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　　TL: Zhao

　　Editing: Krisaia

　　Following behind the young agent, Li Yiming entered the local police station in charge of the case. Under the curious attention of many of the police officers, he walked into an interrogation room.

　　"Did he confess?" Li Yiming asked as soon as he walked into the room.

　　"He doesn't know much, but we're pretty certain that this has to do with a gang called the Merry Couples." The agent who was responsible for the interrogation, one of Lin Lu's top aides, stood up from where he sat and reported his findings. Having been working under Lin Lu for quite a while already, he knew just how much she valued Li Yiming. Right now, Li Yiming was their best bet in finding Lin Lu, as their requests to their superiors have all been ignored.

　　"The Merry Couples?" Li Yiming asked as he scanned through the interrogation report for the possibility that the agent might have missed something.

　　"It's a local gang that makes counterfeit stones and artifacts. They've been making quite a name for themselves during the past three years."

　　"So they're a criminal organization?" Li Yiming asked to confirm.

　　"Yes. It should be the one with the most local influence."

　　"Well, to be precise, it was a rather small gang until a year ago, until the occurrences of paranormal incidents forced the local police to direct its manpower away from keeping them down. Ever since, they've been growing at a rapid pace." The agent noticed Li Yiming's confusion about how a group of gangsters would be involved in the kidnapping of a high-ranking official.

　　"So what did they use? Some kind of sedative?" Uninterested in the history of the organization, Li Yiming focused on the matter at hand.

　　"Yes. Apparently they forced the owner of the stone shop to add it to the tea."

　　"So he's not with them?" Li Yiming glanced at the shop owner, whose limbs were trembling violently.

　　"It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that the gang has a lot of influence and power with the local folks."

　　"But why would they target Lin Lu?" Li Yiming stated the question which bothered him the most.

　　"Well, ever since its explosive growth, it seems like they've gotten themselves involved in other… businesses. There have already been three disappearance cases related to them, only nothing could have been done due to lack of evidence."

　　"Disappearances?"

　　"All young women. Aside from running some of the artifacts shops here, the gang also runs many sauna centers, clubs, and underground casinos."

　　Li Yiming's expression froze upon hearing the agent's words — he knew exactly what that implied. The biggest mystery to him was how such an organization could exist in broad daylight.

　　"What are you guys planning now?" Although the agent had been reporting to Li Yiming as if the latter was his superior, Li Yiming knew that it was not his place to give out orders.

　　"We've already contacted local police forces. Everything's being set up undercover to avoid attracting any unwanted attention."