Genshin Player in the World of Detective Conan

"What do you three mean? I don't quite understand.

I was merely taking a walk here. Are there rules against walking now?"

Still trying to lie your way out of this?

Yin Kong wasn't surprised. He let out a cold laugh and said, "Do you really think everything you've done is flawless?

When you were hiding in the crowd, it might have been a bit troublesome to find you. But now that you've revealed yourself, there's plenty of evidence."

Takashi Matsubara's heart pounded, but he quickly tried to reassure himself.

This damn detective must be bluffing again. He has no evidence. I can't fall for it again.

"Still not giving up?"

Yin Kong shook his head gently and pointed at Matsubara's hands.

"You don't think you're in the clear just because you washed the blood off your hands, do you?

It seems you don't know that even if blood appears to be washed clean, special components still remain. The police can easily detect it with professional reagents...

Besides, this probably isn't the first time you've done something like this. Have you thoroughly cleaned your home?"

Before Yin Kong could finish, Takashi Matsubara cursed inwardly, turned, and bolted.

Manager Inoue, who had initially harbored a sliver of doubt, lost it completely after witnessing this.

"Careful, don't let him escape!"

To Yin Kong's surprise, Yukino Yukinoshita, who carried herself like a young lady of high standing, didn't hesitate to give chase.

It seems this young lady really loves that cat named Sapphire.

Seeing the girl dash past him like the wind, Yin Kong sighed inwardly and looked up at Oz.

"It's time, my hidden reinforcement."

This night crow, flying in the air, wasn't just for providing him with a vantage point.

Oz let out a "Hah!" and spat out a tiny lightning bullet, too small to see clearly. In an instant, it accurately struck Takashi Matsubara, who was fleeing for his life below.

The criminal felt his legs go numb, lost his balance, and slammed face-first onto the ground.

"Phew, serves him right."

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing this.

That was close. Matsubara almost made it out of the alley and escaped.

After all, even though they had successfully seen Matsubara's face, Tokyo was a vast city. If he got away, finding him again would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Moreover, even if they found him by chance, the time lost would be more than enough for him to dispose of all the evidence.

Alas, while Yukino always strived for perfection, she had no confidence in her stamina. Chasing after him was merely an instinctive reaction.

Fortunately, the guy had terrible luck. He took a nasty fall and still couldn't get up.

"Surrender obediently. You have nowhere else to run."

Yukino leaned over, catching her breath for a moment. Yin Kong then slowly walked over and spoke to Takashi Matsubara, who was still struggling on the ground.

Yukino frowned slightly. Although Yin Kong had no obligation to help them catch the culprit, his leisurely demeanor at the moment couldn't help but draw some criticism from her.

Takashi Matsubara glared hatefully, struggling to get up, but his legs felt numb and unresponsive, no matter how hard he tried.

He naturally couldn't imagine that something like a lightning magic bullet from the sky existed. He truly believed he was just incredibly unlucky and had sprained his legs at this crucial moment.

"Wait! Don't call the police yet! Please, I beg you, don't call the police!"

Seeing Manager Inoue take out his phone to contact the police, Takashi Matsubara immediately changed his tune and pleaded, "I'm willing to pay double— no! Three times the price of that cat! Please, don't hand me over to the police..."

Yin Kong raised an eyebrow at this and then glanced at Manager Inoue.

The price of Sapphire was over two million Yen. Three times that would be a full six million Yen.

For an ordinary person, this was clearly a significant sum of money.

However, Manager Inoue, being a cat lover himself, was unmoved. "Say that to the officers."

As for Yukino, this young lady wouldn't even bat an eye at such an amount.

Realizing that bribery wouldn't work, Takashi Matsubara immediately changed tactics and pleaded, "If I go to jail, my job, my family, everything will be ruined! My daughter is about your age. Without me, what will happen to her..."

Chapter 51: Sacred Tree

"My wife is a stay-at-home mother, and my daughter just started high school. Without me, they won't be able to survive..."

Hearing Takashi Matsubara's pleas, a hint of hesitation finally appeared on Yukino's face.

She hadn't encountered such blatant emotional blackmail before.

She knew, of course, that Takashi Matsubara had brought this entirely upon himself, and was likely exaggerating, but the thought of such consequences still made her hesitate.

This was exactly the effect Takashi Matsubara wanted.

Thanks to the time he'd bought by begging for mercy, he finally waited for the numbness in his legs to fade and regained his ability to move.

Takashi Matsubara suddenly leaped to his feet and charged straight towards Yukino's location.

Clearly, he hadn't given up on the vain hope of escape and had already chosen his breakthrough point.

After all, she was the only female present, and a minor high school student at that. It was natural to pick on the weaker one.

Yukino, caught in her indecision, clearly hadn't anticipated this and was startled.

However, just as Takashi Matsubara was wondering why, after the initial shock, he couldn't see the expected look of panic on Yukino's delicate and beautiful face, he felt the world spin.

Seeing Yukino Yukinoshita execute a clean, swift side throw that sent the escaping Takashi Matsubara sprawling onto his back, Yin Kong was naturally happy to slack off.

"It seems this guy has no intention of repenting at all."

Yukino also nodded gently at his words.

Although her stamina was indeed weak, she was proficient in Aikido, which could be useful at this critical moment.

Moreover, this way, she wouldn't have to agonize over her decision anymore.

Soon, the police arrived.

To Yin Kong's slight surprise, the officers who arrived were old acquaintances: Sato and Takagi.

Since they were acquaintances, everything naturally became much easier.

Yin Kong briefly recounted the general course of events in a few words.

"So you were involved. Then this guy is really unlucky. No, he deserves it."

Looking at Takashi Matsubara lying on the ground, questioning his life, Sato showed no sympathy.

There was nothing more to say about the next steps. Although Takashi Matsubara refused to cooperate with the investigation, Takagi quickly found his driver's license and other identification on him, completely confirming his identity.

Not long after, the police found the murder weapon and some residual animal remains at his home.

With both human and material evidence present, Takashi Matsubara had lost all room for denial.

As for how many years this guy would be sentenced to, it would depend on Manager Inoue's attitude.

But since things had escalated to this point, even if Takashi Matsubara received Manager Inoue's forgiveness, a prison sentence of two to three years would be unavoidable no matter what.

However, two to three years in the world of Detective Conan...

He hoped this Mr. Matsubara would have a chance to see the light of day again in his lifetime.

Without a moment's mourning for the captured criminal, Yin Kong quickly produced two Imperial Coins.

"Right, these are the amulets I promised to give you two."

"These are Imperial Coins?"

Sato's eyes lit up, but after seeing what they looked like, she immediately became hesitant.

Yin Kong raised an eyebrow.

"What, Officer Sato, are you looking down on my amulets?"

"Of course not, how could I?" Sato shook her head repeatedly and explained, "Yin Kong, are these Imperial Coins made of gold? If so, I can't accept them."

After all, they were public officials. Not to mention in broad daylight, even accepting such valuable gifts in private would have very negative repercussions.

"I see. Don't worry, this is just a special gold alloy."

In fact, when he was short on money before, Yin Kong had seriously considered whether to take out some Mora from his backpack to sell.

Because the texture of Mora was not just similar to gold; it was identical.

However, the casting process for Mora was very special, and it also incorporated the authority of the Geo Archon, so the two exhibited some different properties, and their efficacy in the realm of mysticism was worlds apart.

But to avoid unnecessary trouble, he ultimately rejected the tempting idea.

After confirming that Yin Kong was telling the truth, Sato breathed a sigh of relief and accepted the Imperial Coins.

"Speaking of which, has there been any new progress in Ms. Yoko's case?"

Yin Kong knew that relying solely on the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department would likely never lead to the real killer.

But if he appeared too indifferent, it would clearly be abnormal.

"Of course, we've still found nothing." Sato shook her head helplessly and explained, "We've searched almost every inch around that apartment building today and haven't found any potentially ferocious wild animals. They'll probably give up in another two days."

Takagi added, "Oh, and I heard that an expert will be coming to assist with the investigation in a couple of days."

Yin Kong's interest was piqued.

"Oh, an expert?"

Seeing Yin Kong's expression, Sato knew he had misunderstood and immediately shook her head to explain, "It's not the kind of expert we talked about before. It's just an experienced forensic doctor who is reportedly very interested in the cause of death of those two victims..."

Hearing her say that, Yin Kong indeed lost most of his interest.

Of course, if there was an opportunity, he would still find a way to meet the other party.

Perhaps their forensic doctor identity was just a tool to hide their true identity?

Just as they were chatting, Yukino Yukinoshita, who had finished assisting with the investigation, also walked over and politely asked, "Officers, since the case has been solved, may we take the body of [Sapphire] back?"

"Of course."

Sato had no reason to refuse such a reasonable request.

Yukino Yukinoshita's goal was simple: to give the poor [Sapphire] a proper burial as soon as possible.

While they were handling the paperwork and retrieving the cat's body, Manager Inoue also explained things to Yin Kong.

It turned out that not far from the Starry Sky Cat Cafe, there was a Higurashi Shrine with a very ancient Sacred Tree enshrined within.

"It is said that this Sacred Tree has long possessed spiritual power. Burying animals beneath the tree will allow their souls to be protected and find happiness in becoming Buddhas and departing. Therefore, all the cats from our cafe are sent there for burial after they pass away."

Yin Kong's heart stirred, and he immediately recalled a Sacred Tree from not too long ago that had fought the Abyss alongside [Yatagarasu].

Moreover, Higurashi Shrine?

"Manager Inoue, I've visited almost all the shrines around here, and I don't recall hearing the name Higurashi Shrine?"

Chapter 52: The Bone-Eating Well

"Higurashi Shrine? I don't think I've heard of it."

In order to find ways to deal with the demons and monsters wandering the streets and alleys, Yin Kong had visited most of Tokyo's shrines over the past two months with a map.

Manager Inoue didn't find it strange and explained: