Divine Level Witch Doctor

”This is a private residence. No trespassing.” Although the security guard at the Wood Garden Villa Area was polite, his gaze was full of scrutiny as he looked at Lu Qing and Zhao Yuan.

”I’m a police officer, here to investigate a case.” Lu Qing took out her badge and handed it to the guard.

After carefully inspecting the badge, the guard finally let them pass and asked, ”Officer Lu, is there anything we can do to help?”

Lu Qing said, ”Not right now. If we do, I’ll contact property management.”

She started the car and drove into the Wood Garden Villa Area.

The Wood Garden Villa Area covered a large expanse of land, and the environment within was superb. Not only was it shaded by lush trees, but it also boasted a beautiful man-made lake and rockery gardens. At first glance, it looked as pretty as a park.

Of course, the beautiful environment also meant the real estate prices were sky-high. Anyone who could afford a home here was either rich or powerful.

And those who could buy a home on the island in the man-made lake were the richest of the rich, the most elite of the elite! It was the location with the best feng shui and scenery in the entire villa area. Moreover, there were only thirty-six villas, a number that secretly corresponded to the Heavenly Spirits.

The villas on the island were not just frighteningly expensive; they also had strict requirements regarding the buyer’s status. The average nouveau riche wasn’t qualified to buy a home there.

Villa 31, their destination, was on that very island. Although a road led directly from the mainland part of the complex to the island, Zhao Yuan and Lu Qing were stopped and questioned by security again as they tried to cross. Only after their identities were confirmed were they allowed to pass.

It was easy to see that within the Wood Garden Villa Area, the residents of the island held a much higher status than everyone else.

The car stopped a few dozen meters from Villa 31.

After getting out of the car, Zhao Yuan surveyed his surroundings.

It was a three-story, European-style villa with a pointed roof, looking like a miniature castle. A large lawn and garden surrounded the house. Despite the cold of winter, the plants and trees here showed no signs of withering, remaining lush and green—a stark contrast to the bleak, decaying scenery elsewhere.

Lu Qing got out of the car, drew her pistol, and gave it a quick check before reholstering it. Her expression was grave and serious as she whispered, ”Are you sure this is the place?”

”Positive,” Zhao Yuan replied with a nod.

He had already used the Qi Observation Technique to survey the situation inside and outside the villa.

The villa appeared quiet. Other than the fact that its plants grew more robustly than elsewhere, it didn’t seem any different. But under Zhao Yuan’s Qi Observation Technique, its flaws were exposed.

Plumes of black Yin Qi churned amidst the flourishing plants.

Clearly, there was something very wrong with these beautiful plants.

Furthermore, the Yin Qi inside the villa was even stronger than elsewhere. All of this, combined with the result from his Tracking Technique, convinced Zhao Yuan that Ying Ji was definitely inside this house.

”How do we get in?” Lu Qing mused aloud. ”What if I pretend to be from property management and get them to open the door?”

After some consideration, Zhao Yuan shook his head. ”I’m afraid that’ll be difficult. You don’t have a work ID for property management. Even if we got an actual employee to help, we’d have a hard time tricking our way in. We might even tip them off.”

”Then should we just sneak in?” Lu Qing narrowed her eyes, sizing up the fence surrounding the villa. ”The fence isn’t that high, and there’s no barbed wire or anything. It should be easy enough to climb. We just need to avoid the cameras.”

”Don’t be reckless!” Zhao Yuan snapped.

He knew the fence was just a trick to make people drop their guard. The Yin Qi hidden among the plants—that was Ying Ji’s true defense! Though he hadn’t seen the specifics, Zhao Yuan could guess that the Yin Qi didn’t come from ordinary plants. It came from Gu Insects.

The lawns and gardens surrounding the villa hid countless Gu Insects. Anyone who entered rashly would be instantly detected by them, and Ying Ji would be alerted. If she ordered them to attack, the Gu Insects would swarm the intruders like a tide, devouring them until not even a speck of bone remained.

”What’s wrong?” Lu Qing asked, looking at Zhao Yuan in confusion. ”You can’t get over that fence? That can’t be right. I’ve seen the video of you fighting the Zhao Family’s Martial Artists. You showed the strength of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. A fence like this should be no obstacle for you.”

Zhao Yuan explained, ”The fence is simple. The problem is the plants behind it.”

”What problem?” Lu Qing asked. Her expression changed as she quickly put two and two together. ”Are you saying you suspect there are Gu Insects hidden in the plants?”

Zhao Yuan nodded.

”Then what do we do?” Lu Qing grew anxious. She had learned firsthand how formidable Gu Insects were three years ago.

”Don’t panic. Let me see what we’re dealing with,” Zhao Yuan said, narrowing his eyes as he studied them.

Lu Qing turned and retrieved a pair of binoculars from the car. ”Here. See if this helps.”

With the binoculars, combined with his eagle-sharp vision, Zhao Yuan soon spotted one Gu Insect after another among the plants.

Information about the insects promptly appeared on the Information Leaf:

Hundred Insects Gu: Cultivated from a hundred types of insects using a Secret Technique. Individually, these Gu Insects are not strong, but their strength lies in their vast numbers, making them exceptionally effective for both reconnaissance and combat. The Hundred Insects Gu has a fondness for Ligusticum striatum; consuming a certain amount will cause it to enter a state of dormancy. It is vulnerable to water boiled with Willow Leaves—contact results in immediate death!

’Water boiled with Willow Leaves?’ Zhao Yuan frowned slightly.

’Where would I find Willow Leaves at this time of year? Even if I found some, there’s nowhere to boil them. Besides, it’s almost certain these Hundred Insects Gu have a special connection to Ying Ji. The moment one dies, she’ll sense it immediately.’

’In comparison, using Ligusticum striatum to put the Hundred Insects Gu to sleep is undoubtedly the better choice.’

At this thought, Zhao Yuan said, ”Officer Lu, you keep an eye on things here. I’m going to get something to deal with these Gu Insects.”

”Okay,” Lu Qing agreed with a nod.

Zhao Yuan turned and ran. Once out of Lu Qing’s line of sight, he immediately opened his Storage Ring Space and took out a bag of powdered Ligusticum striatum. After waiting a few minutes, he returned to her side.

”That was fast?” Lu Qing was taken aback.

”Mhm, got lucky. There’s a place that sells herbs in this neighborhood,” Zhao Yuan lied.

Lu Qing leaned in for a look and frowned. ”Is this Ligusticum striatum Powder?”

As a Martial Artist, she was also familiar with various herbs, so it wasn’t surprising that she recognized Ligusticum striatum.

”And this stuff can be used against Gu Insects?” Lu Qing asked doubtfully.

”Just watch,” Zhao Yuan said without explaining. He grabbed a handful of the Ligusticum striatum Powder and tossed it over the fence.

The once-quiet villa was instantly thrown into turmoil!