The County Magistrate spoke with absolute certainty, causing everyone to draw in a sharp breath. However, Xuan-Ci maintained his gentle smile and said, “This humble monk listens with respect.”
“I have questioned many people. Twenty years ago, Lingwu Temple was not what it is today. It was merely an ordinary mountain temple with a handful of monks surviving on alms. Master Xuan-Ci became a monk rather late in life, almost thirty years old. Compared to those who had practiced since childhood, he held no status in the Abbot’s eyes…” The County Magistrate’s voice rang clear in the star-filled night, reaching the ears of all present.
In the dim night, Xuan-Ci’s expression grew grave. The lamp that had burned through the night flickered in the wind, casting his face in alternating light and shadow, making his emotions unreadable.
Jiang Si closed her eyes slightly and took a gentle sniff.
The wind carried moisture – it would likely rain tomorrow.
Probably a heavy downpour.
The County Magistrate kept his gaze fixed on Xuan-Ci: “In my experience, most murder victims have some connection to their killer. If it’s not immediately apparent, it’s usually because it’s been well hidden. When we learned you were from this town before becoming a monk, the threads began to connect. You were quite friendly with the victim Liu Sheng’s Second Uncle!”
“Amitabha Buddha, in Green Ox Town, all young people of similar age could be considered friends. Is this the connection you’ve found, Sir?”
“It’s sufficient.” The County Magistrate smiled coldly. “After becoming a monk, you remained at the bottom rung for years. The senior monks gave you all the dirty and heavy work, while the Abbot turned a blind eye. This is human nature – one needs either rapport or the ability to earn special treatment. So when you could no longer endure it, you told the Abbot you could make Lingwu Temple prosperous and famous—”
Xuan-Ci finally changed expression and shouted: “Amitabha Buddha! This humble monk can endure any criticism of himself, but please do not insult our Abbot!”
Following Xuan-Ci’s words, all the monks glared at the County Magistrate.
The County Magistrate smiled slightly: “Why so anxious, Master Xuan-Ci? I merely said you told the Abbot you had a way to make Lingwu Temple prosperous. I never suggested the Abbot was involved.”
“Are you a deity, Sir, to know what this humble monk said twenty years ago?”
“No divine powers are needed – asking around was sufficient.” The County Magistrate looked in a particular direction. “Master Xuan-An, is what I’ve said incorrect?”
An elderly monk stepped forward: “Amitabha Buddha, Xuan-Ci did indeed say this to the Abbot back then. This humble monk and several brothers heard it.”
“Xuan-An—”
The elderly monk pressed his palms together toward Xuan-Ci, his voice detached: “I’m surprised you still recognize this senior brother who swept floors for ten years.”
The elderly monk’s appearance made the spectating townspeople widen their eyes in curiosity, while the temple monks grew uneasy. Some began looking at Xuan-Ci differently.
“Within a year, Lingwu Temple indeed became famous for its efficacy. The initial cause of the neighboring villages’ rush to worship was when Liu Sheng’s childless parents suddenly gave birth to Liu Sheng – a lovable, chubby boy!”
As the County Magistrate revealed this, murmurs arose. Jiang Zhan suddenly clutched his forehead in mock horror: “Heavens, could Liu Sheng be Xuan-Ci’s son?”
This comment immediately drew murderous glares from the monks. The hot-tempered Si-Hai couldn’t contain himself and lunged at Jiang Zhan with a shout.
Jiang Zhan nimbly ducked behind Yu Jin. Seeing Si-Hai being held back, he gave Jiang Si a wronged look.
Jiang Si sighed helplessly: “Second Brother should think before speaking.”
“Ahem.” The County Magistrate coughed twice to regain everyone’s attention. “Why were Liu Sheng’s parents childless for over ten years of marriage? Because Liu Sheng’s father was infertile! Whether Xuan-Ci learned of this by chance or through his closer-than-apparent relationship with Liu Sheng’s Second Uncle is hard to determine after so many years. Regardless, your method of making Lingwu Temple famous centered on Liu Sheng’s parents. The Liu family was poor then, and Liu Sheng’s Second Uncle couldn’t even afford to marry. You approached him and persuaded him to take advantage of his sister-in-law, and after succeeding, she chose to remain silent. After several encounters between a healthy man and woman, Liu Sheng’s mother soon became pregnant, then came to Lingwu Temple to pray at Second Uncle’s instruction.”
The County Magistrate sighed softly: “With pregnancy preceding the prayer, how could the temple not appear miraculous?”
After these words, the crowd fell silent before someone spoke up: “I remember now! People in town were talking about how effective Lingwu Temple’s prayers were, saying Liu Sheng was conceived right after they prayed.”
Another person added: “Yes, that’s why young wives from all around came here!”
Xuan-Ci silently watched the County Magistrate.
The County Magistrate continued: “This also explains why the Liu family suddenly had money to open a cloth shop. Liu Sheng’s Second Uncle must have received considerable compensation for helping you, and even after the family became wealthy, he never married. Why is that?”
The County Magistrate posed this question while stroking his beard.
Someone from the crowd called out: “Obviously, with a chubby son and regular access to his sister-in-law, he didn’t need a wife!”
Though crudely put, the logic was sound, and everyone seemed to have a moment of realization.
Why would a man in his thirties, who already had a woman and a son, want to properly marry and be constrained?
Wouldn’t that be foolish?
The County Magistrate listened silently, thinking: Never underestimate the wisdom of common people!
“What does this have to do with Liu Sheng?” Xuan-Ci asked calmly.
“Everything! As the Liu family’s only child, Liu Sheng was spoiled and became a wastrel, spending money recklessly. Two years ago, Liu Sheng’s Second Uncle fell gravely ill. Knowing his time was short and fearing Liu Sheng would squander everything and end up destitute after his death, he revealed this secret.” The County Magistrate stared steadily at Xuan-Ci. “Second Uncle thought he’d secured an endless source of money for Liu Sheng, but instead, he led him to his doom!”
Xuan-Ci rapidly rotated his prayer beads, his face expressionless.
“Unlike his Second Uncle, who was content with regular benefits, Liu Sheng was a gambler – a bottomless pit. As he repeatedly came to Lingwu Temple demanding money to keep the old secret, you must have already harbored thoughts of murder. Finally, when Liu Sheng’s demands exceeded what you could bear, it drove you to silence him permanently!”
Hearing this, Lady Li involuntarily swayed, her face turning extremely pale.
“After Liu Sheng was thrown into the well, your greatest concern was Si-Kong, who was responsible for drawing water. If Si-Kong hadn’t discovered something, the monk responsible for water duties would have quickly been replaced by one of your trusted followers, wouldn’t he? Unfortunately, changing personnel required a reasonable excuse, and Si-Kong was too unfortunate. You had no choice but to silence him and stage it as an accidental fall that cracked his skull…”
“Amitabha, these are merely conclusions drawn from your questioning, Sir. Where is the evidence?”