Li Deting felt somewhat helpless and could only explain,
"Lord Jin, that is hardly possible. As you know, since Ding Huan arrived at the Four-direction Star Land and settled in Little Star Corner Market, we naturally had to monitor him for three months."
Jin Mingbai understood what Li Deting meant.
Any person from an alien world who arrived at the Four-direction Star Land and chose a place to settle would be monitored by the relevant local authorities.
Ding Huan chose Little Star Corner Market as his place of settlement and Little Star Corner Market was responsible for monitoring him for three months.
This surveillance did not mean monitoring in person, but rather using surveillance equipment.
Four-direction Star Land and any surrounding star lands did not have the capability to produce surveillance equipment.
However, an Advanced Civilization Star Land would possess such equipment.
Every time a spaceship from an Advanced Civilization Star Land came to the Four-direction Star Land, the most common items brought were: damaged Magical Treasure Fragments, damaged Crystal Element Stones, and surveillance equipment.
Especially the Magical Treasure Fragments, which in the Advanced Civilization Star Land, are so common that no one would even pick them up from the garbage.
Brought to the Four-direction Star Land, these items become extremely profitable, easily sweeping away all the good things in this part of the cosmic starry sky,
Including various top-grade Spiritual Medicines, ores, rare treasures, and so on.
Four-direction Star Land then used this surveillance equipment to manage the entire star land.
"Does Captain Ting mean that there’s no issue with the one who bought the house, Ding Huan?"
Jin frowned and asked.
Even though in his heart, whether Ding Huan had an issue or not, daring to buy Han Ni’s house, he would surely seek out this man later.
Li Deting’s smile never faded from his face:
"Yes, that Ding Huan returned to the courtyard after getting the deed and never came out again. Only the woman who came with him would occasionally go out to buy some food and come back."
"Keep on talking, Captain Ting," Jin nodded.
However, Li Deting was growing more irate inside. This bastard, interrupting him for no reason, and now asking him to continue.
He felt utterly unseen as the Captain of the Law Enforcement Team.
"Since Han Ni was found dead on his way to the Gu brothers’ place, we have already dispatched people to bring the Gu brothers here.
To ensure we don’t accuse an innocent man, we had also brought in Ding Huan."
...
Ding Huan was practicing Extreme Shadow Jutsu, which suited him given the small space of the courtyard.
Just at that moment, there was another knock on the courtyard door.
Ding Huan’s Divine Will reached out, identified two men dressed in workshop official clothes, and immediately understood, it must be regarding Han Ni’s matter.
Opening the courtyard door, the shorter man bowed a fist at Ding Huan:
"Please, my friend, as you are involved in a case, kindly follow us to the Little Star Corner Law Enforcement Guards."
Naturally, the Law Enforcement Team of Little Star Corner Market was not usually so courteous.
But staying in Little Star Corner Market, they knew who could be provoked and who could not.
Compared to ordinary people, they had access to more information.
In their eyes, Ding Huan was a dangerous individual, someone not to be trifled with.
Han Ni had problems with Ding Huan before disappearing, and now it had been confirmed he was murdered.
Investor Sister wanted to seek troubles with Ding Huan, but had been taken away before entering Little Star Corner Market, and now there was no word from her.
To say these incidents had nothing to do with Ding Huan, they wouldn’t believe it themselves.
But what did it matter if they were related to Ding Huan?
They were just doing their job, handling what was expected of them, and if it was beyond their capacity,
Even with suspicions, they would not meddle further, nor would they even utter an extra word.
Looking at the two Law Enforcement Team Members in front of him, Ding Huan appeared bewildered:
"Officials, I have behaved and stayed inside ever since I came here, never going out. How could I be related to any case?"
Seeing how genuinely puzzled Ding Huan was, the shorter Law Enforcement Team Member even doubted his own suspicions.
Whether or not they guessed wrong, they were very satisfied with Ding Huan’s attitude and were rather fond of him. The other member smiled and said:
"Don’t worry, friend. It’s because Han Ni’s backer, Lord Jin, has returned and he has directed us to resolve the case quickly.
The Gu brothers have also been brought along; it’s about your courtyard matter."
Under normal circumstances, such information would never be disclosed.
But because they were very satisfied with Ding Huan’s attitude, the two Law Enforcement Team Members volunteered some information to Ding Huan.
Although this information might seem simple, for Ding Huan, it was crucial.
It let Ding Huan know who exactly was monitoring this case.
Moreover, if it were not for Jin’s return, the Law Enforcement Team wouldn’t regard the case with much urgency.
The shorter member spoke again: "Our Captain Ting upholds fairness in law enforcement; as long as you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about."
"Thank you both, I will accompany you now, please lead the way."
Ding Huan cooperatively bowed his fists and said.
When the three of them arrived at the Little Star Corner Law Enforcement Guards, the Gu brothers were already there.
"Ding Huan greets Captain Ting."
Ding Huan didn’t recognize Li Deting, but he thought, since he was the captain, he definitely must be seated at the head, so he greeted him with a fist immediately.
"Are you Ding Huan?"
What puzzled Ding Huan was that it wasn’t the Captain Ting he assumed who asked him but another man.
This man sat not far from Captain Ting, and he looked like he had definitely not killed just a few people, indicative of a heavy murderous aura.
Could he have been mistaken?
While Ding Huan was still wondering, the man he’d greeted laughed heartily:
"Ding Huan, this is Jin. I’m here because of Han Ni’s case."
So that was the case; it seemed he hadn’t recognized the wrong person.
When Jin saw Ding Huan ignoring him, a murderous intent surged in his heart.
Ding Huan immediately felt the other’s murderous intent and thought to himself, how many people has this guy killed?
It looked like he was about to make a move on him.
Li Deting seemed to intentionally prevent Jin from acting rashly and spoke again:
"Ding Huan, half a month ago, after you bought the house in Xingtan, you left with Han Ni, and then he disappeared.
Only recently was it found that Han Ni was murdered. Is this matter related to you?"
Ding Huan bowed again:
"Captain Ting, I just arrived in Four-direction Star Land, unfamiliar with life here, how dare I make a move on Han Ni?
If I really dared to do such a thing, I wouldn’t have overpaid for that house.
Besides, Han Ni seemed so honest and trustworthy, even if I wanted to make a move, I wouldn’t be his match."
After saying this, Ding Huan anxiously rubbed his forehead:
"Captain Ting, I don’t know how to prove my innocence. I really just stayed inside the house after buying it. Being new here, I don’t know anyone, nor do I have anyone to vouch for me."
Everyone listened to Ding Huan’s words, noting how disjointed they were. What did being honest and trustworthy have to do with being no match? It was clear how anxious Ding Huan was.
Li Deting cracked a slight smile:
"You needn’t worry, we will investigate the truth of the matter."
After saying this, his gaze fell on the Gu brothers:
"Do you four have any way to prove that Han Ni wasn’t killed by you?"
Although the Gu brothers were independent, they mostly helped Jin with his duties; how could they possibly kill Han Ni?
But now the Law Enforcement Team was questioning, and they had to answer.
The eldest, Gu Yi, quickly explained:
"Captain Ting, you should know our relationship with Han Ni, how could we possibly kill him?"
"Han Ni’s body was found near your home, he didn’t even manage to struggle, it’s clear that whoever dealt with Han Ni was much stronger than him," Li Deting spoke indifferently.
The underlying meaning was clear; surrounding Han Ni, he probably didn’t even have the ability to resist.
"We have no reason to kill Han Ni."
The fourth brother, Gu Gu, panicked, was this an attempt to frame him and his brothers?
"According to our examination, Han Ni died half a month ago right after the house transaction, and at the time, there were five thousand purple gold coins on his body.
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Five thousand purple gold coins could entice anyone," Li Deting’s words were sharply accusatory.
Gu Yi’s expression turned grim:
"Captain Ting, what do you mean by this? Are you saying we, the Gu brothers, are the murderers?"
Li Deting still wore a smile:
"Of course not, you are just suspects. According to the laws of Four-direction Star Land, suspects must be temporarily detained by our Law Enforcement Guards."
Gu Gu snorted:
"Captain Ting, isn’t there something off with this law enforcement? Since there are doubts, shouldn’t Ding Huan also be suspicious and thus detained?"
Li Deting’s tone was gentle:
"Because he is not a suspect, he was brought here just to confirm the evidence. If you don’t believe it, you can ask Lord Jin."
The Gu brothers all turned their gaze towards Jin, considering how much they had done for Jin over the years.
Regardless, Jin had to put in a good word for the brothers.
Jin’s previous fury had subsided, but his expression was calm, showing no intention of responding to the Gu brothers.
Li Deting gestured:
"Take the Gu brothers down. Once we find more evidence later, we’ll judge this case."
Several members of the Law Enforcement Team immediately came forward, locked up all the Gu brothers, and took them away.
Ding Huan was a bit stunned. That was it?
This judgement seemed a bit too hasty. He had prepared legal provisions to argue his case, and now he couldn’t even get a word in.
Wasn’t Captain Ting’s judgement making his expertise redundant? Well, he didn’t mind such an approach.
Though Li Deting spoke of searching for more evidence, taking the Gu brothers away practically closed the case.
"Return the house to me, I’ll give you a hundred purple gold coins," Jin stared coldly at Ding Huan.
Ding Huan was still pondering this hasty judgement when he heard such an absurd statement.
He turned to look at Jin, his face full of confusion:
"Are you trying to forcibly buy my house?"
Ding Huan deliberately said this, knowing that in Four-direction Star Land, any forcible transaction over ten purple gold coins was punishable by death.
Jin chuckled and stood up:
"I, Jin, am a lord, law-abiding, how could I dare forcibly transact?"
After saying this, he turned and walked away.
Ding Huan didn’t care and bowed to Li Deting:
"Thank you, Captain Ting, for advocating for me."
Li Deting laughed heartily:
"The moment I saw you, I felt you are a person worth making friends with. If you don’t mind, shall we go for a few drinks?"
(Today’s update ends here, fellow Daoists goodnight! If you have a monthly pass, please support.)