Free Web NovelChapter 712: Chapter 304: Cause of Death
Everyone gathered at the front, even Patir, who had been avoiding it, came over. Old Tuo covered the lower half of the corpse and pointed to a patch of unusually colored skin beneath the neck.
Everyone felt there was no difference; upon close inspection, the skin just looked a bit tender.
"Isn’t this nothing special?"
"It looks like a scar. Is it related to the cause of death?"
Old Tuo shook his head. He wasn’t sure either; it was just his long-term professional intuition telling him something was off, giving him a bad feeling.
"Does Councillor Hong often wear any jewelry around here?" Li Xin suddenly asked.
Hong Ban thought for a moment, "Yes, he did. My father acquired a very precious exotic stone and made it into an amulet, which he wore for a long time. Are you suggesting there’s an issue with this stone?"
"Where is the amulet?" Li Xin’s eyes lit up as he immediately inquired.
"It’s a significant amulet, not a Secret Item. My father was very cautious about safety issues and even had it thoroughly inspected. I’ll go look for it." Hong Ban walked over to a nearby box that contained Hong Yan’s cherished items, meant to be buried along with him.
After searching for a while, Hong Ban took out a small wooden plaque embedded with a gemstone. Li Xin took the amulet, examining it closely.
"This wood is no ordinary material; it’s the Wood of Life from the previous era, possessing protective qualities. It reacts to Hidden Power, so it should be fine," Hong Ban said, "The star stone is embedded in the middle."
The sapphire-like star stone emitted starlike light at night; it was beautiful. Patir’s eyes were captivated by it, as such rare gems held immense allure to women.
Were it not Hong Yan’s relic, she might have wanted to buy it.
Li Xin touched the Wood of Life, made from Golden Tree material, resembling materials like the Gourmet Association’s wooden spoon or Miss Aries’s harp, which felt less dissonant.
The wooden plaque was passed among everyone’s hands, yet none detected anything unusual.
As the amulet made its way around the group, nobody found any clues, apart from marveling at its opulence.
The rare Wood of Life combined with the exotic star stone—an extravagance among extravagances.
Hong Ban noticed Patir’s fondness. But were it not his father’s relic, he might have gifted it to his goddess—for she was family, after all.
"This amulet is the cause of Hong Yan’s death. The killer used the exotic star stone to push Hong Ban’s body towards collapse, then the seductive woman’s appearance triggered the breakdown," Li Xin said. Meteorites carry significant radiation; this light-emitting item likely has high levels.
Instantly, everyone’s eyes filled with incredulity. Hong Ban furrowed his brow, "Impossible, with the Wood of Life, no evil Hidden Power can escape detection."
"It’s not a Hidden Power. This stunning star stone is not from Dao Yuan Continent, indeed from the stars, but it carries an invisible force harmful to our human bodies. It can be deemed as a fatal power not from Dao Yuan Continent; it doesn’t cause immediate death but gradually corrodes the flesh over time. While outwardly fine, inwardly it’s decaying, exacerbated by the seductive woman’s inducement leading to death," Li Xin explained. "It’s the beautiful glow sending out the Power of Decay; Councillor Hong’s resilient make-up allowed him to withstand for so long. Decay results in irreversible internal death; where the amulet touched is likely severely affected, causing skin peeling, but swiftly regenerating due to the Wood of Life, perhaps even misleading the wearer into feeling revived.
The extraterrestrial meteorite, a potent radiation carrier, coupled with the Wood of Life, a diabolical method.
Patir, shocked, quickly tossed the amulet out, which Li Xin caught, "No harm for brief exposure."
Hong Ban was doubtful, "Why haven’t I heard of this before? How did you come to know this?"
"Knowledge from the Secret Castle; nearly all extraterrestrial meteorites carry such forces, though with varying intensities," Li Xin said faintly, using the Secret Castle banner for convenience rather than detailed explanation.
Hong Ban’s eyes flickered, biting his lip, "The Evil God’s force from beyond, no wonder we couldn’t detect it. It was auctioned at the Treasure Pavilion, the Royal Family auction’s highlight."
"The seductive woman was encountered at the Dragon Fortune Association, and this gemstone bought at the Royal Family auction. Is the Royal Family the culprit?" Hong Ban inquired, looking at Li Xin, "What else do you know?"
"According to our intelligence, the Royal Family’s Chief Steward Ji Sheng has another identity as a singer for Song of Hell, codenamed Slave Master, an Angel on the Puppet Master path," Li Xin stated.
Suddenly, the mourning hall truly felt gloomy; Hong Ban took a deep breath, eyes wide, "Do you have evidence? How do you know?"
"Shadow Owl’s former captain Jiang Wu died by his hand. The skin sleeve from the little flaying case likely used on Hong Yan’s close members, those people turned into puppets with these sleeves. In Jiang Wu’s investigation, he discovered clues but was silenced. Following this lead, I found the Slave Master of Song of Hell, and using some discreet channels, I was able to pinpoint Ji Sheng," Li Xin said, "Now, all suspicion points to Ji Sheng and the Dragon Fortune Association. Whether Ji Sheng is the Slave Master or not, he’s undeniably linked to this case."
Hong Ban, staring blankly at Li Xin, having grown up in a prominent family immersed in intricate power struggles, realized the Hong Family stood no chance against Ji Sheng. He had to ponder the credibility of Li Xin’s words—though he already believed them—but what of his motives, and what purpose does Avogadro of the Secret Castle hold?
Hong Ban sighed deeply, "My father was a reserved person, but very pleased after acquiring this star stone at auction, stating many competitors were eyeing it. Only he knew its true worth—a treasure from beyond not merely ornamental but granting blessings, revealed by old friends from the Dragon Fortune Association as a favor, which secured the acquisition; otherwise, someone would’ve taken it."
Financially, the Hong Family couldn’t compare to any of the Potter’s several aristocratic families, let alone the Potters; the Maxims couldn’t contest either. Initially, everybody assumed it was just an unusual gemstone, unaware it was an exotic star stone.
"They’ve been planning for a long time," Hong Ban remarked, then turned to Li Xin and others, bowing profoundly, "Li Xin, I am deeply grateful."
"It’s our duty as Night Patrol; the case has a lead, and the aftermath involves major reportage," Li Xin said, "With the true cause of death and suspects, confirming the killer is feasible."
This was known to everybody, although all evidence and doubts pointed to Ji Sheng, apprehending him wasn’t straightforward, especially as these clues were largely speculative.
Everyone departed the Hong residence, leaving Hong Ban alone in the mourning hall, tightly clutching the chain of the deadly amulet.
On the misty Dragon Capital streets at night, Patir was escorted home by her family members, while Li Xin and others walked down the street. The chilly Dragon Capital night contributed to poor public order, though none dared challenge the Night Patrol.
"Commander, if that amulet was the crime tool, can’t we arrest Ji Sheng?" Meng Po asked.
Old Tuo and others also looked at Li Xin.
"Not so simple; Song of Hell likely has backup," Li Xin explained; Meng Po and others fell silent, "There is no doubt Ji Sheng is the culprit, just that our power alone isn’t enough."
The gemstone’s effect was dice-verified by him, but such methods can’t serve as evidence, and the Night Patrol’s strength alone was insufficient; Li Xin needed the Hong Family onboard to dismantle Ji Sheng’s Royal Family Golden Body.
Assassinating Ji Sheng was challenging, ensuring no aftermath even harder. To disgrace Ji Sheng and the Royal Family’s high ranks might present the opportunity.
"Commander, you think the Hong Family could help?"
"Uncertain." Li Xin replied.
Meng Po and others were hesitant. They desperately wanted revenge for Jiang Wu, and though Knights Order offered a comfortable life, Jiang Wu upheld the Shadow Owl for years, being a competent captain. But learning the killer was the Royal Family Chief Steward left them despondent.
Li Xin discerned Meng Po and others’ suppression but said little. He sensed the Hong Family’s current focus on interests rather than revenge. For a prominent family, considering the deceased, potential gains mattered most. Once mastering this lead, they’ll leverage it further, pushing Ji Sheng down implies substantial cost—but could he afford it?
Song of Hell isn’t easily extorted.
Moreover, grudges don’t dissolve. If Ji Sheng suddenly perished later, guess whose doing?
"Commander, what’s our next move?"
"Sister Meng, organize the case—send one copy to the Cabinet, another to the Church Court," Li Xin instructed, "Everyone’s worked hard this period, let’s take a break."
