The Modern Martial Immortal-Chapter 19: Inquiry

"Meet? I don't have the time for now," Yaoguang answered. He was headed out to buy a sword.

"Where are you? We'll come to you," Lin Xiaowei said.

"Do you need something?" Yaoguang asked.

"Yes." Lin Xiaowei emphasized her tone slightly. "It's important."

He pondered for a moment before replying, "I'm going to the Mijade Collection Hall at Yulong International."

"We'll head over now. Let's meet there," Lin Xiaowei said at once.

"Mhmm," Yaoguang responded.

Lin Xiaowei was an inspector with Yunmeng City's task force. He had already guessed why she wanted to see him.

Are they suspecting me? Even if they do, it doesn't matter. If they suspect me, then they can serve as the vanguard. I want to see just how deeply daemons have infiltrated Yunmeng, the province of Tiannan, and even the whole of Dayu.

An inspector alone didn't carry enough weight, and she might not reach the higher tiers of authority.

But Xia Wuyuan was different. He belonged to the Prosecutor's Office, whose members were directly appointed by the royal family and responded only to the royals.

If Yaoguang reported the matter to someone like Xia Wuyuan and nothing happened, exposing the daemons and rallying public outrage would be meaningless.

***

Mijade Collection Hall wasn't located on the upper floors of Yulong International. Instead, it sat on the first floor, occupying a massive area. A rough and conservative estimate would be approximately 800 square meters, comparable to a full exhibition hall.

Everything displayed inside, without exception, was a rare treasure or fine art. The cheaper pieces were worth hundreds of thousands, the expensive ones tens of millions.

The hall was one of Yulong International's signature attractions and often drew influencers from across the country who came to take photos.

The Chengying Sword, which Yaoguang intended to purchase, was one of Mijade Collection Hall's centerpiece treasures.

When Zhang Ching and Yaoguang arrived, the curator was already waiting for them. She was wearing a suit and appeared to be in her early forties. Smiling warmly, she led them straight into the reception room.

After tea and refreshments were served, Zhang Ching spoke first, "I'm sure Curator Fang already knows why we're here. Where is the Chengying Sword?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang. The famous sword Chengying is one of the Mijade Collection Hall's core treasures. We have no intention of selling it," said Curator Fang politely, smiling.

"Not selling? Please. Since when does Mijade refuse to sell its pieces? Are you worried that we can't afford it? You acquired that sword years ago for no more than eight million. How much do you want? Name a price," Zhang Ching said.

"My apologies, Mr. Zhang. We are happy to introduce other pieces to you if you wish to purchase something, but the famous sword Chengying is one of our symbols. My boss has no plan to put it on the market." Curator Fang maintained her smile, though a faint frown appeared on her face.

Zhang Ching's expression darkened. Mijade has sold its so-called "core treasures" more than once. The term merely serves to inflate value and justify waiting for the highest offer. Saying Chengying isn't for sale doesn't mean it truly isn't. It means that it's not for sale to me! She doesn't think I, Zhang Ching, qualify to purchase a sword of that caliber!

But considering the background of Mijade Collection Hall and the influence of the Zhang family, Zhang Ching adjusted quickly. Seeing that Yaoguang didn't intend to conceal his identity, he said, "The one interested in the Chengying Sword isn't me, but Young Master Su."

"Young Master Su?" Hearing that family name, Curator Fang was startled. She turned to Yaoguang. "May I ask your name, Sir?"

"Yaoguang," he answered. "If it's a matter of price, we can discuss it."

"Yaoguang..." Curator Fang tried to recall which prominent family the name belonged to.

"Don't guess," Zhang Ching said lightly. "Within Tiannan, who else is worthy of being called Young Master Su?"

His reminder made the truth dawn on her. Young Master Su? The Su family from Tiannan's capital city?

Not long ago, the Su family had been embroiled in a major controversy. Su Huaifeng, the eldest son of the old master, had lived recklessly, contracted AIDS, and developed a terminal illness. His designated heir, Su Xiangyang, had looked promising at first, but was soon exposed as someone guilty of countless atrocities, with more victims than one could count on two hands.

Of course, these explosive reports might have been influenced by internal Su family struggles or by forces targeting the Su family. The truth had yet to be fully verified.

Regardless, the scandal had set the entire internet ablaze.

Because of that, she had also paid attention to Su Huaifeng's other son, Su Yaoguang, who might inherit that branch's assets.

Due to his mother, Zhang Ya, Su Yaoguang had yet to return to the Su family, but anyone with eyes could see that—as the bridge between the Su and Zhang families—his future status would be beyond exceptional.

Curator Fang realized the situation and immediately rose to her feet. "So it is Young Master Su who has graced us today. I failed to recognize you earlier, which was my oversight. To express the apologies of Mijade Collection Hall, whichever piece Young Master Su takes a liking to, we are willing to offer it at twenty percent off its original price. We hope Young Master Su enjoys this visit."

"What are you waiting for? Where is the Chengying Sword?" Zhang Ching said.

Curator Fang smiled faintly. "I will fetch it for Young Master Su at once."

After summoning several staff members, they headed toward the display area where the Chengying Sword rested beneath a special glass case.

Ring, ring, ring. Yaoguang's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen. It was from Lin Xiaowei.

Looking through the window, he saw a small group waiting outside the entrance of Mijade Collection Hall. Lin Xiaowei stood among them, tall and poised, holding her phone as she called him.

Knowing the staff would take a moment to remove the Chengying Sword from its stand, he turned to Curator Fang. "May I borrow your reception room?"

Curator Fang had noticed the direction of his gaze just moments earlier. Smiling, she replied, "It would be our honor."

She glanced outside. "Those are your guests? I will invite them in."

Zhang Ching also stood up and followed her out.

Soon, the two returned with Lin Xiaowei, Xia Wuyuan, Ye Yuhe, and three others, forming a group of six. Two of them immediately stepped forward, blocking Zhang Ching at the doorway. Another walked to the window blinds and pulled them shut.

"Young Master Su?" Zhang Ching called out.

Yaoguang had no intention of letting Zhang Ching be dragged into this. He gestured for him to wait outside.

Once Ye Yuhe closed the door, making it a private space, everyone's gaze shifted toward Yaoguang, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

Yaoguang, however, behaved as though he felt nothing from their scrutiny. Unhurried, he lifted his cup, blew away the rising steam, and took a slow sip.

"Su Yaoguang—" Lin Xiaowei began.

She had barely spoken when Yaoguang cut her off. "Why are you all standing? Sit."

He pressed his hand downward in a gesture.

Ye Yuhe frowned slightly. She felt they should take Yaoguang back for interrogation immediately, but because of his status as a member of the Su family, she swallowed the words.

After a moment of hesitation, she moved toward the sofa, intending to sit.

"No need," Xia Wuyuan said. "We will ask you a few questions. You answer them, and we leave. We won't waste your time or ours."

Yaoguang nodded calmly, set down his teacup, raised his head, and met Xia Wuyuan's eyes. "Ask away."

"Why did you kill so many people?" Xia Wuyuan asked gravely. "What exactly is your goal?"

"Kill people?" Yaoguang chuckled. "Kill who?"

"Most recently, Dragon-Slaying Hand Lei Ao. And before him, Dragon Form Fist's Xia Li, Luohe Sect's master Long Daoqi, Army-Breaking Fist's Zuo Zhenguo..." Xia Wuyuan listed several names in one breath.

Only after finishing did he pause. "Do you want me to continue?"

"Continue," Yaoguang said.

"Su Yaoguang, no matter what your status is, as a citizen of Dayu, you have the obligation to cooperate with the police bureau's inquiry. Please answer Advisor Xia's questions carefully. Everything you say may become court evidence." Lin Xiaowei stepped forward.

"Answer what? Answer that I killed those people?" Yaoguang looked Xia Wuyuan straight in the eyes, utterly composed. "I didn't kill anyone."

Ye Yuhe, Lin Xiaowei, Zhang Qing, and Xia Wuyuan all frowned at once. He denied it. This is the worst-case scenario.

After a long moment, Lin Xiaowei spoke again, "You claim you didn't kill anyone? Then, can you tell me why you appeared in Shanlong? And why did you just happen to be near the area when Lei Ao died?"

"Travel, shopping," Yaoguang said. "As for why I happened to pass through that area, who knows?"

"What about the redevelopment zone in Yunmeng? You were also nearby."

"Taking a walk and browsing shops. Is that not allowed?"

"And Longxiang?"

"Travel," Yaoguang answered calmly.

Seeing that Lin Xiaowei intended to continue, he raised a hand to stop her. "Do you have evidence? If you have evidence, come and arrest me. If you don't, and it's only guesswork or suspicion..."

He pointed toward the door. "This conversation is over. You may leave."

"You..." Lin Xiaowei flushed with anger, her chest rising and falling.

"Let's go," Xia Wuyuan said suddenly.

He gave Yaoguang a long, deep look. Throughout the entire exchange, he had not detected any abnormal behaviour from him.

If there was anything unusual at all, it was that Yaoguang's psychological composure was far too strong, so strong that he did not resemble an eighteen or nineteen-year-old boy in the slightest. But that alone meant nothing.

With his status as the Su family's young master, most investigative methods they could have used were off-limits. Otherwise, pressure from above would fall onto Xia Wuyuan directly and jeopardize his subsequent investigations.

More importantly, they really had no evidence. Still, it didn't matter. Their goal today had been to startle the enemy.

From here onward...

"I will be watching you!" Lin Xiaowei said solemnly. "I know your sister Su Yaoyu. I will never stand by and watch you go astray, walking further and further down a path of no return."

Yaoguang smiled lightly without replying, looking as though he could not be bothered to argue with her.

Seeing this, Ye Yuhe could not help speaking. "Su Yaoguang, we already suspect you. In fact, we have nearly confirmed you are the killer. What we lack is only evidence. Tell me, how much longer do you think you can hide it?"

"Goodbye." Yaoguang pointed toward the door once more.

"I will catch you and bring you to justice!" Xia Wuyuan said as he met Yaoguang's eyes. "That was the oath I made when I entered the Prosecutor's Office. Never allow any criminal who threatens national security or stability to walk free."

Hearing this, Yaoguang paused, considering saying something in acknowledgment. But at that moment, a sudden crash erupted from outside.

Thud! It was the sound of something heavy falling.

The noise startled Ye Yuhe. The police bureau member standing by the window froze for half a second, then quickly pulled the blinds open.

What appeared outside made everyone in the reception room widen their eyes.

Not far away, on top of a car parked in the open lot, lay a figure drenched in blood. She had crashed down with such force that the entire car roof had buckled inward.

Her slender arm dangled off the edge, fresh blood dripping continuously along her fingers and falling to the ground below.

Because of the angle of her fall, her face happened to tilt toward their direction, allowing everyone to see her expression clearly. Her eyes were wide open, filled with terror and unwillingness, frozen in the moment of death.

It was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl. Even with slightly dark skin, she still had an unmistakably pure and delicate beauty.

Yaoguang recognized her.