Chapter 32: 7 Desiccated Corpses, You Have to Love What You Do
Chapter 32: Chapter 32: 7 Desiccated Corpses, You Have to Love What You Do
County Magistrate Wang wasn’t trying to intimidate the Kaiyang Saint Heir.
He was genuinely occupied.
At noon, he had received a report from a Captain about a murder case. In Wang Family Bay, just outside the city, the entire family of an old Scholar—seven people—had been massacred. It was confirmed to be the work of a Martial Artist, and a handkerchief embroidered with the totem of the Profound Yellow Sect had been found at the scene.
Normally, since it had been confirmed to be the work of a Martial Artist, he should have just transferred the case to the Jing’an Guard.
But because the crime occurred in Tongzhou and might involve the Profound Yellow Sect, County Magistrate Wang, the Squad Leader of the Profound Yellow Sect’s Tongzhou Branch, couldn’t help but go to the scene himself.
Even though he was accustomed to life and death, such a gruesome scene still dealt County Magistrate Wang a massive psychological blow.
Seven fresh, desiccated corpses were laid out neatly in the courtyard. Their grayish-blue skin, stretched taut over their ribs, was covered in cracks. Their eye sockets were sunken, and their eyeballs had become nearly translucent sacs laced with bloody threads.
On the faces of the different corpses, one could faintly make out various emotions like terror, despair, and anger.
"Sir, the deceased have no external injuries, and no bloodstains were found in the house or the courtyard. However, not a single drop of blood remains in their bodies. Furthermore, the old Scholar Wang’s daughter-in-law and ten-year-old granddaughter both had their clothes partially undone. It’s suspected they were violated before their deaths," Captain Chen reported.
County Magistrate Wang’s face was grim. The victims’ blood had clearly been drained dry by some kind of Evil Skill or Evil Object.
If the killer left the handkerchief merely to frame the Holy Sect, he would be furious. But if the killer was truly a disciple of the Holy Sect, he would be even more furious.
"If this fiend is not executed, heaven’s law will not tolerate it," he said in a low voice, then turned to leave. "Secure the scene."
"Yes, sir!" Captain Chen cupped his fist and replied.
County Magistrate Wang had completely forgotten about the Kaiyang Saint Heir. Upon returning to the city, he went straight to the Jing’an Guard’s Hundred Households.
Chen Zhongyi was just leaving when he ran right into him. He was stunned for a moment, then greeted him in a passive-aggressive tone.
"Well, well, what wind blew County Magistrate Wang over here?"
County Magistrate Wang ignored him completely, brushing past with a dark expression. This left Chen Zhongyi standing there awkwardly. He spat at the magistrate’s retreating back.
"You pretentious prick. Two-faced maggot."
When Pei Shaoqing saw County Magistrate Wang, he said the same thing. "What wind blew you here today?"
"A demonic wind, an evil wind," County Magistrate Wang said coldly.
Pei Shaoqing could tell something was off with his mood. He waved to dismiss Song Youcai, who had shown the magistrate in, and only then did he ask, "What’s wrong? Did something happen?"
County Magistrate Wang plopped down into a seat, grabbed the teapot from the table, and took a long swig. The fire raging in his heart was somewhat quenched, but he still spoke about the case through gritted teeth.
"There’s been a murder case in Wang Family Bay, outside the city. The old Scholar Wang, who ran a school, and his entire family of seven have been massacred. It seems someone used an Evil Skill or an Evil Object to drain them of all their blood. Their deaths were bizarre, and his daughter-in-law and granddaughter were violated before they died. A handkerchief embroidered with my Holy Sect’s totem was found at the scene."
"How appalling." Pei Shaoqing frowned and then asked, "Are you suspecting that someone is deliberately trying to frame you?"
County Magistrate Wang said glumly, "That’s only one possibility."
"You’re afraid that no one was trying to frame you." Pei Shaoqing was stunned for a moment before it dawned on him. He continued, "All the Profound Sect disciples in Tongzhou are under your command as the Squad Leader..."
"It was absolutely not done by my people!" County Magistrate Wang cut him off decisively, his voice low. "Even if it was done by a disciple of our Holy Sect, it must be some scum from the sect who was just passing through. I know my own men."
Pei Shaoqing didn’t comment on that, instead asking directly, "Then what are you asking of me by coming here?"
"I hope Young Master Pei can capture this maniac. I will help you, but please do not reveal this case’s connection to my Holy Sect before the truth is brought to light." County Magistrate Wang sighed helplessly.
Pei Shaoqing asked with great interest, "And what if the investigation ultimately proves it was a disciple of the Profound Yellow Sect?"
"Then naturally, you can deal with them as you see fit," County Magistrate Wang replied.
Pei Shaoqing smiled. "I thought you would ask me to help cover it up to protect the Profound Yellow Sect’s reputation."
"If I did that, how would my Holy Sect be any different from some of the Court’s dogs? There are many ways to maintain a reputation—building bridges, paving roads, showing kindness to the people—but turning black into white is not one of them," County Magistrate Wang said frankly.
Pei Shaoqing shook his head. "You just insulted me, too."
"Then I sincerely apologize," County Magistrate Wang said with a look of utter sincerity.
Pei Shaoqing suddenly felt that the Profound Yellow Sect, despite never succeeding, had also never been truly defeated. Perhaps it was because there had always been people like County Magistrate Wang within its ranks.
Though the Profound Yellow Sect was in tatters,
there were always those trying to patch it up.
Just like the world itself.
"Alright, I’ll agree to your terms. Committing such a crime on my territory is a sign of disrespect. And for people who don’t give me face, I usually don’t let them live."
Pei Shaoqing hated two kinds of people the most: those who asked him to give them face, and those who didn’t.
County Magistrate Wang stood up and bowed solemnly. "Thank you."
Pei Shaoqing nodded and picked up his teacup.
Seeing this, County Magistrate Wang rose, took his leave, and departed.
"Someone," Pei Shaoqing called out after taking a sip of tea.
Song Youcai immediately trotted in. "Sir."
"Bring a few men and come with me," Pei Shaoqing ordered calmly, setting down his cup.
When he was a bandit, he robbed with diligence and dedication.
Now that he was an official, he investigated cases with diligence and dedication.
Only by loving your trade, whatever it may be, could you become a leader in your field and eventually reach the pinnacle of life.
After arriving at the scene and seeing the seven gruesome, dried corpses, even Pei Shaoqing had to admit he was outmatched.
The killer was even more wicked than him.
He asked casually, "Where’s the evidence?"
"Sir." Captain Chen handed over a handkerchief.
The handkerchief was made of fine silk, and the embroidery of a great, dazzling sun was exquisite. The person willing to use Top Grade silk for such a handkerchief was surely either rich or noble.
"Search every corner carefully and question all the villagers one by one," Pei Shaoqing commanded.
Song Youcai replied, "Yes, sir!"
.........
After returning to the County Government Office, County Magistrate Wang didn’t rush to see the Kaiyang Saint Heir. Instead, he first met with Vice Squad Leader, Shopkeeper Ma.
"Squad Leader, the Kaiyang Saint Heir is very displeased that you didn’t go to greet him. He thinks you don’t take him seriously. Xiao Wu just said one word too many and was beaten until he coughed up blood right on the spot." Shopkeeper Ma began complaining the moment he saw him.
"So arrogant?" County Magistrate Wang frowned after hearing this. Though they had yet to meet, his impression of this Saint Heir had already dropped to a freezing point.
Shopkeeper Ma wore a pained expression. "Arrogant doesn’t even begin to describe him. He demands the best of everything when he’s out—food, clothing, lodging, transport. He even complained that I didn’t arrange for beautiful maids to serve him. I’ll say something treasonous in your presence, but... even though our Holy Sect’s rebellion hasn’t succeeded yet, he’s already acting like he’s a Prince."
’After seeing so many of these bizarre higher-ups in the sect, he truly appreciated what a good superior he had in County Magistrate Wang.’
"He is the Sect Leader’s beloved disciple, after all. As long as he doesn’t cross any bottom lines, like treating human life as worthless, just try to satisfy his demands." County Magistrate Wang sighed, then added, "Did he reveal his reason for coming to Tongzhou?"
"The Saint Heir claimed he was pursuing a sect traitor named Zhou Shunqing to this area." As he spoke of this, Shopkeeper Ma looked puzzled and raised his doubts. "But why did he send word to us several days in advance? Surely he couldn’t have predicted that the traitor would flee toward Tongzhou? And if he did anticipate it, why didn’t he order us to intercept him first?"
"Perhaps it involves a sect secret that he couldn’t elaborate on," County Magistrate Wang speculated. Then, his thoughts turned to the murders at Wang Family Bay. ’Could it be the work of that traitor, Zhou Shunqing?’ He then said, "Take me to see the Saint Heir."