The Clown Was Me All Along

"Hung up, hung up?"
Song Wu held his phone, his eyes wide, looking at Song Tian.
He hadn't had time to ask for more details.
Moreover, if it was true, how should he deliver the reward to the other party?
A million contribution points was indeed not a small amount for the Song Family, and even more so for ordinary people.
However, their Song Family wouldn't go back on their word just for this small immediate benefit.
"Jiangnan Branch of the Martial Arts Association, Chen Fan?" On the side, Song Tian muttered to himself.
"Big Brother, do you think this person is telling the truth?"
Song Wu hastily asked.
If it was true, then that would be excellent. As long as they captured this fellow, all difficulties would be easily resolved.
But reason told him that things might not be so simple; this phone call reeked of strangeness everywhere.
"Perhaps true, perhaps false, who knows."
Song Tian sighed upon hearing this.
"Indeed."
Song Wu nodded.
Many doubts also existed in his heart.
For example, if this information was true, why would the other party leave a million contribution points reward untouched? Just for a bit of vanity?
Everyone was an adult, not a fool. How much was face worth? Unless there was an unspeakable secret involved.
For example, this information was also false. This person, like those before, wanted to use his Song Family as a weapon. If successful, it would be excellent news for them; if not, they would suffer no loss. In his opinion, this was the most likely possibility.
However, this person was somewhat different from those before; he truly knew some inside information.
The other party was very likely an insider of the Jiangnan Branch of the Martial Arts Association, and their status was not low.
If that was the case, he might be worried about being caught by their group, which was why he was unwilling to reveal his true identity. After all, the reputation of betraying one's own people was indeed unpleasant. If it spread, not only the entire association, but everyone in Yan Nation would despise him.
"Alas, if only I could figure out whether that Shen Si was really lying to me."
Song Wu said with a frown.
Before receiving that phone call, he felt nothing.
But afterward, the more he thought about it now, the more he felt something was wrong. Although there was no concrete evidence, he just felt that he had been deceived, and even played around like a monkey.
He had been so sincere at the time, and when he returned, he was still praising Shen Si's character to those around him.
In the end, the clown was me all along?
"That's right."
Song Tian agreed wholeheartedly.
He had already felt there was a possibility that Shen Si was lying; after all, the timing was too coincidental.
Of course, it could also be a genuine coincidence, a fleeting encounter with the culprit.
However, listening to the person on the phone, the seed of doubt in his heart completely took root and sprouted.
Shen Si and that Chen Fan were both from the same Martial Arts Association. If that fellow Chen was the culprit, then Shen Si covering for him and choosing to conceal this matter would be reasonable. If one were bolder, what if Third Brother's death also had something to do with Shen Si?
Then he would certainly not speak out, would he?
Therefore, if there was evidence to prove that Shen Si was lying, then the truth would soon come to light.
"Big Brother, what do you think if I make another trip to Jiangnan City?"
Song Wu asked.
He had an impulse to rush in front of Shen Si and question him.
Of course, he wasn't a fool; he knew that if he went to find the other party now, he would probably receive a similar answer.
Therefore, to make the other party tell the truth, he probably could only use some unspeakable methods. The most direct way would be to capture the other party and interrogate him with severe torture.
But this problem, one would know it was very difficult just by thinking about it.
Shen Si's own strength was not weak. Unless Big Brother personally took action, it would be very difficult to capture him quickly. The key was, if he always stayed at the Jiangnan City headquarters, they truly had no way to capture him. After all, that headquarters was guarded by two Heaven-Human Realm martial artists. Even if the Song Family Ancestor took action, it would probably be very difficult to succeed.
Once they alarmed them, the Song Family would offend another force. Most importantly, if it was ultimately proven that Shen Si had not lied, then they would have busied themselves for nothing, and might even have a weakness fall into that person's hands.
"What do you plan to do?" Song Tian asked curiously.
"I plan to invite him out for a meal, tamper with the food a bit, and then use the Soul Searching Art to get the answer." Song Wu felt this idea was not bad.
Just asking, after asking, the other party wouldn't remember what happened during that time.
Of course, if this matter truly had something to do with him.
Then their Song Family would come to their door to demand an explanation.
"You know the Soul Searching Art?"
Song Tian looked at him in surprise.
"I don't, but someone in the family does," Song Wu said with a smile, "As long as that Shen Si falls into our trap, it won't take long to figure out the situation."
Song Tian first nodded, then shook his head, saying, "Difficult, very difficult. Think about it, if this matter truly has something to do with Shen Si, then your visit yesterday was no different than startling the snake, increasing his vigilance. You will go, and no matter what you say, he won't come out with you. Secondly, your action itself is very unusual. Even if he has nothing to do with this matter, he probably won't come out with you."
"It really seems so."
Song Wu's head felt as big as a bucket.
Was there really no other way?
On the side, a flash of inspiration appeared in Song Tian's mind.
Obtaining information from Shen Si was difficult and risky, but that didn't mean obtaining information from other people was also risky and difficult.
"Second Brother, when Shen Si returned from Wulin to Jiangnan City, was he alone?"
"Alone? He shouldn't have been, should he?"
"What do you mean 'should have'?" Song Tian said with dissatisfaction, "It is what it is, it isn't what it isn't. No 'should have,' 'possibly,' 'probably.'"
"No."
Song Wu hastily said, "I remember now, someone saw Shen Si when they were several people, but that person only recognized Shen Si."
"Isn't that the solution right there?"
A smile appeared on the corner of Song Tian's mouth.
Song Wu's body trembled, his pupils suddenly widened, "Big Brother means?"
"Spend a little effort to find those people, try to get information from them, and see if we can find a breakthrough."
Just think, if Shen Si saw the situation at that time, then those other people had no reason not to see it.
So, wouldn't it be possible to learn the truth from their mouths?
"Brilliant, truly brilliant! Big Brother, you are too amazing."
Song Wu's face immediately showed a fawning smile and said, "That's right, we can't capture Shen Si for interrogation; the risk factor is too high. But capturing one or two of those martial artists is still not a problem.
Even if someone guesses, we just deny it. The Jiangnan Branch of the Martial Arts Association is also very unlikely to confront us with weapons over this matter."
"Indeed."
Song Tian nodded, but he wasn't as excited as Song Wu.
Because, in the end, this was just a clue, not necessarily the truth, and there were also some risks involved, so he continued:
"Additionally, find someone to investigate that Chen Fan. See what his background truly is, his movements during these days, whether he ever entered that Wulin area, and who he might have offended."
"Offended whom?" Song Wu was stunned, then quickly understood, "Big Brother wants to find the person who just called us?"
"Indeed."
Song Tian narrowed his eyes, "If what he said is true, and this Chen fellow is truly the murderer of Third Brother, then even if he flees to the Edge of the Sky, End of the Sea, my Song Family will not let him go. The reward, my Song Family will also deliver to the informant. But if this Chen fellow has nothing to do with this matter, then I want to see who he truly is?"
After speaking, he let out a cold snort.
To think that he, the dignified head of the Song Family, had ever spoken to others in such a low and humble tone? Even if he had, it was very rare.
"Understood."
Song Wu nodded repeatedly, his face filled with excitement.
Encountering difficulties was not scary; what was scary was having no direction.
With a direction, no matter how great the difficulty, with their Song Family's foundation, it would eventually be resolved.
On the other side, at the Jiangnan Branch of the Martial Arts Association headquarters, Ling Yu hung up the phone, a triumphant smirk on his lips.
He had already told the Song Family people the culprit's identity. They should know what to do next, right?
"Hmph, that Chen fellow, if you had honestly cooperated from the very beginning, none of this would have happened. When I break through to the Heaven-Human Realm, you wouldn't have lacked benefits. But why are you so insensible?"
Ling Yu's eyes revealed a venomous glint.
Not only did he kill his confidant, but he also brought this matter to his Master, causing him to be reprimanded.
And he even declared that one day he would come to headquarters to confront him.
Confront him?
Ling Yu snorted coldly, "Am I afraid of you?"
However, since such a good opportunity had presented itself, it would be too regrettable if he were to let it go to waste.
"That Chen fellow, although I don't know what method you used to kill the Song Family people, it was most likely a sneak attack, an undetectable method. Well, if you want to confront me, fine, but you'll have to see if you can overcome this crisis."
Thinking of this, Ling Yu hummed softly, put his mobile phone into his Storage Ring, and walked towards the Seclusion Chamber.
He was also very cautious, having made many preparations for this phone call.
As for the million contribution points reward, he wasn't unmoved by it.
But he didn't dare to underestimate the Song Family people. Those old foxes had most likely guessed that he was from the Jiangnan Branch of the Martial Arts Association. If they knew his true identity, he would be in a passive position.
Therefore, a million contribution points, he could do without!
Not long after walking, he ran into several people, led by the General Chairman, Shi Tao.
"Master!"
He quickly adjusted his expression and respectfully approached.
Everyone's gazes turned to him, each with an incomparably complex look.
"Uncle Chang, Uncle Shen..."
Ling Yu greeted the others, and soon, he noticed something was amiss and asked in confusion, "Uncle Chang, why are you all looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
"No, no."
Chang Fei and the other two shook their heads.
Those who knew the inside story were all worried about Ling Yu's future.
Those who didn't know the inside story were filled with emotion.
They originally thought the two were merely temporary rivals, but who knew that one of them had always been hiding his true abilities, and even now, it was the same. They feared it wouldn't be long before the entire headquarters would witness his sudden rise to prominence, the day he would astound the world with a single song.
And on that day, what realm would Ling Yu be in? Could he break through to the True Essence Realm's second stage?
"Little Yu, you've come at a good time."
Shi Tao slowly exhaled and said, "I have a few words I want to tell you."
"Yes, Master."
Ling Yu quickly nodded, but his heart was a little uneasy.
Master seemed a bit strange today. He feared that what he was about to say wouldn't be anything good.
"You all go about your work. During the time I'm not at headquarters, I'll have to trouble you." Shi Tao turned and said to Chang Fei and the others.
"Yes, Chairman."
"Rest assured, Chairman, we won't let you down."
"Chairman, please be careful, you must return safely."
Chang Fei and the others were reluctant and worried, some even had red eyes.
Shi Tao waved his hand, and the others then left, occasionally looking back.
"Master," Ling Yu hastily asked, "Are you leaving?"
"Indeed."
Shi Tao nodded and said, "Let's talk elsewhere."
The two walked one after another, quickly arriving inside the Seclusion Chamber.
As soon as the door closed, Ling Yu asked somewhat anxiously, "Master, at such a good time, where are you going? My Immortal Seal Art has just entered the introductory stage, and I still have many questions to ask you."
"A Beast Tide has erupted. I, and several others in the city, have discussed and decided to go out to hunt Commander-level fierce beasts. Therefore, I must leave."
Shi Tao patiently said, "As for the Immortal Seal Art, I have already given you and me our cultivation insights. If you encounter any questions during cultivation, you can open and read them at any time, or temporarily stop cultivating and wait for me to return."
He looked deeply at Ling Yu.
His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
He had given Ling Yu the Immortal Seal Art earlier, hoping that he would have a bit more certainty in the upcoming battle with Chen Fan.
Now it seemed he had thought too optimistically.
One was at the True Essence Realm's fourth stage, and the other was at the True Essence Realm's first stage. The difference in True Qi in their bodies was more than a hundredfold.
Even if Ling Yu cultivated the Immortal Seal Art to the perfect realm and could convert most of the opponent's attacking True Qi into his own, what then?
He feared he would instantly explode and die.
Therefore, he had said that he could temporarily stop cultivating.
"Beasts? A Beast Tide erupted?"
Ling Yu was stunned and asked suspiciously, "But what does that have to do with our Jiangnan City? Master, I remember the Beast Tide just erupted not long ago, it shouldn't reach our Jiangnan City so quickly, should it?"
"The Beast Tide,"
Shi Tao suddenly met his gaze, his face serious, and enunciated each word, "concerns every one of us in Yan Nation. No one can consider themselves outside of it."