I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

When assessing the skill level of each disciple, the Hokushin Itto-ryu school uses a three-tiered system: "Cut Paper," "Table of Contents," and "Exemption."

At a young age, Nishino obtained the second level of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū: the catalog qualification.

Many people concluded that if Nishino were only 25 years old this year and still too young and inexperienced, he would have already been promoted to temporary position.

“This area is one of my jurisdictions,” Qing Deng said. “A murder has occurred in my jurisdiction, and I’m going to the scene to investigate. Is there a problem?”

"...I see. So you didn't disturb anything at the crime scene or damage it, did you?" Nishino's expression and tone remained indifferent.

Qingdeng: "I haven't touched anything I shouldn't have."

"That's good. I'll assume you didn't damage the crime scene."

“Alright, you can leave now.” Nishino gestured toward the door behind him. “Lord Usui has put me in full charge of this case.”

"No unauthorized persons are allowed to approach the scene of the crime without my permission."

"Get out of here quickly."

"Since this area is under your jurisdiction, you should go outside and maintain order, and help disperse those onlookers."

"Even someone like you should be able to handle maintaining order, right?"

When he said "a person like you," Nishino emphasized the words.

"In short, just don't cause trouble or give me any extra work."

In his previous life, there was a very famous science fiction novel called "The Three-Body Problem". Although Qing Deng had never read it, he knew a famous quote from it: "The greatest respect for civilization in the universe is to exterminate it, and the greatest contempt is to ignore it."

Qingdeng has always felt that this statement also applies to interpersonal relationships.

What is the greatest contempt between people? Is it exchanging trash talk? Is it putting on a mocking face and using every possible means of biting sarcasm?

neither.

The greatest contempt between people is the same as the greatest contempt between civilizations—it's ignoring each other, not even bothering to give them a second glance.

Nishino is currently treating Aoto with this attitude.

He didn't use a sarcastic tone when speaking to Qing Deng.

He didn't make any smug face.

But anyone could sense the blatant contempt for Aoto from Nishino's words.

In terms of rank, he and Qing Deng were only of the same rank, both being comrades-in-arms of the town. Apart from ordering Qing Deng to leave the crime scene under his jurisdiction, he had no right to order Qing Deng to do anything. However, he ordered Qing Deng to go outside and help him maintain order among the crowds outside in an arrogant tone of a superior.

He acted as if he wouldn't even glance at Qingdeng, and didn't want to say another word to him. He adopted a superior attitude and told Qingdeng to disappear from his sight as soon as possible.

Sensing the obvious contempt that Nishino showed in his words and actions, Qing Deng frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure rising in his heart.

But as soon as these hints of displeasure surfaced, Qingdeng immediately suppressed them.

Nishino was sent by Usui to handle this case. Now that he has arrived at the scene of the crime, Aoto has no reason to stay there any longer.

At this crime scene, Nishino is undoubtedly the most powerful. If he were to have a conflict with him here, even just a verbal one, Qing Deng would be in the wrong and would be impeached.

Without a word of reply, Nishino silently passed by Qing Deng and walked towards the door.

Nishino ignored Aoto completely, not even glancing at him. After passing by Aoto, he led his servant Okabiki into the hall where Granny Ping had died.

As soon as Qingdeng left Granny Ping's house, he saw Gray Big Brother.

When Grey Brother saw Qing Deng, he was stunned for a moment, then quickly put on a formulaic smile and greeted Qing Deng.

"Ah, Lord Tachibana! You've come out!"

When facing Qingdeng, Huidalang acted as always—one way on the surface and another in his heart.

——呵呵……

Grey Brother laughed mockingly to himself.

—You idiot…you barged into the crime scene and got kicked out by Lord Nishino, didn’t you?

Just as Gray Wolf was internally mocking Qing Deng, he suddenly heard Qing Deng call his name:

"Grey Big Brother".

"Hmm? Yes."

Although Tongxin, who was assigned to handle the case, arrived earlier than I expected... fortunately, I had already gathered enough clues at the crime scene.

Qingdeng calmly and slowly said:

"Grey Brother, could you please call Granny Ping's neighbors and relatives over again? I have a new question to ask them."

"If we're lucky, we might catch the culprit right away."

"The culprit...?!" Gray Wolf stared wide-eyed at Aoto in disbelief, then instinctively asked quickly, "Lord Tachibana, do you already know who the culprit is?"

"If my speculation is correct... the perpetrator is male, and Granny Ping most likely died in a crime of passion. The perpetrator came to Granny Ping's house last night, and after chatting with her for a long time, he confessed his love to her, but was rejected by her. Enraged, he pulled out a sharp knife and attacked her. However, he was not very good with a knife and only managed to stab Granny Ping in a vital spot once. The perpetrator was a very close friend of Granny Ping, possibly a childhood sweetheart or something. There should still be traces of Granny Ping scratching the back of one of his hands."

"Love...murder...?" Gray Wolf's mouth gaped open in an "O" shape, his expression blank with shock.

*******

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There are 3 updates today!

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Chapter 33 Tachibana Aoden (smiling kindly): Open the door!

"How could this happen... how could this happen..."

With his cheeks and lips completely bloodless, Jinzaburo stuffed his clothes and belongings onto a large sheet of burlap while repeating the same words in a trembling voice, almost like a groan.

how so……

He is a diligent and honest person—this is the general assessment of this 65-year-old man by almost everyone who knows or is familiar with him.

Despite being known for his diligence and honesty, he cruelly murdered Granny Ping last night.

Xun Sanlang kept a secret deep in his heart, which he had never told anyone.

He and A-Ping were childhood sweethearts, and he had always liked A-Ping.

I like A-Ping.

I want to grow old with A-Ping.

But his feelings were ultimately just unrequited love...

At the age of 15, he confessed his love to A-Ping.

As for A-Ping... she did not accept Xun Sanlang's love.

At that time, she had already met and fallen in love with Kotaro, who was not yet a doctor.

The year after Shinzaburo confessed his feelings, A-Ping married Katarou.

Although Xun Sanlang was devastated when his beloved young girl married someone else, he did not give up on himself.

He sincerely hoped that the woman he loved could find happiness.

But he couldn't let go of his love for A-Ping.

If... Kotaro suddenly dies one day... would I have another chance?

Ah... if that day ever comes... I need to be prepared...

Unable to let go of his love for A-Ping, he chose to wait.

Waiting for the day when the position of "Ah Ping's husband" becomes vacant.

Waiting for the day when I have the chance to replace Kotaro...

In order to be able to marry Ah Ping in style when the opportunity comes, Xun Sanlang works hard and saves money.

Strangely enough, he has never needed long periods of sleep since he can remember, nor has he ever suffered from insomnia.

For decades, it's been the same—I can fall asleep instantly as soon as I put my head on the pillow. I've never encountered a situation where I toss and turn and can't sleep.

Most people need at least 3 or 4 hours of sleep a day, but he doesn't need that much at all. He only needs about 2 hours of sleep a day to fully recover his energy.

Thanks to his unique physical condition, Xun Sanlang is able to dedicate more time to work and making money.

At his busiest, he was doing four jobs at the same time.

He continued to maintain contact with A-Ping while working desperately to earn and save money.

He was not married and did not start a family.

They waited for decades.

He waited and waited until now, and finally this day came—the passing of Kotaro.

Even after decades, his love for Ah Ping has never faded.

Even though Ah Ping was already old and faded, he still loved her.

Decades of hard work have allowed him to amass a considerable fortune.

The long wait finally came to an end, and Xun Sanlang couldn't wait to rush to A Ping's side.

However, considering that Kotaro had just passed away, A-Ping's mood must be very low, so Shinzaburo waited anxiously for another two months before coming to see A-Ping last night.

Last night, Xun Sanlang, dressed in a brand new outfit, knocked on A Ping's door.

Although surprised by Xun Sanlang's sudden visit that evening, A-Ping quickly invited her childhood sweetheart, with whom she had maintained constant contact, into her home.

After exchanging pleasantries with A-Ping in the living room for a while, Xun Sanlang mustered up his courage and, after decades, once again revealed his love to A-Ping without reservation.

When her childhood sweetheart, whose hair was now completely white like hers, confessed his love to her again, A-Ping was quite taken aback.

Ah Ping never thought about finding a new partner at her age.

So... she gave Kenzaburo the exact same answer she had given him decades ago.

He was rejected by the woman he loved once again.

At that moment, Kenzaburo felt as if... the whole world had "frozen".

This eerie sense of stillness lasted only a moment.