Return of the Celestial King

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Soul-Stealing Technique

"Please, young man, I’m begging you. Take a good look at my husband!"

Wei Xiaolan was incredibly earnest, her eyes pleading.

She knew full well that this was a last-ditch effort, but it was the only option she had.

The ambulance would still be a while, and she was terrified that any delay would cause something terrible to happen to Xu Zhigang.

Besides, something about Qin Tuo’s demeanor made Wei Xiaolan instinctively trust him.

Xu Chao was stunned speechless. All he could do was shoot Qin Tuo a vicious glare.

Qin Tuo immediately began a careful examination using his Spiritual Power.

A moment later, Qin Tuo found something.

He could see that someone had secretly used the Soul-Stealing Technique on Xu Zhigang.

It was an exceptionally vicious technique that could turn a person into a puppet, completely subject to the caster’s control. It could force them to do all sorts of things against their will.

It was also considered a low-class art, one scorned by those who walked the righteous path.

Qin Tuo’s thoughts immediately jumped to the group of Hong Kong businessmen who had just left.

"Qin Tuo, can you actually do anything? If not, get your filthy hands off him!"

Seeing Qin Tuo just standing there, lost in thought, Xu Chao immediately snapped at him.

A flicker of doubt also appeared in Wei Xiaolan’s eyes.

Chen Wenxiong couldn’t help but ask softly,

"Mr. Qin, what’s the situation?"

Qin Tuo spoke slowly.

"First, let’s wake him up."

Hearing this, Wei Xiaolan was overjoyed.

Xu Chao, however, just snorted with contempt.

’Yeah, right. Keep talking big, kid.’

As if he hadn’t heard a thing, Qin Tuo simply extended a finger and tapped lightly on Xu Zhigang’s forehead a few times.

These taps struck key acupressure points. As Spiritual Power flowed into them, it instantly stimulated the nerves in his brain.

Xu Zhigang’s eyes slowly fluttered open as he regained consciousness.

Witnessing this, Wei Xiaolan was ecstatic and thanked him profusely.

"Thank you so much, young man! You’re truly amazing!"

Beside them, Xu Chao was too stunned to speak. He never imagined Qin Tuo actually had such skills.

Xu Zhigang’s eyes were filled with confusion; he couldn’t seem to recall what had just happened.

"Xiaolan, what just happened?"

Wei Xiaolan quickly explained,

"You fainted just now! Thank goodness this young man was here to save you. Otherwise, I can’t imagine what would have happened!"

Only then did Xu Zhigang realize it was Qin Tuo who had saved him. He immediately set aside his official bearing and thanked him personally.

"Young man, thank you for saving my life."

Qin Tuo shook his head and smiled.

"Prefect Xu, you’re too kind."

Xu Chao, however, just stood off to the side, sulking. He was too proud to admit he was wrong.

Suddenly, Qin Tuo couldn’t resist asking,

"Prefect Xu, aren’t you curious as to why you fainted?"

As soon as he said this, the expressions of everyone present grew cautious.

Xu Zhigang, in particular, couldn’t help but ask,

"Oh? And you know the reason?"

He had assumed he’d fainted from anger, but from the way Qin Tuo spoke... ’Could there be more to it?’

Qin Tuo said with great gravity,

"Prefect Xu, the truth is, someone secretly used the Soul-Stealing Technique on you. It’s an incredibly malicious art that can be used to slowly gain control over you, turning you into a puppet."

Xu Zhigang’s mouth fell slightly open, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He clearly didn’t believe a word Qin Tuo said, and his expression immediately soured.

"Young man, I have to reprimand you. It’s a noble thing to help others, but how can you believe in such superstitious nonsense? That kind of thinking is unacceptable. You must never say such things again in the future!"

Clearly, the Prefect had no belief in such things, and his tone was incredibly stern.

Qin Tuo gave a wry smile, unsure how he could possibly change the Prefect’s mind.

Seeing this, Chen Wenxiong quickly stepped forward to explain.

"Prefect Xu, I have personally witnessed Mr. Qin’s incredible abilities. What he says is not false. There truly are things in this world that lie beyond the grasp of ordinary people."

But to their surprise, Xu Zhigang harshly criticized him as well.

"Mr. Chen, I must have a word with you! For a man of your age to believe in these childish tricks... you’ve grown muddle-headed!"

Seeing Qin Tuo and Chen Wenxiong get chewed out, Xu Chao hid off to the side, secretly laughing to himself.

"But Prefect Xu..."

Chen Wenxiong looked as if he wanted to explain further, but Qin Tuo held him back with a hand on his arm.

Qin Tuo slowly shook his head at Chen Wenxiong, who sighed and fell silent.

With the matter settled and the misunderstanding explained, Qin Tuo smiled.

"In that case, Prefect Xu, we’ll be taking our leave."

But Xu Zhigang tried to stop them.

"You two, please stay for a meal before you go. After all, you saved my life!"

He was a man who kept things separate. Although Xu Zhigang strongly disliked what Qin Tuo and Chen Wenxiong had said, he was still genuinely grateful.

However, Qin Tuo shook his head.

"No, thank you, Prefect Xu. Perhaps another day, if the opportunity arises."

With that, Xu Zhigang personally rose and saw Qin Tuo and his companion out the door.

After they went downstairs, Chen Wenxiong couldn’t help but ask,

"Qin Tuo, was Prefect Xu really afflicted with that technique you mentioned?"

Qin Tuo nodded, his tone firm.

"Of course. And it’s undeniably connected to those Hong Kong businessmen. If I’m not mistaken, one of them is the culprit."

Chen Wenxiong’s expression immediately filled with worry.

"Qin Tuo, you have to find a way to save Prefect Xu! A good Prefect like him is a rare thing. If something were to happen to him, it would be a loss for all the people of Ming City!"

Qin Tuo sighed.

"Don’t worry. I will."

Even without Chen Wenxiong’s urging, Qin Tuo had already planned to save Xu Zhigang.

He wasn’t doing it for any other reason; the man’s integrity alone made him worth saving.

After he got back, the first thing Qin Tuo did was call Long Wu.

The moment Long Wu saw Qin Tuo, his face was a mask of confusion, wondering what his orders were.

Qin Tuo said slowly,

"Long Wu, I need you to assign some of your most reliable people to watch the building where Xu Zhigang lives. And listen, make sure they don’t miss a single thing."

Hearing this, a strange expression immediately crossed Long Wu’s face.

"Celestial King, don’t you think that’s a little... risky?"

Long Wu might be known as the "underground Emperor," but no matter how powerful he was, he would never have the guts to spy on the city’s top official.

Seeing Long Wu’s hesitation, Qin Tuo shook his head.

"Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to do anything drastic. Just have your men report any of the Prefect’s movements to you, and then you call me."

Hearing this, Long Wu relaxed and immediately agreed.

"Yes, Celestial King! I’ll make sure that building is watched closely. I’ll report any sign of trouble to you at once!"