Chapter 228 - 227: The Stolen Corpse Case
However, everything appeared normal, with no suspicious individuals or vehicles entering or leaving. So how could such a large coffin be transported out without anyone noticing?
After pondering for a moment, Lin Batian and Sima Dong both felt a bit of a headache. After exchanging glances, the three decided to retreat for now since it was too cold here.
Chen Tianlong could endure it, but the manor master, who was over sixty, could not.
After the three left the Ice Cave and returned to the main hall, Lin Batian and Sima Dong furrowed their brows more deeply.
Chen Tianlong emerged from the secret passage and realized this was the only exit. Therefore, to smuggle the coffin out, it must have passed through here.
"Grandmaster Sima, have you checked the footage from the hall during that time? It seems like the only way out for the coffin," Chen Tianlong intentionally said, aiming to remind Sima Dong.
"Oh?"
Sima Dong, prompted by Chen Tianlong, suddenly remembered something and quickly picked up the landline phone, dialing someone’s number.
Shortly after, a person entered the hall from outside. This person was the security captain of Tianshu Manor, although he wasn’t a police officer; he was the third in command of the manor’s internal Assassin Group, Sima Fei.
The man was burly, with a large black mole on the right side of his face, a small mustache, and a crew cut, looking very spirited.
"Fei, investigate the footage before the young lady’s coffin went missing, focusing on the hall to see if there’s any suspicious activity involving people or objects being moved."
Prompted by Chen Tianlong, Sima Dong focused on the transport of items.
"Yes, Manor Master."
Sima Fei didn’t delay, receiving the order and departing immediately.
About ten minutes later, Sima Fei returned to the hall, seemingly having found some suspicious information. He approached Sima Dong and whispered into his ear.
"What? Are you talking about Li?"
Sima Dong was suddenly shocked.
Li had followed him for nearly ten years, around the same age, so they often chatted as equals.
About his daughter’s past, Li liked to ask questions, and he even knew about Sima Mei inheriting a mysterious constitution at Sky Sacrifice Platform.
Now, hearing what Sima Fei said, Li was the most suspicious.
The video showed that two days before the incident, Li said he wanted to replace the bookshelf in the study next to the hall with a more luxurious set. Sima Dong didn’t care since such matters were left to the butler, and money was not a problem for him.
Now thinking about it, Li suddenly wanting to change the bookshelf, and that bookshelf was clearly larger than the Glass Coffin. Removing the shelves inside would make it easy to smuggle the Glass Coffin out.
"Father-in-law, did you find any clues?"
Lin Batian noticed Sima Dong’s expression, seeming to have realized something, and asked in confusion.
"Haha, not yet."
Sima Dong couldn’t easily suspect Li without being certain, given that Li had been the butler for ten years, even stony-hearted people would develop some feelings.
Chen Tianlong chuckled bitterly, as he could see what Sima Dong was thinking; he certainly suspected someone from the manor, just without solid evidence.
Soon, Sima Dong picked up the phone and dialed another number, thinking for a moment and saying, "Li, can you come over? I have something to ask you."
After hanging up the phone, Sima Dong’s mood visibly worsened. Lin Batian also sensed the pressure from his father-in-law and sat quietly, not asking further questions.
About five minutes later, the manor’s butler, Li, arrived at the hall. His age was similar to Manor Master Sima Dong’s, but his hair wasn’t entirely white, rather black and white, making him appear less spirited.
"Manor Master, why did you call this old man? Is there something you need to instruct?"
Li remained calm, noticing several people in the hall. Upon looking closely and seeing it was the master’s son-in-law, he quickly said, "Lin, you’re here. Why didn’t Wushuang come?"
"Oh, Uncle Li, Wushuang is studying, she’ll come next time," Lin Batian quickly and respectfully replied.
"I see, haha, I do miss her."
Li took a deep breath and walked to Sima Dong’s side.
"Old Li, take a seat."
Sima Dong waved his hand, indicating Li should sit down. Li didn’t hesitate since they were friends for so many years, there was no need to be polite.
Once Li sat down, Sima Dong took a sip of tea and addressed the main issue, "Old Li, today I watched some of the surveillance footage from the day before Sima Mei’s body was stolen and found something new. That day, you arranged for four people to replace the large cabinet in the study. Coincidentally, after that, Mei’s body disappeared. Can you explain?"
Hearing this, Li knew the master suspected him. He immediately got off the couch, knelt on the ground, and cried, "Master, are you suspecting me? I have been loyal to the manor for ten years."
"Really? Then explain why as soon as the bookshelf was replaced, the young lady’s body went missing." Manor Master Sima Dong grew more excited as if about to catch the perpetrator.
"I... I really don’t know, master. You know I have always been diligent for the manor, never doing anything wrong. How can you doubt me?"
At this, Li’s tears flowed freely, seemingly not feigning.
Sima Dong hesitated, unsure of what to do. If Li was indeed the culprit, treating him like this was justified, but if not, such a misunderstanding would be heartbreaking.
On the side, Chen Tianlong seemed to understand. If what Sima Dong said was true, then this matter was likely correct. Given how large a coffin would have to be to get smuggled out, and there was only one suspicious point on the footage. If not him, who else?
However, if Li did do it and he denied all, there was nothing they could do. After all, he had been with the Zhang Family for ten years; the Manor Master wouldn’t be able to just eliminate him without concern.
Chen Tianlong couldn’t believe a single old man could execute such a task unless he had accomplices in the manor. Otherwise, with Sima Mei’s ice coffin and body weighing at least five to six hundred pounds, the difference is stark. Could the servants carrying the bookshelf have been fools?
This was Tianshu Manor, prestigious in South Sea City and the headquarters for the Black Panther Assassin Group. If their personnel were so brainless, they wouldn’t have such a reputation.
With this in mind, Chen Tianlong concluded.