My Pretty Campus Queen

Chapter 1197: Chapter 1197: Plot Twist

Du Nong, who had been standing by the side, suddenly snapped back to reality when Chen Tianlong called his name. Ever since Wu Mengting proposed that idea, he had been pondering whether that person used the Du Family’s Disguise Skill.

"Ah? Oh, yes, this is the Du Family’s secret art. Besides me, my brother... Du Min can also do it." Everyone knew that he and Du Min didn’t have a good relationship, and saying this seemed like he was slandering his brother.

"Oh, so besides you, Du Min can also do it."

Upon hearing this, Chen Tianlong’s thoughts became clear, and the next steps became easier.

Chen Tianlong turned around and said to the Pure Yang Daoist, "Sect Leader, could you invite Vice Sect Leader Du Min over? I have some questions to ask him."

Pure Yang Daoist nodded. He actually understood what Chen Tianlong meant; this matter might be related to Du Min. So, he instructed Fatty Xu to invite Du Min over.

The crowd was abuzz with discussion, and before long, a familiar figure appeared behind Fatty Xu—it was Du Min.

After Du Min arrived, he asked somewhat curiously, "Sect Leader, why did you call for me? Isn’t the trial already over?"

"Ah, Du Min, it’s like this. There was a theft incident here, and we have some doubts. We need your assistance in the investigation."

Pure Yang Daoist felt a bit embarrassed, knowing full well that it was a good ten-minute walk from here, and Vice Sect Leader Du was a busy man.

"Oh? What is it you need to ask?"

Du Min appeared as if he knew nothing, but Chen Tianlong smiled inwardly. Du Min’s mind was truly deep, as he managed to act so calm and collected; he was indeed a master.

"Heh, Vice Sect Leader Du, it’s like this. I want to ask you, this afternoon where were you and what were you doing? Is there anyone who can verify?" Chen Tianlong asked directly.

"Are you suspecting me? I was definitely at home at noon. After that, do I need to tell you what I was doing?" Du Min replied haughtily and gave Chen Tianlong a sidelong glance.

"Du Min, Chen Tianlong is a great benefactor of our Celestial Pill Sect. Answer truthfully and do not be disrespectful."

Although Du Min was the vice sect leader, his position was only given out of respect for Du Fei’s death. Now that Chen Tianlong was being so arrogant in front of him, Pure Yang Daoist was somewhat annoyed.

"Well, alright, I had dinner at home at noon, then went to my room to read a book and rested for a while. As for anyone who can testify, there isn’t anyone. As a Vice Sect Leader, do I need others’ permission to carry out my duties?"

Du Min smoothly deflected the last question.

Chen Tianlong had no choice but to look for breakthroughs from other angles, but he was certain that this matter was related to Du Min.

Based on his earlier observations, Xu Fei maintained a long silence, neither speaking nor reacting, which was unusual given their cooperation during the trial, where they should have coordinated. Now, their silence seemed suspicious.

This was why Chen Tianlong became even more suspicious that Xu Fei and Du Min had colluded, perhaps orchestrating things such that whoever faced questioning would have no direct interaction, to avoid leaving any traces.

Chen Tianlong chuckled inwardly; these two were truly cautious and deceitful. Had it not been for his keen observance, he might have been led astray.

"Du Min, did you see Xu Fei today? You two are usually such good friends. Why aren’t you together today, and instead, you’re alone at home reading a book?"

Chen Tianlong casually chatted, while keenly observing Xu Fei’s reaction.

Sure enough, Xu Fei began to get nervous and stepped forward, speaking angrily: "Don’t think I don’t know what you’re implying. Are you saying Du Min and I collaborated to steal something? Then you’re wrong. I didn’t even meet Du Min today."

"Oh? Really?" Chen Tianlong retorted without saying much more.

"No kidding, Hao Shuai, isn’t that right? And Hao Kan, isn’t that correct?" said Xu Fei, glaring at Hao Shuai and Hao Kan, both of whom nodded affirmatively.

"Ha, that’s hilarious. You specifically asked your cronies, friends, of course, they’ll support you," Chen Tianlong replied dismissively, mocking: "Do you dare to let us take a look at your room?"

"What?"

Xu Fei hadn’t expected Chen Tianlong to take this approach, directly suggesting a search. Indeed, before he left, he had hurriedly wrapped the incriminating evidence in clothing and stuffed it under the bed to avoid being detected.

Seeing Xu Fei’s surprised expression, Chen Tianlong felt even more convinced, "Or are you afraid?"

"Humph, afraid of what? Just why do you think you can search my room? Isn’t that disrespectful to me? Why search me and not others? I know you hold a grudge against me, but don’t let that interfere with the Sect Leader’s important task of catching the thief."

Xu Fei tried to change the topic, dragging the Sect Leader into the conversation, but Chen Tianlong would not be misled.

"Heh, Sect Leader, you see, Brother Xu Fei is obviously guilty. Just mentioning searching his room makes him anxious," said Chen Tianlong, aiming to leverage the authority of the Pure Yang Daoist.

The Pure Yang Daoist quickly grasped Chen Tianlong’s intention and realized he was being called upon to exercise his authority as sect leader.

"Alright, Brother Chen Tianlong makes a lot of sense. Let’s follow his suggestion. Everyone, say no more, let’s proceed to Xu Fei’s room."

With that, he led the group towards Xu Fei’s room.

At this moment, Xu Fei was in turmoil, glaring at Chen Tianlong with gritted teeth, but he couldn’t show his anger too openly and followed along somewhat helplessly.

Yet, he still felt somewhat assured; though the object was indeed under the bed, it was concealed beneath the bedboards. It was unlikely to be seen unless one looked directly under the bed. Moreover, with him overseeing the process, he wouldn’t let anyone dismantle the bed.

Before long, everyone had arrived at the room. Pure Yang Daoist, along with Cheng Qianjin and Master Mie Wo, started searching, but without causing disorder or breaking anything, merely searching with their eyes.

After about ten minutes, Pure Yang Daoist sighed, finding nothing. It seemed they were on the wrong track once again.

"Ha, I told you, I didn’t steal anything. Yet, Chen Tianlong insists otherwise. This is a great insult to my character. Sect Leader, what do you propose we do now?"

Having seen the group stop searching, Xu Fei started acting smug.

"Oh, well..."

Pure Yang Daoist was feeling momentarily at a loss when a voice interrupted.

"Sect Leader Cheng, Master Mie Wo, what kind of box do you use for storage? Do you have an extra one I could see?" Chen Tianlong inquired.

Cheng Qianjin paused, shook his head, but Master Mie Wo took out a small box from her garments.

The previous larger box used for storing pills was markedly bigger, but this one was for smaller pills, though the material was the same, made from Five-fragrant Fir Wood.

Seeing Master Mie Wo’s box, Chen Tianlong was delighted, while Xu Fei’s heart sank. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Although Xu Fei didn’t know what Chen Tianlong would do next, he had a multitude of ingenious ideas, and Xu Fei was wary of them. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Chen Tianlong took Master Mie Wo’s box and asked, "Master, are you sure the material of this box is the same as the one you used to store the pill box?"