Chapter 118 The Body Disappears

Liu Ziming stood to the side, sweating profusely from anxiety. He wanted to offer advice but didn't know how to speak up, so he could only signal desperately to Chen Mu.

Chen Mu raised his hand and pressed it gently against Qi Huan's tense arm, stopping his next move, before looking at Clerk Hu.

"Clerk Hu, maintaining appearances does not conflict with investigating cases and apprehending criminals. As members of the Demon Suppression Division, whether for public or private reasons, we must go to the scene to inspect it and clarify the doubts. If Lord Xu is truly concerned about the dignity of the Imperial Court, he should all the more let us participate in the investigation to solve the case early and reassure the public."

"Please make way, or pass on a message for us; we need to see Lord Xu."

His rebuttal was logical and well-founded, elevating the investigation to the level of pacifying the public and maintaining stability, making it difficult for Clerk Hu to simply refute him using the excuse of appearances.

The flesh on Clerk Hu's face twitched; clearly, he hadn't expected Chen Mu to be so sharp. Just as he was about to find another excuse, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind him.

Xu Changze was seen walking over quickly, surrounded by a group of yamen runners.

He had changed into clean official robes, but his complexion was still somewhat pale, though his spirit seemed to have recovered quite a bit, carrying an air of decisive action.

"What is the commotion about?"

Xu Changze asked in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.

Clerk Hu quickly bowed to report.

"My Lord, Officer Qi and Chief Chen insist on going to the scene at Yiqing Courtyard, and this subordinate is following orders to block them."

Xu Changze looked at Chen Mu and Qi Huan and sighed.

"Officer Qi, Chief Chen, this official knows that both of you are concerned about the case and are eager to perform your duties. However, the turmoil at Peony Pavilion last night has not yet settled, and there are already quite a few rumors about the two of you within Yunmeng City."

"If I let you two intervene directly in this sensitive murder case right now, I fear it will only invite more criticism. It would be detrimental to your reputations, the prestige of the Demon Suppression Division, and the dignity of the Imperial Court."

"This official's actions are truly for your sake and are also to preserve the overall situation."

It was that same rhetoric about preserving the overall situation and maintaining dignity, using rumors as a blade, with every strike aiming for one's life.

Qi Huan was so angry his chest felt tight; just as he was about to retort, Chen Mu raised his hand to stop him.

"Lord Xu is certainly thoughtful; this subordinate admires that. However, this subordinate still has one thing that is unclear and requests that you clear it up for me."

"Speak."

Chen Mu looked calmly at Xu Changze.

"The tragedy at Yiqing Courtyard occurred last night. According to what this subordinate knows, it seems you, my Lord, also summoned a girl from there to a separate courtyard last night to ask about local customs."

Chen Mu deliberately emphasized Yiqing Courtyard and asking about local customs, hiding a sharp edge in his words.

"Now that something has happened to a girl from Yiqing Courtyard, as the magistrate, and having had contact with relevant parties, it would be logical for you to let us from the Demon Suppression Division assist. This would allow us to clarify the relationship between the two places, avoid suspicion, and also uncover the truth as quickly as possible to reassure the public."

"You, my Lord, have repeatedly obstructed us, speaking only of dignity while avoiding the urgent details of the case. What is the reason for this?"

"Could it be... that you have already reached a conclusion regarding the matter at Yiqing Courtyard? Or do you have concerns that you find inconvenient to let us know about?"

These words pointed directly at the irrationality of Xu Changze's behavior, not only exposing his disregard for human life and his obsession with maintaining official dignity, but also implying that Xu Changze might be aware of the situation or implicated in it.

Xu Changze's eyelid twitched, and his expression instantly turned gloomy.

"Chen Mu, you are bold! How dare you make veiled insinuations to question this official! Whom I meet and what I do are all official business; why should I have to report to a mere Squad Leader like you?"

"The murder at Yiqing Courtyard happened suddenly; I have also just learned of it. Where would I get a conclusion or concerns? Do not spout nonsense here and confuse the public."

After this angry rebuke, he quickly adjusted his emotions and turned to Clerk Hu.

"Clerk Hu, I order you to immediately take men into Yiqing Courtyard, carefully inspect the scene, search for any suspicious traces, and question everyone in the courtyard. You must determine what kind of Yao Beast did this and what its characteristics are. If you find anything, report to me immediately!"

"Yes!"

Clerk Hu cupped his hands to accept the order, selected a team of capable yamen runners, and left in a grand manner.

Xu Changze then looked back at Chen Mu and Qi Huan.

"Officer Qi, Chief Chen, the scene inspection is already being handled by designated personnel. To avoid interference, please return to the relay station for now. If there are any difficulties, this official will naturally send someone to invite you both to consult."

"Liu Ziming!"

Liu Ziming jolted and quickly responded.

"You continue to strictly guard the town entrance, add more manpower to conduct careful checks, and absolutely do not let any suspicious person pass!"

Liu Ziming cast a worried glance at Chen Mu and bowed his head to accept the order.

With these arrangements, Xu Changze isolated Chen Mu and Qi Huan from the core scene and kept Liu Ziming firmly planted at the town entrance.

Chen Mu let out a cold snort, knowing that forcing his way in now would be useless and might even give others grounds to criticize him. He took a deep look at Xu Changze.

"Since you, Lord Xu, have already made your decision, this subordinate will naturally comply."

"I only hope that Clerk Hu can uncover the truth soon, console the deceased, and reassure the public. Chief Qi, let's go."

Having said that, he actually turned and walked towards the relay station.

Although Qi Huan was full of unwillingness, he knew that entanglement at this moment was useless, so he glared at Xu Changze and followed him.

Watching their departing figures, Xu Changze gritted his teeth secretly and whispered a few instructions to a close attendant beside him. The attendant nodded and retreated into the crowd.

...

Back at the relay station, Qi Huan finally couldn't hold it in any longer and slammed a fist onto the table.

"That old dog is clearly guilty; the death of that prostitute Yan Hong must be related to him. What fox demon causing trouble? I think it's just him cultivating evil arts and eating human hearts raw!"

Chen Mu sat by the window, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"He is certainly guilty, but we have no evidence. The tragically dead Yan Hong, although from Yiqing Courtyard like the one he summoned yesterday, is not the same person. Thinking about it now, there are only two possibilities."

Qi Huan steadied his mind and sat down.

"First, there is truly one or several Yao Beasts active in Qinglin Town that attacked and killed Yan Hong at Yiqing Courtyard last night, and this matter has nothing to do with Xu Changze."

"Second, this is a smokescreen by Xu Changze. He killed someone and then deliberately created a more gruesome murder case that fits the profile of a Yao Beast eating humans to divert attention. It is even possible that he is raising or controlling something. Creating chaos to kill two birds with one stone."

Qi Huan gasped.

"Controlling Yao Beasts? He dares?"

"If he can collude with the evil City God, controlling or utilizing one or two Yao Beasts is not difficult for him."

The two waited anxiously in the relay station as time passed bit by bit, and the sun rose higher.

Yamen runners brought tea and food, their attitudes respectful; clearly, they had received instructions.

In the name of serving, it was actually surveillance.

About two hours passed, and just when Qi Huan was about to lose his patience, a heaven-shaking cry and scream suddenly came from outside the relay station.

"It's bad! It's bad! Clerk Hu and his men are all dead!"

"Yiqing Courtyard... Yiqing Courtyard... has turned into a ghost den!"

"The corpse... Yan Hong's corpse is gone too!"

Chen Mu and Qi Huan stood up abruptly and rushed out the door.

They saw the crowd on the street fleeing and screaming repeatedly. They grabbed a passing peddler to ask, but the peddler's teeth were chattering, and he couldn't form a coherent sentence.

"That Lord Hu... took his men into the back of Yiqing Courtyard... and there hasn't been a sound for a long time."

"Some bold ones peeked through the door cracks... it's all blood! The people are gone... the corpse that was just found is gone too."

"Monsters! It's definitely monsters eating people!"