Chapter 665: Hanging Out with Su Yang, Three Days of Starving Nine Meals! Self‑Doubt!

"This also nicely explains why the Cook understands pharmacology; such knowledge isn't accessible to ordinary commoners," Yu Meng explained.

Tang Youning extended a Finger toward the corpse with bluish-purple skin, and, with interest, said, "Please explain why the deceased's skin color changes after death?"

"Or as the saying goes, you may suspect the Cook of having a murderous motive, but the actual cause of death is not poisoning," Su Yang said calmly.

"That is based on the premise that the deceased died from massive blood loss; Miss Zhai is not a professional forensic doctor, she only has a slight understanding of this area."

Upon saying that, Tang Youning paused briefly, then strode toward the corpse.

He immediately lifted her slightly swollen, rigid arm and sliced a small incision with a knife.

The exposed blood displayed an unusually dark brown hue and was already beginning to clot.

He lowered his head to sniff, instantly donned a Mask of pain, and, unable to avoid it, flung it away.

"The stench is undetectable; she must be poisoned, deep into the Marrow, and it seems not to be a matter of just a day or two," Tang Youning pinched his Nose.

"Why wasn't it detected during the initial autopsy?" Liang Kaiqi asked, puzzled.

"Perhaps that's the Cook's brilliance: using professional pharmacological knowledge to conceal the toxin, which only becomes apparent after the corpse's temperature drops," Tang Youning said evasively.

"Do you think... this person died from poisoning, but the murderer, to hide that, added a postmortem stab to deliberately disguise the cause as massive blood loss?" Zhai Sixin asked.

"What do you all think?" Tang Youning scanned the group.

"It's not impossible; after all, TV dramas have portrayed similar methods," Li Zhenhua said, resting his chin on his hand.

"But what is the purpose?" Liang Kaiqi asked.

Noticing the gazes, she hurriedly added, "What is the Cook's motive for killing her? You, like Sikeite, bear a mission; if he murders, it must be to achieve Restoration of the family's honor, or perhaps to vindicate."

"Does killing require a motive?" Tang Youning said, his tone odd.

"Why wouldn't it?" Su Yang approached the corpse, examined it closely, and said, "If the murderer is a serial killer, that's another matter; but this is a Death Game entangled with a complex backstory, so the killer must have his reason."

"Su Xiong, any insightful thoughts?" Tang Youning, hands in his pockets, wore an expression awaiting good news.

Mixed with a hint of sarcasm.

Su Yang merely glanced and withdrew his gaze, then slowly said, "By your logic, I actually think the likelihood of someone else being the perpetrator is greater."

"From the standpoint of motive, I think Sikeite's probability of committing the murder is greater than anyone's; just now Brother Tang also mentioned the hatred of the house and the house, which no one should oppose, right?"

"Secondly, have you forgotten the Maid's jealous remarks? She harbors strong malice toward Diana."

"Finally, even the most unrelated Gailun Bo Ge has a higher chance of being the murderer than the Cook."

"The reason you suspect the Cook acted is solely because he works here under the guise of Nobility, leading you to suspect ulterior motives."

"Ask everyone, who present has no unspeakable purpose? Take the Maid, she wants to fly to the branch and become a phoenix—could that not be a motive?"

Su Yang's successive questions caught them all completely off guard.

Tang Youning was momentarily at a loss for words; he seemed to have thought of a rebuttal, but didn't know how to voice it.

Intuition!

Intuition told him the Cook was certainly not a good person.

However, relying solely on a sixth sense cannot serve as evidence; he needs ironclad proof.

A single strike to nail Su Yang dead!

"Where is the Cook's Photo Frame? It seems we've never seen it," Zhai Sixin suddenly spoke.

"Forget the Photo Frame; the entire Ancient Castle lacks a room belonging to the Cook," Li Zhenhua said.

"Strange—could he be a 'commuter worker'? After his shift, he just goes home to sleep?" Huang Zhenzhong suddenly felt puzzled.

"The kitchen's arrangement is also odd; it gives me the impression that the Cook can't actually cook, yet the Count can tolerate such unprofessional behavior," Yu Meng said.

"There are indeed many doubts..." Li Zhenhua nodded slightly.

In fact, not only the Cook but also many others have numerous oddities.

"The top priority is to retrieve all the previously 'decoded' Letters and review them again," Su Yang said.

"You don't trust my Innate Talent?" Zhai Sixin's face showed displeasure.

"How could I? I just want to double-check, to see if any important Luoshi were missed," Su Yang said softly.

"It's getting late; let's discuss tomorrow," Tang Youning glanced at the wall clock and saw only ten minutes left before ten o'clock.

They must return to their rooms to rest within the allotted time, or else they'd be violating the rules.

"First, let's set tomorrow's plan: first, locate the Letter contents and review them again; second, find the remaining Photo Frames; third, gather the new Luoshi," Su Yang arranged.

"Tomorrow morning I'd like something light; Su Xiong, can you fulfill Mr. Huang's wish?" Huang Zhenzhong asked.

"If you want to eat crap, go make it yourself," Su Yang retorted irritably.

Having said that, he was the first to step onto the stairs toward the Second Floor.

Tang Youning happened to meet his gaze and, helplessly, said, "You see, I'm of no use; I can cook, but I can't get up this early."

"At noon I only ate a few bites of some unknown meat, and skipped dinner; hanging with you guys really makes me starve three days and miss nine meals," Huang Zhenzhong muttered angrily.

Li Zhenhua looked at Yu Meng and asked, "Could I have a look at this book?"

"Please," Yu Meng handed it over.

"Thank you." Li Zhenhua took it, tucked it under his creaky nook and headed to the Second Floor.

Upon reaching the Second Floor, they saw Su Yang and Tang Youning standing before the Master Room, both gripping the Door Handle, unwilling to let go.

"Step aside, I was here first," Su Yang said lightly.

"Can't you see the three big characters 'Master Room' written above?" Tang Youning stood his ground.

"Your title is merely Count; do you really think of yourself as Nobility?" Su Yang scoffed, then continued, "The rules also state that players may sleep in any room they choose; who says you must stay here?"

"Since this is role‑playing, then naturally we must see it through to the end," Tang Youning persisted.

Seeing the two's argument block the entire corridor, Li Zhenhua helplessly mediated, "Both of you take one step back; if we don't, we'll both be punished by the rules."

"Say fewer words; you're grown‑ups, not children," Yu Meng raised his voice a few decibels, sounding a bit impatient.

Su Yang and Tang Youning exchanged a glance, simultaneously let out a cold snort and released their grip.

"The Master Room is set aside; no one may stay," Su Yang said.

"Couldn't be better." Tang Youning turned around, found a Guest Room and walked in.

Su Yang then found the room beside the Master Room, entered, and slammed the door shut.

"Bang!"

Yu Meng helplessly placed a hand on his forehead, "Sigh, truly a grudge against those who never grew up."

Li Zhenhua just smiled, "A man remains a boy until death; don't try to compare with them."

————

Inside the room, Su Yang lay on the bed with his legs crossed, contemplating today's harvest.

From the Evidence chain that emerged, it seems this Deception did not achieve the intended effect.

On the contrary, it is more detrimental to him.

Because a new condition appeared on the dead body.

It's somewhat...

It has the implication of moving a Stone to smash one's own Foot.

Combining the fact that the Cook is also Nobility, Su Yang even doubts that he is the True Villain.

"If I were in a scenario where I am the murderer, then I must conceal the truth, stir up confusion and destroy all key evidence."

"Different factions, different Hidden Achievements obtained."

"If I am the only True Villain on the field, then the method of acquisition is..."

From the Game Theme angle, then only...

Su Yang suddenly sat up from the bed, his Pupil dramatically jolted,

"I vote for myself?"