I immediately stood up, looking at Basil Bertram. Redmond glanced over as well.
"Hey, Basil Bertram, don't you trust my men?"
Basil Bertram shook his head.
"No, Redmond, it's not that I don't trust your men. Ethan, you should go check it out yourself. Weren't you looking for a friend's son? There's news now."
I let out a surprised sound, staring at Basil Bertram. He must be referring to Roger's son, Luo Yang. I really did mobilize a lot of people to help search, but so far, there hasn't been any sign of him.
"What does this have to do with Leah King?"
I immediately leaned in and asked. Luo Yang isn't dead—because of the Soul Summoning Ritual, we couldn't call his soul. I already confirmed this with Ma Xiaoyu and Li Guohao.
A surge of joy rose in my heart, but I still didn't understand what Leah King had to do with any of this. Redmond smiled.
"Ethan, when I heard you were looking for this person, I had my men do some digging. Leah King met Luo Yang once at the Metropolitan Hotel, along with a man in a suit."
I let out another surprised sound, completely unable to understand how Leah King could possibly know Luo Yang.
You should ask her yourself, Ethan. I think it's best if you go in person. After all, Redmond's men may be protecting Leah King, but they're unlikely to say much to her, and they're all ghosts, while you're human.
Basil Bertram said, and I immediately nodded. I still remembered clearly where Leah King's home was, and planned to head over right away.
But at that moment, Redmond looked a bit dazed, staring at the ceiling as if lost in thought.
Be careful, Ethan. This matter might not be ordinary. If Leah King really met the person you're looking for, then... heh...
Redmond trailed off. I was about to ask, but realized he wasn't going to continue. Then Noah Grimm seemed to have guessed something.
Entertainment industry folks, Ethan. The person you're looking for is probably with someone from the entertainment circle. That's the only possibility.
I nodded immediately, then prepared to leave and head to Leah King's house. After downing three glasses of wine, I hurried out—this was my only lead.
Basil Bertram told me that it was by accident—Leah King remembered after seeing a missing person notice posted on the wall. She called 110, but the matter wasn't reported to the Ghost Burial Squad. Basil Bertram only discovered this clue when his men were checking around.
I returned once again to the Sea of Trees, looked around, quickly ignited a flame, spread my wings, and took flight.
Leah King lives in the Garden Heights complex in the city center. I sped up, my mind full of thoughts about Roger's son. It's been a long time, but there's still no news. When he ran away from home, he was determined to find the person who killed his father.
I couldn't figure this out. In the photos taken by Cao Wanzhi, most of the people looked prosperous. I've seen many of these photos, and the people in them all seem wealthy or powerful.
But Roger had nothing. Although he truly died because his life span ran out, those purple talismans posted at his home—I asked about them before, but no one knew what kind of ritual they were. Maybe Master Zachary Wu or Zhang Jizheng might know. I planned to go over and ask Leah King where she saw Luo Yang, then go to Roger's house and have Zhang Jizheng check it out.
Something felt off to me. I had seen Cao Wanzhi's darkroom, and those photos still looked young—really good-looking pictures. He absorbed so much life span, but it didn't seem to serve any real purpose.
The only destination for all that life span was a big problem. That's what immediately came to mind. I've heard of the Borrowing Life Method, but who exactly is the one borrowing these people's lives?
The talismans were purple. Master Zachary Wu's junior, Zhang Anle, used silver talismans. Cao Wanzhi never mentioned any of this. My mind was a mess, trying to make sense of everything.
Suddenly, I remembered—Cao Wanzhi had told me to ask Hugh Thompson. The more I thought about it, the less I understood. But Luo Yang's whereabouts were still the priority.
I arrived at Garden Heights in the city center, landed on the rooftop, then went down to the 19th floor. I found Leah King's home and rang the doorbell.
Soon, the door opened—it was Leah King's manager. When he saw me, his face lit up and he quickly pulled me inside.
Wow, what a rare guest, Officer Zhang! Come in, let me get you some water. Lele, Officer Zhang is here.
I looked around—the room was very tidy. The ashtray that used to be there was gone. Soon, Leah King came out of another room in sportswear, panting slightly. Her complexion was rosy and she looked well, her spirits high lately.
At that moment, I sensed a faint trace of yin energy coming from both sides of the building, though it was only a little.
Who lives in the two rooms next door?
I asked, and the manager replied casually.
There's a fat guy and a short fellow. The two of them started arguing as soon as they arrived—really annoying.
I remembered—they must be Redmond's men. The fat one, of course, was Rotface, nicknamed The Dragon.
By the way, Officer Zhang, you seemed pretty familiar with Redmond the other day. Are you two...?
I made a sound, watching the manager rub his hands and smile awkwardly. I replied casually.
He's my friend.
As soon as I said that, the two of them looked surprised. Leah King smiled and gestured for me to sit down, so I did.
Officer Zhang, that's great! Could I ask you for a favor?
The manager spoke, and I responded with an 'oh.'
Here's the thing—Leah King signed with Redmane Entertainment, but she's basically been shelved. The higher-ups only call her in once a month for auditions or to review acting, singing, or dancing, but there are no actual gigs. Could you ask Redmond for a favor, maybe we could have dinner together sometime?
The manager spoke, and I realized that's what they wanted. Leah King looked at me expectantly.
I really want to compete for the lead role in the upcoming drama, Officer Zhang. Please, help me at least get a chance to audition. I've stopped taking medication and have been working out—I'm ready.
I agreed right away. The manager was immediately grateful, thanking me profusely. Then I quickly brought up Luo Yang's situation.
Leah King thought for a long time before she remembered.
Oh, that's right, Officer Zhang. One night, when my manager and I were out at different venues, I got drunk and saw a missing person notice in an alley. It said there was a million yuan reward for finding the person.
I was so shocked my jaw almost dropped. The person they're looking for is the one I'm after. Even if I found them, I couldn't pay a million—I'd struggle to pay ten thousand. Seeing my stunned expression, the manager leaned in.
Officer Zhang, you don't know—Leah King hasn't worked in a long time. She has to perform at nightclubs just to get by. Lately, people have been saying her songs are plagiarized or lip-synced, but no one knows where that rumor started. Now...
I looked around the room. It used to be filled with luxury items, but now it was empty. Leah King wore sportswear you could find anywhere, some parts even coming undone.
The rent here must be expensive—a huge 150-square-meter space. Clearly, they're struggling. With no jobs, they can't keep living like this.
By the way, Officer Zhang, it's almost afternoon—why not have lunch here? Haha, there isn't much food at home, but I'll go buy some later.
I quickly shook my head, telling them I was only here to investigate Luo Yang.
But in the end, I couldn't refuse the manager and had to stay for lunch. Leah King said if I didn't stay, she wouldn't tell me about seeing Luo Yang.
Leah King said she was going to take a shower and told me to have tea in the living room. While drinking tea, I took out my phone, but was shocked to see that the Bing app was gone.
I checked the uninstall records, but it wasn't there either—as if it never existed. Searching online, I found nothing but another search app.
Then I tried calling everyone from the Ghost Burial Squad whose numbers I had—all unreachable. Rachel Lan's number didn't work either. I started to worry, wanting to hurry back, but remembered that Lan Yin was with them. He's the strongest in the Underworld, so even if the Immortality Society showed up, they wouldn't stand a chance.
A long time passed, but Leah King still hadn't come out. I left the room and went to the right, ringing the doorbell. After a while, the door opened—it was The Dragon, holding a hamburger and chewing, looking at me blankly.
Zhang Qingyuan, what are you doing here?
I blinked.
What's wrong? You look so down.
Sigh, I don't know why, but with nothing to do, I just feel terrible. I used to treat each day like it had 26 hours. Now, all I do is watch TV—I'm so bored.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Didn't you say working at the company was exhausting and you wanted a break? Isn't this perfect?
But The Dragon just sighed and pulled me inside with one hand.