Chapter 57: Investigative Visit

Sun Zhenbang racked his brains, "Could it be that they took drugs, or drank alcohol, had hallucinations, and thus accidentally committed manslaughter?"

The forensic doctor shook his head, "We tested their stomachs; there was no trace of any drugs or alcohol, meaning their actions must have occurred while they were sober."

They were traffickers, seeking wealth, not lives.

Moreover, even if there were some disagreements, leading to arguments and differences, it would be impossible for them to resort to killing; even if they did kill, the fight traces should not be this brutal.

From the traces left by the wounds, the three seemed to have a deadly grudge, having reached a point of mortal enmity.

Especially, Ma Tian had an ear bitten off by Wu Liangxin, and Yang Cheng's leg was broken.

Those unaware of the situation might think they had a blood‑deep grudge.

Emotionally and logically, they had no reason or motive to kill.

There is also the issue of excessive fright.

What could cause them to lose their rationality? Sun Zhenbang could not figure it out no matter how he tried; perhaps only the parties involved could know.

The autopsy results not only failed to clarify matters, but instead plunged Sun Zhenbang into another fog.

He couldn't help but question, "Are the results really correct? Did they really die at each other's hands? And before death, were they also frightened?"

The forensic doctor gave a helpless smile, "Officer Sun, I've been in this line for decades; when have you ever seen me make a mistake?"

Yang Cheng died at Ma Tian's hands, Ma Tian died at Wu Liangxin's, and Wu Liangxin died again at Yang Cheng's—everything formed a closed loop.

What did they see again just before death?

This is just like a snake biting its tail, utterly unsolvable.

No one knows what exactly happened that night, causing them to brawl, resulting in the traffickers all being wiped out with no survivors.

Why wasn't Liu Siming there at the time, and what role did he play inside?

Moreover, is the person who killed Liu Siming the same one who earlier killed Li Han and the others?

Many mysteries surfaced in Sun Zhenbang's mind.

He barely slept all night, tossing and turning, thinking about these matters.

The next morning, Sun Zhenbang got up early and went to the police bureau to organize last night's information.

The cause of death for smuggler Li Han was the same as Liu Siming's, but because no weapon was found and a mountain search turned up nothing, no suspect could be found, so the case could only be left unresolved.

However, Liu Siming's wounds now suggest that perhaps this person has been hiding deep in the mountains; as for why they acted against Liu Siming, that remains unknown for now.

The remaining three killed each other.

Sun Zhenbang wrote all the information he knew on the blackboard, drew several crossing arrows, and finally put a big question mark on the same crime scene.

Everything is inseparable from that mountain.

Sun Zhenbang packed his things, planning to go to Longyuan Village again to see if he could obtain any useful information.

He recalled what the little girl had said about the Mountain God?

Sun Zhenbang also wrote the Mountain God's name on the blackboard and drew a question mark.

Is this so‑called Mountain God merely the little girl's imagination, or is someone impersonating it?

If it is a person impersonating it, could that person be the real killer?

With cooking smoke rising, faint crowing and voices could be heard from the small village; the whole village awoke from sleep, heralding the arrival of a new day.

Longyuan Village usually has not even a thief; year after year it is calm and peaceful, with nothing major happening.

Even the petty gossip of the eastern village widow's family could fill ten days or more, let alone last night's major incident.

All four traffickers died violently on the mountain, Hu Xiaocao returned unharmed, and besides, the things she said were heard by many villagers present at the time.

"Do you say there really is a Mountain God on this mountain?"

Previously the villagers did not believe in such things, but after Hu Xiaocao's incident, some began to waver between belief and doubt.

"There definitely is a Mountain God; little Xiaocao usually worships and offers to the Mountain God when she has nothing to do, and seeing her sincerity, the Mountain God Sir extends protection and punishes the wicked."

"Hu Xiaocao's worship of the Mountain God is something everyone can see; it can be said to be unwavering rain or shine. At first nobody believed it, and nobody wanted to shatter this little girl's fantasy."

"But now it seems they were wrong; when Hu Xiaocao encountered danger, the Mountain God acted decisively."

"Who says otherwise? Those few traffickers died in a most suspicious way; I heard from the person who found the bodies on the mountain that their eyes were wide open, expressions extremely terrified, as if they had seen something."

"Could there be something unclean on the mountain?"

"Pah, you're spouting nonsense; we've gone into the mountain many times with no trouble, the Mountain God Sir is just and strict, surely he only punishes the wicked."

The villager who said that spoke softer and softer, raising his head to look at the distant green hills, as if fearing to disturb some existence; his expression was filled with awe.

"Then shouldn't we also worship the Mountain God, praying for favorable weather and a good harvest for Longyuan Village next year?"

"I think that's fine; sincerity brings efficacy. I hope the Mountain God Sir won't blame us for coming so late to make offerings."

A few villagers transplanting rice in the fields were discussing there, and just then Sun Zhenbang and his party entering the village overheard them.

Several people looked at each other.

"The term 'Mountain God' is already the second time they've heard it."

"Yesterday it was from Hu Xiaocao's mouth; today it is from these villagers."

From the villagers' tone, the Mountain God and Hu Xiaocao seem closely related; the several traffickers are all dead, the sole survivor being this seven‑year‑old girl.

Sun Zhenbang analyzed, "It seems we want to find a breakthrough; we can only start from Hu Xiaocao, so let's first go to the village head to feel out the situation."

The group all the way arrived at the village head's home.

Upon learning of their arrival, the village head warmly welcomed them, "Police comrade, please have a seat; there's not much to offer at home, but this sweet melon is home‑grown and very sweet."

Sun Zhenbang repeatedly waved his hands.

"Village head, you're being polite; this time we came mainly to investigate the matter concerning Hu Xiaocao and the traffickers, after all four lives are involved—please recount the events again."

The village head nodded repeatedly, fully cooperative, "That's only natural."

The same principle applies; even if Yang Cheng, Ma Tian and the others are heinously wicked, the law will punish them.

If these events were human‑caused, as police we must maintain social order and justice, so we have to catch the perpetrator.

No one can stand above the law, even if he is carrying out Heaven's will, punishing evil and promoting good is also not allowed; the world only needs one rule and order.

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you.

Sun Zhenbang has seen too many such examples; the dragon-slayer eventually becomes an evil dragon, and popular violence is unacceptable.

If the killing of Li Han and them and this crime were committed by the same person, then his hands are already stained with several lives.

For such behavior, a strict prohibition must be issued.

(End of chapter)