Lei Ming's sudden apology led Ye Cangtian to a firm conclusion: the killer was undoubtedly connected to Lei Ming.
If that was the case, he would pursue the matter relentlessly, refusing to believe there wasn't a single loophole to be found!
This...
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Shen Kuo subconsciously glanced at Lei Ming.
Feng Jun had been killed by him in a secret room, in front of Lei Ming. Was he expected to reveal the secret room's location?
That was one of Lei Ming's privacy concerns; only a select few trusted confidants knew about the existence of the secret room.
Therefore, if he were to reveal it, Lei Ming would likely seek retribution afterward!
"Why are you looking at me?"
"Just tell me where you found Feng Jun!"
"Don't make it sound like I ordered you!"
Lei Ming was instantly enraged by this look. The way Ye Cangtian was looking at him clearly implied that he was the one who killed Feng Jun.
Hearing Lei Ming's words, Shen Kuo immediately understood and then said, "Um, Feng Jun's body was found in the corridor outside the main hall..."
There was no other way; he couldn't reveal the location of the secret room, so he could only pick a random place.
Moreover, Feng Jun was the guard captain before his death, and his presence in the corridor outside the main hall was plausible.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian immediately smiled and quickly said, "Since it was in the corridor, there should be a mark there, right?
We can go take a look together later. Also, besides you, did anyone else see Feng Jun's body?"
This...
Shen Kuo's face immediately darkened. He had just remembered that, just like outside, if someone died inexplicably here, a mark would be left on the ground for evidence collection convenience.
But the problem was, he had killed the person, he had fabricated the location, so where was he supposed to get a mark from?
Thinking this, he said with a dark expression, "I was the only one who discovered Feng Jun. What? Junior Brother Grim Reaper, are you suspecting me of killing Feng Jun?"
"Suspicion is not the right word!"
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly, looked at Shen Kuo playfully, and continued, "I just want to know, there are quite a few guards in the corridor outside the hall, so why didn't anyone find Feng Jun's body?"
"I..."
Facing Ye Cangtian's question, Shen Kuo became hesitant and stammered. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Anyone could see his extreme guilt on his face.
All of this was fabricated by him, how could it withstand such in-depth questioning?
At this moment, not only were others suspicious of him, but even Lei Ming's confidantes were showing anxious glances.
They wanted to hear the real answer from Shen Kuo.
"Shen Kuo, is this question so difficult to answer?"
Shen Kuo's guilt was naturally not lost on Ye Cangtian. Ye Cangtian sneered and pressed him further.
"This..."
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's voice again, Shen Kuo became even more nervous. He truly didn't know how to answer, and his gaze involuntarily flickered towards Lei Ming again.
This scoundrel! Is he trying to drag me down with him?
Sensing Shen Kuo's gaze, Lei Ming wished he could crush Shen Kuo to death.
However, after all, Shen Kuo was his fellow disciple and had followed him for many years. Now that Feng Jun was dead, if Shen Kuo also died, he couldn't accept such a loss!
After all, both Shen Kuo and Feng Jun were his right-hand men.
Thinking this, Lei Ming's gaze swept towards Ye Cangtian, and he said faintly, "Grim Reaper, watch your attitude. Shen Kuo was the first to discover Feng Jun's body, but that doesn't mean he's the killer!"
He paused and continued, "Besides, the killer even eliminated Feng Jun, so would they let a few guards live?"
Whoosh!
As Lei Ming's words fell, the people present erupted in an uproar. It was clear that Lei Ming was trying to smooth things over.
If this had happened in the past, no one would have said much. But now, it was different; it concerned Feng Jun!
It wasn't that they had a good relationship with Feng Jun, nor was it because Feng Jun had great prestige, but because Feng Jun had followed Lei Ming for many years.
And Lei Ming's current defense of Shen Kuo suggested some hidden secret.
If Feng Jun was indeed killed by Lei Ming, then what were they in Lei Ming's eyes? They were no different from ants that could be crushed at will!
On the other side, seeing the uproar, Ye Cangtian showed a faint smile.
Lei Ming's authority was beginning to waver, which was the result he wished to see.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian continued, "Lei Ming, if those guards were indeed killed by the killer, then why did they destroy the guards' bodies but leave only Feng Jun's body behind? Moreover, from yesterday until now, I haven't heard of any guards going missing, have I?"
"This..."
This damned Grim Reaper, still pushing relentlessly! Damn it...
Despite his angry roars, Lei Ming had no choice but to answer in the face of everyone's questioning gazes.
"Junior Brother Grim Reaper, why the killer destroyed the guards' bodies, you'll have to ask the killer! I'm not the killer, so how can I answer your question?" m..oΓg
"As for the missing guards, that's not a big deal in itself. No one pays attention to it."
"Besides, you're not responsible for these matters. Even if guards go missing, no one will report it to you..."
There was nothing Lei Ming could do; he couldn't answer Ye Cangtian's questions and could only waffle, hoping to get away with it.
Heh heh.
Upon hearing such an answer, Ye Cangtian revealed a cold smile and said, "Lei Ming, the death of guards is not a big deal? Those are lives!"
"Now that you say such a thing, are you worthy of being the Manor Lord of Yulong Mountain Villa?"
Ye Cangtian didn't give Lei Ming a chance to retort and continued, "Besides, have you and Shen Kuo forgotten an important issue? Feng Jun was administered a Spirit Sealing Pill. Would he take such a pill while on duty in the corridor?"
"..."
With one sentence, Lei Ming was rendered speechless, his face flushing red.
The other party's insight was too sharp. What he said was not wrong.
Logically speaking, it was difficult to poison Feng Jun while on duty in the corridor, as it wasn't a banquet.
Thinking this, he couldn't help but look at Shen Kuo, his eyes filled with anger.
This damned Shen Kuo, why did he have to say Feng Jun died in the corridor? It put him in a passive position everywhere!
With this thought, Lei Ming gritted his teeth and said, "Junior Brother Grim Reaper, what you said makes a lot of sense. There are indeed some doubts, and what I said earlier was indeed a bit inappropriate!"
"Manor Lord..."
Hearing Lei Ming's words, Shen Kuo's body trembled. With the way Lei Ming spoke, it was clear he was already treating him as a discarded pawn.
This was indeed the case. Lei Ming couldn't answer Ye Cangtian's questions, and if he insisted on defending himself, it would attract criticism and draw fire onto himself.
Therefore, at this critical juncture, he had no choice but to sacrifice a piece to save the king.
After all, he had done his best and had a clear conscience. He couldn't lose his position as Manor Lord for the sake of Shen Kuo, could he?
"Shen Kuo, even your master is not protecting you now. Why don't you confess truthfully?"
"You must understand that if you cannot explain this matter, you will have great difficulty clearing your name, and what awaits you might be torture or even death!"
Ye Cangtian's gaze fell back on Shen Kuo, and he said coldly.
"This..."
Shen Kuo was completely panicked. The problem now lay with him. If he couldn't fabricate a story, wouldn't it be as the Grim Reaper said?
But how could it be so easy to fabricate a story?
The Grim Reaper in front of him could always find the flaw. He feared that the other party would point out something else, leading him to eternal damnation.
"Shen Kuo, what are you hesitating for! Why don't you answer truthfully with everything you know!"
Seeing Shen Kuo hesitating and refusing to speak, Lei Ming immediately let out a cold snort and gave Shen Kuo a look.
The meaning was simple: as long as he remained the Manor Lord, there was still a chance to protect him.
Sensing Lei Ming's gaze, Shen Kuo felt a bit more at ease. He gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, I'll tell you! I killed Feng Jun in the secret room because he discovered that I was privately refining poisonous substances.
Therefore, to conceal this matter, I could only trick him into taking the Spirit Sealing Pill, and then silence him. Finally, fearing exposure, I drugged Feng Jun and framed Grim Reaper..."
As Shen Kuo's voice slowly fell, a smile gradually appeared on Lei Ming's face.
This set of answers was seamless!
It explained Feng Jun's death, Shen Kuo's motive for killing, and why Feng Jun was drugged after death, etc.
He believed that no one could find fault with it again.