Chapter 1258: Doubt Clouds the Sky

"What did you say?"At the door of the side room, Han Meng suddenly froze, bewildered.Pu Chunshu stood outside, looking at the confused Han Meng, and shrugged bitterly. "After the two council members left the Pu family, their vehicle broke down. Their two bodyguards were distracted for a moment, and the council members vanished... When they were found, they were already dead on Luogu Street." Pu Chunshu sighed.

"Now, the higher-ups in the South Sea Region are in disarray. The other council members are taking this matter very seriously and have already dispatched investigators."Han Meng frowned and pondered for a long time. "This has nothing to do with me," he stated.

"Of course, I know it has nothing to do with you. From the moment you stepped out of the car, you've been under our Pu family's watch. When the incident occurred, we had over a dozen witnesses who can confirm you were at the Pu residence the entire time, and you had no contact with anyone in between," Pu Chunshu said with a bitter smile. "You may be cleared, but our Pu family is in deep trouble."The attack on the council members happened right after they left the Pu family's compound. What's more, the South Sea leadership has always been aware of the Pu family's discontent with the council members. The two council members had just finished reprimanding the Pu family, only to meet a tragic end immediately after departing. Any logical person would connect the Pu family to the council members' deaths. While there's no direct evidence, initial suspicion is inevitable.Someone can vouch for Han Meng's innocence, but who can vouch for the Pu family's?

"There's one more thing," Pu Chunshu added after a moment of hesitation. "While it's only a rumor, it's said that a symbol resembling a '6' was drawn in blood next to the bodies of the two council members."A faint glimmer flickered in Han Meng's eyes when he heard the latter part of the statement."Blood, a '6'?" he repeated.

"Yes, we're still confirming the specifics with the authorities, but it's very likely true." Pu Chunshu's gaze at Han Meng was complex. "Officer Han Meng... you're quite familiar with him. Do you think it could be him?"Han Meng paused in thought. "Based on my understanding, if he genuinely intended to kill under the alias of Heart of 6, he would scatter Heart of 6 playing cards all over the ground, not merely write a '6'," he replied."Are you saying the true killer is deliberately imitating him?"

"If you simply review past records concerning Heart of 6, it's quite clear: if he wants to make a statement, he'll do so to the extreme, not leave a vague symbol to invite speculation.""So, after killing the council members, they're framing the Doomsday Calamity, a figure no one dares to provoke... It's certainly an effective way to sow confusion, but wouldn't he be afraid of escalating the situation?" Pu Chunshu was utterly perplexed.Han Meng didn't reply; he, too, felt a sense of unease.

"Simply speculating here is useless," Han Meng said, shaking his head. "There's too little information right now. If I could visit the crime scene, I should be able to uncover more.""That might prove a bit difficult...""In the South Sea Region, no one is better at deduction and pursuing criminals than I am, and no one understands him better," Han Meng said, glancing at Pu Chunshu. "Of course, I'm merely a prisoner now. Whether or not to employ my help... that's entirely up to your discretion."

With that, Han Meng returned to the dim side room and quietly closed the door.Under the gloomy clouds, Pu Chunshu gazed at the closed door. After a long period of internal debate, he finally gritted his teeth and strode quickly towards the family head's chambers.From behind a gap in the curtains, Han Meng watched Pu Chunshu depart, his eyes narrowing slightly.

For some reason, Han Meng had detected an unusual nuance in Pu Chunshu's description.The tragic deaths of the council members in the street, coupled with traces at the scene resembling those of the Doomsday Calamity, Heart of 6, would undoubtedly throw the South Sea Region's leadership into a panic. The best-case scenario would be that political rivals of the two council members carried out a vendetta and then framed Heart of 6. However, the worst-case scenario was that Chen Ling had truly appeared in person.Upon careful consideration, it was wartime. If the Ghost-Mocking Abyss intended to wage war against the South Sea Region and Chen Ling had successfully infiltrated the territory, his primary objective should have been to remain hidden, only striking at a crucial moment. Yet, he went to great lengths to trick the bodyguards, then killed two ordinary people, and even actively exposed his identity. The entire affair seemed rather preposterous.The South Sea Region's higher-ups hadn't reacted drastically so far, most likely because they had come to the same conclusion and believed someone was framing Chen Ling.

No...This was typical human logic, or more precisely, the common understanding of the "Doomsday Calamity."Han Meng's brows furrowed deeper and deeper. As he slowly pieced together Chen Ling's character in his mind, he realized there was another possibility—one that only someone who truly understood Chen Ling's "humanity" would ever conceive.

"Was that you?" Han Meng murmured to himself."What... exactly do you intend to do?""I'd like a peach," Chen Ling said, pointing to the fruit platter on the dining table.

At the welcoming banquet, the guests, still caught in the atmosphere of shock, finally managed to regain their composure. Pu Shu turned to Chen Ling and couldn't help but exclaim, "Cousin, didn't you hear him? That Doomsday Calamity, Chen Ling, has already killed people in the South Sea Region, and you still have the nerve to eat a peach?"Despite his words, Pu Shu dutifully retrieved a peach for Chen Ling.

"Who said Chen Ling killed them?" Chen Ling replied calmly. "If the Doomsday Calamity truly were the killer, do you think you would even be privy to such information? The higher-ups would have undoubtedly suppressed the news to prevent widespread panic. And even if Chen Ling *were* the killer, what concern is that of yours?When the sky falls, the tallest trees bear the brunt. Neither the Lord of the South Sea nor our family head is worried, so why should you be? Do you truly believe a figure of such destructive power would be bored enough to target mere juniors like us?"

The others pondered his words and, finding them reasonable, immediately felt a significant sense of relief."Jianyue Ge truly keeps a clear head in a crisis!""You're right, I was quite startled just now, but Jianyue Ge's insight is exceptional! Come, I'll raise a toast to Jianyue Ge!""I'll second that!"

The atmosphere of the welcoming banquet became lively once more, but Chen Ling waved his hand."No more drinking... I'm a bit tired.""Cousin, I'll escort you then," Pu Shu offered, standing up."No need," Chen Ling replied. Seeing no one nearby, he leaned in and whispered to Pu Shu, "Ah Shu, you all go back first. I'll go out for some fun by myself later..."

"Oh? Cousin, you should have told me sooner; I've already arranged everything for you...""Ah Shu," Chen Ling said, "you know, do wildflowers outside ever compare to the fragrance of another man's 'home flower'?"Chen Ling raised his chin, giving him a knowing look.

Pu Shu paused, then seemed to realize something, a knowing smile spreading across his face."Haha, Cousin went on an expedition and certainly became more... open-minded. Don't worry, I'll keep this secret for you; you can beat me to death, and I still won't tell."The disturbance caused by the Heart of 6 murders had dampened Pu Shu's mood for further festivities. After all, Chen Ling had been one of his adversaries back in the Aurora Region. While he knew Chen Ling was now the notorious Doomsday Calamity and unlikely to deliberately retaliate against a minor figure like himself, a sense of unease still lingered.After bidding him farewell, Chen Ling slipped away into the night, heading towards the end of the street.