Chapter 126: Why Die?
“What!?” Chong Jingtian’s expression changed drastically, violent energy flames erupting forth, the red vertical mark on his forehead flickering with bloody light, forcing everyone to retreat repeatedly.
Su Chen felt a palpitation in his heart, like a mad lion was right beside him.
Ming Lin and the others were shocked, Chu Xuan was dead?
But this Chief Judge quickly reined in his out-of-control aura, his face grim enough to drip water, staring tightly at Chu Yunze, “What exactly happened? Explain it clearly.”
Pairs of gazes fell on him, Chu Yunze’s face was pale, his body trembling slightly. He had already figured out the severity of this matter on the way here, which made him even more terrified.
“…A few days ago, Chu Xuan told me he was going to focus on training next and asked me not to disturb him if there was nothing…” Chu Yunze recalled, “Earlier, a Judge came to me, saying the Chief had summoned him, but couldn’t contact him.”
“I went to his residence, only to find he had died in the Gravity Training Room.”
A few sentences described it clearly. The matter didn’t sound complicated, but the problem was right there.
This was inside the Court of Justice, a Core Seed had died so quietly—how could that not send chills down spines.
“Suicide?” Wei Yufan asked, glancing at Su Chen.
Everyone’s expressions were subtle. A few days ago, Su Chen had indeed said on the arena that if he really wanted to die, he should find a deserted place to commit suicide.
It couldn’t be that he really talked him to death, right?
“No, it’s not…” Chu Yunze shook his head hurriedly, “Chu Xuan wouldn’t choose suicide, and his death was very strange.”
“Seal off the entire Court of Justice, no exiting allowed.” Chong Jingtian looked at the Judge beside him and issued a direct order: “Immediately send people to seal off Chu Xuan’s residence.”
“As for you…” Chong Jingtian looked at Chu Yunze, his face cold, “I need to inspect your memory. Any objections?”
As the discoverer of the corpse, Chu Yunze was inevitably suspected. Looking at the cold-faced Chong Jingtian, he could only nod helplessly.
Even if he had a clear conscience, no one liked exposing their memories nakedly, but now he had no choice.
You Shan waved her hand, and Chu Yunze walked over. Inspecting memories was delicate work; even a Chief Judge’s involvement couldn’t tolerate external interference.
“Old Chong, I’ll take my people and go first.” Sang Hanhai sensed something was off and didn’t want to get involved, already having people start packing.
“No rush.” Chong Jingtian’s cold gaze swept over, “Wait until I handle this matter, then I’ll personally see you off.”
Sang Hanhai’s face turned ugly, his eyes glaring, his fake eye nearly popping out. He demanded harshly, “What do you mean by this? Suspecting me?”
Chong Jingtian’s expression was cold, completely different from moments ago, his eyes devoid of any emotion, “I suspect everyone.”
“Elder Sang, Elder Sang…” Su Chen hurriedly stepped forward to hold him back, whispering lowly, “The dead one is after all a Core Seed of my Court of Justice, with Ink Jade Talent, just recruited this year, and now he’s dead without a sound. The inside story is chilling…”
“Understand, understand…”
“Ink Jade Talent…” Sang Hanhai was startled inside; no wonder the name felt familiar just now.
This was truly a big deal; no wonder this bastard was so furious. He glanced at the iron-faced Chong Jingtian and went along with it, waving his hand:
“Investigate, investigate, investigate however you want!”
“You few, come with me.” Chong Jingtian said no more and led them straight to Chu Xuan’s residence.
On the way, everyone’s faces were grave. Ming Lin asked lowly, “Guess who did it? Who has the ability to do this?”
“How would I know.” Su Chen shook his head, glancing at Chong Jingtian ahead.
“Maybe someone feared his revenge.” Wei Yufan said from behind.
“Shut up!” Chong Jingtian scolded coldly without turning his head. Wei Yufan’s face turned ugly.
Stabbing at a time like this… Su Chen shook his head inwardly.
When the group arrived at Chu Xuan’s residence, it was already sealed off by Judges.
Once the Court of Justice’s seal order was out, everyone knew something big had happened. Passing Judges didn’t linger, just glanced over briefly.
Entering the basement, in the Gravity Training Room, Chu Xuan’s withered body lay in the center, like severe dehydration—skin cracked, muscles shrunken.
“Brother Chu…” Meng Qi sobbed lowly upon seeing this.
Everyone’s faces varied, but they couldn’t help feeling a sense of sorrow for the fallen.
After all, they were all Core Seeds—fighting openly and covertly not long ago, now one reduced to a dried corpse.
Since Chu Xuan could die silently in his room, they might face the same fate.
“…Chief…” The figure squatting beside stood up—it was Jiang Shumo, who had arrived quickly, his expression grave: “The death is very strange; he looks decades older, life force drained almost completely.”
“When did he die?” Chong Jingtian suppressed his rage.
“Uncertain; his body is nearly desiccated, hard to pinpoint exact time of death.” Jiang Shumo shook his head, “But I’ve checked—about five days ago, someone saw him active.”
“Doesn’t rule out disguise.”
Hearing this, Su Chen couldn’t help looking at this last Chief Judge—rich experience.
Jiang Shumo pondered: “I suggest strictly investigating everyone and everywhere he contacted after his battle with Su Chen.”
They had all seen the arena battle clearly; it was definitely Chu Xuan. But after that, it was unclear.
Also because the time from battle end to now was short, the Court of Justice could still trace it. If too long, impossible.
Meng Qi’s sobs quieted; head down, no one saw his expression.
Finally, Jiang Shumo said: “Chu Xuan had no mortal enemies in Ying Feng City; killing him costs too much—nine out of ten, related to the Strange God.”
“Strange God acts with purpose; what do they want by killing Chu Xuan?” Chong Jingtian’s face darkened, “Shumo… Handle this. I’ll convene the Elder Council, granting the Court of Justice temporary enforcement rights in Ying Feng City.”
“No matter who, no matter who assisted, they will pay the price!”
His tone was fierce; anyone could hear the intense killing intent within.
Chong Jingtian left hastily, leaving them restless. Wei Yufan spoke first, “Chief Judge Jiang, if we’re not needed here, we’ll go.”
“Wait…” Jiang Shumo’s eyes flashed, sweeping over them, “I want all Deputy Directors and Directors convened for a meeting; you come listen in.”
Everyone was surprised—let them listen in?
The corpse was taken for further tests. The silent group followed Jiang Shumo to the large conference room.
Directors and Honorary Directors in Ying Feng numbered twelve; plus Deputy Directors and Honorary Deputy Directors, totaling thirty-three.
Teng Liang and Bu Siqi were mixed in, baffled by the sudden meeting until hearing from Jiang Shumo that Chu Xuan was killed.
“What! Chu Xuan was killed? He’s a Core Seed!”
“Who, who did it!” Several Deputy Directors shouted angrily, fury in their eyes—they were all Wei Yinshuo’s students, Chu Xuan their Junior Brother.
Among Directors, two also looked very grim.
When they learned Chu Xuan died in his own residence, the scene fell silent.
“Next is simple: from after the arena battle, everywhere he went, everything he ate, everyone he met—find them all one by one…” Jiang Shumo said gravely.
“What about outside the Court of Justice?” a Director-level said.
Jiang Shumo didn’t even lift his eyelids: “The Chief is convening the Elder Council; whoever blocks is an enemy of the Court of Justice.”
“Also, squeeze out a Disciplinary Department squad from your subordinates for them.”
He pointed at Su Chen and the others beside him, who looked stunned.
“The Court of Justice doesn’t keep idlers. As fellow Core Seeds, don’t idle—investigate together.” Jiang Shumo issued the order indisputably, “I know your backers’ relationships are complex; now’s the time to mobilize. Matters outside the Court of Justice are yours!”
“Yes…” They stood, accepting orders with varied expressions.
The meeting ended quickly; everyone moved busily.
“Su Chen…”
Outside the conference building, Bu Siqi called him, bringing Teng Liang to his residence.
“What’s the situation this time?” Bu Siqi closed the door, asking gravely, “How did Chu Xuan die?”
Su Chen’s heart stirred; he lowered his voice, “Seems killed by the Cult of the Strange God; corpse like a mummy, even drier than Senior Brother Teng.”
Teng Liang beside was surprised, “You saw the corpse?”
“The Cult of the Strange God, reaching into the Court of Justice?” Bu Siqi was shocked and puzzled.
“Don’t know.” Su Chen shook his head, but saw Bu Siqi frowning tightly, “What does Jiang Shumo want? Chu Xuan’s dead, yet he sends you five out in the open.”
“Fishing.” Teng Liang said concisely.
Bu Siqi was startled, “He really dares; you few are treasures in the Chief’s eyes. Lose another, and the tangled relationships alone would give him trouble.”
“He always likes risky maneuvers, good at stratagems.” Teng Liang’s reaction was indifferent.
Bu Siqi hurriedly warned, “Junior Brother, be careful; take good care of yourself. If not, just stay home—can Jiang Shumo force you out?”
“It’s my duty…” Su Chen shook his head, but pondered inwardly: he knew Chu Xuan’s situation better than anyone.
The other Strange God Followers were still hiding; now he could borrow the Court of Justice’s power to catch Heituo Followers, achieving his goal. If it was fishing, he’d be safer.
“You, so stubborn!” Bu Siqi fumed, “I saw during your battle with Chu Xuan—he looked mentally broken, and you guided him verbally. Him crumbling wasn’t perfect?”
“Senior Brother was there?” Su Chen was surprised.
“Yeah, you’re impressive.” Bu Siqi couldn’t help saying, “No wonder Teacher values you so much.”
“He knows his limits; no need to say more. Since you saw Chu Xuan’s corpse, any other thoughts?” Teng Liang asked bluntly, “Or things the Chief ordered not to say.”
Su Chen’s heart stirred; perhaps exploit info asymmetry to poke at Meng Qi covertly.
“…Chu Yunze was taken by Chief Judge You for memory inspection…” Su Chen’s voice was barely audible.
“Inner circle…” Teng Liang’s eyes flashed, saying gravely, “Be careful yourself; Wu Yang will keep following you.”
“Thanks, Senior Brother.” Su Chen saw them off, thinking: “If this trend continues, Meng Qi can’t hide long. That Jiang Shumo is really capable…”
Orders issued, his Disciplinary Department squad was ready.
Su Chen quickly went to the Gravity Chamber to test the new ability.
As Mental Power surged, he felt an odd sensation around him; space turned like flowing water, clearly perceptible.
Suddenly, Su Chen’s body blurred, vanishing from the Gravity Training Room.
“This is hiding in the Spatial Layer?” Su Chen found it amazing—like standing on ground, yet stepping on nothing, very awkward.
“But the consumption is huge…” Su Chen felt his Mental Power draining like a flood, inwardly smacking his lips, “Probably, I can only hold a few minutes now.”
Further testing, he found in this spatial crevice, he could barely do anything; slight internal energy mobilization caused geometric surge in Mental Power consumption.
And couldn’t move autonomously, stuck in place.
“Doing nothing, can hide a few minutes; if exerting, seconds at most.”
“But hidden, not even Fifth Order might detect me, let alone Fourth Order.” Su Chen mused; flaws couldn’t mask its power.
“Worthy of space-related…” Su Chen rubbed his brow, feeling Mental Power recover.
Nearly recovered, he met his assigned Disciplinary Department squad: 120 people, mostly Second Order Professionals, few First Order and Third Order.
Yang Yan and Zhang Yunqing were among them; seeing Su Chen about to lead, their moods were complex.
“Root out Strange God Followers in Ying Feng City… task’s too broad, clearly using us as bait.” Su Chen looked at Jiang Shumo’s direct order, speechless.
“Everyone…” Su Chen looked up at the team Wu Yang had organized—solemn and serious, experienced veteran Judges staring straight at him.
“I lack experience; next, I hope everyone assists fully.” He was candid, voice resounding.
“With all our might!” They responded in unison, warming to Su Chen somewhat.
Of course, tied to his Core Seed status; if ordinary Judge, different story—
Go play elsewhere since you lack experience.
He was first to depart; though aware of Heituo Follower activity areas, direct pinpoint capture was too blatant.
Su Chen decided to patrol a few days first, put on a show.
