Volume One, Chapter 14: The True Secret Behind the Family Massacre

“You brat, such a great opportunity, and yet you resist it so much!”

Yang Fengqing sat up straight and sighed softly. “Do you know how many years I’ve endured, how many merits I’ve earned, and how many injuries I’ve suffered just to join the Night Watch and reach my current position? You were directly chosen by Lord Lu, and yet you still make me put in so much effort to win you over!”

Qin Zheng wanted to take the Blood Pill directly but feared that the small flame might spiral out of control again and consume everything, alerting Yang Fengqing.

Hearing this, he immediately smiled bitterly at Yang Fengqing. “Sir, let me first tell you about the strangeness behind this massacre case. Then you’ll understand why I’m so wary of it.”

After some consideration, he said cheerfully, “It would be best if we went down to the underground secret chamber one more time. Things will become clearer there!”

Yang Fengqing waved his hand and smiled faintly, inscrutable.

From his sleeve, he took out a small bowl. At the bottom were twenty-four chains connected to the rim, which was sealed and bore three large indentations linked to those chains.

When turned upside down, it formed a model of the entire secret chamber.

Yang Fengqing pointed at the inverted bowl and said with a tone of complete control, “Isn’t this perfect?”

Qin Zheng was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood.

Yang Fengqing was just a simpleton—before, when investigating the case, he had been brash and reckless. Could he really have such intricate thoughts?

Clearly, there was a higher hand guiding him. Could it be Lord Lu behind the scenes?

Had Lord Lu anticipated Qin Zheng’s reservations about this case and his reluctance to join the Night Watch, thus setting this all up in advance?

Even the previous temptations weren’t the crude work of Yang Fengqing; they were clearly orchestrated by Lord Lu!

Suppressing his thoughts, Qin Zheng pointed at the bowl symbolizing the secret chamber and spoke carefully:

“First, the structure of this chamber—with one central space and twenty-four corridors—is neither secret nor reasonable.

If its purpose was to suppress a monster, there should only be a central chamber at the bottom, with one end of the chains attached to an object disappearing into a pit, locking the monster in. The other ends of the chains should be buried deep underground to ensure the suppression is foolproof.

But now, with corridors left open and the other ends of the chains tied to these corridors, it’s as if this chamber deliberately leaves its greatest vulnerability and flaw exposed.”

“Second, who is this person suppressing the monster? Why only suppress it and not kill it? Although the monster is ferocious, it’s not an immortal beast!”

“Third, the object in the pit connected to the chains is clearly the key to suppressing the monster, but it has disappeared. What is it now? Where could it be?”

“Fourth, the chamber’s layout is ancient. How has the monster survived inside until now? Could it be that someone is deliberately raising these monsters?”

“Fifth, the sudden rampage of the monster clearly indicates someone opened the corridors by following the twenty-four chains and released it. This person must have known the chamber’s layout in advance. Who could this be?”

“Sixth, the twenty-four corridors all lead to places gathering women—brothels, music houses, the entertainment bureau, and nunneries. It seems as if these places were designed especially for the monster. How could this be such a coincidence?”

“Seventh, compared to the chamber’s ancient layout, places like the entertainment bureau were built later. Could it be that when planning its location, someone already intended to release the monster someday?”

“Eighth, could the person suppressing the monster and the one who released it be the same?”

After finishing, Qin Zheng felt as if a heavy weight had lifted from his shoulders and sighed in relief. “These are the doubts I found after entering the chamber. What happens next will depend on you, Sir!”

There was another peculiarity in this case: two freaks who terrified Ma Hua, him and that little nun. But Qin Zheng planned to investigate that privately and naturally wouldn’t mention it.

Yang Fengqing stared blankly at Qin Zheng, as if he were staring at a monster. After a moment of shock, he sincerely praised, “You brat, you truly are a talent! Lord Lu chose you rightly!”

Qin Zheng shrugged it off, smiling awkwardly. “Now you understand why I’m so cautious about this case and unwilling to get involved, right?”

Yang Fengqing thought for a moment and then calmly said, “I don’t know.”

“Whether it’s the one suppressing the monster or the one releasing it, to act secretly in the capital and excavate such a large chamber causing such a commotion without being discovered—can they be ordinary people?”

Qin Zheng continued, “Moreover, these two are very likely the same person. That means this person must have a grand scheme. Hidden in the shadows now, would he allow anyone to ruin his plans?”

Yang Fengqing looked up at the sky, eyes vacant, then slowly nodded.

After a moment of silence, he asked, “Among all these doubts, where should we start?”

Boss, this case is so dangerous, and I’ve hinted so many times—you should be thinking about how to protect me first...

Qin Zheng sighed helplessly and reminded again, “Sir, Cui Guangyuan is a formidable fourth-rank expert. He only touched the smallest part of this case yet was seriously injured, nearly dying...”

“Cui Guangyuan’s injuries are not critical. With over a month’s rest, he’ll recover!”

Yang Fengqing was distracted. “But he has too many political enemies in court. His career is effectively ruined! The ministers will use this case to criticize the Censorate’s failure to act!”

He thought for a moment and added, “At best, he’ll have to give up his position as Censorate Chief; at worst, he’ll be dismissed, investigated, and exiled! But compared to being beheaded for failing to solve the case, that’s already not bad!”

Finally, he shook his head and chuckled, “What, are you still holding a grudge over Cui Guangyuan sentencing you to death, wanting revenge?”

Then he looked at Qin Zheng in silence, only then realizing the key point.

“You’re worried about your safety? That’s unnecessary!”

Yang Fengqing waved his large hand solemnly. “You are my Night Watch informant. I will protect your identity by stepping forward openly! What use is a secret informant who isn’t secret?”

He patted his chest and laughed heartily, “You just focus on the case. Don’t worry about anything else! If the sky falls, I’ll bear it for you! And if I can’t, Lord Lu is tall—he’ll keep bearing it!”

Qin Zheng pondered for a moment and lowered his voice. “Regarding the mastermind behind this case, I have privately considered that it is very likely the Director of the Observatory.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Fengqing staggered, nearly falling from his chair!

This fourth-rank military officer of the Night Watch suddenly looked like a child afraid of thunder, almost crawling under the table!

“Don’t say nonsense!”

Yang Fengqing shouted lightly, then clasped his fists toward the Star-Picking Tower with righteous indignation. “The Director is a godlike figure who stays at the Star-Picking Tower for the fortune of Great Ning. Such magnanimity and grandeur—how dare you casually question him!”

After speaking, he solemnly sensed the surroundings and, finding nothing unusual, sighed in relief.

Then his eyelid twitched as he whispered, “In the capital, never speak lightly of the Director! Otherwise, from the Star-Picking Tower, he can crush you with a finger! Hmm, he can crush me too!”

Qin Zheng stared at Yang Fengqing in astonishment. Just now, you said you’d bear the sky falling for me—what a fake martial artist you are!

Yang Fengqing glared helplessly at Qin Zheng. If you don’t understand the rule of not speaking ill of gods, what kind of crude soldier are you?

After a moment, the two exchanged a knowing smile and tactfully dropped the subject.

“A secret informant moving stealthily always leaves traces in any ritual!”

Yang Fengqing said calmly, “There’s a little nun who is very peculiar. You should test her thoroughly and see if she’s still a virgin.”