After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 482: Chapter 481: Swiftly Cracking the Case

”Now?” Zhongsun Mou immediately stood up. ”Let’s go.”

The group strolled along the lake toward the city. Along the way, weeping willows swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze.

Baisha Jue caught the cool breeze from the water, its temperature naturally lower than other places, making it a famous summer retreat. Even in the peak of summer in July, a quarter of an hour’s walk by the lake wouldn’t leave you drenched in sweat.

Before long, they arrived at the Celestial Fragrance Building.

This was one of Baisha Jue’s top restaurants, where the price of a single signature dish was equivalent to two or three months’ salary for an ordinary worker.

Zhongsun Mou ascended the stairs and, just as he expected, saw a familiar face at the best table by the window.

It was, indeed, Cen Boqing.

Cen Boqing rose to greet him. After a round of pleasantries, they both sat down.

Delicacies were served one after another, like a flowing stream.

Zhongsun Mou had no love for human cuisine, so his expression was rather indifferent. However, the dishes brought to the table were all expensive fish sashimi. They had even transported jade crabs from the distant coast, pickled them in yellow wine, and served them so a diner could lift the shell and slurp. The trembling, soft roe was like tofu pudding, yet it carried the briny fragrance of the sea.

This was Zhongsun Mou’s favorite. He ate two before stopping. ”Not bad. I didn’t expect the Chiyan Kingdom to have such delicacies.”

”You can find delicacies anywhere. It’s all just a matter of price.”

The two discussed matters of the Imperial Court for a while before Zhongsun Mou asked Cen Boqing, ”Your subordinate didn’t just happen to find me by chance, did he?” Baisha Jue wasn’t a small place; how could there be such a random encounter?

He figured it was related to the case he was investigating. After all, the clues were slowly pointing toward the northwest of the city.

Zhongsun Mou felt a twinge of regret.

He had originally heard that the missing Messenger case was handed over to Fushan Yue. That’s why he’d interfered, partly to score a major achievement and partly to see Fushan Yue get humiliated.

But he never expected to get dragged into it himself this time.

Cen Boqing put down his chopsticks and chuckled. ”How has your esteemed father been recently? I hear the old master has been looking better and better these past two years.”

A flash of displeasure crossed Zhongsun Mou’s eyes. ’These humans. They just love to beat around the bush.’

Clearly, Cen Boqing was giving him a reminder.

”Brother Cen, just say what’s on your mind.”

Cen Boqing sighed. ”It’s like this...”

Three days later, Hee Lingchuan finally arrived in Baisha Jue.

The journey had been a string of lakes and sprawling seas of grass. A hundred thousand gulls and egrets taking flight would blot out the sun. The scenery was beautiful no matter where he looked, but unfortunately, he had no time to stop and admire it.

As soon as he reached Baisha Jue, Hee Lingchuan went with Jiao Yu to the County Yamen to inform the local County Magistrate.

In an unfamiliar place, one should borrow any strength available. He wasn’t the type to insist on doing everything himself.

After entering the County Yamen and taking a seat, an attendant had just served tea when Hee Lingchuan asked for the privy.

No one could stop him from doing that.

He walked alone through the shadow of a high wall, and a tiny figure leaped down from the top, landing on his shoulder.

The Eye Spider, which had been on assignment for several days, had finally returned.

”How did you end up here?” The moment Hee Lingchuan entered the County Yamen, he found he could share the Eye Spider’s vision, so he went to a secluded spot to retrieve it.

’Wasn’t this thing supposed to be following Zhongsun Mou?’

”What? You were discovered?”

”He wanted to kill you? Oh, oh, right, that bastard deserves to die!”

”So, did you find anything in the first three days you were following him?” Hee Lingchuan couldn’t help but clean out his ear. The Eye Spider was furiously recounting its ordeal, nearly bursting his eardrums. ”No, no, it’s not that I don’t care about you. I’ll definitely get even for you later!”

The Eye Spider was fuming, but it still dutifully relayed its intelligence.

By the time Hee Lingchuan returned to the main hall, the Baisha Jue County Magistrate had already arrived and was speaking with Jiao Yu. Upon seeing Hee Lingchuan, he immediately came forward to bow.

This fellow’s etiquette was even more thorough than the White Stone County Magistrate’s in Zhitian Village. His deep bow was so long his fingertips nearly touched the floor.

His waist was remarkably flexible.

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate’s surname was Tian. He was fair-skinned and plump, with a pentagonal face. When he smiled, his eyes disappeared.

Hee Lingchuan was curious. ’How can he touch the ground when he bends over with a belly that big?’

However, he now put on an official air, acting all aloof and important. He responded to the magistrate’s various greetings and questions with nothing but monosyllabic grunts like ”Mm” and ”Ah.”

Once he struck the pose, he looked just like a seasoned veteran of the officialdom.

This continued until the Baisha Jue County Magistrate asked the crucial question: ”Is the Special Envoy here for the case of the murdered Lingxu City Messenger?”

Hee Lingchuan was slightly surprised. ”How did you know?”

But he quickly realized. ”Oh, you’ve already met Zhongsun Mou?”

”Yes, yes, I met him a few days ago.”

Hee Lingchuan was inwardly scornful. ’Aren’t Inspectors supposed to conduct unannounced visits in plain clothes to understand the people’s conditions? Zhongsun Mou flashes his credentials everywhere he goes. What the hell is he inspecting? He’s just throwing his weight around while sightseeing, isn’t he?’

’On the public’s dime, no less.’

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate smiled so broadly his laugh lines showed. ”Lord Zhongsun has already solved the case. The suspect has been apprehended and will be escorted to Lingxu City soon.”

He was a County Magistrate of a Vassal Kingdom, while the other man was an Inspector from Lingxu City who specifically audited officials from all kingdoms. This was a gap far greater than a single rank.

Even when mentioning him, the Baisha Jue County Magistrate had to be extremely respectful.

This time, Hee Lingchuan was truly shocked. ”What did you say? He caught the mastermind?”

’After the Eye Spider was chased out, Zhongsun Mou solved the case at light speed and even caught the main culprit?’

’Is he that capable?’

Jiao Yu, the fierce tiger, also stood up, his tail twisting like a snake. He was clearly just as surprised.

Once Hee Lingchuan snapped back to his senses, the questions came out like a cannonade: ”When? Is the main culprit Mr. Mai’s superior? What’s his identity? Where does he live? How was he caught?”

”I was not involved in the investigation or the arrest. I only know that the Lord Inspector followed the clues to the northwest of the city, tracked down the suspect, and captured him in one fell swoop yesterday,” the Baisha Jue County Magistrate said admiringly. ”The arrest went very smoothly, with no damage or harm to anyone.”

Hee Lingchuan didn’t respond to that, instead asking Jiao Yu, ”What do you think?”

Jiao Yu shook his head. ”It’s too strange.”

”Don’t underestimate the Inspector. Maybe he really did catch the true culprit with lightning speed,” Hee Lingchuan said, then turned back to the magistrate. ”Who exactly is this mastermind?”

”It was found out during last night’s interrogation. The man used the alias Fu Hua in Baisha Jue, but his real name is Fu Songhua. He appears to be a merchant, but in reality, he has several lives on his hands and is a fugitive who has been wanted by Lingxu City for many years,” the Baisha Jue County Magistrate said, choosing his words carefully. ”As for anything more, I do not know.”

Hee Lingchuan’s expression hardened, his voice turned cold, and his aura suddenly became sharp. ”A murderous Demon and a long-time fugitive was in your county, and you dare claim ignorance?”

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate’s expression froze. ”This case was handled by Lord Zhongsun. I really couldn’t get involved...”

An Inspector from Lingxu City could meet with the Demon Kings of various nations without being either servile or overbearing. How could he, a mere magistrate, dare to be impudent?

”He’s from Lingxu City, not an official of the Chiyan Kingdom, and certainly not your superior. How can you let him overstep his authority and still sound so justified?” Hee Lingchuan said coldly. ”Or are you saying you see him as your superior, but you treat the laws and responsibilities of the Chiyan Kingdom as nothing?”

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate was horrified. ”I wouldn’t dare! Lord Special Envoy, you overstate things!”

He was a clever man and immediately tossed the problem back. ”I did inquire twice, but the Lord Inspector refused to hand the suspect over to me. I couldn’t even touch the case files, and I couldn’t very well use force. What... what do you suggest?”

Hee Lingchuan stared at him intently. The Baisha Jue County Magistrate felt his gaze was like a sword that could pierce straight to the heart. The pressure mounted, leaving him feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

”You’ve had it pretty comfortable as the Baisha Jue County Magistrate, haven’t you? Just welcoming and sending off guests, never offending anyone.”

The County Magistrate didn’t dare to respond.

Baisha Jue was a pleasant place, warm in winter and cool in summer. Dignitaries and nobles often came for recuperation and short stays. As a minor County Magistrate who frequently had to face the powerful from various nations, could he have kept his position for so long if he wasn’t flexible?

”Where is Zhongsun Mou?”

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate glanced at the sky. It was just past noon. ”He should be resting at the Bailu Inn.”

”And the criminal?”

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate turned and pointed. ”Also at the Bailu Inn.”

”He’s keeping the suspect with him?” Hee Lingchuan gave a slight sneer. ”How little must he trust you?”

’Something’s fishy here.’

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate could only offer a forced smile.

”He couldn’t have just arrested one person, right? What about the accomplices?” Hee Lingchuan asked him. ”Don’t tell me Zhongsun Mou took them all to the inn?”

”There are also several of the Fu Family’s guards and servants, one housekeeper, one concubine, two Stewards, and three merchants who were in close contact with him. Lord Zhongsun didn’t take them to the inn; they are all temporarily being held in the County Prison.”

”Now that’s more like it.” Hee Lingchuan patted down his clothes and stood up. ”Lead the way. I want to conduct an interrogation.”

”Ah?” The Baisha Jue County Magistrate was stunned for a moment, but his eyes met Hee Lingchuan’s, and he immediately changed his tune. ”Yes.”

This was his direct superior, after all, and Hee Lingchuan’s admonishment was still ringing in his ears.

Besides, the prisoners were in his County Prison. What was to stop a local official from interrogating them?

The County Prison in Baisha Jue was just as dark and damp as any other, with vermin queuing up to get in and out.

The County Magistrate led Hee Lingchuan and Jiao Yu inside, pointing to a whole row of cells. ”These are all accomplices in Fu Songhua’s case. Which one would you like to interrogate?”

Hee Lingchuan saw that several female family members and maids were locked in one cell, while the remaining men were in three others.

”Start with the women. Didn’t you say he had a concubine?”

The concubine’s surname was Li.

When Ms. Li was brought out for a separate interrogation, she kept crying out her innocence to Hee Lingchuan. She was about seventeen or eighteen, and even with tears streaming down her face, her pretty features were undeniable.

”I was only fourteen when I was sold to the master—ah, sold to Fu Songhua. I don’t know anything!” Ms. Li cried. ”I didn’t know he was a fugitive, and I didn’t know he had killed people!”

Hee Lingchuan leaned back. ”Has anyone interrogated you yet?”

”Ye-yes, once. A few masters came to ask questions, but they didn’t seem like they were from the Government Office.”

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate added from the side, ”The Lord Inspector’s Guards came to question Ms. Li once.”

”Were you present for the whole thing?”

”Er...”

The Baisha Jue County Magistrate started sweating again. ’It’s really hot in this prison.’

Hee Lingchuan scoffed and ignored him, turning to Ms. Li. ”What did they ask you?”

From Ms. Li’s reply, he gathered they had only asked some generic questions, like how long she had been with Fu, whom she usually saw him with, and where they went.

It sounded like a mere formality.