Ma Hongjun is dead!!
Tailong, Dai Mubai, and the other members of Shrek Academy were all utterly shocked.
Yu Xiaogang also found it hard to accept. He looked at Flender, who seemed completely lost, but he didn't know how to comfort him.
Silence.
By the small lake at Shrek Academy, only the sound of the breeze could be heard. Even the birds dared not linger there. The ordinary students who had been watching the commotion by the lake gradually retreated as they sensed something was wrong.
"Tailong, Yu Feng, you two were with Ma Hongjun just now. Did you notice anything unusual?"
It was unclear how much time had passed before Flender's eyes gradually regained their focus. He took off his coat and carefully covered Ma Hongjun's withered and charred body.
"There was nothing unusual," Tailong rubbed his red eyes, his voice muffled. "We finished our training as usual and were about to have lunch together. Hongjun wanted something light, so we went to the cafeteria."
"And then this happened."
"It's impossible. I know the limits of Hongjun's Evil Fire. With his current Soul Power, it shouldn't have been fatal," Flender's eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse. "His limit should be around level 50. Something must have happened to trigger his Evil Fire prematurely!"
"But nothing really happened!" Tailong, seeing that Flender didn't believe him, grew anxious, his tone becoming more urgent.
"Tailong, don't panic. Elder Flander isn't doubting you. Just think carefully. Did something happen in the cafeteria that might have triggered Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire?" Yu Xiaogang patted Tailong's shoulder, soothing him gently.
Reassured, Tailong's tension gradually eased. He held his head and carefully recalled the events: "First, we scolded someone who insulted the dean, then we started eating. We also drank some soup that was prepared for the dean."
"That's all. The three of us were together the whole time. Not only were there ordinary students, but Yu Feng can also vouch for it."
Yu Feng thought for a moment and confirmed there were no omissions: "Dean, what Tailong said is true."
Listening to their account, Yu Xiaogang carefully analyzed the situation in his mind. Soon, his brow furrowed: "Are you saying Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire erupted after he drank the soup?"
"Yes, Grandmaster. Why?" Tailong and Yu Feng nodded, then suddenly realized: "Are you saying the soup was poisoned? But we drank it too!"
"That possibility can't be ruled out!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression turned grave, and he spoke in a deep voice: "Mubai, Yu Feng, you two go to the cafeteria immediately and detain all the staff there. Zhao Wuji, you and Li Yusong seal off Shrek Academy. No one is allowed to leave."
"Grandmaster, it's been so long. If there was a poisoner, they've probably already fled, right?" Zhao Wuji's expression was grim.
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, and said solemnly: "Even if the poisoner has fled, there might still be accomplices remaining in the academy. What we need to do now is see who has disappeared and gather information about them through acquaintances."
"Alright, I'll handle it right away." Zhao Wuji clenched his fists, a cold glint in his eyes, and a cruel smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Leave no stone unturned, I'll personally handle the interrogation later," Flender sighed expressionlessly, then picked up Ma Hongjun from the ground and headed towards the dormitory.
Tang San returned just as Shrek Academy was on high alert. Seeing Zhao Wuji and the others on edge, he quickly approached to ask what had happened.
Upon learning the situation, Tang San was startled. Ignoring the surprised looks around him, he hurried towards the dormitory.
"Third Brother, you're back!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up upon seeing Tang San, and she quickly ran out from Flender's room to greet him.
"How are things now?" Seeing Xiao Wu, Tang San's anxiety eased somewhat, and he gently stroked her ponytail.
"The staff from the academy cafeteria have been detained, but no one is missing. They're clueless when questioned. Teacher and the others are trying to figure out what kind of poison Ma Hongjun was affected by, but they haven't made any progress yet."
Feeling Tang San's closeness, Xiao Wu put away her sorrow and smiled, slowly recounting the subsequent events.
Tang San nodded, then led Xiao Wu into the room.
The room was eerily silent, everyone's faces clouded with worry, sitting in various spots lost in thought.
Seeing Ma Hongjun laid out on the table, Tang San's heart sank, and a hint of sorrow flashed in his eyes.
He had lived with these people from Shrek Academy for a long time, and while their bond might not be unbreakable, it was certainly stronger than that of ordinary classmates.
Now, with Yu Tianheng mysteriously missing and Ma Hongjun suddenly dead, it was impossible for him not to be affected. But having lived two lives, his psychological resilience far exceeded that of an average person, and he quickly suppressed these emotions.
"You're back."
Yu Xiaogang heard the footsteps and looked up at Tang San, then sighed inwardly. After all these events, a rift had inevitably formed between him and his disciple.
Tang San glanced at Yu Xiaogang indifferently, nodded, then walked over to Flender: "Dean, I can determine if Hongjun was poisoned, but it might be somewhat disrespectful to his remains."
Flender looked at Tang San expressionlessly.
He trusted this student's methods, but he also understood why Tang San mentioned disrespect. After a brief silence, he gritted his teeth as if making a firm decision: "Go ahead. Knowing the cause of Hongjun's death is the most important thing now."
Tang San nodded, his hand brushing over his belt, and a sharp knife appeared in his hand. He then made an incision into Ma Hongjun's charred abdomen.
Ma Hongjun's body, both inside and out, had been scorched black by the Evil Fire, the moisture completely evaporated, resembling a withered old tree.
But this didn't pose a challenge for Tang San, a Soul Master. With the enhancement of Soul Power, the bark-like skin was easily cut open, and Tang San began a meticulous examination.
After a moment, Tang San frowned and looked up with a puzzled expression: "I didn't find any signs of poisoning in Hongjun. Could it just be a simple outbreak of Evil Fire?"
Tang San's words brought relief to some, but also deepened the concern of others. Everyone was well aware of Tang San's expertise in poisons. If he said there was no poisoning, then the issue definitely didn't lie there.
If Ma Hongjun's death was truly due to an Evil Fire outbreak, then this matter should come to an end here, avoiding the involvement of innocent people, especially since Flender had initially intended to implement collective punishment.
However, if it wasn't caused by human malice, it would mean that Ma Hongjun died in vain.
After a long silence, Flender looked up and gave Tang San a deep glance, sighing, "Then let's proceed with Hongjun's funeral arrangements."
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