Chapter 1200 YUNYUE VS FENGHUANG (XXXV)
1200 YUNYUE VS FENGHUANG (XXXV)
LUO YAN shared his suspicions in the team channel, ensuring everyone was updated. He also instructed Su Yuqi to relay the details of his and Shen Ji Yun's conversation with Mrs. Thompson to Sherlock Holmes. Moments later, her response came through the channel. She described how the detective's sharp eyes had flickered with a brief but unmistakable glint of interest, as though a crucial piece of the puzzle had finally clicked into place. Yet, true to his enigmatic nature, Holmes had offered nothing more than a calm and measured 'I see'.
With just that, it was clear there had been something significant in their conversation with Mrs. Thompson. Earlier in the day, Luo Yan, Shen Ji Yun, and Luo Jin had brainstormed, piecing together the fragments of information they'd gathered. Luo Yan had been certain Mrs. Thompson's words held another meaning. What she told them felt too personal, as though she carried a secret too heavy to voice.
Shen Ji Yun had agreed, trying to dissect what it could mean. Mrs. Thompson's grief had seemed genuine, but there had been something beneath it—guilt, perhaps, or regret. If she was hiding something, it could be a motive or a clue they hadn't yet uncovered. Luo Jin, ever practical, had suggested cross-referencing her behavior with the other passengers. If she stood out in any way—or if someone else on the train seemed tied to her—it might reveal a pattern worth exploring.
Luo Yan thought that his brother had a good point. It also brought him to a very dangerous conclusion. That Mrs. Thompson could be a possible target. He couldn't help but voice his concern to the two others in the cabin. "What if Mrs. Thompson is the final target?"
Both Shen Ji Yun and Luo Jin looked at him. "I can see the possibility," Shen Ji Yun nodded. "She's been given too much narrative weight for her not to play a significant role in this scenario."
Exactly. The creators of this scenario wouldn't pour so much detail into an NPC unless she was tied to the central mystery. Unless, of course, they had nothing better to do than to give every single NPC here a detailed backstory—which Luo Yan highly doubted.
"Since Jack the Ripper targeted women with troubled reputations or problematic pasts," Luo Jin began, his tone thoughtful, "do you think Mrs. Thompson fits into one of those categories?"
"I haven't heard any bad rumors about her on the train—so far, at least. I can only assume it's the latter," Luo Yan said, his mind drifting back to their earlier conversation. "A problematic past."
"Something involving a child," Shen Ji Yun added.
As soon as Shen Ji Yun spoke, Luo Yan's eyes snapped to his, their gazes locking. In that split second, something clicked—a silent understanding passed between them as they realized they were thinking the exact same thing.
"Do you think so too, Brother Ji Yun?" Luo Yan asked. Shen Ji Yun gave a slow nod. "There's a high possibility." Their eyes met again, and in that moment, it was as if their thoughts aligned perfectly, each knowing exactly what the other was thinking without a single word spoken.
"Okkayyy… can I remind you two that I'm still here? Maybe cut out the whole eye-conversation thing where only you two seem to understand each other," Luo Jin said, sounding completely exasperated. "Sorry, Ah Jin," Luo Yan said with a sheepish shrug. "Sometimes we can't help it. My tacit understanding with Brother Ji Yun is just that strong."
Luo Jin rolled his eyes. "So, what's this big 'understanding' you two just had?" Luo Yan shared the conclusion he and Shen Ji Yun had reached. At first, Luo Jin seemed skeptical, but as he listened to the reasoning behind it, his expression shifted to one of deep contemplation.
"You're definitely onto something," Luo Jin said after considering everything. "If that's the case, what's our next move?"
"Well, it's pretty clear that I need to go back to Mrs. and Miss Thompson's cabin," Luo Yan said. "That probably wouldn't be an issue if I told them I wanted to stay close to my 'mother.' If I add a bit of tears, I'm sure they wouldn't throw me out."
"Even without the tears, Mrs. Thompson would probably take you back in a heartbeat," Shen Ji Yun said. "But I'll still accompany you. Emphasizing my reluctance to leave you with her will make the act more convincing." Just then, a message from Su Yuqi came through their team channel. Morganite: [Holmes just shared some critical information. He believes there are two potential targets for the Ripper: one from first class and one from second class. The first is Lady Eleanor Whitcombe, a widow whose name has been dragged through the mud due to rumors of extramarital affairs and hosting scandalous soirées that allegedly involved illicit activities. The second is Miss Clara Hargrove, a governess who was reportedly dismissed from her position after being accused of seducing her employer. According to Holmes, they fit the Ripper's pattern of targeting women with tarnished reputations. He said we need to monitor them closely.]
Morganite: [Oh, he also said that we should watch Mrs. Thompson, just in case.]
"Well, since I've already offered to stay in the Thompsons' cabin, I'll handle that," Luo Yan said. "I know Lady Whitcombe—her cabin is near mine. I'll keep an eye on her," Luo Jin added. They exchanged a quick nod, then relayed their plan to the team channel. Morganite: [Since I'm the only one who can move freely among the second-class passenger cabins, I'll keep an eye out for the governess.] White Marsh: [Argh... I also want to go out and do some stake-out. Why do I have to play the role of an old lady, anyway?]
Morganite: [Stop complaining. It suits you anyway.]
YUN: [Just be careful, all of you. We can't afford to lose anyone before the third night—we need all hands on deck.]
And that night, under the cold, pale glow of the moon, another murder struck the train. HAPPY 1200TH!!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝
Sorry if the semi-finals mini-arc is still ongoing. (｡>﹏<) I'm trying my best to reach the end as fast as I could, but, yeah, I'm having a hard time following my initial outline for this mini-arc. Please just bear with me. (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )
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