Tianjin, starting with unorthodox methods to achieve immortality

"This taste..."

As soon as Chen Mo entered Liu Sanzhi's shop, he noticed a peculiar stench in the air.

It's very light.

It has a strange sense of familiarity, but I can't quite remember where I've smelled it before.

He stood on the threshold without moving, his gaze slowly sweeping around the shop.

If it weren't for that smell, it would just look like any ordinary little shop selling incense, candles, and religious items.

"Captain Yue! What brings you here? Please, have a seat..."

"Liu Sanzhi".

Yue Shan ignored him and stood in the center of the shop, staring straight at him. "Your case has been exposed. Come with me to the investigation bureau."

"Captain Yue, I don't quite understand what you're saying." Liu San calmly straightened his clothes. "I've been caught doing something wrong? What's wrong with me?"

He spread his hands and looked around his shop. "I run a small business, selling incense, candles, and paper money. I burn paper money and chant scriptures for my neighbors. I'm just doing my little business honestly."

"You came in and immediately said you'd take me back. I'd like to ask, is this how the investigation bureau handles cases now?"

His gaze toward Yue Shan sharpened, but a smile remained on his lips.

Yue Shan looked at him expressionlessly and didn't say anything.

"Captain Yue, I'll cooperate with whatever you're investigating. But you have to tell me what I've done wrong, right? It doesn't look good if word gets out that such a large group of you just barges in and tries to arrest me without saying a word."

He walked to the center of the shop, his demeanor so open and honest that he didn't seem like someone with a guilty conscience. "I've been running this shop for three years. When have I ever not been law-abiding? Who in the neighborhood doesn't know that I, Liu Sanzhi, am an honest man?"

Yue Shan suddenly chuckled, reached out his left hand and patted his shoulder, "Manager Liu, don't be nervous, it was just a joke."

Liu Sanzhi's shoulders visibly stiffened for a moment.

"Captain Yue, you scared me to death." He patted his chest, looking relieved to have escaped a close call. "I'm so easily frightened, I can't take such a scare."

"We were just passing through and thought we'd drop by."

Yue Shan withdrew his hand and casually glanced around the shop.

"How's business, Manager Liu?"

"Thanks to you, things are still going well." Liu Sanzhi followed behind him with a smile on his face. "These days, not many people believe in this stuff. It's just some old neighbors who patronize the business."

"Hmm." Yue Shan stopped in front of the shelf, picked up a roll of yellow paper, and casually asked, "You haven't been selling anything you shouldn't have lately, have you?"

Liu Sanzhi's smile remained unchanged. "Your people come and wander around my shop every few days, how could I dare?"

"That's good." He turned around and clapped his hands. "Alright, I won't delay your business any longer."

"Take care, Captain Yue. Come over for tea sometime."

Yue Shan didn't turn his head, he just raised his hand and waved.

Only after they left the alley did Chen Mo move closer to Zhou Ling beside him. "I have something to ask you."

Zhou Ling turned her head to look at him, "What?"

"Is this how your captain handles cases?" He gestured towards the retreating figure, "He could have just taken the person back, but he refused?"

The middleman has been arrested; he was a middle-aged beggar nicknamed "Little Eight."