"Transform into a human?"
Liang Ge shivered.
"Will it look for another knife?"
Lu Fei thought for a moment and replied, "That's unlikely. The connection between the Human-Skin Ghost and the skinning knife probably wasn't a coincidence but the result of some specific circumstances. It won't be easy for it to find another specialized flaying knife."
That night wasn't a total failure—they had achieved something. At least the skinning knife had been rendered useless.
Without the knife, the Human-Skin Ghost was like a beast without its fangs.
"That's a relief," Liang Ge said, feeling slightly better.
"I used to hope I could personally bring every criminal to justice. Now, I just wish this thing would stay buried at the bottom of the river forever and never appear again," he sighed deeply.
The river was long and deep, with tributaries flowing in all directions.
"Liang Ge, take a look at this."
Lu Fei opened his palm, revealing a fingernail-sized piece of skin stained with blood.
It was a fragment left behind when the Human-Skin Ghost had fled in haste.
"Is this part of that evil thing?" Liang Ge squinted at it.
"Exactly. If it shows up again, this piece will react."
"Really? So this is basically an alarm radar!" Liang Ge extended a finger, hesitating before looking at Lu Fei. "Can I keep it?"
"Sure. It's just a small fragment—harmless. But I'm not sure how large its detection range is," Lu Fei said, handing the piece to Liang Ge.
Liang Ge examined it intently. He wanted to wrap it in tissue, but realizing he didn't carry any, he ripped a corner off his shirt instead, wrapping the skin tightly.
"As long as there's hope, I won't give up!"
Liang Ge's previous frustration gave way to determination. He stubbed out his cigarette and stood up.
"Lu Fei, no one died this time—all thanks to you!"
After all, saving someone from the grip of an evil entity was no small feat. Most people wouldn't have managed to save anyone; they'd have been doomed themselves.
"I'm not that noble. I saved him to prevent the evil entity from succeeding," Lu Fei admitted, feeling relieved to see Liang Ge regaining his spirit. "If I hadn't promised you, I wouldn't have cared if that scumbag lived or died."
"Punishing him isn't hard! I have plenty of evidence of his counterfeit goods. I'll send it to my old colleagues in the force."
"That would be perfect!"
The two exchanged smiles.
When they returned to the roadside, the ambulance had already taken Ma Laosan away. Tiger hadn't followed; he had stayed to wait for them.
"Boss, you're finally back!" Tiger greeted them eagerly.
"How's Ma Laosan?"
"The doctor said his scalp wound bled a lot, so he's weak, but his life isn't in danger."
"That's good. Let's head back."
With the matter resolved, there was no reason to stay.
However, before leaving, Lu Fei remembered the blade left on the ground.
He instructed Tiger to rinse off the urine on the blade with bottled water and then wrap it up for disposal.
Even though he found the blade repulsive, he didn't want anyone else to pick it up and invite misfortune unknowingly.
Two days later.
Ma Laosan, his head wrapped in gauze and face covered in bruises, walked into the Evil Pawnshop carrying two bags of gifts.
"What are you doing here?" Tiger's expression turned sour the moment he saw Ma Laosan. His entire demeanor screamed unwelcome.
"I'm here to thank Shopkeeper Lu for saving my life! Just a small token of appreciation," Ma Laosan said, placing the gifts on the table with a fawning smile.
"Ma Laosan, you misunderstand. I didn't save you—I was just helping a friend catch a culprit," Lu Fei said, signaling Tiger with his eyes.
Tiger disdainfully tossed the blade fragment to Ma Laosan.
"Did you hear that? No one here cares about saving someone like you. Take your dirty stuff and get out."
"Shopkeeper Lu, I'm truly here to express my gratitude. I was wrong before and failed to recognize your greatness. Please don't hold it against me," Ma Laosan said, pulling out two red envelopes. "One is for Tiger to repay him for the copper coins, and the other is my apology to you, Shopkeeper Lu."
Tiger's eyes lit up.
Finally, he could get his money back from Ma Laosan.
But seeing that Lu Fei didn't move to take the envelopes, Tiger held back as well.
"What's your point, Ma Laosan?" Lu Fei asked coolly.
"Shopkeeper Lu, you're a magnanimous person. I've apologized, repaid, and compensated. Can't you call off those people investigating me?" Ma Laosan's tone was humble, his smile ingratiating.
"Just think of me as nothing more than a speck of dust and let me go."
Lu Fei understood immediately.
Someone had started investigating his counterfeit goods business.
Liang Ge had moved fast—even before Ma Laosan's injuries had healed.
Lu Fei couldn't help but admire him.
"Ma Laosan, you overestimate me. I'm just a small-time pawnbroker, not someone who can call off anything," Lu Fei said indifferently.
No matter how much Ma Laosan begged, Lu Fei simply waved him off.
"Tiger, show him out."
Tiger kept the money for the copper coins and threw both the rest of the items and Ma Laosan out of the shop.
"Lu Fei, don't push me too far! Don't think Evil Pawnshop is untouchable! I have plenty of ways to deal with you!" Ma Laosan cursed as he stormed off.
Before he got far, a tall man as big as Tiger grabbed him, slapped him twice, and left him dazed.
The man, unsmiling and cold, stood next to a wealthy-looking man with a cigarette dangling from his lips.
"Did I hear you badmouthing the Evil Pawnshop?" the rich man asked, his gaze sharp and threatening.
"N-No... I wasn't," Ma Laosan stammered, shaking his head and waving his hands desperately. His swollen face was a picture of terror as he begged for forgiveness.
The wealthy man finally let him go.
Ma Laosan fled without a backward glance, too scared to utter another word.
The tall man and the wealthy man walked into the pawnshop.
"Shopkeeper Lu, there was a fly outside your door. I took care of it for you. If I hadn't turned over a new leaf, I would've broken his leg," the wealthy man said.
"Chen Jinfa, what brings you here?"
Lu Fei stood up, greeting him warmly.
It was Chen Jinfa and his companion, A Long.
"Shopkeeper Lu, I need your help with something," Chen Jinfa said directly.
"Is there trouble at the construction site?" Lu Fei asked in surprise.
"No, no! Ever since you helped me deal with the ghost post, the site's been running smoothly!" Chen Jinfa waved a hand and pulled Lu Fei to sit down. "This is about a friend of mine. Something strange happened in his family, and he doesn't want word getting out."
"Go on, Brother Chen," Lu Fei said, intrigued.
Without needing to be told, Tiger brought over two cups of tea.
"This is strictly confidential," Chen Jinfa said, lowering his voice. "My friend used to run in some rough circles like me, but he retired earlier and made a lot of money. He even married a young, beautiful wife."
"I've met her before—she's as gorgeous as a movie star, and he treasures her like a gem."
"This year, she got pregnant, and he's finally having a child in his old age."
"That should be good news, but a few days ago, she gave birth prematurely—to a freak!"
"A freak?" Lu Fei was startled. "If the baby has developmental issues, why not go to the hospital?"
"If only it were that simple!" Chen Jinfa shook his head. "According to him, the child has things that humans shouldn't have!"
"What do you mean by 'things humans shouldn't have'?" Lu Fei asked, his curiosity piqued.