Chapter 19 Inquiry

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"Meet? I'm not free at the moment,"

Alkaid stated.

He was going to buy a sword.

"Where are you? We'll come to you,"

Lin Xiaowei said.

"Is something the matter?"

Alkaid inquired.

"Yes,"

Lin Xiaowei slightly intensified her tone, "It's very important."

After some contemplation, he replied, "I'm going to the Yulong International's Migade Collection Gallery."

"We'll head there right now and meet you there,"

Lin Xiaowei immediately said.

"Hmm,"

Alkaid acknowledged.

Lin Xiaowei, an inspector of the special case team in Yunmeng City.

He had a vague suspicion of what it might be.

Did they suspect him?

But it didn't matter.

If they really did suspect him, he'd use them to probe the extent of demon infiltration in Yunmeng City, Tian Nan Province, and even the entire Dayu Country.

An inspector alone might not have enough clout to touch upon the higher levels.

But Xia Wuyuan, this prosecutor, was different.

Directly under the supervision of the Royal Family's monitoring institute.

If bringing the issue to their attention caused no ripple, then uncovering the demons to create a united front of hatred would be pointless.

...

Yulong International.

Migade Collection Gallery.

This gallery wasn't located on the higher floors of Yulong International but on the ground floor, occupying a considerable area – conservatively estimated to be no less than eight hundred square meters, resembling an exhibition hall.

It housed nothing but rare treasures and famous artworks.

The cheapest were worth several hundred thousand, the most expensive, tens of millions.

The store was also one of Yulong International's signature attractions.

Frequently visited by internet celebrities from all over the country for photo opportunities and check-ins.

The Chengying Sword that Alkaid wanted to purchase was one of the treasured items of the Migade Collection Gallery.

When Zhang Qing and Alkaid arrived at the gallery, the manager who was responsible for it was already waiting for them.

A woman in her forties, dressed in a ladies' suit, with a smile on her face, led the two directly to the reception room.

After the servers had brought in tea and pastries, Zhang Qing spoke up, "I believe Manager Fang is already aware of our purpose here. Where is the Chengying Sword?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang, but the famed sword Chengying is one of the Migade Collection Gallery's treasures... We have no intention of selling it,"

Manager Fang said with a smile.

"Not for sale? Ha, since when does Migade have treasures that aren't for sale? Are you worried we can't afford it? The cost for this sword didn't exceed eight million when you acquired it, did it? How much do you want for it? Name your price,"

Zhang Qing said.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang. If there are other treasures you wish to purchase, we'd be glad to introduce them to you, but as one of our museum's highlights, the owner has no intention of selling Chengying,"

Manager Fang continued to explain with a smile, though there was a hint of aloofness in her expression.

Zhang Qing's face immediately turned sour upon hearing this.

It wasn't the first or second time that Migade's treasures had been sold.

The so-called "treasures of the gallery" were nothing more than a way to inflate the value of the pieces and hold out for a better offer.

To say that the Chengying Sword wasn't for sale now meant one thing...

They didn't want to sell it to him!

They didn't think he, Zhang Qing, was worthy of buying the famed sword!

But considering the background of the Migade Collection Gallery and the power of the Zhang Family...

Zhang Qing quickly adjusted his attitude. Noticing that Alkaid did not seem to have any intention of concealing his identity, he then said, "The one interested in the Chengying Sword is not me, but this Master Su."

"Master Su?"

Manager Fang was taken aback, looking at Alkaid, "May I ask how this gentleman should be addressed?"

"Alkaid,"

Alkaid voiced, "If it's a matter of price, that's negotiable."

"Alkaid..."

Manager Fang seemed to be recalling which prominent family this could be.

"Stop guessing,"

Zhang Qing interjected blandly, "In Tian Nan Territory, which other family has a young master worthy of being called 'Master Su'?"

Reminded thus, Manager Fang quickly realized something.

Master Su? The Su Family!?

The Su Family from Tian Nan!?

Recently, the Su Family had stirred up some significant commotion.

The patriarch's eldest son, Su Huaifeng, diagnosed with AIDS due to his promiscuous lifestyle, triggered a terminal illness. His appointed heir, Su Xiangyang, seemed impressive on the surface but was later exposed as a vicious villain, with the number of innocent girls he harmed being more than one could count on two hands.

Of course, the leaks of these news might be related to internal competition within the Su Family or perhaps someone targeting them. The truth was still being clarified.

But it had ignited a lot of gossip among the onlookers.

She had paid attention to it too.

Consequently, Su Alkaid, another son of Su Huaifeng's lineage who might inherit his father's assets in the future, had also come into her sight.

Due to his mother, Zhang Ya, Su Alkaid had not returned to the Su Family so far, but it was evident to everyone that as a bond for improved relations between the Su and Zhang families, Su Alkaid's future position would surely not be insignificant.

With this thought, Manager Fang quickly stood up, "It turns out that it's Master Su gracing us with his presence. I failed to recognize Master Su due to my shortsightedness; it's truly my fault. To show our apology on behalf of Migade Collection Gallery, if Master Su has taken a liking to any piece in our collection, we are willing to offer a 20% discount on the original price as an apology, and we hope Master Su enjoys his shopping trip here."

"What are you waiting for? Where's the Chengying Sword?"

Zhang Qing demanded.

Manager Fang smiled lightly, "I will fetch the Chengying Sword for Master Su right away."

With that, she signaled to the staff, and they quickly headed towards the exhibition area where the Chengying Sword was protected under a special glass case.

"Ding Ling Ling."

Just then, Alkaid's mobile phone rang.

He glanced at it...

Lin Xiaowei?

Through the glass window, he looked outside and saw a group of several people standing in front of the Migade Collection Gallery, waiting.

Among them, the tall figure of Lin Xiaowei was holding a phone, making a call.

Considering that it would take some time to remove the Chengying Sword from the display stand,

he asked the Manager Fang, "May I use your reception room?"

Manager Fang had also noticed Alkaid's glance a moment ago and promptly responded with a smile, "It would be our honor."

She looked outside, "Are those your guests? I will invite them in right away."

Zhang Qing also stood up and followed Manager Fang outside.

In a short while, the two returned with Lin Xiaowei, Xia Wuyuan, Ye Yuhe, and a party of six into the reception room.

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Two of them directly intercepted Zhang Qing, barring him from entering the room.

Another person moved to the louvered window that originally offered a view of the outside and pulled it down.

"Young Master Su?"

Zhang Qing called out.

Alkaid had no intention of involving Zhang Qing in this whirlpool, so he waved his hand, signaling him to wait outside.

As Ye Yuhe closed the door, turning the reception room into a relatively enclosed space, everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on Alkaid, and the atmosphere in the room instantly grew tense.

However, Alkaid himself seemed as if he didn't feel the scrutinizing stares at all, leisurely holding his teacup, blowing away the steam, and taking a sip.

"Su Alkaid..."

Lin Xiaowei spoke in a deep voice.

She had hardly begun when Alkaid interrupted her, "Why are you all standing? Sit."

During his speech, he gestured downward with his hand.

Ye Yuhe frowned slightly.

Even though she thought that they should immediately take Alkaid away for interrogation, she was reluctant because of his connection to the Su family...

She ultimately didn't voice her thoughts.

For a moment, she walked to the sofa, intending to sit down.

"There's no need."

At that time, Xia Wuyuan spoke up, "We'll ask you a few questions, and after you answer, we'll leave. We won't waste your time, nor ours."

Alkaid nodded slightly, set down his teacup, and raised his head, looking directly into Xia Wuyuan's eyes, "Ask."

"Why did you kill so many people?"

Xia Wuyuan asked solemnly, "What exactly is your purpose?"

"Kill people?"

Alkaid laughed, "Who did I kill?"

"The most recent victims include the Dragon Slayer Lei Ao, Dragon Shape Fist Xia Li, Luohe Sect Sect Leader Long Daoqi, Zhenguo of the Broken Army..."

Xia Wuyuan rattled off several names in one breath.

At the end, he paused, "Do you want me to continue?"

"Continue."

Alkaid said.

"Su Alkaid, no matter your identity, as long as you are a citizen of Dayu Country, you are obliged to cooperate with the inquiries of the Security Bureau. Hence, please answer Consultant Xia's questions seriously. Every word you say may become evidence in court."

Lin Xiaowei stepped forward and said.

"Answer what? That I killed these people?"

Alkaid responded, facing Xia Wuyuan's heavy scrutiny, confidently saying, "I didn't kill anyone."

Ye Yuhe, Lin Xiaowei, Zhang Qing, Xia Wuyuan, and others all frowned at the same time.

He denies it?

This was the worst-case scenario.

After a while, Lin Xiaowei finally said, "You say you didn't kill anyone? Then, can you tell me why you were in Shanlong City? And why, coincidentally, you were passing through the area at the time of Lei Ao's death?"

"Traveling, shopping,"

Alkaid replied, "As for why I happened to pass through the area, who knows?"

"What about the old city redevelopment zone in Yunmeng City? You were also spotted nearby."

"Walking, shopping, is that not allowed?"

"What about Longxiang City?"

"Traveling."

Alkaid calmly answered.

Seeing that Lin Xiaowei was about to ask more questions, he waved his hand to interrupt her, "Do you have evidence? If you have evidence, come arrest me! If not, it's only guessing and suspecting..."

He pointed towards the door, "The conversation is over, you may leave."

"You..."

Lin Xiaowei was somewhat angered.

Her chest heaved.

"Let's go."

Xia Wuyuan suddenly said.

He took a deep look at Alkaid.

Throughout the process, he hadn't detected any abnormality in him.

If there was one abnormality...

It was that his psychological resilience was too strong.

So strong that it didn't seem characteristic of a teenager of eighteen or nineteen.

But that didn't prove anything.

The identity of the young master of the Su family meant that many approaches they ordinarily would use were off-limits; otherwise...

The pressure from above could even affect his subsequent investigations.

What was most crucial was...

They really had no evidence.

However, that was no problem—their purpose this time was to startle the snake by hitting the grass.

Going forward...

"I'll be watching you!"

Lin Xiaowei said gravely, "I have a friendship with your sister Su Yaoyu, and I will not stand by and watch you go astray, walking further and further down the wrong path until there's no turning back!"

Alkaid smiled and did not speak.

It seemed he couldn't be bothered to argue with her.

This scene prompted Ye Yuhe to speak up, "Su Alkaid, we already suspect you, we are even convinced you are the murderer; all that's missing is the evidence. How long do you think you can keep this up?"

"Not seeing you out."

Alkaid again pointed outside the door.

"I will catch you! And bring you to justice!"

Xia Wuyuan looked at him and said, "That was the oath I took when I joined the prosecution office! I will not let any criminal threatening the nation's security go unpunished!"

After listening, Alkaid pondered for a moment, intending to say something affirming.

But just then, a sudden loud noise came from outside.

"Bang!"

It was the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground.

The loud noise startled Ye Yuhe.

The Security Bureau member standing by the window was taken aback for a moment, then quickly pulled open the louvered window.

The scene outside made everyone in the reception room's pupils constrict.

On a car in the nearby open-air parking lot, a figure covered in blood lay on the roof.

Apparently, the impact of the fall was so great that the entire roof had caved in.

Her slender arm dangled, and blood dripped down continuously.

Because of the angle of her fall, her head was tilted in their direction, allowing everyone to clearly see her eyes filled with fear, reluctance, and wide open in death.

This was a young girl.

A girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with darker skin but still radiating an innate purity and beauty.

And she...

Alkaid recognized her.