Yan Xing finished speaking and then grabbed another candy to eat.
He had Donna hand out candies at the start, and it wasn’t just to display his rudeness. His true purpose was actually... to distinguish friend from foe.
This was the first time he had attended a meeting of this level. But events were all too common on the internet. Wasn’t it just about manipulating public opinion, coercing the will of the people, and undertaking unspeakable acts?
Looking at the room packed full of influential figures, all wearing the curious expressions of a gawking crowd.
Did Priest Temple’s death require their presence? Did Grand Priest Lancelot summon them here to assist with the investigation?
No! They represented the will of Nuta City’s people, a blade to be used against Count Theodore. To trap the old Earl in this case, to prevent Nuta City from functioning normally.
The front lines had a war to fight. How much energy could the old fox possibly have left? He was over seventy years old; if anything went amiss... Nuta City would descend into utter chaos!
Therefore, the key to resolving this crisis wasn’t to find the assassin who killed Priest Temple. Here lay the real battlefield.
Candies were passed around, and even the City Lord ate one! So, what did it imply if you didn’t eat one?
In the struggle for public opinion, one didn’t fear attacks from political enemies as much as the agitation from seemingly neutral, rational bystanders. Now, a single candy had clearly defined the stances at this table. The influential figures in this room were no fools; even the uninformed onlookers could somewhat discern what was happening.
The old fox also ate a candy, looking quite relaxed.
But this candy... Grand Priest Lancelot couldn’t eat it; that would send the wrong signal to his own people. The others couldn’t eat it either; that would send the wrong signal to the Grand Priest.
The meeting hall grew even more silent.
Look! I said I’d investigate, and they’re all dumbfounded, aren’t they? Do they all feel the script has gone awry?
Yan Xing’s face showed a smile, as if he could drag the assassin out at any moment.
The old fox just ate his candy and said nothing, watching to see how the Grand Priest would proceed.
Grand Priest Lancelot’s expression turned fierce for a moment, then quickly returned to normal as he asked Yan Xing, "Sir, what are your plans for the investigation?"
Yan Xing, hailing from the Thunderous Swamp, didn’t need to maintain his composure like the old Earl and directly retorted, "Why should I tell you? What if you’re the assassin?"
The attendant Priest standing behind the Grand Priest exclaimed angrily, "How dare you slander the Grand Priest!"
Yan Xing replied, "I said, ’What if!’. Those who are innocent naturally have nothing to fear from an investigation... those who are fearful definitely have something to hide. The death of Priest Temple is a grave matter; it’s an open defiance of the gods! During my investigation, I hope everyone will cooperate obediently. Don’t think your high status exempts you from being investigated... before the gods, no one has any privilege. Am I right, Grand Priest Lancelot?"
Yan Xing looked towards the Grand Priest.
In the name of the gods... I can play that game too.
Grand Priest Lancelot could only say, "You are correct. But we have not decided to let you investigate this case."
"Who wants to investigate? I don’t mind..." Yan Xing leaned back tactically. "Who here is willing to investigate this case? Raise your hand and let the Grand Priest see."
No one raised their hand.
Not everyone could carry this hot potato.
The Grand Priest helplessly said to Count Theodore, who had been silent all this time, "I believe Priest Temple’s death is an internal affair. It’s best not to involve outsiders."
The old Earl, who was happily enjoying his candy, replied, "I believe that precisely because Priest Temple’s death is an internal matter, it is not suitable for our own people to investigate. The Thunderous Swamp has always maintained neutrality on the Wildwind Highlands. I believe Knight Yan Xing can certainly remain impartial and conduct a fair investigation! If the Grand Priest has a suitable candidate in mind for the investigation, please, speak up."
Grand Priest Lancelot had called this meeting intending for Count Theodore to take the blame. How could they investigate Priest Temple’s assassination themselves? Unexpectedly, this old fox had brought a brute from the swamp to draw some of the fire. How should this situation be handled?
The Grand Priest looked towards Lady Karol.
But Lady Karol was holding a candy from the table, carefully examining the patterns on it, as if oblivious to the Grand Priest’s pleading glance.
The other two nobles also deliberately avoided the Grand Priest’s gaze, as if this matter had nothing to do with them.
Looking at the others around, they all wore very shrewd expressions, as if they were watching a grand play unfold.
The Grand Priest knew his move against the old Earl had failed. In truth, Priest Temple’s assassination had been very sudden. To have organized so many people to corner the old Earl this quickly was already quite an achievement. The blame lay with the old fox’s cunning; he had seen through the purpose of this meeting from the very beginning. He had come prepared. Moreover, his (Lancelot’s) allies belonged to different factions, each with their own interests. Although they all wanted to bring down Count Theodore, they were internally divided. So much so that at the critical moment, seeing the tide turning, they began to feign ignorance.
The other influential figures in the hall, who were observing, also seemed to have sensed something and were no longer following the Grand Priest’s rhythm.
These people wouldn’t reveal their stance until the situation became clear. And that human Knight the Earl had brought still appeared perfectly composed and utterly confident, as if he could make the truth of this case come to light the moment he acted. Now, no one dared to take on this case, and the Grand Priest was equally unwilling.
Hmm... Since this attempt to corner the Earl had failed, Grand Priest Lancelot had no reason to further offend the old man.