I, Zhongli, wander the world

Native Americans have such a myth.

It is said that tens of thousands of years ago, the land was still ruled by giants, and there was a towering tree named "Devil's Tower" that could lead to the sky, and giants could climb to heaven through this tree.

Only later, a fierce war broke out between the giants and the gods, and the angry gods cut down the huge sacred tree, leaving only a bare stump.From then on, no creature on earth can climb into heaven again.And this tree stump still exists on the Gobi in the United States, becoming a lone peak of more than 200 meters.

The felled tree stump, the stone placed deliberately as a reminder, stained with the blood of the "sacred tree", and the sacrifice to the god that was finally found, as directed by the "water".

——Or a murder case created by God.

[I will initiate a declaration of sin against God. 】

This is Zhongli's interpretation from this incident.

Those golden eyes were already astonishingly bright, and the pupils had unconsciously turned into dragon-like vertical pupils, like a volcano that was secretly poised to erupt immediately after only one ignition point.

The man squatted down and gently pressed his hands on the ground.

Countless information was transmitted through the rock elements underground, and the memories engraved in the rocks were continuously gathered into Zhongli's mind.Zhong Li gently closed his eyes, even his breathing became calm, carefully screening the information in his mind.

[The woman from the tribe went to the market to exchange things and came back.

The men of the tribe hunted wild monkeys today.

The Great Elder seems to have had some conflict with the leader.

The priest murmured, and the veins in the hand holding the bone pole bulged.

...]

All the huge memories of recent days have been screened, but there is no valid information.Apart from knowing that the bloody incident this time came from the conflict between the elder and the leader, and that the priest was busy with some strange rituals, there was nothing to be gained.

It seems that the "someone behind the scenes" who made the declaration never existed in this memory.

Zhong Li opened his eyes.

He had some guesses about who committed the tragedy, but he couldn't make a conclusion because of too little information. He also checked the nearby mountains and fields before, and there was no one hiding in the dark.

However, if it was the person he guessed, staying at the scene at this time really did not conform to that person's cautious style.

"Well, I hope to find out something more from Mr. Fitzgerald."

Since it is impossible to advance the progress on the spot, Zhong Li will not continue to waste time, and save this place for the police to come later.

However, before leaving, he folded his hands in front of his chest, and formed the "Passion Seal" according to the practice of Xiangshengtang.

When he first served as a guest at the Xiangshengtang, the child Hu Tao always liked to chat with him about the rules of the Xiangshengtang. Over the years, he has gotten used to the handprints that contain human blessings.

"May your souls be reincarnated safely on the other side," he said.

Today's detective contest ended safely.

The number of people promoted dropped sharply from the initial level that filled the small auditorium. By the second round, only one-third of the original number remained, and by the end of the second round, only the last three people remained.

Edgar Allan Poe, Ayatsuji pedestrians, Edogawa Ranpo.

When they came out side by side from the small villa that was the venue for today's competition, the three of them were still discussing the case just now.

Perhaps it was because he had become familiar with the other two detectives after a case, so Poe did not stutter this time, and said in a normal voice: "It was my mistake not to notice that the master's clothes were stitched differently. There will be another time!"

"Okay."

"The mechanism on that wall is interesting. It seems that the designer hired by the rich man is quite thoughtful." Ayatsuji said slowly.

"right."

"Ranbu-jun, Mr. Zhongli is behind you."

"...You lied to me." Edogawa Ranpo said without looking back.

Ayatsuji, who didn't deceive anyone, let out a "tsk" regretfully, "Is it that hard for Mr. Zhongli to see how you solve the case?"

"Basically, it's similar to Mr. Juzi's regret of not being able to stand on the podium." Edogawa murmured.

The information given by the boy's words was actually rather vague, but the other two detectives present understood it.Poe asked in a low voice, "Edogawa... Ranbu-kun, is Mr. Zhongli really so respectable?"

He had already seen the reasoning ability of this young detective who was younger than him, and although he still refused to admit defeat on the lips, he was quite admirable in his heart.As for that Mr. Zhongli, although he could be seen to be a respectable person after a few contacts, he did not expect that Edogawa Ranpo, who was recognized by him, would put him in such a high position.

"It's the same respect as the elders." Facing the two "outsiders" who are also detectives, Edogawa Ranpo had a rare moment of conversation, "'I want Mr. Zhongli to see our growth', at this point , I think Mr. Orange and I should be the same."

"The efforts we have made, the heights we have reached, we are no longer the child who needs to hide under the wings and tremble. Even if we are given a trial, we need to be carefully measured. We want Mr. Zhongli to see these .”

"After all, Dazai has already come to the front at this point." Edogawa scratched his cheeks in confusion, showing a helpless smile, "I, a famous detective, can't lose in this regard."

Ayatsuji pedestrian was silent for a moment, then said: "At this point, I think..."

"Ranbu, what are you still doing there!"

An energetic voice from the Central Plains came from far away, and the three detectives looked around, only to see a young man with red hair poking his head out from the villa next to it which was used as a viewing room, waving to this side from a distance.

"Mr. Orange, you are too impatient! Come here!" Edogawa Ranpo responded loudly.

The atmosphere of the conversation was broken, and Ayatsuji pedestrians stopped in good time.

A few people entered the nearby villa only to find that Zhong Li was there.

"Random steps." Zhongli nodded to his own child.

"Mr. Zhongli." Edogawa Ranpo said aggrievedly, "You didn't see this game at all, did you?"

"Sorry, Luanbu, I just arrived." Zhong Li shook his head and said, "I went to investigate some things this time, so I wasted a little time."

Edogawa Ranpo said in a low voice: "...Can't you tell me anyway?"

Zhong Li lowered his head slightly, looked at Edogawa Ranpo, the young detective looked at him without giving in, his usual squinted eyes were wide open, with an inexplicable light in them.

Zhong Yuanzhong on the side also hesitated to say something, but in the end he didn't speak.

Osamu Dazai was playing with his mobile phone boredly, he just looked up and then lowered his head again.

After all, this is Luanpo's own business.

Zhong Li sighed lightly.

The once-little boy was now as tall as his chin. When he looked at him with an angry face, although he still had a little childishness, he was different from when he was a child.

Even Edogawa Ranpo, who is just a smart ordinary person, is eager for his own battle.

"Ranbu, answer me a question."

In the end, Zhongli asked Edogawa Ranpo a question just like when they first met.

"What do you think the world looks like?"

Edogawa Ranpo remained silent, a pure smile slowly appeared on his face.

"The world—of course it is stupid." After several years, the former boy finally gave his own answer, "Compared with me, and Ranpo-sama, this world is stupid, and the stupid world needs Ranpo-sama to be able Add the brilliance of wisdom, and the clumsy people can just wait for Ranpo-sama's wisdom to save them!"

This was a speech that was so confident that it was almost arrogant, but Edogawa Ranpo took it for granted that there was nothing wrong with it, and his self-confidence was almost overflowing.

Zhongli smiled softly, "The answer...it should indeed be you who said it."

"That's a good answer," he said.

So, the afternoon of the third day.

"This is the venue for the third game." Fitzgerald raised his head slightly, and said to the crowd, "Since the number of participating detectives has been greatly reduced, and the number of spectators for VIP tickets is also small, the third game The venue is scheduled to be on my private cruise ship 'Goddess of Victory', you can enjoy the free drinks and food provided on the cruise ship while watching the detective competition, I wish you an unforgettable trip."

The expectant tourists boarded the ship one after another under the guidance of the staff.

"In a way, it's really 'unforgettable'."

Walking back to the cabin, Fitzgerald said this to Zhong Li, and at the same time picked up the files of a man named "Kyogoku Natsuhiko" that he had read several times.

"Even if we try our best to find it, there is only so much information." Fitzgerald said with some regret, "This one is called 'Kyogoku Akihiko' or 'Yanqiu', it is really well hidden, no matter how you look at it They're just ordinary folklorists. If it wasn't for the great efforts to check his previous travel routes and related cases..."

"Even so, it's impossible to convict based on the hearsay." Zhong Li shook his head and said, "This person has always been careful in his actions, and coupled with his unknown supernatural ability, even if he gathers all the evidence, he still can't sort out a valid case. The chain of logic makes him a criminal. At best, he's a hapless folklorist."

Fitzgerald sat on the chair with some headaches, "I have asked Zelda to take Scott back to his hometown, and I hope it won't spread over there."

"No, let's relax." Zhong Li turned his head and looked at the sky outside the cabin, and said, "According to his previous case analysis, he is always more willing to see the struggle of human nature, eager to see the diversity and duality of people. .Since it is claimed to be a crime against the 'God' this time, it will certainly not keep me out of the matter."

"This isolated island floating in the sea is opportunity."

"Although the preparations for the accident were already made when I made up my mind to invite you here, and the relevant plans were well done, but as expected, no one who can be attracted by you will be a good friend." Fitzgerald Ladd sighed and regained his energy in the next second, "But that's the challenge! That's the fun of making money!"

While speaking confidently, the funny rich man reached out and turned on the TV hanging on the wall.

What is reflected inside is the game scene placed at the bottom of the cabin.

In a small room, three detectives stood around a square table. On the wall behind them, framed oil paintings of different sizes could be seen, each painting depicting a different scene.

And on the table in the middle, an apple made of pure gold was placed upright.