Chapter 232: Scapegoat

At eight in the morning, two policemen arrived slowly at the third floor of the Golden Rooster Hotel. One checked the corpse, suicide note, and environment, while the other was responsible for questioning the surrounding tenants.

Lu Mian had used the "Spectator Glasses" to do a simple disguise and was standing at the door of room 310.

The policeman in uniform with paper and pen looked at him:

"You are Charles Dubois? Tell us roughly what happened."

Lu Mian started from when Flamant moved in and was already mad, always claiming to have encountered the Monsuri ghost, his family all dead, and it was about to be his turn, until he suddenly regained clarity last night and had a hearty drink.

"What's with the wound on his shoulder?" The policeman dealing with the corpse in the room interjected.

"Before he regained clarity last night, he had self-harming behavior. I was the one who bandaged his wound." Lu Mian answered calmly.

After questioning other tenants and the basement bar owner, the two police officers initially confirmed that the deceased was a person who had been in a state of mental disorder for a long time, had the motive for suicide, and had corresponding tendencies.

When they put Flamant's corpse into a body bag, they said to Lu Mian:

"We will send him to the catacombs, but there is a relatively cumbersome process, which includes truly determining the cause of death, asking clergy to purify, finding people who can inherit his belongings, and communicating with the catacomb managers. It will take about one to two weeks."

Lu Mian was silent for a moment and said:

"I've had a few drinks with him. Remember to tell me when you bury him."

After giving a positive reply, the two policemen left the Golden Rooster Hotel with Flamant's corpse and the items in the room.

Lu Mian removed his disguise and returned to room 207.

He sat in the chair, back to the window reflecting sunlight, facing the somewhat dim corridor, his emotions quite complex.

Flamant's suicide made him feel like he was seeing another ending for himself.

He helped the other party swap the fate of "encountering the Monsuri ghost," not just to use that fate, nor did he think about getting other rewards. He just felt that Flamant, who had lost all his relatives, was in a similar situation to his own, just that one had completely collapsed and became a madman, while the other was still trying to maintain, telling himself there was still hope and he must maintain sufficient rationality.

But in the end, Flamant, who was no longer troubled by the Monsuri ghost and no longer afraid to the point of madness, chose to end his own life.

Above the corridor, Elodie, wearing a golden wig and eyeshadow, and another cleaning lady had started today's busyness. They cleaned the floor and dealt with bedbugs without stopping for a moment.

Lu Mian watched all this quietly, his gaze seemingly unfocused.

After nearly a quarter of an hour, light but hurried footsteps extended from the stairs to outside room 207.

Jenna's figure was reflected in Lu Mian's eyes. She was dressed more simply than usual today, wearing a slightly tight lady's shirt paired with a light brown short jacket and an off-white fluffy short skirt, wearing black boots over her knees, still wearing that kind of decadent and charming makeup.

She glanced at Lu Mian, entered room 207, and closed the wooden door behind her.

Lu Mian came back to his senses and watched this guy quietly without asking her purpose.

Jenna said in a curious and excited low voice:

"Have you heard? The leader of the Poisonspur Gang and two subordinates were all killed!"

"I know." Lu Mian nodded.

Jenna examined his expression and deliberately probed:

"It wasn't you, was it?"

"Do you think I can kill 'Black Scorpion' Luo Jie, 'Baldy' Haman, and 'Dwarf Candlestick' Castina in one go?" Lu Mian asked back.

Jenna had long known Charles's approximate strength from Franca and also knew that "Black Scorpion" Luo Jie wasn't weaker than Franca. She shook her head:

"No."

She then elongated her tone:

"But you can find helpers."

For example, Franca.

"The officials don't even suspect me." Lu Mian spread his hands.

He was actually a bit puzzled about this matter.

Normally, as one of the few people who had had a direct conflict with the Poisonspur Gang recently, after such a thing happened, he would definitely be called in to ask about the situation. But Lu Mian waited from last night until this morning, ready to do some disguising at any time, but he never waited for the investigators.

Just then, another burst of hurried footsteps came from the stairs.

*Dong dong dong*, room 207 was knocked on.

Charlie? Lu Mian looked at the door and said:

"Come in, it's not locked."

The visitor was Charlie, wearing a white shirt, light-colored vest, and black formal wear, with a half-high silk top hat on his head and a dark tie around his neck.

This attire was more decent than when he was a waiter at the White Swan Hotel.

After examining Charlie a few times, Lu Mian smiled:

"Yo, where did this civilized person come from?"

Charlie couldn't hide his smile and said in a warm, passionate tone:

"Right? I am a real civilized person now. I am also learning classical grammar. Lady, sir, please allow me to greet you in the way of a civilized person."

As he spoke, he took off the half-high silk top hat on his head, pressed it against his chest, bowed slightly, and performed a salute.

Jenna laughed instantly but didn't hit Charlie, while Lu Mian "tsk tsk"ed and said:

"To be honest, you look more like a monkey wearing a civilized person's clothes, trying to do the actions of a civilized person."

Charlie wasn't discouraged and was still just as happy:

"I've only learned for one day. In another month, you will re-recognize me. Oh, this is Mr. Charlie Corrent, he is enjoying a sumptuous dinner worth 8 Vergold!"

Speaking of this, Charlie glanced at Jenna standing by the bed and opened his mouth, seemingly having something to say but finding it inconvenient to say in front of Jenna.

Lu Mian didn't care and asked:

"What's the matter? Just say it."

Charlie lowered his voice:

"Do you know? Last night, 'Black Scorpion' Luo Jie, 'Baldy' Haman, and 'Dwarf Candlestick' Castina were all killed."

"I know, and then?" Lu Mian believed Charlie wouldn't come to find him for such a matter that would soon be known to everyone.

Charlie looked at Jenna and continued:

"The currently confirmed situation is that the killer belongs to a terrorist organization called the 'Aurora Order.' On one hand, they like to create scenes full of flesh and blood, and on the other hand, they always target those who believe in evil gods. Yes, 'Black Scorpion' Luo Jie and the others were believing in an evil god called 'Great Mother.'"

Aurora Order? Lu Mian was stunned.

Where did this scapegoat come from?

How did the official Beyonders inexplicably suspect that organization called the "Aurora Order"?

Shouldn't they first screen people who had conflicts with "Black Scorpion" Luo Jie and the Poisonspur Gang? Detective novels are all written like that!

"Was it really done by that organization called the 'Aurora Order'?" Jenna asked curiously.

Charlie nodded heavily:

"Yes, the 'Aurora Order' seems to have claimed responsibility for this case in some way. Tomorrow, some newspapers should have a case report."

The meaning of Charlie's second half of the sentence was that what he just said belonged to public content and wasn't restricted by confidentiality clauses.

The "Aurora Order" claimed responsibility? You didn't do it, what responsibility are you claiming? Lu Mian was puzzled and amused again.

If he hadn't killed "Black Scorpion" Luo Jie with his own hands, he would have suspected it was really done by the "Aurora Order."

Charlie looked at him and added in a low voice:

"This afternoon, after the election ends, there will be a sweep of all gangs in the Market District to respond to public questioning about the security of this district."

Are you reading a document? The wording is so formal? Lu Mian roughly understood what Charlie came specifically to remind him of.

People with cases on their backs should leave the Market District this afternoon and hide for a while!

Lu Mian nodded lightly:

"I will attend a mystical gathering this afternoon."

The gathering convened by Mr. K was at nine in the evening, but Lu Mian planned to go early.

Charlie breathed a sigh of relief and pointed outside the door:

"I'm leaving first."

Lu Mian thought for a while and said:

"You don't need to come specifically to notify me of such small things in the future."

He then mocked:

"Are you looking down on my ability?"

Charlie laughed awkwardly:

"The first time, the first time I was more excited. In the future, if it's not something truly directed at you, I won't come to hint to you."

After watching him leave, Jenna sighed:

"He actually became your informant inside the official Beyonders."

"I'd rather he wasn't." Lu Mian curled his lips, "An idiot will only ruin things."

Jenna "heh"ed and waved her hand:

"I'm going to find Franca. Are you going to tell others the information Charlie revealed?"

Lu Mian shook his head:

"If everyone ran away, the official Beyonders would definitely check if someone leaked the action plan. That idiot definitely wouldn't be able to escape.

"Anyway, some people really deserve to go to jail."

Aren't you one of them? Jenna complained inwardly, walked out of room 207, and entered the corridor.

At this time, the two cleaning ladies had already cleaned to the stairs.

Jenna walked over lightly, her gaze sweeping over the cleaning lady named Elodie who wore a golden wig.

Her expression suddenly froze. She turned around abruptly and returned to room 207, which made Lu Mian, who was planning to go out, quite strange.

Elodie, who was nearly fifty, wearing a golden wig and eyeshadow, also noticed Jenna. She stared at the back of this acting apprentice for a few seconds, then shouted in confusion and worry:

"Chellia..."

Jenna's body stiffened.

She turned around slowly, squeezed out a smile, and shouted at Elodie:

"Mom."

Mom? Lu Mian almost doubted his ears.

He then remembered Elodie saying that she used to be a theater actress and now liked to go to the Old Pigeon Cage to watch performances. She had a husband who died in a factory accident a few years ago, leaving behind two children who were now almost truly adults and could help support the family.

And Jenna was an acting apprentice at the Old Pigeon Cage. Her father died a few years ago, and her remaining relatives were her mother and brother. She planned to earn next year's tuition and other expenses herself.

That matches... Lu Mian nodded thoughtfully.

Elodie carried a broom, walked to Jenna, and looked her up and down:

"Why are you here? What kind of makeup is this?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 233 =====