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

Aoko Nakamori doesn't even remember how she got back.

She leaned against the bed, curled up in a ball.

She clutched her phone tightly, knowing that if she dialed her father's number, everything would be over.

But she couldn't bring herself to do it.

She wanted to call Aunt Qianying again, but then she realized something—did Aunt Qianying know about this?

Call your best friend?

That would be equivalent to reporting Kaito Kuroba.

Just as Nakamori Aoko was suffering in agony, a figure flashed through her mind.

Chapter 477 Trading

"what?"

"You want to make a deal with him?"

Having just finished a major battle, Kuroba Chikage nestled beside Kitagawa Taki. Hearing that Kitagawa Taki wanted to make a deal with Kuroba Toichi, she looked up at him in confusion.

Kitagawa Taki nodded: "Help me arrange to meet him."

Today he has broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining and plans to deal with Black Feather Thief first.

Based on the information provided by Kuroba Chikage, Kuroba Toichi is very likely the person behind the Spider.

Since that's the case, let's solve it all at once.

Leaving such a guy lurking in the shadows is ultimately a threat.

Kuroba Chikage hesitated, "But he might not agree."

Given Kuroba Toichi's cautious nature, he is unlikely to take any risks.

"Doesn't he want my secret? Give him this formula; if he knows its value, he'll agree."

Kitagawa Taki took out a piece of paper from his pocket, on which was written a breathing technique.

Of course, it didn't come from the cultivation method he practiced, but rather it was extracted from the ordinary cultivation methods collected by his family in his previous life.

The mantra is true, after all, Black Feather Thief isn't stupid; if you don't give him a little something sweet, he won't take the bait.

"Well... actually, we can just ignore him, or I can give him some false information."

Chikage Kuroba clutched the note, not wanting Taki Kitagawa to reveal his secret to Toichi Kuroba.

Seeing that Kuroba Chikage was thinking of him, Kitagawa Taki gently stroked her soft hair and said with a smile, "Don't worry, not everyone can master this."

Kitagawa Taki could modify the cultivation method and have Kuroba Chikage submit a half-true, half-false method.

By then, Kuroba Toichi will be able to train himself to death.

But that's too slow, not to mention there's still one spider to deal with.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's continue doing something we love."

With that, Kitagawa Taki rolled over.

"Buzz—" The phone notification sound rang out at an inopportune moment.

"Hmm~" Kuroba Chikage was too busy to talk, so she patted Kitagawa Taki on the shoulder to signal him to answer the phone.

Kitagawa Taki had no choice but to calm down. He picked up his phone from the bedside table and saw that it was Nakamori Aoko calling.

Kuroba Chikage naturally saw it too, and a hint of doubt flashed through her mind: Why was Aoko calling Kitagawa Taki so late?

As soon as the call connected, Nakamori Aoko's sobbing could be heard.

“Brother Kitagawa…I…” Nakamori Aoko’s voice trembled.

"Aoko, what happened?"

Kitagawa Taki's gentle voice came through, like a pair of large hands comforting Nakamori Aoko.

Nakamori Aoko then recounted the events of the evening in fits and starts.

After hearing this, Kuroba Chikage slapped his forehead. Oh no, Kaito had really messed things up.

As for how to end their childhood romance, she could only sigh helplessly.

The little girl didn't even call her!

Actually, she and Qingzi got along quite well, and she liked Qingzi very much, even regarding her as her future daughter-in-law.

Blame it on that brat Kaito!

"Qingzi, where are you now?"

Without hesitation, Nakamori Aoko replied, "City Hotel."

After comforting her for a few more minutes, Kitagawa Taki hung up the phone.

"Are you going there now?"

Kuroba Chikage had mixed feelings. Why did it have to be Kitagawa Taki of all people?

She would be more accepting of it if it were someone else.

She trusted Kitagawa Taki's character and knew he wouldn't take advantage of someone in distress.

But she never doubted Kitagawa Taki's charm; that little girl Aoko was bound to fall for him in the future.

Kitagawa Taki quickly dressed and leaned down to kiss Kuroba Chikage on the forehead.

Then, to Hei Yuqianying's astonishment, she made a "walk" gesture and flew directly off the balcony.

"This is really..."

Kuroba Chikage sighed and shook her head again at her own brat.

Don't blame Mom for defecting to the "enemy"; the "enemy" was simply too powerful.

Composing herself, Chikage Kuroba picked up her phone and called Kaito Kuroba.

"Mom, what do you want from me so late?"

Kaito Kuroba had just returned home, his voice low and tired.

Originally intending to teach Kaito Kuroba a lesson, Chikage Kuroba lowered her voice: "Kaito, tell me about tonight's events."

"You...you knew all along?"

Then, Kaito Kuroba became excited again, a glimmer of hope igniting in his heart: "Did Aoko tell you? Is Aoko alright?"

Once he got home, he realized that he should have chased after them.

It's so late, and Nakamori Aoko is a girl all alone; what if something happens to her...?

"Never mind how I know."

Kuroba Chikage pulled the blanket tighter, her tone slightly unnatural.

You should worry about yourself first!

“Aoko…she won’t report me.” Kaito Kuroba’s voice was low, but with a hint of certainty.

Kuroba Chikage sighed: "From the very beginning, I supported you taking this path."

In her opinion, whether Aoko says it or not, her relationship with Kaito is definitely over.

She just hopes that Aoko won't find out about her relationship with Kitagawa Taki in the future.

……

City Hotel.

Kitagawa Taki arrived at Nakamori Aoko's room in just over ten minutes.

"Brother Kitagawa... what should I do..."

Nakamori Aoko's eyes were red and swollen from crying, and her tears had dampened her hair slightly.

"I want to tell Dad the truth, but I can't..."

She didn't want to protect Kaito Kuroba; she just couldn't bring herself to push him into the abyss.

He will be arrested by the police, have a criminal record, be expelled from school, and his life will be completely ruined.

A childhood sweetheart of more than ten years will now become a cold name in the case files.

She didn't know what to do next.

I don't know how I'll face him at school tomorrow, and I don't know how I'll face him when I see my father worrying about Kid in the future.

Kitagawa Taki stepped forward and gently embraced the shattered girl.

He spoke slowly, his voice low but reassuring.

"No one could make a choice immediately in this situation, so there's no need to rush into a decision."

Nakamori Aoko looked up at Kitagawa Taki.

"But...my dad works so hard..."

"Inspector Nakamori's hardship was caused by Kid, not you. Similarly, Kid chose to go down this path, and whatever the outcome may be, it is the consequences he should bear."

"If you can't figure it out today, think about it again tomorrow. If you can't figure it out this month, just wait. When you finally understand it, whether you say it or not, no one can say you're wrong."

There's no need for profound advice; simply standing in the girl's shoes is enough.

Nakamori Aoko sniffed, wiped away her tears forcefully, and her sobbing gradually subsided.

It was only then that she realized she was being held by Kitagawa Taki.

But instead of breaking free, she closed her eyes and buryed her head in the sand like an ostrich.

Chapter 478 Three Conditions

Two days later.

Inside an abandoned factory.