Chapter 769

Around three in the afternoon, the Gunma Prefecture police finally arrived, fashionably late.

The roar of engines finally echoed from the end of the mountain road.

Several police cars bumped along the freshly cleared landslide section, their bodies splattered with mud and snow, and stopped at the entrance of Sekizenkan.

The doors opened, and twenty or thirty police officers filed out one by one — it was clear the Gunma Prefecture Police Headquarters took this very seriously; leading them was a Police Inspector, followed by several Assistant Police Inspectors, Police Sergeants, and a large group of Forensic Identification Division personnel.

It was evident the local police indeed attached great importance to this; generally speaking, a police report wouldn't bring twenty or thirty officers all at once — usually it's at least one Assistant Police Inspector plus one or two Police Sergeants or Patrol Officers, plus one Forensic Team (3 people).

Friends who frequently encounter murder cases all know that, theoretically speaking, police manpower is like hospital medical resources — it's absolutely impossible for it to ever be enough.

The arrivals looked sharp and moved swiftly; they were clearly elites from the Local Police Headquarters. One couldn't tell if they were treating this as such a major operation because a murder case erupted at Sekizenkan, because Fuji was filming here, or because the national CP Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai were here. After working at the Metropolitan Police Department for several years, Uesugi Muneyuki could easily judge the caliber of the arriving police.

But the Police Inspector walking at the very front clearly had a different vibe from the others.

He was in his early thirties, not tall, wore glasses, and wore his police uniform impeccably, but his expression held an indescribable... timidity. He stood at the Sekizenkan entrance, looking at this ancient wooden building, then at the surrounding mountain forest where snow still drifted, and subconsciously shrank his neck. "Uh... where is the crime scene?" His voice was a bit floaty, like he was asking his subordinates behind him, yet also like he was talking to himself: "Where's the body? Who died? What did Chief Uesugi say?"

"Inspector Yamamura, this way please." The General Manager of Sekizenkan personally greeted him, attitude respectful, but his eyes hid a trace of barely perceptible helplessness — he had naturally heard of this Inspector Yamamura's reputation.

Yes, Yamamura Sō, Criminal Investigation Division of Gunma Prefecture Police Headquarters, Police Inspector.

Within police circles, his reputation wasn't good — not because of corruption or perverting justice, but because... he was too incompetent. Slow reaction, cowardly, got a headache with complex cases, pushed them off if he could, avoided them if he could.

But he had one merit: obedient, didn't stir up trouble, followed rules and procedures by the book, would rather do nothing than make a mistake. As a result, he actually got promoted all the way to Police Inspector in his thirties.

At this moment, Inspector Yamamura walked inside while praying frantically in his heart: Please don't let it be a complex case, please don't let it be a serial murder, best if it's the kind that's clear at a glance, let me close the case quickly and leave quickly...

After all, there's an old German saying: Don't speak of utter loyalty, don't display extraordinary merit; good things patch up, bad things patch up; eight directions without trouble, years of plenty; national fortune prospers, official career thrives; wife receives imperial honors, son inherits office; blessings to descendants endless; if not posthumous title Wenzhong, then Wengong!

Absolutely must not let any mess happen!

Inspector Yamamura walked into the Grand Banquet Hall, saw the room full of people, and his legs went a bit weak. Then hearing it wasn't two dead, but three, his face began to turn pale.

By the time he reached the crime scene and saw those three corpses, his stomach began to churn.

"Urk..."

He forced it back down, but his face was already green.

"In-Inspctor Yamamura?" A subordinate asked cautiously: "Are you OK?"

"Fine, just fine." Inspector Yamamura forced himself to stand straight, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and then saw Uesugi Muneyuki standing beside the corpses. Chief Uesugi, my Superman!

His eyes instantly lit up.

"Ch-Chief Uesugi?!" His voice jumped an octave, the fear on his face vanishing completely, replaced by a near-fanatical excitement: "It really is you! I'm your super fan! I've watched every episode of *Hand of God*! Why did you come to our Gunma Prefecture? Didn't even give notice; our Gunma Headquarters has admired you for ages. You even said Gunma Prefecture is your second hometown; the two and a half years at Tokiwa Middle School forged your invincible forensic ability and solidified your forensic aspiration. Your motto 'I'm just a forensic examiner, all I do is make things clear' I still remember to this day, especially before..."

Everyone had black lines on their faces.

Is this guy here to solve the case or to chase a star?

TMD, chasing a star on the public dime?

Tei Reiji and Sakura beside them couldn't help secretly laughing; Sakura especially looked envious — an idol's ultimate pursuit is to become a national figure and ideally have influence penetrate the system; if some departments have your super fans, things get very convenient after graduation. Uesugi Muneyuki had to interrupt him: "Yes, I am Uesugi Muneyuki. The specific situation is..."

"Great! Great!" Inspector Yamamura practically bounced over, grabbed Uesugi Muneyuki's hand, and shook it vigorously: "With you here I'm at ease! You've definitely already figured it out, right? Suicide or homicide? Who's the killer? What's the case like?" As he spoke, his eyes stayed fixed on Uesugi Muneyuki, that expression of "hurry up and tell me the answer so I can write the report" completely undisguised. Uesugi Muneyuki looked at this incompetent Inspector, sighed inwardly, but still recounted the whole ins and outs of the case.

Yamamura Sō listened while nodding, the expression on his face growing more and more relaxed, finally even breaking into a smile.

"So it's mother and son killing each other! That's simple! That's too simple!" He excitedly rubbed his hands, "Mother poisons son, son poisons mother, both dead, perfect! Mrs. Tado was accidental injury, not the killer's problem either, perfect! This report will be so easy to write!"

The several subordinates behind him glanced at each other, all tacitly saying nothing.

"Inspector Yamamura," one couldn't help but whisper a reminder, "This case is actually very complex, involves family grudges, double poisoning, intersecting timelines..."

"Complex? Where's it complex?" Yamamura Sō waved his hand, completely unconcerned, "Didn't Professor Uesugi already figure it out? We'll just write it according to his conclusion. Anyway, he's the Chief Medical Examiner of the Metropolitan Police Department; could his words be wrong?"

He turned to Uesugi Muneyuki, smiling like a flower: "Professor Uesugi, you're truly amazing! Having you here is a huge help! Our Gunma Prefecture Police Headquarters really basked in your glory this time, solved a major case! When the time comes, I'll definitely put your name in the report, thank you for your tremendous assistance!"

Uesugi Muneyuki: "..."

He glanced at the surrounding Gunma Prefecture police; their expressions were complex — some helpless, some embarrassed, and a few younger ones had faces flushed red.

Is this the level of the Local Headquarters?

Uesugi Muneyuki sighed silently in his heart.

"Right, right!" Yamamura Sō suddenly remembered something, fished out a small notebook from his pocket, then a pen, held them out with both hands to Uesugi Muneyuki: "Professor Uesugi, could you... could you give me an autograph?"

Uesugi Muneyuki froze for a moment.

"No, not for me!" Yamamura Sō hurriedly explained, "It's for you and Miss Shirakawa Mai together! I'm a fan of your CP! I watch every episode of the *Hand of God* variety show! The interactions between you and Miss Shirakawa are too adorable! I've always wanted a signed 'to' autograph!"

As he spoke, his face reddened, but his eyes were full of anticipation.

Uesugi Muneyuki: "....."

Senior Mai beside them couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Inspector Yamamura." She stepped forward, took the notebook: "Does this count as chasing a star on duty?"

"Counts counts! No no no, doesn't count as duty! It's a private request!" Yamamura Sō got so excited his speech became incoherent: "Miss Shirakawa! Could you sign one too? Write 'To the most patriotic, dedicated, honest, kind, and harmonious fan, A-Yama', please please!"

"Here, you sign here, Uesugi-san signs here, then you two each draw half a heart, one draws half..."

Shirakawa Mai looked at Uesugi Muneyuki, then took the pen, signed her name stylishly with her flourish, and drew half a heart next to Uesugi Muneyuki.

Uesugi Muneyuki could only take the pen, signed his name next to it, habitually drew his own flourish, then completed the heart.

Yamamura Sō took the notebook, held it in his hands, trembling all over with excitement.

"I-I'm going to frame it when I get back! Hang it in my office!"

Those Gunma Prefecture police behind him, each one looked like they wanted to find a crack to crawl into.

Too embarrassing.

Really too embarrassing.

"Um, Inspector, can we start?" Finally someone couldn't hold back and spoke up.

"Oh, right, let's begin! Chief Uesugi, you speak, I'll record!" Inspector Yamamura finally remembered the proper business. Uesugi Muneyuki's presence gave him unparalleled confidence, and also made his spine straighten and his eyes shine: "Right! Any evil will ultimately be brought to justice!" Anyway, if problems arise later it's got nothing to me; Chief Uesugi said it, what's it got to do with my ass? If there's an issue, you go find him!!

In the subsequent wrap-up work, Yamamura Sō displayed astonishing efficiency — or rather, astonishing perfunctoriness.

He had the Forensic Identification people transport the bodies, photograph the scene, collect the stomach medicine bottle and wine bottle as evidence, then started writing the report. The report was written lightning fast, basically just repeating Uesugi Muneyuki's words, plus a few stock phrases like "Under this official's wise leadership and personal on-site inspection, the Sekizenkan serial murder case was swiftly solved."

"Inspector," a subordinate asked cautiously: "Should we investigate this case more carefully? What if there are other hidden circumstances..." "What hidden circumstances?" Yamamura Sō glared at him: "Chief Uesugi already explained it clearly, what else is there to investigate? You think you're more capable than Chief Uesugi? He's a Legendary Forensic Doctor; even the Metropolitan Police Department's massive precise calculations rely on his strength. Our Prefecture Police Headquarters only has that little budget and equipment each year; what can we do?"

The subordinate was choked speechless.

To be fair, indeed.

On the Sekizenkan side, Shadow Die Twice suffered betrayal three times, yet upon learning the matter originally had nothing to do with their inn, the general manager expressed tearful gratitude that all food and lodging expenses for everyone would be completely waived, and that whenever these distinguished guests returned in the future, everything would be on the house.

Those powerful elites finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to revert to their former arrogance, pointing fingers at the inn manager and demanding room changes, extra meals, and dedicated service; the manager bowed and apologized nonstop, cursing inwardly while keeping a smiling face.

Hope the Divine Hand television drama comes to film an episode at your place next time!

The general manager cursed.

On the Divine Hand film crew side, Kinoshita Hiroko and the director huddled together, both excited and nervous, whispering about something. After a while, the two of them walked together to Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai.

"Um..." the director rubbed his hands, expression somewhat nervous: "Uesugi-sensei, Shirakawa-san, there's an imposition I'd like to ask..."

Senior Mai instantly grew vigilant: "What is it?"

Fuji loves pulling these little stunts; Koyama Old Ghost's integrity is like Takeda Shingen's credit — long since stuffed up Takasaka Masanobu's chrysanthemum.

"Regarding filming, affected by this matter, we still have some content unshot and may need to reshoot a few shots." The director said somewhat lacking in confidence: "We thought, that is... um... this opportunity is so good, could we take advantage of this environment and the free room and board at Sekizenkan to shoot a bit more of that... that kind with the gods..."

"That kind?" Senior Mai rolled her eyes.

He hemmed and hawed unable to explain clearly; producer Kinoshita Hiroko simply spoke directly: "We want to shoot a hot spring scene. The two of you soaking together, discussing the case, and then... slightly intimate that kind. Just shots with strong atmosphere, absolutely no exposure, just that kind of intense CP feel but stopping at just the right point to show the mutual affection between you, yet still suitable for children 13 and above to watch." "Ha?!" Senior Mai instantly widened her bright large eyes, her splendid face blooming like fireworks showing three parts contempt and three parts mockery: "You think I'll submit? You Fuji people didn't discuss this with President Miyazaki and my agent Hamada Liuxia beforehand, right? Now springing this on me ad hoc — you've got some nerve!"

"Decided ad hoc!" Kinoshita Hiroko immediately dogeza'd, knelt on the ground, forehead pressed to the tatami mat: "Sorry! It was our spur-of-the-moment idea! But this opportunity is too rare! A real case, a real Snowy Mountain Villa, real snow scenery and hot spring — if you add the two of you with this... this atmosphere, this episode's ratings will absolutely explode! Please!"

The director also knelt along with her; the two lay prostrate on the ground like stacked Arhats, their posture sincere beyond sincere.

Shirakawa Mai was quite angry, about to refuse —

Just then, the director added: "Don't you want to leave a beautiful memory with Uesugi-san here?"

Senior Mai's expression instantly changed; she glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki.

He was standing by the window, his profile outlined in a soft contour by the afterglow of the setting sun; those eyes that had just been calmly analyzing the case now gazed outside, reflecting the snowflakes dancing through the sky.

Uesugi Muneyuki was pondering whether to tell Tokugawa Chuan Ye about the forbidden matter between Tokugawa Ryuichi and Tokugawa Ayako; he always felt not telling was wrong, telling was even more wrong, and this matter appeared unrelated to the case but actually was related, yet ultimately at the deepest level it actually still had nothing to do with the whole case.

Lady Tokugawa Noriko severed ten thousand ages with a single sword, isolating the mysterious source of the Three Generations Copper Coffin's owner, preserving a perfect world for her daughter and son-in-law; if I interfere with this, wouldn't that let the mysteriousness continue to spread and render all of Lady Tokugawa's sacrifices in vain? Senior Mai's heart suddenly softened.

He's really too handsome when solving cases.

That calmness, that certainty, that aura of controlling the whole situation — she'd seen too many men, but not one could be like him, making her heart throb with an indescribable flutter when she looked at him.

Men are most handsome when they're serious!

She bit her lip.

Damn it, Junior Student is so cute, want to do anything for him, then ruthlessly drain all his remaining Spirit Power!

"Then... then just shoot a short segment? But we'll follow our own feeling, you don't interfere."

Kinoshita Hiroko abruptly lifted her head, eyes full of light: "Just one segment! Just one segment! Ten minutes, no, five minutes! Guarantee no exposure, guarantee max atmosphere!"

The director also lifted his head, nodding frantically.

Shirakawa Mai glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki again — he happened to turn his head, meeting her gaze, momentarily stunned, then the corner of his mouth curled into a faint, barely-there smile.

Actually, you want to shoot it too, right? Mai-sama?

In that instant, Shirakawa Mai felt — not to mention shooting a hot spring segment, she'd be willing to do anything.

"Fine." She said feigning reluctance: "Just one segment."

Kinoshita Hiroko and the director nearly cried on the spot, then couldn't help bursting into wild, delighted auntie-laughter.

Sure enough, using Uesugi Muneyuki to handle Shirakawa Mai works!

At seven in the evening, the snow stopped.

Sekizenkan's open-air hot spring was booked out by the film crew; on the steaming surface of the hot spring water floated a few snowflakes that hadn't yet melted. Ancient rocks and a dry landscape garden surrounded them; in the distance, snow-covered mountains loomed faintly under the night.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai wore yukata, sitting shoulder to shoulder on a rock at the hot spring's edge — not soaking in the water, but sitting on the shore with feet immersed. This was the director's compromise, preserving the hot spring atmosphere without going too far.

The camera stood quietly in the distance, lens trained on them.

"Start!" the director said softly: "Action!"

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at the distant snow-capped mountains and said softly: "This case actually still has many places worth pondering."

Shirakawa Mai turned her head, smiling as she looked at him: "For example?"

"For example, Tokugawa Noriko's calm at the very end." Uesugi Muneyuki said: "She knew she would die, yet didn't struggle. What kind of feeling is that?"

Shirakawa Mai fell silent for a few seconds, then said softly: "Perhaps... it's a kind of liberation."

"Liberation?"

"Killed her son, then killed by her son. She no longer had to face the family's strife, no longer had to face the succession troubles, no longer had to face that useless son. She was liberated." Senior Mai said softly: "Sometimes, bearing a heavy legacy is both a kind of enjoyment and a kind of burden."

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at her, a complex glint in his gaze: "You see through things quite clearly."

"It's not that I see through things," Shirakawa Mai shook her head: "It's that women understand women."

The two fell silent for a while.

Hot spring steam rose around them; atop the distant snow-capped mountains, a few twinkling stars could faintly be seen.

The atmosphere was very quiet.

"Cold?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"Not cold." Shirakawa Mai said, then leaned closer to him.

"But I feel you're cold." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled.

"Then, you try?" Senior Mai blinked, extended a slender jade finger and tapped Uesugi Muneyuki's forehead, meaning you bad junior student, only Senior has the right to bully you, no chance for you to counterattack!

Yes, yes, yes! Uesugi Muneyuki's face showed a smile, indicating he'd listen to her completely.

Their heads slowly drew near, finally lightly touching together, nose to nose, breaths intertwining. Shirakawa Mai closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips; Uesugi Muneyuki also closed his eyes, that face always calm and resolute now revealing a rare gentleness.

Steam rose around them; snowflakes occasionally drifted down, lingered momentarily in their hair, then quietly melted.

The camera lens turned quietly, capturing this moment completely.

Behind the monitor, Kinoshita Hiroko covered her mouth, tears welling up.

"So beautiful... so beautiful..." she muttered to herself: "This shot, this frame, it's all gold... all gold..." The director was also stunned, and only reacted after several seconds, saying quietly: "Keep filming, keep filming, whatever you do don't stop—"

Miyawaki Sakura and Tei Reiji stood behind, watching the footage on the monitor, their hearts a mix of complex feelings.

"Mai-sama is really too beautiful..." Miyawaki Sakura said quietly: "Them not being together makes no sense, everyone wants to see this scene, and yet Superintendent Watanabe that guy actually... truly hateful!"

"Uesugi Chief is also too handsome..." Tei Reiji added, eyes full of little stars: "Watching him solve the case on the scene is never enough!" The two made eye contact, both seeing a trace of... admiration? Jealousy? Or something else? Hard to say.

By the hot spring, those two people still maintained that pose, forehead against forehead, nose tip to nose tip, eyes closed, quietly sensing each other's presence in the snowy night.

At this moment, no words were needed.

The moment the snow fell, was eternity.

Kinoshita Hiroko finally couldn't help it, and said to the director in a breathy voice: "This outdoor shoot, it's truly too perfect, tooth sound!"

Soon, this news was transmitted back to Fuji Field Building via satellite phone.

Fuji Television President Kameyama and Abiru Bureau Chief listened to the entire plot of Sekizenkan.

"Nodding Agreement! Ah! Ah Sound!" Fuji's president's office was boiling over.

"Kan! Bun! Cui!" Fuji's entire Promotion Department was also boiling over.

NHK's year-end this year has once again double-nie gathered!

Only the Legal Department wore bitter smiles; they now have to find a way to persuade the Kii Tokugawa Clan's parties involved and the District Public Prosecutors Office to agree to adapt the whole story and put it on television, otherwise these incomparably precious documents and footage cannot be monetized.

Truly a happy worry, just like this you want to make us Fuji win the ratings championship four years in a row? Uesugi, you bastard! You're my dad!