TGCFNM -Chapter 113 Aftereffects

Currently, the spot where Chu Ling was standing resembled a slope. Normally, a slope like this could be climbed, though it would be strenuous—and it was very high.

Not far up the slope, there was a small path that happened to pass by. Few people likely used it, and it was overgrown with weeds.

Chu Ling traced the path with her eyes while sorting through the case in her mind. “After the murderer brought the family of four here, they tied them up tightly and pushed them down the slope. From such a height, rolling down would cause them to hit protruding rocks, easily injuring them or knocking them unconscious.”

“Then they followed, found a suitable spot, dug a pit, and buried the four unconscious people alive. They suffocated to death.”

Chu Ling then looked down at the forest below.

This forest was usually deserted, remote, and any burial here would be completely hidden. If it weren’t for the heavy rain a couple of days ago—and if Wu Xiaoxiu hadn’t happened to come here to pick fruit—this case would have been completely covered up.

Chu Ling turned her head to look at the hemp rope around Tao Sanniang’s neck, narrowing her eyes, and said in a low voice, “Those people claimed to be mountain bandits, but they didn’t use weapons—they tied people up and pushed you down… The pit they dug wasn’t even deep.”

“One person dug the pit,” Tao Sanniang added.

The ghost scholar suddenly remembered something. “Your whole family traveled together, right? You must have taken a carriage. Where is the carriage?”

Tao Sanniang shook her head in confusion. “I don’t know. It was a borrowed carriage—from a student’s family.”

Chu Ling lowered her gaze and thought, letting the rain soak her clothes.

“I’m almost certain now—the killer isn’t a mountain bandit.” Chu Ling looked at Tao Sanniang with firm eyes. “Bandits just kill and rob; they wouldn’t go to all this trouble. But the motive was still for money.”

The ghost scholar instinctively looked at the gold bracelet on Tao Sanniang’s wrist.

Chu Ling followed his gaze. “Although Tao Sanniang’s bracelet is still there, it must have slipped under her sleeve when they tied her with the rope. They didn’t notice it.”

The ghost scholar asked in surprise, “How can you be so certain, Lady?”

Chu Ling looked at him. “Master, because you asked about the carriage. The carriage is gone, and there’s no sign of it being damaged anywhere. That’s obvious—it was taken away.”

The ghost scholar nodded, seeing the logic.

Chu Ling continued, “Bandits take money directly—they wouldn’t bother with the carriage. A carriage is too conspicuous and easy to notice. Who would take a carriage unless they were a desperate, inexperienced thief? Only they would take the carriage. And because they were inexperienced, they didn’t search her and take the gold bracelet.”

“Xiaoling, don’t forget,” Bai Su reminded, “Tao Sanniang said that group came on horseback. Would someone who can afford a horse be so desperate for money?”

Chu Ling wiped the rain from her face. “That’s exactly the part I find strange. It’s what I still can’t understand.”

“My Lord!” Wan Sanjin shouted from below. “Are you going crazy?”

Chu Ling: “……”

“Let’s go back first. Wait for Coroner Su’s autopsy report,” the ghost scholar said.

Chu Ling nodded. She lightly tapped her toes, ready to use her light-footed skill to descend, but the ground was slippery. Her right foot twisted, her body tilted, and she was about to fall.

At that critical moment, a figure swiftly shot forward. Long fingers tightly gripped Chu Ling’s arm, stabilized her, and then leaped down, safely bringing her to the bottom.

Only after they reached the bottom did Fu Qingyu release her.

Chu Ling realized her ankle was twisted. Enduring the pain, she looked at Fu Qingyu and thanked him, “Thank you, Young Master Fu.”

“Just a small effort,” Fu Qingyu said, looking up. “I heard from Qingtong that you suddenly went up—you must have discovered something about the case.”

Chu Ling nodded and tugged at Wan Sanjin beside her. “Help me, I twisted my ankle.”

Wan Sanjin clicked his tongue. “So what if you’re quick with light-footed skills? You still twisted your foot.” Despite his words, he helped steady her.

Fu Qingyu quickly supported the other side, and together they got Chu Ling onto the carriage.

Because of Chu Ling’s delay, all four of them were drenched, their clothes dripping wet, and the books in the carriage were nearly ruined.

Qingtong, feeling sorry, stacked the books on the table, and Fu Qingyu reached out to steady them. Seeing the apologetic expressions of the two across from him, he smiled and said, “It’s alright, I’ve already read them anyway.”

Qingtong wailed, shouting, “Young Master, some of these books were borrowed from other scholars! If we don’t dry them before returning, you’ll definitely be hunted down!”

Wan Sanjin was startled. “Qingyu, come with us to the government office first. We can dry the books there before going back.”

Fu Qingyu thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, though I apologize for troubling you, sir.”

Qingtong finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned to drive the carriage.

Chu Ling smiled and waved her hand. “If it weren’t for you, Master Wan and I wouldn’t even know how we’d get back. I just didn’t expect that Young Master Fu is really not one to show off—his martial skills are so good.”

Fu Qingyu was taken aback. “Sir, you didn’t know I knew martial arts?”

Wan Sanjin kicked Chu Ling.

Chu Ling yelped in pain and slapped back instinctively, cursing under her breath.

Wan Sanjin glared right back. “Haven’t I told you? Qingyu is talented in both literature and martial arts—the number one young master in the world!”

Through Wan Sanjin’s eyes, Chu Ling miraculously understood what he meant. She widened her eyes, cleared her throat, and looked at Fu Qingyu. “I was struck by lightning once. My memory is a bit fragmented.”

Wan Sanjin turned to Fu Qingyu seriously. “Yes, our master was struck by lightning.”

Fu Qingyu was completely stunned. After a long moment, he found his voice. “Sir… is your health alright?”

Chu Ling sighed and shook her head. “Not very good. Even with lightness skills, I still twisted my ankle. It’s all a side effect of being struck by lightning.”

Wan Sanjin chimed in beside her. “Yes, very serious.”

Fu Qingyu wiped the rain from his face, concerned. “Then please take care of your health, sir, and rest properly.”

Chu Ling thanked him earnestly. “I will.”

“……”

The carriage fell silent. Not a word was spoken all the way to the government office.

Outside the government office, Qingtong exhaled as he stopped the carriage. Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua came out holding umbrellas and escorted Chu Ling and the others inside one by one.

Back in the room, Chu Ling grimaced as she pulled off her boots, staring at her swollen ankle with a frown. “It’s the rain’s fault.”

Bai Su laughed and cried at the same time. “This is the first time I’ve seen someone who trains in martial arts twist an ankle. Xiao Ling, you really need more training.”

Chu Ling felt like crying but had no tears left.

Soon, Xiao Hua brought hot water. After she and the others left, she closed the door and set up a screen for privacy.

After removing her clothes, Chu Ling soaked her feet in the hot water, her mind still on the slope she had seen today and the place where the bodies were buried.

“I’ve got it!” A flash of insight struck her, and she slapped the water. “The murderer is a local—someone from Changzhou!”

The method of the crime was crude, but they knew where they could bury the bodies in secret. That could only be a local.

And among those who are extremely short on money, there is only one type of person.

A gambler!