Chase Game

Meng Dong thought about it for a moment.

There are three people here now. Ling Yi and Zhang Qiang are clearly in cahoots, and he is the outsider.

So he tentatively said:

"Perhaps it would be more effective for us to split up and each person could explore a different area, which would save a lot of time."

The entire palace can be divided into four areas:

The castle serves as the core;

The gardens surrounding the castle;

The outer courtyard where servants and knights resided;

The hill behind the castle.

It seemed like each person could have their own area, but Ling Yi had another consideration in mind.

The white jade bracelet was lost inside the castle, so this is definitely where the most clues are found, and the investigation should begin here.

But Yuan Xiangqing had already gone to the castle to investigate before them, so would Ling Yi and the other two have to divide up the remaining three areas?

It's impossible, because there's no foundation of trust for separate collaboration.

Meng Dong and Yuan Xiangqing are people we've just met. Who knows what their abilities are, or whether they can find crucial clues in key areas?

The time was fixed at only three hours, leaving them no chance to try and fail.

Previously, Yuan Xiangqing had also recognized this, which is why she took the initiative.

Therefore, Ling Yi corrected:

"We'll split up and not necessarily operate in different areas. I'll start my investigation from the castle."

Meng Dong seemed to be deep in thought.

"I see... I understand. The castle is yours to now. I'll check the inner courtyard."

Exploring different areas is indeed the best approach, but Meng Dong also realized that the group lacked a foundation of trust.

He had his own reasons for choosing to start his investigation with the garden.

After Meng Dong left, only Ling Yi and Zhang Qiang remained.

"And me, where am I going?"

Seeing that Ling Yi was about to leave, Zhang Qiang quickly asked.

Ling didn't even reply:

"It's up to you. If you want to follow me, then follow me. If you want to find an area, then go and investigate it yourself."

Zhang Qiang thought about it and realized that there was no point in him going along; Ling Yi was enough for the castle.

Besides, if I follow Ling Yi in everything, won't I become his little follower?

No, no, absolutely not.

He made up his mind to go to the outer court to investigate, determined to find out the truth and let Ling Yi know that Zhang Qiang was not only muscular but also intelligent!

Seeing that Zhang Qiang didn't follow, Ling Yi didn't think anything of it. Everyone is an adult, and it's normal for them to have their own judgment and choices.

Now, he was going to check on the place where the white jade bracelet had been stolen, which was the Queen's room.

While walking, he finally had time to check his hunter-specific skills.

[Instant Karmic Results] currently has three effects:

The consequences of good and evil arise in an instant.

[Karma]: Currently possessing two "Karma" tokens, successfully marking a target grants a short-term tracking effect.

[Result]: When the target has "karmic cause", this skill is unlocked, and the "karmic cause" can be manipulated to result in "good result" or "bad result".

Note that karmic markers have a duration and can be avoided or eliminated.

【Karma Pool】: Good karma 0/100, bad karma 0/100.

"I see……"

Just as when he obtained the [Ten Directions Grand View], he has fully understood the [Instant Karmic Results].

Now he clearly understands that [Instant Karma] is not just a damage or buff skill, but a "dynamic mini-system of causality".

Using it requires extremely high situational foresight, profound risk assessment, and an understanding of "balance".

The most powerful "effect" often originates from the "cause" that we plant and skillfully catalyze.

In short, Ling Yi was very satisfied with this skill.

However, unlike the [Lottery Roulette], the Hunter's exclusive skills do not allow you to advance to the next level by drawing from the same area.

To advance the [Instant Karma] rank, you need to fill the [Karma Pool].

Good karma and bad karma are simply the accumulation of good and bad deeds.

Doing good deeds is easy, but how do you do evil deeds? Are you asking him to become a ruthless killer?

Haha, he doesn't have that idea yet.

The Queen's room was filled with a bunch of people, or more accurately, a bunch of NPCs, including maids and servants.

No one stopped him, and he entered the room without any hindrance.

What came into view was an extravagantly large bed, on which lay a haggard-looking old woman, none other than the Queen.

Several elegantly dressed young men and women were lying by the bed; they were none other than the princesses and princes.

One of the princes saw Ling Yi and exclaimed with delight:

"Oh, Mother, look! Another detective has arrived."

"Ah, Rogers, quickly invite him in... Detective, have you found my jade bracelet?"

He probably didn't feel much when playing RPG games in the past, since there was a computer screen between them.

But now, being there in person, Ling Yi couldn't help but put himself into the role, and he bowed slightly, saying:

"Your Majesty, that is why I have come. Please tell me the whole story."

"Of course, a female detective just asked me the same question, and I will now repeat it to you exactly as it was asked."

Two days ago, I took a nap in this room as usual.

I took off the white jade bracelet, put it in my jewelry box, and then placed it on my bedside table.

When I woke up, my white jade bracelet and jewelry box were gone.

The queen sighed, looked at the princess beside her whose face was full of worry, and continued:

"The white jade bracelet is a keepsake left to me by my mother, and I will leave it to my eldest daughter, Princess Ailan, but now..."

"Your Majesty, please do not worry. Now, please recall carefully who was able to enter or leave your room that afternoon?"

"There were guards at the door, and they told me that only one of my maids went in and out of the room that day."

Where is that maid now?

"After I discovered that the bracelet was missing, I immediately interrogated my maid and guards, but they all said they had never seen it and are now being held in the dungeon."

According to the kingdom's laws, if no evidence of theft is found within three days, they will be released unconditionally.

"Your kindness should be remembered by the world, but now I need to know how to get to the dungeon?"

"Detective, let me take you there!"

Prince Rogers volunteered to go.

Ling Yi left the room with the prince. Rogers looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, and his handsome face was now etched with worry.

"Your Highness Rogers, you are truly a filial son."

"Hey, detective, to be honest, if I could exchange one of my hands for my mother's smile, I would do it without hesitation!"

"Haha...there's no need to be so cruel..."

After leaving the room, Ling Yi returned to her normal way of thinking and speaking.

"By the way, did the 'Detective Lady' you mentioned earlier also go to the dungeon?"

The detective must be Yuan Xiangqing, Ling Yi asked casually.

"No, she asked us for the maid's room, and another maid led us there."

Hmm... she might have some tricks up her sleeve.

Ling Yi thought to herself.