The Importance of a Good Straight Man / Karasuma Renya's Former Residence

"As a detective, you never know when you might encounter danger. I only bring this as a precaution, since I've encountered some bomb-related cases recently," Jiang Hang glanced at Harufumi Mogi, "And aren't you the same? Aren't you wearing a light bulletproof vest?"

Upon hearing Jiang Hang's words, Harufumi Mogi couldn't help but look down at the underwear inside his suit that looked no different from an ordinary shirt.

"You're right. We detectives never know when we'll run into trouble. It's always good to be prepared. A few days ago in Chicago, I survived from those Chicago Mafia thanks to this new type of bulletproof vest," he said, adjusting his suit to hide the vest. "But you have a really sharp eye. Apart from being a little heavy, I didn't feel anything special when I wore it. How did you know it was a bulletproof vest?"

Jiang Hang, who noticed something amiss with the underwear worn by the other person through his Eagle Eye, gave this detective, who probably gets into heated gunfights every now and then in the United States, a polite smile. Then he took his tools and began to examine the bomb planted under the car.

Of course, before that, he had to check how the drug-induced mechanism he had set up was triggered by that Shukuzen Oogami.

Only Jiang Hang himself knew the intricate design of these sleeping potions, so he now had two ideas in mind:

The first one is Shukuzen Oogami, who is innocent. After discovering that a bomb had been planted in his car, he instinctively ran to other vehicles to check. In the process, he accidentally triggered a mechanism on Jiang Hang's car. Relying on his Shukuzen Oogami forced his way back to the mansion. Before losing consciousness, he told Ikumi Soda about the bomb.

As for the second one, Shukuzen Oogami is probably the one who invited them here. For some reason, he either wanted to cut off their escape route or to silence them. In any case, he wanted to trap them here. So, under the pretext of preparing dinner, he naturally avoided appearing in the lounge. After he finished preparing dinner, he came here to plant bombs in their cars. However, he did not expect that Jiang Hang, that old schemer, would be among the people who came to the party this time. The Ferraris and Porsches were fine, but the cheapest 86 was the one that got bombed.

After realizing he had been tricked, Shukuzen Oogami understood that if he collapsed at the scene, he would not only become the prime suspect, but he might even be killed by the bomb he had planted. So, before he completely lost consciousness, he ran back to the mansion and bumped into a group of people heading to the restaurant. At the last moment, he revealed the bomb to avoid being suspected.

After Shukuzen Oogami said those words, not only would everyone's attention be focused on the bomb, but some suspicion might also be shifted to Jiang Hang, the person who planted the drug in his car. After all, Jiang Hang did leave the lounge to go to the toilet in the afternoon, although it was only for a short time, he would still be a suspect.

If Jiang Hang had to choose, he would naturally choose the latter possibility. However, after checking it in his car, he seemed somewhat hesitant.

Because the trap he placed under his car was not triggered, the person who planted the bomb was very lucky. The location where he placed the trap was slightly different from the location where the bomb was placed, so he didn't trigger the trap. The trap that Shukuzen Oogami triggered was near his trunk.

Looking at it this way, the suspicion of Shukuzen Oogami has become much smaller.

Jiang Hang also felt it was a bit of a pity that, because it had just rained, even with his Revealing Eagle Vision, he had difficulty finding clues such as footprints or fingerprints at this open-air crime scene.

The only good news so far is that the bombs planted on their vehicles are relatively easy to disarm, unlike those movies where you have to choose between cutting the red wire or the blue wire, which can be a real headache.

Of course, having been killed by bombs so many times in the training space, Jiang Hang's Mind's Eye is now somewhat able to react to these bombs. As long as he tries to choose to attack in places where he doesn't feel dangerous, there is basically no chance of an immediate explosion.

With Jiang Hang, a skilled bomb disposal expert, here, while the others were still struggling and carefully defusing the bombs in the two cars, Jiang Hang had already removed all the bombs from the other cars and put them together.

"Your bomb disposal skills are pretty good. Are you interested in coming to United States with me? You can't get any big jobs in a small place like Japan. There's a lot of black market arms dealing in United States. Your skills will definitely be popular there," Harufumi Mogi, who had been watching Jiang Hang's Jiang Hang, extended an invitation to him.

"Let's talk about it another time if we have the chance," Jiang Hang changed the subject. Of course, he couldn't tell Harufumi Mogi apart from Chinese, Italian, and Japanese, which the system had given him, his English vocabulary was pitifully small, as he had no talent for languages.

"The bomb has been defused now. Let's go back to the mansion. Now that this has happened, the guy who invited us here should show up."

Chapter 281: Chapter 279: On the Importance of the Supporting Role

There were seven detectives attending the party. Apart from Tokiyo Senma, whose car broke down on the way, the other six cars, as well as a car of unknown identity that was very likely the car of the mysterious person who invited them, had all been found to have bombs planted on them after being inspected by Jiang Hang.

The only difference was that all six of their cars had time bombs planted in them, which would explode at 7 p. m., while the other car had a bomb with a different detonation method.

If Jiang Hang hadn't possessed Eagle Eye and keenly spotted the hidden bomb under the front seat, most people, after confirming there were no bombs in obvious places like under the car or on the hood, would have assumed the car belonged to the mysterious person and therefore wasn't bombed. They might even have deliberately gotten into the car to try and start it, and if that person had detonated the bomb, it could have killed everyone inside.

They returned to the restaurant with the seven defused bombs. Nothing seemed to have happened, but Ishihara Aki, the mansion's maid, appeared somewhat nervous.

After all, she only came to try the job because she saw that the salary offered by the Western-style mansion was very good, and she didn't care about the bad rumors.

To her surprise, she still hasn't seen the mansion owner in person, and a bomb even appeared at the gathering. This makes her, the only person who can contact the mansion owner, feel uneasy, as if she is worried that she will be suspected by these famous detectives.

"Seven bombs. It seems the owner of this mansion is indeed up to no good," Tokiyo Senma said in a low voice as she sat on a chair beside Jiang Hang after hearing his description.

She closed her eyes, seemingly reflecting on the events that had transpired.

"Damn it, who would do this?" Kaito Kid, disguised as Kogoro Mouri, tried to mimic Kogoro Mouri's absent-minded style.

Meanwhile, Saguru Hakuba looked at the mannequin with a microphone on its head in the restaurant. "Although I've had my suspicions from the beginning, I'm pretty sure now that the person who invited us here really did use 'that guy's' name to lure us here."

"That... guy?" Kaito Kid feigned ignorance and asked Saguru Hakuba in confusion.

Jiang Hang looked at this guy with an extremely strong desire to perform and couldn't help but slightly curl his lips.

However, these so-called detectives are actually a bit like the straight man in a crosstalk performance. No matter how strong a detective is, if there isn't a slightly less intelligent straight man to chime in for him, it just doesn't feel right.

For example, Inspector Megure usually supports Conan, the main character. Whenever Conan expresses his opinion, Inspector Megure will make a bewildered expression and say, "What's going on?" so that Conan can give a reasonable explanation.

Without Inspector Megure's diligent "straight man" persona, the current situation of a group of famous detectives gathered together would be like a group of comedians telling their own jokes. For example, when they first met in the afternoon, no one could speak properly, and all sorts of probing made it seem like they were playing a riddle game.

Now that Kaito Kid has started playing dumb, it seems that this group of famous detectives has finally found their usual rhythm again.

"It's clearly written on the invitation, doesn't the famous Mr. Mori notice it before coming over?" Ikumi Soda said with a hint of sarcasm.

As if they had rehearsed beforehand, the group of detectives explained to the real Kaito Kid, one by one, why the person who invited them was "Kaito Kid".

"When I first saw so many famous detectives here, I thought he wanted to have a special competition with us detectives, but that's not Kaito Kid's style," Saguru Hakuba at the crowd in the restaurant. "I've dealt with Kaito Kid many times. If it really was him, and someone had disrupted his plans, he should have shown up or made some new moves by now."

His gaze remained fixed on the mannequin as he spoke, "Such a poorly made mannequin is definitely not something a 'narcissistic' guy like him would do."

Jiang Hang could clearly notice that when Saguru Hakuba said something like "extremely narcissistic," a speechless expression flashed across Kaito Kid's face.

"Let's figure out what this guy who invited us here is up to first. Have you listened to the recording on this mannequin?" Ikumi Soda asked the others who had stayed in the restaurant.

"Not yet. Ms. Chiyo found the recording switch on this mannequin, and she told us to listen to it together when you get back," Koharu Yoshino Ikumi Soda.

"Let's hear what that guy has to say." Harufumi Mogi, a cigarette dangling from his lips, casually sat down on a chair at the dining table, glancing at the somewhat overly reserved maid beside him.

"Miss Maid, it should be lunchtime now. You should serve us dinner soon. I've been playing mahjong all afternoon and then I was busy defusing bombs outside. My brain and stomach have been protesting the whole time."

Ishihara Aki quickly bowed and apologized, "No, I'm sorry, I'll go get dinner right now!"

Seeing the maid hesitantly trying to leave, Kaito Kid stood up and said quite gentlemanly, "I'll go with you; it'll be safer that way."

After Kogoro Mouri and Ishihara Aki left the restaurant together, Tokiyo Senma Harufumi Mogi with a calm gaze. "It can be said that all of us, including the unconscious Shukuzen Oogami and that maid, are potential suspects. Aren't you worried that the food we're going to eat might be poisoned, or can you be sure that the food we're going to eat won't be poisoned?"

"Grandma Chiyo, you're as suspicious as ever. Are you doubting me?" Harufumi Mogi spread his hands, then looked at Jiang Hang. "Then I'll just use what this young man just told me: we're all detectives, 'If you have doubts, just show the evidence.'"

Harufumi Mogi seemed quite relaxed. "If the person who invited us here just wanted to call us here, watch us famous detectives have dinner, and then die, then I can only wait until I die and go to hell to complain about why I'm so unlucky."

Chapter 282: Chapter 280: Karasuma Renya's Former House

As Kaito Kid accompanied Ishihara Aki out of the kitchen, pushing in a dinner prepared by Shukuzen Oogami, Tokiyo Senma explained to the group who had just defused the bomb outside, "Before you came back, I washed these dishes again. Of course, if you're not comfortable with that, you can take them to be washed again now."

Just as he had said, Harufumi Mogi remained quite casual at this moment. He wasn't worried at all about the possibility of them being trapped here. On the contrary, he looked at the dishes that the maid brought over with great anticipation. "A foie gras pie with truffles as an appetizer? It seems that Ooue's cooking skills are not bad."

Saguru Hakuba simply wiped the tableware again with his handkerchief as a symbolic gesture.

Jiang Hang, the Poison Master, glanced at the tableware and dinner for the evening. His Eagle Eye found nothing wrong, and his Mind's Eye sensed no danger.

Only Ikumi Soda, cautiously examined the food and tableware.

Of course, in the end she was still unable to find any problems.

"Now that everyone is seated, I will begin playing the recording that was pre-recorded by the person who invited us here." After everyone was seated, Tokiyo Senma walked behind the mannequin and slowly pressed the play button on it.

Immediately, a clearly processed voice came from the microphone.

"Seven great detectives, welcome to the Twilight Mansion. Please take your seats now."

"The reason I've invited everyone here today is to ask for your help in finding the vast wealth that has been accumulating for many years, hidden somewhere within this mansion."

All the detectives present seemed to have already guessed this, so none of them showed any surprise when they heard it.

Even Harufumi Mogi sighed somewhat boredly, "So it really is a treasure trove. This kind of formula would have been interesting a century ago, but now it's really not very exciting."

However, after being given a glare by Tokiyo Senma, he calmed down and continued listening to the recording.

"In the past, when I dealt with police officers and detectives, I was always in the position of being chased, so this time I wanted to change things up and be the chaser."

"I blew up your car and the bridge you crossed to get here, so you can't leave now. Of course, there's no signal here, so it's no use trying to contact the police."

"And all you have to do is find the treasure hidden in this mansion before you are killed. I will split the treasure with the person who finds it and will also tell them how to leave. As for the rest of you, you will stay here forever."

"So, are you interested in this game? If so, please have your meal first. I will tell you the detailed rules after this 'last supper'."

Upon hearing this, Saguru Hakuba revealed a disdainful smile, "This is truly the worst imitation of Kaito Kid I've ever seen. I'm sure even the real Kaito Kid would find this laughable."

His gaze swept quickly across the faces of everyone present, as if trying to see if anyone had given anything away.

Of course, Kaito Kid, disguised as Kogoro Mouri, would not reveal any flaws in such a place. In fact, following Jiang Hang's earlier reminder, he quietly lit a cigarette and pretended to ponder what the dummy was saying.

Ran seemed a little worried. "Was there a bomb planted on the other side of the bridge too? Even if the car wasn't destroyed, wouldn't we still be trapped here by that person?"

"My beautiful lady, this kind of thing is actually the easiest to resolve. Compared to this, this guy has already let us eat first. I think we should hurry up and have dinner first." After seeing that the mannequin had stopped talking, Harufumi Mogi immediately urged the maid to bring out the dinner.

It must be said that Shukuzen Oogami, the food detective, has excellent culinary skills. In addition, the ingredients used to make dinner are also of high quality. Even Jiang Hang, who has never been a fan of Western food, was quite satisfied with the meal.

"As expected of a food detective with the skills of a top chef, it's just a pity that he can't eat the dishes he made himself," Ikumi Soda turned to look at Shukuzen Oogami was fast asleep beside her.

Jiang Hang, who caused all of this, acted as if he hadn't done anything at all, and simply ate the food in front of him.

In a relatively harmonious atmosphere, the group finished their dinner, and Tokiyo Senma then played the recording from behind the mannequin.

It was still that voice, processed and carrying a sarcastic tone.

"How are you all feeling about the 'last supper' I've prepared for you?"

"Now let me tell you why I chose this mansion as the stage for this game... Please look at the cutlery, plates, and all the decorations you can see."

"Perhaps you have already noticed the 'crow' symbol that can be seen everywhere in this mansion. This symbol is the emblem of the 'Karasuma Family,' which possessed unimaginable wealth and power half a century ago, but collapsed forty years ago."

"All of this has to do with that person's name, the man who stands at the pinnacle of all of Japan, Karasuma Renya."

"As for this Western-style house, it was the house that Karasuma Renya 'once' owned."

Upon hearing the name Karasuma Renya, Koharu Yoshino, who was sitting next to Jiang Hang, couldn't help but look at Jiang Hang when she heard about the Karasuma Family.

In fact, after hearing about the bloody mahjong story of Tokiyo Senma that afternoon, Koharu Yoshino had already vaguely guessed that this mansion might be related to Karasuma Renya, whom Jiang Hang had investigated some time ago. However, Jiang Hang had always been very cautious about Karasuma Renya and had never wanted them to investigate anything more in-depth.

Koharu Yoshino only guessed that there were probably more secrets hidden behind Karasuma Renya, but she never expected that she would actually come to Karasuma Renya's old mansion!

Could it be that Jiang Hang knew about this matter, which is why he made an exception and left Tokyo to come here?

Thinking about what the dummy said, perhaps this mansion hides some treasure or secret about Karasuma Renya!

Chapter 283: Chapter 281: Another riddle?

The detectives present didn't show much surprise on their faces, but their expressions clearly became much more serious.

Although that happened half a century ago, the Karasuma Family was once the most powerful family in Japan. Even though most ordinary people today would not remember the name Karasuma Renya, these famous detectives would still have heard of him.

"Karasuma Renya... If it's him, then that kind of cruel mahjong game isn't surprising. I also heard that Karasuma Renya even built a cruise ship called 'Hope' specifically to conduct cruel money games on the high seas, luring young people burdened with debt to risk their lives for money." Harufumi Mogi seemed to also know about Karasuma Renya's brutal behavior back then.

Ikumi Soda also shook her head. "Due to the imperfections of the law at the time, until Karasuma Renya died and the cruise ship was transferred, no country was able to judge his actions back then."

"Judging from the bloodstains scattered throughout this mansion, that man probably committed many inhumane acts in this secluded mansion back then."

As the detectives exchanged information about Karasuma Renya, the mannequin continued to tell the story of the mansion and Karasuma Renya.

"I'm sure you've all noticed the bloodstains scattered throughout this mansion. I deliberately preserved these, and the origin of this blood dates back to forty years ago, after the death of Karasuma Renya."

"After Karasuma Renya's death, this place was used as the site of an auction, where all the artworks collected by Karasuma Renya during his lifetime were sold. After that, the once-prosperous Karasuma Family completely withdrew from the stage of history."

Jiang Hang found this story very familiar. Wasn't it the same story where the system almost bankrupted the newly established the Black Organization, forcing the Karasuma Group to sell its assets just to keep the Black Organization afloat?

However, what happened next was something Jiang Hang had never heard of.

According to the mannequin, two strangers appeared at the auction, which eventually turned into a brutal killing spree where everyone died. Only the two strangers disappeared with all the money and artwork.

"Rumor has it that the lost wealth and artwork were not retrieved by those two people, but are still hidden in this mansion. And I would like to invite everyone here to relive that tragedy in the process of searching for the treasure."

Regardless of whether this story is true or not, given the Black Organization's style, it is indeed possible that they might do such a thing when pushed to the limit.

But if such a thing really happened, then Jirokichi Suzuki, who lived through that era, would definitely know about it. However, Jiang Hang had spent the last few months trying to get all the rumors about Karasuma Renya from Jirokichi Suzuki, and he had never heard of such a thing happening back then.

Jiang Hang would obviously trust the straightforward Suzuki more than the recording of the dummy, so it is very likely that this was just a story made up by the person who invited them to put pressure on them.

His intuition told him that the blood was more like what Karasuma Renya left behind when, in a fit of rage before his death, he killed all the experts to vent his anger at not being able to find the hidden treasure in the Twilight Mansion.

At this point, the dummy finally uttered the riddle that had remained unsolved for a century.

"Two travelers gazed at the night sky, when a demon descended upon the castle. The king fled with his treasure, the queen shed tears over the Holy Grail, and the knight took his own life with his sword."

"If you find the treasure, go to the room in the central tower and enter its location into the computer there. I will keep my promise and give him half of the treasure, and tell him how to escape from here. The others will stay here forever."

After the dummy finished speaking, it fell silent again.

As for this riddle, Jiang Hang decided to just listen to it for the time being. After all, he had been struggling with the Kaito Kid riddle for almost a week. Now, with this even more difficult riddle, he and Koharu Yoshino probably wouldn't be able to figure it out even this year. He decided to let Conan and Kaito Kid, those two smart people, solve the riddle.

After the Tokiyo Senma silent, Chima Kazuyo looked at the recording on it. After examining it, she addressed the detectives in the seats, saying, "It seems the recording ends here. Does anyone want to listen to it again? I can play it for you."

"No need. I don't want to hear this kind of pointless stuff again. Besides, I don't have a good impression of that guy who still doesn't dare to show his face. I won't participate in this boring guessing and treasure hunting game."

Harufumi Mogi stood up after finishing his meal.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the only bridge leading to the outside world should have been destroyed, but our vehicles are still intact. As long as we can find other small roads, we won't be trapped here. Does anyone want to come with me to check on the bridge first, and then we can look for a way out of here together?"

"This is deep in the mountains, and the nearest town is quite far away. Without roads or cell phone signal, you probably wouldn't find your way out even if you drove your car to the ground," Ikumi Soda said suspiciously to Harufumi Mogi.

Harufumi Mogi casually spread his hands. "We're not Robinson Crusoe, and this isn't an isolated island in the ocean. At worst, we'll just wander around the mountains a few times."