Continuing his meticulous investigation, Elder Lin next sought out Fredde, whose quiet and optimistic nature often kept him out of the village's more turbulent dynamics. However, in a mystery as deep as Mike's murder, no stone could be left unturned.
Fredde lived in a cosy house on the edge of the village, its interior reflecting his warm and inviting personality. Shelves of colourful books, gadgets for various hobbies, and pictures of happy memories adorned the walls.
Elder Lin was greeted with a friendly smile. "Elder Lin, what brings you here? I hope it's not just about the tragedy."
"It is, I'm afraid," Elder Lin replied solemnly. "Fredde, you're known to be a peaceful person, but I must ask everyone. Did you have any issues with Mike?"
Fredde's expression turned sombre. "Mike was difficult, but I believe in looking for the good in people. We had our differences, but nothing serious. I avoid conflict when I can."
Elder Lin noticed a series of photographs showing various village events. "Were you at the Christmas festival the entire time?"
"Yes, I was there with friends, enjoying the festivities. I saw Mike in passing, but that was all. We didn't interact," Fredde explained.
Elder Lin's gaze lingered on a photo of Fredde at a cultivation seminar. "Your cultivation practice focuses on inner peace and harmony. Do you think someone in the village could have used their cultivation skills in a harmful way?"
Fredde nodded thoughtfully. "Cultivation can enhance one's abilities, but it can also amplify darker impulses. It's not impossible, Elder Lin. In our village, where the line between good and evil can be thin, anyone could succumb to their shadow side."
With the realization that the tranquil surface of Pinecrest Village concealed depths of complexity and contradiction. Fredde's belief in the inherent goodness of people contrasted sharply with the grim reality of Mike's death. The investigation was revealing the multifaceted nature of each villager, challenging Elder Lin to look beyond the obvious to uncover the truth hidden in the shadows of their cultivation and technological world.