Keep attacking girls and try not to be killed by them

Grandma Huanyan's seemingly complimenting words immediately raised Shiiki Ruri's alertness to the highest level.

It was not until she heard these words that Shiiki Ruri noticed that her reaction when she opened the door and saw Grandma Huanyan was too calm.

According to the rules of Zhaoye Liuque, the heads of branch halls are not supposed to know where others live, so not only is the timing of Grandma Huanyan's visit unreasonable, but the visit itself is problematic.

Shiiki Ruri welcomed Grandma Huanyan in so calmly that it seemed as if she had already known in advance that she would visit tonight.

However, this level of flaw wasn't a big deal for Shiiki Ruri. She immediately echoed Grandma Huanyan's words and replied, "Hey, Grandma Fumu, you're too kind, meow. I was worried that someone might overhear us talking outside the door, so I tried to be as low-key as possible, meow."

With ease, Shiiki Ruri filled the trap set by Grandma Huanyan, but she was not proud at all because she knew that this was just the beginning of the contest.

"Yes, I was also worried about attracting unnecessary attention. Fortunately, you are aware of this... Well, Xiao Liuli, what I am about to say may be beyond your imagination. Are you ready?"

"Go ahead, Grandma Fumu."

Grandma Huanyan cleared her throat and leaned closer to Shiiki Liuli before whispering, "After you left the base under the lake, Dark Moon, Weird Whisper, and I conducted an investigation. We've preliminarily concluded that the headmaster... is very likely dead."

Hearing this, Shiiki Ruri's heart trembled.

What surprised her was not Tetodaf's death, but the fact that Grandma Huanyan and the others discovered it so quickly.

In order to avoid suspicion from Grandma Huanyan, Shiiki Ruri took the initiative to exaggerate her inner surprise. She pretended to be frightened and accidentally knocked over the ceramic cup beside her, making a crisp "clatter" sound.

“The chief hall master…?! Die… Die… How is this possible?”

Shiiki Ruri completely ignored the fallen cup and stood up to question Grandma Huanyan.

Grandma Huanyan immediately put her finger to her lips and warned Shiiki Ruri, "Shh! Keep your voice down...!" Then she comforted her, "Don't get so excited. We haven't found the body yet, so this is just speculation."

However, even though Grandma Huanyan said this, Shiiki Ruri's eyes still trembled.

She fell back into the chair, her whole body limp, looking at a loss. No matter what Grandma Huanyan said, she seemed not to hear it.

After a long while, Shiiki Ruri asked Grandma Huanyan, "Grandma Huanyan, why do you think the head master is dead? I saw him yesterday and even talked to him..."

Perhaps because of the great mental stimulation, Shiiki Ruri called out Grandma Huanyan's "code name" at this time.

According to the organization's rules, unless you are at a base or on an operation, you are not allowed to call others by their code names and can only use "aliases".

Grandma Huanyan didn't bother with her for the time being because little Liuli was frightened.

Afterwards, Grandma Huanyan told Xiao Liuli about the "burnt piece of meat" she found in the warehouse, and let her know that it was the werewolf uncle Dark Moon who smelled the "smell of the winged race" remaining on the piece of meat.

The werewolf uncle Dark Moon's sense of smell is a top-notch investigative tool in Zhaoye Liuque. Based on the experience of various previous cases, as long as this uncle says so, it basically means it.

Therefore, the best case scenario for the Grand Master now is that he is injured, and the worst case scenario is that he is dead.

Grandma Huanyan tried to express these things in the most tactful way possible. To be honest, seeing that little Liuli was still like a frightened bird, she didn't want to continue testing the waters.

No matter what, she watched little Liuli grow up. She was the "child" of her former good friend Magai.

However, this matter was of great importance, so Grandma Huanyan could only make up her mind and continue to carry out the plan.

"By the way, Xiao Liuli, we also found your things, I brought them here for you."

As Grandma Huanyan spoke, she casually took out a piece of white debris from her bag and placed it on the table in front of Xiao Liuli.

"This is……?"

Xiao Liuli picked up the broken pieces and looked at them carefully, with a look of confusion on her face.

"This should be a fragment of your flute. I'm so sorry, we tried our best to find it, but this is the only piece we found."

Grandma Huanyan's tone sounded apologetic, and she seemed to want to ease little Liuli's anxiety by returning the items.

But in reality, this was just her acting. Her real purpose in handing the white fragments to Xiao Liuli was to test whether Xiao Liuli had anything to do with the death of the head hall master.

Grandma Huanyan actually didn't know what device the white fragments came from, nor did she know what had injured or even killed the head hall master.

If Xiao Liuli admitted that the white fragment was hers, it would mean that Xiao Liuli had appeared at the place where the head hall master was attacked, and this would contradict Xiao Liuli's previous "confession".

10.12 - Search begins

"Fragments of...a flute?"

Shiiki Ruri murmured what Grandma Huanyan said, then handed the white fragments back to the other party.

"Thank you, Grandma Fumu, but this shouldn't be mine, meow."

"Eh? Isn't it yours...? I was wondering, this color and material are rare in the base. Besides your flute, there's probably no other possibility."

Grandma Huanyan said this as she took the white fragments.

Although she did not question Shiiki Ruri about anything, judging from her tone and expression, she obviously did not fully accept what Shiiki Ruri said.

Shiiki Ruri saw Grandma Huanyan's reaction. Although she appeared calm on the surface, she was actually extremely nervous inside.

In Shiiki Ruri's memory, Grandma Huanyan had never seen him play the white jade flute, but according to what she said just now, she seemed to know it very well, as if she had seen it with her own eyes and heard it with her own ears.

This means that Grandma Huanyan may have conducted an investigation inside the base beforehand and compiled the confessions of other members into her own "memories".

If Shiiki Ruri had denied the flute incident just now, Grandma Huanyan would have immediately discovered her flaw.

In this seemingly peaceful but actually tense conversation, any lie that could be exposed would become a fatal flaw.

——(This is too dangerous, meow… I almost fell into Grandma Phantom Flame’s trap…)

Shiiki Ruri was glad that she always remained vigilant. Even if Grandma Huanyan and Aunt Magee were good friends and kind elders who watched her grow up, it did not mean that they would betray the organization to protect her.

"Loyalty to the organization, not to the headmaster" is one of Teruya Ryuque's characteristics.

·

"By the way, little Liuli..."

After receiving the white fragments, Grandma Phantom Flame attacked again. This time, her attack became more cunning and harsh.

"Can you show me your white jade flute? I heard it's quite exquisite and elegant."

In this question, Grandma Huanyan directly admitted that Shiiki Ruri's flute was made of white jade, and what made Shiiki Ruri feel difficult was that she couldn't deny this matter, because once she denied it, it would mean lying, and she had no way of knowing whether Grandma Huanyan had evidence that could expose the lie.

"Ah, Grandma Fumu, my flute... was broken in the battle with the enemy last night, meow. I was planning to go look for it in the lake base tomorrow."

At this critical juncture, in order to avoid being forced to take out the flute, Shiiki Ruri chose to make up a lie.

Although she could directly reject Grandma Huanyan's request, without a proper reason, an "unreasonable" rejection would only increase the other party's suspicion.

The lie that Shiiki Ruri just told is relatively difficult to be exposed, and she still has many ways to operate later, which can be regarded as a safe step.

"Is that so... That's really unfortunate."

Grandma Huanyan sighed with regret. She said that if she had the chance, she really wanted to hear Xiao Liuli's performance. According to members who heard the performance in the inner court square at the time, the master of Liutang played the flute with superb skill, making people feel like they were listening to heavenly music and their ears were temporarily enlightened.

Shiiki Ruri was not at all pleased by such exaggerated flattery. She knew it was a trick used by Grandma Huanyan to change the subject.

At this stage in the conversation, Grandma Huanyan's apparent reason for visiting was no longer enough to justify her staying, and the discussion about the flute was clearly almost over.

If no new topic is brought up, then Grandma Huanyan will have to leave tactfully, and Shiiki Ruri's crisis tonight will be resolved.

However, things will obviously not develop as easily as Shiiki Ruri wishes.

After being defeated on the topic of the flute, Grandma Huanyan slowly stood up and her expression became cold.

"Little Liuli, there's one last thing I hope you can understand. According to the organization's rules, when a suspect appears within the organization, regardless of their rank, they must be investigated accordingly. This time, the Lake Base was attacked, and the Grand Master lost contact. As one of the last people to see the Grand Master, you are a certain suspect. Therefore, I came to you tonight not only to convey information, but also to investigate you."

This slightly lengthy speech was clearly expressed in Grandma Huanyan's calm narration.

Shiiki Ruri was not too surprised. This move was actually within her expectations - after all, she had investigated other members of the organization in this way before.

"It's okay, meow, Grandma Fumu, just follow the rules and I will cooperate."

Shiiki Ruri opened her arms generously, indicating that Grandma Huanyan could search Shiiki Ruri herself or her house at will.

The reason for such confidence is that Shiiki Ruri has excellent intelligence work habits, and she has dealt with all the evidence left by the assassination of the chief hall master.

No matter how powerful Grandma Huanyan is, it is impossible to find evidence out of nothing in her house.

"Thank you for your understanding, Xiao Liuli. If you wish to exercise your rights to investigate me, I will certainly cooperate."

Grandma Huanyan nodded, and immediately began to search Xiao Liuli.

The "exercise of rights" she mentioned just now refers to another rule of Teruya Ryuque: the person being investigated has the right to initiate an investigation into the investigator.

The reason for establishing such rules is to prevent those in power from stealing from the public or abusing their power for personal gain. In terms of various rules and regulations, Zhaoye Liuque does have its own advanced features.

"Meow, hahaha, Grandma Fumu, you're joking. I think you're the most reliable person in the organization. Investigating you is a waste of time, meow."

Shiiki Ruri continued to appear relaxed. She had to convince Grandma Huanyan that she was indeed innocent.

It didn't take long for Grandma Huanyan to complete the body search of Shiiki Ruri, but of course she found nothing.

Then, according to the rules, she will search Shiiki Ruri's house next, which will also not put pressure on Shiiki Ruri...

——(Wait, meow, this is bad! Master Stan is still under the bed, meow!)

Shiiki Ruri, who was originally relaxed, suddenly became stiff.

She knew very well that with Grandma Huanyan's professional searching skills, she would definitely check under the bed!

——(This is over, meow! Why did I let Stan-sama hide under the bed?!)

——(Isn’t this the easiest place to be discovered? Meow!)

Shiiki Ruri is regretting now, very regretful.

A body as big as Sir Frostmail Knight's would definitely be discovered.

At this point, Shiiki Ruri remembered that she should have asked the Frost Armor Knight to use the skill called "Shadow Master".

If Lord Frost Knight could really sneak into his own shadow, he would never be discovered.

It’s a pity that Shiiki Ruri made a mistake in a hurry and failed to think of the best idea.

Now she could only watch helplessly as Grandma Huanyan searched every corner of the house, gradually approaching the bedroom...

10.13 - Horrifying Moment

What should I do? What should I do?

Is there any way to prevent Grandma Huanyan from checking under the bed?

Shiiki Ruri watched Grandma Huanyan walk into her bedroom with her own eyes, her heart was so nervous that it was in her throat!!!

What made her feel painful and helpless was that not only was she unable to stop Grandma Phantom Flame, but she was also unable to express her current emotions.

Once Grandma Huanyan notices that something is wrong with me, she will conduct a thorough search to get to the bottom of it!

So, under the watchful eyes of Shiiki Ruri, Grandma Huanyan began to search the boudoir of the cat-man girl.

In Shiiki Ruri's bedroom, there was nothing but a bed and a wardrobe. Although it wasn't completely bare, it still gave off an air of poverty.

"Little Liuli, you are really simple. It seems that you can help me save a lot of searching time."

Grandma Huanyan joked with Shiiki Ruri, and Shiiki Ruri could only smile awkwardly at such a teasing.

Only Shiiki Ruri herself knew that her family was not simple at all, but was so poor that they could not afford anything other than basic necessities.

Thanks to this "frugal and simple style", Grandma Huanyan grasped the situation in the room at a glance, and then started searching from the wardrobe beside the bed.

When she opened the wardrobe, Grandma Huanyan saw that there were not even two pieces of clothing in this huge wardrobe, and they were all styles that she had seen Xiao Liuli wear.

——(This child...isn't his life too hard?)

Unrelated to this mission, Grandma Huanyan secretly began to plan that if Xiao Liuli could be proved innocent this time, she would definitely take the poor child to buy a few sets of clothes.

·

It didn't take long for Grandma Huanyan to finish checking the wardrobe. She looked around and confirmed that the only thing left to check in the room was the wooden bed.

——(Would Xiao Liuli hide something in such an easily discovered place?)

Grandma Huanyan knew without hesitation that the possibility was almost zero, but even if there was only a one percent chance or even a one in ten thousand chance, she would complete the necessary inspections. This was her mission as the head of the branch hall.

·

"Speaking of which, little Liuli... when you were a kid, you loved hiding under the bed when playing hide-and-seek. Do you remember?" Grandma Huanyan walked towards the wooden bed and chatted casually with little Liuli.

What surprised Grandma Huanyan was that little Liuli actually became a little nervous at this time.

Grandma Huanyan clearly saw that Xiao Liuli's index finger and thumb were rubbing back and forth unconsciously. Besides that, she looked a little tense.

This state is completely different from the "relaxation" I felt when I opened the door for Grandma Huanyan just now.

Grandma Huanyan, who was good at observing details, caught these clues clearly. She couldn't help but start to wonder, could it be that Xiao Liuli really hid something under the bed?