BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 16 Sworn Brotherhood

Just like that, a task that should have been easy for Sun Desheng was inexplicably ruined by Che Qianzi.

Yet despite everything, Fatty Sun did not say a single harsh word to the young man. After dawn, he arranged for the two of them to fly back to Yanjing together.

On the way back, Che Qianzi was once again astonished by the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations’ exclusive transportation.

A Boeing 777 passenger jet sat waiting on the tarmac.

The young Taoist became even more curious about the Bureau. What kind of organization was it that it even had its own airplane?

Of course, the aircraft was government property. Even Sun Desheng, the former Director, had to pull some strings to secure permission to use it. Before Ouyang Pianzuo, Director of the Fifth Investigation Room, could arrive, he ordered the plane to take off ahead of schedule.

But the surprises did not stop with the airplane.

Shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant brought over a strange-looking telephone. Sun Desheng immediately began making a series of calls, investigating everything related to the Ghost Market—the hunchback, the old cleaner, and everyone connected to them.

After gathering that information, he moved on to investigating when news of the Guangyuan Nether Mirror had first been leaked.

“So… people were already trying to sell the Guangyuan Nether Mirror in the Ghost Market three months ago, and it still hasn’t sold? Hmm. Not just Ouyang Pianzuo—even Chief Hao and I both knew about it. Interesting. So information leaked out? People from Singapore and Malaysia even came to ask about the price…”

“And what happened afterward?”

“Mm-hmm… mm-hmm… I see…”

After finishing that call, Sun Desheng immediately prepared to dial another number.

Seizing the opportunity, Che Qianzi asked:

“I thought people weren’t allowed to make phone calls on airplanes. I’ve seen it on TV. Once the plane takes off, everyone has to turn their phones off. Why do you get special treatment, Fatty?”

Fatty Sun chuckled and held up the phone.

“Little brother, let me educate you. This is a satellite phone installed on the aircraft. Not every plane has one…”

Then he immediately switched topics.

“Yes, it’s me, Sun Desheng. I wanted to ask something. Has Yang Xiao been looking for you recently…”

He continued making calls until the plane was almost ready to land.

Only then did he finally put the phone down and turn back to Che Qianzi.

“The matter in Jiuhe isn’t over. It’s not as simple as it looks. But it doesn’t concern us anymore. Once we’re back at the Bureau, I’ll show you around and help you get familiar with the place. Not to brag, but ever since I became Director of the Bureau, you’re the first person I’ve personally guided around.”

“Who said I’m joining your Bureau?”

Che Qianzi interrupted him.

He pulled out the luminous pearl and waved it in front of Sun Desheng.

“Fatty, if I sell this thing, will it cover the seven million I supposedly owe you? Those IOUs and contracts you tricked me into signing—tear them up when you have time. Since I ruined your business in Jiuhe, I won’t hit you over it. But this matter isn’t finished.”

Fatty Sun looked as though he had expected this sudden change of attitude.

He grinned and said:

“This pearl is a genuine Eight-Part Pearl, something that came out of the imperial palace during the Sui Dynasty. It’s even recorded in the Haolan Catalog. Don’t let its size fool you—it’s more valuable than any luminous pearl discovered in later generations. Honestly, it should be passed down as a family heirloom. Selling it would be a real shame.”

Seeing Che Qianzi’s expression change, he quickly added:

“Don’t misunderstand. The pearl is yours now. Sell it, give it away, do whatever you want with it.

What I’m talking about is something else.

Don’t you want to know your origins?

Don’t you want to know where you came from?

Who your parents are?

Why Kong Dalong raised you?

And where all those innate abilities of yours came from?”

Those few questions instantly stunned Che Qianzi.

Despite his high status back home, that reputation came from his ability to subdue demons and ghosts—and from the ruthless, fearless way he fought.

When he was younger, he had often asked the old man where he came from.

Every single time, the old rascal would slap his own chest and proudly claim that Che Qianzi was the child he had with a young nun from a neighboring convent.

Back then, Che Qianzi had been too young to know better.

He had gone alone to the convent searching for his mother.

Whenever he saw a nun in her twenties or thirties, he would rush over, hug her leg, and call her “Mom.”

The embarrassed young nuns would turn bright red.

Eventually, all the nuns in the convent joined forces and beat him out of the place.

Because of that incident, people mocked him for years.

From then on, he never brought the subject up again.

But deep inside, he had never let it go.

Where were his parents?

Why had they abandoned him and left him with Kong Dalong?

Now that Sun Desheng had mentioned it, those old questions resurfaced and threw his heart into turmoil.

After taking a deep breath and calming himself, he asked:

“You know who I am?”

Sun Desheng smiled.

“Nope.”

Seeing Che Qianzi’s expression darken, he hurriedly added:

“Hold on—don’t hit me!

Just because I don’t know doesn’t mean there’s no way to find out.

Think about it. Back then, Chief Gao traveled all the way out to see you. And every year he gave your master hundreds of thousands of yuan.

Not to brag, but over the years it totaled seven million.

Chief Gao wasn’t a generous man. Unless there was a profit of seventy million—or even seven hundred million—he’d never willingly spend seven or eight million.

He definitely knew something about your background.

Unfortunately, good people don’t live long. Chief Gao passed away early.

But he must have left clues in the Bureau.

After spending that much money, he’d have left some evidence behind. Otherwise, how could he ever expect to recover the investment from you later?

Little brother, if you join the Bureau, sooner or later you’ll find out who you really are.”

Those words moved Che Qianzi.

Sun Desheng was right.

At the moment, the only way to uncover his origins seemed to be through the Bureau.

And Sun Desheng, as the former Director, would certainly have ways of helping him.

After thinking it through, Che Qianzi barely hesitated before asking:

“Do they pay a salary?”

“They even provide housing!”

Fatty Sun burst into laughter.

“That’s more like it.

Little brother, do you really think I’d harm you?

From now on, we’re brothers.

Say… can somebody get me a chicken? Today we’re becoming sworn brothers!”

Seeing the fat man grinning from ear to ear, Che Qianzi became suspicious instead.

“Fatty… you’re not trying to scam me again, are you?”

“What kind of thing is that to say? Call me Brother.”

Fatty Sun laughed.

“Little brother, there are only two and a half people in this world that I never cheat.

My father-in-law is one.

My other brother, Shen La, is another.

There’s also a guy surnamed Lin overseas—he only counts as half.

From now on, you’re one too.

We’ll be real brothers…”

Before he could finish, the airplane shook slightly and then smoothly landed at Capital Airport.

The sworn-brotherhood ceremony would have to wait.

With some regret, Fatty Sun gave up for the moment.

There would be plenty of opportunities later to deepen his friendship with this young Taoist.

Truthfully, Sun Desheng’s desire to befriend Che Qianzi was not solely because of Gao Liang.

Even he couldn’t explain it.

He simply felt an unusually strong urge to get close to this young man.

Whenever he couldn’t figure something out, he followed his instincts.

His luck had always been unbelievably good, and following his instincts had never once led him astray.

Despite possessing one of the sharpest minds imaginable, with almost nothing beyond his understanding, this was one thing he could not explain.

After leaving the plane, a Bureau vehicle drove directly onto the tarmac.

It picked them up and drove straight out of the airport.

More than an hour later, the car stopped in front of the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations headquarters.

“Come on. Big brother will show you around. The Bureau has six investigation rooms. We should visit them all.”

Smiling broadly, Sun Desheng led Che Qianzi into the building.

While they were waiting for the elevator, the doors opened and a tall, thin middle-aged man stepped out.

It was obvious that he and Sun Desheng were close acquaintances.

Without any small talk, the man said:

“Great Sage, I heard you went to Jiuhe.

I need to talk to you about something serious.

Not to brag, but why don’t you come back to the First Investigation Room?

I’ll give you my Director position.

I can transfer to the Fourth Room as Deputy Director.

Don’t take Yang Shuji’s attitude to heart…”