madam Zhang, we are demon-suppressing envoys from the Demon-Suppressing Division. We have come to investigate what just happened. Please do us a favor."

"Has the thief been caught?" Madam Zhang asked.

Shen Lian shook his head and said, "The thief just now sneaked into your residence with the intention of harming your daughter, but we scared him away. It's a pity we couldn't catch him."

Madam Zhang frowned and said, "If you haven't caught anyone, what are you doing here?"

Shen Lian remained calm and bowed to Madam Zhang, saying, "Madam, please calm down. We are here for two reasons: first, to confirm the safety of your daughter; and second, to inquire about some details from her in order to identify the thief's characteristics and pave the way for his capture."

Madam Zhang's expression softened slightly as she looked at the young girl beside her: "Yu'er, don't be afraid. These are officials from the Demon Suppression Division. Tell them what you just saw and heard."

Miss Zhang's name is Zhang Yu. She is sixteen years old and a true beauty.

She recalled, "I...I had already gone to bed when I suddenly heard a soft rustling at the window. I thought it was just the wind. But then a dark figure leaped in and pounced on the bed. I screamed, and he covered my mouth and nose, trying to do something indecent to me."

Shen Lian pressed further, "Did you notice anything special about him?"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "He has a faint scent of perfume, like... a woman's rouge."

Chen Yun took notes of key information.

Li Hu couldn't help but interject, "This guy, picking flowers and still smelling of perfume? Does he frequent brothels and cosmetic shops?"

Shen Lian nodded slightly; Li Hu's guess made a lot of sense.

A man who smells of perfume or cosmetics either has a habit of using perfume or is exposed to such environments for a long time.

Given his exceptional agility and keen familiarity with the layout of streets and alleys, it is highly likely that he lived in Qinghe County for a considerable period of time and had some kind of public identity as a cover.

"Madam, for safety's sake, please increase security at the manor these next few days," Shen Lian reminded Madam Zhang. "We will report the situation to the Demon Suppression Division and increase nighttime patrols. Please also keep an eye out, and contact us immediately if you discover anything."

"Thank you for your trouble, gentlemen." Madam Zhang nodded, her expression softening considerably. "Yu'er has been frightened and needs to rest, so I won't see you off."

"We'll take our leave!" Shen Lian said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

After saying that, Shen Lian and the other two left the Zhang family mansion.

Night had fallen, and the streets were deserted.

Li Hu said with some frustration, "We were so close. If that guy hadn't thrown the smoke bomb so suddenly, the three of us could have surrounded him and taken him down."

Chen Yun sighed softly, "We underestimated that thief. Not only was his agility superb, but he also made thorough preparations. The smoke bomb was a precaution. This person is meticulous in his actions and is definitely not an ordinary lecherous thief who acted on impulse."

Shen Lian said, "Return to the Demon Suppression Division and immediately compile the clues and report. This person's strength surpasses ours; it will be difficult for us few newly appointed Demon Suppression Envoys to capture him."

The three returned to the Demon Suppression Division at 3:45 AM.

Signing deposit room.

The room was brightly lit. Zhao Shan and Chen Biao sat facing each other, with a city defense map and several files spread out on the table. The two men had furrowed brows, preoccupied with the recent case.

"Commander-in-Chief!"

"Chen Xiaoqi!"

Shen Lian stepped into the signing room and bowed with clasped hands.

"Did you get anything from tonight's stakeout?" Zhao Shan asked.

Shen Lian gave a detailed report on what had happened that night, including how the thief smelled of cosmetics and how he used a smoke bomb to escape.

Chen Biao frowned and said, "He's got a feminine air, superb lightness skills, knows the streets and alleys well, and even knows how to use smoke bombs. It seems this person is a repeat offender, and may even have a background in the underworld."

Zhao Shan tapped his fingers on the table and pondered, "It seems this person is no ordinary petty thief. No wonder the county government's two previous ambushes failed. Shen Lian, you were lucky to escape unscathed. This case will now be handed over to Chen Biao."

Shen Lian was immediately taken aback: "Commander, this..."

Zhao Shan waved his hand to interrupt: "You performed well last night, but this person's level of danger has far exceeded expectations, and he is not someone you can handle."

Chen Biao, you need to assign a team of experienced officers to investigate places like cosmetic shops, embroidery workshops, and music halls, especially the men who frequently interact with female customers, based on the clue about the smell of cosmetics.

In addition, investigate whether there have been any similar cases in the past six months, or whether any thieves skilled in martial arts or using smoke have entered the county.

Chen Biao solemnly replied, "I will arrange it immediately."

Zhao Shan then looked at Shen Lian: "Starting tomorrow, you will participate in night patrols and cooperate with the veterans. The mastermind behind the missing persons case has not yet been apprehended, so we cannot let our guard down."

Shen Lian knew this was the safest arrangement, so he clasped his hands and said, "Your subordinate obeys."

After leaving the signing room, Shen Lian returned to his office.

Li Hu, still awake, leaned over and asked, "Brother Lian, what did Commander Zhao say?"

Shen Lian told Li Hu about General Zhao's arrangements. Li Hu felt a little regretful, but he also understood the implications.

"That flower thief is indeed formidable. If he really fights with his life on the line, we're likely to suffer," Li Hu said, taking a deep breath.

Shen Lian leaned against the bed, his hands behind his head.

He pondered the matter repeatedly in his mind. The thief was stronger than him in combat and acted with meticulousness and shrewdness. He was definitely not an ordinary person.

It was indeed the safest choice for Commander Zhao to hand the case over to Chen Biao, who was more experienced, but he was still somewhat unwilling.

This was his first mission after becoming a demon suppressor.

But it ended up like this.

"Strength... I'm still not strong enough!" Shen Lian thought to himself. He had broken through to the second level of the Body Tempering Realm some time ago, but he was still no match for that thief.

Qinghe County alone is full of hidden talents, including many unseen masters and even monsters that devour people without spitting out their bones.

To gain a foothold, one must have sufficient strength.

Over the next few days, Chen Biao led his men to secretly investigate several large cosmetic shops, embroidery shops, and some music halls in Qinghe County, but did not find any particularly suspicious individuals.

Since his last failure, the flower thief has gone into complete hiding.

Meanwhile, the missing persons case in Qinghe County has also stalled, with no new victims appearing since the last murder of a rice shop employee.

Suddenly, everything became a complete mess.

This also made everyone in the Demon Suppression Division more vigilant.

Especially at times like these, we must not let our guard down.