Chapter 1008 - 93: Who’s the Real Wretch? (30 Updates)

Chapter 1008: Chapter 93: Who’s the Real Wretch? (30 Updates)

"I won. As agreed, the loser has to take care of dinner tonight." Mu Qingge’s eyes curled into crescent moons as she spoke to Yin Chen.

Yin Chen smiled and nodded, playing along with her act, "As long as you can stomach the food I make, I’m happy to serve you."

Uh...

Yin Chen’s cooking... could be described as chaotic cuisine.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, and she awkwardly said, "Let’s forget about it."

Then she instructed Yin Chen, "The Divine Emperor and the Princess are visiting, go prepare some tea."

Yin Chen retreated obediently.

Only then did Mu Qingge turn to the Wuhua God Emperor and Chu Nian, smiling as she said, "Although I’m a guest here, this is where I stay. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be impolite when you visit me. If there’s any intrusion, please forgive me, Divine Emperor and Princess."

"Little Divine Emperor Mu is too polite," the Wuhua God Emperor said, looking at Mu Qingge indifferently.

It seemed he was trying to see if Mu Qingge showed any signs of injury.

Earlier, his strike, though he didn’t catch the person, should have injured them seriously. So if Mu Qingge was indeed the one who had been lurking in the Divine Emperor Palace, she wouldn’t be acting so nonchalantly now.

But now?

The Wuhua God Emperor scrutinized Mu Qingge.

She remained smiling, her demeanor natural, her complexion showed no signs of pain or distress, and more importantly... neither she nor the room had any hint of blood.

Could it not be her?

The Wuhua God Emperor pondered internally.

But if it wasn’t Mu Qingge, then who could it be?

"Little Divine Emperor Mu, let me be blunt. I’ve come here because I’ve recently lost something." The Wuhua God Emperor spoke.

With every word, he observed Mu Qingge’s change in expression.

However, apart from curiosity and patiently waiting for him to continue, Mu Qingge showed no sign of suspicion.

The Wuhua God Emperor’s eyes shifted slightly, contemplating something.

He continued, "The item lost has to do with the Mu Clan. Therefore, I suspect that remnants of the Mu Clan have infiltrated Wuhua Palace."

Mu Qingge blinked and froze.

Her gaze reflected confusion and puzzlement, but nothing else. The apprehension, panic, or evasiveness the Wuhua God Emperor hoped for was absent.

Chu Nian looked at Mu Qingge with some concern, naturally believing in Mu Qingge.

Suddenly, Mu Qingge revealed an enlightened expression, nodded and said, "I get it! So, the Wuhua God Emperor is here not to see me, but because he suspects I’m the thief, right? Just because my surname is Mu?"

"Correct," the Wuhua God Emperor stated outright.

"Evidence?" Mu Qingge spread her hands, her gaze was clear, and she spoke straightforwardly, "It’s often said catch a thief, bring the loot. I’ve known since I entered the Divine Land that my surname is extremely sensitive. But I’m honest, and why should I feel guilty and change my name because of this issue? Therefore, while it’s understandable for the Divine Emperor to suspect me, there should be evidence, shouldn’t there?"

’Evidence! Hmph, if I had evidence, I’d have locked you up and interrogated you rigorously by now,’ the Wuhua God Emperor thought to himself.

"Little Divine Emperor Mu, are you saying that person is not you?" The Wuhua God Emperor asked quietly.

"Of course, it’s not me," Mu Qingge said confidently.

Her gaze was as sincere as could be.

"Oh? Since it’s not Little Divine Emperor Mu, then does Little Divine Emperor Mu have any suspect in mind?" The Wuhua God Emperor probed further.

Mu Qingge was momentarily stunned.

At this moment, Yin Chen entered with the tea.

In fact, the tea was prepared by the servants of the side hall; he only carried it over.

After placing the tea down, he stood beside Mu Qingge, silent and unobtrusive.

"Divine Emperor, your question has stumped me. Last night’s birthday banquet left me drunk, and I don’t even remember how I got back. I slept in a daze, and only when Princess Chu Nian visited did I learn someone broke into the Divine Emperor Palace at night. Since then, I’ve stayed here following the Princess’s orders, and haven’t gone anywhere till you arrived." Mu Qingge said innocently.

Mu Qingge’s departure yesterday was witnessed by all eyes.

And today...

The Wuhua God Emperor turned his gaze towards Chu Nian.

Chu Nian understood and immediately nodded, saying, "Father, when I came this morning, the young Divine Emperor had indeed just woken up."

With his daughter’s confirmation and Mu Qingge’s righteous demeanor without a hint of guilt, the Wuhua God Emperor began to ponder. ’Could it really not be him?’

"The person who stole things earlier used Divine Sense, so even if Mu Qingge’s people didn’t leave here, it’s still possible," the Wuhua God Emperor persisted.

Mu Qingge showed a helpless expression and said to him, "God Emperor, I know I am innocent. You suspect me only because of my surname. It seems, if I do not help the God Emperor catch the thief who infiltrated the Wuhua Domain, you will not believe in my innocence."

"You want to help me catch them?" The Wuhua God Emperor narrowed his eyes, seemingly surprised by her words.

Even Chu Nian was startled.

Mu Qingge nodded, calmly saying, "Indeed! Since the God Emperor doesn’t believe me, I have no choice but to catch the real culprit to prove my innocence."

Seeing her flawless expression, the Wuhua God Emperor began to hesitate.

After a while, Chu Nian whispered to him, "Father, this is not a bad idea."

The Wuhua God Emperor slowly nodded.

He looked at Mu Qingge again, "Alright, I’ll give you this opportunity. As long as you find a second suspect more reliable, I’ll retract all suspicions towards you today."

Mu Qingge smiled slightly, clasping her hands together, "I have been in the Wuhua Domain for several days, thanks to the care of the God Emperor and the Princess. Now there is a need for Qingge’s services; naturally, I will do my utmost."

"Alright, then tell me what you think, and how you plan to catch the real Mu Clan remnants!" The Wuhua God Emperor’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Well..." Mu Qingge slightly furrowed her brows, pretending to ponder for a while, then lifted her head to look at Chu Nian and asked, "Princess, do we have any results from the investigation so far?"

Chu Nian replied, "Upon discovering the intrusion, Father immediately ordered the closure of all mountain gates and kept all birthday guests temporarily in the Wuhua Palace. So, the thief certainly hasn’t left, and with today’s attack, they are surely still in the Wuhua Palace. We have re-verified everyone’s identities but haven’t found anything yet."

This matter bothered her too, and she didn’t know where to start the investigation.

Mu Qingge listened and pondered, then nodded slightly, touching her chin, and slowly said, "Suppose if I were the Mu Clan remnants wanting to blend into the Wuhua Palace, I certainly wouldn’t use my true identity, even my identity would be forged. Moreover, coming in with such elaborate planning can only mean a long-planned scheme, not a spur of the moment. So, starting from identity verification indeed won’t help much."

Finishing her words, she pursed her lips and slowly shook her head.

"You make a valid point." Chu Nian’s eyes lit up, listening intently.

Wuhua God Emperor also fell silent, staring at Mu Qingge, waiting for her next statement.

Under their gaze, Mu Qingge continued, "Since they blended into the Wuhua Palace, it indicates that before their entrance, they were already in Wuhua City."

Suddenly, her eyes brightened, and she spoke to Chu Nian and the Wuhua God Emperor, "I suggest starting the investigation from Wuhua City. As for the people in the Wuhua Palace, just detain them and monitor their every move closely to prevent them from leaving."

"Continue," the Wuhua God Emperor said.

"God Emperor, here’s what I think: since there are no issues with identity verification, and if we assert that the Mu Clan remnants are genuinely among them, then there’s only one possibility: they have stolen the identities of those who came to celebrate the birthday. Every person celebrating would first arrive in Wuhua City. Just take a close look at if there were any strange occurrences in Wuhua City in the past few days, like someone going missing or dying. Once we find an object, we’ll know whose identity was stolen. Then, the person in Wuhua Palace possessing that identity will be obvious. Also, on Wuhua Palace, just detain without interrogation. With no action, those with ulterior motives will become uneasy, trying to escape. Once they move, flaws will become apparent," Mu Qingge diligently proposed methods.

Chu Nian’s eyes increasingly brightened as she listened, while the Wuhua God Emperor’s gaze towards Mu Qingge gradually faded with suspicion.

Because, from his recognition, no thief would work so hard, diligently catching a thief, and the analysis seemed logical — not like a deliberate trap.

"Also, did anyone in Wuhua Domain have physical contact with the thief? Do they remember the appearance or figure?" Mu Qingge asked curiously again.

Wuhua God Emperor didn’t speak; Chu Nian explained instead. "He exchanged blows with the guards for a very short time, and the disparity in strength was vast. They only remember the general outline, but can’t say for sure. However, I can confirm he had support, at least two accomplices."

Chu Nian did not forget when she rushed over, the fleeting shadows of three people.

"This makes it difficult." Mu Qingge frowned, "I was thinking, if the guards remembered the opponent’s appearance, then once a drawing is made, comparing it one by one, we would surely find them."

"Hmph, if the method you speak of was effective, would I not have thought of it?" The Wuhua God Emperor said coldly.

Mu Qingge immediately grinned, "I’ve spoken too much. The God Emperor is wise and valiant; naturally, you thought of it long ago."

The Wuhua God Emperor stared at Mu Qingge, looking deeply for a few moments. Suddenly he turned and left with Chu Nian.

Exiting the side hall, he said to Chu Nian, "Do as he says; I want to see how many Mu Clan remnants have infiltrated my Wuhua Domain."

"Yes, Father," Chu Nian nodded.

But she was still uneasy, asking, "Then Father’s doubts about the young Divine Emperor..."

The Wuhua God Emperor’s gaze shifted a few times and he said something unclear, "Let’s leave it at that for now."

"God Emperor, Princess." At this moment, Yin Chen suddenly caught up from behind. When Chu Nian turned her gaze, he said, "Speaking of suspicious people, I remembered the day I first entered Wuhua City, I did see some suspicious people on the street."