At the entrance of Shou'er University.
At this moment.
A member of the Blasphemy Association emerged. He had reached an agreement with Zhang Wei. As he walked out of the school gate and confirmed there was no one around, he took out his phone and sent a message to the president of the Blasphemy Association.
"President, Zhang Wei has agreed to investigate the disappearance case."
...
On the other side.
At the Blasphemy Association.
Upon receiving the message, the president immediately shared the news with the high-ranking officials present.
"This Zhang Wei is indeed a fearless young calf, agreeing to it."
"I don't think he's arrogant, but rather realized our scheme. After all, we were quite obvious. However, since we've invited him, whether he agrees or not is irrelevant. The arrow is on the string and must be fired."
"I agree with you. I've seen Zhang Wei's profile. He couldn't have reached this point without being self-aware. He must have guessed our plan. It's just a bit surprising that he agreed so readily without any hesitation."
"Could there be a problem? He agreed so readily."
"It can only be said that he realized it but isn't afraid of our methods, believing he has the ability to apprehend the mastermind. It shows a certain confidence in his own skills."
"Indeed, he has no idea how difficult this disappearance case is to handle."
...
At the same time.
Seoul University dormitory.
"Zhang Wei, are you sure you have a way to catch the mastermind? Don't mess up. If you can't catch them, it won't be Kim Jung Hyuk who becomes a joke internationally, but you." Zhang Chao said.
After a period of calm reflection, Zhang Chao, as the heir of the Maoshan Sect, also understood.
Wu Nian clasped his hands together in agreement:
"Amitabha, Zhang Wei, do you really have the means to capture the mastermind of the disappearance case?"
Lu Lianxue said with concern:
"I just called Captain Lin and asked him to help investigate the disappearance case. I heard that even the fortune tellers hired by the Blasphemy Association couldn't handle it. Zhang Wei, are you sure you can handle it?"
Zhang Wei smiled and nodded, patting his chest:
"Don't worry, my thousand episodes of Detective Conan weren't watched in vain. If all else fails, I'll invite Conan to help me solve the case."
Wu Nian: "????"
Zhang Chao: "????"
Lu Lianxue: "????"
Zhang Wei naturally couldn't reveal that the disappearance case was orchestrated by the Senluo Division. He could only come up with a casual excuse. After all, there was currently no evidence to prove that the Senluo Division was involved. If the Senluo Division knew that Zhang Wei and the others were aware, it would easily expose the undercover operation.
Just then.
"Damn, Zhang Wei, you're so slick. By the way, Zhang Wei, did you bring any Conan figurines?"
Zhang Chao gave a thumbs-up, his gaze fixed on Zhang Wei's suitcase.
"I didn't bring any. How about you, Zhang Chao and Wu Nian, go buy me one now? Heh heh."
"Damn it, you just want a free figurine, don't you? Fine, since you're bringing honor to Great Xia, and if you can find the mastermind, it will also bring fame to Great Xia. I'll go buy it now."
"Amitabha, let this monk pay for it. Also... why not buy a Sherlock Holmes figurine too? Isn't Conan based on Sherlock Holmes?"
"That makes sense. Then let's just buy the figurine of the detective aunt from that cartoon 'Duck Detective' I watched as a child. I don't know if 'Thief Country' has it, but she's also a detective. Then let's buy figurines of other detective anime."
"Amitabha, this monk feels it's also appropriate to buy a Black Cat Detective figurine."
As soon as Wu Nian finished speaking.
Lu Lianxue also added:
"Black Cat Detective probably isn't available in 'Thief Country' since it's a domestic production, but you can buy an Ikkyū-san figurine! This one is world-famous."
Afterward.
Zhang Chao and the others all listed some clever or detective anime characters. Zhang Wei smiled and said:
"Then buy them all, since it's not my money. But before that, shouldn't we find a ghost first to test the magical artifact I gave to Natsumi?"
Immediately.
After seeing Wu Nian and Zhang Chao off to buy figurines, Zhang Wei picked up his phone and sent a message to Fatty.
"Zhang Wei": "Fatty, are you there?"
"Fatty": "Yo, Zhang Wei, why are you looking for me at this time? Aren't you spending time with Miss Lu Lianxue?"
"Zhang Wei": "It's not even dark yet. Let's talk business. I want to ask you, was Kim Jung Hyuk killed by the Gardener? I was approached by the Blasphemy Association today, saying Kim Jung Hyuk is dead."
"Fatty": "It was me and the Gardener who killed him, heh heh. How about that? Am I impressive enough? A top ghost king killing a half-step true dragon guard? Speaking of which, why did the Blasphemy Association look for you? They wouldn't be trying to find a scapegoat for you, would they! Are the Blasphemy Association tired of living!"
"Zhang Wei": "Not exactly. I have an alibi. But they want to use me to attract attention."
Zhang Wei didn't hide anything and explained the transaction with the Blasphemy Association.
Soon.
"Fatty": "A half-step national guardian level artifact? They're really going all out to attract attention. If you find the Gardener, won't you make a fortune?"
"Zhang Wei": "Heh heh, more than making a fortune, it's a blood profit that would lead to orgasmic spasms. That's why I'm looking for you, Fatty, to discuss if there's any way to reveal or lure the Gardener out."
"Fatty": "That's a bit difficult. The reason the Gardener isn't discovered is that she doesn't do things herself; she lets her companion ghost children act."
"Fatty": "Moreover, currently, only I know the Gardener's whereabouts. If you find the Gardener, I'll be easily exposed."
Zhang Wei was not surprised by Fatty's answer. His expression was calm. He had anticipated this and already had a second plan in mind, which was to summon Conan and Ikkyū-san to solve the case. There were no airtight walls in the world, and there must be clues left behind in the disappearance case. With the collective wisdom of Conan, Black Cat Detective, and Ikkyū-san, they would surely find it.
However.
Just as Zhang Wei was about to reply to Fatty.
Fatty sent a message.
"Fatty": "However, although I can't reveal or help you lure out the Gardener, I might have a way to let the Gardener be found by you, or rather, to let the Gardener deliberately let you find the mastermind of the disappearance case."
Fatty recalled not long ago when the Senluo Division went out in full force to the Sakura Country. This was one of the few times the Gardener acted personally in his memory.
He remembered.
At that time, the Tailor and others had also said that the Gardener, besides loving beauty, also seemed to have a sense of honor for Great Xia.
"Zhang Wei": "Really? Fatty, you're amazing! You can actually persuade the Gardener."
"Fatty": "I'm just saying I have a way, it might not succeed. I can try, it won't expose myself anyway."
"Fatty": "The Gardener is different from other high-ranking officials of the Senluo Division. She, along with Senluo and Yin Yang, are mavericks. Except for meetings, they have little interaction with other high-ranking officials, unlike Mute and Glasses, with whom we can occasionally chat."
"Fatty": "So, Zhang Wei, don't have too much hope in me."
"Zhang Wei": "It's okay, Fatty. You try first, and if it doesn't work, I'll use another plan."
...
On the other side.
It was night.
In a villa estate in Seoul City.
Fatty checked the international forums. As the news of Zhang Wei agreeing to take on the disappearance case in 'Thief Country' spread across the forums, he got up and walked towards the Gardener's room.
...