Chapter 483: Swift Case Solving

Chapter 481: The Case Solved with Lightning Speed

"Now?" Zhongsun Mou immediately stood up. "Let's go."

The group strolled along the lake towards the city. Willows swayed gracefully along the path, and a gentle breeze rustled through the air.

Baishajue, known far and wide as a summer resort, naturally had cooler temperatures due to the refreshing breeze from the water. Even in the height of July, a fifteen-minute stroll by the lake wouldn't leave one drenched in sweat.

Soon after, they arrived at Tianxiang Tower.

This was one of Baishajue's most prominent restaurants, where the price of a single signature dish could equal two or three months' salary for an average worker.

Zhongsun Mou ascended the stairs and, sure enough, spotted a familiar face at the best window seat.

It was indeed Cen Boqing.

Cen Boqing rose to greet him, and after they exchanged pleasantries, they both took their seats.

Delicacies were brought out in a steady stream.

Zhongsun Mou had no particular love for human food, so his expression was somewhat indifferent. However, the table was laden with valuable fish sashimi and even emerald crabs transported thousands of miles from the coast. These crabs, pickled in yellow wine, yielded a trembling, bean-like roe when diners lifted the lid and inhaled, carrying the fresh, briny aroma of the sea.

Zhongsun Mou particularly enjoyed this dish, eating two before he stopped. "Good," he said, "I didn't expect to find such a delicacy in Chiyan."

"Delicious food can be found anywhere," Cen Boqing replied, "it's merely a matter of price."

The two then discussed court affairs for a while before Zhongsun Mou asked Cen Boqing, "Your subordinates didn't find me by chance, did they? Baishajue isn't a small place; a casual encounter like this is unlikely."

He suspected it was related to the case he was investigating, as clues were gradually pointing towards the city's northwest.

Zhongsun Mou felt a pang of regret.

He had originally intervened in the missing courier case when he heard it was assigned to Fu Shanyue, hoping both to achieve a great merit and to see Fu Shanyue disgraced.

Yet, he hadn't expected to get himself entangled this time.

Cen Boqing put down his chopsticks and chuckled. "How is your esteemed father doing lately?" he asked. "I hear the old master's complexion has been improving day by day over the past two years."

A flicker of displeasure crossed Zhongsun Mou's eyes. These humans always liked to beat around the bush when speaking.

Clearly, Cen Boqing was reminding him of something.

"Brother Cen," Zhongsun Mou said, "please speak plainly."

Cen Boqing sighed. "It's like this..."

Three days later, He Lingchuan finally arrived at Baishajue.

Along the way, chains of lakes dotted the landscape, vast grasslands stretched out, and tens of thousands of gulls and egrets would darken the sky when they took flight. Everywhere he looked, the scenery was beautiful, but unfortunately, he had no time to stop and admire it closely.

As soon as he arrived in Baishajue, He Lingchuan went to the county office with Jiao Yu to inform the local county magistrate.

Unfamiliar with the area, he wasn't one to rely solely on himself; he would leverage any help he could get.

After walking into the county office and taking a seat, just as the attendant brought tea, He Lingchuan declared he needed to find the latrine.

No one could stop him from doing that.

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

The Eyeball Spider, which had been away for several days, finally returned to its position.

"How are you here?" He Lingchuan asked. As soon as he entered the county office, he had realized he could share the Eyeball Spider's vision, so he had come to a secluded spot to retrieve it.

Wasn't this creature supposed to be following Zhongsun Mou?

"What? You were discovered?"

"He even tried to kill you? Oh, right, that guy deserves to die!"

"So, did you gain anything from following him for the past three days?" He Lingchuan asked, wincing and rubbing his ears. The Eyeball Spider was loudly recounting its grievances, almost deafening him. "No, no, it's not that I don't care about you; I'll definitely get revenge for you later!"

The Eyeball Spider, though furious, still diligently conveyed information.

By the time He Lingchuan returned to the hall, the Baishajue county magistrate had already arrived and was conversing with Jiao Yu. Upon seeing He Lingchuan, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.

This fellow's etiquette was even more elaborate than that of County Magistrate Baishi from Zhitian Township; his deep bow brought his fingertips almost to the floor.

His waist was quite flexible.

The Baishajue county magistrate, whose surname was Tian, was fair-skinned and plump, with a pentagonal face and eyes that disappeared when he smiled.

He Lingchuan was curious: with such a large belly, how could he still touch the ground when bending down?

However, He Lingchuan now adopted an official demeanor, looking calm and composed. In response to various greetings and questions, he only uttered single syllables like "hmm" and "ah."

Once he struck the pose, he looked like an experienced official.

This continued until the Baishajue county magistrate posed the crucial question: "Is the special envoy here concerning the murdered courier case from Lingxu City?"

He Lingchuan was slightly surprised. "How do you know?" he asked.

But he immediately realized, "Oh, you've already met Zhongsun Mou?"

"Yes, yes," the magistrate replied, "I met him a few days ago."

He Lingchuan secretly sneered. Shouldn't an imperial inspector conduct incognito visits to observe public sentiment? Zhongsun Mou, however, flashed his credentials everywhere he went. What was there to inspect then? Wasn't he just enjoying himself and throwing his weight around, all expenses paid?

And at public expense.

The Baishajue county magistrate smiled, revealing the lines around his mouth. "Lord Zhongsun has already solved the case," he said, "and the suspect has been apprehended and will be escorted to Lingxu City within days."

He was merely a county magistrate of a vassal state, while the other party was an imperial inspector from Lingxu City, specifically tasked with inspecting officials from various states. This was no mere matter of superior rank.

Even when the Baishajue county magistrate mentioned him, he had to be extremely respectful.

He Lingchuan was utterly astonished. "What did you say?" he exclaimed. "He caught the mastermind?"

After the Eyeball Spider was driven out, Zhongsun Mou actually solved the case at lightning speed and apprehended the principal culprit?

He's that capable?

Jiao Yu, the fierce tiger, also stood up, his tail twisting like a snake, clearly equally surprised.

As soon as He Lingchuan recovered his senses, questions poured out of him like a machine gun: "When? Is the principal culprit Mr. Mai's superior? What's his identity? Where does he live? How was he caught?"

"This humble official did not participate in the investigation and arrest," the Baishajue county magistrate explained admiringly. "I only know that Lord Imperial Inspector traced clues to the city's northwest, ascertained the suspect's whereabouts, and captured him yesterday in one swift action. The arrest process was very smooth; no damage was caused, nor were others harmed."

He Lingchuan didn't reply, simply asking Jiao Yu, "What do you think?"

Jiao Yu shook his head. "It's too strange."

"Don't underestimate the Imperial Inspector," He Lingchuan said. "Perhaps he really caught the true culprit with lightning speed." He then turned back to the magistrate: "Who exactly is this principal culprit?"

"He was interrogated last night," the Baishajue county magistrate said, choosing his words carefully. "His alias in Baishajue is Fu Hua, but his real name is Fu Songhua. On the surface, he's a merchant, but in reality, he has several murders to his name and is a fugitive wanted by Lingxu City for many years. Beyond that, this humble official is unaware."

He Lingchuan's face dropped, his voice turned cold, and his aura suddenly became sharp. "There's a murderer and a long-time fugitive in your county," he said, "and you claim you don't know?"

The Baishajue county magistrate's expression stiffened. "This case is being handled by Lord Zhongsun," he stammered. "I really can't interfere..."

An imperial inspector from Lingxu City could meet demon kings from various states without being arrogant or subservient; how dared he be presumptuous?

"He's from Lingxu City, not an official of Chiyan, and certainly not your superior," He Lingchuan said coldly. "How can you let him overstep his authority and then justify it? Or are you saying you consider him your senior while disregarding the laws and responsibilities of Chiyan?"

The Baishajue county magistrate was greatly alarmed. "This humble official wouldn't dare!" he exclaimed. "Special Envoy, you're speaking too harshly!"

He was also a shrewd individual and immediately threw the problem back to He Lingchuan. "This humble official did inquire twice," he said, "but Lord Imperial Inspector refused to hand the suspect over to me. I couldn't even touch the case files, and it wasn't appropriate to resort to force. What... what do you think we should do?"

He Lingchuan stared fixedly at him. The Baishajue county magistrate felt his gaze was like a sword, as if it could pierce directly into his heart. The pressure mounted, making him feel as if he was sitting on pins and needles.

"You're quite comfortable as the Baishajue county magistrate," He Lingchuan remarked, "usually just handling welcomes and farewells, offending no one."

The magistrate dared not reply.

Baishajue was a place of pleasant scenery, warm in winter and cool in summer, often frequented by high-ranking officials and nobles for recuperation. As a mere county magistrate, he had to face dignitaries from various states from time to time. If his demeanor wasn't flexible, how could he have remained in this position?

"Where is Zhongsun Mou?"

The Baishajue county magistrate glanced at the sky. It was just past noon. "He should be resting at the White Deer Inn," he replied.

"And the prisoner?"

The Baishajue county magistrate turned and pointed. "Also at the White Deer Inn."

"He actually keeps the suspect with him?" He Lingchuan said with a slight sneer. "How little trust does he have in you?"

Something was fishy.

The Baishajue county magistrate could only offer a forced smile.

"He didn't just arrest one person, did he? What about the other accomplices?" He Lingchuan asked. "Don't tell me Zhongsun Mou took all of them to the inn?"

"There are also several guards and servants from the Fu family, one steward, one concubine, two supervisors, and three merchants who had close dealings with him. Lord Zhongsun didn't take them to the inn; they are all temporarily held in the county jail."

"That's more like it," He Lingchuan said, patting his clothes as he stood up. "Lead the way; I want to interrogate them."

"Huh?" The Baishajue county magistrate was startled, but met He Lingchuan's gaze and immediately changed his tone. "Yes," he complied.

This was his direct superior, and He Lingchuan's reprimands were still fresh in his ears.

Besides, the prisoners were in his county jail; what couldn't a local official interrogate?

Baishajue's county jail was as dark and damp as jails elsewhere, with insects and rats scurrying in and out.

The magistrate led He Lingchuan and Jiao Yu inside, pointing to a row of cells. "These are all accomplices in the Fu Songhua case," he said. "Which one would you like to interrogate?"

He Lingchuan observed that several female dependents and maids were held in one cell, and the remaining men in three others.

"Start with the women," He Lingchuan instructed. "Didn't you say he had a concubine?"

The concubine's surname was Li.

When Madam Li was brought in for separate interrogation, she pleaded her innocence to He Lingchuan repeatedly. She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, and even with tears streaming down her face, her beautiful appearance was hard to conceal.

"I was sold to the master—ah, to Fu Songhua—when I was only fourteen," Madam Li sobbed, "I didn't know anything! I didn't know he was a fugitive, or that he had killed people!"

He Lingchuan leaned back. "Has anyone interrogated you before?" he asked.

"Yes, yes, once," she replied. "A few gentlemen came to question me, but they didn't seem like government officials."

The Baishajue county magistrate added from the side, "Lord Imperial Inspector's guards came to interrogate Madam Li once."

"Were you present for the whole thing?"

"Uh..."

The Baishajue county magistrate's back began to sweat again. It was truly hot in this jail.

He Lingchuan scoffed, then ignored the magistrate and turned to Madam Li. "What did they ask?" he inquired.

From Madam Li's answers, he knew that they had only asked general, boilerplate questions, such as how long she had been with Fu, who he usually associated with, and where they went.

It sounded like mere routine.

(End of chapter)