Conan: Death is Watching Me

Chapter 135 Old Monk

"You want to use the murderer's methods from two years ago to get revenge on the killer?"

Before Xiu Nian could think further, a sentence suddenly struck her heart.

They really know the murder method!
He even saw through his thoughts...

What's wrong with this person?

Xiu Nian's eyes trembled, somewhat at a loss: "I just...I just..."

"It seems you did find out."

Gao Mo did not provoke the young monk any further.

He was just testing the waters, and incidentally using his perception to passively eliminate the risks of the case.

This is the first case after advancing to Rank 2.

We still need to be extra careful.

However, since discovering the mountain temple, I have never sensed the presence of the Grim Reaper—there has been none of the terrifying threat I felt at level 1.

If it weren't for the Grim Reaper's mark on his body, he would have doubted whether the Grim Reaper even existed.

"You...you're testing me?"

Xiu Nian felt that she was just a silly and honest person.

"They had no idea how the murder was committed?"

“I’m just not sure what you’re thinking,” Gao Mo picked up a cherry blossom petal. “I advise you not to take any chances. This method actually has many flaws. It only worked two years ago. It won’t work if you try it again.”

Xiu Nian's expression changed again. She opened her mouth, then suddenly bowed her head and begged.

"Please help me find the murderer. I'll do anything to find the murderer... As for the fee, I can try to find a way to raise it..."

The difference between ordinary people and experts is so vast.

If the young monk had some ulterior motives before, he now opened his heart to Gao Mo with complete conviction, regarding Gao Mo as his last hope.

"Forget about the commission fee. Finding the murderer is actually very simple; you can do it yourself."

Gao Mo turned his gaze back to the little monk.

Let's finish the task at hand first.

"Can I do it?" Xiu Nian shook her head blankly. "Six months ago, when everyone went to the beach to paddle rubber boats, I thought of the murderer using the waterfall and the meditation room to kill people... But in the past six months, no matter how I probed, I didn't get any results. I felt that everyone was suspicious."

"Your probing is too rigid. If you just want to find the murderer, it doesn't have to be that complicated."

The text message from the old monk Tianyong flashed through Gao Mo's mind.

"A seemingly perfect defense may not be so perfect when attacked. You can accidentally reveal some information and deliberately let the murderer slip up."

Since everyone is wary of the murder case from two years ago, if the perpetrator knew you had cracked the modus operandi, they wouldn't be able to sit still completely.

……

late at night.

The waterfall near the mountain temple was much louder, with a continuous, flood-like rushing sound, especially in the guest rooms at the end of the corridor, where it felt like the waterfall was right above the ceiling.

Ai and the black cat were fast asleep, but Professor Agasa, sitting next to them, couldn't fall asleep at all.

Sometimes the sound of water can help you fall asleep, but other times it can make it hard to drift off.

This unfamiliar place can never compare to the peace of mind you feel at home.

The doctor sighed and turned over, only to find that Gao Mo's bed was empty.

Did you go to the restroom?

"clatter!"

The abbot's room.

The old monk Tianyong was counting his banknotes in front of the candlestick, his old face full of greed.

Two years have passed since then. Perhaps we could ask the son-in-law of a major temple to help us further enhance the reputation of Shanni Temple.

With more tourists, the temple can make money from both accommodation and other businesses.

The Tengu mask can also be sold as a local specialty...

"Hmm?" A dark shadow suddenly flashed past outside the paper door.

The old monk cautiously put away his savings, walked suspiciously to the door, and opened the paper door a crack.

It's Xiu Nian.

This guy has been acting suspiciously since he came to the temple a year ago, as if he wanted to investigate the murder case from back then.

Hmph, do you really think he doesn't know anything?

Although he was fat and short, his face looked remarkably like that of the deceased Zhongnian.

Today I went to pay respects at Zhongnian's grave again and finally confirmed his identity—he was actually Zhongnian's deceased younger brother.

With a gloomy expression, the old monk pretended to go to the toilet as he walked through the corridor. When he saw Xiu Nian unlock the door to the meditation room, his eyes narrowed again.

We can't delay any longer. If something is found out, not only will the incident from two years ago be exposed, but the reputation of Shanni Temple will also be ruined.

"what?"

The old monk entered the toilet with a heavy heart, his face somewhat blank.

The Tengu mask he hung in the toilet has disappeared.

what happened?

……

The next day at dawn, the weather in the mountains became sunny and breezy again.

When Gao Mo and the others got up, the monks in the temple had already finished their morning prayers.

He kept watch all night, allowing Xiu Nian to conduct her investigation without any attempt to conceal her actions last night.

I thought the old monk would do something, but nothing happened all night.

"Breakfast is ready for the three of you," Xiu Nian greeted them with a yawn, glancing furtively at her master and the others.

"Breakfast is provided?"

Gao Mo followed them to the dining hall for a meal.

The old monk looked like he hadn't rested well, with bloodshot eyes, as if he had been under immense mental stress.

It's not that it has no effect at all.

"How did you all sleep last night? Would you like to take another look around the neighborhood? I can have Xiu Nian show you around."

"feel good."

Gao Mo handed over a business card.

"I've already heard about what happened two years ago from Xiu Nian... If you can stay for a few days for free, maybe I can help you solve the mystery. There must be something else going on in that murder case, and it has nothing to do with the Mist Tengu."

"Kido... Detective Agency... Detective?!"

The old monk took the business card, his finger trembled, and his expression completely changed.

"How dare you pry into other people's private affairs? Sir, please finish your breakfast and leave immediately!"

“But Master,” Xiu Nian asked, her heart skipping a beat, “I’ve heard of the Kido Detective Agency; it seems to be particularly famous in Tokyo…”

“I’ve heard of it too,” the eldest brother, Kuan Nian, said in surprise. “It’s the detective agency of the famous detective Kindaichi, right?”

"It might actually be possible..."

"Quiet! Quiet!"

The old monk was terrified and broke out in a sweat. He suddenly stood up and pulled open the paper door of the dining hall.

"Didn't we say we shouldn't mention that again? Detective, you're not welcome here. Please leave immediately! Xiu Nian, see them out!"

The young monk Xiu Nian didn't move. He looked at Gao Mo, and his fingers gradually clenched.

He's not stupid; Gao Mo has already discovered the problem with the abbot and is testing him.

The master hadn't revealed any flaws for half a year, but the detective figured it out in just one night.

"It's you, Master? So it was you who forbade everyone to mention this!" Xiu Nian looked up and glared at Tian Yong. "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid we'll uncover the murder method from two years ago—your secret of using the meditation room to kill people, right?"

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the old monk’s eyes narrowed sharply. “What am I afraid of? Two years ago, the police said it was suicide. Besides, even if there was something wrong, there’s no evidence left. Investigating would only bring scandal to our temple… I’m just thinking about the temple!”

(End of this chapter)