absurd deduction game.

Reopening an investigation into a disappearance case that happened 30 years ago is obviously no easy task.

However, given the current situation, that matter clearly involves many secrets. If the church does not have the determination to investigate the case, it may fall far behind the other hidden forces in Yorick Town.

Part of the archbishop's confidence also came from the help of investigators. As is well known, investigators are adept at uncovering secrets that transcend time, which is their duty. Just recently, a legendary investigator solved a bizarre case that dates back more than 300 years.

Yu Xing agreed with the idea and expressed her willingness to join. However, the composition of the investigation team, where to start the investigation, and the scope of the investigation all need to be considered and cannot be determined in a few words.

He was only "helping," and the archbishop himself had to put in a lot of effort to finalize the plan.

The archbishop sighed and fell into deep thought.

Not long after, the silence in the office was broken by a slightly urgent knocking on the door.

After receiving permission from the archbishop, Ivan pushed open the door and entered. The excitement he had shown earlier was gone, replaced by a seriousness and confusion befitting someone on a mission.

“Archbishop, Mr. Investigator,” Ivan bowed and reported clearly, “I went to the ‘Knowledge Lighthouse’ bookstore and carefully inquired and searched all the catalogues and inventory records, but I did not find a book titled ‘Wanderings: The Customs of Thirty Countries’ by Edgar White.”

He paused, then continued, "To be absolutely sure, I visited several other smaller but older bookstores in town, and even went to the public library to check the old catalog... The result was the same. All traces of this book seemed to have been deliberately erased, and even the booksellers had a vague memory of it, as if it had never existed."

This news instantly made the atmosphere in the room even more tense.

The archbishop leaned back in his chair, his snow-white eyebrows furrowed, his fingertips tapping the table unconsciously, making a rhythmic, soft sound.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Even if the book didn't sell well back then, it's impossible that not a single copy was left in stock or a single record, let alone that all the booksellers had no recollection of it. This situation can only be caused by... a deliberate and purposeful elimination."

He raised his head and looked sharply at Yu Xing: "In that case, the copy of 'Red Star Over China' that your colleague found is very likely one of the few that slipped through the net during this purge, or even... the only copy left in town."

It seems there's only one way left to obtain the information in this book.

“Investigator,” the Archbishop leaned forward slightly, his tone solemn, “if it would be convenient to tell you the name of your sharp-minded colleague who first noticed the anomaly in the travelogue? I believe that his keen ability to pinpoint the connection between the book and the Rael incident demonstrates his considerable interest and insight into the matter. I would like to invite him to join the in-depth investigation into the disappearance of Edgar White. More resources may help to unravel the mystery more quickly.”

Yu Xing: "..." Tsk.

Sharp-minded, wow.

Indeed, he was very perceptive. When the actor stopped him in the bookstore and invited him to look at the clues, could it be that he already knew that this book had become a truly unique copy, which facilitated everything that followed? And then, at this moment, he used his advantage of possessing that book to get the archbishop to extend an olive branch?
If it were an actor... it wouldn't be impossible for him to make so many moves in advance. No, it should be said that this is probably the case.

Yu Xing curled his lip. Since that's the case, agreeing to bring the actors into the group now is actually just going along with the actors' wishes, which sounds like a bad idea.

But then I thought, given the actor's nature, since he had already noticed this clue and set up these schemes, he would never give up easily.

Rather than letting him lurk in the shadows like a venomous snake, lurking and scheming, it's better to keep him under our watchful eyes. At least, with the Church and the Archbishop watching, the actor will have some reservations, and any clues obtained will have to be shared openly.

“His investigator’s code name is Lingren,” Yu Xing said calmly, without adding any comment. “I can agree to let him join the investigation. However, contacting him and persuading him to provide books and cooperation will probably require the church to handle the negotiations itself. My relationship with him… is limited to colleagues, and we are not close friends.”

The archbishop nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the complex relationships between the investigators: "I understand. I will send someone to communicate with this actor with utmost sincerity."

He then summoned a composed deacon and whispered a few instructions to him.

With the matter temporarily resolved, Yu Xing estimated the time and said, "Archbishop, even if we obtain the book now, it will take you considerable time to study the entire travelogue and unravel any hidden clues. How about this: after you have carefully read the travelogue and confirmed the key information, you can inform me of the next steps. Also—"

He paused, then added, "I hope my teammate Qu Xianqing can also join this investigation. Her abilities and judgment are outstanding, and her involvement will make things more secure."

The archbishop clearly also remembered Qu Xianqing, the capable and efficient female investigator who had been helping out at the church these past few days and had performed remarkably well.

He readily agreed: "Of course. That investigator's abilities are evident to all, and it would be an honor for us to have her join us."

After finishing their business, Yu Xing stood up and politely took his leave: "In that case, I won't bother you any longer. Tonight I need to accompany Mrs. Funnel to the gallery's art exhibition, and I need to make some preparations in advance, so I'll take my leave now."

"An art exhibition? I've heard about it. I wish you a good evening, my child." The archbishop also stood up, expressing his gratitude and bidding farewell.

Leaving the archbishop's office and passing through the still solemn and quiet church corridor, Yu Xing stepped out of the church door.

The afternoon sun slanted down, bringing warmth and dispelling the chilly atmosphere I had carried from the church and the white house.

He looked up at the sky. After the "accident" on Rose Avenue, and the lengthy report and subsequent conversation in the church, it was already late. The sun was setting, and it was around three or four o'clock in the afternoon.

Without delay, he went straight back to Carlos's office.

Pushing open the office door, one sees Carlos leisurely sitting on the living room sofa, legs crossed, toying with a crystal ball that shimmers with an unusual luster. Hearing the door open, he looks up, his emerald green eyes locking onto the returning person.

"Oh, you're back?" Carlos teased. "It seems the church's procedures are indeed cumbersome. It's been several hours since I heard about the outcome of the Riel family matter. That's too slow."

Yu Xing ignored his teasing, took off her trench coat and hung it up, then casually asked, "Is there something wrong?"

“Yes.” Carlos put down the crystal ball and pointed to a standing coat rack in the corner of the living room, on which hung a black dress carefully protected by a dust cover. Next to it was an open velvet-lined jewelry box containing cufflinks and lapel pins to match the dress, with a simple yet exquisite design.

“Mrs. Fernail sent it over at noon,” Carlos explained. “She said it was ‘outfit’ for your trip to the art exhibition tonight. It seems this lady is determined to package you as the perfect ‘male companion’.”

He whistled: "Quite generous, this fabric and workmanship must have been expensive."

Yu Xing glanced at the obviously expensive suit, his face expressionless. To him, it was merely a prop needed for a mission, and he had worn similar suits and jewelry many times when he was a child; to a tree, it was just a shiny new layer of skin.

He walked over to the sofa, sat down, rubbed his temples, and briefly recounted to Carlos his conversation with the archbishop at the church that day, as well as the details of the mysterious travelogue and the disappearance of Edgar White.

After listening, Carlos stroked his chin thoughtfully: "That actor is getting involved too? Tsk, this is going to be interesting. But you're right, it's better to let him do it openly than to let him cause trouble in the shadows."

He paused, a hint of interest flashing in his green eyes: "That travelogue... it sounds very interesting. Maybe I can get my hands on it and take a look?"

"Okay," Yu Xing replied.

He rested for a moment, then got up, picked up the suit, and prepared to go to his room to change, in preparation for the art exhibition night that was destined to be anything but peaceful.

The sky outside the window was gradually tinged with the colors of dusk.

……

As evening fell, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the streets of Yolikev in a warm golden-orange hue.

An elegantly decorated four-wheeled carriage bearing the Furnel family crest pulled up right on time outside Carlos's office.

The driver, dressed in a neat dark gray uniform and wearing white gloves, nimbly dismounted and respectfully opened the closed carriage door. A middle-aged maid, equally neatly dressed and with a respectful demeanor, stood by the door and gave a slight curtsy to Yu Xing as she walked out of the office.
"Good evening, Mr. Investigator. Your wife is waiting for you in the car."

Yu Xing nodded slightly.

He had already changed into the suit that Mrs. Furnell had sent him. The well-tailored black suit made him look even more upright, and the fabric shone with a low-key luster in the setting sun. The silver cufflinks and lapel pins were simple yet full of texture, adding a touch of the sophistication and aloofness of high society to him.

With his imposing height, he could easily handle the job of "bodyguard" simply by standing there, and no one would want to mess with him.

He walked to the carriage, and before he even got in, a slender hand wearing a lace glove gently shook down the small, exquisite glass window of the carriage.

Mrs. Furnel's bright and beautiful face was revealed. She had clearly dressed up carefully today, with diamond hair ornaments adorning her updo, wearing a royal blue off-the-shoulder velvet dress, and a matching sapphire necklace around her neck, which shimmered in the twilight.

"Good evening, Mr. Yu Xing." Mrs. Furnel's lips curved into a perfectly measured smile, and a hint of undisguised amazement flashed in her azure eyes. "This dress really suits you. It seems my taste is not bad."

Her voice was like a melodious silver bell, carrying the warmth and just the right amount of flattery unique to social occasions.

Yu Xing stood outside the car, bowed slightly, and gave an impeccable gentlemanly bow. His tone was humble, yet carried a subtle, not unpleasant, cunning quality: "Good evening, Mrs. Funer. You flatter me. It is your generosity and taste that have greatly enhanced this outfit. You are even more radiant tonight and will surely be the most dazzling jewel in the art exhibition."

A few polite compliments made Mrs. Furnell's smile even more genuine.

She gestured gracefully, "Please get in the car, Mr. Yu Xing, it's time for us to depart."

Yu Xing then smoothly boarded the carriage and sat down on the soft chair opposite Madam Funer.

The interior of the carriage was spacious and comfortable, with thick carpets and the air filled with the faint, expensive scent of Mrs. Funer's perfume.

The carriage slowly started moving, its hooves clattering as it headed towards the Flowing Light Gallery.

Inside the carriage, Mrs. Furnell seemed to be in a good mood. She looked Yu Xing up and down and exclaimed again, "To be honest, Mr. Yu Xing, you have a very unique temperament. Even during the social season in London or Paris, someone like you would definitely be the center of attention."

"Madam, you're too kind." Yu Xing smiled slightly, steer the conversation back on track, "Speaking of which, I'm quite curious about the guests at tonight's art exhibition. Besides us, I wonder which other gentlemen and ladies will be attending?"

When the topic turned to her familiar social circles, Mrs. Furnell immediately rattled them off with ease, her tone carrying a hint of familiarity with this social class and a subtle, almost imperceptible, judgment:

“Oh, tonight we’ve gathered almost all the big names in town.” She started introducing them, counting on her gloved fingers. “First and foremost is Mr. Defit Claude, our town’s big banker and one of the most important donors to the Church of the Harvest Mother.”

"You may have heard that his family suffered a misfortune a few days ago. I thought he wouldn't come tonight, but I didn't expect him to still be on the attendance list. Hmm... I guess quite a few people will take the opportunity to comfort him and get to know him tonight."

Her tone carried a touch of just the right amount of sympathy, yet it was also imbued with a cool-headed understanding of the situation.

Yu Xing thought, yes, he was the one who personally rescued the person from his dream... and he was also the one who personally told him about his wife's identity and death.

“And Sir Hopps, the one who invested in mining and railroads, seems to have recently become very interested in magic…” She seemed to think of Carlos and smiled. “Principal Princeton will also be there, the president of Yorickf University, a serious scholar.”

"Sheriff Brown and his wife are responsible for security in the town, except for the strange incidents, so they would naturally be present at such an event."

She continued listing: "Old Lord Finley, well, although his fiefdom is long gone, his title remains, and he never misses a high society gathering; Mr. Wilson, the textile mill owner, seems to be having some trouble with business lately and needs to make connections at the gathering; Mr. Raphael, the jeweler and antique collector, and several well-known doctors and lawyers have also returned... Of course, there are also noble ladies and young women like myself, whom some people consider 'idle'."

“Oh, right,” she said as if suddenly remembering, “I just heard that the church will be sending someone tonight, maybe a priest or deacon, to represent the church in supporting the arts. After all, Evan Clifford is the hottest artist in our town right now.”

Yu Xing: "Hmm."

Was it because the archbishop heard him mention this during the day that he decided to send someone to supervise the meeting?
Mrs. Fernell, of course, was unaware of the reasons behind it all. She spoke eloquently, recounting the identities, backgrounds, and even some trivial gossip of the attendees that evening, sketching out a microcosm of high society in Yolikef for Yu Xing.

During this conversation, the carriage gradually slowed down and finally came to a smooth stop in front of the artistic porch of the Flowing Light Gallery.

Outside the window, the city lights were just coming on, and the gallery was brightly lit. Some well-dressed guests could be seen being led inside by waiters.

"We've arrived." Mrs. Furnel straightened her skirt, her face once again displaying a perfect social smile. (End of Chapter)