Chapter 100: Zombie Cosplay
Chen Dong received the message while on his way back to the Li Manor with Li Huiran.
Chen Dong froze for a moment. 'What does this mean?'
He'd thought his feud with the Huang Family was over and that he wouldn't hear from the mysterious Mr. Huang again. But not only had a message arrived, it was also warning him that the Star-Picking Sect was coming to cause trouble for him.
Chen Dong considered it for a moment. His only conflict with the Star-Picking Sect involved the Huang Family. Now that the Huang Family had conceded, the Star-Picking Sect should have no reason to come after him.
'If that's the case, there are only two possibilities. One, the Huang Family refuses to accept their defeat and has asked the Star-Picking Sect for help. But that's unlikely. The mysterious informant probably wouldn't have warned me before the Star-Picking Sect's expert arrived.'
'That leaves the second possibility: something happened to the Huang Family. Perhaps even the Star-Picking Sect's expert, Luo Tengfei, met with disaster as well.'
Chen Dong immediately called Wang Hao and told him to confirm it.
Less than five minutes later, Wang Hao reported back: a massive fire had broken out at the Huang Family Villa. It was still raging, and the situation inside was unknown.
Chen Dong immediately decided to go to the scene and see for himself. A conflict with the Star-Picking Sect was no small matter; it was best to avoid it if at all possible.
So, Chen Dong told Li Huiran to head back to the Li Family Manor first while he went to the Huang Family Villa.
Li Huiran refused. She insisted on going with him. They had just signed the contract today, and she also wanted to know what had happened to the Huang Family.
Soon, the two arrived at the gates of the Huang Family Villa. The estate was already a ruin.
From a distance, Chen Dong could see more than twenty bodies in the courtyard, burned to a crisp, being carried out by firefighters.
Chen Dong cursed inwardly. 'Someone really is trying to provoke a conflict between me and the Star-Picking Sect.'
He said to Li Huiran, "Let's go. They're all dead."
Li Huiran stared for a long time but couldn't see anything. She didn't dare cross the police tape to get closer. Hearing Chen Dong's words, she shot him a suspicious look. He had just secured the contract, and that very afternoon, the entire Huang Family was wiped out. She couldn't help but suspect he was the one who did it.
Chen Dong was left speechless by her expression. "You suspect me too?"
Li Huiran didn't speak at first, then shook her head. "I know you didn't do it, but you're a prime suspect. When something happens to the Huang Family, you're the first person anyone would think of."
A headache throbbed in Chen Dong's temples. 'If even Li Huiran thinks this way, what will the Star-Picking Sect think?' To avoid this mess, he had to find the real killer. His primary suspect was the mysterious Mr. Huang.
Chen Dong took out his phone and called the contact labeled "Huang."
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."
Chen Dong sighed in frustration. Since it was already late, he decided to head back to the Li Manor with Li Huiran for now.
The Ferrari set off again. As they drove through a bustling downtown district, Chen Dong was gazing at the street scenery with his head propped on his hand when he suddenly shouted, "Stop the car."
Li Huiran was taken aback but immediately found an empty parking spot and pulled in.
After parking, Li Huiran finally asked, "What's wrong? Why did you suddenly tell me to stop?"
Chen Dong pointed to a group of girls doing a cosplay photoshoot in the distance. "Look!" he said.
Li Huiran's brow furrowed. 'You made me stop just to look at that?'
Before Li Huiran could lose her temper, Chen Dong's expression changed. "We have to follow them, quickly." He grabbed her hand and hurried after the group.
They followed them into an alley, where Li Huiran finally saw Chen Dong's target: a woman in a sexy jiangshi cosplay, hopping along in white stockings and high heels.
Li Huiran shot Chen Dong a sideways glance. "So that's what you're into!"
Chen Dong returned a cold glare. "Don't you recognize her?"
Although she couldn't see the woman's face, her figure did seem faintly familiar to Li Huiran.
Seeing the cosplayer about to disappear down the alley, Chen Dong didn't hesitate, rushing forward to block her path.
A man dressed as a Daoist, carrying a Duster and a small bronze bell, was leading the way. He saw Chen Dong and said coldly, "Why are you blocking our way? We've already packed up; we're not taking any more pictures!"
Chen Dong didn't answer him, instead saying, "Using the Corpse-Driving Skill to control a living person... you've got some nerve!"
The Daoist's expression changed drastically. "Kid, I'd advise you to stay out of business that doesn't concern you!"
Chen Dong snorted. "This is exactly the kind of business I make it my mission to meddle in!" Three Silver Needles flashed through the air and embedded themselves in the Daoist's body.
The Daoist cried out in pain and said viciously, "I'm with the Yang Family! You dare to cross me? Just you wait to die!" With that, he abandoned the "jiangshi" and fled in a panic.
Chen Dong didn't stop him, letting him run. 'The Yang Family?' he mused. 'In Jiangzhou, the only family that goes by that name is Yang Rong's.'
Li Huiran caught up, asking urgently, "Why did you let him get away?"
Chen Dong gestured toward the cosplayer with his chin. "It was for her sake! But don't worry, that Daoist won't get far."
Only then did Li Huiran take a proper look at the woman. Beneath a Yellow Talisman, the delicate makeup and vibrant red lips were so familiar.
"How can it be Mengyu!" Li Huiran cried out.
Chen Dong shrugged. "How should I know? Let's just save her first."
Panicked, Li Huiran looked around, unsure of what to do. She turned a pleading gaze to Chen Dong.
A Silver Needle flew from Chen Dong's hand, piercing the space between Wang Mengyu's eyebrows to stabilize her mind. Then, he tore the Yellow Talisman from her forehead. With a flick of his wrist, the talisman burst into flame in mid-air, consuming itself without any source of fire.
Wang Mengyu's body slumped, and she began to collapse. Chen Dong quickly stepped forward and caught her in his arms.