"Found it, thanks, Brother Li!"

Xiao Mu voiced his gratitude, but inwardly he was dying to curse.

If he had known Li Gujian would provide the documents, he wouldn't have needed to snoop around the Material Market at all.

He had already explored Yang Muzhen's home and found important clues; the information on the murder cases was now meaningless to him.

"Brother Mu, here are the documents from the previous murder cases. Please review them alone and destroy them immediately after reading. This is internal information; you must ensure it does not get out."

Li Gujian solemnly passed the documents to Xiao Mu.

Good to have as a reference anyway!

"Rest assured, Brother Li, I will be the only one to see these documents."

Xiao Mu made the promise, thanked him, and tucked away the documents. Then he casually made a request, "Brother Li, could you call me to join you the next time there's a homicide case?"

"Brother Mu wishes to participate in the homicide investigation?"

Li Gujian looked at Xiao Mu in surprise, disbelief apparent in his gaze.

"The Mutated Beings from the Life and Death Sect are hiding too well. I feel that only by using homicide cases can we trace them," Xiao Mu casually conjured a reason.

"This... Since Brother Mu wishes to participate, how could I refuse? But I wonder if Brother Mu can abide by the rules of the Village Protection Team?" Li Gujian was persuaded by Xiao Mu's reasoning but hesitated slightly before making a decision, asking Xiao Mu with concern.

"Brother Li, what are the rules of the Village Protection Team?" Seeing Li Gujian moved by his request, Xiao Mu seized the opportunity to ask.

Li Gujian explained, "Actually, it's simple: follow the rules, don't tamper with the objects at the crime scene, keep secrets, and don't gossip about what you see."

"No problem, I can abide by the rules and keep secrets."

Xiao Mu made the promise, thinking it was no big deal; one should follow the arrangements when on someone else's turf.

"If Brother Mu can do that, I can take you to the crime scene without worries." Li Gujian laughed heartily, visibly relieved.

"Brother Mu, Xiao Li, you're home now; why stand outside and not come in? Why are you discussing private matters out here?" Zhao Jingyan, standing in the courtyard, overheard the conversation between Xiao Mu and Li Gujian and called out to them.

Xiao Mu and Li Gujian walked into the courtyard.

Zhao Jingyan had been working on crafting an Execution Stake, but paused to greet the two as they entered.

The aroma of food wafted through the courtyard as Tian Zhen, apron-clad, came out of the kitchen. Seeing Xiao Mu and Li Gujian, she greeted them with a smile, "Brother Mu and Xiao Li, you've returned early today!"

"Sister-in-law, you've come back early too!"

"Sister-in-law, what you've cooked smells delicious!"

Xiao Mu and Li Gujian quickly exchanged greetings with Tian Zhen.

Turning to Zhao Jingyan, Tian Zhen said, "Old Zhao, Tian Ling has come to the village, gone to visit her godfather's house. She said she'll stay there for a few days before coming to our place."

"That girl, spoiled for nothing. She comes here and instead of visiting her aunt and uncle first, she goes straight to her godfather. Truly spoiled for nothing!"

Zhao Jingyan complained loudly, seemingly quite angry.

Tian Zhen knew Zhao Jingyan was just grumbling and paid him no mind, "Next weekend is Tian Ling's godfather's birthday. He and Tian Ling have invited us to celebrate. Let's go together, Old Zhao, shall we?"

"Old Zhu's birthday already, time flies so fast!"

Zhao Jingyan sighed before agreeing, "We'll go together. Tian Ling's godfather is practically family, and besides, we are all Mutated Beings from the same village; we should interact more often."

"Brother Mu, Xiao Li, you should come with us. Let Old Zhao introduce you to Tian Ling's godfather. By the way, I asked Brother Zhu yesterday, and he's agreed to go too."

Tian Zhen then extended the invitation to Xiao Mu and Li Gujian.

"Knowing another Mutated Being is good, and since Old Zhu is going, I'll certainly attend. Sister-in-law, count me in," Li Gujian readily accepted.

"Brother Mu?" Tian Zhen asked, looking to Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu didn't want to appear too out of the loop and replied, "Sister-in-law, just let me know when the day arrives."

It was understood that Mutated Beings, unlike ordinary people, did not find party participation intrusive; on the contrary, it was an excellent way to build relationships, with the caveat of not causing trouble at gatherings.

Tian Zhen laughed with joy, "Tian Ling's godfather is high in Realm; many Mutated Beings want to get to know him. We'll have Old Zhao make the introductions for you at that time."

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!"

Afterward, Tian Zhen returned to the kitchen, and Xiao Mu casually started chatting with Zhao Jingyan. Noticing that the Treasure that had been piled on the ground was gone, he asked, "Brother Zhao, where's the Treasure you were crafting?"

"The Village Protection Team came today and took some of the Treasure. Thanks to Brother Mu's advice, otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to craft the Execution Stake on time."

Zhao Jingyan was sincere, taking a glance at Xiao Mu and speaking admiringly, "Recently, my strength has increased considerably, but the higher my strength, the less clear I see Brother Mu's depth. I truly admire Brother Mu's strength!"

"Brother Zhao flatters me!"

Xiao Mu chuckled, deflecting the topic, casually suggesting, "Why not spend more time enhancing your strength, Brother Zhao, and try to elevate your Cultivation to the Divine Spirit Realm as soon as possible?"

"The Divine Spirit Realm? That's tough!"

At the mention of the Divine Spirit Realm, Zhao Jingyan showed a troubled expression and sighed, "There are only a few at the Divine Spirit Realm in Twilight Forest Village, and they are all at the Early Stage. With my talent and resources being inferior to these old folks, I fear it'll be tough to cultivate to the Divine Spirit Realm in my lifetime."

"Brother Zhao underestimates himself."

Xiao Mu spoke earnestly, "Instead of lamenting a lack of talent, why not work hard at your cultivation? I suggest that Brother Zhao tries to use 'True Force' to strike at the 'Virtual Divine Image' in your daily cultivation practice."

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