The Killer Is…

Lu Guangzong had not died in a body of water at all. No wonder they’d failed to find the scene of the crime after so long!

They were going in the wrong direction!

Wen Yuansi narrowed his eyes, “In that case… the scene of the crime could very well be very close by. It might have been next to the pigsty, or close to the pub.”

And these two places weren’t far from one another.

They just had to do a thorough search of the place and they’d find something!

Governor Zhang became rather excited and turned to walk out of the room and tell the runners…

“We got it, Governor Zhang! We’ll go out and investigate right now!”

All the runners were watching the dissection from outside the room and had heard everything!

Governor Zhang froze for a moment, then smiled and said, “Good, good, go and investigate now.”

The runners ran out and chatted at the same time, “Miss Song is amazing!”

“Yeah!! That tiny knife sliced right through the body with one stroke and she knows everything!”

“I used to think that a knife had to be too small to be useful, but it turned out to be so useful to Miss Song!”

“The rumors were right! She’s the godsister of the Lord of Hades!!”

Governor Zhang took two deep breaths, then turned around and walked back into the autopsy room.

The smell was still awful, but he seemed to have gotten used to it already.

Qi Yan was also used to it, so he didn’t use questions to distract himself. He even dared to hold his nose and come closer to the body.

“What could Lu Guangzong have drowned in?” His voice was nasal from pinching it, “It might not be water too…”

Song Caitang was done inspecting the surface of the lungs, so she got another scalpel and sliced the lung open.

“Shit! Another petal?!” Qi Yan’s eyes nearly fell out of their socket when he saw what Song Caitang had fished out with her forceps.

“This one smells the same!”

“It’s not just petals here.”

Song Caitang had a keener sense of observation, so she continued looking carefully and her forceps pulled out a black, curly strand of hair.

And a second strand.

And a third strand.

Qi Yan stared in amazement with his hand over his mouth. He looked at Song Caitang and exclaimed, “These things are so fine and so tiny, and it’s not a very obvious color either – how in the world do you find these things among all this red, yellow and white stuff?!”

Song Caitang smiled, “I have eyes.”

Qi Yan slumped back down sadly.

His eyes were clearly useless then.

Hers were eyes. His were useless holes in his face!

Those hairs, along with that strange, awful but familiar smell when she sliced the lungs open…

Everyone, not just Qi Yan, immediately thought of where both things could have come from.

Governor Zhang sighed, “I can’t believe Commissioner Lu drowned in pee.”

These hairs combined with a liquid that could drown a person – it didn’t take much to reach this conclusion.

Qi Yan was stunned, “Wait, what?”

That wasn’t the same as what he had thought of.

Governor Zhang turned and smiled at Qi Yan, “Mr. Qi, do you have a different idea?”

Qi Yan shut his mouth and refused to speak.

He just had to give it a little more thought and he would realize that the unspeakable images in his mind would not be possible.

Wen Yuansi frowned, “This was probably done out of hatred. To humiliate the victim.”

Qi Yan nodded vigorously, “The victim was drowned in pee, then thrown into a pigsty. This isn’t simple hatred for the guy! The killer’s got a major feud with the victim!”

Even after pulling the hairs out, Song Caitang continued inspecting the lungs. While everyone else was talking, she had already discovered something else.

“Cloth fibers.”

They were gray and stiff. Not soft at all.

Song Caitang frowned slightly, “This might have fallen into the liquid by accident. It could belong to the killer or the victim.”

Qi Yan came to take a closer look, “This is… very coarse fabric. The person wearing such clothes wouldn’t be rich.”

Song Caitang put her forceps down.

So much evidence had leaped out after just cutting two areas open. It was already enough to imagine how the murderer killed Lu Guangzong and it seemed unnecessary to continue dissecting further.

Governor Zhang narrowed his eyes, “This person has a feud with Commissioner Lu, hates the man very much, and is poor.”

Wen Yuansi nodded, “This person also seems to understand alcohol well and knows about hibiscuses, so they’ve accumulated a lot of experience in life. The killer must know so much about Commissioner Lu because they’ve followed Commissioner Lu for a long time and nobody has suspected their presence.”

Song Caitang smiled, “This person is very meticulous and has planned this killing for a long time. The feud has gone on for many years, and it’s the killer’s obsession. Taking revenge might not be burdensome to the killer because the killer might not have anyone to worry about. They’ve practically lived for this. Adding on Fourth Missy Gan’s incident…”

The three of them exchanged knowing glances, as if to say: I know who the killer is!

Qi Yan nearly cursed out loud.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about! Can’t you give me a hint?!” He scratched his head, “Don’t just look at each other like you know who the killer is! Don’t just list the characteristics! Tell me their name! Their NAME!!”

Governor Zhang grinned, “Isn’t it obvious?”

They were just short of saying the killer’s name out loud.

Besides this person, there was nobody else connected to the case who could possibly fulfill all these characteristics.

Qi Yan was speechless.

“WHO ON EARTH IS IT!”

Wen Yuansi reminded Governor Zhang, “Sir, to prevent the killer from escaping, we can send some men to watch him. If he does anything unusual, they are allowed to arrest him immediately.”

The case was about to come to an end, so Governor Zhang was glowing with happiness. He turned and started walking out, “I’ll go get busy, so Magistrate Wen, you stay here and settle the administrative stuff!”

Wen Yuansi replied, “I will do that.”

Meanwhile, Song Caitang went back to the autopsy table to check the inside of the victim to make sure she didn’t miss anything out, then sewed up the lungs before putting it back into the victim’s body…

Qi Yan was left by himself in the middle of the room.

Nobody bothered to even pay him any attention!

Why didn’t anyone say who the killer was?!

Was he that unimportant???

Song Caitang had begun to sew up the body and clean up the place. Wen Yuansi was also sorting his notes out and checked with Song Caitang from time to time to make sure he didn’t make any mistakes.

“So, we’re left with locating the killer…”

Immediately after Wen Yuansi said that, a low voice resounded from outside the room, “No need to search for him. He’s not at home.”

Qi Yan froze for a second, then came pouncing toward their guest, “Brother Zhi! You know who the killer is, don’t you? The killer soaked hibiscuses in wine and used that to knock Lu Guangzong out, then drowned the man in a bowl of piss!”

He spoke exceptionally quickly and excitedly summarized the results of the dissection as he looked hopefully at Zhao Zhi, “Brother Zhi, who’s the killer! Hurry up and tell me who it is!”

But Zhao Zhi ignored him and looked straight at Song Caitang instead, “Our conjectures from yesterday were all correct.”

Song Caitang smiled, “Yup. They were conjectures yesterday, but we’ve got evidence now. We just need to find the wine with hibiscuses and we can interrogate him.”

“If that’s the evidence you’re looking for,” Zhao Zhi lowered his gaze and smiled, “I know where it is. You don’t have to hunt high and low.”

For once, Song Caitang froze in surprise, “You know where it is?”

“I went to the killer’s house. There’s a small bottle on a shelf in a corner of his bedroom. When I opened it, the first thing that hit me was the smell of alcohol, and the liquid was a bit sticky. The smell of alcohol was strong, but the smell of the flowers in it was even stronger.”

Qi Yan was distracted immediately, “You didn’t faint on the spot?”

“A butterfly happened to fly in, and when I opened the bottle, the butterfly immediately fell onto the floor. I realized there must be something wrong with the liquid and retreated quickly, returning only after I had covered my nose and mouth properly.”

As he recounted what happened, Zhao Zhi suddenly furrowed his brow and his expression grew grim, “The bottle was placed in a very conspicuous place, as though the killer didn’t mean to hide it at all.”

“Maybe he felt it wasn’t necessary to hide it.” Wen Yuansi filed his notes neatly and walked over with a faint but elegant smile on his face, “There aren’t many people who know what hibiscuses are, and he left no traces behind, so we couldn’t find any evidence. If Miss Song wasn’t able to dissect the body and discover the petals and wine in the lungs, nobody would have thought of it.”

But Song Caitang was more concerned about something else. She looked unblinkingly at Zhao Zhi, “What about the rest? Any news on that?”

Nobody else knew what she was referring to, but Zhao Zhi did.

His lips curled into a slight smile and there was a twinkle in his eye. This was something that only they knew and understood, like a secret between them.

“Your guess was right. The killer is an excellent actor.”

“He seems ill-disciplined, doesn’t care for cleanliness, an alcoholic, and very rash, but he isn’t actually such a person at all,” said Zhao Zhi as he raised a finger with each point mentioned. The smile in his eyes was obvious, “His yard and room are very messy, but the space under his bed and his closet are very neat and clean.”

“He probably only goes into a drunken fit when necessary. No pub owner has been able to cheat him of his money, because he remembers what he ordered and how much he’s paid very well. He doesn’t mind paying less, but there’s no way he’s paying more.”

“He seems ill tempered and unreasonable, but the only person who has ever really offended him is Lu Guangzong. He doesn’t have a feud with anyone else.”

After he was done listing all the points of suspicion he had investigated, Zhao Zhi lowered his gaze that seemed as deep and dark as the starry skies and concluded in a low voice, “Song Caitang, you’re really very smart.”

Song Caitang’s eyes curved slightly, “I just… have a really wonderful maternal grandmother.”

They met each other’s gaze and their eyes seemed able to communicate with each other. It was a silent conversation that did not allow anyone else to join in.

But Wen Yuansi didn’t seem to notice this and continued in a gentle voice, “Governor Zhang has just sent some men out, but since Surveillance Commissioner Zhao has already taken a look and confirmed that the killer is not home, I guess the men won’t find anything. Perhaps we should split up to look for him.”

Qi Yan immediately stared at him, “Sp-split up?!”

He still didn’t know who the killer was!

How was he going to find that person!

“I searched a few places on my way back,” said Zhao Zhi, “including his house, his workplace, the places he usually goes to, and even the grave of his family. He’s not in those places.”

He wasn’t in those places…

Song Caitang looked down as she started thinking, “If the killer knows the case is about to be solved, what would he do and where would he go?” Her thoughts could only come to one conclusion, “The only thing the killer cares about would be…”

Zhao Zhi narrowed his eyes, “…the Lus.”

The killer hated Lu Guangzong with all his heart, but he didn’t want revenge on Lu Guangzong alone. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have used the murder to also expose Lu Guangzong’s true colors and cause the downfall of Lu Guangzong’s entire family.

Lu Guangzong was the main culprit, and his family were his accomplices.

The killer might not kill the rest of the Lus, but he certainly did not like them.

The current head of the family, Lu Guangzong’s son, Lu Shen, was still in jail.

Wen Yuansi paused for a moment, then said, “I’ll go check out the jail.”

If the killer had gone there, he would leave clues behind. And if he was still there… better still! Wen Yuansi would arrest him immediately!

Zhao Zhi picked a different place, “I’ll head to the Lu family residence.”

The killer might have preferred to observe the downfall of the Lu family from outside. The greater their fall, the happier the killer would be.

After stating their decision, they both looked at Song Caitang.

Their stance and gaze were similar. They both looked like they hoped Song Caitang would say she wanted to follow them. But when they exchanged glances, they could see the competitive streak in each other.

Zhao Zhi had been in a high position for a long time and grew up as the infamous King of Chaos. He dared to do anything he wanted, but he had both the dominance and pride of a member of the royal family, so while he knew when to behave, he could assert authority with his presence alone.

Wen Yuansi had a gentle personality, and even if this gentleness was only on the surface and was not a reflection of his true self, he controlled his expression and actions well too. He was challenging the other man, but he was still smiling. It was impossible for anyone who didn’t know the situation to realize what he was thinking about.

But… all of this escaped Song Caitang’s eyes.

She shrugged and said, “I’m not done with the autopsy yet.”

The lungs had just been put back properly in its place, but she still had a lot of sewing up and cleaning to do.

Wen Yuansi smiled, “No problem.”

Zhao Zhi nodded, “You can come by later.”

They both spoke seriously in calm voices, but there was a fierce competition burning quietly in the air.

Qi Yan was on the verge of tears, “Won’t any of you pay me any attention?! Bring me along when you discuss these things! Even just once would do! Who is the killer? Whoooooo??!!!”

Wen Yuansi and Zhao Zhi turned to walk out of the room at the same time, and they replied Qi Yan at the same time too.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“It’s Niu Baoshan!”

Qi Yan’s eyes flew open, “It’s HIM?!”

The two men walked out of sight, while Qi Yan ran over to Song Caitang, “Miss Song, did you hear that?! They said it’s Niu Baoshan! How can it be! I’ve never suspected him at all!”

Song Caitang had already finished sewing the lungs in place, so she began to sew up the other tissues, arteries and finally, the skin.

“He’s the only possibility.”

Qi Yan counted his fingers off, “Has a feud with Lu Guangzong, poor, likes to drink, has a dark past with Fourth Missy Gan…” His eyes grew even wider as he went through the various points mentioned, “It’s really got to be him!”

Song Caitang let him ramble on by himself as she slowly sewed the body back up, then took a cloth and wiped the body clean.

She picked up the white cloth, then stood next to the body’s chest with a calm look in her eyes, “You’ve completed your journey on Earth, I hope you can rest in peace now.”

The white cloth flapped a little when it caught some of the wind as Song Caitang raised it, then covered the body well as she brought it down again.

The bright sunshine shone through the window onto the floor, dividing the room into two worlds. One was as bright as gold, the other dim and gloomy.

At that moment, for some reason, Qi Yan stopped talking.

He quietly looked at Song Caitang’s hair flying in the wind and the tassels of her hairpins swaying. He did not dare to speak.

Song Caitang turned around, her voice as clean and clear as her personality was, “Put out the burning herbs.”

“Remove the protective gown.”

“Wash my hands.”

It was only when Song Caitang had washed up with Qingqiao’s help, and stood in front of him with a faint smile and a familiar yet unfamiliar look in her eyes… that Qi Yan snapped out of his daze.

“Where are you going now?”

Song Caitang paused to think, “Let’s go check out the Lu family residence.”

It wasn’t easy to get access to the jail, but it would be easy to watch the chaos at the Lu family residence.

If she were the killer, she would probably head for the Lu family residence.

But things might be different for Niu Baoshan. If he wanted to kill again, the next victim would definitely be Lu Shen…

They had just set foot onto the street outside when Zhao Zhi came walking toward them.

“Come with me.”

They walked a long way down the streets to finally stop at a teahouse.

Zhao Zhi turned and walked in.

Song Caitang looked up at the three story teahouse, “Here?”

Zhao Zhi nodded, “Watch your step.”

She picked up her skirt and started climbing the stairs. When they went past the second floor, Song Caitang realized that this teahouse was in a good location. You could see the entire Lu family residence from the window.

The corners of her eyes turned upward slightly as her lips curled into a faint smile.

She got it now.

They got to the third floor. Zhao Zhi pushed the door open, allowing the afternoon sun to rush into the stairwell and dye it a golden color.

In the glowing sunshine, Niu Baoshan sat beside the window in a set of new clothes. He was clean shaven and his hair was neatly combed.

When he saw Song Caitang, he put down the teacup in his hand and smiled faintly. His voice seemed to come from afar, “I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”