23: Chapter 23 The Officials Investigate the Case

When a murder occurs in Liu Village, it must be reported to the yamen for the officials to handle.

In the yamen, Duan Peng was shocked to hear that something had happened to Niu Gui. With his superior's permission, he rushed to Liu Village without stopping.

Inside the Village Chiefs Hall, all the villagers had gathered.

Ye Jing stood among the crowd, also wanting to see how this Duan Peng would judge the case. His presence might also help lessen the suspicion on his own family.

Seeing Duan Peng arrive, Qian Wang hurried forward to explain the discovery of Niu Gui's body.

Duan Peng entered the main hall, where two corpses lay wrapped in straw. He lifted the straw and saw Niu Gui with his throat pierced through. He immediately flew into a rage: "Audacious scoundrel! To dare commit murder in Liu Village—this is a blatant disregard for the law!"

He scanned the fearful villagers below and asked simply, "Who saw Niu Gui yesterday?"

Duan Peng's aggressive demeanor made the villagers shudder; none of them dared to speak.

Qian Wang stepped forward, handed the IOU in his hand to Duan Peng, and whispered a few words.

Duan Peng immediately barked, "Where is Huang Silang?!"

An elderly man among the villagers walked out tremblingly and fell to his knees with a thud. "For what matter does your Lordship summon this lowly one?"

Duan Peng shouted sternly, "Is it true that you owe Niu Gui five taels of silver?"

Huang Silang didn't know why he had been called out. He had been secretly delighted that Niu Gui was dead, meaning he wouldn't have to pay back the money, but the murderous intent in the official's eyes made his heart drum with anxiety.

However, he didn't dare not answer the official's question, so he nodded tremulously.

Duan Peng immediately roared, "Good for you, Huang Silang! To murder for the sake of five taels of silver! What punishment do you deserve!"

Huang Silang's face turned white with fright. He fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly. "Officer! I am wronged! How could I possibly kill Niu Gui! I am wronged!"

A finger pointed by this official was as good as a guillotine!

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd broke into an uproar.

"No way, could Huang Silang really have killed Niu Gui? How did he manage it?"

"Could there be a mistake in the judgment?"

"I heard Niu Gui lent out Usurious Loans, and this Huang Silang is a gambler. Could it be..."

Ye Jing was also surprised. He hadn't expected Duan Peng to be so arbitrary as to claim Huang Silang was the killer.

It seemed that with such a major case occurring in the village, Duan Peng was desperate to provide an explanation to his superiors and simply decided to use this gambler, Huang Silang, as a scapegoat to close the case.

A cold sneer curled at the corner of Qian Wang's mouth. Although he didn't know who the real killer was, by pushing Huang Silang forward, he would have a reason to seize Niu Gui's land deeds.

Furthermore, last night Huang Silang and Niu Gui had conspired with him to harm Ye Jing. He couldn't guarantee that Huang Silang wouldn't blab about that matter and bring trouble upon him.

Therefore, Huang Silang had to die!

"Bah! How are you wronged! Everyone knows you're an old gambler who would sell his own children for gambling money. You definitely couldn't pay back Niu Gui's money, so you committed murder for profit! Lord, hurry and arrest him!"

Qian Wang spat directly at Huang Silang and cursed.

Duan Peng took out iron chains to bind Huang Silang. Looking at the chains, Huang Silang was so terrified that his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering.

He knew he was doomed.

In his final desperation, Huang Silang looked toward Ye Jing in the crowd and immediately pointed at him, screaming, "It wasn't me! It was him! Ye Jing killed Niu Gui!"

His shout stunned everyone around him, followed by a burst of scoffing laughter.

"Huang Silang must be scared out of his mind. To actually try and implicate Elder Ye."

"He is already so old, usually quiet and reticent, and never holds grudges against anyone. How could he possibly kill Niu Gui?"

Duan Peng also frowned as he looked at Ye Jing. Although he had heard Niu Gui mention wanting the Ye family's land many times before, Ye Jing's figure was hunched and his expression was calm; he didn't look like a murderer at all.

Moreover, Qian Wang had told him that this Huang Silang knew things he shouldn't. It was better to just arrest him and be done with it. He was in a hurry to report back!

He immediately barked, "Huang Silang, things have come to this and you still won't confess! Let me take you to the yamen to give a proper account!"

Ye Jing remained calm, simply watching them judge the case.

He thought that this Duan Peng didn't seem to have as good a relationship with Niu Gui as the rumors suggested; he was just an official eager for quick results who handled matters perfunctorily.

But this was for the best. It saved him the trouble of trying to cover his tracks. The more eager Duan Peng was to close the case, the less he would investigate deeply. Instead, Ye Jing could rest easy.

Seeing that they were determined to arrest him, Huang Silang immediately turned to flee.

Seeing the criminal trying to escape, Duan Peng lunged forward and threw a heavy punch at Huang Silang.

This punch was delivered with full force, slamming heavily into Huang Silang's head.

Huang Silang let out a miserable scream, instantly collapsed to the ground, and lost consciousness.

Ye Jing saw the immense power behind that punch and couldn't help but widen his eyes. This Duan Peng looked thin and dry, yet his strength was so great that he had knocked Huang Silang unconscious with one blow.

This Duan Peng was not to be underestimated!

Ignoring the frightened villagers, Duan Peng used the iron locks to bind Huang Silang, then looked at Qian Wang and nodded.

Qian Wang hurriedly smiled and bowed with his hands clasped. "Lord Duan is truly heroic! Thank you for catching the villain for our village! Many thanks!"

"It was nothing, Village Chief Qian. I must return to the yamen to report, so I will take my leave!" Duan Peng bid farewell politely, and with that, he dragged the unconscious Huang Silang toward the yamen.

After Duan Peng left.

Qian Wang waved his hand. "Disperse, everyone! The killer has been caught! There's nothing more to see! Go home and guard your own doors; don't wander around tonight!"

The villagers, still feeling lingering fear, hurriedly left the area.

Ye Jing also took his leave.

However, Qian Wang did not feel the matter was over. Instead, he gave Ye Jing a meaningful look, stroked his beard, and then departed.

Returning home, Ye Jing breathed a sigh of relief.

In the evening, Ye Xuan and Ye Yi returned home. Having heard that Niu Gui had been murdered for his money, they both clapped their hands in joy.

"A good death! That fellow Niu Gui got what he deserved!" Ye Yi said with satisfaction. "I wonder which hero took care of that scourge!"

Ye Xuan was also happy. He said with a smile, "Father, our village has been rid of a great evil!"

Speaking of this, Ye Jing thought of that worthless younger brother-in-law and sighed. He had been taken by Duan Peng, and the case would likely be closed hastily.

Ye Jing stopped thinking about it and changed the subject, asking, "Xuaner, Yier, how is the rice in the fields growing?"

"Thanks to Father's blessings, the rice in the fields is growing exceptionally well. Only a few days have passed, and it has shot up quite a bit!" Ye Xuan replied.

"Yes, Father, the rice is growing faster than ever before! Perhaps in another month or so, the ears of grain will start to appear!"

Hearing his two sons say this, it seemed the rice touched by the Immortal Light would soon be harvested!

Ye Jing nodded and said, "While I am not at home, you must take good care of the rice."

"Father, are you going up the mountain to hunt again?" Ye Yi asked.

"Of course. I just want to help share some of the family's burdens. You two just focus on managing the household affairs," Ye Jing said with a chuckle.

Hearing Ye Jing say this, the two sons could only sigh and let him have his way.