Chapter 249 - 28: The Xiao Sisters, Farewell Meal
"Bring me the case files," Xiao Hongye said. "Let me take a look. Sometimes an outsider sees things more clearly. I might be able to help you find some details you’ve missed."
"Okay." Xiao Zhanbai nodded. She didn’t really think her sister could be of much help. ’After all, if an elite disciple of the Sea Condensation Realm like me is completely stumped, what could she possibly see?’
But she didn’t want to reject her sister’s kind offer, so she turned, went inside, and came back out carrying a thick stack of files.
These files contained detailed records of the entire investigation since the case began.
They included the on-site investigation report, the autopsy results for the victim, Li Gu, the testimonies and alibis of all registered Swordsmen in the city, and the interrogation records of the Demons and Evil Cultivators captured over the last few days.
Xiao Hongye picked up the on-site investigation report from the top of the stack and began to read it carefully.
She read quickly but with intense focus, poring over every word and every detail.
Xiao Zhanbai sat beside her, watching quietly.
As she watched, a strange feeling washed over her.
It was just like when they were young. Back then, whenever she ran into a Cultivation problem she couldn’t solve, her older sister would sit by her side just like this, helping her search through all sorts of texts to find a solution.
Even though her sister’s Talent was inferior to her own, and there were many profound principles of Cultivation Techniques that her sister couldn’t even understand, she always had the patience to find key points that Zhanbai had overlooked in the most basic texts. Then, using the simplest and most direct language, she would help her organize her thoughts.
So many years had passed. She had grown from a little girl who needed to be looked after into an elite disciple of Celestial Sword Manor, yet her sister hadn’t seemed to change one bit.
"Hmm?"
Xiao Hongye let out a soft "hmm," putting down the investigation report and picking up the victim’s autopsy file.
"Victim: Li Gu, an Elder of White Bone Mountain. Cultivation: unknown. But judging from his ability to use advanced Magic like the White Bone Transformation, his Divine Soul Cultivation must be at least at the Sea Condensation Realm Middle Stage."
"The fatal wound was caused by a sharp blade, which cleaved him neatly in two from his brow to his navel. The cut is smooth, without the slightest tear, indicating that both the weapon’s sharpness and the wielder’s power were at a terrifyingly high level."
"A faint trace of Sword Intent remains at the scene—sharp, focused, and possessing extreme penetrating power."
Xiao Hongye read the key information aloud as she went through the file.
She looked up at Xiao Zhanbai and asked, "You felt that Sword Intent for yourself. What was it like?"
Xiao Zhanbai thought for a moment before replying, "It was very strong. The Sword Intent condensed all its power into a single point, aiming for ultimate penetration and destruction. Anyone who could unleash such a strike must have a profound understanding of the Sword Dao. A true master."
"So, a master of the Sword Dao killed an Evil Cultivator proficient in Magic." Xiao Hongye stroked her chin as she began her analysis. "Judging by the almost complete lack of any signs of a struggle, it was either an ambush or a completely one-sided fight. The killer found Li Gu’s hiding spot and gave him no chance to use his Magic, killing him with a single strike."
"This suggests the killer likely knew about Li Gu’s weaknesses—that his physical body was frail and he was poor at close-quarters combat. That’s why they chose the most direct and effective method of assassination."
"Yes, that’s what I thought as well." Xiao Zhanbai nodded. Her sister’s analysis was almost identical to her own conclusions.
"So, the question is," Xiao Hongye said, her fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, "why would a master of the Sword Dao kill an Elder of White Bone Mountain? For revenge? To silence him? Or... to steal something?"
She picked up another file, which contained an inventory of all the items found in the secret chamber.
"The Array materials are all here, as are some valuable Evil Dao Artifacts. The killer left in a hurry after the murder, without even stopping to collect any loot. So, robbery is an unlikely motive."
"That leaves only revenge or silencing him."
Xiao Hongye’s reasoning was exceptionally clear. In just a few sentences, she had narrowed the complex case down to the two most likely motives.
𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
"If the motive was to silence him, it implies Li Gu came to Qingzhou City on a secret mission, and the killer acted to stop him. If it was revenge, then it’s even simpler—a personal grudge."
She put down the file, took a sip of tea to wet her throat, and then picked up the last and thickest file.
"Now, let’s see... who in Qingzhou City has both the ability and the motive to kill an Elder from White Bone Mountain?"
This file contained the detailed list of the one hundred and thirty-seven registered Swordsmen.
Xiao Hongye flipped through it page by page, her eyes quickly scanning the names and brief biographies.
Mad Swordsman Xue Shan, Peak of the Sea Condensation Realm, eccentric, walks the line between righteous and evil...
Black Wind Saber Liu Meng, Sea Condensation Realm Late Stage, has a history of conflict with Evil Cultivators...
Name after name flashed before Xiao Hongye’s eyes.
But she found nothing after reading through it. After all, Xiao Zhanbai and Chief Wang had already reviewed the list more than once; there were no useful clues left to find.
But Xiao Hongye didn’t give up. She picked up the registry book next to the files, which listed every registered Swordsman in the city, and continued to read.
Xiao Zhanbai watched from the side. ’Though she still doubted her sister could make any astounding discoveries, she had to admit that her analysis of the case was clear, logical, and thoroughly reasoned.’