Selling one’s daughter to a brothel…
Qin Wan and Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi exchanged glances, their eyes darkening. Six years ago, the victim had starved his elderly father to death. This time, the victim had sold his daughter to a brothel. Both cases involved cruelty to close relatives…
This case proved that the killer was indeed the same one from six years ago!
“Manager Chen, do you know which brothel Hu De Quan sold his daughter to?”
Chen Wan Fu thought for a moment. “I believe… I believe it was the Feng Qi Tower… Yes, it must have been the Feng Qi Tower. After Hu De Quan sold his daughter, she refused to acknowledge him as her father. Later, when Hu De Quan ran out of money for wine, he went to ask his daughter for money but was thrown out by the people at Feng Qi Tower. This happened about a year ago, and the workers discussed it privately at the time.”
After Chen Wan Fu finished speaking, Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi had already committed this information to memory. “Besides this daughter, did Hu De Quan have any other relatives or friends?”
Chen Wan Fu nodded. “As far as I know, no. Though I’m not sure if he was close to any other workers in private.”
Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi nodded and asked Princess Qin, “Your Highness, are these Datura leaves common?”
Princess Qin responded with an “Mm” and said, “This isn’t rare; ordinary apothecaries all carry it.”
Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi sighed. Princess Qin looked at the wine and dishes before them and said, “These dishes must have been prepared by Hu De Quan himself. For him to personally cook, this guest must have been someone he felt very close to.”
Hearing this, Chen Wan Fu said, “When Hu De Quan worked at the restaurant, he started in the kitchen as an assistant and learned from the chefs. He could cook some dishes. When he lived alone in this courtyard, he was self-sufficient.”
Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi looked around the room again. “Nothing seems unusual elsewhere. He lived alone in this courtyard, and the other rooms are covered in cobwebs, only this main room is somewhat orderly.”
Princess Qin scanned the room, then turned to examine the courtyard outside and took a look at the kitchen. Indeed, she found nothing unusual, which itself was too strange.
If the killer didn’t know Hu De Quan, why would Hu De Quan prepare food and wine to entertain them? And if they knew each other, given that Hu De Quan knew few people, wouldn’t the killer fear be discovered?
The previous two victims, Wu Qian and Zhao Jia Xu knew many people, making it difficult to trace connections through their social networks. But Hu De Quan was different. Princess Qin narrowed her eyes. With the case causing such a stir, the killer must have known the authorities were investigating, yet they still dared to act. Her gaze turned toward the courtyard gate. This area was very remote, inhabited only by modest households. Everyone knew a middle-aged man with a limp lived in this courtyard, which made people pay even less attention to any activity there. The killer came at night, and no passersby witnessed anything…
The previous night, the previous night seemed to also have been moonless and starless.
Thinking of this, Princess Qin suddenly frowned. Ashes and cinnabar patterns were found under the second victim Zhao Jia Xu’s body, so why weren’t they found here?
Growing increasingly puzzled, Princess Qin hurried to find Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi. “Magistrate Zheng, did our people not find any ashes or cinnabar patterns this time? Also, has the Crown Prince been notified?”
Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi quickly nodded. “Yes, nothing was found. The Crown Prince has been notified, but he’s currently in the palace, not at the Ministry of Justice. I’m afraid it will be a while before he arrives. Princess, did you need the Crown Prince for something?”
Princess Qin shook her head. “I wanted to see that Daoist Zhang.”
Hearing this, Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi’s face showed difficulty. “In that case, we really must wait for the Crown Prince. Last time, Daoist Zhang said he could only help us after the third person died. Now he should know more.”
Princess Qin had exactly this thought in mind. Fortunately, they only waited two-quarters of an hour before Yan Chi arrived!
Crown Prince Yan Chi rode in swiftly on horseback with Bai Feng and several guards. For some reason, when Princess Qin saw him stride through the courtyard gate, she sensed a sharp, murderous aura about him. She instinctively felt that Yan Chi was angry.
However, as Yan Chi approached, his deep black eyes brightened slightly. Seeing Magistrate Zheng Bai Shi and others kneel in greeting, he waved his hand. “Where is the corpse?”
As he spoke, his gaze fell softly and lingeringly on Princess Qin.
“Your Highness, this way, please. The Princess was just asking when you would arrive, and here you are.”
As the group headed toward the side room, Yan Chi’s gaze still fell occasionally on Princess Qin as he said, “Today I saw His Majesty in the palace. Magistrate Zheng should know about the matter of several Transport Commissioners in the Northwest…”
Magistrate Zheng hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, His Majesty was furious about this matter. We officials were also shocked. These people are too brazen. Such behavior is truly devastating to both country and people!”
Yan Chi gave a cold laugh without continuing, simply stepping into the side room. Seeing Hu De Quan’s corpse, Yan Chi frowned. “The ice cellar is right below?”
Magistrate Zheng quickly nodded. Princess Qin said, “Would Your Highness like to go down and look? Magistrate Zheng and I were just saying that this time we didn’t find any cinnabar patterns or ashes near the body. I wanted to look again.”
Yan Chi naturally agreed readily, leading the group down to the ice cellar.
Princess Qin followed Yan Chi down. “It’s strange. Last time, as soon as Daoist Zhang saw our rubbing of the pattern, he said it was some kind of evil-vanquishing formation. Could Hu De Quan’s death not be part of the evil-vanquishing formation? But the first person died in the Skin-Flaying Hell, the second in the Tongue-Pulling Hell, and the third in the Ice Hell. This indeed follows the Moon Worship Sect’s doctrines.”
As they descended from above, just reaching the entrance, a bone-chilling cold struck them. Yan Chi frowned at Princess Qin’s thin clothing, but her attention had fallen on the great door.
She hadn’t noticed when coming down earlier, but now something seemed strange.
This great door was made of iron, and painted with lead paint, but the outside had been painted red. It wasn’t noticeable at first glance, and with the doors open it wasn’t apparent, but when the two doors were closed together, a faint, dark red pattern became visible. Princess Qin stepped forward for a closer look and indeed discovered the difference.
The cinnabar color was a shade darker than the red paint on the doors. From afar the difference was imperceptible, but up close it was quite obvious. Princess Qin quickly said, “Your Highness, Magistrate Zheng, look! We said we hadn’t found the pattern, but the killer drew it on the great door…”
Though knowing the authorities had begun a serious investigation, the killer remained so brazen. The pattern under Zhao Jia Xu’s body had been so small, but now the pattern on the great door was so large. This pattern wasn’t just the evil-vanquishing formation’s talisman, it seemed more like a taunt to the authorities. Magistrate Zheng said gravely, “This person is becoming increasingly arrogant!”
Princess Qin steadied herself and pushed open the door to examine the wet patch at the entrance.
The ice cellar was dimly lit. When Princess Qin had entered earlier, she only noticed the melted ice water had soaked the floor, and due to officials coming and going, there were many muddy footprints at the entrance. But now looking carefully, Princess Qin still discovered ash powder in the water stains. Princess Qin crouched down and pinched some with her fingers. “I was careless earlier. Magistrate Zheng, I found it.”
Magistrate Zheng frowned. “It seems we must make another trip to the imperial prison to see Daoist Zhang.”
Yan Chi pondered briefly. “Better sooner than later. Leave this to Zhan Yang; let’s go to the imperial prison.”
Yan Chi was swift and decisive. With one command, he immediately led Princess Qin and Magistrate Zheng up from the side room. Magistrate Zheng gave instructions to Zhan Yang, then followed Yan Chi and Princess Qin as they set out directly for the imperial prison—
The journey took three cups of tea before they arrived outside the Ministry of Justice. The group entered and went straight to the imperial prison. When they reached Daoist Zhang’s cell door, he was still sound asleep.
The official smiled bitterly and called out twice. Daoist Zhang slowly awoke, and seeing three people standing outside his cell, he immediately furrowed his brow. “Another death?!”
Crown Prince Yan Chi looked at Daoist Zhang with dark eyes. “The third person was frozen to death in an ice cellar.”
Daoist Zhang was momentarily stunned, then stood up. He calculated with his fingers for a moment, his expression growing increasingly troubled. “Was this third person also killed in the western part of the city?”
Magistrate Zheng’s brow twitched. “How did you know?!”
Hearing this, Daoist Zhang smiled slightly but wouldn’t explain clearly. Princess Qin said, “Last time you said you could help us after the third person died. Now that it’s happened, can you calculate what the killer plans to do? Or who they might be…”
Daoist Zhang made a few more calculations with his fingers but shook his head. “I can help, but I can’t help from here.”
Magistrate Zheng frowned. “What? Don’t tell me you want to get out?”
Daoist Zhang puffed up his chest, looking displeased. “You’ve wronged me for so long, six years! You’ve imprisoned me for six years! Now it’s proven the killer from six years ago has returned, and you still want to keep me locked up?!”
Magistrate Zheng raised an eyebrow. “We’re not certain it’s the same killer from six years ago. Perhaps it’s just a copycat?”
Daoist Zhang laughed coldly. “Oh, is that so? Then why are you here asking me?! I know nothing! Go investigate yourselves! You wrongly accuse me of being the killer while wanting my help with the case! Where in the world do you find such nonsense!”
Daoist Zhang kept laughing coldly, turned around, and lay back down on his felt blanket. He crossed his legs, put his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes without saying another word. Magistrate Zheng grew slightly angry. “How dare you…”
Crown Prince Yan Chi raised his hand to stop Magistrate Zheng’s anger. Looking at Daoist Zhang, he said, “You can go free on one condition – help the authorities catch the killer. Once the killer confesses to the crimes from six years ago, you’ll be cleared of charges.”
Daoist Zhang slowly opened his eyes and smiled at Yan Chi. “Can Your Highness’s word be trusted?”
Yan Chi lifted his chin slightly. “A gentleman’s word is his bond.”
Daoist Zhang immediately pushed himself up from the ground. “Good! Based on Your Highness’s word, I’ll help you! I want to leave this prison today. I request Your Highness find me a place to change clothes and wash up, and let me have a proper meal. It’s just past noon now, right? When darkness falls, I’ll begin working for the authorities!”
Despite the filth on Daoist Zhang’s face, his eyes sparkled brightly.
Magistrate Zheng looked hesitantly at Yan Chi. “Your Highness, shouldn’t we…”
Yan Chi said, “I will discuss this with the Minister. Take him out first.”
Daoist Zhang was delighted, his whole person becoming animated. The prison official beside them stared at Daoist Zhang with wide eyes, unable to believe he could leave. Many people had been imprisoned in the imperial prison, but none had ever walked out. This Daoist Zhang had been imprisoned for six years, spouting nonsense daily, previously saying this was his destined tribulation. No one had believed him, but who could have imagined he would truly have a day to walk out of the imperial prison?
The cell lock opened with a “click,” and Daoist Zhang walked out with his chest high and head held up. Seeing the official’s eyes about to pop out, Daoist Zhang snorted lightly. “None of you believed this young master would have a day to leave again. Now you all know what’s what!”
After walking out, Daoist Zhang didn’t dare to be too presumptuous. Seeing the three hadn’t moved, he bowed and gestured with his hand.
“Your Highness, please lead the way—”
Yan Chi glanced at him and stepped forward. Princess Qin followed behind Yan Chi, while Magistrate Zheng looked Daoist Zhang up and down before shaking his head and following. Daoist Zhang smiled and walked last.
As Daoist Zhang walked, he stroked his beard and looked at other prisoners in their cells, waving to some as if bidding farewell to old friends. When they walked out of the prison’s main gate, Daoist Zhang stood in the sunlight with squinted eyes for a long while before opening them. He looked up at the azure sky and exhaled deeply.
He stood still for a moment, then looked up to see the three ahead turning back to look at him. Daoist Zhang’s smile dimmed slightly, showing no trace of having survived an ordeal, only following with a broadening smile.
Outside the ministry gates, Daoist Zhang’s eyes grew even brighter!
He exhaled deeply, his gaze greedily taking in the familiar yet strange streets and markets.
Yan Chi said, “Take him back to the prefectural office to wash up, and send someone to have Zhan Yang report back.”
Having received his orders, Magistrate Zheng hurried to make arrangements. Meanwhile, Daoist Zhang kept glancing at Yan Chi as they walked, his gaze growing increasingly sharp. After a while, he turned to look at Princess Qin, his gaze growing increasingly dark.
Bai Feng led a horse over. “Daoist Zhang, can you ride?”
Daoist Zhang laughed heartily. “Of course I can—”
With that, he walked to the tall horse and tried to climb onto its back. However, having been imprisoned for six years had taken its toll, and he nearly fell off as soon as he mounted. It took him a moment to adjust and stabilize himself. Looking at Bai Feng and the others, Daoist Zhang laughed dryly, “Pardon me, pardon me, I’m out of practice.”
Bai Feng ignored him and mounted his horse following Yan Chi. The group headed toward the prefectural office.
At the front, Yan Chi’s group was dressed magnificently, while Daoist Zhang looked like a beggar. His horsemanship was unsteady, stumbling along the way, and by the time they reached the prefectural office, he was drenched in sweat.
Entering the prefectural office, Magistrate Zheng led him to the back hall where the runners stayed, ordering people to heat several buckets of water and prepare food for Daoist Zhang. From inside the room, Daoist Zhang called out while bathing, “Magistrate Zheng, please prepare several large pork trotters! The fattest and biggest ones! And a jar of Yu Lou Spring wine! No, make it two! Two jars of Yu Lou Spring wine!”
Magistrate Zheng nearly fell overhearing this outside. Wasn’t he supposed to be a Daoist?! Where was his ascetic lifestyle?!
Thinking that Daoist Zhang could be useful in solving the case, Magistrate Zheng sighed and ordered people to prepare everything, then went to the front hall to find Yan Chi and Princess Qin. Soon after, a servant came to report that one large bucket of hot water wasn’t enough for Daoist Zhang – he’d requested several buckets of cold water and insisted on washing himself three times. Now he was grooming his hair and beard. Magistrate Zheng smiled bitterly, “This man acts without restraint or propriety. Does Your Highness truly believe what he says?”
Hearing this, Yan Chi replied, “If he can help, we’ll use him. If not, we’ll execute him.”
Magistrate Zheng couldn’t tell if Yan Chi was serious or not, but his heart skipped a beat hearing it.
Princess Qin smiled, “Though this man acts without restraint, he’s not afraid of authority. Earlier, with just a quick calculation, he knew the person died in the western city. He’s not simple.”
Magistrate Zheng smiled bitterly, “Let’s hope so—”
After waiting a while longer, a runner came to report that the wine and meat had been bought, and Daoist Zhang had started eating. Princess Qin was curious and wanted to look, so Yan Chi had no choice but to accompany her, and Magistrate Zheng followed along.
When the three arrived at the side room, they saw that Daoist Zhang had changed out of his tattered clothes and now wore a new lake-blue robe. His previously tangled hair and beard were now neat, with his black hair done up in a small topknot. He had shaved his facial hair clean except for a small goatee on his chin. His once filthy face was now clean, revealing rather proper features. Though he still looked somewhat small and thin, he had something of an immortal bearing about him.
When the three arrived, Daoist Zhang paid them no attention at all, his gaze completely absorbed by the five large braised pork trotters before him. The braised trotters were succulent and gorgeously colored, clearly bought from an excellent restaurant. Daoist Zhang grabbed one with his bare hands and took a bite. As he bit down, the cooking juices and rich oils spilled out. He chewed while letting out a contented sigh, and after swallowing, he grabbed the wine jar and took a drink straight from his mouth. With both meat and wine in his stomach, Daoist Zhang threw back his head and laughed, “Hahaha, I’m alive! This old man is finally alive!”
Princess Qin felt quite uncomfortable watching him eat so heartily. Magistrate Zheng snorted at the doorway, “Hurry up and get to work after you’re done eating!”
Daoist Zhang gave Magistrate Zheng a sidelong glance. “What’s the rush?! Wait until dark!”
With that, he returned to his feast. Yan Chi watched this Daoist Zhang with an ambiguous smile and led Princess Qin away.