Chapter 1290: Unraveling the Thread

Chapter 1290: Chapter 1290: Unraveling the Thread

Ding Zhiyi, already overwhelmed by Pei Yan’s questioning, could only deflect the pressure back to the White Deer Institute. How they would handle Pei Yan’s interrogation was their problem now, as he truly found himself powerless in this situation.

"You really are like pigs unafraid of scalding water, pretending to be unyielding, huh? Fine! Today, I’m determined to make you accept the truth willingly." As Pei Yan spoke, he tapped the table, causing the mechanical bug’s projection to change once again. Before playing the video, Pei Yan mischievously added, "Let’s see the footage of your return from the Teleportation Array to White Deer yesterday. Remember how you walked?"

"Uh, we..."

Xu Wendong hesitated, recalling Elder Zong’s instructions, just as he was about to repeat them, Mi Langcai interrupted, "Stop asking! We have a poor memory and forgot!"

"All three of you forgot? Can’t remember a thing?"

"Ah! Yes, we forgot! Who would remember such a small thing!" Xu Wendong snapped back to his senses and replied, understanding his elder brother’s intent. Pei Yan’s words were fraught with traps; instead of reciting the pre-arranged script, it was better to claim forgetfulness. Enduring punishment was preferable to having Pei Yan expose any flaws repeatedly.

Pei Yan scoffed without reserve, "Oh my! You managed to forget the time you arrived at the Immortal Palace and how you returned? Aren’t cultivators constantly reciting lengthy scriptures and memorizing sect techniques? A good memory is supposed to be one of a cultivator’s basic requirements, right? How come the three of you become less capable as you grow stronger? You’re worse than ordinary novices; are you stupid or senile?"

"Say what you will! Stupid or senile! If we don’t remember, we don’t remember!" Ding Zhiyi had become accustomed to Pei Yan’s verbal taunts, displaying an indifferent facade while stubbornly maintaining his stance.

"Fine! Since you admit to being fools, I, Pei Yan, will not bully you. Let’s replay yesterday’s footage to jog your memory." With that, Pei Yan lightly tapped the table, and the mechanical bug projected the recordings from the Ten-Eyed Well obtained from the White Deer Institute onto the white wall.

Not only Ding Zhiyi and his companions but everyone watching the interrogation in the secret room focused their attention on the white wall. The eight-minute-long recording played back three times before it finally stopped.

"Understood? Remembered anything? Don’t you want to say something?" After nearly half an hour, Pei Yan, who had analyzed the footage mentally countless times, looked drowsy, reclining lazily in his chair with his hands on his abdomen, fingers twirling as he languidly asked.

"Is there a problem?" Having watched the footage three times, the people in the video indeed appeared disguised, their appearances indistinguishable even to Ding Zhiyi, who maintained his composure and questioned back only after Pei Yan’s inquiry.

"These three impersonating you, perhaps you’re not that familiar with them? Or maybe you’ve never met them before! They were probably people from the White Deer Institute who improvised, using your imagery for those three to disguise themselves, weren’t they?" Pei Yan propped his hand on the armrest, leaned forward on the table, and asked with a smile.

Ding Zhiyi chuckled in retort, "Pei Yan, stop trying to trick me with words! There’s no disguise; this is us!"

"Alright! Since you claim this is you, let’s watch the footage again, but this time with a little addition." Pei Yan said, pressing his hand on the mechanical bug. As it projected the footage again, everyone was surprised to see an overlay of three more figures over Ding Zhiyi and his companions’ original silhouettes in the Ten-Eyed Well recording. As they moved together, the subtle differences between them became apparent to the more observant in the room.

"I admit your Daoist Plane’s disguise techniques are remarkable, but do you know where your flaw lies?" With sweat now beading on Ding Zhiyi’s forehead due to the discrepancies revealed in the footage, Pei Yan paused the video, approached the screen, and began explaining, "Your focus was on facial resemblance, reaching a lifelike mimicry. While I can find minor flaws there, it isn’t enough to point out your problem clearly. Besides the face, the next is the physique! You were careless with this; a general match in height and build won’t reveal issues, but other details you overlooked completely."

With a casual gesture toward the screen, Pei Yan continued, "The footage comparison is between the Ten-Eyed Well’s recording and the data captured when I had you walk around indoors earlier. I believe those observant individuals will notice the discrepancies." Pei Yan pointed at Xu Wendong’s two superimposed images and said, "Xu Wendong! The imposter is about two centimeters taller than you. Standing side by side, the height difference isn’t obvious, but when walking, the distinction emerges. The imposter has an erect posture, walking habitually with a lifted head and a broadened chest, while Xu Wendong slouches slightly, leaning forward."

After addressing Xu Wendong, Pei Yan pointed to Mi Langcai’s image, "This one is about body width! It’s evident that the imposter is slightly slimmer than the actual person. More importantly, observe the imposter’s right hand; it trembles slightly throughout the walk, possibly from habit or an injury-induced aftereffect. However, ever since our genuine Mi Langcai was captured and brought here, his right hand never exhibited such symptoms."

"It’s too late for you to start shaking now!" Pei Yan jestingly remarked at Mi Langcai who began trembling after being exposed, then turned his gaze to the ashen-faced Ding Zhiyi and mocked, "Now let’s have a look at Mr. Ding Zhiyi, who claims to be a fool. His problem lies with the imposter. Comparing their walking posture, the imposter leans left, with shoulders showing different heights—right high, left low. Can you foolish gentlemen provide a reasonable explanation for this? Do you morph your body during a normal run?"

Just as Pei Yan finished speaking, the interrogation room door opened, and Mei Simiao entered, whispering something into Pei Yan’s ear. Nodding, Pei Yan smiled, "A senior familiar with the suspect’s habits informed me that the shoulder tilt is due to a long-term use of a left-handed sword." Looking at the now-cracking Ding Zhiyi, Pei Yan taunted, "Ding Zhiyi, do you also favor a left-handed sword? Shall we give you a sword to demonstrate?"