Chapter 674: A Fine Sword, Yet Stained with Blood!

Do these two have a fling?!

Su Yang, while startled, suddenly had his thoughts follow this clue and click together.

"It makes sense, everything makes sense..."

He was still puzzled by the interconnection between Guest Rooms.

Moreover, the Cook, despite being Nobility, chose to take a lowly post inside the Ancient Castle as an obscure minor.

Even though the Count's status is noble and lofty, his personal charisma isn't strong enough to draw other Nobility to bend themselves here.

The origin of all this...

It turns out it's because of 'Romantic relationship'!

"Absurd, far too absurd!" Su Yang stared fixedly at the photo, his Pupil trembling slightly.

Such a handsome man, blessed with the charm of countless admirers, actually has a Male-male preference!

And his counterpart is a corpulent, elderly middle‑aged man.

One could say the taste is extremely heavy!

So, in that case...

Su Yang looked toward the lamb intestine that Li Zhenhua despised intensely.

"The golden hair on the bed, the sleeve inside the Photo Frame, the photo in the Cupboard..."

All these combined made Su Yang think of a deeply terrifying image.

Regarding this relationship, he doesn't understand it, but has always shown respect.

Only Diana's death—could very well be linked to this Romantic relationship.

"Could it be that she stumbled upon this and was then silenced?" Su Yang fell into contemplation.

For Nobility, reputation and glory outweigh everything.

Keeping a lover, even if despised, wouldn't cause much upheaval within the Nobility circle.

But the male‑male nature is entirely different.

It would not only shame the family, but also bring considerable trouble in a society with relatively strict gender notions.

"Assuming the Cook and the Count's starting point was to Blockade information."

"Even stretching it, the Countess's move against Diana was also to preserve reputation."

"But the Security Guard, Maid, and Coachman had no need to go that far," Su Yang thought.

After all, the fewer people who know, the better.

Just as Su Yang was pondering, Yu Meng, at the bedside, opened the Bedside Table and discovered an exquisitely shaped box.

When opened, it was filled with rosin.

"Look, doesn't this thing have some particular significance?" Yu Meng asked.

Su Yang snapped back, fixed his gaze, and said, "These aromatics vary in value; the high‑end can rival gold, while the cheap ones are affordable to the masses."

"Based on the scents from each room, the Count hasn't used this as a daily item; perhaps it's only supplied at specific times and occasions."

Li Zhenhua brought his nose forward, sniffed, and nodded, "Fragrant yet not cloying, it must be top‑grade."

"You even understand this?" Zhai Sixin was rather surprised.

"I was involved in this line before, but quit after a short stint," Li Zhenhua explained.

"Can't tell that our Li Dage is still a man who's weathered many hardships," Huang Zhenzhong teased.

Regarding his arrangement, Li Zhenhua didn't mind, and returned to the point, "At present, the Master Room, two Maid rooms, and one Guest Room all smell of rosin."

"You missed a place— the kitchen," Su Yang added.

"I dare to guess that the areas where rosin was left must have hosted some important ceremony," Tang Youning said.

"Bed?" Liang Kaiji's mind flickered.

"The Count and the Cook doing this in the kitchen?" Tang Youning frowned.

"It's not impossible; some people seek thrills by being indiscriminate with genders," Liang Kaiji shrugged.

"If it's about bedding, why is the Cellar excluded?" Su Yang retorted.

"Probably the location isn't the Cellar; Diana does have long legs, wouldn't she walk to the Master Room?" Liang Kaiji argued.

"You've also seen the Cellar's environment; the Pillow and Bedding left no scent whatsoever."

Su Yang pointed at the box containing rosin, "This aromatics are quite expensive, and the scent is unique; even a slight touch makes it linger long. Miss Liang, you've used it, so you should know best."

Miss Liang was about to rebut, but was momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, in the Cellar's dry, stifling environment, even a trace of odor can be amplified several times.

"Since it's not prepared for that, what ceremony could it be?" Zhai Sixin's eyes showed puzzlement.

"I think... this Ancient Castle must hold a huge secret unknown to anyone!" Su Yang's eyes flashed with a bright gleam.

The character relationships are now basically set; now we just need to find the main reason that could get eight people to act simultaneously!

Regarding the rosin, Su Yang had from the start kept a wary eye.

But he never managed to uncover it.

The Evidence chain, having passed through 'Deception', is gradually surfacing; what's left is to locate the Core point!

"Alright, to save time, I suggest everyone split up and meticulously re‑inspect the entire Ancient Castle inside and out," Su Yang proposed.

"That works, otherwise crowding together would only slow the investigation," Li Zhenhua nodded in agreement.

"I'll go to the outer courtyard to look for clues," Zhai Sixin volunteered.

"I'll go with you," Liang Kaiji said.

The two walked together; Tang Youning, seeing the situation, glanced at the axe on the ground, lifted it, and left.

"Where are you heading?" Su Yang asked.

"Stables!" Tang Youning said without turning his head.

Yu Meng rubbed his temple helplessly and said, "Then I'll sweep the second floor rooms again."

"What about you?" Su Yang looked at Li Zhenhua.

"The first floor, then. I always feel the evidence chain is still far from complete." Li Zhenhua said so.

"Who says it isn't?" Su Yang agreed, nodding.

He now holds a special relationship that others are unaware of; that's his advantage.

But others must also hold other things.

If he wants to seize the initiative, Su Yang must take the first step to uncover the secret hidden deepest!

Thinking that, he glanced at the sword on the ground and, imitating Tang Youning, slung the weapon over his shoulder.

Returning to the first floor, Su Yang and Li Zhenhua split up and headed straight for the kitchen.

Surveying the object he had examined many times, he now, with a new line of thought, had a different understanding.

"Because the Cook and the Count have an affair, the latter places him in an internal position."

"The Ancient Castle has no exclusive room for the Cook, proving he usually stays in the guest room."

"Conveniently, rooms are connected, making it easy for him to slip into the Master Room at night."

"And the Cook is skilled in medicine, especially poison; when he treats Diana's incurable disease, he surely smuggles his own goods."

"Perhaps it was an early warning, or perhaps he was coerced; the Cook put chronic poison into her medicine."

Su Yang looked at the pile of bottles and jars in the corner, a nameless fire suddenly flaring in his heart, and he raised the sword in his hand and swung down hard!

"Clang!"

The jar split in two instantly, the powder and rotten meat inside scattering across the floor.

"The sword is a good sword, but unfortunately it's stained with blood," Su Yang said softly.

He crushed the rotten meat with force, grinding it left and right with his foot.

"Splat!"

In an instant, a round object suddenly shot out from the shredded meat.