Chapter 691: Uesugi Shiro Rises Again!

Hearing that another murder had occurred ahead, Mai Xuejie rolled her eyes.

How come there's another murder?

Why not have Muneyuki change his name to Edogawa Muneyuki or Uesugi Conan?

But this isn't over yet—waiting for Fuji TV's production team to say, "Mai-san, why haven't you come yet?"

Coincidentally, someone died just as the Divine Hand program was being recorded, and Uesugi Shiro gathered again—this time the victim was still a former national female idol member, and the case involved extremely heinous acts of first X then X—this is undoubtedly super news and a super ratings explosion!

Mai-san, hurry up! Miss this village and there won't be this shop!

Mai-sama, you don't want Uesugi to be singing a solo over there, do you?

Mai Xuejie was so angry at Koyama Old Ghost that she laughed.

As expected of you.

As long as it's not you who dies, Koyama Old Ghost's champagne is really flowing.

And if you think about it carefully, in reality, with Uesugi Muneyuki's abilities and power attributes, this is actually a good thing for him!

Tsk tsk, split the winnings fifty-fifty!

Also, regarding Uesugi Kenshin's New God ashes—Mai Xuejie, as Head of the Shinai Alliance, has actually come into contact with some New God ashes herself, but she has no idea exactly what to do with them. Earlier, she had also heard news about Uesugi Muneyuki suddenly disappearing, which later turned out to be a false alarm, but what if something really were to happen?

"Mai-sama, what happened?" Sakura asked curiously from the side. This little cherry blossom from Kagoshima had come specially today; she actually shared the same idea as Asuka, wanting to offer herself completely—head and tail—to be eaten by Uesugi Muneyuki when the New Year bell rang to mark her official 18th birthday.

However, she needed to attend the New Year's Eve Kohaku Uta Gassen, so unfortunately, she could only be destined to fall behind Asuka—but even so, she still came.

"Eh? Another incident?" Asuka blinked her cute, pure, large eyes, her adorable little face showing a hint of surprise and a hint of pallor, recalling the previous kidnapping case and still feeling a bit shaken.

"Yeah, another incident—seems to be Nishino Miki: first missing, then subjected to X then X, then beheaded, and her body dumped in the toilet." Mai Xuejie didn't take it seriously, saying casually.

People from the inner world—what haven't they seen?

When she first saw Konohanasakuya-hime pull her teacher's head and spine out from his shoulders, she hadn't seen that either!

The three of them got back into the Mercedes S660, and for a moment the atmosphere grew heavy, but Mai Xuejie didn't care: "In that case, it's fine—Sakura-chan, in that case, you probably won't have the Kohaku schedule, congratulations on your teeth!"

Sakura listened, stunned, her sweet, pure face showing a mix of laughter and tears: "What kind of congratulations is that? Mai-sama! Our YKC48 was already in a bad state—look at this year, our title has already changed from 'National Female Idol Group' to 'Super Popular Female Idol Group'—and with this kind of incident happening again, how am I supposed to continue being an idol?"

"This is a good thing!" Mai Xuejie said with a charming laugh: "Loss in the east, gain in the west—although you lost a chance to appear on Kohaku, it just so happens that we three can stay a few more days at Uesugi Shinai in Yonezawa City—this opportunity—well, isn't it already here?"

"Isn't that inevitable? Hmm, Mai-sama, you're so bad!" Sakura pouted, thinking: This is what you gave me before! Having relations with Uesugi-san is a settled matter! You can't reward me with something I already have! "Stop mocking people!"

Sakura saying that made Mai Xuejie fall silent for a moment.

Don't let Sakura's current glamour fool you—she's actually under immense pressure. Besides, she's simultaneously serving as a Public Security Informant, an undercover agent for Uesugi Shiro, a minor idol, and a protector of Nagase Shi Shi, a witness for the District Prosecutors Office, among other roles, and she also vaguely knows some things about the inner world—any misstep anywhere could lead to eternal ruin.

The greater the responsibility, the greater the labor.

Sakura longs to rise above others, and the great risks she takes and the efforts she makes are also one of the reasons Uesugi Shiro particularly appreciates her.

Otherwise, speaking bluntly, given the current status of minor idols in Japan, if it were Uesugi Muneyuki at this level, I'd play with you only if I thought you were worthy! Don't say Uesugi Muneyuki is a noble, high-knowledge elite—minor idols often want to do "pillow business" with management, but management still finds them ugly and dirty.

"Well done, Sakura-chan—your hard work and merit, your upright and firm nature, your talent penetrating the classics and history, your early promotion through selection, your singing and dancing shining in the ancestral hall, your decisions on pivotal matters from both wings—your achievements are truly great!"

"Now conferring the title of Duke Who Guards the State, not admitted to the Eight Divisions! Hereditary and Irreplaceable! Appointed Inner Guard Grand Minister, Overall Command of the Imperial Guard, concurrently serving as Kagoshima Shogun, still overseeing YKC48 Military Affairs, and also studying walking on Sakata Bridge!"

"Bestowed the Double-Eyed Flower Plume, bestowed the Pink Horse Jacket, granted the use of Christian Louboutin red-soled side-open pointed-toe high heels, one pair, granted ten pairs of Wolford stockings! Bestowed the title Loyal Brave Batu Lu!"

"Excellent! I receive the edict and thank Your Grace—Mai-sama, your kindness in lifting me up is as high as heaven and as deep as earth; Sakura, though I lay my liver and brains on the ground, I cannot repay even one ten-thousandth of it!" Sakura felt satisfied.

"And me? And me?" Asuka also said excitedly: "I'm also your good sister, Mai-sama!"

"Very well, Asuka, hear the edict! Promote the original grace-bestowed State-Assisting Duke, Saito Asuka, to Multiple Rokuro Beile! Admitted to the Eight Divisions, Hereditary and Irreplaceable!"

"Appointed Zheng Purple Banner Commander, actually managing internal affairs, added the title of Grand Minister of Deliberation, pre-hearing Great Inner Court Politics, still concurrently serving as Inner Guard Grand Minister, Sakata Bridge walking, always prepared for this seat's consultation!"

"Acting Sakura Gate Numerous Affairs, specially added Nogi Shogun title! Wearing the Purple Horse Jacket, bestowed the title Dark Bird Gong!"

"Bestowed the Wear Four Group Dragon Supplement Robe, granted the use of Valentino shoes and various colors of long-tube suspenders-connected pantyhose, several pairs! Figure Index Sony Pavilion! Bestowed the Three-Eyed Flower Plume!"

"Excellent!" Asuka actually didn't fully understand, but she thought it was fun, so she clenched both fists and shouted, "I won!"

Although she didn't quite understand, it was clearly evident that her status was now higher than Miyawaki Sakura's.

Indeed, Sakura also felt it, but she didn't directly confront Asuka, instead saying softly: "Although there's some merit, how can Sakura compare to Mai-sama? Sakura sees it this way—Mai-sama is truly the First Batu Lu of Uesugi's Great Inner Court!"

"First Batu Lu?" Mai Xuejie was amused by Sakura, she froze for a moment, and even the extremely stable Mercedes S660 swayed on the highway: "First Batu Lu, hahahaha—Sakura actually ennobled me as a Batu Lu, and moreover the First Batu Lu, hahahaha!"

"Good, very good, little Sakura—later on, you don't need to worry!" Mai Xuejie laughed loudly: "I'll arrange it for you!"

"Excellent!" Sakura revealed a dark smile.

Plan succeeded!

10:15 a. m.

About fifty meters from the crime scene, outside the second police cordon line drawn by the police, a miniature media frontline had already formed. Although large-scale media had not yet swarmed in, Fuji TV, leveraging geographical and informational advantages, had already secured the best position.

Fuji TV's leading lady, Tei Reiji, had already changed into a solemn, dark gray, long-length cashmere coat, paired with a black high-neck sweater, her face carefully made up yet unable to conceal her radiance and the luster from ample moisturization.

She held a microphone, standing in the biting cold wind, behind her the police's blue-red flashing lights and the old toilet tightly encircled by yellow tape. A camera was trained on her, the cameraman and recorder working nervously.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Fuji TV reporter Tei Reiji, reporting live from the mountain-shaped—

North" rest area in the suburbs of Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture." Her voice came through the mask, still maintaining the clarity and stability of a professional anchor, but upon close listening, one could detect a barely perceptible tension.

"As you all know, early this morning, a heinous murder occurred here. The victim has been confirmed to be YKC48 member Nishino Miki, who came locally to participate in the recording of the New Year special of 'Divine Hand,' aged only 17. The entire production team and the local community are immersed in shock and sorrow."

The camera panned with her sideways movement, sweeping over the stern police line and the frequent comings and goings of police vehicles.

"Yamagata Prefecture Police, after the incident, swiftly deployed large numbers of police, sealed off the scene, and began meticulous investigation. It is understood that due to the case's extreme cruelty and special nature, the police are under immense pressure to solve it." Tei Reiji's words shifted slightly, introducing the latest development: "Just about an hour and a half ago, the police briefly detained and interrogated a suspicious man. This man is believed to be a fanatical fan of the victim, and large amounts of inappropriate content were found in his electronic devices, and he cannot fully account for his whereabouts during the time of the incident. For a moment, it seemed the case was about to be solved."

She paused for a moment, her gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping toward the direction of the temporary command vehicle in the distance, where some figures were swaying.

"However." Her tone grew heavier, carrying the suspense unique to live broadcasts: "Just not long ago, we learned that this man had been released from major suspicion. The police did not give a detailed explanation, but according to internal information, it was because the Chief Medical Examiner of the Criminal Investigation Division 1 of the Metropolitan Police Department, Uesugi Muneyuki-san, presented strong scientific counter-evidence at the scene, pointing out that there exists an unexplained contradiction between the suspect and the key evidence at the scene."

She expressed just the right amount of heaviness and confusion: "This turn of events has made the already bewildering case even more foggy and opaque. Who is the real murderer? What was the motive? Behind such a cruel method, what chilling truth is hidden? The police are currently conducting a full-scale investigation based on the new investigative direction, but there is no doubt that the difficulty and urgency of solving the case are now racing against time."

"Is this a distortion of human nature, or a collapse of morality?"

The cold wind lifted the strands of hair on her forehead, Tei Anchor slightly narrowed her eyes, and continued: "At this temporary, sudden, terrifying crime scene, we can see the anxiety and fatigue on the investigators' faces, and we can also feel the heaviness and unease permeating the air. The fall of a young life, the breaking of a family, the pain of an idol group—all are calling for justice to arrive. We will continue to follow the case's progress. The scene is as such, Tei Reiji, reporting from ahead of the Yamagata North Rest Area."

The live broadcast signal was temporarily cut off.

Tei Reiji slightly relaxed her grip, but her shoulders remained stiff. What she said was basically factual, but she cleverly transformed the embarrassment of "police arrested the wrong person" into the narrative of "case complexity, expert involvement, deepened investigation," thus preserving police dignity while leaving enough suspicion and excuse for continued follow-up.

Fuji TV has already communicated with the police and YKC48 operations, reaching a preliminary consensus.

Now, it's up to Uesugi Muneyuki!

She subconsciously glanced toward the rest area entrance, hoping to see that familiar figure.

And — our Fuji TV's trump card!

However, what first entered the view was not her, but a low, rumbling engine sound approaching from afar, and a black streamlined car silhouette that sharply contrasted with the surroundings, rapidly drawing near.

Here she comes! She's here!

A brand-new silver Mercedes-Benz S660 Coupe, like an elegant black panther slicing across the snowfield, parked precisely and silently outside the media zone. Its sleek, sharp body lines, classic vertical lattice grille, and unmistakable three-pointed star emblem instantly drew everyone's gaze.

In an environment filled with police cars, news vans, and cheap civilian vehicles, the appearance of this luxurious sports coupe, worth a small fortune, seemed extraordinarily jarring and oppressive.

The driver's side door opened, and first stepped out a foot clad in a refined black suede over-the-knee boot, the heel slender yet firm. Then, a tall, slender figure fully emerged into the thin winter sunlight.

Wearing a impeccably tailored black wool long coat, the belt tightly fastened, outlining a slender waist, her long hair like a waterfall, jet-black and lustrous, a few strands falling beside her neck: her makeup was vivid yet not overly heavy, her exquisite, beautiful features in the cold air seeming to emit their own light, most striking were her eyes — clear and bright, the outer corners slightly upturned, holding both the brilliance of a star and a deep, age-transcending tranquility and dignity rooted in ancient heritage.

Her appearance was like a radiant diamond dropped into the oppressive, suffocating crime scene. Originally focused on Tei Reiji and the police cordon, the cameras almost uncontrollably turned toward her. Journalists froze for a moment, then erupted into even greater commotion.

"Shirakawa Mai? She's here!"

"As expected, having Uesugi without Shirakawa Mai is heretical; only Uesugi and Shirakawa Mai united is the true path! I've always loved watching them unite!"

"Hurry and film! Shirakawa-san seems to be joining the on-site investigation too! This is big news!"

"She's the Head of the Kanto Shinai Alliance! Will she know something else?"

Senior Student Mai seemed oblivious to the surrounding commotion.

She closed the car door, her gaze calm yet intensely penetrating as it swept over the scene. Her gaze first fell upon the distant, sealed toilet, lingering for a few seconds, her brow barely furrowing. Then, her gaze shifted to the media zone, accurately catching Tei Reiji, who was holding a microphone and looking over in some surprise.

Their eyes met in midair.

At that moment, Tei Reiji felt as if a cold, sharp moonlight had pierced through to some hidden corner of his heart.

Shirakawa Mai's gaze was not fierce, nor did it show obvious hostility; it was simply calm, carrying a hint of realization and a faint scrutiny as she looked at her.

This woman — how is her belly full of Uesugi Muneyuki's inner world energy?

Damn, you're not giving me the excess energy, are you?

Just you wait, Uesugi Muneyuki — tonight, you're done for!