The setting sun, like a tired traveler, slowly sank into the embrace of the horizon, dyeing the sky with a gentle orange-red. In this gradually silent world, the swamp seemed to be gently covered by a layer of twilight, adding a bit of mystery and tranquility. The figures of Lu Murphy and O'Leary appeared particularly clear in this hazy background, and their conversation echoed in the slightly cool air, with a hint of urgency and expectation.

"Finally, the clouds of dissatisfaction seem to have quietly dissipated from O'Leary's face," Lu Murphy said in a soothing but firm tone, "Now, it's time to share the harvest from your visit to Mrs. Ellen Aywerk. I had anticipated your trip a long time ago. After all, in the land of Akali, he is the key figure in solving our mystery and is almost our only hope. To be honest, if you hadn't gone ahead today, I'm afraid I would have been unable to hold back and decided to embark on that journey of exploration myself."

As night fell, the cottage became their warm haven. Inside, the fire jumped, emitting an orange glow, dispelling the chill around them and adding a bit of warmth and depth to their conversation. The two sat side by side, and in this quietness, Oriel began to describe his meeting with Mrs. Ellen Averck in detail, striving for accuracy in every detail, as if weaving an intricate but hopeful web.

Lu Murphy listened very attentively, his eyes twinkling, and he nodded from time to time or asked O'Leary to repeat some key parts. His desire and persistence for the truth filled the air with a tense and exciting atmosphere.

"This information is undoubtedly crucial to our investigation," Lumurphy said in a deep voice when O'Leary's narration came to an end. "It's like a piece of puzzle, perfectly filling in the missing piece in this complex case that I have been missing for a long time. Perhaps you didn't realize it before, but there is an unusually close bond between Mrs. Ellen Aywerk and Mr. Scotch. Their frequent meetings, close correspondence, and even deep understanding of each other are all clues that cannot be ignored."

Upon hearing this, O'Neill frowned slightly, obviously surprised by this sudden discovery: "I really didn't expect that there was such a deep friendship between them."

Lu Murphy continued in an unquestionable tone: "This is absolutely true. And this relationship will be a powerful card in our hands. We can use it to cleverly sow seeds of doubt in his wife's mind, thereby disintegrating their alliance and opening up new breakthroughs for our investigation."

Upon hearing this, O'Neill couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of confusion and shock in his eyes: "His wife? Are you saying...the lady everyone calls Miss Luna is actually Mr. Scourge's wife?"

Lu Murphy nodded, his tone revealing a hint of heaviness and complexity: "Yes, O'Neill, this may sound unbelievable, but it is true. As for why he allowed Sir Jack to develop feelings for him..."

"Sir Jack's emotional whirlpool seems magnificent, but in fact, apart from the ups and downs of his own emotions, to the surrounding world, it is just a wisp of smoke, fleeting."

He had used such caution and restraint to deliberately avoid expressing his deep affection to the lady. You and I witnessed this scene with our own eyes, as if it were happening again yesterday.

"And the reason why I repeatedly emphasize that the lady is not his sister as he said, but is actually his wife who has been with him through thick and thin, is that there is a hidden story behind this."

O'Neill's brows were furrowed, his eyes full of puzzlement and confusion, as if he was tightly entangled in a tangled web.

"But why did he weave such an intricate and exhausting scam? What was his purpose that made him willingly put himself in the vortex of lies and unable to extricate himself?"

Lu Mofei sighed softly, his eyes flashing with wisdom and insight. His words were like a sharp blade, peeling off the cloak of truth bit by bit.

"Behind this is his precise calculation of real interests. He has long foreseen that having a seemingly unmarried woman by his side can pave a smoother path for his plan and bring unexpected convenience and advantages. This is a carefully planned chess game, and every step is taken cautiously, but step by step."

O'Leary's thoughts gradually became clearer as Lu Murphy spoke. Those originally vague guesses and doubts, like ripples on a lake blown by the spring breeze, spread layer by layer and finally gathered into a powerful force, pointing directly at the seemingly ordinary biologist.

His eyes widened, with shock and anger in them. "Could it be that our real enemy is this seemingly peaceful butterfly catcher? Those mysterious trackers who follow us around the city are also him?"

Lu Murphy nodded slightly, and that affirmation and determination made O'Neill's heart tremble.

"It is based on such reasoning and speculation that I gradually uncovered a corner of this mystery. Every detail, every clue, is silently telling the truth."

Olier pondered for a moment, and the gentle and mysterious figure of Miss Luna emerged in his mind. "So, was that warning message really sent by Miss Luna? Why did he do this?"

A trace of tenderness and admiration flashed in Lu Mofei's eyes. "Ms. Luna, she has maintained clarity and courage in this chaotic situation in her own way. She is fully aware of her identity and situation, and she understands the responsibilities she shoulders. That warning is her adherence to justice and protection of the innocent."

As the conversation deepens, the mystery in O'Leary's heart seems to be about to be revealed, but a deeper fear and uneasiness quietly spreads.

He murmured to himself, "But, Lu Mofei, how can you be so sure that lady is his wife? Is there more hidden secrets behind this?"

Lu Murphy smiled slightly, and that smile showed both confidence and relief. "Everything originated from an inadvertent disclosure by Sir Jack. When he first met you, the memories and emotions of the past surged into his heart like a tide, and he couldn't help but reveal part of the truth. At that moment, he might not have realized that these few simple conversations revealed the tip of the iceberg of the whole mystery for me."

"I know very well that any lie cannot stand the test of time, let alone escape the pursuit of the truth. Therefore, I used my own abilities and resources to conduct an in-depth investigation into Sir Jack's past."

"Did you know? He was once a primary school principal, and left behind a not-so-glorious history in the far west of that country. The decline of that school and their disappearance became a topic of conversation among the locals. The archives of the educational institution, like a loyal recorder, present all of this one by one."

"When I compared those dusty memories with the reality in front of me, everything became so clear. Their appearance, their hobbies, and even their common obsession with entomology all fit together like a puzzle. At that moment, I knew that I had found the answer."

As Lu Mofei told the story, a corner of the dark curtain was slowly revealed, but more of the truth remained hidden in the darkness.

Olier's question was like a candlelight flickering in the night, flickering with confusion and bewilderment. "If this lady is really his nominal wife, then why would a Mrs. Allen Aywalker suddenly appear in this complex emotional entanglement?" His voice was mixed with an indescribable heaviness, as if even the air was frozen. Olier's eyes were deep, trying to find a clue in this endless darkness, but the only response he got was a deeper silence.

Hearing this, Lu Murphy nodded gently, revealing an extraordinary calmness and wisdom in his action. "This is the most critical part of all the mysteries, and your keenness and persistence have unveiled a corner of it for us." His words were like a spring breeze, gentle and powerful, as if they could soothe all the waves in people's hearts. "Your visit to the mysterious lady not only demonstrated your courage and determination, but also gradually dispelled some of the fog. We learned that she may not have planned to separate from her husband, but if she mistakenly believed that Scourge was a free man, her desire and pursuit of love would naturally drive her to make the decision to become his wife."

O'Leary frowned, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, "But what if she eventually discovers this carefully woven lie? How will she react then? How will it affect the development of this case?" His question was like the brightest star in the night sky, leading them to continue exploring deeper into the unknown.

Lu Mofei's mouth curled up into a faint smile, which showed both the expectation of the unknown and the confidence of victory. "Ah, what an interesting scene that will be! If the truth comes out, this lady may become a trump card in our hands. Her testimony will be the most powerful accusation against the criminal." His voice was low and powerful, and every word was like a carefully crafted work of art, making it impossible to ignore the deep meaning behind it.

However, at this moment, Lu Murfei changed the subject and directed the topic to Oriel, "Oriel, my friend, do you realize that you have been away from your post for too long? As the guardian of Jack Manor, you have a heavy responsibility and cannot afford to make any mistakes." His tone was full of concern and reminders, as if he was reminding a traveler who was about to lose his way.

As night fell, the scene on the swamp became more mysterious. The last sunset glow had disappeared without a trace on the western horizon, replaced by a deep purple sky. In this vast sea of ​​stars, a few half-bright and half-dark stars twinkled faintly, as if telling an ancient and distant story.

O'Leary stood up and looked at Lu Murphy firmly, "One last question, Lu Murphy. There is no need to hide anything between you and me. I just want to know, what is his real purpose in doing this? What kind of conspiracy and calculation is hidden behind this seemingly beginningless mystery?" His voice was full of eagerness and desire, as if as long as this mystery was solved, everything would be solved.

Lu Murphy took a deep breath, as if he was gathering strength, and then slowly said: "This is a carefully planned murder, O'Neill. A far-sighted and extremely cruel conspiracy. Just as Sir Jack was tightly bound by an invisible net, I have also laid a net and am waiting to catch the mastermind behind the scenes. And your assistance is undoubtedly an indispensable force in this battle."

His words revealed an indescribable determination and firmness. "The only danger we face is that the enemy may take the lead before we take action. Therefore, we must race against time and not give him any breathing space."

At this point, Lu Mofei paused and looked at O'Leary with a sharp gaze. "In one more day - at most two days, I will complete all the preparations. During this time, you must guard the person you are protecting like a mother guarding a sick child. You have a great responsibility and cannot slack off in the slightest."

Hearing this, a warm current surged in O'Leary's heart. He knew the mission and responsibility he shouldered, and also understood Lu Murphy's trust and expectations of him. "Don't worry, Lu Murphy. I will use my life to protect him until this storm passes." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was declaring war on fate.

However, in the gap between their conversations, a sudden scream broke the tranquility of the swamp. The sound was full of fear and rage, like the wailing from hell, which made people shudder. Olier's blood instantly solidified in his veins, and his heart beat faster, as if it was about to jump out of his chest. "What is this sound? Where does it come from? What does it mean?" His heart was full of doubts and uneasiness.

Lu Mofei's reaction was even quicker and more decisive. He stood up suddenly, his black figure as agile and powerful as a cheetah. He stood at the door of the hut, his shoulders drooping, his head leaning forward, as if he wanted to see through the darkness and see everything clearly. His eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if he could see through the essence of everything in the world. "Shh! Don't make a sound." He said softly, his voice full of warnings and reminders.

The horrible screams were getting closer and louder, as if an invisible giant beast was approaching them. It carried with it endless fear and despair, making it impossible to ignore the terrifying power behind it.

As night falls and the stars disappear, a thick darkness wraps the earth tightly like a heavy velvet cloth.

In the dark night, Lu Mofei's voice was low but trembling in it that could not be ignored. Even a man as strong as iron like him could hardly conceal his fragility when facing the unknown fear.

"Which side?" he asked almost in a whisper, each word carrying a heavy emotion, and O'Neill could clearly feel the shock and uneasiness in his heart.

He pointed gently into the darkness, but the uncertainty was as elusive as the fog in the night.

"No, it's over there." Lu Mofei shook his head decisively, his eyes flickering in the darkness like the brightest stars in the night sky, trying to penetrate the chaos and find the answer.

There was determination and a hint of imperceptible despair in his eyes, which was a premonition of what was about to happen.

At this moment, a cry of pain broke the silence of the night. It was like a sharp blade, cutting through the air and also cutting through the defenses in the hearts of the two people.

The shouting became louder and louder, and closer and closer, as if some terrifying creature was approaching step by step in the darkness.

Along with the heart-pounding screams, a new sound quietly mixed in. It was a deep and complex murmur, which sounded like the most distant hum of nature, and it carried a bit of ominousness and horror, making people shudder.

"It's a hound!" Lu Mofei almost roared out this sentence, his voice was full of fear and anger, as if he wanted to pour out all his emotions.

He no longer hesitated, turned around and ran wildly across the swamp, each step he took was so firm, yet filled with a bit of desperate madness.

O'Learn followed closely behind, his heartbeat intertwined with Lu Murphy's footsteps, forming a tense and rapid melody.

Just as they were about to approach the uneven area with jagged gravel, a desperate scream broke the silence of the night. It was so tragic that even the wind stopped.

Then there was a vague and heavy gurgling sound, like the sound of something heavy falling to the ground, or like the sigh of the end of life.

The two stopped and waited with bated breath, but the surroundings fell into deathly silence.

Only the night breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness, but it could not blow away the haze in their hearts.

O'Leary saw that Lu Murphy had his hands pressed tightly against his forehead, as if he wanted to erase those unpleasant scenes from his mind.

He stamped his feet, making heavy noises, which were the externalization of his inner struggle and pain.

"He has already defeated us, O'Neill. We are too late." Lu Murphy's voice was low and hoarse, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from the bottom of his heart.

His eyes were empty and desperate, as if he had lost all hope.

O'Neill's lips trembled, trying to say something to comfort him, but found that he could hardly make a sound.

"No, no, definitely not." He murmured this sentence over and over again, as if he was cheering himself up, or as if he was trying to convince Lu Mofei.

But his heart was also filled with uncertainty and fear. He didn't know what the future would be like, and he didn't know whether they could escape this nightmare.

Lu Mofei suddenly began to beat his chest and stamp his feet, his actions full of self-blame and regret.

"What a fool I was to take no action! And you, O'Neill, now understand the consequences of abandoning the people you are supposed to protect!"

His words contained both blame for himself and for O'Neill, but more than that, it was a deep sense of powerlessness and despair.

O'Neill bit his lips tightly to prevent his tears from flowing.

He knew that Lu Mofei was using this method to vent his pain and anger, but he also knew that they couldn't give up just like that.

They still have unfinished missions and responsibilities waiting for them to complete.

So he reached out and held Lu Mofei's hand, looking at him with a firm look: "We haven't lost yet! As long as we are alive, we still have a chance!"

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