Meng Chao’s jaw hung open for a long time.
Shen Yupeng’s puzzlement was also his puzzlement.
Aside from the conflict with Spirit Creation Creatures, Jin Yongqiang had no conflict with anyone that would warrant his death.
And it was impossible for Spirit Creation Creatures to know that he had poisoned the pets at that time.
If they had, they could have just reported it to the police, and the law would execute justice. There was no need for them to bring trouble to their own doorstep.
But even if they did not have proof, Meng Chao was still certain that Jin Yongqiang’s death was not an accident.
He had seen a notification at the top corner of his field of vision, and it said: Current progress for the Mystery of the Supernatural Entities: 8%.
As the case gradually came to light, the progress of the case went forward.
This meant that Jin Yongqiang’s death was definitely related to the Supernatural Entities.
But how was he supposed to convince Shen Yupeng of that?
Meng Chao thought about it for a long time, but could only say, “So, that’s the end of the case?”
“What else?” Shen Yupeng retorted. “We’ve captured the mastermind and found the supplier of the drugs. We also found a unique syringe and other tools used for the crime in the house of the person who carried out the crime. The souls of the two victims will now be able to rest in peace in heaven, and Spirit Creation Creatures won’t be wronged anymore. Isn’t this the perfect way to end the case?
“Meng Chao, I know what you are thinking about, but this case isn’t as simple as you think it is. You must have seen the news about the gathering and rally of those in the biochemical modification technology and monster industry, right?”
Meng Chao nodded. “I did. I heard that tens of thousands of people participated in it.”
“It’s not tens of thousands of people. It’s more than one hundred thousand people. You know that the unemployment rate in Dragon City is really high right now, right? There are a lot of youngsters who have nothing to do but wander about the alleys and streets. If they run into something like this, there’s no way they will not join in the fun.”
Shen Yupeng sighed and said, “If we don’t solve the case as soon as possible, the atmosphere between the supporters of biochemical modification technology and runic symbol machines technology will become even tenser. If you have tens of thousands of people and tens of thousands of pets going for a rally on the streets today, tomorrow, you will have mine excavating machines that weigh hundreds of tons being driven to the Supernatural Tower, and they will be parked on the roads to obstruct traffic.
“This will attract hundreds of thousands of angry, unemployed youngsters. If anyone’s the slightest bit careless, fights will break out, and this will become a major case that will sweep through Dragon City.
“The higher-ups have stated that they don’t want to see the conflict between biochemical modification technology and runic symbol machines technology become worse. They want us to conclude the case as soon as possible so that we can placate both sides. With each day this case remains unsolved, the risk of this affair causing a massive disaster in the city increases. Do you understand it now?
“Even though we faced major pressure, we didn’t act recklessly, and we didn’t make anyone confess under torture either. Instead, we worked day and night for more than forty-eight hours, and we did a lot of detailed work. Trust me, 99% of the case has been verified repeatedly. After all, once we reveal the conclusion, we will definitely have to face the biochemical modification technology and runic symbol machines factions trying to pick out flaws in our conclusion. We must have an ironclad conclusion.
“Even if there is a 1% flaw in the explanation of Jin Yongqiang’s death, I believe that no one will care about it. Spirit Creation Creatures won’t, and Heavenly Works Machines, who is in a terrible fix because of this, won’t as well.”
Meng Chao looked at him with a grave expression. “But if Jin Yongqiang was really killed by someone else, and the killer is still wandering around free, what happens when they commit another crime?”
“Then, the next time he or she commits a crime, we will bring them to justice.” Shen Yupeng picked up another bowl of congee and smiled. “Do you think that we’re pessimistic and are not like the secret police officers, who are said to be heroic and able to solve cases like we are blessed by the Gods?
“We don’t have any other choice. We live in a world that is different from Earth. There is an essential difference between our civilization and Earth’s civilization, even though we look similar.
“We have plenty of superhumans in our society, and they’re all human-shaped monsters, human-shaped tanks, human-shaped battle fortresses, and human-shaped explosives. They have incredible destructive powers and various methods to commit crimes. We are unable to stop all of the superhumans from committing crimes, and we can’t tell which superhuman has the possibility of committing a crime either.
“Let’s take you as an example, Meng Chao. Right now, you’re at the height of your youth. You have great skills, a wide circle of acquaintances, and a bright future. No matter what, you don’t look like someone who will commit a crime.
“But if you make the smallest mistake in your cultivation and an insignificant trail of spirit energy rushes into your central nervous system and destroys or modifies a region that is only the size of a piece of grain in your brain, it might cause you to go through spirit energy deviation. Your temperament will change, and you will be plagued by a great desire for destruction and murder.
“So, how are we supposed to be on guard against all the out-of-control criminals?
“Can you promise that you will definitely not go through spirit energy deviation while you’re cultivating?”
Meng Chao thought about it for a long time. He could indeed not give any guarantees.
“The Supernatural Tower and the adjudicator court have a limited amount of resources. We face limitations when it comes to manpower, funds we require to solve cases, and collateral damage that might happen when we solve cases,” Shen Yupeng said with resignation in his voice.
“I want to be able to solve a case 100% too, but we can’t continue pouring in all our resources into a case that only has a 1% chance of mistake. After all, while I investigate the mysteries behind Jin Yongqiang’s death, there is a possibility that dozens of other malicious cases of superhumans going out of control due to spirit energy deviation will commit crimes in the city. I believe that you are able to weigh the importance of things.
Meng Chao sighed and got himself another bowl of congee while he said, “I know the principle of not being too focused on certain details, and I know that there are many things that are impossible to do. It’s not because we don’t want to do them, but because we can’t.
“It’s just like how Dragon City doesn’t have the ability to get rid of Golden Tooth Lair, even though we know that it’s a place that accommodates the wicked and has a lot of wanted criminals hiding in it.
“But I just find it a little hard to accept bowing out when we’re so close to the answer, the truth, and justice. We can’t investigate the case to the end just because we have to resolve the conflict between the biochemical modification and runic symbol machines factions.”
“Truth and justice have never been what the secret police, adjudicator court, the Supernatural Tower, and even the Survival Committee seek,” Shen Yupeng said faintly. “Unity and stability is what the current Dragon City needs the most.”
“Big Brother Shen, you think that there is no such thing as absolute truth and justice, but there is a possibility for full unity and stability?” Meng Chao frowned.
“Why not?” Shen Yupeng drew closer and stared at Meng Chao. “If I searched for absolute justice, the first thing I would want to investigate is what exactly happened to Shen Yulong and Lu Siya’s mine exploration teams under Raging Waves. Did the mine explorers who died without a grave really die from the spirit energy tsunami, or did they die because they swung their weapons and mining tools at each other?
“If I really did that, the conflict between Universe Corporation and Sky Pillar Corporation, the Shen family and Lu family, and the adjudicator court and research department would become so tense that they would turn into each other’s enemies.
“Even so, I would not be swayed by this possibility and unveil the truth so that I can find the true culprit who caused the deaths of those mine explorers. I would also want to understand the roles you, Lu Siya, and Qin Hu played in this matter. After all, this is what you would call complete justice, and this is the only way the dead will be able to rest in peace. This is what the secret police should do, right?
“Look into my eyes and tell me, should I investigate everything?”
Meng Chao could say nothing to that.
“And what about the truth? If I wanted to find out the truth, my first target of investigation would be you,” Shen Yupeng continued. “Why did you suddenly rise to power fifty days before the national college examination, and in a short half a year, became a two-star superhuman?
“Why are you in possession of so many strange skills? Who is the Old Fire Relayer you speak of? Does he exist? Is this Old Fire Relayer some crazy, illegal scientific research team, or is it some criminal organization hiding in a lair?
“Do you think that I should use every method at my disposal and check your origins, background, source of your strength, and every other aspect until not a single secret is left?”
Meng Chao had nothing to say to that.
“Look, absolute truth and justice cannot bring unity and stability.” Shen Yupeng relaxed and returned to looking like a lazy and sleazy uncle next door. He said lackadaisically, “I joined the adjudicator court years ago. There are a lot of stories circulating in the world about me and many people think that I’m a merciless and ruthless person, because I have terrifying titles like a secret police officer, adjudicator, and even adjudicating judge.
“But honestly, as long as you aren’t a major threat to Dragon City, I won’t want to kill you.
“I can turn a blind eye to the conflict that happened under Raging Waves. If you say that my cousin and the numerous mine explorers died because of a spirit energy tsunami, then I’ll consider it an accident.
“I can also ignore your origins. If you like concocting stories about the Old Fire Relayer, go on ahead. In any case, every superhuman has their own secrets and likes to make up stories.
“Based on the same logic, even if there is a final piece to the puzzle that is the case of the murderous pets in Blessed Paradise, the price of looking for that piece is too high, so let’s just pretend that the case has come to an end, okay?”