Chapter 303: Lost Office and Lost Face (Three-in-One)

The people of Xuan Guang County look down on those of Shanhe County.

And human hearts are a very subtle thing.

So not only did Yao Qingyuan, when facing Xu Yuan, still maintain that slightly out-of-place sense of "superiority" in his heart.

Nan Hu had it too.

What both of them thought was: "People from Shanhe County..."

However, Nan Hu's position was far lower than Xu Yuan's; he lacked the capital to be as casual as the Magistrate.

He clasped his hands toward Xu Yuan and said: "Everyone, please follow me."

He led Xu Yuan and the two Patrol Inspectors to his duty room; the other Captains were settled by the clerks and Zhancheng Yamen Runners of the county yamen.

Upon entering, Nan Hu ordered tea to be served.

Xu Yuan got straight to the point: "Captain Nan, introduce the case details first."

The duty room was not particularly spacious; four people sat around a table, while Lang Xiao Ba stood behind his lord.

When the tea was brought, Nan Hu dismissed the servants, poured tea for everyone himself, and said: "The strangeness of this case lies in the fact that those who committed suicide had no reason to seek death.

That butcher, Hu Heizi, was a tyrant of Xijie in the county town, slaughtering one pig and three sheep daily, owning a storefront facing the street, and monopolizing the meat supply for four wine houses in the county town.

Just last month he had his third son; three days before his death, he had just gotten involved with a pretty widow two streets away... ahem, in short, although Hu Heizi had many enemies, if he had been murdered it would be normal, but there is absolutely no possibility he committed suicide."

"The others were in the same situation."

"As for my two assistants, it is even more so; Xiao Chen's father was a scholar from Liangcha River outside the city.

His family ran a private school and held considerable prestige in the countryside.

But three years ago, his father encountered an evil spirit and died in an extremely miserable way.

Xiao Chen sold all his family assets and, by every possible means, entered the path to become a Wen Xiu. His life's ambition is to cultivate to the Upper Third-Rank and kill all the evil spirits in Ghost Wushan!

He knew very well that he was currently unranked; facing even slightly stronger evil spirits would be seeking his own death, so how could he, alone in the dead of night, charge into Ghost Wushan?"

"Xiao Wang is a Rank Dan Xiu; which Rank Dan Xiu would be so desperate to brew a poison pill and eat it to commit suicide?"

After listening, Xu Yuan nodded, then said: "Xiao Ba, share your opinion."

Di Youzhi and Qin Ze were used to it; Lang Xiao Ba had a good memory, and whenever something happened, his lord would always ask him.

Nan Hu, however, could not help but feel some thoughts in his heart: A proper Patrol Inspector, asking a Captain standing behind him first?

Lang Xiao Ba said: "According to the records in the Bureau, several types of evil spirits can cause people to commit suicide without any warning signs.

For example, certain possessing ghosts, or a type of evil worm named 'Brain Tapeworm' that parasitizes the human brain imperceptibly, often causing mental confusion, self-harm, and suicide.

Or there are some evil spirits that bewitch the human heart, often whispering in people's ears, persuading them to commit crimes and evil deeds, and they can also persuade people to commit suicide."

Xu Yuan nodded: "Have the bodies of those people been disposed of?"

"Disposed of; we dared not leave them, as once night fell, we feared strange transformations would occur."

"Was an autopsy performed?"

"No autopsy was performed," Nan Hu said. "The coroner in the county is just an ordinary person and dares not touch such bodies."

Xu Yuan frowned, somewhat troubled about where to begin.

Magistrate Xu did bring a coroner from the office, but without bodies, there was no use for him.

Di Youzhi and the other two had immense confidence in their lord, so they waited quietly.

Although they had not followed their lord for long, no matter what the case, their lord could always devise a solution.

Silence fell within the duty room, but Nan Hu could no longer hold back.

"Magistrate Xu," Nan Hu asked hesitantly, "I dare to ask, what is your cultivation level?"

Qin Ze and Di Youzhi were both stunned, then together cast unfriendly glances at Nan Hu.

Even cultivators from the Seven Great Sects would not ask about each other's level upon first meeting.

This is a very disrespectful behavior.

Let alone a subordinate asking a superior directly in such a manner.

Nan Hu explained: "Everyone in the county judges that this evil spirit must be extraordinary. Therefore, I feel that at least a Seventh-Rank level is needed to exterminate it."

According to the customs of the Pollution-Exorcising Bureau, a Patrol Inspector must possess a Seventh-Rank level to hold the post.

By asking this, Nan Hu was openly questioning whether Xu Yuan was below Seventh-Rank.

This was overly disrespectful.

Qin Ze's large hand had already grabbed the teapot in front of him; with just one word from his lord, he would smash the teapot directly onto Nan Hu's head.

Splashing tea water, Qin Ze felt, was too light, not enough force.

Xu Yuan looked coldly at Nan Hu and questioned: "In this case, three commoners of Xuan Guang County are already dead, along with two of your assistants, Captain Nan.

I wonder, Captain Nan, after investigating until now, what discoveries have you made?"

Nan Hu said: "The evil spirit is cunning and has left no traces."

"So that means Captain Nan has gained nothing?"

"This..." Nan Hu stammered.

Xu Yuan sneered: "Seven days have passed, two of your own men are dead, yet you have made no discoveries; Captain Nan's ability can only be described as: utterly useless!"

Nan Hu's face flushed red, and he angrily said: "Why does my lord humiliate a subordinate official?"

"Since Captain Nan is so useless, before questioning this Patrol Inspector, should you not first take a leak and look at yourself?"

"You!" Nan Hu slammed the table and rose: "You are too arrogant!"

Xu Yuan snorted coldly: "Since you cannot handle the case, you need not serve as this county official anymore."

Nan Hu, even angrier, said: "My official hat is not something a Patrol Inspector can simply remove at will!"

Xu Yuan said to Qin Ze: "Send someone back to handle the paperwork."

"Yes!" Qin Ze was overjoyed; his lord was indeed imposing.

Beating this fellow is merely venting a momentary anger; stripping him of his office and cutting off his future is what will truly make him miserable for a lifetime!

"Xu Yuan—very well, very well, very well! I'd like to see if a small patrolman from Shanhe County can cover the sky with one hand at the Zhan Cheng Office!

Can you dismiss my office just by saying so? Hmph!"

Nan Hu angrily swept his sleeve and left, saying before he went: "I have served as a county assistant in Xuan Guang County for fifteen years! Without my assistance, let's see how you solve this case!"

Di Youzhi felt somewhat uneasy and said in a low voice: "My lord, although the man surnamed Nan is arrogant and rude, we do need the cooperation of the local snake to handle this case."

Xu Yuan waved his hand lightly and offered no further explanation.

Five people died in seven days.

One more day of delay could mean one more death.

Since Nan Hu was unwilling to cooperate, Xu Yuan had no time to engage in back-and-forth struggles or slowly subdue him.

This time, he needed to cut through the tangle with a sharp blade and act with thunderous speed.

Moreover, Nan Hu was openly bullying him for being young and disrespectful; why should he endure it?

Regarding today's matter, if Lord Xu does not make a move, then truly enduring for a moment... the more he thought, the angrier he became.

"Lang Xiao Ba."

Lang Xiao Ba immediately stepped forward: "What are your orders, my lord?"

"Tomorrow, dismiss Nan Hu from his post as county assistant. You shall post a notice throughout the county: whoever can assist the Qu Hui Si in solving the case may volunteer.

If he truly establishes merit, he shall be the next county assistant."

"As you command!"

In the vast Xuan Guang County, the post of county assistant was a lucrative one; Xu Yuan did not believe no one would be tempted.

After a busy day, County Magistrate Yao Qingyuan returned to the rear office. An old servant helped him change out of his official robes and asked: "Master, shall dinner be served?"

"Bring it up once it is ready."

"Yes."

The old servant went out and soon returned with two maids to serve dinner.

While eating, Yao Qingyuan asked: "Is there anything happening in the county today?"

The old servant replied: "I heard that Lord Xu from Zhan Cheng had a quarrel with Lord Nan, threatening to dismiss Lord Nan from his post as county assistant. Lord Nan was so angry he went straight home."

"Oh?" Yao Qingyuan couldn't help but smile: "Young people are just impulsive."

The county assistant actually did not report to the county magistrate but was appointed by the Qu Hui Si.

Yao Qingyuan had been in Xuan Guang County for three years; while there were no grudges between him and Nan Hu, neither could one say they were on good terms.

Nan Hu was the local snake; he was a transient official.

Nan Hu felt he did not need to show too much respect to the county magistrate, but he would not act so disrespectfully either.

If he could bring Nan Hu down and replace him with someone who would obey him, Yao Qingyuan would be happy to go with the flow.

However, even if Nan Hu were dismissed, the county assistant post was still appointed by the Qu Hui Si and would not fall into Yao Qingyuan's hands.

After eating a few more bites, Yao Qingyuan had made his decision: to help neither side.

Compared to Xu Yuan, everyone in Xuan Guang County was naturally a single entity.

Moreover, Yao Qingyuan did not hold high hopes for Xu Yuan.

After all, he was merely a patrolman; even if he had connections at the Zhan Cheng Office, they could not truly dismiss a county assistant based on a single word from him.

Xu Yuan and the others stayed in the county yamen tonight.

The rear office was spacious; Xuan Guang County, being wealthy, had built houses on all available empty land.

Early the next morning, Xu Yuan first checked the almanac. Today's prohibitions included:

Eavesdropping, alchemy, holding a brush, and dancing.

Xu Yuan couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth; today was truly not a good day. Half of a Dan Xiu's and a Wen Xiu's abilities were nullified.

And a Wu Xiu... might also be affected.

Some Wu Xiu martial arts were similar to dance; for instance, female Wu Xiu cultivated skills like "Sword Dance," which could not be used today either.

Stepping outside, Lang Xiao Ba was already waiting and had prepared water for the my lord.

While washing, Di Youzhi and Qin Ze also arrived: "My lord, what are the arrangements for today?"

"Go to several crime scenes first to take a look."

Nan Hu's home was not far from the county yamen; those with money and status in the county all lived around the yamen.

Early in the morning, someone from the Nan household quietly slipped out the back door, snuck into the county yamen to gather some news, and then quickly returned.

"Master, that Xu Yuan has taken people to several crime scenes."

"I think he has no real ability; isn't this just the same old routine? Master, you have already turned those places upside down long ago; even if they look again, they will find nothing."

"The yamen is very calm; no one believes Xu Yuan can truly dismiss your post."

"I think that Xu Yuan is just young and arrogant; he is merely a patrolman, yet he truly thinks highly of himself.

He is not the Lord of Laws; he does not have that much power."

If today's prohibitions included slandering or gossiping, this servant would have undergone a strange transformation on the spot.

Nan Hu felt slightly more at ease.

He was truly afraid that Xu Yuan possessed some special method to solve the case without relying on him, the local snake, to guide the way.

Now it seemed Xu Yuan was just using ordinary investigative methods.

As long as Xu Yuan could not find the evil spirit secretly harming people, he would inevitably come begging before him in the end.

His own hat was saved.

The family servant added, "Truly, I do not know how someone so young managed to secure the position of Patrol Inspector."

Nan Hu snorted coldly, "That is naturally because he has connections in the family."

"Your lordship sees through it all," the family servant hurriedly flattered.

Nan Hu waved a hand, "Arrange for several more people to keep watch on Xu Yuan and the others."

"Yes!"

"Be sure to rotate the men frequently; do not let them notice."

"Your lordship need not worry; you have taught us these matters in the past."

At the home of the butcher Hu Heizi, Xu Yuan carefully inspected the pigsty.

The several large fat pigs that had eaten Hu Heizi's corpse had long since been slaughtered.

The matter was too horrifying; even the neighbors speculated that those large fat pigs had also turned into evil spirits.

Hu Heizi had five apprentices—actually, they were all his enforcers. Hu Heizi was able to monopolize the meat supply for several restaurants precisely because he had this gang of ruthless men who feared no bloodshed under his command.

However, these five men did not dare to kill those pigs.

Hu Heizi's wife offered twenty taels of silver before a veteran soldier, who had been discharged from the army with injuries a few years prior, risked his life to take on the job.

At high noon, he drank eight bowls of fiery wine, grabbed a trident, went inside, and stabbed each of the pigs to death with a single thrust.

Xu Yuan inquired in detail about various specifics, looked around other parts of the house, said nothing, then came out and went to the home of that elderly gentleman.

An hour later, he came out and went to the widow's house.

No one remained in the widow's house.

A seal was pasted on the main gate.

Lang Xiao Ba went up and tore off the seal. Just as Xu Yuan was about to lead his men inside, someone rushed in from the side, shouting, "My lords..."

Two Captains drew their swords to block the man, while Xu Yuan, as if he had heard nothing, simply entered the main gate.

"My lord, this lord..." the man continued to shout, but the two Captains exerted force and seized him.

"I am not a bad person," the man hurriedly pleaded, "I have benefits to offer my lords."

Xu Yuan entered the courtyard and continued to inspect every corner carefully.

He flipped through an object and tucked a ledger into his robe.

Then he asked a Zhancheng Yamen Runner sent by the county yamen to guide them, "This family also had a child; where is he?"

"That child was originally adopted to continue the family line. Once the widow died, his biological parents came and took him back."

"The servants and maids in the house were also dismissed."

Xu Yuan nodded and walked out, saying, "Go to that child's home and take a look."

Upon reaching the main gate, the man shouted from the side again, "My lord, how much longer must this mansion remain sealed? I am waiting to sell it."

Xu Yuan frowned and waved a hand.

The two Captains sheathed their swords and brought the agent over.

The agent lowered his head and smiled apologetically, quietly trying to slip a tael of silver into Lord Xu's hand in secret.

Lord Xu smiled, and Lang Xiao Ba, standing nearby, lifted his scabbard and, with a sharp crack, struck the agent's wrist.

The agent cried out in pain; the silver flew away, and his wrist swelled up.

Lang Xiao Ba, looking like a fierce demon, said, "The lord summoned you to answer questions; answer properly and do not engage in such messy affairs!"

"Yes, yes, yes, this humble one was wrong."

Xu Yuan asked, "Who told you to sell this mansion?"

"The eldest brother of Widow Zhou."

"Speak more clearly!"

"He is the biological father of the adopted child; he is the cousin of Widow Zhou's deceased husband."

Xu Yuan frowned deeply, "Do you understand the situation in Widow Zhou's family? Explain the details to this official."

"N-no, I do not understand," the agent glanced at the Zhancheng Yamen Runner nearby and hurriedly waved his hands to deny it.

Xu Yuan saw no need to make things difficult for an agent, so he walked away with a stern face and hands clasped behind his back.

The person had just died, the child was taken away, an agent was found to sell the house—were they really that eager?

The agent dared not ask when the seal would be lifted. Only after everyone from the Pollution Removal Bureau had left did he run over quickly, pick up that tael of silver, and stuff it into his robe.

On the road, Xu Yuan quickened his pace, fell in behind the guiding Zhancheng Yamen Runner, and then called out, "Xiao Ba, come and tell me, what might be the situation between Widow Zhou and her eldest brother's family?"

Lang Xiao Ba grinned and let out a cold, chuckling laugh, "Such matters are not uncommon. This subordinate guesses that Widow Zhou's dowry was quite substantial."

"She had no children, and her husband died; naturally, she could remarry."

"But if she remarried, the dowry would go with her."

"The husband's family, unwilling to part with such a large sum, would have to find a way to keep her."

"So they adopted a child for her, fabricated stories of her chastity and loyalty, and entrusted local gentry and celebrities to submit a memorial to the court."

"The court, unaware of the truth, issued a decree commending her, and the local community then organized the construction of a Chastity Arch for the widow!"

"All of this solidified the fact—which widow would dare to remarry in front of a Chastity Arch?"

"The husband's family would then employ some tricks, and the widow, unable to endure for a few more years, would pass away."

"The dowry would naturally be inherited by the so-called son, the child would return to his biological parents, and a vast fortune would be secretly divided among the husband's relatives!"

"What audacity!" Xu Yuan suddenly roared in anger.

When the Zhancheng Yamen Runner heard Lang Xiao Ba reveal these "insider methods," he had already begun to break out in cold sweat.

Terrified by Lord Xu's sudden outburst, his legs trembled so violently he nearly fell to the ground.

Seeing his reaction, Xu Yuan knew exactly what was happening.

If the husband's family did such a thing, it was impossible that they hadn't bribed everyone in the county yamen.

Xu Yuan patted his shoulder: "The road is slippery; be careful."

"Y-yes, thank you, my lord, for the reminder." The Zhancheng Yamen Runner stammered.

"Walk slowly, don't rush. That widow Zhou wasn't killed by you; why are you panicking?"

The Zhancheng Yamen Runner hurriedly said, "Right, right, right, of course, that widow Zhou was not killed by this humble one."

Suddenly, Xu Yuan grabbed his shoulder again, pulled him close, and asked in a low voice: "Then tell me, who actually killed widow Zhou?"

"Ah?!" The Zhancheng Yamen Runner panicked: "This humble one... this humble one heard it was a malevolent spirit."

"Hehe." Xu Yuan smiled and shoved him away.

This time, the Zhancheng Yamen Runner's legs finally gave way, and he fell to the ground.

At the house of widow Zhou's eldest uncle, they found nothing useful.

The husband's family had covered their tracks perfectly, and they must have rehearsed their testimonies multiple times beforehand.

All of this was secretly observed clearly by the Nan family; every time Xu Yuan left a house, they would send someone running back to report to Nan Hu.

Good news arrived one after another, while Nan Hu sat calmly at home like a fisherman on a hook.

Once no one was around, he couldn't help but boast to himself: "A yellow-mouthed child, not even fully grown, thinks he can challenge this old master? Hmph!"

"He even boasted so arrogantly, claiming he would strip this old master of his official hat; does he have the ability?"

"I fear that this time, to save his own official hat, he will have to visit my door to apologize and beg this old master to come out and help him."

Just as he was secretly enjoying himself, the fourth messenger came running into the house.

But this time, unlike the previous three who were flushed with joy and ready to ask for a reward, this messenger's face was pale, and he ran out of breath.

"O-Old, Old Master, i-it's b-b-bad!"

Nan Hu frowned and said displeasedly: "If you can't speak properly, I'll cut out your tongue!"

The messenger fell to his knees with a thud: "Old Master, an official decree has been posted at the yamen entrance; Old Master, you have been dismissed from your position as county official by the Evil-Dispelling Bureau!"

"What did you say?!"

Nan Hu felt his vision go black; the contrast between before and after was too great, and Nan Hu simply could not accept it, swaying as he sat back down in his chair.

The personnel of the Evil-Dispelling Bureau had notices pasted on their legs and could run back to Zhan City in one double-hour.

They left yesterday afternoon and returned this morning.

After a long while, Nan Hu suddenly stood up again, slammed the table, and cursed angrily: "Little thief! You insult me too much—!"

In my Great Ming, there has never been a case where official appointments or dismissals required public posting.

Yet Xu Yuan insisted on posting the decree.

This was to show the entire county: I said I would dismiss you yesterday, and today I have dismissed you!

Old Master Nan's face was truly trampled into the mud by Lord Xu and then ground underfoot several times...

In a rage, Nan Hu smashed everything in the room that could be broken.

Seeing that messenger still kneeling motionless on the spot,

he immediately rushed over in anger and kicked him over: "You fool, why don't you get out quickly!"

Enduring the pain, the messenger knelt properly again and bowed his head, saying: "O-Old Master, there is another matter.

That Xu Yuan posted another notice, saying that, saying that..."

"Saying what? Don't stammer!"

"Saying that whoever helps him solve this strange case will be rewarded with the position of county official."

"Hahaha!" Nan Hu laughed in extreme anger: "He plays a clever hand! But he underestimates the weight of my Nan family in Xuan Guang County!

Go inform the other families in the county; none of them should pay any attention to that brat. My Nan family owes them a favor..."

But before the messenger could walk out, he was called back: "Return!"

Nan Hu thought again; this was a critical time, and since he was no longer the county official, he could no longer act as before by simply sending someone to deliver a message.

"This old master will go personally."

Xuan Guang County has a rhyme: The Tan family's bamboo, the Wang family's carriages, the Feng family's blades, the Nan family's brothels.

It refers to the four wealthiest families in Xuan Guang County.

The Tan family's main business is the most famous bamboo paper in Xuan Guang.

The Nan family owns five brothels and related businesses scattered throughout the county.

If Nan Hu truly lost his office, these Nan family businesses would likely be unable to continue.

The Wang family operates the carriage and horse business, and the Feng family runs ironware shops; the most profitable part is supplying weapons to the military.

Nan Hu had his family prepare three gifts, and he personally went to visit those three families.

The first one to visit was, of course, the Tan family.

Everyone actually lived not far away, all near the county yamen.

Nan Hu's carriage passed by the yamen entrance, where a crowd was packed together, all looking at the two notices posted in front of the gate.

Nan Hu only glanced out through the crack in the carriage window and saw those people discussing things with great excitement and liveliness!

"Hmph!" Nan Hu snorted: "Relying on these commoners of the marketplace to help you solve the case? A fool's dream.

As long as those three families do not participate, you will never find that malevolent spirit!"

When Nan Hu arrived at the Tan family, the coachman went to speak with the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper bowed with clasped fists to the inside of the carriage, then quickly went in to announce the arrival.

Nan Hu sat quietly in the carriage, waiting a while, yet the gatekeeper still did not appear.

That was wrong; with his status, at the very least, the chief steward should have come out to welcome him.

He waited a while longer, and still no one came out.

Just as Nan Hu was about to lose his patience, the gatekeeper finally rushed out, approaching the carriage and speaking in a low voice: "My master is not at home; please return."

"Not at home?"

Nan Hu found it even stranger, but he could not force his way in, so he waved his hand: "Go to the Wang family."

Similarly, after waiting quite a while at the gate, a steward came out: "My master went out early this morning to visit friends; he likely won't return for three or five days."

Nan Hu thought for a moment, then tapped on the carriage door: "Go, to the Feng family—do not go to the main gate; stop outside the back gate."

The Feng family's Fourth Master had known Nan Hu since childhood; they shared a friendship of several decades.

Fourth Master Feng still dared not let Nan Hu enter the gate; he sent a young servant to invite Nan Hu to a nearby tea house.

Nan Hu waited a full half-hour before Fourth Master Feng finally came out to meet him.

Upon meeting, he spoke directly: "Li Yichuan sent a personal attendant from his side, carrying a handwritten letter to visit us three families one by one, requesting our aid for my lord Xu."

(End of this chapter)