Chapter 62: Zhuo Qingfeng and Gu Mo

After leaving the prison, Zhuo Qingfeng said, "I will ask Sir Chu for help with this case. Using the reason that there are doubts about the case, I'll try to delay the process as much as possible and temporarily prevent it from being handed over to the yamen for trial. However, it won't be for long, probably about a month at most."

Gu Mo nodded slightly and sincerely expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Commander Zhuo. I've caused you trouble!"

Zhuo Qingfeng waved his hand and said, "There's no need for such words between us. When the entire jianghu was hunting me down, you still believed in me and helped me. Now that I can help you, there's no need for formalities."

"Alright," Gu Mo cupped his hands and asked, "Sir Zhuo, you are the expert when it comes to tracking down criminals and investigating cases. This case is very perplexing right now. Where do you think we should start the investigation?"

Zhuo Qingfeng said, "Naturally, we should go to the crime scene. This case seems to have solid, irrefutable evidence. However, if we assume that Qu Heng and the other thirteen people did not collude and are telling the truth, then there's a clear clue."

"Thirteen people, all unconscious. How did they appear a hundred li away overnight? You must know, it was pouring rain that night, and the journey would have been very difficult."

Gu Mo slowly said, "Thirteen people are not small objects. To accomplish this, it couldn't have been done by just three or five people. They must have traveled by fast horses or carriages."

Zhuo Qingfeng nodded and said, "And it was a night of heavy rain. To transport more than a dozen people over a hundred li away, they must have been extremely familiar with the route, and even the horses must have been old, experienced ones who knew the way. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible. After all, even with torches at night, horses don't run fast, let alone on a rainy night where illumination is even harder. So, it could only have been people and horses very familiar with the route. Combining these clues, the investigation becomes easier."

Gu Mo nodded slightly.

Gu Chuwinter, however, exclaimed admiringly, "Sir Zhuo, you're amazing! No wonder the jianghu calls you the 'Swift Wind Divine Constable.' You truly solve cases as swiftly as the wind!"

"You flatter me, Miss Chuwinter." Zhuo Qingfeng waved his hand and said, "How about this: you two siblings go back and get ready first. I'll talk to Sir Chu and handle the necessary handover arrangements. Then I'll come find you, and we can investigate together."

"Alright."

Gu Mo cupped his hands and then left with Gu Chuwinter.

The carriage slowly departed from the Six Doors. Gu Chuwinter, feeling puzzled, asked, "Brother, Sir Zhuo could clearly see the clues at a glance. Why didn't he prepare to investigate before?"

Gu Mo chuckled softly and said, "Firstly, the Six Doors in Qingyang Commandery had already gathered all the evidence, and it was conclusive, enough for a conviction. In such a situation, what was there for Sir Zhuo to investigate? The facts were already presented. Would he believe the Six Doors' evidence, or the talk of 'demons' from Uncle Qu and the others?

"Secondly, even if Sir Zhuo believed the 'demon' talk, could he actively propose to investigate and overturn the case? Wouldn't that be tantamount to suspecting the Six Doors in Qingyang Commandery of fabricating evidence, and questioning whether they colluded with the real culprit to frame innocent people? And his reason would be that he believed in 'demon talk'? If that got out, what would become of Sir Zhuo's official position and reputation?"

"Oh, I see," Gu Chuwinter asked again, "So, why is he investigating now?"

Gu Mo smiled faintly and said, "Because of me."

"Because of you?"

"Yes, because I want to investigate, and when it comes to investigating cases, he is the professional."

"Then isn't he afraid of offending the Six Doors in Qingyang Commandery? Isn't he afraid of his reputation being ruined? Isn't he afraid of being held accountable?"

"No, he's not."

"Why was he afraid before, but not now?"

"Still because of me."

"Because of you?"

"Yes, because he considers me a friend."

"A friend can take on such a big risk for another?"

"Perhaps, that's what the jianghu is, and that's what a man is!"

***

At this moment, in a hall at the Six Doors.

Inspector Chu Yuan looked at Zhuo Qingfeng with a bewildered expression and asked, "Are you mad? This case has already been decided, and you want to overturn it? Putting aside whether you can overturn it, I just ask you, on what grounds will you do it? Based on their gibberish, do you also believe it was a cat demon at work?"

Zhuo Qingfeng shook his head slightly and said, "I won't use the Six Doors personnel for the investigation. I'll investigate it in a private capacity. Just approve my leave for a period, that'll be fine. Oh, and you need to hold onto this case for as long as possible; don't hand it over to the yamen for now."

Chu Yuan rolled his eyes and said, "Come on, come on, what do you expect me to do? Don't you know how big this case is? In a few days, it'll be the talk of the entire city. The yamen will definitely demand the suspects then. How can I hold it back? Should I tell the yamen that I think there really are demons, and therefore I need to investigate for a while?"

Zhuo Qingfeng shrugged and said, "That's not my concern. You figure it out!"

Chu Yuan pointed at Zhuo Qingfeng, speechless, and after a long moment, said helplessly, "Fine, let's not talk about those things for now. I just want to ask you, as the Commander of the Six Doors in Linjiang Commandery, if you, without official authorization, unilaterally go to Qingyang Commandery to investigate a case that has already been decided, if they find out over there, you will certainly offend them. Then they'll submit a petition to the headquarters to impeach you. What will you do then? Do you still want your official position?"

Zhuo Qingfeng said, "I'll be careful and just make sure they don't find out. You know, my methods are not weak. A while ago, with both the jianghu's underworld and the official government hunting me, I was still able to hide and return to the city. As long as I'm careful, no one in Qingyang Commandery's Six Doors will be able to detect me."

Chu Yuan pursed his lips and said, "You're investigating a case; it would be a miracle if you weren't discovered. I just can't figure out what you're trying to gain. You're taking such a huge risk to investigate a case that clearly has solid evidence. Have you forgotten? Our involvement in the Mu King's Descendants case hasn't settled yet. We absolutely need to lie low for a while. If any more problems arise, headquarters will definitely hold us accountable. My dear Sir Zhuo, we're already in hot water. Can't you just calm down?"

Zhuo Qingfeng shook his head and said, "Gu Mo asked me for help."

Chu Yuan asked, puzzled, "What does that have to do with him? He's no longer with the Changfeng Escort Agency. Besides, as far as I know, his departure from the Changfeng Escort Agency wasn't exactly amicable."

Zhuo Qingfeng said, "Among those thirteen suspects, several have a good relationship with him. One of them, named Qu Heng, is an elder to him, and has shown immense kindness to him and his sister. If he asks for my help, do I still need to weigh the pros and cons?"

Chu Yuan opened his mouth but couldn't speak the words on his tongue, because he clearly understood the character of his old friend: though an official, he had more of a jianghu spirit than a true jianghu member.

He knew about the relationship between Zhuo Qingfeng and Gu Mo. He immediately understood that since Gu Mo had asked, there was no way he could persuade Zhuo Qingfeng otherwise.

"Go on then, go on," Chu Yuan waved his hand and said, "I'll figure out a way on my end to delay it as much as possible. Hmm, be careful!"