Chapter 82

The morning sun rose in the east.

County Vice-Commander Fei Ji, accompanied by several clerks, carried out evidence such as the alchemical furnace and medicine jars from Wu Su's room, murmuring praises along the way:

"Look, what do you call 'speed is precious in war, and a tiger's son is fierce'? Once this is done, let's order a banquet to celebrate Jinhuan's success; I'll pay for the wine!"

"My Lord Fei is generous. Yang Dabiao, look..."

"Yes, yes, yes. I will first punish myself with three cups, then toast My Lord Fei Ji and Jinhuan with three cups each... By the way, should we also see off County Magistrate Wu?"

"Shh, shh, shh..."

In the courtyard outside, officials in various official robes gathered together to discuss the case.

County Magistrate Wu, who had just awakened from a coma, stood alone on the periphery, trembling like a lackey, his expression conveying:

Who am I?

Where am I?

Oh right, I'm going to Lingnan later to see a demon beast bare its teeth...

Monk Jingkong, who had rushed over from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, squatted beside a basket covered with Bai Bu, inside which lay, um... Wu Su fragments?

Monk Jingkong, with a compassionate heart, could not bear to rummage through it, so he merely took a severed arm to examine carefully, his eyes filled with surprise:

"The limbs are abnormal; it is indeed due to long-term consumption of the Hua Yao Dan. A family heirloom jade pendant belonging to another deceased person was also found in the cellar. There is no doubt he is the murderer. Young Master Xie and Miss Linghu, your methods are truly breathtaking."

Linghu Qingmo, following along to gain experience, was praised as a goddess detective, feeling strangely embarrassed:

"I just followed behind to learn; I didn't help at all. It was all Young Master Xie Jinhuan pursuing the case alone..."

"Eh~"

Monk Jingkong, as always, knew how to comfort people:

"When sect disciples train outside, if they have senior or junior sisters accompanying them, they are usually full of energy. This is also a form of invisible assistance; Miss Linghu, you need not belittle yourself."

"Uh..."

Linghu Qingmo pondered: isn't this just calling me a vase?

Is this insulting me or praising me...

Lu Qian, a Hundred-Household Commander of the Red Scale Guard, was also assisting in the investigation on the other side.

Upon receiving news of the murderer's capture in the morning, Lu Qian was also full of shock and suspicion; because of old grievances, he even suspected Xie Jinhuan of 'killing innocents to claim merit'.

But after personally inspecting the inside and outside, the murderer was indeed the culprit, and Xie Jinhuan's investigation route had no major issues; the only doubt was that this murderer seemed a bit weak.

Lu Qian pondered carefully and turned to ask:

"Although this person learned the Five Elements Arts, with his cultivation, it is impossible for him to have detected all experts within a hundred zhang in advance..."

Xie Jinhuan saw that Lu Qian was not here to investigate the case, but to question him; the matter of his confiscating illegal gains certainly could not be discussed openly, so he responded:

"This person seems to possess the 'Gold-Seeking Divine Ability'; he hunts people not by looking at their cultivation, but by examining the material of their magical artifacts. Qi can be hidden, but artifacts are hard to conceal, which is why he was able to succeed repeatedly. I was able to catch up because I carried a hunting eagle with me, which could see his tracks from the sky."

"Gugu~"

Meiqiu stood on his shoulder, shaking her head and body, her little expression meaning roughly—We four are truly amazing!

Lu Qian still had some doubts, but since the person had been beaten into minced meat, there was no way to study what divine abilities he had learned, so he said no more for the moment.

Standing there was also Prefect Chen Ping.

The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture holds a Rank 3 position, the same level as the Ministers of the Six Ministries; even in Jingcheng, he is a powerful official with real authority.

Prefect Chen had been scolded by the Emperor like a dog two days ago; initially, he thought it was the Mingshen Sect causing chaos, but upon waking up, he found that Xie Jinhuan had solved it just by going out for a stroll, so he was truly prepared to throw Wu Yuanhua to Lingnan to retire!

Now, after hearing the group discuss the case, Prefect Chen looked at Wu Yuanhua:

"I thought there was some sky-reaching demon hiding behind this; it is such a simple case, yet you stubbornly investigated it for eight months, and in the end, it was the son of the old Vice-Commander who solved it. If so, what use is a county magistrate like you?"

County Magistrate Wu had bitterness he could not speak, thinking silently:

Whether I am useful depends on who I am compared to!

Last night they said there would be a meeting; I closed my eyes and opened them, oh no, I'm almost in Lingnan; who could survive this if they were in my place...

But one dare not talk back to a superior, so County Magistrate Wu only kept reflecting:

"This humble official knows his mistake! It was this humble official's negligence..."

Xie Jinhuan knew the county government office truly could not catch this demon bandit; even an Immortal Official would be at a loss. If he hadn't encountered him, this person would almost certainly only be caught by bad luck, colliding with an unarmed expert while committing the crime, or being spotted by Super Rank big shots like Lu Wu Zhen or Cao Fo'er.

Since the county government office was being punished, Uncle Fei and other friends and family would also suffer, so Xie Jinhuan thought it over and stepped forward to interject:

"My Lord Chen overstates it. Yesterday, after talking with County Magistrate Wu and Vice-Commander Fei, I also thought the demon bandit might be a rogue cultivator. I have known County Magistrate Wu since childhood; he is diligent in public service and lives with empty sleeves. If not for County Magistrate Wu and Vice-Commander Fei often guiding me in previous years, I would not have learned so much."

Oh my!

Hearing these words, County Magistrate Wu's eyes filled with tears; if the occasion were appropriate, he would have kowtowed twice on the spot.

Prefect Chen saw Xie Jinhuan's kindness and did not scold his subordinate in front of everyone; he turned his gaze back, revealing a warm smile:

"A few days ago, I heard from Danyang that your abilities are extraordinary and your words and deeds are humble; now it seems that was an understatement. If not for Danzhao's valued artifact and his granting you a key position in advance, I would certainly have submitted a memorial to request that you take over his position..."

Xie Jinhuan clasped his hands: "Thank you, My Lord Chen, for your kindness, but this case cannot be concluded just yet."

"..."

Upon hearing these words, the courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Many of the people investigating turned their heads.

Prefect Chen had made a military pledge to the Emperor and was eager to close the case and move on; hearing this, his heart skipped a beat:

"This case... has another aspect?"

Xie Jinhuan knew there were two murderers in this case; the other was a Mingshen Sect demon bandit taking advantage of the chaos, but this matter was hard to state openly, so he currently only said:

"I blocked Wu Su and questioned him why he willingly fell into depravity to harm the people, committing this act of selfishness and stealing from others!

"But he claimed he only killed thirteen people; the other four were framed by someone else taking advantage of the chaos. A dying man should not tell such a lie."

"I originally intended to keep a live prisoner, but as you all know, I was injured a few days ago and have not yet recovered. This person's Five Elements techniques are truly formidable, so I could only focus on self-defense."

Facing a demon Daoist who stopped at nothing and possessed astonishing vitality, everyone followed the principle of 'kill if they must be killed'; otherwise, with the ability to revive at full health at any moment, no one would blame Xie Jinhuan for striking them down.

However, these words still caused the crowd to hesitate.

Prefect Chen, whose primary goal was to close the case as quickly as possible, thought for a moment and asked:

"Demon bandits are good at playing mysterious tricks; these words are likely... Jinhuan, do you think these words are true or false?"

If Xie Jinhuan said they were false, the case would truly be closed; he pondered his wording slightly at that moment:

"If there truly were demon bandits taking advantage of the chaos, they would eventually emerge and cause even greater disaster. Why not pursue this case further? If there are no clues within a month, my lord Chen can make a final decision?"

If there were no clues within a month, it would mean Wu Su was lying, and the case could be closed on the spot; Prefect Chen naturally had no objection to this and turned to give orders:

"Proceed as Jinhuan said. However, this is a 'case within a case,' so it must be investigated as two separate cases. Even if demon bandit clues are truly found, the 'Dried Corpse Case' will already be concluded."

"Yes."

Magistrate Wu nodded vigorously, like a pestle pounding garlic.

After Prefect Chen finished giving orders, he remembered the matter of Xie Jinhuan's father and sighed again:

"When your father encountered trouble back then, this official also spoke up, but the disturbance of ghosts in the temporary palace alarming the Imperial carriage was indeed too great."

"Hmm... regarding the specific circumstances at that time, you can check the files from that year. Later, this official will have someone retrieve the files, and you can collect them at the county government office tomorrow morning."

Xie Jinhuan only knew that his father had been transferred to Nanning in Ruizhou; his father had never mentioned the specific reasons. Seeing this, he naturally clasped his hands:

"Thank you, my lord Chen."

——

Noon, in a certain underground chamber in the outer city.

Dim yellow firelight illuminated every corner, and a strong scent of medicine permeated the air.

A wooden bed leaned against the wall, upon which lay a man covered in blood, his hair disheveled and scars piled high; a horizontal wound was visible behind his waist, as if struck by a dragon or python, with flesh and skin directly whipped into fragments.

Zhang Chu, the incense master of the Mingshen Sect, leaned against the wall with a sword hanging at his waist, holding a letter report just delivered by the government office, his brows furrowed as he examined it.

A few days ago, in the battle at Huaijiang Bay, Tai Shu Dan and others were all slaughtered; when this news reached the ears of the Mingshen Sect, it caused an uproar.

To refine a single Blood Demon Pill, the Mingshen Sect granted Tai Shu Dan immense authority, not only providing top-tier support in money, resources, and intelligence, but even managing to lure away all the experts, including Mu Yun Ling, to create an opportunity for Tai Shu Dan to act.

Such a perfect layout meant that even if they tied a dog ranked at Rank 3, it could have obtained the Blood Demon Pill.

Yet, Tai Shu Dan and his group of over twenty people were completely slaughtered single-handedly by a junior with not high cultivation.

Zhang Chu originally thought Tai Shu Dan's old habit had flared up again; he had faked his death to escape while betraying the sect from within, preparing to continue abandoning the light for the dark.

But since the Mingshen Sect were already demon Daoists, where else could Tai Shu Dan possibly fall to?

Anything further down would be the animal realm!

For this reason, they could only assume Tai Shu Dan was incompetent, failing to coordinate properly, which led to the leak of information and the collapse of their efforts.

However, the spy buried in the Wang Fu retrieved a severely injured survivor on the verge of death; after being rescued and waking up, he insisted that their operations were watertight and that Xie Jinhuan was simply too sinister.

Zhang Chu certainly did not believe this nonsense; he used various methods to torture and interrogate him, attempting to restore the truth of the incident.

But this man was also stubborn; after three days and three nights of beating, he refused to reveal the truth, insisting it was Xie Jinhuan's fault.

If this person did not bear the surname 'He' and have some background, he would have been taken directly to become a puppet blood slave.

But what they never expected was that last night, just after Xie Jinhuan arrived in Jingcheng, the wandering Daoist friend at the antique street in the middle of the night directly returned his soul to the Mingshen Hall, and they also discovered another murderer hiding in the Dried Corpse Case.

Counting from when Xie Jinhuan arrived at the county government office last night, it took less than four double-hours in total!

In such comparison, Tai Shu Dan, despite the exposure of the Mad Corpse Flower, the discovery of the corpse cave, and being pursued by Xie Jinhuan, still relied on the method of 'diverting the disaster eastward' to drag things out until the Mid-Autumn Festival, even almost succeeding; this ability was simply heaven-defying.

And facing such a completely incomprehensible method of hunting the culprit, Zhang Chu was obviously under pressure as heavy as a mountain!

The matter of 'harvesting primordial yang' within the city was something Zhang Chu did for convenience; according to this method of investigation, he might not last as long as Tai Shu Dan.

After examining the letter report for a long time, Zhang Chu put down the paper and looked at the man on the wooden bed:

"Now it seems that Tai Shu Dan being able to hold on for six or seven days before returning his soul to the Mingshen Hall truly lived up to his former reputation; count me as having misunderstood you master and disciple."

He Can, the young master of the criminal group, had been slaughtered into an orphan, then captured by allies and subjected to severe torture; his heart was filled with overwhelming grievance, but he could not voice it at this moment, only gritting his teeth and saying:

"Do you believe me now? I've said it eight hundred times; Xie Jinhuan is too sinister, and the result would be the same no matter who went. If I didn't have the 'Python Emperor Armor', I would have died eight times already..."

"You guys, why did you kill his father for no reason? Without this matter, would Xie Jinhuan be willing to fight us to the death?"

"Who actually killed his father? You'd better tell me; I cannot let my master die without knowing the truth..."

Zhang Chu put down the letter report and shook his head:

"In the case of the ghosts in the temporary palace, his father likely discovered the identity of an insider within the sect, so the sect cut off the roots to eliminate the threat, but the personnel sent never returned. We are also unclear about the specific circumstances at that time or whether this child was in the convoy."

He Can turned his head, incredulous:

"Operating so carelessly, and you still call yourselves the Mingshen Sect? Since this child has come to Jingcheng, I estimate it won't take a month before you are all dug out by him."

"You guys, what did you hope to gain by saving me? If I died in Danyang, at least I would have a quick death; following you guys, I have to be chopped a second time. That bastard's hands are too ruthless; when they say 'kill the whole family', they really kill the whole family..."

Zhang Chu had already seen that Xie Jinhuan was very troublesome and thought for a moment:

"This child lives in the Prince's Mansion; he will likely go to the Golden Tower tonight. I will go tonight to eliminate him and avenge your master."

"You? To eliminate Xie Jinhuan?"

He Can fell silent for an instant, then nodded:

"Before you go, remember to tell the other personnel to come deliver food, so you don't die in the Golden Tower and leave me to starve to death in this ghost place."

?

Zhang Chu frowned: "You have already been scared out of your wits and are no longer suitable for the path of cultivation. In consideration of your surname He, once your injuries heal, take the severance money and get lost."

"How to cultivate the Dao, I know better than you. If you want to go, go; I will wait for your good news. Take care on your way."

"Hmph..."

Zhang Chu's face was ice-cold, but he paid no heed to this spineless dog, turning and leaving the basement...

—

Wangjing Thousand-Household Office, rear hall.

Han Jingchuan, clad in a crimson qilin robe, paced back and forth in the hall, his tiger-like eyes hiding anxiety:

"Is Xie Jinhuan truly a god? He slew Tai Shu Dan in six or seven days; I thought he just ran fast and got lucky. The mastermind behind the dried corpse case—after the county government office investigated for over half a year, he killed him in half a night..."

Hundred-Household Lu Qian stood in the hall, his brows furrowed tightly as well:

"I personally verified it; he is indeed the mastermind behind the dried corpse case. And he didn't just grab a thief out of thin air. Xie Jinhuan went to the Ghost Market first, then traced the medicine merchant, found the person through the registry, and relied on a hunting eagle to track their movements..."

This process was indeed reasonable, but paired with the efficiency of 'four double-hours', it was truly terrifying!

Han Jingchuan had originally worried Xie Jinhuan would come to assassinate him for revenge soon, but now it seemed, why wait for soon?

With Xie Jinhuan's efficiency, the fact he survived last night was only because the man was too busy catching the dried corpse case culprit.

If Xie Jinhuan had nothing to do today, he would probably be dead by tonight!

Sensing Xie Jinhuan's excessive aggression, Han Jingchuan could not openly punish a hero of the case, so he could only say:

"Have you found out Xie Jinhuan's whereabouts?"

Lu Qian recalled slightly: "Wang Shizi will go to the Golden Tower to watch a play tonight. Xie Jinhuan should be accompanying him nearby; he probably won't come to Changle Street tonight."

Han Jingchuan clenched his fists behind his back and began pacing back and forth again, pondering how to handle this.

Lu Qian had always been under Han Jingchuan; three years ago, when Xie Wen took the blame, he managed to escape punishment as well.

Now that his partner Zhou He had died suddenly before him, he felt a sense of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold'. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"This youth's methods are too swift, and his tactics are hard to predict. We might not be able to trick him with a setup. Moreover, one can play the thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against a thief for a thousand days. Waiting like this, we might let this youth catch a gap..."

"What do you mean?"

"How about I go to the Golden Tower tonight to see if there's a chance to strike first..."

Han Jingchuan thought of Li Gong's instructions, his brows furrowed tightly:

"He stays by Wang Shizi's side; how dare we strike? If the matter is exposed, it would be handing a blade to them..."

Lu Qian covered his mouth with his hand, leaned in, and whispered:

"Xie Jinhuan will have to get up to relieve himself eventually; there must be an opportunity. As for the aftermath, didn't he say there was another culprit in the dried corpse case?

"He solved the case so quickly; the hidden culprit must be terrified. It's normal for them to come tonight to silence witnesses. We just need to clean up the traces thoroughly and pin it on the demon bandits afterward..."

Han Jingchuan thought for a moment and was actually somewhat tempted, hesitating as he said:

"But Li Gong instructed that if the enemy does not move, we do not move..."

Lu Qian spoke earnestly, trying to persuade:

"What status does Li Gong hold? Even if Xie Jinhuan becomes Wang Shizi's son-in-law, it will be hard to topple Li Gong; naturally, they can afford to wait.

"We are different. Xie Jinhuan has already been favored by Wang Shizi, and now he has repeatedly achieved extraordinary merits. Before long, he will soar into the sky.

"By then, with an official rank three levels higher, if Xie Jinhuan wants to kill my lord, he won't need assassination. One word from him, and my lord would have to commit suicide, and even thank him for a quick death..."

Hearing this, Han Jingchuan felt pressure like a mountain!

To thrive in Jingcheng, one relies not on rote study and imperial examinations, but on ability and connections.

Xie Jinhuan happened to be extraordinary in both aspects. Judging by the momentum from last night, Li Gongpu could not hold back this young dragon.

If we do not strike a killing blow now, waiting until Xie Jinhuan has established his footing in a few days, it will truly become raising a tiger to harm oneself...

Han Jingchuan hesitated repeatedly, then finally said:

"The news that Changle Street is being patrolled has already spread. Tonight, this official will wait for the rabbit by the stump. You go to the Golden Tower to investigate. If it is confirmed Xie Jinhuan will not come, and there is an opportunity to strike, we will act when the time is right!"

"Yes..."

(End of this chapter)