Chapter 777: Wagging Tongue and Stirring Lips

6.

Watching the female investigator turn beet red and nearly choke from the verbal assault, Li Ang couldn't help but give the Black Goat a thumbs-up, and decided to buy it a few more packs of Gao Te after work.

Although the Black Goat's offensive power was lacking, its verbal aggression was absolutely maxed out—last time it was investigated, it pulled the same stunt, leaving the investigator staring blank-eyed; it was practically a specialized artifact for interrogators.

"Enough, Aisha."

After glancing at the arrogant goat head, the veteran investigator stepped in as peacemaker, soothingly advising:

"Let's pause the routine questions for now—we haven't gathered any concrete evidence yet, so asking directly like this is indeed presumptuous… Go outside and get some fresh air. I'll handle the rest."

"Understood…"

Hearing the veteran investigator's counsel, the female investigator clenched her fists, then nodded tightly, lips pressed thin, and left the office with unmistakable resentment.

Once she stormed out, the mild-mannered veteran investigator sat upright, locking eyes with Li Ang, and spoke in a calm tone:

"Lord Li Ang, if I'm not mistaken, the death of Jin Juan Hou Jue is directly tied to you, correct?"

Of course not!

Li Ang, already mentally prepared, instinctively wanted to shake his head and deny it—but found his tongue stiffening slightly, unresponsive no matter how hard he tried to move it.

"Looks like you're trying to lie again."

Slightly opening his mouth to show Li Ang his tongue, faintly glowing white, the veteran investigator smiled and said:

"After returning from our last meeting, I realized my own limitations and applied to headquarters for an anomaly artifact designed to detect lies—I replaced my original tongue with it.

During our conversation, if your answer is false, your tongue will be affected and unable to cooperate in delivering falsehoods. So please, for the remainder of this discussion, try to be as honest as possible."

An anomaly artifact that detects lies?

After hearing the veteran investigator's words, Li Ang instinctively narrowed his eyes and studied his tongue.

Though the angle made it hard to see clearly, there was something resembling a "suture line" near the center of the man's tongue.

The rear half of the veteran investigator's tongue was perfectly normal, with no anomalies—but the front half, glowing white, looked dried out, shriveled, and withered. The tongue's surface barely remained intact, but the underside was severely atrophied, the deep blue tendons swollen and protruding, a grotesque sight.

'Be careful—this is the 【Tongue of Truth】!'

A slightly damp hand clasped his, and Emma's gentle voice slipped into Li Ang's soul through their connected palms.

'This artifact was crafted by the Fourth Generation Bull Director. He infiltrated the True Word Church's cemetery, exhumed the grave of their First Grand Councilor, and took this tongue from the corpse.

That First Grand Councilor never uttered a single lie from birth to death, so the artifact made from his tongue forces others to answer only in truth, just as he did.

It also consumes very little Li Ang value—anyone with even a trace of it can use it. The only cost is replacing your own tongue, and there's a limited number of uses.'

'Zzz…'

【Through Emma Alman's detailed explanation, you gained extensive knowledge of the 【Tongue of Truth】. The Chromatic Badge "Materialist Soul (Crimson)" activated. Having understood the 【Tongue of Truth】's mechanism, your resistance to it has greatly increased—you can now fully block its deeper effects.】

Tongue of Truth?

After reading the prompt, Li Ang squeezed Emma's hand in return and asked through their soul-link:

'What else? Any other information?'

There is… but why are you asking?

Emma blinked in confusion, but trusting Li Ang, quickly explained through their soul-link:

'There is more…

According to the Fourth Generation Bull Director's calculations, when the total number of uses reaches the exact number of truths the Grand Councilor spoke in his lifetime, the artifact will wither and die.

So roughly three hundred years ago, it was sealed away by the then-director, only brought out for critical cases—no one knows how he acquired it.

Anyway, Li Ang, don't answer him anymore. My Li Ang value is far higher than his; this artifact affects me less. Let me answer the next questions!'

'Zzz…'

【Through Emma Alman's detailed explanation… you can now fully block its deepest effects.】

'No need. I'll answer myself.'

Patting Emma's hand reassuringly, Li Ang flexed his still-stiff tongue, speaking with a slightly odd cadence but still fluently:

"Fine. I'll try to be as honest as possible… Also, Jin Juan Hou Jue was not killed by me, nor do I have any connection to him. You've truly mistaken your suspect."

?!!

Upon hearing Li Ang's words, the veteran investigator's eyebrow twitched violently. He immediately clenched his jaw muscles and strained his tongue root, desperately trying to suppress this obviously false statement.

But no matter how hard he tried—even as a visible bulge swelled visibly in his chin—Li Ang's words grew smoother, and he even took the upper hand, his expression tinged with distaste:

"Also, I don't understand what you're thinking. Without any evidence, you stormed into my presence, accused me with offensive questions, and even prepared a specialized anomaly artifact.

But no matter how meticulously you plan, the innocent remain innocent. In the matter of Jin Juan Hou Jue's suicide by drowning, I have never once felt guilt. Investigate all you want—I and Senior Emma have never so much as touched one of his fingers.

And now, without a shred of evidence, you're trying to pin this on us. I suspect you're connected to the Aquarius Director. After this conversation ends, I will immediately file a formal complaint with headquarters, demanding a full investigation into your background and movements!"

"..."

Didn't you just do it yourself? How dare you accuse me?

His tongue felt nearly snapped, yet still couldn't suppress Li Ang's righteous tirade. The veteran investigator clenched his cheeks so hard his muscles trembled, beginning to suspect the 【Tongue of Truth】 might be broken.

Before coming here, he had already investigated Cuiyu Manor and secretly used the 【Agenda Pocket Watch】 to rewind the events of that night.

This dog in front of him, wearing such a righteous face, had slipped into the manor under cover of darkness, disabled the guards, stood outside Jin Juan Hou Jue's door for over ten minutes—and that night, Jin Juan Hou Jue suffered nightmares so severe he drowned himself the next morning!

Damn it! If this has nothing to do with him, I'll pull out my 【Agenda Pocket Watch】, chew it up, and swallow it right here!

(End of Chapter)