35: Chapter 35 Thorough Investigation

The wind cut through the Wang Family's bluestone-paved courtyard, picking up a few fallen withered leaves, their rustling sound exceptionally clear. Zhao Feng, standing to the side, furrowed his brows slightly, his gaze fixed heavily on the ground as if weighing the pros and cons in secret.

As a Centurion of the Zhenwu Division, in charge of local law and order, he was accustomed to the treachery of the Jianghu and the infighting within families. Naturally, he understood that Lin Qing's deduction was far from groundless.

Considering the identities of those two Wang Family members, combined with the suspicious nature of Wang Xiaolong's death, it was highly probable that there was some unknown trickery hidden within.

Zhao Feng pondered in silence for a full several breaths before finally stepping slowly toward the gloomy-faced Clan Chief Wang standing to the side.

At this moment, the elderly Clan Chief Wang had gray hair and a hunched back. His weathered face was filled with exhaustion and fatigue. The tragic death of his grandson, Wang Xiaolong, had left this old man, who had managed the Wang Family for decades, mentally and physically drained.

Zhao Feng lowered his voice and relayed every suspicion Lin Qing had just raised, word for word, without the slightest bias, his tone impartial and objective.

"Clan Chief, according to my subordinate Xie Chen's observations, your grandson's death was by no means an accident. Wang Huaian and his son in your clan are the most suspicious. I hope you will consider this carefully."

As his words fell, a look of extreme complexity flashed in the depths of Clan Chief Wang's eyes—there was grief, helplessness, and even more, the difficult-to-sever concerns of the Family.

He stared at the desolate scenery in the courtyard for a long time, his aged palms trembling slightly. Only after a long while did he slowly shake his head, his voice as hoarse as an old, broken bellows:

"Centurion Zhao, let this matter be handled internally by my Family."

In this world of martial arts, Sects were divided, and powerful Families were everywhere. Although the laws governed the four seas, they still left enough face and authority to local martial arts Families. The grievances, entanglements, and casualties within ordinary Families, as long as they did not involve civilian unrest or cause large-scale disasters, could be entirely decided by the Clan Chief himself, without the need to report to the Zhenwu Division, let alone be handed over to official judgment.

Clan Chief Wang sighed deeply, his words heavy: "Xiaolong has already passed away; the dead are gone. My eldest son passed away unexpectedly in his early years, and now my grandson has met with a tragic disaster. Only the branch of my second son, Wang Huaian, remains to hold up the Family's reputation. If I were to hand them over to the Zhenwu Division for a thorough investigation, regardless of the truth, the Wang Family's decades of foundation would be destroyed, and we would have no foothold in this Yunlan County."

He was, after all, the head of a clan. Compared to his deceased grandson, he had to care more about the livelihood and the survival and prosperity of the hundreds of members of the entire Wang Family. Weighing the pros and cons, he could only choose to endure and suppress the matter.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Feng understood and did not press the issue further.

Holding an official position, he was well-versed in worldly affairs. Although Clan Chief Wang's choice had a hint of favoritism, it was also reasonable. In the current situation, it was not appropriate for him to forcibly intervene in the internal affairs of another Family.

Zhao Feng said no more, only nodding slightly:

"Since the Clan Chief has already made a decision, we shall take our leave."

After speaking, he did not linger, turning to walk out of the Wang Family's courtyard, with the personnel of the Zhenwu Division following closely behind.

Once the group stepped out of the Wang Family's vermilion gate and moved away from the Wang Family's territory, the atmosphere eased slightly.

Lin Qing followed at the end of the line. On the surface, his expression was calm, but inside, he was churning with hard-to-conceal nervousness and anxiety.

In his mind, he kept replaying the promise Wang Qingwan had made previously—as long as he could uncover the truth of Wang Xiaolong's tragic death and restore justice, she would gift him a full ten thousand taels of gold.

This was the Cultivation assistance he urgently needed right now!

He had already finished recording his Cultivation Technique, and the consumption of Qi blood energy would inevitably increase. If this case were suppressed by the Wang Family and concluded sloppily, Wang Qingwan's promise would likely be voided and become empty talk.

Once the promise became invalid, it would be difficult for him to find other ways to obtain such a massive amount of money in the short term.

Lin Qing quickly calculated all his retreats and countermeasures in his heart, secretly pondering where he should find new channels if this matter completely ended—black markets, missions, bounties—countless thoughts flashed through his mind, but none were secure.

Carrying a heart full of concerns, Lin Qing followed the team back to the Zhenwu Division. For the next two days, he remained restless, Cultivating as usual while silently waiting for news, having already prepared to replan his future path.

But to Lin Qing's utter surprise, just two days later, people from the Zhenwu Division came to his small courtyard to summon him.

"Xie Chen, the Centurion has summoned you to the main hall to discuss matters immediately!"

Lin Qing's heart stirred. He suppressed his chaotic thoughts, tidied his clothes, and hurried to the main hall of the Zhenwu Division.

Stepping into the magnificent and solemn main hall, he saw Zhao Feng sitting at the head of the table at a glance. And in the guest seat on the left side of the main hall, a familiar, beautiful figure was sitting there.

It was none other than Wang Qingwan.

At this moment, Wang Qingwan was dressed in plain clothes, her brows tightly furrowed, her pretty face covered with thick gloom and frost. Deep within her beautiful eyes hid grief and unwillingness that could not be dissolved, and the aura around her was cold, completely devoid of her usual gentle appearance.

Clearly, the fact that the truth of her younger brother's tragic death was deliberately covered up by the Family had thoroughly enraged her.

Lin Qing composed himself, stepped forward, and bowed to Zhao Feng at the head of the table: "Subordinate Xie Chen, greetings, Centurion."

"Rise." Zhao Feng's voice was steady. He looked at Lin Qing with a calm gaze and slowly spoke about the recent situation.

"Xie Chen, regarding the two people, Wang Huaian and his son, whom you suspected, I secretly sent people to observe and inquire over these two days. Wang Huaian and his son kept their mouths shut and refused to plead guilty. No matter how they were questioned, they adamantly denied any connection to Wang Xiaolong's death."

"Only the maid who served Wang Xiaolong closely that night loosened her tongue. But her testimony was singular; she only said that she had been scolded and humiliated by Wang Xiaolong previously and, harboring resentment, had secretly taken action to retaliate, killing Wang Xiaolong. She didn't mention Wang Huaian and his son at all throughout, stating directly that everything was done by her alone and had nothing to do with others."

Speaking to this point, Zhao Feng's tone paused slightly, a hint of deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

"It is precisely because of this confession that Clan Chief Wang has become even more determined to suppress this matter. He has already concluded that it was us who wrongly accused people earlier. Wang Huaian is his only remaining descendant and is also the only pillar of the Wang Family today. To ensure the survival of the Family, he is unwilling, and dare not, to investigate further, only wanting to conclude this matter hastily and quell the turmoil."

After listening to these words, Lin Qing felt some confusion. He looked up at Zhao Feng and asked in a deep voice:

"Since Clan Chief Wang has already set the tone and intends to end the matter here, no longer pursuing it, may I ask what other instructions you have for summoning your subordinate today?"

According to the rules of the Xia Kingdom, for internal Family conflicts, if they are willing to settle internally, the official side does not need to interfere further. This matter should have been completely concluded.

Zhao Feng heard this, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint arc. He turned his gaze to the silently sitting Wang Qingwan and slowly revealed the key:

"Clan Chief Wang is willing to compromise and endure, but that does not mean everyone is willing to be wronged and give up with hatred."

"Young Miss Wang Qingwan, as Wang Xiaolong's direct elder sister, is a relative of the victim of this case. She is unwilling to let her brother die in vain and the real culprit go free. Today, she personally came to our Zhenwu Division to formally file a report, insisting on a thorough investigation of the case to restore the truth."

"In this way, the nature of this matter has completely changed."

Zhao Feng's tone suddenly became more solemn, and his official authority spread slightly.

"For internal disputes, a Family can handle them on their own. But now that a relative of the victim has taken the initiative to report to the authorities, this case is no longer an internal affair of the Wang Family, but a homicide case under the jurisdiction of our Zhenwu Division. We have the right, and must forcibly intervene to investigate thoroughly; we absolutely will not allow it to be concluded hastily or shield the real culprit."

As his words fell, his gaze locked firmly onto Lin Qing, his expression extremely serious.

"You were the first to notice the suspicious cause of Wang Xiaolong's death, and you were also the first to lock onto Wang Huaian and his son, with meticulous insight and rigorous reasoning. Now, this official has decided to hand this case over to you for handling, to investigate the full truth, and to bring justice to the tragically deceased Wang Xiaolong! Do you have the confidence to accomplish this?"

Just as Zhao Feng finished speaking, without waiting for Lin Qing to answer, Wang Qingwan, who was sitting to the side, suddenly raised her eyes.

She looked at Lin Qing with burning eyes. The gloom in her eyes dissipated a bit, replaced by extreme earnestness and anticipation, her voice carrying a trace of suppressed trembling.

Over these two days, she had witnessed with her own eyes the Family's partiality and shielding, the real culprit's refusal to admit guilt, and her brother's injustice remaining unredressed. She had long been in total despair. Now, her only hope was entirely pinned on Lin Qing.

She knew that Lin Qing's mind was meticulous and his observation skills were extraordinary, far beyond ordinary martial artists. Previously, at the Wang Family, everyone had been blinded by appearances, and only Lin Qing had seen through the flaws and picked out the suspicious points.

"Young Master Xie!" Wang Qingwan stood up and bowed, her tone extremely solemn, "As long as you can thoroughly investigate this case, ferret out the real culprit, and wash away the injustice for my brother and seek justice, I will never break any of the promises I made to you before!"

With these words from Wang Qingwan, Lin Qing had no reason to refuse.

Rich Cultivation resources were right in front of him, and the truth waiting to be uncovered needed to be revealed. Both publicly and privately, he had to take on this case and investigate it to the end!

Lin Qing's expression became stern, his posture upright. He immediately bowed deeply to Zhao Feng, his tone resonant and firm, every word striking like a hammer: "This subordinate will not fail the mission! I will definitely investigate to the end, ferret out the real culprit, and will absolutely not show leniency!"

Seeing Lin Qing agree, Zhao Feng nodded slightly, then solemnly cautioned:

"That Wang Huaian's cultivation has already reached the Middle Stage of the Third Rank, and his strength is not to be underestimated. If you have any difficulties in the process of handling the case or need this official's cooperation, do not hesitate to speak. This official will give you sufficient support."

Lin Qing had already had a comprehensive plan in his heart. Upon hearing this, he was unhurried and said in a deep voice:

"Thank you for your trust, sir. Your subordinate only needs you to assist with one thing: immediately send men to the Wang Family to bring the confessing maid and Wang Huaian and his son back to the Zhenwu Division for strict detention."

"After detention, within two days, do not allow anyone to visit, do not allow anyone to pass messages, and do not use any methods of interrogation. The people of the Zhenwu Division only need to strictly guard the detention and take good care of them. Two days later, I will start the interrogation and investigate the truth."

This arrangement seemed a bit inexplicable—to arrest without interrogating, to detain without investigating—completely violating the conventional pace of handling cases.

Zhao Feng was slightly stunned upon hearing this, unable to guess Lin Qing's intention. Usually, when handling cases, one strikes while the iron is hot, interrogating overnight, taking advantage of the suspect's panicked state of mind and weak defenses to make a quick Breakthrough. He had never seen a method of bringing people back to the Division but deliberately leaving them aside without interrogation.

But then he thought again: Lin Qing's investigation of the case at the Wang Family previously was sharp-eyed and precise at every step, peeling away the fog layer by layer, demonstrating a case-handling foundation far surpassing ordinary people. He was not a reckless person.

Since he arranged it this way, there must be a deep meaning.

Zhao Feng did not ask for the reason, choosing to trust Lin Qing's judgment, and immediately nodded in agreement: "Good! This official will handle it immediately."

Immediately, Zhao Feng turned to give orders, dispatching elites to go to the Wang Family to make the arrests.

The order was given, and all matters in the main hall were settled.

For the next two days, the Zhenwu Division strictly followed Lin Qing's requirements, keeping Wang Huaian, his son, and the maid strictly detained in the prison. Throughout the entire process, no one visited, no one interrogated, and it was quiet, without the slightest movement.

As for Lin Qing, he took advantage of this two-day gap to frequently visit the Wang Family in his official capacity as a Zhenwu Division investigator.

He did not contact the relatives or friends of the three detained people, nor did he alert the high-level officials of the Wang Family. He only quietly visited countless low-level servants, handymen, personal maids, and guards on duty within the manor.

These low-level servants had low status and rarely participated in Family power struggles. Their minds were simple, and their speech had less bias or concealment, often able to tell the most true and detailed hidden facts.

Lin Qing asked patiently and recorded one by one, from Wang Xiaolong's daily routine, interpersonal dealings, temper, and character before his death, to the recent tracks, words, and demeanor of Wang Huaian and his son, and their past conflicts with Wang Xiaolong, and then to the daily character, conduct, and grievances of that confessing maid.

Every little bit of fragmented clues was collected, integrated, and organized by him.

Countless fragmented pieces of information converged and blended, peeling away the cocoon layer by layer to reveal the truth. In just two days, Lin Qing already had an idea of the general situation of this matter.

He was just waiting to interrogate the three of them and make them confess with their own mouths.