I Can Devour Spirits

Zhu Guibao let out a laugh, walked to his seat, leaned back in his chair, propped his legs up on the desk, picked up the tea cup on the desk, and poured a draught of cold tea down his throat before saying, ”It’s not urgent now!”

Liu Kui looked at him with a puzzled expression.

He was the one who had been rushing Liu Kui as if it were a matter of life and death, and now he was saying it wasn’t urgent!

Zhu Guibao noticed Liu Kui’s expression, put his feet down, sat up a bit straighter, and explained, ”The County Magistrate has been promoted to the position of Inspector General in Ruyang Prefecture and will be leaving Xianggu County soon. Legally speaking, he is no longer the official of Xianggu County, and he will not concern himself with this case.”

”The new County Magistrate will take office in a few days. Before the new magistrate arrives, your report just needs to be completed. No need to rush!”

Liu Kui heard this, and his expression shifted. Shen Yanliu had unexpectedly been promoted directly to the rank of Inspector General of a prefecture; it was truly a meteoric rise! However, Liu Kui, being a cautious person by nature and not one to gossip, especially not about the promotion of a superior, preferred not to discuss it further and continued to focus on writing his report.

Yang Zhen also felt a stir in his heart upon hearing Zhu Guibao’s words and gradually snapped out of his daze.

Zhu Guibao, sitting there, glanced at the dazed Yang Zhen and said, ”Yang Zhen, go find a few people and take Jie Daohan’s body to the mortuary.”

Zhu Guibao had previously ordered the body to be brought directly to the Arresting Officer’s Room because he believed that the County Magistrate would personally inquire about such a major case and would also inspect Jie Daohan’s body. The mortuary was too cold, moldy, and foul-smelling, so he brought the body to the Arresting Officer’s Room to facilitate Shen Yanliu’s inspection.

Little did he know that Shen Yanliu had been promoted and would not concern himself with this case. His attempt to curry favor with his superior had come to nothing.

”I have other matters to attend to!” Yang Zhen suddenly walked straight out.

”You...” Zhu Guibao was momentarily angry, spat on the ground as he watched Yang Zhen’s back.

”Old Jie is already dead. Do you think there’s still someone to back you up?”

Zhu Guibao was very displeased with Yang Zhen’s cold and aloof attitude and secretly decided to find an opportunity to deal with Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen left the Arresting Officer’s Room and immediately turned toward the back courtyard of the County Office. He walked around the screen wall and saw the ground of the back courtyard piled high with boxes and things, with maidservants and attendants bustling about with various items.

Yang Zhen stood by the screen wall for a long time.

He was almost certain in his heart that the person who killed Jie Daohan was Duan Rong!

However, he had no evidence, and he couldn’t even logically explain the situation himself.

Jie Daohan was a True Qi Realm expert, while Duan Rong was merely a Martial Artist in the Great Success stage of the Inner Breath Realm!

Yet, Yang Zhen had a deep-seated feeling, an inexplicable intuition beyond reason. He just knew that the murderer of Jie Daohan was Duan Rong!

In the end, Yang Zhen still lacked the courage to cross the yard cluttered with boxes and debris to see Shen Yanliu.

His heart was torn with indescribable frustration, so he left the County Government Office and wandered idly along the street.

Yang Zhen’s mind felt a bit sluggish. As he walked, his subconscious brought him to the entrance of the Yuan Shun Escort Agency.

He stood dazedly, staring at Yuan Shun Escort Agency with its grand stone lion-flanked entrance, and, as if driven by some strange force, went inside directly to the gate of Liu’s House.

Yang Zhen stood dumbfounded, staring at the gate of Liu’s House!

If the person who killed Jie Daohan was Duan Rong, then Duan Rong must have returned and might even be inside Liu’s House right now!

Yang Zhen hesitated for a long time before finally summoning the courage to softly knock on the gate of Liu’s House.

The old hardwood gate made a dull thump as Yang Zhen knocked, then he listened for any sound from within.

But after a long while, there was still silence from behind the gate!

Yang Zhen took a few steps back, watching inside Liu’s House. Several tall willow trees were swaying gently in the spring breeze, their tender shoots casting a soft, green shimmer...

Yang Zhen wanted very much to climb over the courtyard wall and go in to take a look, but he was afraid!

He was afraid of Duan Rong!

The same Duan Rong who killed Jie Lei and Xu Ruhu, the same Duan Rong who killed the True Qi Realm expert Jie Daohan. How could he not be afraid?