Chapter 457

PS: Due to force majeure factors (referring to a matchmaking date), today there's only a combined double-length chapter of 5400 words. Being the Tennō is hard; the Tennō knows you readers are having a hard time too. Let's just make do!

Uesugi Muneyuki, having left the Metropolitan Police Department, suddenly felt not bad at all. He walked alone on the streets of Chiyoda Ward, spreading his arms to make a "V" gesture.

Praise the Sun!

He didn't know how long it had been, how long since he'd investigated a case alone. Ever since binding with Ikeda Erena, whenever he went out to investigate, Erena would definitely follow by his side. Although Erena couldn't play a role every time, having her nearby was always a safety net.

Erena also relied on hanging around Uesugi Muneyuki all day to continuously accumulate merit, getting promoted at flying speed.

Now that she wasn't by his side, he really wasn't quite used to it.

But true strength is one's own strength, not strength relying on position or bloodline. Uesugi Muneyuki has always kept this in mind. Just as the Yonezawa Uesugi clan today still has considerable face and huge influence in Japan not because their ancestors were named Uesugi Kenshin and Uesugi Kagekatsu, but because the ninth generation head Uesugi Yōzan's reforms succeeded, accumulating massive domain finances.

This allowed the Uesugi clan to rely on sufficient wealth to avoid the disasters of the late Shogunate. Then, because the then-head Uesugi Shigenori distributed most of the domain savings to the retainers, they avoided a retainer rebellion and the massive inheritance taxes of the Meiji period. Finally, because Uesugi Shigenori entered politics and actively pleaded for the people, taking the iron fist of the domain-clique government, the Uesugi clan was forced to abandon politics and transform into a scholarly family.

The subsequent head Uesugi Kenjo studied at Cambridge University in England, returned to become an Imperial Household Ministry official. The next head Uesugi Takanori graduated from Tokyo Imperial University's Buddhist Studies department and became a Yamagata University professor. Then came Grandpa Uesugi Kuninori, who graduated from Tokyo University, stayed on as a cosmology professor.

Fortunately, taking that iron fist meant no one in the family participated in WWII. Otherwise, during the post-war US military reckoning, they'd definitely have taken a slash from the Tennō.

Although Father is hopeless in various senses, fortunately he doesn't stir up much trouble. Now both me and my older brother have entered Tokyo University.

Counting this generation, the main family's face can be maintained for at least three more generations. As for descendants after that, that's not something he can control. He can only believe in the wisdom of future generations.

Speaking of which, what exactly is going on with my older brother?

After this incident happened in March, the family has been secretly investigating internally. But my brother seems to have noticed and proactively applied for a business trip to participate in an archaeological excavation. He won't be back for a month. The family's various probes had to stop and wait for his return.

Surely they're not actually counting on me? But I'm already a Watanabe-Uesugi family person!

This Uesugi is not that Uesugi.

But you can't write two different Uesugis with one brushstroke.

Annoying. Don't want to think that much anymore. I'll wait for my brother to come back and have a frank talk with him.

Uesugi Muneyuki thought it over and decided he still had to trigger the Qinghui Stone first, try to perform Soul Communication with the two deceased: Okada Miki and that bartender Koizumi Ryosuke.

As for him needing to avoid suspicion, that's true. But he doesn't need to give a direct conclusion. As long as he can keep reminding Kashiwagi Jin through Kashiwagi Misa, that'll do. He's good at that.

Under his guidance, Kashiwagi Misa has already rushed to the frontline due to "involving MPD personnel and Sakura-kai affairs."

Thinking of the relationship between himself and Kashiwagi Misa, the corner of Uesugi Muneyuki's mouth hooked into a faint smile.

"I really need to control you properly, Old Ren!"

Uesugi Muneyuki's speed was extremely fast. On that very afternoon, just as Investigation Division 1 Chief Sugishita Ukyo had just arrived at the Ōta Ward frontline, preparing to form a special investigation headquarters and mobilize nearby police forces to conduct a dragnet search for Okada Masayoshi, Uesugi Muneyuki had already arrived near the morgue where Okada Miki's and Koizumi Ryosuke's bodies were temporarily stored.

Unexpectedly, both Okada Miki and Koizumi Ryosuke showed strong resistance to Uesugi Muneyuki's Soul Communication. Among them, Koizumi Ryosuke felt enormous fear toward Uesugi Muneyuki. His dead soul firmly refused to be communicated with. Obviously Koizumi Ryosuke knew how troublesome it would be if these things were dug up by the police organization.

Okada Miki, although her resistance level was high, still had strands of resentment leaking out. She harbored intense unwillingness and pain.

Therefore, although she also refused Uesugi Muneyuki's Soul Communication, as she expressed her desire to vent, a connection was still established between the two sides.

【Sisters, I really regret it to death! Back then I thought I'd married a golden turtle son-in-law, MPD Career Track, Dad's still a big shot at the Financial Services Agency! Result? Just a dead-brained poor cop! Salary's just that little dead money, hands over 500k a month, won't even buy me a single Hermès Kelly Bag! Says "police must be clean"? Laughable! Look at other people's husbands, ones with a little power, which one doesn't get gray income by the handful? Only he's noble! Made me live this stingy middle-class life! Don't know how his dad got to be such a big official, not giving his son any grease? Or is he too stupid to ask?】

Okada Miki completely ignored Uesugi Muneyuki's questioning, just venting unilaterally.

The corner of Uesugi Muneyuki's mouth twitched. He clenched his fists. As a frontline detective, he deeply knew the price of police corruption and the preciousness of integrity. This naked complaint of "husband doesn't take bribes" is simply an insult to the police badge and the greatest desecration of what Okada Masayoshi upheld!

【Okada Madam, why did you cheat? Who killed you?】 Uesugi Muneyuki shouted.

Okada Miki's soul completely ignored Uesugi Muneyuki. She spoke to herself: 【That day going out I saw that old Sakai Noriko movie again. Sigh. Back when he chased me, wasn't it just because I looked like her? Thinking about it now is really ironic. Who does he think he is? A cop who deals with criminals all day! Besides that face and that scary family background, what else? Money?

Status? Jack shit! His dad doesn't acknowledge me as a daughter-in-law at all! What did I marry him for? Just for the empty title of "Police Inspector's Wife"? Even going to a nearby nightclub to keep a bartender requires budgeting! I've had enough of this penny-pinching life!】

【I agreed to marry him not to live in a cheap 2LDK regular apartment, not for a mere 500k monthly allowance. I want to live in a luxury mansion, wear big brands, attend high-society gatherings. Result? Not a single one! Not a single one! Then what did I marry him for? For the title of a dumbass hero's wife?】

【Professor Ueno Chizuko was so right! Marriage is a system that oppresses women! Look at me! Bound by marriage to a boring, moneyless, self-righteous cop! He's just like his high-and-mighty dad, an accomplice of patriarchy to the bone! What did they give me? So-called "peace"? Bah! It's poverty and bondage! They trapped me with the false fame of "Police Inspector's Wife", depriving me of the right to pursue true happiness and wealth! This kind of man, this kind of marriage, should be smashed to pieces!】

【As a new era independent woman, what I smashed were chains, what I got was freedom!】

The contempt in Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes deepened: degrading the professional identity Okada Masayoshi took pride in to "a cop who deals with criminals all day," attributing marriage motives to "high society."

No, how exactly did she hook Okada Masayoshi back then?

Could it be this woman specially cultivated "fishing techniques" in Shibuya and Kabukicho?

She even read Ueno Chizuko?

Uesugi Muneyuki almost laughed in anger. Ueno Chizuko, though a shit-stirrer who leaves a stench everywhere, making big money selling books and courses on feminism wherever she goes, buying a luxury mansion and driving a big-displacement car then beautifully hiding behind "Justice Cutter" without truly caring about grassroots women's lives — at least Ueno Chizuko's advocacy of so-called women's independence is highly linked to economic independence. She opposes gold-digging.

Maybe for this Okada Madam, Ueno Chizuko isn't extreme enough.

【Is that your reason for cheating? Okada Madam?】 Uesugi Muneyuki sighed. He truly felt it wasn't worth it for Okada: 【He became a hero recently, right? Even got injured, public opinion is all praising him!】

【Hero? Hah, just a fool who blocked a knife! What use is that? Can honor be eaten? Can it buy me a new Van Cleef & Arpels necklace? The more media praises him, the more annoyed I am! If he'd really died, that'd be great. I could still use the "Hero's Bereaved" name to scrape some benefits, maybe even hook up with richer, more powerful people. Now? Hmph, half-dead, still have to pretend to visit him at the hospital. Annoying to death!】

【Oh right, Uesugi-san, you're MPD. You should know, right? How are the MPD bereaved pension and condolence money calculated! Heard the amount's substantial, enough for me to live it up for the rest of my life! If Okada dies in the line of duty, how much can I get a month? Heard there's also a big lump sum cash payment, how much? Ah, why did I die first?】

"By the way, Uesugi-san, you're with the Metropolitan Police Department, you should know — how are the survivor's pension and compensation calculated? Heard the amount's quite substantial, enough for me to live it up for the second half of my life! If Okada dies in the line of duty, how much would I get per month? Heard there's also a large lump sum of cash, how much would that be? Hey, how come I'm the one who died first?"

【This is what, him coming to collect my compensation! Really pisses me off!】

Seeing Okada Miki still complaining, Uesugi Muneyuki immediately cut off the Soul Communication. His body leaned heavily back against the wall. He rubbed his eyes, pinching his aching nose bridge hard. His face wore a complex expression mixed with extreme shock, deep contempt, and a near-absurdist sense of disbelief.

I need a word more aggressive than "stinky sign" right now!

Uesugi Muneyuki faintly sensed the Human Emperor's fury.

Aaaah! Eight-Armed God Emperor above! Let your purifying golden flames burn everything!

Imagine that surging river of blood, that golden throne flowing with fresh blood and brass, atop a pile of bloody skulls, permeating killing intent and glory dedicated to every peerless warrior in battle, together climbing the endless heavenly ladder forged from blood rivers and skulls. Is that the Emperor's call?

Hmm, looks like it's correct!

Lord of Humanity, grant me power!

"Heh? Hehe." He let out a low, sarcastic cold laugh: "Truly refreshing the lower limit of cognition."

"Okada... I guess I 'understand' you a bit now." Uesugi Muneyuki muttered to himself, voice full of sarcasm: "Guarding such a piece of human trash as a wife. Beautiful on the surface, but behind the scenes a greedy, snake-hearted poisonous woman who curses you to die day and night just to get the condolence money! Even treating the honor you traded your life for as a stepping stone for her to climb the ladder of power!"

He stood up, walked to the window, looking at the still-flashing police lights outside. That was the force hunting Okada Masayoshi.

"No wonder, no wonder you lost control." Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze became incomparably cold and certain: "Living long-term under such resentment, greed, and curses, anyone would be driven insane! Discovering her affair with her lover on Black Valentine's Day was just the last straw! Public opinion pressure? That was just the spark that lit the explosives barrel! The root cause lies in this woman's greed and viciousness!"

The last trace of pity Uesugi Muneyuki felt for Okada Miki due to her victim status vanished completely at this moment, leaving only pure, cold contempt.

He regarded these words as the most powerful, most convincing supplementary proof of Okada Masayoshi's murder motive — the image of a pitiable yet hateful man who suffered long-term mental abuse, curses, and exploitation from his wife, finally exploding under extreme provocation, fully formed in his mind.

Reasonable!

Now we only need to conduct death flashbacks one by one.

Uesugi Muneyuki immediately began the next step.

He conducted a death flashback on Okada Miki.

However, the situation ahead once again exceeded Uesugi Muneyuki's expectations.

As the death flashback unfolded, the scene appearing before him showed a tall, sturdy man with receding long hair and a gloomy expression appearing in Okada Miki's memory.

What the heck???

Uesugi Muneyuki had no choice but to overturn his own deduction on the spot, slapping himself in the face.

Okada, not the murderer?

When Kashiwagi Misa arrived at the scene, the entire apartment had been sealed off.

"Misa, you came." Kashiwagi Jin saw his wife arrive, a hint of relief appearing on his face: "As expected of you, we've figured it out."

"After you reminded us, we investigated the nearby flower shop, and according to the flower shop staff's reminder, Okada bought flowers for his wife around 9:51

AM, so the previous crime time doesn't hold." Kashiwagi Jin said relaxedly: "So my deduction wasn't wrong—Okada committed the crime between 10:00 and 10:05."

"Is that so?" Kashiwagi Misa's gait was somewhat unnatural, the ice mountain mixed-blood beauty's face still bearing a faint flush. She thought for a moment, then asked softly: "Um, have you found any other ways to enter or exit the apartment that avoid surveillance?"

"Yes."

Kashiwagi Jin showed Kashiwagi Misa two locations.

Specifically, the emergency exit door at the rear of the apartment, and the garbage room transport passage inside the apartment building leading to the outside.

Both locations lack surveillance; the emergency exit small door requires a special key, which only the homeowner possesses, and then there's the garbage room transport passage—this passage is very concealed, and if not a very familiar resident, it's impossible to know.

Therefore, this must be an acquaintance committing the crime!

Therefore, this must be Okada's doing!

Star Detective Kashiwagi Jin confidently told his wife, "The scheming frog has been feeling your belly all along!"

"Misa, there's no need for all this trouble—we already have sufficient evidence, clues, motive, and surveillance. All that's left is to bring Okada to justice by law. You may go back now." Kashiwagi Jin said to his wife: "I regret what happened to Mrs. Okada, but staying here won't help you either."

Kashiwagi Misa did not leave; she temporarily left the scene and secretly took out her phone.

After a while, Kashiwagi Misa found her husband again: "Um, Jin——

"What now? Haven't I already told you everything I needed to?" Kashiwagi Jin was already getting a bit impatient.

"Um, I was thinking—could it be that Okada-san is actually not the murderer?" Kashiwagi Misa said weakly: "I just remembered something—that is, the shoe prints."

"Shoe prints?" Kashiwagi Jin blinked, thought for a moment, and said: "Of course—we indeed found Okada Masayoshi's shoe prints at the scene, and following the emergency escape route and the underground air conditioning machine room, we traced his shoe prints all the way. How could this not confirm Okada as the murderer?"

"Well, I mean, besides Okada, didn't you collect other shoe prints at the scene?" Kashiwagi Misa said, crossing her legs, her body trembling slightly: "Could you check—specifically, whether there are similar shoe prints at the emergency exit rear door and the garbage room?"

"The scene indeed has other shoe prints, but this isn't very normal." Kashiwagi Jin, amused by his wife's persistence, instinctively retorted.

However, before he could finish speaking, this Metropolitan Police Department Star Inspector suddenly realized something.

Exactly.

The scene indeed still has other shoe prints, and they're very fresh. Since we've checked Okada's shoe prints, why not check the others too?

There could be more witnesses, or perhaps more clues—who knows!

"Misa, you've found another blind spot!!!" Kashiwagi Jin exclaimed excitedly. If it weren't for the crowd at the scene, he truly wanted to give his wife a big hug!

Why hadn't I noticed before—my wife is this amazing?

After this, I'll transfer Misa to Investigation Division 1—we couple will join forces to counter Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami's couple team!

Hmph~ The Special Mission Unit has Uesugi, I have Misa! Our hearts are connected as husband and wife—who knows, maybe we can firmly suppress Uesugi!

Upon thinking this, Kashiwagi Jin finally emerged a little from the notion that "it must be Okada's doing." He immediately ordered an investigation into the other shoe prints at the scene and specifically directed verification at the two locations that can avoid surveillance.

This verification, conducted at dusk, indeed yielded a discovery by the Missing Knowledge Department!

The fresh shoe prints found in Okada Apartment did not exit through the front door, but instead followed another corridor, proceeded along the garbage room passage, and vanished mysteriously!

"Major discovery! Major discovery!" Kashiwagi Jin finally realized this matter might be just as he thought, and immediately reported his major discovery to the still-being-formed Special Investigation Headquarters: "The scene possibly contains a fourth person!

Repeat: scene investigation found that a fourth person possibly existed at the time!"

Meanwhile, Kashiwagi Misa, who had been openly speaking throughout, saw this and secretly hid in the corner of the wall: "Hey, um, yes, Jin finally figured it out—what should we do next?"

"Very good, madam, you're still capable." Uesugi Muneyuki's voice, relieved, came from the phone: "Next, do as I say."

"Step by step, remind him: based on shoe prints, estimate height, then verify the injury of Koizumi Ryosuke and the wound angle of Okada's wife, then check the surveillance—especially nearby and main gate surveillance—note suspicious individuals with similar height, take note: the murder scene lacks that person's fingerprints, so he must be wearing gloves."

"Then question the time of death, pay attention to the exam candidate on the upper floor's report time."

"Step by step, say it all in one breath, don't steal his spotlight. Our great detective is under influence, so use the 'eh eh' tone to pretend to remind him casually, letting him feel it's his own realization." Uesugi Muneyuki spoke softly, with a hint of laughter: "They say women are born actresses, madam, should you use what I taught?"

"-I know." Kashiwagi Misa bowed her head shyly, silently gazing at the distant, radiant figure.

Kashiwagi Jin, proud of discovering the major clue and blind spot, had a word pop into his mind.

Marionette.

However, the former generation dripping police department's ice mountain mixed-blood wife suddenly flushed red across her face.

Am I, too, Uesugi Muneyuki's marionette?