Often, the truth can be exceedingly difficult to accept," Xiao Mu Yu said coldly, fixing his icy gaze upon the former head of the search department before him. "Yet the reality of the world is often so cruel; it never changes simply because you find it hard to bear."
Within the search department, the man's voice, cold and devoid of humanity, resonated with a chilling intensity. In the sweltering heat of summer, it evoked a coldness akin to that felt only in the depths of a wintry landscape.
"Therefore, I hope that in the forthcoming operation, everyone can cooperate with me to the best of their abilities, and not allow personal biases to hinder our pursuit of Jinx," Xiao Mu Yu continued, his frosty gaze lingering particularly on the blond youth for several moments. "After all... what we are about to confront is not merely a highly intelligent and ruthless murderer."
"I urge you not to let your personal feelings toward me cloud your judgment, as that could jeopardize the entire search department," he stated coldly. "If you cannot manage this, I suggest you leave the search department immediately and refrain from interfering with our mission."
"Because... when facing Jinx, even a master of the ninth rank may find themselves in peril with a single misstep," Xiao Mu Yu remarked, his icy stare now fixed almost entirely on Ezreal's face, the warning in his tone unmistakable. "Rather than regretting your foolishness after you have endangered your teammates during the operation, it would be wiser to depart now, to avoid causing harm to yourself and others."
"You! What do you mean by that?" Ezreal, feeling directly targeted by Xiao Mu Yu's words, instantly bristled. The blond youth glared angrily at the cold man, his voice laced with fury. "Are you talking about me?"
"Uh... Ezreal, please don't be so agitated. Mr. Night, he... um..." Kaliya, standing beside Ezreal, instinctively reached out to pull him back, sensing the charged atmosphere. However, before she could finish her words, the cold man nodded in acknowledgment of the unspoken tension.
"Indeed, I am speaking of you," Xiao Mu Yu replied, his gaze unwavering as he met the furious blond youth's eyes. The depths of his gaze remained as frigid as ever, like a pool of despair, unruffled by emotion. "Am I wrong? Do you think our operation to capture Jinx is merely a game? Do you believe that being a ninth-rank master renders you immune to her threat?"
"You think your inability to deal with Jinx stems solely from a lack of information about her whereabouts. If you were to confront her directly, with your ninth-rank strength, you would undoubtedly overpower her, wouldn't you?" Xiao Mu Yu's cold voice struck like a hammer, gradually extinguishing Ezreal's once blazing anger.
"You... you... I..." Ezreal stammered, finding himself at a loss for words.
This feeling of powerlessness instantly reminded him of the moment he faced this very cold man atop the clock tower in Tianxin City, feeling as if his innermost thoughts were laid bare, rendered speechless by the sharpness of the man's words. This sense of helplessness left him feeling frustrated and disheartened.
The atmosphere in the search room fell into an awkward silence, with everyone exchanging uncomfortable glances, unsure of how to intervene.
Finally, it was Ilt, the composed middle-aged man, who sighed and subtly shifted the topic, coming to the blond youth's aid. "Mr. Night, what you just said... um... do you mean to imply that Jinx possesses a strength so formidable that even a ninth-rank master cannot contend with her?"
Ilt posed the question that everyone present, including Ezreal, was eager to know. After all, the members of the search department could no longer afford to dismiss the man known as "Night" as they once had.
In merely a day and night, relying on nothing but some rigid documents, this man had uncovered clues about Jinx that the entire Security Corps had failed to find over six months. This alone had thoroughly diminished the pride of those self-proclaimed elites within the search department.
Having listened to Xiao Mu Yu's meticulous and interconnected reasoning, the members of the Security Corps were now filled not only with awe but also with an instinctive chill—this seemingly cold man was truly formidable! What, then, had he experienced?
As they cautiously peered into Xiao Mu Yu's eyes, which seemed to have witnessed the most profound despair and coldness in the world, they couldn't help but shudder—what could evoke such a sense of dread in such a powerful individual?
"..." Xiao Mu Yu's icy gaze swept across the faces of those present, revealing their curiosity regarding Ilt's question.
After all, ninth-rank masters were not commonplace; in a realm where the might of such beings symbolized a nation's strength and deterrence far beyond mere combat prowess, their existence often reflected the power of a nation or a people.
While they might not possess the ability to single-handedly raze a city, a ninth-rank master unleashing their full potential would wield destructive power not to be underestimated. Hence, the notion that Jinx might be so powerful that even Ezreal, a ninth-rank master, could struggle against her piqued everyone's interest.
Acknowledging the curious gazes directed at him, Xiao Mu Yu nodded coldly. "Ah... indeed, although due to insufficient information, I cannot ascertain Jinx's methods of killing with certainty, I can at least confirm one thing."
His cold gaze lingered on the faces surrounding him before he continued, "Jinx possesses the means to kill without detection, even in the presence of a ninth-rank master... So, might we propose this hypothesis?"
"If Jinx wishes to eliminate someone, even if that person is a ninth-rank master, they would likely remain completely unaware," Xiao Mu Yu stated coldly. "Based on the information I have gathered so far, the probability of this hypothesis holding true stands at around seventy percent."
"Seventy percent?" Kaliya exclaimed, her curiosity piqued. "That probability seems quite low, meaning the likelihood of this hypothesis coming to fruition is almost negligible, isn't it?"
"Currently, the situation aligns closely with your assessment; indeed, the probability of this hypothesis being valid is quite low," Xiao Mu Yu replied, casting a cold glance at Kaliya.
"Given such a low probability, why should we remain so cautious?" Kaliya remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "Besides, if Jinx truly possesses power beyond that of a ninth-rank master, why would she need to be wary of our modest Security Corps? With her strength, she could easily confront the entire empire without fear."
"The magnitude of one's power is merely a tool to achieve objectives, and there are many things that even great strength cannot accomplish," Xiao Mu Yu explained, his demeanor as frigid as ever. "We are not Jinx; our current knowledge about her is virtually nonexistent. Therefore, judgments based solely on logic may not be accurate."
"For now, we need only acknowledge that she may possess power beyond that of a ninth-rank master," Xiao Mu Yu stated coldly. "Regardless of how low that probability may be, it signifies that such a possibility exists. Should we find ourselves unfortunate enough to encounter that seventy percent chance, we would undoubtedly face dire consequences for our complacency."
"Uh... Mr. Night, may I inquire... what led you to deduce that Jinx possesses such potential abilities?" Ilt asked after a moment of silence.
"This deduction stems from a clue provided by a friend of mine," Xiao Mu Yu replied, his icy gaze sweeping over the group. "I believe you are not unfamiliar with him; he is none other than the Barbarian King, Taimur, from the snow-covered northern realms, the suspect you previously identified in connection with Jinx."
This revelation left everyone momentarily stunned, and Galleon couldn't help but ask, "Are you friends with that ninth-rank master?"
"Ah... indeed," Xiao Mu Yu confirmed coldly. "At present, we can ascertain that Count Little died at Jinx's hands before him. Although my friend has been temporarily identified as Jinx's true form, whether you believe my friend's innocence in this case or not, all my deductions are based on the premise that he is not Jinx."
"The primary reason I came to Maple Leaf Snow to assist you in capturing Jinx is indeed because of my friend," Xiao Mu Yu stated coldly. "I have reached an agreement with your prince, Jarvan; I will help him apprehend Jinx, and in return, he will clear Taimur's name... that is why I am here."
At this explanation, the members of the room exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
However, Xiao Mu Yu paid no mind to their reactions and turned his icy gaze toward Ilt. "Now... allow me to pose one final question to you. Once I have asked this, we shall be ready to commence our investigation."
"Uh... please go ahead," Ilt replied.
"Aside from the two colleagues in the Security Corps you mentioned earlier, are there others among your acquaintances who are aware of that operation?" Xiao Mu Yu's cold gaze bore into the former head of the search department, his dark eyes reflecting an abyss of despair. "For instance... your family."