[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-celestial-master-i-have-an-otherworld":3,"chapter-celestial-master-i-have-an-otherworld-celestial-master-i-have-an-otherworld-chapter-38":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Celestial Master： I Have an Otherworld",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1836551,2442,"Chapter 38: Interrogation","celestial-master-i-have-an-otherworld-chapter-38",38,"\u003Cp>\"Name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fang Zheng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gender?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Male.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Age?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the interrogation room, Zhou Ping’s face was grim, his arms crossed as he observed the situation inside through a single pane of glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officer Lin spoke softly beside him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Based on the clues we have so far, we can only prove that Fang Zheng was present at the scene, but there’s no direct evidence to prove he did it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But there was no one else on the mountain at that time, and Qi Wei and Yuan Xiaolian have a grudge against Fang Zheng, especially since Yuan Xiaolian was disfigured by him,\" Officer Lin continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They had a motive to kidnap Fang Zheng for revenge, so it makes sense they were killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logic was sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were also questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zheng was the one kidnapped, how could he have killed the others? And among them were professional mercenaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just an ordinary person...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing six people, how could he possibly be ordinary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fang Jian is Fang Zheng’s uncle,\" Officer Lin mused:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fang Jian was killed in a suspicious way with cold weapons. Maybe... there’s some secret between the two of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping remained silent, continually watching Fang Zheng’s expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Public Security Bureau’s interrogation personnel were very professional; reading people was a basic skill. If someone had murdered, they’d surely show it when questioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear, panic, forced composure...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or grievance, outrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a closed, unfamiliar environment and under such psychological pressure, a mental breakdown would be normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fang Zheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression never changed from start to finish, he showed neither anger at being framed nor panic from being exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was very abnormal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where were you after six o’clock yesterday?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I agreed to have dinner and a movie with a friend,\" Fang Zheng said slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had just arrived at East Stone Road when an unfamiliar person threatened me with a gun. I didn’t know if it was real or fake, so I followed him into the car just in case.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I ended up at Phoenix Head Mountain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Continue,\" the interrogator said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They locked me in a wooden cabin. It was getting dark, and while they weren’t paying attention, I secretly ran away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They didn’t notice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Afraid of being caught, I slept at the foot of the mountain and left the next afternoon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why didn’t you report to the Public Security Bureau?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I forgot due to the shock.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interrogator slammed the table, angry:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fang Zheng, I advise you to be honest. How did you kill them last night? How did you handle the bodies? Where’s the murder weapon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t understand what you mean.\" Fang Zheng frowned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re dead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t play dumb. You killed them. Do you think you did a perfect job? You underestimate modern forensic technology!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So they’re really dead.\" Fang Zheng remained expressionless:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s good, but I didn’t kill them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think refusing to admit it means we can’t close the case?\" The interrogator scoffed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Having you confess is for your own good. Fingerprints, blood, weapons, and even testimony from the scene can all be used as evidence to convict.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Refusing to admit it is useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impressive.\" Fang Zheng said with a hint of admiration:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you should be able to catch the killer soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You still don’t confess?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I didn’t do it, why should I confess?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s evidence proving you were at the scene, and Qi Wei and Yuan Xiaolian have a grudge against you. All the evidence points to you as the murderer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh...\" Fang Zheng chuckled lightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So cases are decided purely on inference now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We found your fingerprints on the bodies!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is it impossible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t kill them. Even if there are fingerprints, they must have been picked up in the car.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your blood is there too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Officer, everything here is recorded. As you told me, if you lie, I can sue you for slander!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interrogator’s face froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No evidence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the indirect evidence pointed to Fang Zheng being involved, but so far, no direct evidence had been found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single piece!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It shouldn’t be that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the scene, there should have been many pieces of evidence after the fight on Phoenix Head Mountain last night; they shouldn’t be that easily destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Public Security Bureau searched thoroughly, yet found nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zheng was confident about this. To erase evidence, he had practically dug up the ground, taking everything he had touched to the Otherworld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could, he would have even packed the bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After cleaning up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was now perfectly clean, with no trace of anything from Phoenix Head Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Officer Lin said, he’s not professional in dealing with clues, but he’s meticulous. As long as things disappear, no one can prove he committed murder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the interrogation room, a man sauntered over to stand next to Zhou Ping, raising an eyebrow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s a tough nut.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Want me to have a go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few people nearby greeted the newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief He.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deputy Chief!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiangdong, one of the two deputy chiefs of the Public Security Bureau, was once Zhou Ping’s main rival for the chief’s position and had a less than favorable reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need.\" Zhou Ping said sullenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew He Jiangdong’s methods; a beating might follow, but it’s unclear if a forced confession would be genuine, which Zhou Ping disliked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With hardheads like him, you need to use certain methods.\" He Jiangdong lightly patted Zhou Ping on the shoulder:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s your junior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Ping didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impressive!\" He Jiangdong gave a thumbs-up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Staying calm under pressure, turning the tables, and responding to interrogation with composure, revealing nothing at such a young age, quite remarkable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s still no evidence.\" Zhou Ping said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t jump to conclusions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha...\" He Jiangdong laughed heartily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief Zhou, stop deceiving yourself; who else could it be if it wasn’t him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interrogation continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zheng had lost track of time; in this dimly lit room with no way to measure time, there was only endless questioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the last two months, over 30 million was transferred into your bank account. How do you explain that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jade artifacts I sold,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did the jade come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Left to me by my uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your uncle was just an ordinary businessman, even renting the store. How could he leave you jade artifacts worth tens of millions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know. You can ask him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fang Zheng, cut the crap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m being honest.\" Fang Zheng raised his head, eyes bloodshot, gritting his teeth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve asked this question eight hundred times, haven’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still say the same thing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Left by my uncle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know anything else!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t kill the people either!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s no good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officer Lin shook his head, looking bitter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can’t get anything out of him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After enduring over ten hours, not just others, even he, assisting from outside, was getting worn out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He killed them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interrogator was somewhat hysterical:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An ordinary person wouldn’t act like him in such a situation; he’s just banking on us having no evidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Search the mountain!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In such a short time, he can’t hide so many things too well; they must be in some corner of Phoenix Head Mountain. Once we find them, we can convict him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No evidence means he didn’t do it.\" Officer Lin shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The mountain’s already being searched, but they say the chances are slim because they found no footprints except near the entrances and exits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about the over thirty million?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He paid taxes of more than eight million. The tax bureau had nothing to say, since taxes on antique transactions rely solely on honesty. Fang Zheng gave them enough face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just detain him for now.\" Zhou Ping gestured to stop the conversation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all take a rest too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1333,"2026-06-09T06:29:55.657Z",1,"novelbin.me","070b6c8d750d88fde6853b28c7026c550113fcdf1e236a5b3be12fee3d9e614c","celestial-master-i-have-an-otherworld-chapter-288","celestial-master-i-have-an-otherworld-chapter-78",488,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcelestial-master-i-have-an-otherworld-cover.jpg"]