The fully activated Yuko Shionji sure had some skills. It didn't take long for her to find the information that Duanmu Huai needed.

"Based on my investigation, the accounts of these three people all received a sum of money a week before their actions."

Yuko Shionji opened a window and pointed at the information in front of her, speaking to Duanmu Huai.

"The money was roughly around half a million, transferred through different anonymous accounts."

"So, these guys were indeed incited?"

"Or you could say they were hired. After all, half a million isn't a small sum for the average person."

"What about further up the chain?"

"The trail ends here."

Yuko Shionji shook her head.

"These anonymous accounts were used only once, and the deposit records are over ten years old, leaving barely any trace."

"So you're saying, someone deposited several half a million accounts ten years ago and just waited to transfer money when needed? What about the account holder's identity?"

"No leads, all the identities were fraudulently used from others...…"

"These bastards are really cautious."

Upon hearing Yuko Shionji's response, Duanmu Huai let out an annoyed snort.

"What about that old guy?"

"I checked through police channels, and indeed, when they searched his house, they found some books similar to religious publications. It's under investigation, but there doesn't seem to be much progress. His account also has the same transaction records, but it's been ongoing for about five years now."

"Wow, that's some support."

Duanmu Huai rolled his eyes. Academic work often didn't pay well, especially in folklore studies. But the fact that someone supported this old professor for five years indicated he still had some influence in the Cosmic Light Sect. Hmm, judging by his crazy demeanor, it's not something cultivated in just a year or two.

The investigation had reached a conclusion, or rather hit a dead-end. The anonymous accounts were too old and scattered, so even Yuko Shionji couldn't find out who was behind them. But she believed it wasn't one person but a group of people. According to her research, the locations of these anonymous accounts varied, with some even abroad. Unless the mastermind could use the Split Body Technique, this was the most reasonable explanation.

"Looks like we'll have to catch one alive."

Duanmu Huai stared at the screen, then sighed.

"What do we do next?"

"Simple, continue monitoring other addresses. If anything unusual happens there, inform me immediately."

Duanmu Huai initially planned to trace the individual through the accounts, but it seemed that wouldn't work. He had to continue waiting for a breakthrough... really frustrating.

Since the other party intended to awaken the sleeping or sealed Ancient Dominator or Evil God and wanted to make a big splash, it definitely wouldn't happen quietly. If there was any sign of trouble, Duanmu Huai intended to act immediately and confront them.

"But brother, wouldn't it be a bit off to go directly like this?"

At this moment, Shajuye also spoke up.

"I think you should have a public identity, brother. That way, it'll be easier to act. Otherwise, what if people ask questions once you're there?"

"That is indeed a problem...…"

Hearing Shajuye's reminder, Duanmu Huai began thinking, and beside him, Yuko Shionji chuckled lightly.

"What's so hard about that? Just wear a badge on your chest, and no one will dare to mess with you. After all, you look like a...… ow, ow, ow...!!"

However, before Yuko Shionji could finish speaking, Duanmu Huai's ruthless grip caught her head.

"Aren't you done yet? Don't bring this up in front of me again!"

Damnit, when the system designed my background, they already pulled this. Now you're doing it too?

"Got it!"

As Duanmu Huai held Yuko Shionji like a chick on the bed, something suddenly clicked for him, and he brightened up.

"I'll be a detective, yeah, being a detective suits me!"

"You?"

Hearing Duanmu Huai's words, Yuko Shionji, lying on the bed holding her head, looked at him with displeasure.

"What about you even remotely resembles a detective! What kind of detective are you!?"

"Enough babbling, I say I am, and that's final! Later on, you process the paperwork for me. From now on, when I go out to investigate, I'll just appear as a detective, and I won't have to worry about people suspecting me."

"But relying on clients for commissions is what makes a detective. If you investigate, and people ask who commissioned you, what will you say?"

"Do I need to be asked?"

Duanmu Huai waved his hand.

"You even call yourself a NEET detective, read more novels, and when people ask, just say a dead person commissioned me! Doesn't that solve it?"

Duanmu Huai was quite proud of his brainstorming, as many mystery detective novels start with such an opening: the detective receives a commission from someone, gets paid, and goes to the destination to inquire, only to be informed that the client has long been dead... Isn't that a classic suspense detective story opening?

Since it's all made up, why not make one up yourself?

"Ugh...…"

Hearing Duanmu Huai's words, Yuko Shionji's expression was as ugly as someone finding a fly in their noodles.

"I've never seen a detective like you...…"

"Now you have, haven't you?"

Duanmu Huai didn't care about the dissatisfaction in Yuko Shionji's tone. He was quite pleased with his clever idea. Appearing as a detective commissioned by a dead person could reasonably integrate him into the situation, and it might even cause a series of disturbances. Those with guilty consciences might expose themselves without needing to solve the mystery... wasn't that easier than just deducing and solving the case?

As they say, the weapon of criticism can't compare to the criticism of weapons!

"Alright then, if you encounter something similar over there, you know what to do."

"I got it... boo hoo hoo..."

At this point, Yuko Shionji didn't dare to talk back. Earlier, when Duanmu Huai grabbed her head, it felt as if her skull was as fragile as an eggshell. If she hadn't struggled desperately, her head might have exploded!

I'm still just a little girl, you jerk, can't you take it easy!?

"So, is there nothing else for now?"

"Not exactly."

Listening to Duanmu Huai's complaints, Yuko Shionji lay on the table and weakly pointed at the screen.

"Those people have been standing outside for a while, you should go take a look."

During the renovation, Duanmu Huai, at Yuko Shionji's request, installed cameras all around the building, all connected to her bedroom, which also served as the surveillance room — Duanmu Huai had no objections to this.

After all, having someone willing to provide security twenty-four hours a day without needing a job, where else could you find such a deal?

Duanmu Huai followed the direction Yuko Shionji pointed to and indeed saw a few people standing not far from the entrance.

"What are they doing?"

Duanmu Huai was puzzled. This wasn't a shop, and it wasn't open, so why were people blocking the door?

No matter what, it would be best to go see what's happening.

Meanwhile, outside the entrance, four teenage girls were curiously examining the door with puzzled expressions.

"What kind of store is this, Ichiji-senpai?"

A red-haired girl with a guitar on her back snapped a selfie with her back against the door before curiously turning to the blonde girl next to her.

"Hmm... I'm not really sure. I remember this place was a café before, but it seems like it's been renovated..."

The blonde girl shook her head with confusion while the blue-haired girl next to her showed a hint of excitement.

"Maybe it's a LIVEHOUSE."

"Eh? Really?"

"Yes, when I passed by a few days ago, I saw they were renovating with lots of punk decorations, and look at this door!"

As she spoke, the blue-haired girl pointed to the massive, goth-style double doors.

"Check out the design, the skull, all the metal elements, this is pure heavy metal punk style! Punk originated in England, and it was originally meant to..."

"What are you doing here?"

Just as the blue-haired girl excitedly gave her companions a punk lesson, the heavy door suddenly opened, and Duanmu Huai walked out. Glancing at the group of four, he asked.

"Whoa!"

The blonde girl jumped in shock at Duanmu Huai's sudden appearance, while the red-haired girl darted behind the blue-haired girl to hide. Even the talkative blue-haired girl turned pale and speechless.

"Hel-hello..."

The blonde girl seemed to be the leader of the group. Although she was trembling and on the verge of tears under Duanmu Huai's gaze, she mustered the courage to greet him.

"We-we didn't mean to make noise here, we were just curious about this new shop..."

"Shop?"

Duanmu Huai turned to look at the door.

"Well, yes, you could call it a new shop."

"May I ask what you sell here?"

"Here?"

Faced with the blonde girl's question, Duanmu Huai pondered for a moment.

"It's kind of a detective agency."

"Detective!?"

Hearing this, the girls were astonished, staring wide-eyed at Duanmu Huai in disbelief.

"So, are you a detective?"

"Why, do I not look like one?"

"No, no, we didn't mean that... We're sorry for bothering you!"

Before he could finish, the four girls turned and fled, with Duanmu Huai shaking his head as he watched their retreating figures, then he closed the door again.

"Phew..."

On the other side, the four girls only breathed a sigh of relief once they reached the opposite side of the street.

"So, scary!"

"Yeah, I've never seen someone so frightening... Could it be a Yakuza office?"

"Eh? But would a Yakuza office be so flashy?"

"Whatever it is... We should be more careful in the future."

The blonde girl advised the others. Although Duanmu Huai didn't seem like a nice person, he was pretty polite when speaking earlier... But that's just the surface. Anyway, if we come here again, we'll need to be cautious.

Ironically, their meeting spot was not far from the detective agency.

...The situation was worrying.

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