TGCFNM -Chapter 24 The Mountain God Temple Case

Three days later.

After standing at the bow of the boat and enjoying the scenery for a while, Chu Ling had the bound boatman brought out. Squatting down in front of him, she asked, “Where is the originally planned dock?”

“Less… less than ten li away.”

“Oh? Is there another route?” Chu Ling smiled.

The boatman looked as if he were about to cry. When Master Zhang made the arrangements, why hadn’t he explained things clearly? These people were supposed to be weak, defenseless scholars—but this group was nothing short of Yama Kings from hell.

After traveling a bit farther, the boat stopped by the shore. The group packed up their belongings, led out Zhuifeng, then used the oars to push the boat back into the current, letting it drift downstream with the wind.

They did not remove the cloth stuffed in the boatman’s mouth. After all, as long as he could make enough noise, someone might still come to save him.

Chu Ling said, “Load the things onto Zhuifeng. We’ll head to the Mountain God Temple first.” That scholar had died there.

Bai Su walked beside Chu Ling. “Now that you’re wearing the new Adam’s apple, it can’t be removed unless special methods are used. It’ll make things more convenient for you in the future.”

Chu Ling gave a slight nod in silent thanks.

“From here to the Mountain God Temple, it’ll take at least half a day on foot. By the time we arrive, it’ll probably be evening,” Wan Sanjin said, glancing around. He spotted a village in the distance. “I’ll go ask if they’re selling an ox cart.”

With that, Wan Sanjin headed down the village path alone.

Chu Ling stopped walking, unable to help sighing inwardly. Having a wealthy advisor was truly wonderful. She wondered what kind of business this merchant’s son’s family was in.

Before long, Wan Sanjin returned. Following behind him were a horse carriage and two ox carts—more than enough for their needs.

“They won’t sell the carts, but they’re willing to take us there,” Wan Sanjin called out, urging everyone to get aboard.

“If the master hadn’t paid us good money, we absolutely wouldn’t go,” the driver said with a troubled expression. “There’s an evil god in that temple.”

Chu Ling simply sat on the carriage board and looked at the driver. “What happened at the Mountain God Temple?”

The driver pressed his lips together tightly, nervously glancing around.

Wan Sanjin immediately slipped him a small string of copper coins.

The driver quickly tucked it into his sleeve, then urged the cart forward and lowered his voice. “Sirs, it used to be a proper Mountain God Temple. Then lightning struck it, and no one dared go there anymore.”

“And then?” Chu Ling prompted.

“Then it caught fire. The buildings were burned badly. Even beggars won’t stay there.”

Chu Ling looked incredulous. “That bad?”

“But scholars still go there sometimes, stay a day or two to save money.” The driver himself had a son studying at home, and studying was extremely expensive. Any savings helped.

Chu Ling fell silent. The scholar’s elderly mother had worn patched clothing, thin and frail. For such a family to produce a student was no easy feat. Naturally, they would scrimp and save wherever they could. Staying at the Mountain God Temple made sense.

“Sirs, it’s not suitable to stay there. Shall I take you into the city instead?” the driver asked.

Chu Ling shook her head. “No. We’re going to worship the Mountain God.”

The driver: “……” These masters were truly bold.

The cart wasn’t of the best quality, nor was it fast, but it was still quicker than walking. Shortly after the hour of Wei had passed, they were delivered to their destination. As soon as they arrived, the driver said nothing more. Together with the two men from his village, he whipped the carts around and hurried away as fast as they could.

“This Mountain God Temple is really in terrible shape,” Wan Sanjin exclaimed in shock. Hearing about it was one thing—seeing it in person was another.

Chu Ling nodded. “Why don’t we stay the night?”

Wan Sanjin frowned in surprise. “Your Excellency, do you not have money for an inn?”

“No.”

“I’ll pay for you.”

Chu Ling felt a tiny bit moved, but still shook her head. “We have to stay one night regardless. Only by staying will we know whether this is truly the work of an evil deity—or someone committing crimes and shifting the blame onto a clay idol.”

The steps at the entrance of the Mountain God Temple were still fairly intact. Though overgrown with weeds, they did not hinder walking. After climbing the steps and passing along a narrow, well-trodden path, eight living people and three ghosts finally stood outside the temple. The interior was visible at a glance, as only half of the door remained.

The temple was small. In the center stood the clay statue of the Mountain God. The top of its head had been struck by lightning, leaving a large hole. Sunlight streamed through it, casting a layer of golden radiance over the statue.

Inside, however, it was relatively clean. The collapsed roof beams and wooden debris had all been piled to one side. On the other, still-intact side, straw had been laid out—likely a temporary resting place for the scholars.

But there were bloodstains on the straw.

Su He immediately barked, “No one come over!” Then he hurriedly removed his tool bag from Zhuifeng’s back and walked alone toward the scene of the crime.

Chu Ling glanced at the other side. Though the space was small, it would barely suffice for them to sit; as long as it did not rain at night, it would do.

Zhang Dong took Xiao Hua to clear away the wood blocks, with Wang Long and Wang Hu going to help.

Chu Ling stared at Sun Yang until his scalp tingled. He quickly slung his bundle over his back and went to help as well.

Chu Ling then led Wan Sanjin toward Su He, taking care not to approach too closely, instead observing the surroundings.

Wan Sanjin swept his gaze across the area. “It’s obvious. Besides the deceased Shen Lizhou, there were four others here that night.” The straw bedding had been divided into distinct sections, with an empty space in the middle—likely where tea or food had been placed.

“No. Besides Shen Lizhou, there were five others,” Chu Ling corrected.

“Five?” Wan Sanjin refused to believe it and counted again. “Where are five?”

Chu Ling took a slow breath and looked at the man standing not far ahead. He was thin, his complexion pale and bluish. His cyan robe was so washed it had faded to near-white, and a dark patch of blood stained his chest, soaking downward along the fabric.

“That section of straw is larger, and there’s even another bundle beside it. Doesn’t it look like a young master traveling with his study attendant?” Chu Ling pointed to the spot Shen Lizhou had mentioned.

Wan Sanjin was astonished. “A young master with an attendant—and he still stays in a ruined temple?”

“Who knows? These wealthy young gentlemen might enjoy novelty. Perhaps they wanted to experience the life of impoverished scholars,” Chu Ling said lightly, then looked at Wan Sanjin. “What do you think, Advisor Wan?”

Wan Sanjin cleared his throat. “The prefectural yamen must have already recorded this matter. When we check the records, we’ll know exactly how many people were present that night.”

“Judging from the pattern of blood spatter, this person was certainly murdered,” Su He said as he crouched down to make careful notes. “He must have been conscious at the time—and he resisted.”

Wan Sanjin watched with interest. “That charcoal pencil of yours—it seems quite convenient.”

“Found by the magistrate,” Su He replied. “Sharpen the tip and it’s useful for temporary notes. Later we transcribe with a brush. Writing outdoors isn’t convenient otherwise.”

Curious, Wan Sanjin asked for one as well. After trying it, he slipped it into his pouch.

By then, Chu Ling had already walked up to Shen Lizhou.

“Shen Lizhou of Sishui County greets Magistrate,” Shen Lizhou said, bowing respectfully.

Chu Ling’s gaze drifted to the large expanse of blood behind him.