"Actually, that wasn't a Tengu's cry at all!" Conan declared emphatically in Sonoko's voice.
"That was the sound of wind passing through a narrow passage when the cave entrance door opened! As long as that door is opened, it will make that sound!"
"When Administrator took us into the office, the surveillance screen was powered off. After Administrator turned on the surveillance, we just happened to see the mayor hanging himself and then falling. Don't you think that's too much of a coincidence?"
"This is precisely the killer's method. He cut off the power to the surveillance in advance. When Administrator turned on the surveillance again, and the camera signal lights in the cave lit up, he began his performance.
After hearing the Tengu's cry, the killer knew someone had entered and hid in advance."
"The first time we heard that sound after entering was when Ran opened the door to call the police. The second time we heard it was when Officer Qing Yi and her team entered! So, Shimomura-san..."
Sonoko's voice suddenly turned sharp.
"You claimed you came in after us, attracted by the commotion. But why didn't we hear the Tengu's cry when you entered?!
Don't tell me it was the Tengu sound from when Ran went out. Although the timing of your appearance before us coincided with Ran going out to call the police, the narrow passage of the cave only allows one person to enter or exit at a time, and Ran didn't encounter you at all.
The only explanation is that you were already inside the cave! You didn't come in afterwards, you were already in there before us! You are the killer disguised as a corpse!"
Shimomura Shozo's face instantly turned pale. He took a step back and argued forcefully.
"Nonsense! Maybe the sound was very faint when I came in, and you didn't notice it? It's too far-fetched to conclude I'm the killer based on that!"
"Of course, it's not just that!" Conan pressed on.
"Officer Qing Yi, please examine the mayor's body. He fell from such a height, and his clothes were torn and tattered by the rocks.
But the body itself, apart from the ligature marks on his neck and lividity, has almost no obvious fall injuries or fractures. Is that reasonable?"
Qing Yi immediately re-examined the body, and it was indeed as described.
There were no obvious fall injuries on the mayor's body.
"Conversely," Conan continued, "Shimomura-san, where did you get these fresh scrapes and scratches on the back of your hands and arms?
These are probably from when you jumped onto the rocks and scraped against the rough cave wall, aren't they? If you just entered normally, how could you have these injuries?"
The evidence was conclusive!
Shimomura Shozo's body swayed, as if all his strength had been drained.
He lowered his head, remained silent for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh.
"Yes, I did it." He confessed his crime, wailing, "I could never let him destroy this sacred cave! A few days ago, I accidentally discovered that he had accepted a huge bribe from a waste disposal company and had already signed documents, preparing to convert this place into a dirty landfill... This is a desecration of nature and history! It's the destruction of the Tengu faith! I tried to persuade him, even threatened to expose him, but he didn't care at all... I had no choice. To protect this place, I could only... only get rid of him..."
The truth of the case was revealed. Qing Yi motioned for Seth to handcuff Shimomura Shozo... Shimomura Shozo was taken away by the police, and Sonoko let out a soft groan, slowly regaining consciousness.
She rubbed her somewhat sore neck, looking around blankly. "Ugh... what happened? Has the case been solved?"
Ran quickly knelt down, looking at her with concern. "Sonoko, what are you talking about? Didn't you deduce that Shimomura-san was the killer and solved the case?"
"I solved it?" Sonoko blinked, tried hard to recall, then remembered nothing.
Since it wasn't the first time, Sonoko accepted it relatively quickly.
"Could it be that I, Suzuki Sonoko, also possess an amazing talent like Uncle Mori, where I can solve cases while asleep?
I knew it! I'm so smart, how could I just be an ordinary high school girl! It turns out my talent needs to be activated in my sleep! Hahahahaha!
Maybe in the future, I'll even earn the nickname 'Queen of Deduction'."
Sonoko put her hands on her hips, stuck out her tongue, and let out a three-stage laugh.
Conan watched from the side, his mouth twitching slightly.
Hey, hey... it was all my credit! Why are you so smug?
But this is good too. Sonoko is so oblivious, she probably won't notice anything unusual.
Just then, Sonoko's phone suddenly rang.
She took it out, and the name on the caller ID instantly made her incredibly excited.
"Ah! It's Makoto! It's Makoto's call!"
She shrieked excitedly, then immediately cleared her throat and answered the phone in a gentle voice. "Moshi moshi~ Makoto~~ Do you miss me?"
Kyogoku Makoto's voice came from the other end of the phone. As Sonoko listened, her expression gradually changed from sweet to surprised and excited.
"Really? You've finished the competition and returned to the country? You'll be in Beika Town tomorrow afternoon?... To participate in a fighting competition?
Mm-hmm, I understand... Don't worry, I'll definitely go cheer you on!... Huh? Your opponent is a 70-year-old martial arts master from China?"
Hearing this, Sonoko's excitement turned to shock, and she worried.
"Wait, Makoto, your opponent is 70 years old? Is this competition reliable? Is that grandpa okay? You won't accidentally... uh..."
She didn't have the heart to say the words "put him in the hospital."
After Sonoko hung up the phone, Ran, who had only heard snippets, curiously leaned over and asked.
"Sonoko, Mr. Kyogoku is going to compete? His opponent is a 70-year-old grandpa?"
Sonoko looked speechless and complained.
"Yeah! I don't know what the organizers were thinking, arranging a competition with such an age difference. What if something happens?
Makoto said this opportunity is quite rare. It's hosted by a master named... Ma... Master Ma-something, who said it's about 'meeting friends through martial arts'?..."
Ran tilted her head, thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "Ma...? Wait, Sonoko, is the master you're talking about named Ma Baoguo?"
"Yes, yes, yes! That seems to be the name!" Sonoko nodded repeatedly, "Ran, you've heard of him too?"
Ran's expression became serious.
"Yes, I saw a short documentary about him on TV before. Sonoko, you really shouldn't underestimate this Master Ma.
The TV said he's the founder of the Lingshan School, and he's rumored to be proficient in some kind of 'Hua Jin'? It's a very powerful technique that can 'use four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds'!
The introduction also specifically mentioned that when he competed in England, two 400-pound strongmen fought him two-on-one, and they were no match for him! Very impressive!"
"What?! Two 400-pound strongmen couldn't beat him?!" Sonoko's pupils dilated, her face filled with worry.
"Then... then will Makoto be in danger? That master sounds so strong! What if he uses that 'Hua Jin' to bully Makoto?
And he's so old and still competing, he must be super confident in his own strength, right?
No! No! I have to tell Makoto to quickly withdraw from the competition if he can't win, to avoid getting hurt."
Rin silently listened nearby, unable to help but roll her eyes.
It couldn't be what I'm thinking, could it?