Chapter 9

Shu Yunwen and Kudo Shinichi were chatting when a police officer standing next to Inspector Megure walked over: "Kudo-kun? Why are you here?"

"Ah~" Kudo Shinichi immediately ignored Shu Yunwen, scratched his head awkwardly, and bowed slightly to the officer, "I'm really sorry, but the owner of this place, Iwata-san, invited my father to tonight's party. However, my father is not in the country right now, so I came in his place. I didn't expect to encounter a murder case as soon as I arrived..."

Shu Yunwen's lips twitched slightly after hearing Kudo Shinichi's explanation.

This guy is indeed quite out of place; wherever he goes, someone dies. If Japan had a thousand Kudo Shinichis, China wouldn't have to worry about the Japanese at all! This guy could make Japan fall.

"Is that so? May I ask, what is your relationship with the owner, Iwata Daisuke?" The police officer picked up a pen, seemingly ready to take notes.

"Iwata-san is a fan of my father's detective work; they've met a few times..."

While Kudo Shinichi was speaking, he had already followed the police officer into the room.

Shu Yunwen didn't bother to pay attention and walked to the side, muttering a spell. The soul of Yamazaki Meiji, which had been hiding in the corner like a mist, was drawn into Shu Yunwen's hand.

The mist condensed, slowly forming a spherical shape.

On the surface of the mist, a face similar to Yamazaki Meiji's was struggling, with a look of terror.

"Mr. Yamazaki, hello. I never expected that the first soul I would receive would be yours." Shu Yunwen smiled.

Currently, his strength wasn't enough to communicate with ghosts. However, the form of ghosts is special, and newly formed ghosts like this can hear human voices.

"Were you killed by Iwata Daisuke, right?"

Shu Yunwen muttered, and Yamazaki Meiji's ghost face nodded continuously.

"Don't worry, he won't escape."

As he spoke, Shu Yunwen began to chant a spell again. A few seconds later, a strange force from deep within the soul enveloped Yamazaki Meiji's misty soul. In just a few seconds, the mist was drawn into Shu Yunwen's nose and flowed into his brain.

Ghost Shamanism — Judgment!

In the tradition of ghost shamans, this is a necessary spell! Without this spell, a ghost shaman's strength cannot be improved.

"An interesting feeling..."

Two minutes later, Shu Yunwen successfully absorbed Yamazaki Meiji's soul power, and his strength increased. Of course, this was just the initial absorption; complete assimilation would take some time.

Looking around, the area was still cordoned off by the police.

Shu Yunwen had already gotten what he wanted and didn't want to stay any longer. He was about to leave and take a taxi, but was stopped by the police. Reluctantly, he returned to the lounge and used the villa's phone to call Kojima Gensuke's house, informing him that he was involved in a murder case and might return late.

About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door of Shu Yunwen's lounge.

Shu Yunwen got up and opened the door, seeing a servant and three police officers in uniform.

Hmm... Inspector Megure is also here?

Shu Yunwen was still in a daze when Inspector Megure bowed slightly: "Hello, sir, are you Shu Yunwen? In our investigation, we found that you knew the deceased, Yamazaki Meiji, the general manager of Hachirou Bank, and that you were invited to Iwata-san's house by Yamazaki-san. Also, according to Yamazaki-san's driver, this item found in Yamazaki-san's pocket was sold to him by you..."

Inspector Megure held up the "spirit charm" in an evidence bag.

"Uh..."

Shu Yunwen looked at the expressions of the people, especially Inspector Megure's stern gaze...

Damn!

These guys don't think I'm the murderer, do they?

"Are you suspecting me?" Shu Yunwen asked directly.

Inspector Megure replied, "No, we just need Shu-san's assistance in the investigation, routine questioning only."

This line... you're suspecting me, right?

Do you think I can't remember your routine questioning just because I watch Conan?

"I'm not the murderer." Shu Yunwen rolled his eyes, "Continuing to question me is just a waste of time. By the way, Kudo-kun was here earlier, right? He will find the culprit quickly, Inspector Megure, you don't need to worry..."

Inspector Megure's lips twitched.

What do you mean Kudo will find the culprit quickly? Do you think we, the police, don't have that ability?

Are you looking down on us from the Metropolitan Police Department?

In Inspector Megure's mind, he was already slapping Shu Yunwen with one hand—say that again? Say that again?

As Shu Yunwen finished speaking, he heard a voice from the side: "Shu-san, from what I see, you are a major suspect. I've already questioned Yamazaki-san's driver, and he told me many interesting things. According to his testimony, strange noises have been heard in Iwata-san's house at night, which has been troubling Iwata-san. Yamazaki-san believed it might be the work of evil spirits, so he contacted you and spent $50,000 to buy a 'spirit charm' from you..."

Shu Yunwen turned to look at the speaker. Well, this guy is Kudo Shinichi with a smug smile.

"$50,000?" Inspector Megure was surprised.

The previous police officer only asked about the spirit charm but didn't mention the price.

$50,000 for a "spirit charm"? Isn't that a bit excessive?

"Quickly! Quickly go and confirm with Yamazaki-san's driver!" Inspector Megure turned to instruct the police officer next to him.

"Yes!"

A police officer hurriedly left, and Kudo Shinichi continued with a smile, "So, if we follow the logical reasoning, the following scenario is quite possible."

"Your 'spirit charm' was useless, so Yamazaki-san felt cheated and came to you to demand a refund of $50,000. You refused to refund the money, and then an argument ensued. In the end, you lost your temper and killed Yamazaki-san..."

Kudo Shinichi spoke with a mischievous smile, thinking, I'll scare you to death!

Stop pretending to be a spirit medium!

Inspector Megure stared at Shu Yunwen with a look that said, "You are the murderer."

Shu Yunwen pursed his lips, "Kudo-kun, we are in the same class, is this really fun?"

"Huh?" Kudo Shinichi was taken aback.

This guy wasn't scared?

Shu Yunwen then asked, "Have you been to the windowsill?"

"Of course. Thoroughly examining the scene and not missing any details is a detective's essential task." Kudo Shinichi immediately said with a smug tone.

Shu Yunwen sighed, "Since you have thoroughly examined the scene, you should be able to determine that the murderer is the owner, Iwata Daisuke, right? Is it fun to frame me?"

"What? The murderer is the master?" A servant was surprised.

At the same time, Kudo Shinichi was also surprised.

He was almost certain that Iwata Daisuke was the murderer. However, there was still one doubt: Iwata Daisuke's injured leg. He came here to ask Inspector Megure to help question Iwata Daisuke's private doctor to confirm if Iwata Daisuke's leg was really injured...

But how did Shu Yunwen know?

"What? Kudo-kun, is what Shu-san said true?" Inspector Megure turned to ask.

Kudo Shinichi was taken aback, then scratched his head and smiled, "This... is not yet confirmed!"

Shu Yunwen rolled his eyes again, "Inspector Megure, please have someone investigate. According to my knowledge, there was a financial relationship between Yamazaki Meiji and Iwata Daisuke. You can also ask Iwata-san's private doctor. If my guess is correct, Iwata-san's leg should have already healed. Also, can I go to the scene? If needed, I can explain the situation."

Inspector Megure turned to the forensic officer, who nodded, and said, "Alright."

The forensic work was already done, so letting Shu Yunwen in wouldn't be a problem.

After entering the room where Yamazaki Meiji was killed, Shu Yunwen walked directly to the third-floor window and said, "This room was a sealed room at the time of the incident, with no abnormalities in the door lock, so it can be ruled out that the murderer entered through the front door. There were no footprints below the room, so it wasn't an external person. It could only be someone inside the villa who knew the structure well. Yes... Iwata Daisuke."

Shu Yunwen pointed to the room opposite the balcony, "Iwata-san came out of that room's window, tied a rope around his body, and walked along the eaves to the corner. From the corner to the balcony, the distance is not far, and with enough strength, he could jump over. After entering the room from the balcony, Iwata-san killed the victim, tied a piece of wood to the rope, and fixed it. Then he climbed back along the rope, released the rope from the other side, and easily recovered the fixed wood and rope... Yes, that's the general situation."

Inspector Megure looked down and indeed saw scratches on the balcony railing.

Kudo Shinichi was a bit dazed, thinking, this guy who pretends to be a spirit medium is really good, his reasoning is almost the same as mine.

Shu Yunwen turned to the villa's butler and asked, "Butler, if I remember correctly, you said that strange noises have been heard in the villa at night for a few days. Those noises must have come from here, right?"

"Y-Yes," the butler stammered.

Shu Yunwen said, "So, if I'm not mistaken, this should be Iwata-san practicing for tonight's murder plan. Those noises were the sound of the wood hitting the railing and the wall. Inspector Megure, there should be more than one scratch on the railing, right?"

Inspector Megure nodded, "Indeed, that's the case."

Kudo Shinichi laughed dryly—this guy even knew about Iwata's practice...

His famous high school detective didn't know, did he?

Shu Yunwen continued, "As for evidence, as long as it's confirmed that Iwata-san's leg is fine, a thorough interrogation should make him confess. Kudo-kun, do you still think I'm the murderer?"

"This... hahaha..." Kudo Shinichi scratched his head, beads of sweat on his forehead, feeling a bit annoyed.

After all, this series of reasoning should have been said by him, right?

Who is the detective here?

He, Kudo Shinichi, was planning to show off tonight, but now he's been upstaged by a guy who pretends to be a spirit medium.

Annoying! Annoying!

Shu Yunwen sat on the sofa. About ten minutes later, the police officer who went to investigate returned with the confirmation. After that, Iwata Daisuke confessed to the crime in the face of the evidence.

...

It was 11 PM.

In the police car, Inspector Megure was in the front passenger seat, and Shu Yunwen and Kudo Shinichi were in the back. The case was solved, and although there were still some follow-up matters, Inspector Megure decided to send Shu Yunwen and Kudo Shinichi home first.

Inspector Megure said, "Shu-san, you are truly a famous detective, not inferior to Kudo-kun!"

Shu Yunwen shook his head, "Inspector Megure, you flatter me. I can't compare to Kudo-kun. Kudo-kun has real skills, while I just knew in advance. Besides, I am an exorcist, not a detective."

I've at least read the original story!

"Huh? You knew in advance?" Inspector Megure was surprised, "Who told you, Shu-san?"

"..." Shu Yunwen couldn't answer. He couldn't tell Inspector Megure and Kudo Shinichi that they were all characters from an anime, right?

Thinking about it, Shu Yunwen's mischievous side came out, "Didn't I say? I am an exorcist, so the one who told me everything is Yamazaki Meiji!"

In the car, the other three felt a chill, as if a cold wind had blown through.

Yamazaki Meiji? How can a dead person talk to you?

"Ha ha ha... Shu-san really likes to joke..." Inspector Megure laughed.

Shu Yunwen turned to Kudo Shinichi, "By the way, Kudo-kun, did you finish the homework the teacher assigned today?"

"Ah! Right! I haven't done my homework..." Kudo Shinichi looked worried.

After he went home in the afternoon, he went to play soccer and only returned home when it was almost dark. He rested for a while and then came to Iwata's house...

Homework, which he planned to do after returning home, was interrupted by the case.

"Tonight, even if you have to stay up all night, you should finish your homework!" Shu Yunwen teased.

Kudo Shinichi was annoyed and rolled his eyes, "Mind your own business!"

In the front, Inspector Megure immediately scolded, "Kudo-kun, how can you speak to a teacher like that? It's extremely impolite! Apologize to Shu-sensei immediately."

Shu Yunwen's face turned awkward, and Kudo Shinichi laughed, "Inspector Megure, you misunderstood. Shu-san is my classmate, not my teacher. Don't look at his appearance; he is only 18 years old this year."

"Ah?" Inspector Megure was stunned, staring at Shu Yunwen's middle-aged face...

After Iwata Daisuke confessed, the investigation into Shu Yunwen as a "suspect" was no longer necessary. So, Inspector Megure only knew that Shu Yunwen came from Teitan High School, but hadn't had time to verify his specific identity. However, logically, a middle-aged face should belong to a teacher, right?

How can this be a student?

It must be Kudo's prank!

Shu Yunwen's lips twitched, "Inspector Megure, I'm really sorry, I thought you had already verified. My name is Shu Yunwen, and I am currently a second-year student in class B at Teitan High School. I apologize for the trouble I caused. Here is my student ID..."

The police car made a noticeable S-turn and then stabilized.

"R-Really a high school student?" Inspector Megure was incredulous.

This is not scientific!

Kudo Shinichi said with a particularly annoying tone, "Inspector Megure, I told you, don't look at his appearance; he is really just a student!"

Shu Yunwen turned to Kudo Shinichi, "Kudo-kun, it's best not to talk nonsense! You know my profession, don't you? Are you not afraid of a curse?"

"Not afraid!" Kudo Shinichi replied without hesitation.

Shu Yunwen rolled his eyes, feeling a strong urge to cast a "bad luck" spell on Kudo Shinichi. But after thinking about it, he decided not to. Currently, the soul power of Yamazaki Meiji in his body was not yet assimilated, and the only power he could use was one shaman trick. It wasn't worth wasting it on this guy.

Thinking about it, Shu Yunwen suddenly remembered that since the murder of Yamazaki happened today, this means that tomorrow, Kudo Shinichi will accompany Ran to the amusement park and then transform into Conan...

"Kudo-kun, I see a dark cloud over your face, so something bad will definitely happen to you tomorrow..." Shu Yunwen said.

Suddenly turning from a teenager to a child is definitely not a good thing, right?

Kudo Shinichi "tched" and said, "Shu-san, I don't believe in these things."

Shu Yunwen smiled, "No, you will believe."

From tomorrow, you will believe.