8: Chapter 8 Lin Long's popular science explanation leaves Ran Mouri completely bewildered.

"Alright, stop looking so gloomy."

"Actually, I have a pretty good impression of you guys."

"Born into wealth yet possessing a sense of justice, you're already much better than most people."

"For example, Kudo Shinichi is the same."

Lin Long said as he looked at Conan Edogawa.

"His parents are world-class novelists and movie stars; he can be considered among the more powerful group of rich second-generation kids."

"But he doesn't bully others with his influence; instead, he actively helps the police solve cases, speaking for the deceased and seeking justice for those the society has wronged."

"He really is quite good."

Yes, although Lin Long wasn't that kind of person, it didn't stop him from admiring Kudo Shinichi.

Conan: ...

"A rich second-generation kid? I guess I am." Conan smiled speechlessly, thinking about Lin Long's words.

"Mr. Lin Long, Shinichi is a rich second-generation kid, but I'm not," Mouri Ran said with a playful smile.

"Really?" Lin Long glanced at Mouri Kogoro.

"It seems you don't know yet, Ran, that your Mouri family is no ordinary family."

"Eh, really? How come I didn't know? Aren't we quite poor?" Ran was a bit dazed and quickly turned to look at Mouri Kogoro.

Mouri Kogoro rubbed his nose guiltily.

"Ran, your family originates from the Western Mouri Clan! Didn't you know? It's the Mouri clan that produced a Daimyo!"

"Otherwise, how do you think you got into Teitan High School? Teitan High is a top-tier high school in the country. And do you think your father could afford a three-story building? You have to realize this is Tokyo, where land is worth its weight in gold."

Mouri Ran was dumbfounded, and even Conan was dazed. They had never thought about these things before.

"It's true that you said Ran-neechan and Shinichi-niichan are rich second-generation kids, but why did you say Teitan High School is the top school in the country?" Conan asked curiously.

"Yeah, our school doesn't seem to have many top-tier rich kids besides Sonoko," Ran also asked curiously.

Lin Long rolled his eyes and glanced at Mouri Kogoro. This old geezer didn't tell his daughter anything.

"I'm really exasperated with you guys. What do you think top-tier rich kids look like? Descendants of bankers? Or descendants of councilmen?"

"Give me a break! Councilmen are elected by votes. Bankers are just white gloves pushed forward by the Zaibatsu. Their descendants are nothing like top-tier rich kids."

"Take the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department you're familiar with. On the surface, you know that unless officers pass the Category I Exam, they'll be stuck at the Inspector rank for life, right?"

"In fact, there's a hidden rule. If an officer didn't graduate from a top academy like Teitan High School or Kaiho Academy, even if they pass the Category I Exam, they'll at most reach the rank of Senior Superintendent."

"For ranks from Senior Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent General upwards, the personnel must be graduates of Teitan High School or Kaiho High School."

"Do you understand now?"

Ran was completely dazed and lost. Conan, however, sucked in a breath of cold air. He thought about it, and it seemed to be true.

Walking to the bottom of the Mouri Detective Agency, Mouri Kogoro patted Lin Long's shoulder:

"Thanks, Kid Lin Long. Thank you for what you said to Ran today. Actually, I've always been reluctant to let a child like Ran come into contact with the darker side of society."

"It was no trouble at all. As long as you don't mind my talkativeness, Mr. Mouri."

Lin Long nodded.

"Mr. Lin Long, shall we go up? I'll make a cup of tea for you."

Mouri Ran invited him, her tone gentler than before.

"No, I have things to do."

Lin Long waved his hand,

"I'm leaving now."

He turned to leave, his silhouette quickly merging into the night.

Conan watched the direction where he disappeared, the doubts in his heart growing deeper.

This Lin Long not only has extraordinary skills and a meticulous mind, but he even knows the internal hidden rules of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and his views on the world are so... extreme.

Who exactly is he?

What is his purpose in approaching me and Uncle Mouri?

"Conan, what are you spacing out for? Come up quickly!"

Mouri Ran's voice came from the stairwell.

"Oh, coming!"

Conan snapped back to reality and hurried to follow. But he knew in his heart that Lin Long had already been placed on his 'high priority' list—even more inscrutable to him than the culprits of certain cases.

Meanwhile, Lin Long was on his way back to the villa.

Shadow One sent a message saying that Curator Ochiai had already settled into the office and was familiarizing himself with the environment. There was no sign of Keita recanting his statement, and the police investigation was basically over.

He looked up at the moon in the sky, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

The words just now were half for Conan and the others, and half for himself.

Justice? Law?

In his view, they were just rules set by the strong. What he wanted to do was never to follow the rules, but to become the one who makes them.

Curator Ochiai's joining was just the first step.

His phone vibrated; it was a message from the Underground Bank saying the gold coins had been processed and the money had been transferred to his account.

Lin Long nodded with satisfaction; this would support him in unlocking more of the Shadow Trooper Corps.

[Current malice black qi: 8300 -> 8500 points (Absorbed negative emotions from Keita being wrongly accused).]

The numbers on the system panel were still slowly increasing.

Lin Long clenched his fists and quickened his pace. The lights of the villa were just ahead; that would be his fortress, the starting point for him to stir up the world.

As for Conan's suspicion?

Lin Long smiled.

So what if he suspects?

As long as he is strong enough and his power is vast enough, all suspicions and probings will become meaningless.