Chapter 12: Case Closed!

Seeing Zhao Chengyi’s reaction, there was no need for Liu Shuyi to say anything further; everyone immediately understood everything.

“It’s him! The murderer is really him!”

“Unbelievable! Zhao Shilang usually appears so kind-hearted—who would have thought he could be so sinister and ruthless!”

“Exactly!”

“It all feels like a dream now!”

“He’s utterly hypocritical. I actually believed his claims of innocence just now! If it weren’t for Director Liu, I might never have known his true nature in my entire life!”

“Yes, indeed!”

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue murmured among themselves, their expressions full of astonishment.

At that moment, Zhao Feng charged forward, clutching Zhao Chengyi by the throat with both hands, his face twisted with rage as he ground his teeth and snarled, “You bastard who killed my father, I’ll kill you!”

“Captain Cheng, stop him,” Liu Shuyi said quietly to Cheng Chumo as he watched Zhao Feng’s madness.

Cheng Chumo, who deeply respected Liu Shuyi, wasted no time. He reached out and, as if lifting a small chick, effortlessly dragged the frail, emaciated Zhao Feng away.

Looking at Zhao Chengyi clutching his neck, coughing uncontrollably, Liu Shuyi said coldly, “How does it feel to suffocate? That’s how Han Du felt when you killed him.”

Zhao Chengyi’s whole body trembled involuntarily. He suddenly raised his head and stared fiercely at Liu Shuyi, his eyes burning with rage and unwillingness.

Liu Shuyi calmly said, “I haven’t even told you the motive for the murders yet. Do you want to hear it?”

Looking at Liu Shuyi’s confident composure and hearing the crowd’s scornful murmurs, Zhao Chengyi ground his teeth until they nearly shattered. “Hear what? Another chance for you to show off?” he spat furiously. “It’s all because of those four greedy fools!”

“If they hadn’t come to demand money from me again, if I hadn’t feared their stupidity exposing me, would I have ever harmed them?”

“I’ve already replaced Zhao Zhuo as the fourth-rank Shilang. One more step, and I’d have become Minister! I never wanted to take action again—it was they who forced my hand!”

“And if I hadn’t acted against them, with all of you incompetent fools…” He raised his head, eyes scanning Wei Zheng, Pei Ji, and others, sneering coldly, “Do you really think you could uncover my secrets? You will never know the truth behind the Zhao Zhuo case in your lifetime!”

“Too bad…”

He shook his head bitterly. “I ended up with such a group of fools as my companions!”

Pei Ji’s face darkened immediately as Zhao Chengyi pointed at him accusingly. With a loud bang, he slammed his palm on the table and shouted harshly, “Zhao Chengyi! Even facing death, you remain unrepentant!”

Wei Zheng’s expression also stiffened. After all, he was usually the one accusing others, and this was the first time he was being accused so directly. Yet, he had no retort.

After all, Zhao Chengyi spoke the truth: if Liu Shuyi hadn’t exposed him, none of them would have ever suspected him.

“You say they’re fools? Indeed they are,” Liu Shuyi nodded in agreement as he looked at Zhao Chengyi. “I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.