Chapter 105: Moonlit Night, Shocking Shadow

The knocking sounded like thunder, rattling the window paper with a clatter. Pingle was so frightened that she grabbed her brother's arm, her fingers turning white.

Li Ping'an patted his sister's back of the hand, sauntered slowly to the door and said: "Who is it? It's the middle of the night—can't we get some rest?"

Outside the door came Sun Kezhang's familiar tone: "Police Station investigating! Open the door!"

When the latch was pulled, Sun Kezhang, with two police officers, stood outside, his face as ashen as soot from a pot bottom.

Yo, Sun Kezhang is really diligent. Li Ping'an leaned against the doorframe and said, "What time is it, and you're still coming to our door for service?"

Sun Kezhang pressed his face and squeezed into the house: "Although Zhoufu was burned down, a lot of money and property were lost. We need to investigate thoroughly."

Li Ping'an felt delighted inside; those treasures are lying in his space, so it's unlikely they'd be found.

"Then feel free to look," he said, spreading his hands to avoid being accused of uncooperative civilians again.

Pingle, in pajamas, shuffled out, her eyes red like a rabbit's: "Brother, what happened?"

It's nothing; the police comrades are helping us look for the missing money. Li Ping'an deliberately raised his voice: "Come, let the chief investigate properly and clear our name, so we won't be suspected daily with endless visits."

Sun Kezhang's face couldn't hide his displeasure; he glanced away casually and was about to slip out.

"Is that all the investigation?" Li Ping'an blocked the way, "How about we also check the kang hole? What if I've hidden a gold ingot?"

Sun Kezhang, with a dark face, said: "No need! You've disturbed us!"

Watching the police walk away, Pingle anxiously asked: "Brother, did they discover anything?"

"Don't worry, they won't find anything." Li Ping'an patted her head and said, "Sleep well; tomorrow I'll buy you some bean juice to drink."

When Pingle fell asleep, Li Ping'an rose gently. Moonlight slipped through the window cracks, scattering silver‑white across the floor.

He changed into the Night Cloak, covered his face with black cloth, and like a nimble raccoon, slipped out the window.

He unleashed the Carefree Step, his figure flickering in and out of the moonlight. The night wind whistled past his ears, and before long he arrived at the daytime warehouse.

Sure enough, someone was still guarding; two guards leaned against the wall dozing. Li Ping'an picked up two Stones and gave his wrist a light flick.

Aiyo! Who's there?

The guard stood up, only to be knocked down by two hand slashes.

A copper lock hung on the warehouse door; Li Ping'an twisted his finger and opened it. Inside, the stacked wooden crates were even more than those seen in the daytime.

He waved his hand, and the crates vanished one by one. Yet, after a breath's pause, the warehouse was empty enough to run a horse through.

Before leaving, he deliberately left a conspicuous footprint on the ground—the exact spot where Sun Kezhang had stood during the day.

The next target was the Japanese man's residence. That fellow lived in a guesthouse converted from the Beile Mansion, and he was indeed enjoying it.

Li Ping'an drifted into the courtyard like a leaf, hearing a thunderous snore from inside. He pushed the door open; the Japanese man was sprawled in a four‑limb spread, dreaming on the bed.

One slash, clean and decisive.

While rummaging the room, he pulled a ledger from under the bedboard. In the moonlight, Li Ping'an inhaled sharply, a cold breath.

The top pages were densely filled with bribery records: Director Wang received twenty gold bars, Sun Kezhang took five thousand yuan in cash… even high officials of the Government were listed.

"What a nest of parasites!" Li Ping'an muttered, slipping the ledger into his chest.

When he returned home, the rooster hadn't crowed yet. He slipped through the window silently, hearing Pingle muttering in her dream: "Brother… bean juice…"

Li Ping'an smiled, tucked the ledger away, and lay beside his sister. Moonlight illuminated her tranquil sleeping face, and his heart felt warm and soft.

At dawn the next day, the clamor outside woke them. Pingle rubbed her eyes and sat up: "Brother, what's happening outside?"

Li Ping'an pushed the window open and saw people on the street whispering to each other.

"Did you hear? The warehouse was emptied! All valuable items are gone! The police went, but they found nothing…"

He gave a slight smile, closed the window: "No problem, let's go have some spicy hot soup."

At the Police Station, things were far from quiet. Sun Kezhang stood in Director Wang's office, head down, receiving a reprimand.

"Useless! All useless!" Director Wang smashed his teacup to pieces, "A warehouse that big, and you say it's gone? Can't even find a single footprint?"

Sun Kezhang muttered softly: "We only found one footprint, looks like… looks like it's yours, Director…"

"Nonsense!" Director Wang, his face turning green with anger, shouted, "Keep investigating! If you can't find anything, get lost!"

Sun Kezhang had no choice but to lead his subordinates to wander the streets.

At this moment, Li Ping'an and Pingle were drinking spicy hot soup at a breakfast stall. The little girl ate with sauce all over her mouth, her eyes smiling like crescents.

"Brother, today's spicy hot soup is especially fragrant!"

Li Ping'an wiped her mouth: "If it's good, have more."

He watched the bustling street, scheming in his mind. He must hand the ledger to Old Zhao quickly; these parasites won't get away.

"Le'er, I'm going out for a while, stay home and practice your fists, okay?"

Pingle nodded, then lowered her voice: "Brother, you going out at night… I already know."

Li Ping'an was startled.

"I was pretending to sleep." Pingle's eyes sparkled, but "Brother, rest assured, I won't tell anyone."

Li Ping'an patted her head, feeling warm inside. This girl, she's really grown up.

After finishing the spicy hot soup, he escorted Pingle home, then turned toward the teahouse. The ledger in his arms was heavy, like holding a ball of fire.

The sun shone on the bluestone pavement, dazzlingly bright. Li Ping'an squinted, recalling Dongbei's Linhai Xueyuan and the brothers who sacrificed.

These peaceful days are hard‑won. Whoever wishes to ruin them, first ask Li Ping'an whether he'll agree!

The teahouse awning was already in sight; Old Zhao should be waiting inside. Li Ping'an took a deep breath and strode forward.

At the street corner, two men in top hats exchanged glances and quietly followed.