Chapter 1082 - 572: Investigation_2
If this matter is indeed true, Song Chi could hardly imagine: under the leadership of them, who had worked tirelessly and devoted themselves to the family, how had the family deteriorated to such an extent?
As he pondered, his gaze shifted towards Song Li, who stood before Song Yufeng.
He had some impression of this man.
“You are from the Inspection Hall?”
“Reporting to Ancestor Chi, grandson Song Li, currently serving as the captain of the 6th Inspection Team under the Inspection Hall.”
Upon hearing this, Song Chi lightly nodded.
“If that’s the case, then why don’t you tell me—are Song Yufeng’s earlier statements true?”
Without immediately responding, Song Li carefully composed himself, then, under Song Zhihao’s oppressive and shadowy gaze from above, slowly replied:
“Reporting to Ancestor Chi, grandson cannot confirm the truth, but this case indeed carries several doubtful points.”
Song Chi did not need to prompt further; Song Li continued voicing the doubts he had identified.
“First, Song Xing was personally killed by Zhihao Clan Elder, under the pretext of embezzlement of family assets. Yet, even if this were true, there was no absolute necessity for lethal action. Apprehension followed by handing him over to the Inspection Hall is the most reasonable course of action known to all within the family. It’s not as though he was a peer-level Zhulu Warship Captain—it’s completely unnecessary to act so decisively without first subduing him. Zhihao Clan Elder’s actions strongly suggest an intent to cover up.”
“Second, according to our investigation, although Rong Xing indeed displayed suspicious behavior by delving deep into the mine, Song Lv the manager exhibited identical behavior.”
“Lastly, based on the data we retrieved before arriving, Song Lv’s warship combat power had been below average in its rank for over two centuries. But after being stationed at this Thunder Stone Mine, not only was he quickly promoted to a Cruiser, but his flagship’s combat power also became distinctly potent among cruisers of the same rank. Coincidentally, he rarely engaged in Alien Star Domain expeditions, spending most of his years holed up in this mine.”
Once Song Li clearly listed the three points of suspicion without missing a detail, across from him, Song Lv’s eyes widened sharply as he immediately retorted:
“Captain Song Li, which of your eyes saw that I seldom participated in Alien Star Domain explorations? Decades ago, I happened to acquire a remarkable Strange Object during one such expedition—doesn’t it make perfect sense for my ship’s combat power to be higher?”
Song Chi was uninterested in entertaining such meaningless excuses. He withdrew the Spectral Energy suppressing Song Zhihao, restoring his ability to speak.
“Zhihao, do you have anything to say about these allegations? Think carefully before answering!”
Faced with Song Chi’s composed questioning, Song Zhihao felt an immense tightening in his chest. His impression of Song Chi was too profound, as was his awareness of the latter’s standing in the family.
Yet, his response came with marked speed.
“Ancestor Chi, such claims cannot be trusted based on one side’s account. The reason I acted to kill Song Xing was due to his massive embezzlement of family assets over the past decades. Just the Low Rank Thunder Crystals he siphoned exceeded a hundred, with Intermediate Rank Thunder Crystals numbering above ten—this was a crime unpardonable!”
“As for Song Lv, I am unaware of his affairs.”
In the projection of the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong, a faint sneer emerged at the corner of Song Chi’s Divided Spirit.
“Very well. Since you’ve said this yourself, as a senior within the family, I naturally believe you. However…”
He shifted his gaze downward towards Song Lv.
Understanding the implicit meaning, Song Zhihao, who had just exhaled in relief, immediately adjusted his tone and softly suggested:
“Ancestor Chi, since this man is under suspicion, shall I send someone to interrogate him thoroughly?”
Song Chi didn’t hesitate. He directly shook his head.
“No need. I can make him speak myself.”
As he spoke, a Ghost Light shot out from the projection of the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong.
The Ghost Light precisely pierced the forehead of the pale-faced Song Lv below.
In the next moment, Song Lv’s expression underwent a dramatic change. Gone was his tense demeanor; he now respectfully looked up at the projection of the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong, as though it were his entire world at this moment.
“Ancestor Chi, this…”
Deep in his eyes, Song Zhihao felt a jolt of shock. However, he masked it well, quickly regaining his demeanor.
Song Chi ignored his reaction and initiated his first question:
“Let me ask you—did Song Xing hold a grudge against you?”
This first question prompted Song Lv—now acting like a different person—to respectfully reply:
“Reporting to the master, yes!”
Song Chi immediately followed with a second inquiry:
“Why did Song Xing die?”
“Reporting to the master, he was personally killed by Zhihao Clan Elder.”
Beneath the warship projection, Song Zhihao’s breathing slowed to a crawl. Unconsciously, his fists clenched tightly.
Yet this did not deter Song Chi from delivering his pressing third question:
“Why was Song Xing killed?”
“Reporting to the master, because Song Xing…”
At this point, Song Lv’s voice abruptly halted.
Seeing this sudden pause, Song Yufeng, Song Li, and the others below all shifted their expressions, their faces filled with questions as they raised their heads.
Coincidentally, a faint voice also emerged at this moment from the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong projection.
“Bound by a confidentiality agreement? How amusing!”
Muttering to himself, Song Chi suddenly changed his tone.
“Zhihao, what’s your view on this?”
This sudden shift in address made Song Zhihao, who was already deeply on edge, flinch violently.
By this point, attentive individuals had likely pieced together the outline of events.
In the split-second of Zhihao’s shock, another Ghost Light was fired—not into Song Lv this time, but directly at Song Zhihao.
The two consecutive instances of Ghost Light activation stemmed from the [Master-Servant Contract] component.
The [Master-Servant Contract] component prioritized mutual consent. If forced, the success rate significantly diminished.
Thus, Song Chi exploited Zhihao’s fleeting mental lapse to unleash the Contract Light, thereby enhancing its success rate. Coupled with the considerable difference of two Great Ranks between them, the contract was eventually successfully established.
As Song Zhihao’s terrified expression swiftly transformed into one of reverence, Song Chi promptly issued his command.
“Reveal every single detail of this matter without omission.”
“Yes, master.”
Having signed the Master-Servant Contract, while Song Zhihao retained his subjective will, he was utterly incapable of resisting Song Chi’s commands. Ultimately, he was compelled to painstakingly recount every bit of the affair.
“Hahaha! This is the so-called new-generation Clan Elder of the family—embezzling family assets, wantonly killing fellow clansmen, selfish and despotic… utterly disgusting!”
Upon hearing Song Zhihao confess that he had sent Song Lv to covertly trade Thunder Crystals, and, after being discovered by Song Xing, had him killed to cover it up, Song Yufeng erupted into roaring laughter.
The laughter was steeped in profound sorrow, resentment, and an indescribable heart-wrenching anguish.
Once, this elder had been so devoted to the family, priding himself on his lineage in the Dinghai Song Family, dedicating his entire life to its cause.
Little had he imagined that the family he had so passionately cherished would rot this severely in just a few centuries.
Song Chi did not stop him, or perhaps he himself shared the same sentiments deeply within at this moment.
He vividly recalled the family’s ethos in the past, far superior to what it had now become. Back then, while inter-branch rivalries existed, they were positive and rule-abiding—nothing like the current state of affairs.
After a long silence, a hoarse voice echoed above the mine:
“Over the past few centuries, the family has grown rapidly, indeed amassing considerable strength. Yet, who could have anticipated the rise of so many parasites and degenerates along with it? Rest assured, the family will soon provide every clansman a satisfactory resolution!”
Following this, he issued several new directives concerning the mine’s future management.
Once he was finished, the illusory warship form of the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong transitioned to solidity, taking Song Zhihao, Song Lv, and the others, including Song Li and Song Yufeng, back to the Dragon Spine Continent tens of thousands of light-years away.
Dragon Spine Sacred Mountain, Dragon Whale Hall.
After listening to Song Chi’s complete recount, the expressions of the six individuals in the hall turned distinctly grim.
In the three-thousand-year lineage of the family, such incidents were exceedingly rare, let alone one instigated by a Zhulu Warship Captain.
Previously, they could scarcely imagine such a thing.
“This matter must be resolved immediately. Moreover, I suspect this isn’t an isolated case!”
“Agreed. The family has expanded too rapidly over the past few centuries—many younger members are now incredibly restless, indulging in extravagance. Indeed, the family ethos has been noticeably affected in recent years.”
“In the end, it was our miscalculation. We focused solely on strengthening the family’s power, neglecting internal management, which allowed complacent and greedy individuals to emerge.”
“Investigate. A thorough investigation is essential. All those guilty of egregious corruption or heinous crimes—after a meticulous probe, no mercy shall be spared!”
“Otherwise, even if our Dragon Spine Song family lasts for eons, who knows how decayed it might eventually become!”