“May I ask why you say that, sir?”
“If all of this was the work of Long Xiaotian, why would he leave suggestive writings at the crime scene, and even try to conceal them?
Isn’t that contradictory?”
Hua Jinrong rested his chin on his fan handle and pondered,
“Sir, is there a possibility that the words left at the scene were part of Long Xiaotian’s scheme, intended to help him exonerate himself?”
“While I don’t rule out that possibility, I feel the killer is more likely trying to deliberately guide us to discover something.
And regarding Long Xiaotian and others, what the killer wants to expose is something they would most reluctantly see, or even recall.
Therefore, there were so many unreasonable actions.”
As Lin Qingge discussed the case with Hua Jinrong, Yan Tinghao returned, “Reporting, sir. I just asked the treasury manager, and someone did indeed withdraw Crane’s Top Red yesterday morning.
That person was Brother Liu.
But Brother Liu was running errands for Senior Disciple Lan Yishi, and Senior Disciple Lan Yishi was following the instructions of Master Long.
So, going in circles, it seems Master Long intended to use that Crane’s Top Red.”
Lin Qingge was not too surprised by this answer. Her focus was on:
“Constable Yan, why are you back so soon?”
In fact, she wanted to ask more: Wolong Mountain Villa is, after all, the foremost power in the martial arts world. Is it really okay for their treasury accounts to be so casually viewed by others?
Or rather, how could Yan Hanhan, an outsider, and an outsider whom Long Xiaotian disliked, be allowed to view the account books without being rebuffed? It would be good enough if he wasn't met with a cold shoulder.
Yan Tinghao scratched his head and truthfully replied,
“Reporting, sir. On my way, I ran into Brother Gao, and Brother Gao led me there.
Otherwise, I might not have even found the place.”
“I see.”
Seeing Lin Qingge looking thoughtful, Hua Jinrong fanned himself, “Sir, could it be that you suspect Gao Ming?”
“I fear some people are genuinely foolish, while others pretend to be foolish…”
???
Although he didn't quite understand, Yan Tinghao, who inexplicably felt offended, looked around left and right, moved his lips, but couldn't utter a word for a long time.
After another half day, Qin Ming ran over loudly, “Nephew, I, I’m done!”
Lin Qingge, who felt this fellow’s single status was definitely due to his own merits, twitched her lips. She couldn’t be bothered to correct him and directly stepped inside.
“Is this ‘Shao’?
No, this should be the character ‘Sha’?
Shajin Village, Jinsha Village?”
Lin Qingge muttered to herself, then looked at the flamboyant peacock beside her.
“Master Hua, please investigate all information regarding Jinsha Village, the sooner the better.”
“Jinsha Village?”
Hua Jinrong raised an eyebrow, “Sir, I am well-versed in all the place names in the Great Xia Kingdom, yet I have never heard of a village named that.”
“Just because it doesn’t exist now, doesn’t mean it didn’t exist before, or it was a former name of a village that was changed for some reason.”
“As expected of you, sir. I will investigate in this direction, and should have news by tomorrow morning.”
“Alright, you can all go back and rest.”
Lin Qingge instructed Yan Tinghao to stay and watch, while she herself led Lu Mingxuan away.
Perhaps it was because the foundation of this body was too poor, but every physiological period felt like falling gravely ill, not only leaving her weak but also making her mind groggy.
Walking back, Lin Qingge always felt she had missed something, but couldn’t recall it.
This feeling was both awful and tormenting, making her quite uneasy.
“Lady Lin?”
Startled by someone calling her name, Lin Qingge glared.
“Lady Lin, I apologize. Xing’er did not mean to delay you!
Xing’er just saw that Lady Lin’s complexion was not good and wanted to ask if Lady Lin would like to add some qi and blood-replenishing medicinal cuisine to your food.”
Lin Qingge, who hadn’t expected the person to be a girl, suppressed her displeasure and said earnestly,
“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Jian. This official has my wife to care for me, so I won’t trouble you, Miss Jian.”
“Um, Lady Lin, actually Xing’er has something to tell Lady Lin.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingge subtly took a step back, “Miss Jian, please speak freely.”
Jian Xing, amused by Lin Qingge’s action, smiled sweetly and said with a hint of envy,
“Lady Lin and Madam Lin share such deep marital affection; it is truly enviable.”
Her expression then turned somber, “Lady Lin, there is something I have been contemplating for a long time, and Xing’er feels it is necessary to tell Lady Lin.
Xing’er witnessed the deceased Golden Saber Hero visiting Master’s study to see Master.
He said it was their retribution!
He said that the villagers they had harmed years ago had transformed into ghosts to claim their lives.
He also said that none of them could escape.
Master was very angry upon hearing this, loudly reprimanding the Golden Saber Hero and saying that if the Golden Saber Hero continued with such nonsensical talk, he wouldn’t mind silencing him permanently.
Who knew that tonight the news of the Golden Saber Hero’s demise would spread, so…”
“So you suspect your Master of harming the Golden Saber Hero and the others?”
Lin Qingge directly finished her sentence for her.
Jian Xing bit her lower lip, hesitated for a long time, then mustered the courage to continue,
“Actually, Great Hero Feng did not go mad from qi deviation; he was crippled by Master and confined to the forbidden area.”
“What?”
“Ten years ago, when Great Hero Feng came to see Master, Xing’er happened to be accepted as a disciple.
The senior disciple who led Xing’er in left beforehand, leaving Xing’er waiting alone.
As Xing’er was extremely hungry, she wanted to have some pastries from the offering table to satisfy her hunger, but just as she reached the table, she heard footsteps.
Perhaps out of guilt, Xing’er hid under the table.
Immediately after, the person who entered the room shouted, ‘Long Xiaotian, Feng will expose your true colors in front of the entire martial arts world!’ Another person loudly reprimanded a few times, and then the two of them began to fight.
The one who spoke first was defeated and let out a scream.
Then, the other person said, ‘Considering our brotherhood, I will spare your life, but to prevent Brother Feng from speaking nonsense outside, I can only inconvenience Brother Feng to stay at Wolong Mountain Villa for a while.’
Later, Xing’er learned that the Great Hero Feng was the renowned Grass-on-the-Fly in the martial world, and the one who imprisoned Great Hero Feng was Xing’er’s Master.”
After hearing the whole story, Lin Qingge narrowed her eyes slightly, “Miss Jian, why have you suddenly sought out this official to tell me this?”
It is said that a teacher for a day is a father for life.
Compared to her, an outsider, Long Xiaotian, as her master, was undoubtedly closer. Therefore, Lin Qingge was very confused.
Jian Xing raised her hand to wipe away the tears that kept falling from the corner of her eyes and said in a muffled voice,
“Xing’er, Xing’er just doesn’t want Master to continue making mistakes.
And perhaps out of guilt, Xing’er often secretly visits Great Hero Feng behind everyone’s back.
At first, Great Hero Feng ignored Xing’er, but gradually, Great Hero Feng would occasionally respond to Xing’er.
Xing’er started discipleship late and her aptitude is not as good as the other senior disciples, so Master rarely noticed me.
But Great Hero Feng would point out the shortcomings in Xing’er’s moves, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was half my master.
Now that Great Hero Feng has been murdered, Xing’er wants to find the killer and avenge Great Hero Feng!”