33: Chapter 33 Murder Case

Twilight fell, and the setting sun was like blood, staining the streets of Yunlan County a deep, dull orange-red.

The daytime hustle and bustle of the marketplace gradually faded; street vendors began packing their stalls, and pedestrians walked briskly, all hoping to return home before dark.

Lin Qing and the others had been patrolling the streets for a long time. According to the original schedule, today's patrol mission was nearing its end, and everyone's spirits relaxed slightly.

Unexpectedly, at this final moment, a panicked figure suddenly rushed out from a street corner, face covered in tears and snot. Stumbling and nearly falling, the person scrambled to Shen Lie and said, "Lord! Lord! Something terrible has happened! Someone has died!"

Shen Lie's face immediately darkened. Encountering a murder case while on patrol was no small matter. He asked sternly, "What's the panic! Speak slowly. Whose Family is in trouble? Who is the deceased?"

"It's the Wang Family! It's the Eldest Young Master of the Wang Family! Young Master Wang Xiaolong... he's gone!" As the servant's voice fell, he collapsed to the ground, his whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qing's heart stirred slightly.

Although he had been focused on his Cultivation and rarely concerned himself with external affairs, he had heard of the Wang Family's reputation. After all, just a few days ago, he had arrived in this Yunlan County city after traveling with the Wang Family's merchant caravan.

Beside him, Shen Lie's expression changed instantly.

The Eldest Young Master of the Wang Family was no ordinary wealthy scion, nor was he some insignificant person who could die unnoticed. He was the legitimate eldest son of the Wang Family, a first-rate martial arts Family in Yunlan County, and the heir the Wang Family had poured countless efforts into nurturing!

Shen Lie dared not delay. He turned abruptly to Lin Qing and said in an urgent, unquestionable tone, "Xie Chen, this matter is of grave importance. Return to the Zhenwu Division immediately to report to Lord Zhao Feng and have him bring people here at once!"

Just as he finished, Lu Xuan, standing on the other side, stepped forward to stop him. "Generals Flag Shen, it is late now, and Lord Zhao Feng might not be at the Zhenwu Division. Xie Chen has only been in Yunlan County for a few days; I am afraid he will not be able to find Lord Zhao Feng quickly, which would waste time. Let me go instead. I am familiar with the city's roads and know the Lord's usual whereabouts. I can find Lord Zhao Feng as quickly as possible."

Hearing this, Shen Lie immediately nodded in agreement. "That makes sense! Xie Chen has just arrived; it would indeed be inappropriate. Lu Xuan, I'll leave this to you. Be sure to find Lord Zhao Feng as quickly as possible and bring him here!"

"Don't worry!" Lu Xuan responded, turning to execute a movement technique and speeding toward the Zhenwu Division. His figure soon vanished at the end of the street.

With arrangements made, Shen Lie no longer hesitated and waved to Lin Qing and the others. "Follow me to the scene first to secure it and wait for Lord Zhao Feng to handle it!"

"Yes!"

The three responded in unison, then followed the reporting Wang Family servant, hurrying toward the Wang Family manor.

On the way, Shi Man leaned in toward Lin Qing and quickly explained the Wang Family's background in a low voice.

The Wang Family was a first-rate martial arts Family in Yunlan County with deep roots and vast influence. The Wang Clan Chief was a Third-Order Peak powerhouse.

Furthermore, the Wang Family's trading firms spanned the entire county, their business was immense, and their wealth and connections were countless. In Yunlan County, even the local government had to show the Wang Family some respect.

The deceased, Wang Xiaolong, was a once-in-a-century Genius of the Wang Family. Despite his youth—barely in his early twenties—he had already entered the Third-Order Middle Stage. His future was limitless, and he was the designated next Clan Chief of the Wang Family.

Shen Lie, hearing their low conversation from ahead, also cautioned:

"In such a big case, where such a person has died, we are simply not qualified to investigate based on our status. We must wait for at least a Centurion to arrive before starting the investigation. When we get there, just guard the scene, don't say much, and especially don't touch anything, lest you bring trouble upon yourselves."

Everyone nodded slightly in agreement, their faces calm as they quickened their pace.

They were already responsible for patrolling this area, so the Wang Family manor wasn't far. Within moments, a magnificent manor with vermilion gates and high walls appeared before them.

Just as they reached the gate, the Wang manor's butler met them with a face full of sorrow. Without any unnecessary formalities, he led them directly into the depths of the manor.

Passing through multiple courtyards, the group was eventually led to an extremely remote and quiet courtyard.

This was not Wang Xiaolong's usual living quarters. As the Eldest Young Master of the Wang Family, his residence would normally be swarming with servants and close to the main house—bustling and far too noisy, making it unsuitable for peaceful Cultivation.

This remote courtyard, far from the noise with a serene environment, was specifically used by Wang Xiaolong for secluded Cultivation. Normally, without his permission, the Family servants were not allowed to come anywhere near it.

To be able to discard frivolity and focus on bitter Cultivation without indulging in pleasure despite such a prominent background, Wang Xiaolong truly deserved the title of a young Genius.

Unfortunately, heaven is jealous of talent. To meet such a violent end in the prime of his youth was truly lamentable.

By now, this quiet Cultivation courtyard was already crowded with people. The atmosphere was extremely oppressive, with an indescribable silence and sorrow permeating the air, punctuated by occasional suppressed sobs.

At the very front of the crowd, a burly old man with a resolute face stood with his hands behind his back. He wore an ink-colored silk robe, his hair and beard were white, and he exuded a faint, naturally authoritative Aura. He was the old Clan Chief of the Wang Family.

At this moment, this Third-Order Peak martial arts powerhouse was staring fixedly at the corpse on the ground. His cloudy eyes were bloodshot, his face was terrifyingly grim, and his lips were tightly pursed. He said nothing, and the pressure around him was so low that no one dared approach.

Beside Wang Cang, a woman in a plain-colored dress was deathly pale, her figure swaying as she leaned on a middle-aged woman who looked equally sorrowful.

At this moment, Wang Qingwan's eyes were red and swollen. Tears welled in her eyes, but she forced them back. She looked distraught, clearly unable to accept the fact of her brother's passing.

Beside her was a young girl in maid's attire, slumped on the bluestone ground, hands propping herself up as she cried piteously, her shoulders shaking with grief.

Besides them, several middle-aged elders, women, and children of the Wang Family, as well as some Young Masters and misses from branch families, stood at the scene. All had solemn expressions and remained silent; one could hear a pin drop in the courtyard.

The old Clan Chief of the Wang Family noticed the arrival of Shen Lie and the others. He only slowly raised his eyes, gave them a brief glance, and then returned his gaze to the corpse without a word or gesture.

He was a Third-Order Peak Martial Artist with a high status in Yunlan County, while Shen Lie was merely a Second-Order Generals Flag of the Zhenwu Division. Normally, out of respect for the Zhenwu Division, he might have given Shen Lie some face and exchanged a few pleasantries.

But now, having lost his beloved grandson, he was physically and mentally exhausted, with no heart to deal with a mere Generals Flag.

Shen Lie also understood the stakes. He showed no dissatisfaction and didn't dare disturb them. He simply stood at the edge of the crowd with Lin Qing and the others, waiting quietly. As long as no one disturbed the scene, he wouldn't say a word.

Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard, and a steady, powerful voice approached: "Make way!"

Everyone looked toward the sound to see Zhao Feng, his expression solemn, leading Lu Xuan and several Zhenwu Division subordinates into the courtyard. Clearly, upon receiving the news, he had rushed over at full speed.

With the arrival of Lord Zhao Feng, the Centurion, the Wang Family members gathered in the courtyard slowly opened a path. Zhao Feng led Shen Lie, Lin Qing, and the others straight through the crowd to the center of the courtyard, near the corpse.

Wang Xiaolong lay quietly on the cold bluestone ground. His clothes were neat, without any signs of a struggle or tearing. His skin had a strange bluish-white hue, his lips were purple, and his eyes were wide open. A trace of pain and bewilderment remained on his face, but there were no obvious external injuries.

Zhao Feng first stepped forward and bowed with cupped hands to the grim-faced old Clan Chief. Then, without saying much, he turned and signaled to a Generals Flag behind him.

This Generals Flag was an expert within the Zhenwu Division specifically responsible for autopsies and investigating cases. He was proficient in the way of forensic examination and could usually find clues in ordinary murder cases.

The Generals Flag understood and immediately stepped forward, crouching by the corpse. He took out special gloves from his robe, put them on, and began to examine the body carefully.

His movements were meticulous, from the skin color and stiffness of the corpse to the Meridians and Acupoints, and then to the nose, mouth, and fingertips. He didn't miss a single detail. After a full half-hour, he slowly stood up.

He walked to Zhao Feng's side and whispered the results of the autopsy into his ear.

After listening, Zhao Feng turned again, bowed slightly with cupped hands to the old Clan Chief, and spoke solemnly:

"Old Clan Chief Wang, after the Zhenwu Division's preliminary examination, Young Master Wang has no external injuries. Although the Meridians in his body are disordered, there are no signs of external impact. Our comprehensive judgment is that Young Master Wang overexerted himself during practice, leading to exhaustion of his heart's strength, which caused a sudden rupture of the heart vessels and triggered a martial arts backlash, resulting in his sudden death."

"Overexertion, martial arts backlash?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the courtyard erupted into chaos.

Wang Cang remained silent, his already grim face darkening further as if it could drip water. The Aura around him became increasingly oppressive, making it hard for people to breathe.

Beside him, Wang Qingwan—a woman who could remain steady even when facing fierce bandits—could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down her face as she burst into loud sobs, shaking her head desperately, her voice choked with disbelief:

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! My brother had extraordinary Cultivation talent and a solid Foundation. He had deep control over his own cultivation. How could he have overexerted himself and triggered a martial arts backlash? There must be something else behind this! My brother died for no clear reason!"

Amidst the confusion, Lin Qing also stepped forward unobtrusively. His gaze fell on Wang Xiaolong's corpse. With just a quick glance, his expression instantly became somewhat strange.

A subtle, barely perceptible flicker of something unusual flashed in his eyes, but it was only for a moment. He quickly suppressed all his emotions and returned to his usual calm and indifferent state, as if he had discovered nothing and thought nothing.

But his fleeting change in expression was caught by someone.

The personal maid who had followed Wang Qingwan to Qingyang County had recognized Lin Qing as soon as he entered the courtyard with Shen Lie.

He was the handsome young man who had followed the Wang Family merchant caravan from Qingyang County to Yunlan County just a few days ago.

Lin Qing's momentary change in expression seemed hidden, but it was noticed by the maid, who had been watching him.

She hurriedly moved to Wang Qingwan's side and whispered in her ear, telling her everything she had just seen.

Wang Qingwan was immersed in the grief of losing her younger brother, her heart full of resentment. Hearing the maid's words, she suddenly looked up, her eyes watery as she looked toward Lin Qing, a flicker of hope instantly igniting in her eyes.

She broke away from the maid's support and walked quickly to Lin Qing. Ignoring everyone's gaze, she bowed slightly to him and spoke in an urgent yet pleading tone:

"May I ask how to address this Young Master? Just now, my maid saw that your expression changed after seeing my brother's corpse. You must have noticed something unusual. If there really is more to this matter, please tell the Wang Family the truth. My Wang Family will surely reward you handsomely!"

As her voice fell, the eyes of everyone in the courtyard instantly focused on Lin Qing.