Follow My Heart

The sound of a motorcycle grew louder in the night before finally stopping in the front yard.

A slightly heavyset police officer stepped off the bike.

Feng Binbin, seated on a chair, looked up and called out with a grin, "Hey, Big Cousin’s here."

Big Cousin’s surname was Liang, given name Qiyuan.

He was the eldest son of Lin Mo’s eldest aunt—the firstborn of Grandma’s eldest daughter.

The reason he was called "Big Cousin" wasn’t because he was a crack shot with a gun.

It was simply because he was significantly older than Lin Mo and the others in their generation.

Big Cousin took off his helmet, exhaustion written across his face, and immediately asked, "Hey, you got anything to eat? Get me something quick."

Still in his police uniform, it was clear he’d just come straight from work.

Lin Mo handed over a freshly grilled skewer of meat.

Big Cousin took it and burst into laughter. "Damn, you’re back early this year."

"Just wanted to see you all sooner," Lin Mo shrugged.

The faintly mature tone in his voice gave Big Cousin pause.

Then he clapped Lin Mo on the shoulder and chuckled. "Well, that’s good. Keep an eye on Second Grandma for us."

At this point, Feng Binbin finally asked curiously, "Big Cousin, were you on night shift? Eating this late?"

Big Cousin waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, just got called back for overtime. Anyway, don’t stay out too late these next few nights—might not be safe."

Lin Mo frowned at that.

What was happening during this time?

Searching his memories of his past life, he recalled—three criminals from Hunan had fled south after committing a crime.

They were eventually caught right here in Hecheng.

How did Lin Mo know?

Because Big Cousin had told him. Last time around, he’d probably given the same warning, and a few days later, the men were arrested.

Back then, no one had thought the matter concerned them.

So everyone started chattering, asking what was going on.

But before a case was closed, the police couldn’t reveal too much—especially when it involved something this dangerous.

Still, even if Big Cousin wouldn’t say, Lin Mo remembered the details clearly.

The three fugitives had originally been part of a security team in a gated villa community.

They’d learned to avoid surveillance, targeting only the villas that weren’t permanently occupied. A quick power cut left no trace, and they could steal valuables without anyone noticing.

But during one job, the homeowners unexpectedly returned and caught them in the act.

The three men panicked—and slaughtered the entire family.

They even assaulted the wife and daughter before killing them.

It was beyond horrific.

Because the family was well-connected, the investigation moved swiftly, and the security team was quickly implicated.

By the time the police came for them, the three had already fled south.

Eventually, their trail was picked up, leading to their capture.

Big Cousin didn’t elaborate further. If there was a story to tell, it’d have to wait until after the case was closed.

So after eating, he left in a hurry—proof he’d really just dropped by for a quick meal.

The group, now uneasy, grew nervous.

Feng Binbin cut through the tension. "Alright, let’s get the girls home first, then we’ll head back. My place is on a main road—those guys wouldn’t dare show their faces there."

His suggestion was met with agreement.

With motorcycles, it wouldn’t take long anyway.

The mood for barbecue soured, and soon everyone was packing up.

Except Lin Mo, who kept grilling skewers.

Lv Ning'en looked at him apologetically. "You’ve been cooking for us all night and barely ate anything yourself."

Lin Mo waved it off. "No worries. Serving you all is an honor. But if any of you thank me by gifting me high school exam drills, I’ll assume my skewers were fed to dogs."

The group burst into laughter.

"We’re not that cruel."

"See you next time, cousin."

They helped clean up before leaving.

Feng Binbin went with them—though Lin Mo suspected he really just wanted to escort Lv Ning'en.

Grandma walked over, eyeing the untouched food. "Why’d they leave in such a hurry with so much left?"

"Nothing serious. Maybe they’ve got plans after. Want me to grill something for you, Grandma?"

She shook her head. "No, no, you eat. A growing boy needs his fill. I’ll get you some herbal tea—hardly anyone drank any before leaving."

Muttering to herself, she shuffled toward the kitchen.

Lin Mo watched her, just as she’d always been.

......

The night deepened.

Sitting on his bed, Lin Mo revisited Big Cousin’s warning.

If he remembered right, those fugitives hadn’t stopped at just one crime.

They were going to strike again in Hecheng—a second crime that would lead to their arrest.

Silently, he stepped onto the second-floor balcony and took a deep breath.

Should he intervene?

Or stay out of it?

He recalled his past self, hearing about this for the first time—how he’d mourned the victims and condemned the killers.

He wasn’t trying to be some failed hero. But if it was right in front of him now… he’d act.

He’d follow his conscience.

Decision made, Lin Mo stepped onto the balcony railing and leapt into the air.

First stop—the police station.

With invisibility and divine speed, he arrived in moments.

Even a small county like Hecheng had a proper criminal investigation unit.

Unseen, Lin Mo strolled inside, his divine sense scanning the archives.

Big Cousin wasn’t a detective—just a regular cop. He wouldn’t have access to much intel.

So Lin Mo went straight to the source.

Soon, his senses locked onto the three men’s birthdates.

That was all he needed.

Standing atop the police station, Lin Mo formed a hand seal.

The first of the Seventy-Two Divine Arts was called "Communion with the Nether."

It allowed communication with wandering spirits.

He raised a hand and commanded, "Five Ghosts, heed my call! Appear before me! By the decree of the Jade Emperor!"

The Five Ghosts were spectral envoys of the five directions: the Black Ghost of the North, the Green Ghost of the East, the White Ghost of the West, the Red Ghost of the South, and the Yellow Ghost of the Center.

Though called "ghosts," they were more like wandering spirits—akin to local deities, much like the City God.

Lin Mo had once doubted this art’s usefulness, unsure if spirits even existed.

But once he’d confirmed it, he knew his powers would serve him well.

In an instant, five motes of colored light converged before him, hovering in the air.