"The deceased died from being trampled by a crowd. Aside from that, there are no other external injuries on the body."
The Millelith quickly secured the scene and conducted a preliminary examination of the corpse.
Everyone was detained and questioned individually.
On the surface, it seemed like an accident, but with Chen Feng's earlier words, it took on a much more sinister tone. What's more, the victim was one of the people who had left their names the day before.
At this moment, Chen Feng and Hu Tao's expressions were incredibly grave. Even the most oblivious person could sense a storm brewing.
Keqing tried to say something from the side, but in the end, she only shook her head.
Then, Keqing asked the nearby Millelith, "What are the results of the investigation into those people?"
"Lady Yuheng, we have already investigated thoroughly. Those near the deceased at the time did not know him, and it is highly unlikely they would have any grudge against him. It should be just an accident."
If only it really were an accident.
Keqing already knew the details. Before the incident, Chen Feng had noticed that someone in the crowd was enveloped in an incredibly dense Deathly Aura. However, since everyone was gathered together at the time, he couldn't distinguish who the source of the aura was. That's why he wanted everyone to stop.
But because of the recent rumors, when the people saw Hu Tao and Chen Feng chasing after them, they—as the parties involved—must have been terrified. They simply didn't dare to stop.
As expected, a death eventually occurred, and now no one could escape.
Although this incident was just an accident, almost everyone bore some responsibility. While it wouldn't lead to imprisonment, they would at least have to jointly pay compensation to the deceased's family according to their different degrees of responsibility.
However, when Keqing announced this to everyone, someone immediately grew displeased.
"Miss Keqing, if Director Hu Tao and Consultant Chen Feng hadn't been chasing us from behind, why would we have run so fast?"
"Shouldn't the greatest responsibility lie with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?!"
The moment these words fell, someone beside him patted his shoulder.
"Good grief, brother, you're really choosing money over your life, aren't you? How could you even say something like that?"
"Have you forgotten that there are already two dead bodies now?!"
Hearing the reminder from the person beside him, the man's heart instantly skipped a beat, and the expression on his face softened.
"Ahem, well, I didn't mean it that way."
"What I mean is, taking a massive step back, even if we're ninety-nine percent responsible, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor should still bear some responsibility. This compensation should be shared by everyone, right?"
Although the man backed down quickly, few people present looked down on him. After all, the body, which hadn't been cold for long, was still lying before them.
Of course, there were those who were not afraid, or rather, those who had already reached the end of their ropes.
"Enough! I see this whole thing as the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's scheme!"
"Director Hu Tao must be resentful because we normally avoid her on the street, and she saw the disgusted looks on our faces when we did see her. So she orchestrated this retaliatory attack!"
"Since I've already been targeted, I'm not afraid anymore!"
"Compensation is out of the question! I won't live much longer anyway! You Liyue Qixing are in cahoots with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! If you don't give us an explanation today, we're not done yet!"
"Not only will I not pay compensation, I'm going to hire an attorney to sue the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
"I will show everyone the true face of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
After hearing these words, Keqing couldn't help but speak up to the man.
"Mr., please mind your words."
"Until the truth of the matter has been fully investigated, please do not jump to conclusions."
"Hahaha, maybe I'll be next! I have nothing left to fear now."
Ignoring Keqing's warning, the man burst into a somewhat frenzied laugh.
"But don't think I'll just let you manipulate me. If you want me dead, you'd better be prepared to pay a price!!"
Though few people openly supported him, those who remained silent couldn't help but feel a surge of secret satisfaction.
Even if they didn't say it out loud, the vast majority of people deeply blamed Hu Tao, Chen Feng, and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
If it hadn't been for yesterday's incident, they would never have ended up in such a dire situation.
At this moment, Hu Tao's heart was heavy. Although she understood the cause of that man's loss of control, she couldn't accept the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's reputation being so brazenly smeared.
"In this matter, we at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor are also victims. If this Director were truly at fault, I wouldn't have gone to such great lengths and spent so much money to clear my name before."
"Heh, it's just a ruse, isn't it? Doing this on purpose just to distance the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor from this incident?"
When a person's heart is filled with prejudice, no matter what explanation is given, they will always find a corresponding excuse to refute it.
"Alright, everyone stop."
Seeing the situation becoming increasingly volatile, Keqing hurriedly called for an end to it.
"We'll discuss the lawsuit later. But for now, I'd like everyone to come with me."
"Director Hu Tao and Consultant Chen Feng, please go to the Jade Chamber first. Ningguang wants to see you."
After saying that, before the man could speak again, Keqing quickly glanced at the Millelith, signaling them to take him away immediately.
Soon, all that was left on the scene were Hu Tao and Chen Feng.
As for the onlookers?
Kidding, who would dare to watch a matter related to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Weren't they afraid of becoming the next person involved?
"Consultant Chen Feng, has the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor been targeted?"
Hu Tao spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of confusion.
"Director Hu Tao, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor shouldn't have had any grudges with anyone, right?"
Seeing Hu Tao nod, Chen Feng spoke again.
"That's it. Besides, I don't believe that someone capable of doing this would be an ordinary person."
"But I feel like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's reputation is going to be ruined on my watch as Director."
"It won't, Director Hu Tao!"
Chen Feng spoke firmly, his eyes staring directly into Hu Tao's, as if he wanted to impart strength to her through his gaze.
"I won't let that kind of thing happen!"
"Whether it's because some variable has appeared in the world, or someone is playing tricks, I will definitely find the truth!"
"Director Hu Tao, we agreed to make the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor big and strong. Even I, as a Consultant, haven't given up yet, so you, as the current Director, can't give up this quickly!"
After hearing Chen Feng's encouragement, Hu Tao cheered up again.
"Consultant Chen Feng, you're right. Let's go, let's go see Ningguang."
Seeing Hu Tao regain her spirit, a smile also appeared on Chen Feng's face.
-
When Chen Feng and Hu Tao arrived at the Jade Chamber, Baiwen had been waiting for them for a long time. They then followed Baiwen to see Ningguang.
Liyue had already been thrown into such chaos over this incident. Although Chen Feng and Hu Tao didn't know the full details, even the previously baseless rumors had sent Liyue into a frenzy. Now that the people whose names were written had actually died, it was even worse. However, Ningguang still seemed so calm, as if everything were under her control.
Seeing this, Hu Tao asked Ningguang with some curiosity.
"Ningguang, from the looks of it, you seem to have already guessed who's playing tricks?"
"I only have a slight lead."
Ningguang gently shook her head, then picked up the tea on the table and took a sip.
"Right now it's just a rough deduction. To get closer to the truth, I still need more clues."
After saying that, Ningguang looked at Chen Feng beside her.
"Mr. Chen Feng, we meet again."
"Yesterday's matter, it was you who suggested it to Director Hu, wasn't it?"
Hearing Ningguang's inquiry, Chen Feng nodded.
Hu Tao, seeing this scene from the side, was startled and quickly spoke up to defend Chen Feng.
"Ningguang, are you suspecting Consultant Chen Feng?!"
"That's impossible. Consultant Chen Feng has nothing to do with this matter, and he only gave the suggestion yesterday after this Director repeatedly insisted."
"Director Hu Tao, don't misunderstand," Ningguang said.
"I'm not suspecting Mr. Chen Feng, I'm just trying to determine the scope of those who are informed."
"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor usually doesn't have any grudges, so it's not very likely that this matter is being targeted by others."
"According to my guess, I'm afraid someone is using those recent bad rumors about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to cover their own tracks."
After hearing Ningguang's words, an expression of agreement appeared on Hu Tao's face.
"This Director told you that the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor hasn't made enemies with anyone!"
"So now it seems this Director is being made a scapegoat for someone else?"
"But does someone really have the ability to alter other people's fates?"
"If such a person really exists, how come we haven't heard any news of it before?"
Hearing Hu Tao's question, Ningguang said slowly.
"Although such an ability has never been heard of before, the facts are right before our eyes, and we have no choice but to believe it."
In fact, there was one thing Ningguang didn't mention: it's possible Chen Feng lied. Perhaps those people were actually on the verge of death, and Chen Feng simply lied by saying they still had plenty of time.
Of course, this possibility was unlikely, because Chen Feng had no reason to make them go through the trouble of searching for someone who didn't even exist.
However, due to Chen Feng's identity, Ningguang would also make multiple preparations just in case, but it wasn't appropriate for the two of them to know.
"I'm more inclined to believe that the person with this ability has either just arrived in Liyue not long ago, or has just recently acquired this ability."
"But so far, there are no results yet."
Hearing this, Hu Tao nodded.
"Ningguang, I didn't expect you to have a direction so quickly. Truly worthy of being Liyue's Tianquan."
"Once the Millelith capture that person, this Director will owe you a favor."
"Director Hu Tao, you're being too formal."
Ningguang shook her head.
"This is the responsibility of us Liyue Qixing. On the contrary, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has been dragged into this matter, so Director Hu Tao will probably have to put in a lot of extra effort."
"I heard someone is even preparing to sue the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
After hearing Ningguang's words, a bit of helplessness appeared on Hu Tao's face.
"I didn't expect you to have heard about this, Ningguang."
"This Director doesn't blame him; his reaction is understandable. It's just that my heart doesn't feel good after learning about this."
"Since that person chose the legal route, this matter is actually easy to resolve. Director Hu Tao can just hire an Attorney to defend herself later."
"What I want to remind Director Hu Tao is that there might be even more extreme people doing dangerous things. During this time, I hope Director Hu Tao and Mr. Chen Feng can be extra careful."
Hearing Ningguang's warning, both Chen Feng and Hu Tao nodded with serious expressions.
"We will pay attention."
"Yes."
Seeing their reaction, Ningguang nodded gently.
"Finally, there is one more thing I need to ask Mr. Chen Feng."
"This is also the main reason why I wanted to meet you two."
"Since Mr. Chen Feng saw the Deathly Aura on someone suddenly change, we will have to rely heavily on Mr. Chen Feng to distinguish and define the range of this matter."
Ningguang wasn't worried about Chen Feng leading them astray; she was prepared for it.
After hearing Ningguang's words, Chen Feng immediately agreed without hesitation.
"Then, Mr. Chen Feng, please keep a close eye on the person who wants to sue Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Ningguang paused briefly before continuing.
"After all, what better way to make the rumors about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor a reality than to have the accuser drop dead right there in the courtroom? Nothing could be more convincing."
Only then did Chen Feng and Hu Tao realize the gravity of the situation.
If things played out exactly as Ningguang predicted—if the person died at the very height of the argument—the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would be left with no way to defend itself, no matter what it said.
"If that's true, this person is truly despicable! They're trying to drive the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor into a corner!" Hu Tao exclaimed, her voice laced with anger.
"By drawing everyone's attention to the Funeral Parlor, that person will be completely safe," Chen Feng said, sharing his own thoughts. "That's probably their plan."
"In any case, now that we have a direction, let's prepare early."
"Anyway, now that we have a direction, let's make preparations early."
"Although it's only a conjecture, there is a strong possibility. As long as the opponent doesn't stop, that person should be his next target. Regarding this, only Mr. Chen Feng on our side knows when the opponent will make a move, so I'll have to trouble you to put in extra effort."
"Miss Ningguang is too polite. I am a consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, after all. This kind of matter should not be yielded to others!"
Chen Feng patted his chest and promised.
After finishing the discussion, Chen Feng and Hu Tao quickly bid farewell to Ningguang and left the Jade Chamber.
As soon as they came down, a fiery red figure appeared in front of them.
"I guess Director Hu now greatly needs a senior legal consultant!"
"Yanfei!"
Hu Tao was somewhat surprised that Yanfei would appear here.
"Hello, you two."
At this moment, Yanfei also greeted them with a smile, her gaze moving back and forth between Hu Tao and Chen Feng, but mostly staying on Chen Feng.
She had long been curious about the existence that had caused quite a stir in Liyue recently, but just hadn't had the chance to meet him before.
Now that she had finally met him in person, she naturally took the opportunity to examine him closely.
Facing Yanfei's gaze, Chen Feng's body stiffened slightly, feeling like a mouse being watched by a cat.
Sure enough, the side effects of researching ways to make money from Liyue Law have appeared...
"Yanfei, you've arrived at the perfect time."
Hu Tao immediately rushed forward to greet her. "The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor got into a legal dispute not long ago. This Director was just about to look for you, but I didn't expect you'd come over yourself."
"I only just heard someone mention it, so I came to find you guys."
"I want to start getting orders as soon as possible!" Yanfei quipped back at Hu Tao. "I'm counting on Director Hu to help me make a fortune this time!"