After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

As Wang Rui listened to Xu Yishuo's piercing questions, his shrill scream abruptly stopped, as if an invisible hand had gripped his throat.

The old vows he had deliberately forgotten were now being repeated word by word, which made him feel more guilty and afraid than any harsh curse.

His lips trembled violently, and he couldn't speak.

Just then, "Click!"

A muffled thunderclap, accompanied by lightning, struck the stone ground less than half a foot away from Wang Rui.

Gravel flew everywhere, and the smell of burning filled the air instantly, leaving a clear burn mark on the ground.

Jiang Dusheng had somehow managed to pick up a yellow talisman between his fingers; the talisman had already turned to ashes.

Her expression remained calm, as if she had merely brushed away a speck of dust.

This is not real lightning, but it is more intimidating than lightning.

Wang Rui let out a short, sharp cry of surprise, and his whole body went limp as if his bones had been removed.

The last shred of psychological defense completely collapsed under the lightning.

Tears streamed down his face. He could no longer care about making excuses, and wailed towards the direction of Xu Yishuo's spirit:

"I'm sorry! Yi-shuo! I'm so sorry! I really... I really didn't mean to kill you!"

"That shove... I was just furious! I didn't mean to kill you! I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I deserve to die! I'm such a bastard!"

He confessed incoherently.

Xu Nanxun suppressed his grief and indignation, took a step forward, and spoke in a voice as cold as ice:

"You beast, where exactly did you bury my sister's real body?!"

Wang Rui trembled, not daring to look up: "Under the pear tree in the courtyard of my mansion."

"I...I was afraid of being exposed, so...I found a young woman who had died of illness, gave her family some money, and buried her remains in Yi Shuo's grave, impersonating her..."

"I was thinking, what if... what if someone suspects something and they have to exhume the body for an autopsy, but they still can't find out the true cause of Yi-shuo's death..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Nanxun closed his eyes and dug his nails deep into his palms to suppress the urge to kill him on the spot.

Jiang Dusheng stopped looking at Wang Rui, who was like a lump of mud, and turned to Xie Jinchen, who had been watching quietly, speaking in a calm tone:

"Your Excellency, the murderer has confessed without reservation. The details of the murder, the methods used to cover it up, and the whereabouts of the body are all clear. Can this case be closed?"

Xie Jinchen withdrew his gaze from the scorch marks on the ground and landed on Jiang Dusheng's calm face.

He raised an eyebrow. "With witnesses and physical evidence, and clear statements, this matter should be closed."

"I will immediately arrange for personnel to go to Tianshui City to retrieve Xu Yishuo's remains, which will be used together with the previously unidentified corpse as irrefutable evidence."

"Wang Rui committed multiple crimes, including murdering his wife, deceiving the authorities, switching the body, and misleading the government. He will be severely punished according to the law without any leniency."

But what Xu Nanxun was most concerned about at this moment was his younger sister's spirit.

He turned to Jiang Dusheng, his eyes pleading:

"Miss Jiang, I am deeply grateful. However, could you please allow Yi Shuo to return to my residence with me? My family would like to..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng shook his head, his fingertips tracing the bone flute:

"Young Master Xu, Xu Yishuo's soul is weak and needs to rest quietly in the flute to stabilize her soul source."

"When you have found her remains, properly buried her, and freed her from worldly attachments, then summon me. At that time, I can help her say her final goodbyes to her family and send her off to the afterlife in peace."

Although Xu Nanxun was reluctant, she knew it was for her sister's good and was even more grateful to Jiang Dusheng for being so considerate.

He bowed deeply: "In that case, I will trouble you again, young lady. I will inform you as soon as my sister's remains are found."

At this moment, Xu Yishuo's soul turned towards Xu Nanxun, a gentle smile spreading across her illusory face, her voice growing increasingly soft:

"Brother, don't be sad. The murderer has been brought to justice, and my heart is at peace. You must all take good care of yourselves."

After saying that, she took one last deep look at Wang Rui, who was slumped on the prison chair, trembling and not daring to raise his head, and the last trace of emotion in her eyes returned to silence.

The soul transformed into specks of light, which disappeared into the bone flute in Jiang Dusheng's hand.

Inside the cell, the bone-chilling cold slowly dissipated.

Jiang Dusheng put the bone flute back into his sleeve and nodded slightly to Xu Nanxun: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

She turned to leave.

"Miss Jiang." Xie Jinchen's clear voice came from behind her, calling out to her.

Jiang Dusheng paused slightly, turned his head, and his cool gaze fell on him.

Xie Jinchen looked at her. His scarlet official robes, under the gradually brightening light outside the prison, lost some of their grimness and gained more of his usual composure. However, there was something different in the depths of his eyes.

He said slowly, "Our agreement three days from now is null and void."

Jiang Dusheng's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly as he waited for the next development.

Xie Jinchen took two steps closer, about an arm's length away from her, and said, "After today, I have witnessed your abilities firsthand, and there is no doubt about them."

He paused, his gaze frank. "You've been busy all morning; it must have taken a toll on your mind. Would Miss Jiang do me the honor of having a simple meal with me?"

Jiang Dusheng looked up and met his gaze.

Those peach blossom eyes had lost some of their usual aloofness and scrutiny, and gained more sincerity.

Clearly, he has something to say.

She thought for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

Seeing that she agreed, Xie Jinchen's smile deepened.

He turned and walked towards Xu Nanxun, who was still immersed in grief, raised his hand and patted the other's shoulder, his voice lowered:

"Nanxun, cheer up. Yishuo's injustice has been cleared, and her true identity is about to be found, which can be considered a relief for her. The most important thing now is to handle the aftermath properly and prevent the two elders from suffering any more shock."

Xu Nanxun took a deep breath, barely suppressing his surging emotions, and gave a wry smile: "I understand, thank you for today."

Then, he turned to Jiang Dusheng and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Miss Jiang, I will remember your great kindness. Since you have an appointment with Achen, I will go ahead first. I will come to visit you again after I have found Yishuo's remains."

Jiang Dusheng nodded slightly and simply replied with a "good".

Watching Xu Nanxun leave in a hurry, Xie Jinchen and Jiang Dusheng walked out of the solemn gates of Dali Temple side by side.

The sunlight was just right, dispelling the chilly atmosphere emanating from the prison.

Wang Dazhuang, who had been keeping a low profile by guarding the corner outside the door, seemed to light up for a moment when he saw the two figures appear. He quickly and quietly followed a few steps away.

After walking several dozen steps, Xie Jinchen hesitated slightly, looked at Jiang Dusheng's clean profile, and said:

"Miss Jiang, you've only been back in Changling for a short time. There are many people here who recognize my face."

"If someone sees us together, it might damage your reputation, young lady. Perhaps...?"

He spoke tactfully, gesturing to a roadside stall selling veils, his unspoken question being whether she needed to cover herself up.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng glanced at him sideways.

That look made Xie Jinchen feel like he had asked an unnecessary question.

She said calmly, "Your Highness is overthinking it. I only seek to act with a clear conscience."

"If I hesitate and hide my true self out of fear of what others will say, I will only fall short and lose my freedom. What do I care what others think or say?"

Xie Jinchen was momentarily speechless at her words, but then a hint of interest flashed in his eyes, and he didn't insist any further.

"Miss Jiang is magnanimous."

The two walked openly and without any disguise, one in scarf and the other in plain clothes, on the most bustling street in Changling.

One is elegant and poised, with a natural air of refinement; the other is aloof and ethereal, like frost and snow.

This combination was already eye-catching, especially since they had just come from the direction of Dali Temple.