Great! I'm surrounded by villains!
Chapter 155 - 75: The Self-Cultivation of a Famous Detective

Chapter 155: Chapter 75: The Self-Cultivation of a Famous Detective

Duan Mingyuan had heard about the wonders of the Yu Quan spa a long time ago.

When this service was first introduced, it was quite popular among the working crowd. Those who experienced it spoke very highly of it, with the most miraculous claim being that it "sucks away negative energy." Although no one could clearly articulate what negative energy actually was, every participant felt like theirs had been absorbed.

Duan Mingyuan thought this was very likely just a marketing tactic because, in his observation, those who claimed to have had their negative energy absorbed didn’t seem to become more positive at work.

In fact, he had once been interested as well, but when he checked online and found out that Yunlong City’s only fish spa was located in the mountains on the outskirts, requiring a four-hour round trip by bus, he completely dismissed the idea.

There was only one day off per week.

There was nothing in this world that could make him spend four out of this scarce day on transportation.

Living alone meant constantly battling with himself even over going out to eat. After Duan Mingyuan’s lengthy academic studies, getting takeout proved to be the most cost-effective lifestyle.

Now, several years after the fish spa craze had passed, he was visiting the spa for the first time in his life.

The air in the spa was filled with a layer of mist, mixed with steam.

At this hour, there were only a few scattered customers in the spa, all appearing to be Extraterrestrials who had been invited, since regular people from the Imperial Court would be at work or academic conferences at this time.

The staff was yawning non-stop, looking as though they had just woken up.

In Jiuyue’s assessment, the service rating: two stars.

But this did not dampen Jiuyue’s fervor. She studied the service list carefully and became very interested in the "family zone."

The list described it as a space prepared for families to enjoy the fish spa together, offering the utmost private space for guests.

However, Duan Mingyuan expressed a different view, "I think we should go to the main spa instead."

Though he was intrigued by the space for just the two of them, obviously the main spa was more conducive for gathering information.

Yes, as unbelievable as it may sound, they were indeed here to investigate an abduction case involving the Extraterrestrials.

Jiuyue called this investigative method "fishing law enforcement."

As the name suggests, if you are lucky enough, the criminal will come to you while you’re "fishing."

It might sound far-fetched, but if you study the development of detectives in modern history closely, you’ll find a startling fact—real detectives never need to take cases because crimes always seem to happen automatically during their leisure travels.

Hercule Poirot and Conan were both like this.

Jiuyue believed the talent for becoming a great detective was to bring death wherever they went.

In bringing misfortune to others, they were highly similar to a calamity fox, and in fact, most calamity foxes haven’t killed as many people as great detectives have.

Especially a certain Reaper schoolboy, whom even a calamity fox would consult for advice.

And Jiuyue was undoubtedly the ultimate practitioner.

She was not only lucky herself but also well-versed in the skills of a calamity fox. If she willed it, that staff member who had been yawning since they arrived and was unresponsive to them might well become the next victim.

The reason being, he might have accidentally stumbled upon a terrorist plotting during his work.

But Duan Mingyuan was a decent person.

Even if it meant pretending, he had to at least go through the motions of gathering information.

"Mr. Mingyuan, your methods are outdated, you should listen to me," Jiuyue insisted, refusing to back down on this issue.

The rare visit to the fish spa was meant to create an unforgettable memory with Mr. Mingyuan. She did not want her recollection of the fish spa trip to be populated by a bunch of big aunts and uncles she didn’t know.

She was the researcher of "fishing law enforcement." "The essence of this method is that you have to thoroughly enjoy the recreational process," she argued.

"What about the terrorists then?" Duan Mingyuan countered, "Even if you’re really lucky and they make their way to the spa after pulling off a heist, they’re unlikely to barge into the family zone recklessly."

"Didn’t you see the zoning map? The family zone and the public area are in two separate places. If they really come for a holiday, they’ll certainly choose the family zone."

To lure Mr. Mingyuan into the family zone, Jiuyue ignited her detective spirit, her insight becoming incredibly sharp. Pointing to an entrance nearby, she said, "Look, going to the family zone doesn’t necessarily mean being with family."

Duan Mingyuan followed her pointing hand. His eyes met two men in bathrobes, both looking to be slightly over 40, with such grave expressions that they certainly did not seem to be on holiday.

It was daytime, the time when the spa had its lowest customer volume of the day.

"Some people take advantage of the privacy of the family zone to plot things," Jiuyue stated confidently.

"You see the world as too dark, maybe they’re just brothers bonding," Duan Mingyuan countered.

"Since when do brothers need to bond by baring their chests and showing off their navels!"

"The Haier brothers do," he cited promptly, recalling that according to his understanding, those brothers never wore clothes when meeting, and considering the unique terrain of the Imperial Court, the possibility of Haier brothers visiting from Extraterrestrials couldn’t be ruled out.

"You—!" Jiuyue was momentarily at a loss for words, her annoyance causing her to puff out her chest, "Am I not much better looking than the Haier brothers? If you go to the public area, the bathhouse may be filled with Haier brothers, and some might even be transformed by stinky mud. Given your level of OCD, Mr. Mingyuan, you probably wouldn’t last even ten minutes!"

Although Duan Mingyuan didn’t quite understand how stinky mud could disguise itself as a human and sneak into the spa, he had to admit he was a bit shaken now.

He feigned composure and said, "This is work."

He could endure for the sake of work and living; that was basic professionalism for a dedicated worker.

"Then think about it, what if the stinky mud started picking its nose in front of you and then put its hand into the water afterward?"

Jiuyue went all out.

If such a situation were to arise, Mr. Mingyuan might just turn into a terrorist himself first.

"Tell me your plan," he resigned.

The scene Jiuyue painted delivered the final blow to Duan Mingyuan’s wavering conviction, and unusually for him, he was persuaded, losing the title of "stubborn king." "If we’re to stay in a small compartment, then how are we supposed to investigate the kidnappers?"

"Simple," Jiuyue finally showed a satisfied smile. She opened the music playing app on her phone, selected a BGM titled "Threat (Part 2)," and said, "If this BGM plays later, it means a murder has occurred, and then we’ll just rush out from the room."