Solving cases with Detective Conan's science? No, I'm a cultivator!

How come I've never seen this on TV before?

In fact, Rena Mizunashi had only recently been promoted from a regular reporter to a host, so it's normal that Taki Kitagawa hadn't met her before.

Seeing Kitagawa Taki staring intently at the TV, Ai Haibara remarked, "What's wrong? Can't take your eyes off a pretty girl?"

"Hahaha."

Kitagawa Taki laughed loudly, "Don't I have two beautiful women at home, one big and one small? Why go to such lengths?"

Ai Haibara turned her head away, no longer looking at Taki Kitagawa.

Akemi Miyano's attention was drawn to the news, "Pisco...is dead?"

Kitagawa Taki was very frank: "Yes, I did it. I wanted to ask him about 'that gentleman,' but I didn't expect that the elders of this organization were so unreliable and knew nothing at all."

The news report made no mention of the murderer, clearly indicating selective reporting.

After all, the passerby whose car he stole saw him impersonating Gin.

Ai Haibara said slowly, "It's normal that Pisco doesn't know. Perhaps no one in the organization knows anything about 'that man'."

Then, Ai Haibara asked, "What about Vermouth? You haven't had any contact with her?"

Kitagawa Taki picked up his cup, took a sip of water, and said, "Hehe, she said she wanted to leave the organization. She was very honest and told me everything about the organization."

"Leave...the organization?"

Ai Haibara's expression was solemn as she pondered Vermouth's intentions.

How credible do you think this is?

Akemi Miyano shook her head blankly; she didn't know much about Vermouth.

After a moment, Ai Haibara said, "I'm not sure either, but you should be careful."

"It's alright. Anyway, she said the time isn't right yet. We'll find out what she's up to when the time comes."

Chapter 144 Hongzi's Invitation

The second floor.

Kitagawa Taki met Koizumi Akako, whom he hadn't seen for some time.

Kitagawa Taki made Koizumi Akako a cup of tea and asked, "Miss Akako, what have you been busy with lately?"

But in his heart he was wondering, what strange gadgets has Koizumi Akako made up again?

Koizumi Akako pointed to herself and said, "Look at how I've changed!"

"No~"

Kitagawa Taki looked him up and down.

Koizumi Akako wore a white cardigan over a turtleneck top, paired with a blue plaid long skirt.

"It's even more beautiful now."

Koizumi Akako covered her mouth and laughed, "What you said is not wrong, but it's not what I wanted to say."

"Haven't you noticed I've gotten stronger?"

"Since I came back last time, I've been cultivating my mental strength!"

"I see, no wonder I haven't seen you lately." Kitagawa Taki nodded. He really hadn't noticed if Koizumi Akako hadn't mentioned it.

"By the way, Miss Hongzi, is there something you want to say to me?"

Koizumi Akako smiled mysteriously and took out an invitation from her bag.

"What is this?"

Kitagawa Taki picked it up and glanced at it. It turned out to be an invitation to a charity event for orphans of traffic accidents.

However, he didn't understand why Koizumi Akako gave him this.

Koizumi Akako explained, "The person who started this event, Su Fang Akako, has a very interesting item in her collection. This week, she will be inviting the participants to her home, so I would like to invite you to come along."

Kitagawa Taki asked curiously, "Something interesting? What is it?"

Koizumi Akako kept everyone in suspense, saying, "You'll find out in time."

Kitagawa Taki also became curious, so he said, "Okay, let's go together! Can we bring anyone?"

Koizumi Akako winked playfully, "Okay, see you tomorrow."

……

the next day.

Kitagawa Taki picked up Koizumi Akako by car.

Koizumi Akako glanced at the empty car and asked, "Weren't you going to bring someone along?"

Kitagawa Taki casually remarked, "Oh, none of them are coming."

Koizumi Akako sat in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and said, "It's probably for the best that you didn't come. There might have been some danger, after all."

As Koizumi Akako's words became increasingly exaggerated, Kitagawa Taki couldn't help but ask, "Danger? What exactly is it?"

"We'll know soon enough."

As she spoke, Koizumi Akako set up the car's navigation system.

Kitagawa Taki shook his head helplessly; this woman was really good at hiding her true intentions.

After Koizumi Akako finished setting the navigation, Kitagawa Taki glanced at it and said, "It's in the mountains again."

He had a feeling that something bad was going to happen again.

"There's no other way. Although the mountains are remote, they are quiet."

Koizumi Akako's own castle is located deep in the mountains and forests.

……

The two chatted casually along the way.

At a bend in the road, Kitagawa Taki braked suddenly to a stop.

A white sedan was stopped in the middle of the road ahead, and further ahead, there was a fallen tree.

"What's going on? This is too dangerous."

The driver opened the door and a familiar voice came from inside.

It was none other than Kogoro Mouri.

Xiao Lan, who was in the passenger seat, got out of the car and patted her chest: "How come this tree is blocking the middle of the road?"

Upon seeing that it was Ran, Kitagawa Taki also got out of the car.

I didn't see Conan; that kid's probably still in the hospital.

"Brother Mori, Ran!"

Kogoro Mori turned around and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Kitagawa?! What are you doing here?"

"Taki..." Just as Ran was about to greet her, she saw Koizumi Akako get out of the car.

What's going on? Taki is out alone with Akako?

Xiaolan's mind was filled with questions.

Koizumi Akako greeted Ran quite naturally.

Kitagawa Taki explained, "We came at the invitation of Ms. Su Fang Hongzi."

Kogoro Mouri said, "Isn't that a coincidence? We are too! If we had known, we would have come together to avoid having to rent a car."

“That’s right.” Kitagawa Taki smiled, then looked at the fallen tree and said, “Brother Mori, what’s going on here?”

Kogoro Mouri was quite angry: "There was a tree blocking the road from who-knows-where, and we almost crashed into it."

At that moment, Xiaolan exclaimed, "There's something up there!"

Koizumi Akako took down a piece of paper pasted on the tree trunk and read it: "Never attend Su Fang Akako's charity gala, or you will regret it. The Cursed Masked Messenger."

Kitagawa Taki took it, glanced at it, and then handed it to Mouri Kogoro.

The words above were clearly cut from a newspaper, suggesting that the person who sent the warning letter was quite experienced.

Kogoro Mori, stroking his chin, analyzed, "So, someone deliberately moved the tree to the middle, just to prevent us from attending the party!"

"Ha, I'm going even if you tell me not to. I want to see what I'll regret." Kogoro Mouri waved his hand dismissively.

Kitagawa Taki didn't take the threat to heart. With him and Koizumi Akako there, he believed they could handle any mysterious power that might exist.

"I'll move the tree aside, and then I'll set off."

With that, Kitagawa Taki picked up the tree and threw it to the side of the road.

Seeing this, Kogoro Mouri, who had originally intended to come up and lend a hand, stopped in his tracks.

"Brother Kitagawa, you're really strong!"

To be honest, Kogoro Mouri has never seen Taki Kitagawa's skills, but judging from his strength alone, he must be quite formidable.

Kitagawa Taki casually remarked, "This tree is withered, it's not very heavy."

The entire road was lined with bare trees, a dark, swarming mass, and the distant, hazy mist added to the eerie atmosphere.

"let's go."

Afterwards, the group got into their respective cars and continued their journey to Su Fanghongzi's villa.

In the car, Koizumi Akako said with great interest, "Ran was just asking me why I came out with you."

Kitagawa Taki's expression was strange. Could Ran be jealous?

In all honesty, he and Koizumi Akako are completely innocent now.

"Oh, hahaha!"

Koizumi Akako let out her signature laugh and teased, "Perhaps in her eyes, we've become a couple."

Kitagawa Taki glanced at Koizumi Akako out of the corner of his eye, but said nothing.