Chapter 167

Among the exorcists who looked puzzled by the English text, I let out a sigh of relief and sank into thought.

‘Fortunately, it seems no one noticed.’

To be honest, I was confident. As I said earlier, if I really intended to kill those two, I would have initiated the crime much faster and more simply.

However, even so, I wasn’t certain I could move without being detected by an exorcist of Elder Baek Woonyong’s caliber.

‘…It’s been so long since I’ve put this much effort into moving.’

In truth, since arriving in this world, I’ve been filled with nothing but battles against powerful enemies, so using my knowledge in this way felt quite unfamiliar.

But it seemed the exorcists still couldn’t fully grasp my methods, which hold all sorts of future cursed techniques.

“Is this really possible?”

“I can’t believe it. Could something be wrong?”

“…Hah, no matter how relaxed they were, this is truly a disgrace.”

It was a somewhat precarious tightrope walk, but with this, I had laid the groundwork.

And my counterattack wasn’t over yet.

“Executor from headquarters.”

“Yes, yes?”

“Could you use the same tracking technique on the two fallen individuals?”

Since it wasn’t particularly difficult, the executor nodded and performed the same procedure.

Whoosh.

Swoosh.

As the technique unfolded, faint traces of Spiritual Power began to seep from the fallen exorcists.

They gathered and flew chaotically through the air as before, but this time, unable to find a clear target, they simply scattered into the atmosphere.

“Huh? Wha—what’s this……?”

“What’s going on?”

“Huh, I can’t find the traces. Not much time has passed, so it should be easier than before.”

Though I feel sorry for the executor, from my perspective, his tracking technique is also a relic of the past.

Deceiving it was as easy as pie.

“In that case……”

“Indeed, his words seem to have some merit.”

“If he can do this much, there’s no need to use an unskilled method during the crime.”

As a supportive opinion began to form, the Liu Family exorcists strongly objected.

“Everyone, calm down for a moment. It’s certainly impressive, but that alone cannot prove innocence.”

“…It merely presents another possibility. Remember, for now, there is no one else under suspicion.”

Of course, their words were valid.

This alone was insufficient to prove my innocence.

However, it was important that I had left room for doubt in everyone’s minds.

‘And from here on out……’

This is the domain where others, not I as the suspect, must step forward.

Observing the surrounding atmosphere, I repeatedly shifted my gaze, following the figures of those I had been waiting for.

A few minutes passed.

As if proving that the title of “main characters” wasn’t for nothing, they appeared at a timing so perfect it felt contrived.

“Wait a moment! Everyone, please pay attention!”

The one who stepped forward was Baek Eunseo, a direct descendant of the Baek Family, who held the most authority in this gathering.

“I found something unsettling and looked into it, and I discovered some facts. The real culprit of the incident is someone else.”

“What do you mean?”

As Baek Eunseo glanced around cautiously, Baek Woonyong, noticing her look, stroked his beard and granted permission.

“Permission to speak granted. Go ahead and explain.”

With Baek Woonyong’s approval, there was no need to hesitate. Holding what appeared to be pre-printed materials, Baek Eunseo began to reveal the truth of the incident, much like in the original story.

“I was fairly close with the victim, Sanghwi oppa, so I could access data on his personal device using his password. Among what I found there was this content.”

What Baek Eunseo presented to the exorcists of each family was a file of materials Baek Sanghwi had been investigating privately.

Recorded there were the activities of Liu Wanglong, an exorcist belonging to the Liu Family, who had gained unfair profits in inter-family transactions.

“Wanglong……”

“Isn’t he the other victim killed this time?”

As this fact came to light, the exorcists from the families also began to show somewhat puzzled expressions.

The existence of such a connection between the two victims of the incident likely indicated some kind of relevance to this situation.

“…Is all that data true?”

“It was just discovered, so it’s certain. If you wish, you can accompany me to verify it.”

As the murmuring subsided, Baek Eunseo continued to explain additional circumstances.

“As you’ve seen, Liu Wanglong had been deceiving the family and gaining unfair profits in transactions with the Baek Family. Baek Sanghwi, being in charge of related affairs, soon noticed this. To prevent the situation from escalating, he contacted Liu Wanglong.”

The content was a proposal to meet at this gathering and quietly settle the matter of the misconduct.

Though not an ideal decision, from Baek Sanghwi’s perspective, it was an act of goodwill toward the other party.

“However, in reality, both of them ended up killed at this gathering.”

“So, in the end, someone related to that misconduct disposed of both of them?”

Stepping forward at that point was Yoo Haon, who was supporting Baek Eunseo.

“It’s not impossible, but that seems a bit odd. Currently, there’s no evidence to suggest anyone else besides those two knew the facts.”

“Hmm……”

“There’s also no trace of the profits from the unfair transactions flowing to anyone other than Liu Wanglong. It’s almost certain it was a solo act.”

In the end, whatever the case, only the parties involved knew about this matter.

“Then who on earth killed them?”

“That’s precisely the problem……”

Baek Eunseo hesitated briefly before stating her conclusion. It seemed even she wasn’t entirely confident.

“Currently, the most probable scenario, I think, is on Liu Wanglong’s side.”

“Nonsense! Do you think that makes sense?”

“The motive for the crime is clear, and he could also use the Liu Family’s cursed technique, Withering Flower. In terms of skill, he was above Baek Sanghwi. Moreover, if you look at the last part of the materials I provided……”

Baek Sanghwi’s invitation message, asking him to come to his office to discuss the matter, proved that the two had met at the crime scene.

Therefore, at the very least, it was certain that Liu Wanglong killed Baek Sanghwi. Baek Eunseo concluded as such.

“Then how do you interpret Liu Wanglong’s own death? That part alone is utterly unconvincing.”

“That is……”

Baek Eunseo frowned, at a loss for words.

Given the urgency of the situation, she likely hadn’t reached a conclusion on that part yet, having hurriedly prepared evidence.

But this was enough. In fact, she performed splendidly beyond expectations in such a short time.

Having briefly established an estimate in my mind, I decided how to conclude this situation and stepped forward to speak.

“May I offer my opinion on that part?”

“…Proceed.”

The atmosphere was distinctly different from before. The leaders of each family were staring at me with eyes filled with an inexplicable greed.

Well, now that suspicion was being lifted, I had unintentionally ended up proving only my own abilities.

Since I don’t belong to any specific group, I must be quite a desirable talent in their eyes.

“The conclusion is simple. Liu Wanglong killed Baek Sanghwi and then took his own life.”

“…Took his own life?”

“Yes. If you think about it that way, it also explains why Liu Wanglong was hit by the cursed technique head-on. He only needed to turn his own palm and aim at his heart, so it’s plausible there would be no signs of resistance.”

Of course, in reality, he was betrayed by the Baek Soyool he trusted, but in the current situation, that fact could also be utilized.

“Wha—that certainly……”

“Makes sense. But then why did he commit suicide?”

“I believe Liu Zijian would know that part better.”

Now that the stage was set, it was time to flaunt the knowledge of the original story I possessed without reserve.

“The Liu Family places great importance on unity within the family. Therefore, even if he had silenced Baek Sanghwi, if his corruption or murder were discovered during the investigation, the damage would ultimately extend to Liu Wanglong’s family.”

“…Not an incorrect statement. Continue.”

“And as some in the Liu Family may know, Liu Wanglong, though greedy, was the type who cherished his family immensely. Therefore, to eliminate the possibility of future repercussions, he even gave up his own life.”

At those words, murmurs grew louder here and there.

However, most exorcists seemed somewhat unconvinced. At that opportune moment, someone questioned me.

“But how do you know such facts? Were you close with Wanglong?”

I had been waiting for this moment.

Determined to deliver the final blow, I utilized my Intracranial Spell Repository trait to recall a specific cursed technique in my mind.

Tszzzt.

Whoooosh.

“Everyone, please look this way.”

The technique I then chanted an incantation for and launched into the sky was Self-Jade Heaven’s Trample, one of the Liu Family’s unique high-level offensive cursed techniques.

“Th—this can’t be!”

“How can you know our family’s technique……?”

Self-Jade Heaven’s Trample.

What it signified was incomparable to Withering Flower.

Self-Jade Heaven’s Trample is a high-level family technique, naturally passed down only to those with a certain status within the family.

Therefore, in front of the completely stunned Liu Family exorcists, I concluded the whole affair by mixing half-truths and half-lies.

“I learned this technique from Liu Wanglong himself.”

“What?”

“It was just a few days ago. I don’t know the reason, but the Liu Family is probably aware that he visited Korea a step ahead at that time.”

Since various details about Liu Wanglong were revealed in the original story, this was something that flashed through my mind while recalling it.

“It’s somewhat embarrassing to say, but for me, it was an opportunity to learn the Liu Family’s techniques, so I had no reason to refuse. And while receiving instruction, I followed his orders and did everything he asked.”

“So, you mean he used some trick during the teaching process to siphon off your Spiritual Power?”

“I didn’t notice at the time, but given the circumstances, it seems reasonable to think so. After all, if that weren’t the case, there would have been no reason to pass on the technique to someone like me.”

By that point, it was already decided that I would be attending this gathering. Though somewhat contrived, the story holds together.

Moreover, if that fact were denied, there would be no explanation for why my Spiritual Power remained on the corpses when the real culprit was already clearly identified.

“It’s a bit confusing, but…… it doesn’t seem wrong.”

“Our Shoumei Family is an outsider in this matter alone. We have nothing particular to object to.”

Before I knew it, the spokespersons from each family, having finished their discussions, began to announce their conclusions. Liu Zijian, who had been staring at me with a sullen expression, also reluctantly nodded.

“…The Liu Family has no objections either. We agree with the judgment.”

In the midst of a sudden crisis, the moment had finally come to prove my innocence and resolve the incident.

‘And next……’

Baek Soyool, who had gone through all this troublesome scheming to bring this crisis upon me.

It was time to formally deliver retribution to her.

‘Everything else was fine, but you made one critical mistake.’

I smirked and quietly met the gaze of Baek Soyool, who was looking at me with an expression of interest.

Imagining her face, which would lose its characteristic poker face and be filled with panic in just a few tens of minutes.