Chapter 61: Meeting Qu Heng

"A cat as big as an ox? How can there be such a huge cat?" Gu Chundong exclaimed in shock.

Zhuo Qingfeng smiled slightly and said, "That's why they claim it was a cat demon. According to the thirteen suspects, the chief bodyguard, Lin Zhenyue, disregarded warnings and killed some cats that blocked their path during the escort, thus inviting the cat demon's revenge.

They described how that night, while escorting the goods and resting at the inn, they heard a disturbance. When they went out to check, the courtyard was swarming with cats. Finally, a gigantic white cat appeared. It spoke human words, first using one paw to cripple Lin Zhenyue's hands, and then with a second paw, it killed him.

Afterward, the large white cat led the feline horde in an attack, carrying out a massacre. As it was leaving, the great white cat turned back and let out a roar, stunning everyone who was still alive.

When they woke up, they found themselves in a cave on the border of Fang County. Before they could figure out what was happening, the Six Doors Division tracked them down and arrested them all."

Gu Mo quickly asked, "Didn't you say there were two witnesses? What did they say?"

Zhuo Qingfeng replied, "According to the two inn servants, they were also resting at the time. Suddenly, they heard sounds of fighting in the courtyard. Both of them quickly got up, opened a window upstairs, and saw the bodyguards from Changfeng Escort Agency fighting among themselves. Terrified, they immediately hid. It wasn't until much later, when it was quiet outside, that they mustered the courage to run out of the cellar. They only saw corpses strewn everywhere. The two then rushed into the city overnight to report to the authorities. However, the inn was quite far from the city, so it was already daylight by the time they arrived."

Gu Mo asked, "And when were Qu Heng and the others arrested?"

"They were reported after daybreak, and tracked down just as night was falling," Zhuo Qingfeng said.

Gu Mo frowned and asked, "Are there no other suspicious points?"

Zhuo Qingfeng thought for a moment and said, "There are virtually no suspicious points. All the evidence indicates that it was a case of insiders stealing from themselves, resulting in an internal conflict. Furthermore, Qu Heng and the others' testimonies look like fabricated lies.

There were indeed traces of cats at the scene, but this is Fang County, a place where almost every household keeps cats and stray cats are everywhere. The inn itself had more than a dozen cats, and stray cats frequently appeared.

Moreover, Lin Zhenyue's death is completely inconsistent with the testimonies of the thirteen men. They claimed Lin Zhenyue's hands were crippled by one paw of the cat demon, and he was killed by a second paw. However, in reality, Lin Zhenyue died from a sword wound to the throat, and his hands were severed by a blade. Furthermore, they described being attacked by many cats, but none of the deceased at the scene had any cat scratches; all died from various weapons.

If there's any suspicious point, it's that Qu Heng and the other thirteen are not children; they are seasoned veterans. Why would they concoct such a flawed lie? Any random excuse would have been much more plausible."

Gu Mo asked, "Well, is it possible they weren't lying?"

Zhuo Qingfeng chuckled softly, "Do you really believe such things as demons exist in this world?"

Gu Mo fell silent for a moment.

He truly didn't know what to say.

After all, he had transmigrated, then awakened past life memories and a system twenty years later, breaking the 'mystery of the womb.' Given all this, it would indeed be too difficult for him to remain a staunch materialist.

Therefore, he couldn't agree with Zhuo Qingfeng's question.

Zhuo Qingfeng said with some surprise, "Master Gu, you don't actually believe that, do you?"

Gu Mo neither denied nor affirmed it; instead, he changed the subject and asked, "Commander Zhuo, may I see Qu Heng?"

Zhuo Qingfeng hesitated, then said, "You may. I'll arrange it for you. Look, Gu Mo, to be frank, the reason a conviction hasn't been officially announced yet is because the Bloodtear Stone Clam hasn't been found. All the evidence overwhelmingly proves that Qu Heng and the others committed the theft themselves. If you want to overturn their case, it will be very difficult."

Gu Mo nodded and said, "I understand, but... Commander Zhuo, even if the evidence is conclusive, it could still be false, couldn't it? You know that better than anyone."

Zhuo Qingfeng paused slightly. He naturally understood that Gu Mo was referring to his own recent experience where he had also been faced with seemingly conclusive and irrefutable evidence.

Zhuo Qingfeng mused for a moment, then asked, "You trust Qu Heng that much?"

"Just as I trusted you back then," Gu Mo replied.

Zhuo Qingfeng took a deep breath and said, "Let's go, then, to see Qu Heng. If, after meeting him, you still believe that Qu Heng and the others are innocent, I can find a way to temporarily hold off on this case for a while, and I'll accompany you to investigate."

"Thank you."

Soon, led by Zhuo Qingfeng, Gu Mo and Gu Chundong arrived at the Six Doors Division prison.

"Ah Mo, Chundong..."

Inside the prison, Qu Heng, covered in wounds, was overjoyed to see Gu Mo and Gu Chundong. He eagerly called out, trying to stand up, but the pain from his injuries prevented him from doing so.

"Uncle Qu, who did this to you?" Gu Chundong's eyes reddened.

Zhuo Qingfeng, standing nearby, quickly explained, "It wasn't me. He was already like this when he was transferred back; the Six Doors Division in Qingyang Prefecture beat him. Hmm, Gu Mo, Miss Chundong, you must understand that given the current evidence in this case, Qu Heng and the others have been convicted of internal theft. Since they won't reveal the whereabouts of the Bloodtear Stone Clam, the Six Doors Division in Qingyang Prefecture would certainly use some methods."

Lying on a pile of straw on the ground, Qu Heng said, "Ah Mo, Chundong, my injuries truly have nothing to do with Commander Zhuo. In fact, Commander Zhuo arranged for a doctor to treat us."

Gu Chundong was about to say more but was stopped by a wave of Gu Mo's hand.

Gu Mo stood at the prison door, his eyes vacant, and in a very flat tone, he said, "Uncle Qu, please tell me everything you know, meticulously, about the escort process and what happened during the robbery that day."

"Alright."

Qu Heng immediately began to recount the events.

However, after he finished speaking, Gu Mo didn't hear anything particularly new; it was identical to what Zhuo Qingfeng had described.

"Ah Mo, Chundong," Qu Heng sighed and said, "There's no way to overturn my case. I just have one request for you, Ah Mo. I know you're capable and skilled in martial arts. After I die, I hope you'll look after your aunt and sister Xiao Xiao out of consideration for our past relationship."

Gu Mo nodded slightly and said, "Uncle Qu, don't worry. With me here, your aunt and sister Xiao Xiao won't be bullied. However, I'll still try to find a way to clear your name first!"

Zhuo Qingfeng, who was standing nearby, also said, "Gu Mo, since you believe so strongly, I'll go along with you and give it a try."