Who Is the Murderer

His body began to tremble violently beyond his control, all color draining from his face until it was left a deathly gray.

"Ah!"

A scream unlike any human sound, one filled with absolute terror, burst from his throat.

An Changqing immediately stepped forward, trying to steady him.

"Chairman Liu, are you all right?"

But the moment his hand touched Liu Tiancheng's shoulder, the man furiously shook him off.

An Changqing met Liu Tiancheng's eyes. Those murky pupils had lost all focus, leaving only utter, chaotic madness behind.

...

Getting back to the Liu estate was nothing short of a disaster.

Liu Tiancheng curled up in the corner of the chauffeured car, his body shaking like a leaf, murmuring unintelligible words through his muttering lips.

"Crazy, they're all crazy."

"They're all out to get me."

Long Ao was driving, glancing at Liu Tiancheng through the rearview mirror. He slammed his fist against the steering wheel in frustration, speaking out of pure irritation.

"I knew this would be trouble. Should've just let that woman stick a needle in him and be done with it."

Hong Yuan, clutching her massive battle-axe, rarely bothered to argue with Long Ao but lowered her voice and mumbled.

"What do we do now? Take him to the hospital?"

"Won't help."

An Changqing stared out the window, his face grim.

"Right now he doesn't trust doctors, doesn't trust anyone. He only trusts himself."

Chen Guan remained silent the whole time. In his mind, Baal was gleefully whistling.

"Poor bastard. Leapt from the trap of a honeyed den right into a cage called home. Now he sees ghosts in everyone. Heh heh heh. A real-life game of Werewolf, isn't it?"

The car pulled into the estate, and the old butler hurried over.

"Master, you—"

"Don't touch me!"

Liu Tiancheng shrieked, shoving the butler aside as he scrambled out of the car, his eyes filled with terror and hatred.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached.

Liu Chengjun strode out of the main residence with over a dozen fierce-looking estate guards following close behind.

Seeing the chaos on the grounds and his father's shattered state, the warm mask of civility on his face froze into a sheet of frost.

"Classmate An."

Liu Chengjun's voice carried no warmth at all, every syllable stiff. "So this is the level of protection you Qinghua elites provide?"

At this point, there was no point in pretending. No one actually believed his father had invited these people over just for a visit.

"My father only went out to clear his head. How did he end up like this!"

His tone was harsh, pointedly accusing An Changqing and the others of being the cause.

The guards behind him immediately fanned out, subtly surrounding Chen Guan and his group. The atmosphere crackled with tension.

An Changqing's expression didn't change.

"Young Master Liu, we just thwarted an assassination attempt against Chairman Liu."

"Assassination?"

Liu Chengjun let out a cold laugh. "All I see is my father losing his mind while the four of you walk away unscathed."

He stepped forward, his tone commanding.

"Your services are no longer needed here. Leave immediately. The Liu family will handle my father's safety ourselves."

Long Ao, already simmering with anger, couldn't hold it in any longer.

He stepped in front of An Changqing.

"What did you just say?"

The faces of Liu Chengjun's guards changed instantly.

Sixth rank.

Long Ao had quietly completed his advancement without anyone knowing.

Liu Chengjun's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

The intel might be off, but so what? Even if he respected their backgrounds, their strength wasn't enough to derail his plans.

Long Ao cracked his knuckles, the joints popping with sharp snaps. He stared at Liu Chengjun and his guards, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Move."

"Or I'll knock every single one of you flying!"

Absolute strength brought absolute deterrence.

The Liu estate guards exchanged nervous glances, and not a single one dared to step forward.

After all, they were hired help. The strongest among them was only third or fourth rank. They weren't about to die for a paycheck.

An Changqing chose that moment to speak, his voice still gentle but carrying an unignorable weight.

"Young Master Liu, the assassin just failed. They could come again at any moment."

"If you send us away now and anything happens to Chairman Liu, I don't think that's a situation you'd want to deal with either."

Liu Chengjun's face darkened. He knew An Changqing was telling the truth. If he pressed the matter, these people would just call in reinforcements.

These men were far more troublesome than even twelfth-rank fighters. They couldn't be bribed, and they certainly couldn't be silenced.

His father really had played this hand brilliantly.

He forced his emotions down and slipped the familiar mask of grief-stricken filial piety back onto his face.

"Classmate An is right. I was too hasty."

He turned to Liu Tiancheng, his voice softening considerably. "Father, don't be afraid. I'm here. I'll protect you."

At that moment, Liu Feiyu also hurried over.

"Father, big brother, what's going on?"

His face wore just the right amount of anxious concern.

Chen Guan's gaze swept over him, catching a faint trace of a smirk at the corner of his mouth that vanished in an instant.

So he's enjoying this too.

In the chaos, Liu Tiancheng, still in his frantic state, found an outlet.

Suddenly breaking free from everyone around him, he bolted toward the study like a wounded animal.

"Stay back! All of you!"

Bang!

A heavy, muffled thud echoed through the hall. The study door, made of a special reinforced alloy, was now locked from the inside.

Liu Chengjun's face changed completely.

"Father! Open the door! Father!"

He pounded on the door desperately, but all that came back was dead silence.

That study was the most secure fortress Liu Tiancheng had ever built for himself—an absolute sealed chamber.

An Changqing looked at the unmoving door and let out a soft sigh.

He turned to Chen Guan and the other two, speaking in a low voice.

"We're in trouble now."

"Mr. Liu has locked himself in. Until we figure out what's really going on, we're not going anywhere either."

His voice carried a hint of resignation. They had only been here for a day. How had things piled up so fast?

Night deepened, and the entire Liu estate fell into an eerie stillness.

In Chen Guan's room, he leaned by the window, staring at a forum thread only he could see.

[This is a classic setup for a locked-room murder, guys! Snowed-in mansion vibes!]

[Liu Chengjun deserves an Oscar for that performance. Best actor in a supporting role.]

[What if the assassin Su Qing was actually hired by Liu Chengjun all along? First plan fails, so he's already cooking up a second?]

[Place your bets now! I'm going with Liu Chengjun. That guy is basically a face-up werewolf.]

[I'm putting my money on Liu Feiyu. That kid gives off bad vibes. Besides, in mystery stories, the one who looks most like the culprit usually isn't the real culprit.]

A locked-room murder, huh?

Chen Guan pondered for a moment. In stories like this, the one who locks himself away usually ends up being the victim.

He closed the forum interface and left his room.

Chen Guan informed An Changqing and the others first, then made his way to the silent study. The guard standing at the door didn't stop him.

He raised his hand, knuckles bent, and tapped lightly on the cold metal door.

Knock. Knock.

Inside, there was nothing but profound silence.

Chen Guan didn't knock again. He turned sideways and pressed his ear gently against the alloy door.

The chill of the metal seeped through.