The Return of the God Level Assassin

1199 YUNYUE VS FENGHUANG (XXXIV)

THE day went by quickly, filled with tense conversations and quiet speculation. Passengers kept to themselves. The earlier excitement of the first day of the journey was now replaced by unease. Before Luo Yan even realized it, night had fallen once again. The train continued its steady course, its rhythmic movement unchanged, but the atmosphere felt heavier. It was now the second night, and the danger lurking aboard hadn't disappeared.

Of course, team Yunyue didn't let the day pass without making progress. They gathered as many clues and pieces of information as possible, carefully observing the passengers and their behavior. Their focus wasn't just on identifying Jack the Ripper but also on uncovering any members of team Fenghuang who might be working in the shadows.

Team Yunyue didn't let the day pass without making full use of their time. Su Yuqi, playing the role of a train attendant, took the lead in gathering information. Moving freely between compartments, she listened in on hushed conversations, subtly questioned passengers, and kept an eye on anyone acting suspicious. Her position allowed her to access places others couldn't, making her the team's most valuable source of intel.

Bai Ze, on the other hand, took a different approach. Blending effortlessly with the older first-class passengers, he engaged them in casual gossip about the recent tragedy. With a knowing smile and just the right amount of curiosity, he encouraged them to share their theories, recollections, and whispered rumors about the first victim—or at least the first person to die. While much of what he gathered was speculation, every small detail had the potential to be useful.

Meanwhile, Luo Yan, Shen Ji Yun, and Luo Jin were more restricted in their actions due to their assigned roles. They couldn't openly investigate without drawing unnecessary attention, but they still did what they could. Luo Yan paid close attention to interactions between passengers, noting shifts in behavior or inconsistencies in their statements. Shen Ji Yun focused on keeping track of anyone who seemed particularly nervous or secretive, memorizing patterns in their movements. Luo Jin, though limited, provided support where needed, acting as a watchful presence in case anything suspicious unfolded nearby.

Working together, they carefully compiled the clues and information they had gathered throughout the day. Now, with the sun long gone and the moon casting its pale glow over the train, they waited for Su Yuqi's message—hoping that Sherlock Holmes had shared something useful.

Luo Yan sat in Shen Ji Yun's cabin with him and Luo Jin. Given Shen Ji Yun's individual task, having Luo Jin present was the most practical choice. So, the three of them were together like this. As they waited in silence, Luo Yan's thoughts drifted back to what had happened during lunch.

He made sure to keep a close watch on Mrs. Thompson—not just because of her suspicious reaction that morning, but also because of Holmes' response when Luo Yan mentioned her. There was something about the way the detective reacted that made Luo Yan even more certain she was worth paying attention to.

To get a better read on her, he asked Shen Ji Yun to invite the mother and daughter duo to lunch, and they reluctantly agreed. Throughout the meal, Luo Yan observed Mrs. Thompson carefully, noting every subtle shift in her expression and demeanor. The older woman still seemed deeply shaken by that morning's events, a heavy gloom clinging to her like a shadow. It wasn't just grief—it was a lingering, almost suffocating sadness.

To gain deeper insight into her, he and Shen Ji Yun subtly steered the conversation, guiding it in a way that would reveal information Mrs. Thompson might not otherwise share.

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As they dined, the conversation remained light. Mrs. Thompson was still visibly shaken from the morning's events, her hands clasping her napkin a little too tightly, her eyes carrying a weariness that went beyond mere exhaustion.

Luo Yan and Shen Ji Yun did their best to steer the conversation toward anything useful, but most of their attempts led nowhere. However, just when it seemed like they were reaching a dead end, one particular topic finally elicited a noticeable reaction from Mrs. Thompson. "You and your daughter must be very close," Shen Ji Yun said smoothly, offering Mrs. Thompson a polite smile. "Such a terrible ordeal this morning… I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for her. And for you as well." Mrs. Thompson sighed, dabbing at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. "It's been dreadful, truly. I never expected our journey to take such a dark turn." Luo Yan, feigning timid curiosity, glanced up from his plate. "Miss Thompson is lucky," he murmured, his voice small. "To have a mother who takes such good care of her." Mrs. Thompson's grip on her napkin tightened slightly before she let out a quiet chuckle. "A mother's love is an unshakable thing, my dear." She turned to her daughter with a soft, almost wistful expression. "No matter what happens, we do everything we can to protect our children." Shen Ji Yun tilted his head slightly. "Not all children are fortunate enough to have such devotion." Mrs. Thompson's eyes flickered with something—an emotion too brief to name. She took a sip of her tea before responding, her voice steady but laced with something deeper. "No, they are not." Luo Yan leaned forward slightly, playing his part as an innocent child. "But if a mother loves her child, then they should always stay together, right?" Mrs. Thompson's fingers trembled for just a moment before she forced a small smile. "In an ideal world, yes," she said. "But sometimes, life is… complicated. Circumstances can force a mother to make difficult choices." Shen Ji Yun's gaze didn't waver. "Even choices that mean being apart?" Mrs. Thompson exhaled softly, staring at her untouched plate. "Even those." A quiet tension settled over the table. Miss Thompson, seemingly unaware of the undercurrent in the conversation, reached for her mother's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Mrs. Thompson returned it, her smile this time more genuine, though her eyes carried a sorrow neither Luo Yan nor Shen Ji Yun could ignore. =====

Luo Yan lowered his gaze as he remembered that. He could feel the weight of regret in Mrs. Thompson's words. The kind carried by someone who had left something—or someone—behind. The real question was whether it had any connection to Jack the Ripper.

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