The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 294 - 193: The Ancient City Blood Case_2

Chapter 294: Chapter 193: The Ancient City Blood Case_2

After Li Yan’s Dao improved, his Divine Skills had also strengthened; he could not be deceived by the situation in the store based on the changes in the scent.

He knew it was a warning from the household god and smiled as he shook his head, "Shopkeeper, fear not, we are just passing by. We heard that this old Wu Family shop has good craftsmanship and came to try the Sanhe Soup."

"It’s all thanks to the neighbors supporting..."

The old woman politely uttered a sentence, the wariness in her eyes not dissipating as she quickly ran to the back kitchen, starting to work personally alongside two helpers.

Soon, the steaming hot Sanhe Soup was served.

Li Yan glanced at it and saw that the Sanhe Soup contained glass noodles, beef dumplings, and slices of braised beef, sprinkled with plenty of green onions and dried chili peppers—it looked appetizing.

"Indeed, it’s excellent!"

He took a few sips, finding the soup fresh and delicious, containing herbs that dispelled cold and invigorated the spirit, and he couldn’t stop praising it.

Although the grand dishes from the north and south were exquisite, these local snacks had more of a human touch.

Seeing that the old woman was still somewhat scared, Li Yan, feeling helpless, decided to make it clear, "Rest assured we are all from the orthodox paths, and mean no harm. This method of yours, someone must have guided you, right?"

He had already noticed that the old woman was just an ordinary person.

Maintaining the household god relied entirely on strictly following the taboos.

Perhaps seeing his friendly demeanor, and Wang Daoxuan’s immortal-like presence next to him, the old woman finally relaxed a bit and nodded, "It was taught by an immortal from Yunyang Prefecture who was passing by."

"At that time, the shop was still operated by my father. Because the business was fair, it gained some fame. Some people were jealous and used Gu to try to take over the shop, but fortunately, the immortal noticed and saved us."

"He passed down this method to allow an orphan and a widow like me to have some protection."

Li Yan smiled slightly, saying no more.

Truth be told, such behavior couldn’t be easily judged.

Passing a true Magic Method to ordinary people; if they break a taboo, like descendants committing crimes or harboring improper thoughts, it would most likely lead to trouble.

Having the Fengshui of the household degraded would be the least of concerns; it could even lead to loss of lives, which Wang Daoxuan had dealt with before.

However, the old woman’s ability to maintain such an efficacious household god was rare; after all, the human heart is too fickle.

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside.

A group of soldiers carrying spears ran past in the rain, checking each house in groups of three or two.

"Have you seen any strangers recently?"

"Where were you last night?"

Accusations rang out, accompanied by the sound of pottery breaking and pleas for mercy.

Seeing this, the old woman hesitated and then quickly whispered a reminder, "Last night, the richest man in Shangjin City, the Hu family, was tragically wiped out—everything in their home was taken; I’m afraid this matter isn’t..."

Before she could finish, three soldiers walked into the shop.

Shangjin Town is a key location for Cao Yun and was also set as a county level.

Not only is there a county government here, but there is also a small garrison stationed with about three hundred soldiers.

The officer leading them seemed to know the shop owner as he nodded slightly in greeting, "Madam Wu, do not fear."

Then, he turned his wary gaze towards Li Yan and others, "Who are you?"

Before he could finish speaking, a private promptly stepped forward, pulling him aside to whisper—it was the soldier who had encountered Li Yan at the gate yesterday.

Hearing that they were Magicians, the officer’s pupils shrank but he still gritted his teeth and asked, "Where were you gentlemen last night?"

Li Yan directly responded, "Last night we were resting in an inn, the owner of Xiangfu Inn can verify."

The officer leading them paused, then nodded, "There was an incident in town, it’s best you don’t leave at will these next couple of days."

Afterward, he led his men and turned to leave.

Watching their departing figures, Sha Lifei was somewhat speechless, "It’s just a murder case, what does it have to do with us!"

"Guests, please don’t take offense." Shop owner Madam Wu suddenly spoke, "That Mr. Hu was no ordinary person, not only the wealthiest in Shangjin but also had connections with the important officials of Yunyang Prefecture."

"With such a significant case, from the county government to the garrison, I reckon they all have troubles, it’s best not to provoke them."

"Thank you."

Li Yan and Sha Lifei exchanged glances, both understanding the shop owner’s implication.

After returning to the inn, Sha Lifei immediately complained, "Listening to the shop owner, this county magistrate and garrison here are not straightforward. What if they hurry to close the case and pin the blame on someone, what if they find us?"

No wonder they were cautious; this kind of thing was not uncommon.

People of the pugilistic world wander between the lawful and the unlawful, while they may right wrongs, there are just as many who deceive, abduct, commit murder, and engage in other heinous acts.

In dramas, heroes of the green forest are praised by the populace, but in reality, the people of the pugilistic world are always avoided.

Likewise, the government does the same; when faced with major cases they sometimes lack the capacity to investigate and, in desperation, might arrest people from the pugilistic world to fill the count.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Yan gestured with his hand, indicating someone was coming and not to speak more.

Thump thump thump!

As expected, a knock sounded at the door.

Sha Lifei went to open the door and saw an official standing there, dressed in blue with a black cap, followed by two constables.

Seeing the visitors, Sha Lifei felt a headache starting, his face darkening as he said, "Last night’s incident has nothing to do with us, you’ve got the wrong people!"

"Don’t misunderstand, everyone."

The thin official dressed in blue, sporting a goatee, slightly bowed with his fists together and said, "I am the local County Magistrate, Guo Luqing. I have heard that you are Orthodox Magicians from Shan State, and have specifically come to pay a visit."

"You must have heard about last night’s case, there are some oddities involved, and I would like to ask for your help to see if someone has used Evil Skills to harm people."

Li Yan frowned. "Isn’t there a temple around here?"

Shangjin City isn’t large, and although there is no City God Temple, there is a Land God Temple and another temple visible through the window.

County Magistrate Guo looked somewhat helpless, "The few magicians in the city have already looked into it, but their abilities were inadequate and they found nothing."

"If you could lend a hand, the court will surely reward you handsomely!"

Helping them out should be no big deal.

With the County Magistrate personally asking for help, Li Yan and the others couldn’t very well refuse, so they followed them to a large mansion on the eastern side of the city.

The entire street here was blocked, and the nosy citizens were stopped outside, craning their necks and whispering secretly.

"Make way, make way, everyone back off!"

With a few shouts from the soldiers, the people scattered.

"Gentlemen, please come inside."

County Magistrate Guo gestured and ushered Li Yan and his companions inside.

The bystanders muttered among themselves behind them.

"Look, yet another one."

"He looks unfamiliar; must be an outsider, right?"

"Even Master Ku Xin couldn’t do anything, what can they see!"

Li Yan and the others didn’t care, and under the guidance of County Magistrate Guo, entered the mansion.

As soon as they entered, their expressions became solemn.

There were bloodstains all over the courtyard, washed about by the light rain.

Inside the main hall of the front courtyard, neatly arranged were over twenty bodies, all covered with white cloths, big and small.

The smallest, judging by the outline, was still just a baby in swaddling.

"Damn, someone really went all out!"

Sha Lifei cursed and said, "Even in the pugilistic world where robbing is common, wiping out an entire household is guarded against everywhere."

"Those who don’t spare even infants must be ruthless bandits!"

"This wasn’t done by outsiders."

County Magistrate Guo shook his head slightly and said with a grave voice, "Everyone here was killed by Mr. Hu himself. It was only after the night watchman sensed something wrong that an alarm was raised."

"We have already examined it; Mr. Hu killed his family and then slashed his own throat in the courtyard. Later, someone snuck into the mansion and looted all the valuables. Hence, we suspected that someone had used magic to harm people."

Li Yan and his companions exchanged glances.

From what was described, indeed there were many peculiarities.

Li Yan sniffled, trying to discern the various scents in the mansion.

Aside from the smell of blood, the scent here was unusually mixed, and because it rained yesterday, even if there was any scent left by the thieves, it would have dissipated.

What was more important, there was no unusual scent detected.

He turned his head to look at Wang Daoxuan and shook his head slightly.

Instantly understanding, Wang Daoxuan stepped forward and uncovered a few of the bodies, took out a talisman from his pocket, pinched several incantations to gather the energy, and then took out one talisman, touching it on Mr. Hu’s forehead.

Then, he ignited all the talismans, mixed the ash into water, stirred it, lightly dabbed his finger into it, tasted it, and then shook his head, saying:

"No traces of magical manipulation."

"I see."

County Magistrate Guo frowned tightly, a flash of disappointment in his eyes.

Li Yan and his companions saw right through what he was thinking.

If this matter was caused by magic, they could shift much of the responsibility.

After all, involving the Mystical Sect, it was only a matter of capability that the Shangjin City government office hadn’t noticed, but if pugilistic robbers infiltrated and committed the crime...

Then this blame could not be avoided.

Sha Lifei chuckled and shook his head saying, "Mr. Guo, I’m sorry, but we are just wandering magicians; investigating cases really isn’t our forte."

Saying this, he was preparing to leave.

Li Yan, of course, didn’t know how to investigate cases either. Although he hated the cruelty of the perpetrator, the rain had washed away any traces, leaving him truly unable to help. He bid farewell and was about to leave.

But just then, the Hook Paper in his pocket suddenly became burning hot.

Following that, a thick fog rose around him, and Li Yan was stunned.

Could this be a new assignment coming their way?