Chapter 16: You Are the True Champion!

“You can understand your past life?” Wei Ze was utterly shocked.

“Officer Wei, you must be joking,” Lu Qingfei replied once again, her tone steady. “Archaeology is my field; I’ve only studied a bit of history.”

She smiled. “Officer Wei, even in unexpected situations, you remain so composed—your professional skills are truly remarkable.”

Wei Ze could only cry out in his heart, I’m nothing but a novice.

But you, my good citizen, you are the true powerhouse!

Strong—just one word, but I could say it a thousand times.

Strong, strong, strong, strong!

Mei Kaihan’s heart pounded violently, his voice and body trembling with emotion. “Princess, I have no love for the concubine. The one I have always loved is you!”

Shen Nanxiang hid behind Lu Qingfei, poking her head out and looking at Mei Kaihan. “I’m sorry, but my beloved is my country.”

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have treated you that way before. Nanxiang, will you forgive me?” Mei Kaihan’s gaze was obsessed, brimming with deep affection and endless regret as he looked at Shen Nanxiang.

Passionate, yet tinged with profound remorse.

Gossip is a part of human nature.

Watching this live display of a lover’s desperate pursuit, Wei Ze, always gentlemanly, discussed with Lu Qingfei, “I think she’ll forgive him.”

Lu Qingfei shot him a glance.

“I’ve seen it online—‘Even though you hurt me, tortured me, and harmed my family, you truly love me.’” Wei Ze abruptly raised his voice, “He’s crazy in love!”

Lu Qingfei, for once, was at a loss for words.

Too many soap operas, perhaps.

“No, no, no. I have nothing to do with you, and you’re no prince.” Shen Nanxiang clung to Lu Qingfei’s sleeve, terrified Mei Kaihan would pounce. “The State of Chu has already fallen.”

Mei Kaihan’s eyes were bloodshot. “I have lived in seclusion and prayer for your sake alone, Princess.”

“You’re atoning for your own sins, not for me,” Shen Nanxiang retorted with disgust. “Don’t drag me into your mess.”

Mei Kaihan lowered his eyelids, hiding all his desolation. “So, you still refuse to forgive me... I understand…”

Shen Nanxiang said, “No, seriously, do you have to be so dramatic?”

“Reincarnation melodrama—how cliché,” Wei Ze clicked his tongue in amusement. “One mustn’t dig their own grave too deep in life.”

Lu Qingfei agreed, “Indeed.”

Wei Ze looked at her with confusion. “Why does Mei Kaihan have memories from a past life?”

“Maybe his ancestral grave is belching black smoke,” Lu Qingfei replied nonchalantly.

Wei Ze was baffled. He knew about auspicious blue smoke, but black smoke?

In any case, the artifact was finally recovered. Wei Ze let out a long breath and made a call for backup.

Why Mei Kaihan had memories of a past life—Lu Qingfei wanted answers, too.

While Wei Ze was making his call elsewhere, Lu Qingfei crouched down, looking at the utterly regretful Mei Kaihan.

“You’re not the original Mei Kaihan.”

Her certainty made Mei Kaihan lift his head. After a long stare, he forced out a question, “How did you know?”

Lu Qingfei curved her lips into a subtle smile. “So, I guessed right.”

Guessed, indeed.

“You’re Prince Rui, aren’t you?” Lu Qingfei propped her chin with one hand, studying him with calm eyes. “Soul transmigration.”

Mei Kaihan’s shock was plain to see.

Clearly, he was surprised Lu Qingfei had discovered the truth.

“Do you want to tell me your story?”

Lu Qingfei’s eyes were clear, as if to say, no matter what you say, I’ll believe you.

Mei Kaihan hesitated, but was tempted—besides this eccentric girl, who else would believe him?

Seven years ago, Prince Rui opened his eyes to find himself in the modern world, reborn as the Buddhist devotee Mei Kaihan.

Lu Qingfei inwardly thought, I get it—soul transmigration.

Before Prince Rui crossed over, he had been terminally ill. After reading the history books here, he discovered he died from that very illness.

Just then, an ancient tomb was discovered, and someone came to the temple recruiting a tomb keeper.

Thus, Prince Rui became the guardian of the tomb.

For seven years, he guarded the tomb until one day, he learned the porcelain artifact was to be transferred to a museum.

He then conceived the idea of keeping it for himself—well, in his mind, it belonged to him to begin with, so it was merely returning to its rightful owner.

He colluded with the Demonized Meteor Hammer, and together they stole the artifact without anyone noticing.

Fearing the police might one day trace it back to him, Prince Rui crafted a thousand-year-old fake, hoping to pass it off as the real thing and close the case.

Everything that followed, Lu Qingfei already knew.

They managed to fool the master of exorcisms, but not her.

Lu Qingfei understood now, but asked, “To have your wish granted, what price did you pay?”

Surely the Demonized Meteor Hammer didn’t help for free.

Mei Kaihan replied in a deep voice, “I gave it my life.”

No wonder there was such a chill about him—living while feeding his very soul to a demon.

Lu Qingfei glanced sidelong at Shen Nanxiang, who was resting inside the porcelain.

“I have an academic question for you.”

Mei Kaihan was taken aback. “What is it?”

“Unofficial history says you hanged the princess from the city wall for three days and nights for the sake of your concubine. Her mother pleaded on her behalf, but was killed. Is it true?”

Mei Kaihan pursed his lips, silent for a moment before nodding. “It’s true.”

Lu Qingfei tapped her temple pensively.

As expected, a cruel man in ancient times is cruel in modern times, too.

A habitual perpetrator.

Hurting your wife may feel good for a moment, but it earns you a seat in prison for life.

Lu Qingfei felt not a shred of pity for Mei Kaihan. Passion is no bleach for morality or the law.

All transmigrators, yet people can be so different.

Her own senior brothers were always law-abiding.

Wei Ze finished his call and approached Lu Qingfei. “Since you helped us recover the artifact, we’d like to present you with a banner of honor. Do you have any idea what inscription you’d like?”

The most important thing about a banner is that it matches the recipient’s wishes. But how to find the right words?

—Just ask directly!

Lu Qingfei thought for a moment. “The inscription should be profound.”

She’d answered so many questions today; she was tired of thinking.

Her gaze slid to Shen Nanxiang, who was touching the porcelain. “You’ve been well-read since childhood, and your literary talent is outstanding. Give me some ideas.”

Shen Nanxiang blurted out, “After the Little Sister Descended the Mountain, She Went on a Rampage!”

Lu Qingfei’s lips twitched.

She didn’t lose her mind cultivating in a psychiatric hospital, but went mad after coming down the mountain. Maybe she shouldn’t have left at all.

“Not good enough? Then how about ‘Taking Back the Artifact at the Start: The Big Boss Is Beautiful and Cool,’ or ‘After Catching Criminals as a Side Job, I Became a Sensation’?”

Shen Nanxiang looked hopeful. “How’s that? Isn’t it catchy?”

Lu Qingfei was speechless.

Wei Ze wanted to say something complimentary, but opened his mouth and said nothing.

He was out of words!

He’d never been so speechless in his life!

Shen Nanxiang looked at Lu Qingfei with puppy eyes, eager for feedback.

Lu Qingfei asked, “Are you happy?”

Shen Nanxiang nodded enthusiastically.

“As long as you’re happy.”

Lu Qingfei covered a yawn and said casually to Wei Ze, “No need for the banner. If you really want to thank me—”

“Do you have the Whale Live app?”

Wei Ze didn’t know why she asked, but replied, “I do.”

Lu Qingfei quickly tapped her phone. “Just follow me. That’ll be thanks enough.”

Wei Ze stared blankly at the account displayed on her screen.

Baffled but obedient, he opened the Whale Live app, searched for the account ‘Cultivating Immortality in the Human World,’ and hit follow.

“Like this?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Wei Ze found it unbelievable.

That’s all?

She was too easy to please.

Shen Nanxiang gazed helplessly at Lu Qingfei.

Suddenly, her face changed drastically.