The Ascension to Godhood Begins with the Blacklight Virus

Chapter 18 Getting the Out of the Box

Cheng Song stood in the morning mist downstairs from his apartment building. The sharp pain in his left arm and the dizziness caused by blood loss felt like cold awls, constantly piercing his remaining consciousness.

He looked down at his left arm, hastily secured with cardboard and bandages and slinged to his chest, and felt the pervasive aches and fatigue throughout his body. The wound on his forehead stung painfully in the night wind.

Going to see a woman of unknown identity, questionable motives, and possibly who witnessed part of his fight in this state is not the way to seek death.

At 4:10 a.m., at Rongqizhai on Lingjie Street.

The shop door slid open silently as Cheng Song approached. Behind the counter, Rong Shou was holding her thick book that she could never finish reading. Her gaze swept over Cheng Song the moment he entered, and then fixed on his left arm, which was in a sling.

"Wow," she put down her book, her small nose wrinkling slightly, "This time it wasn't that non-combustible trash going out of control, it just burned itself up like firewood?"

"Do you have any good stuff? Something for treating bones, I need it quickly." Cheng Song didn't waste any words and walked to the counter, his voice hoarse from blood loss and exhaustion.

"Yes, I do," Rong Shou jumped down from the high armchair, went around to the back of the counter and rummaged through the broth. "The formula comes from the Black Jade Bone-Healing Ointment from the classic martial arts world, improved and upgraded by the master chef of Lingjie Baicaotang. After applying it, broken bones can heal in fifteen minutes, with additional pain relief and mild blood-replenishing effects. It's for external use, so it won't affect the sleep of that 'master' inside you. It's just..."

"How much?" Cheng Song interrupted.

"Ten thousand spirit crystals," Rong Shou announced the price, while taking out a palm-sized box.

Cheng Song didn't even blink before transferring the money; now was not the time to save money.

"Great." Rong Shou confirmed receipt of payment, pushed the jade box over, and took out two small porcelain bottles from underneath. "Blood-activating powder, to accelerate blood circulation, works even better when used with ointment. Qi-boosting pills, to restore energy and relieve fatigue. You seem to be in a hurry to take care of something, right? These two bottles are a bonus, no extra charge."

Cheng Song took the box and opened it on the spot. Inside was a translucent, pale green ointment with a cool medicinal scent. He used his uninjured right hand to scoop out a large piece and carefully applied it to the swollen and bruised wound on his left arm.

The ointment felt cool to the touch and quickly penetrated the skin. Immediately afterwards, a gentle but continuous warmth rose from the wound, accompanied by a slight tingling sensation. The intense pain subsided visibly, replaced by a reassuring feeling of being firmly supported and slowly repaired.

He then took a blood-activating powder and a qi-boosting pill. A warm current rose from his lower abdomen and quickly spread throughout his body, dispelling some of the chill and fatigue, and clearing his drowsy mind.

"Also," Cheng Song continued, feeling the effects of the medicine gradually dissipate, "I need detailed information about the initiation ritual that the Corrupt Cult has set up in Yi'an City: location, time, guarding forces, weaknesses of the ritual, and methods to break it. The more detailed, the better."

Upon hearing this, Rong Shou paused in her action of turning around and sitting back in her chair. She turned back, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, which then turned into amusement as if she were watching a good show.

"Oh..." she drawled, spreading her small hand, "You're a step too late, Officer Cheng."

Cheng Song frowned: "What do you mean?"

"The information about the Father's Descent Ceremony in Yi'an City—including what you just mentioned, as well as the sect's possible safe houses and supply depots in the area—was bought out about half an hour ago." Rong Shou blinked. "Exclusive buyout. It's the rule of intelligence dealers: once exclusive information is sold, the same or highly overlapping content will not be sold to any third party within 72 hours."

Cheng Song's heart sank: "Who bought it?"

"Client privacy, no comment." Rong Shou shook his head, but the playful smile on his lips deepened. "However... the buyer paid very quickly, without haggling. Hmm, he's quite clean and tidy, and smells of sandalwood, much better than you."

Sandalwood scent.

Cheng Song's pupils suddenly contracted.

It's that mysterious man in white!

So fast? I just got out of the hospital half an hour ago and was on my way home when they came to Ling Street and bought up the most crucial information.

This means the other party is not only incredibly powerful and swift in action, but also possesses abundant spirit crystal reserves and a clear objective. Is buying up the intelligence first out of a sense of justice, or is it to monopolize something?

"What else did he say?" Cheng Song pressed on, his voice unconsciously lowering.

"Didn't say anything, paid, took the goods, and left." Rong Shou shrugged. "Considering we've known each other for so long, I can give you a free piece of related information—"

She leaned closer, her voice low and tinged with mystery: "That place has been run by a corrupt sect for a long time; it's no exaggeration to call it a den of dragons and tigers. In your current state, even if your bones were set, you'd just be cannon fodder if you went in."

Cheng Song fell silent, his expression shifting from solemnity to struggle, finally settling into a resigned sigh.

"...That makes sense." He rubbed his temples, his tone carrying a sense of weariness and relief. "The intelligence is gone, my condition is poor, and there's an unknown colleague lurking inside... I can't get involved in this mess for now."

"Oh?" Rong Shou raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that he gave up so readily. "You chickened out so easily? That's not like Officer Cheng at all."

"This isn't cowardice, it's caution," Cheng Song corrected seriously. "Even working people have to abide by basic principles. Taking paid breaks is a blessing, and sticking to your post even with minor injuries is just plain stupid. Why would I take on a job that others are already scrambling to do while I'm sick? I'm not sick, for crying out loud."

He paused, then casually changed the subject, tapping his finger lightly on the counter: "By the way, Mr. Rong, could I ask you about something else?"

Rong Shou's golden eyes narrowed instantly, as if he had caught something interesting: "Inquiring about other things? Under the dual pressure of being on the Corrupt Cult's kill list and working with that rich guy, does Officer Cheng still have the mind to care about other things?"

"An ordinary person, or at least she appears to be." Cheng Song's tone was flat, as if he were talking about the weather. "Li Wan, a teacher at Yi'an City Experimental Primary School. Twenty-six years old, female. I have some small business dealings that might involve her, so I want to get to the bottom of things to avoid any potential problems." He deliberately spoke vaguely, presenting his investigation motive as avoiding trouble rather than actively pursuing an investigation.

"An elementary school teacher from Yi'an City?" Rong Shou tilted her head, her fingertips touching her chin as if deep in thought. A few seconds later, she gave a subtle "I see" look, a look that seemed to say, "I knew it." "Oh~ you mean her."

"You have it?" Cheng Song's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face.

"As for the goods... there's a little, but not much, and it's very 'superficial'," Rong Shou said slowly, rubbing two fingers together, his meaning quite clear.

Cheng Song didn't waste any words and directly transferred 500 spirit crystals. This is the going rate for inquiring about ordinary background information.

Rong Shou withdrew his hand with satisfaction and spoke directly: "Li Wan, female, 26 years old, registered in this city, only child. Her parents were researchers at the Municipal Institute of Biology. They died five years ago in a laboratory 'accident'—the official conclusion was that a flammable gas leak caused a deflagration. It caused quite a stir at the time, but the case was quickly closed."

"An accident?" Cheng Song caught the subtle nuance in this word.

“Yes, it was an accident.” Rong Shou nodded. “That’s what the case file says, and the compensation has been paid. But what’s interesting is…” She paused deliberately, as if organizing her thoughts, “About three months after the accident, this teacher, Li Wan, began to systematically investigate all unnatural deaths and disappearances in the city in her spare time, especially those… where the deaths were rather bizarre, or where there were unexplained traces at the scene. She was very clever and cautious, using only legal and public channels and civilian technology, leaving no evidence. Outside the circle, she was just an ordinary elementary school teacher who was somewhat obsessed with old cases. But in the eyes of certain people with ulterior motives, like me, an information broker…”

Rong Shou didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already clear. Li Wan's "hobby" had already put her on the watch list of certain individuals.

Rong Shou suddenly changed the subject, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He looked Cheng Song up and down. "Officer Cheng, why are you asking so many questions? You even asked how the girl's parents died... What, you've been single for so long, and now you're finally interested in living people? Or has your street cleaning business expanded to include emotional counseling and humanistic care?"

Cheng Song remained unfazed, even rolling his eyes: "Boss Rong, you've expanded your business scope quite a bit, now you're even running a matchmaking agency? How about I make you a banner that reads, 'The Number One Matchmaker on Ling Street, Professionally Connecting Couples'?"

"No need, no need," Rong Shou waved her hand and said with a grin, "I'm just curious. After all, Officer Cheng usually only asks about which house has rats causing trouble or which sewer is clogged. It's rare for him to care about the personal situation of a living, pretty woman like me. It's not like the sun has risen in the west."

"It's for work purposes, just to avoid friendly fire." Cheng Song said calmly, steer the conversation back on track, "Let's get down to business. Is there anything else about her worth noting?"

"However," Rong Shou stopped teasing, reverting to his previous professional tone with a hint of amusement, "she's not just a bit persistent. This Ms. Li, ostensibly an elementary school teacher, is actually a genuine academic genius—a PhD in forensic anthropology, with a master's degree in clinical medicine. She specializes in trauma analysis and abnormal pathology, and also has considerable expertise in criminal psychology. Theoretically, someone with her talent would be more than qualified to be an expert consultant at the Municipal Public Security Bureau."

Cheng Song raised an eyebrow: "She didn't go?"

"She went, but was politely turned down." Rong Shou's tone was slightly playful. "It's said that she was too obsessed with certain 'atypical injuries' and unexplained abnormal cases. Some of her hypotheses were considered too far-fetched by the veteran experts within the system, even a bit... well, impractical. Plus, with her parents' situation, the higher-ups felt that her personal feelings might influence her professional judgment, so..." She spread her hands. "But I don't think she really wanted to go in. With so many rules and regulations, it's much more convenient to be a free and legendary investigator. You can investigate whatever you want. Although resources are limited, it's flexible, and nobody cares about her cutting-edge theories."

"What exactly do you mean by those cutting-edge theories of hers?" Cheng Song pressed.

"This isn't something you can buy with 500 spirit crystals." Rong Shou shook his head with a smile. "I can only say that she seems to be trying to use her theories to summarize and explain some phenomena that are hard to explain with common sense. Moreover, she seems to have an unusually keen intuition about certain phenomena or residual energy. Several times, she almost stumbled into real trouble, but in the end, she avoided it by chance, or... the trouble disappeared on its own." As she said this, she gave Cheng Song a meaningful look.

Cheng Song understood what she meant. Li Wan was able to conduct her investigation safely for so long not only because of her own caution, but also because some of the events she was investigating had been dealt with in advance by him or someone like the mysterious colleague.

Boss Rong added, "Her keen intuition sometimes can't be explained solely by good luck or strong professional knowledge. Some people are naturally more sensitive to dirty things, even if they can't explain why. Logically, such people should be very suitable to become players, but unfortunately, the selection of players in the Spirit Realm is too random. The casualty rate of new players has been a bit too high in the last two months, and the blacksmith shop next door has a few bad debts."

"So," Rong Shou concluded, his tone tinged with amusement, "Officer Cheng, if you really have any feelings for her beyond work, you'd better think it through. This girl is beautiful and smart, but she's got a lot of loose ends and deep-seated obsessions. Getting close to her is like getting close to a nuclear-powered miniature trouble magnet. Your job as a cleaner is already exciting enough; do you want to add some spice to your leisure time?"

Cheng Song automatically filtered out her final teasing remarks, quickly processing the information in his mind. Li Wan's background was more professional and persistent than he had imagined. She wasn't just a simple paranormal enthusiast, but a legendary investigator with top-notch professional knowledge and a clear methodology. Her innate intuition for dirty things was probably a kind of innate "spiritual vision." And her parents' accident, her professional background, her investigative behavior, and her perhaps innate keen intuition—all of these things, strung together, formed a complete and reasonable motive and character profile.

"Understood, thank you, Boss Rong." Cheng Song had obtained the information he wanted—Li Wan's background was basically clear, her motives were well-defined, her behavior pattern matched her positioning, and no direct connection between her and the corrupt cult or other abnormal forces had been found for the time being. This gave him some confidence for their upcoming contact.

He paused, looked at Rong Shou, and his face showed that usual lazy and teasing expression: "But Boss Rong, next time you have any intelligence, especially the kind that makes you rich quietly, remember to give me a heads-up first. Next time I'll try to be the big spender who buys out all the information, so that others can also taste what it's like to have all the intelligence sold out."

"You?" Rong Shou pursed her lips, but her small hands deftly packed up the items he had bought. "Our shop is a small business, we do not offer credit, and we do not accept bounced checks."

"Even a poor man's spirit crystals are still spirit crystals." Cheng Song took the package, feeling the continuous and steady healing numbness and itching sensation coming from the wound on his left arm. His condition had improved somewhat, and his usual playful spirit had returned a bit. "Let's go, go back and lie down to recover. Let the fighting and killing be done by those who are destined... oh no, those who are rich."

He waved his uninjured right hand, turned and walked out of the store, his steps looking lighter than when he came, as if he had really put down some heavy burden.

Abandoning the current task is a helpless decision made after assessing the situation, but the affairs of the corrupt sect and the benevolent father will never end here.

Watching Cheng Song's figure disappear at the shop entrance, Rong Shou jumped back into her armchair, picked up the heavy book, and a knowing smile appeared on her lips.

"Give up? Lie down?" she muttered under her breath, a glint of amusement flashing in her golden eyes. "I don't believe you. You're probably going back to plot something wicked..."

She wiggled her little feet, then looked back at the pages of the book.

"But it's good this way, people always need to find some fun for themselves."