Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 304 - 292: The True "Floating" Corpse

Chapter 304: Chapter 292: The True "Floating" Corpse

Zhang San and the others followed Wang Qi to the scene of the homicide near the Ba River, where the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s Government Office and government officers from nearby counties had sealed the area and erected signs forbidding casual entry.

Yet many people were just like that.

If others didn’t allow them to enter, they felt compelled to do so.

If they couldn’t enter directly, they would pry a small gap and force their way through it.

As a result, the crime scene was severely tampered with.

Of course, Zhang San was not certain whether it was because too many onlookers had flocked to the scene, or if the government officers handling the case hadn’t paid enough attention during their investigation.

All around on the ground, there were footprints, all sorts of footprints.

There were those of boots, cloth shoes, straw sandals, and even a few with clearly visible toe prints.

With such economic conditions, if you can’t afford shoes, you should first go work hard, earn some money, then come to enjoy the spectacle.

Zhang San squatted on the ground, pretending to examine the footprints.

But in reality, he was taking advantage of hiding under Ximen Jinxing’s battle skirt to activate the Ninefold Scrutiny.

The Ninefold Scrutiny allowed for distant viewing, and even X-ray vision.

However, under X-ray vision, what one saw was not a clear image from afar, but increasingly clear outlines.

Even further, if the object being scrutinized by the Ninefold Scrutiny was powerful enough, it could detect that it was being watched and retaliate against the observer.

In that respect, the Ninefold Scrutiny was not without flaws.

But the Ninefold Scrutiny was exceptionally sharp in capturing traces and Qi.

Zhang San had always felt that Ninefold Scrutiny was a very good Observation Skill for investigating cases.

At this moment, Zhang San began to scrutinize the thick aquatic plants surrounding the area, bit by bit.

Then he discovered traces of scattered Qi beneath the water plants.

Based on these traces of Qi, Zhang San quickly found some remnants of a formation upstream from where the body had been found.

But by now the formation under the water had been almost completely destroyed, and Zhang San could only quickly memorize a few of the more intact broken pieces of the formation.

After examining the crime scene at the Ba River, Zhang San and the others followed Wang Qi to the southeastern corner of Daxing City, to Qu Pond Fang.

From afar, they could see several small black dots seemingly floating above Qu Pond Fang.

Getting closer, Zhang San stared wide-eyed at the six bodies still floating midair.

Not only were the bodies floating in midair, but even tiny beads of blood near the bodies were suspended as well.

Zhang San couldn’t help but ask, "Are they just going to let the bodies float there? Not bring them down?"

Hearing this, Wang Qi just gave a wry smile.

Wen Ruyu, however, walked over cheerfully and said, "Military Chief Zhang, you may not know this. The reason why the Floating Corpse Case has caused such a sensation in the Capital is not just because someone saw the floating bodies and spread the word, but also because all the citizens of Daxing City, if they wish, can come and see."

"Moreover, I think if the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture had a way, he would have brought these six bodies down a long time ago. The fact that the bodies can still be here probably means they cannot be brought down, and there might even be a formation nearby, preventing ordinary Martial Artists from approaching."

Zhang San couldn’t help but nod.

"Indeed, it’s a ’floating’ corpse case!"

Suddenly, Zhang San thought of something and immediately asked, "About the previous report that all the murder weapons were a pestle nailed into the chest with dense Runes inscribed on it, what about that?"

Wang Qi awkwardly explained on the side, "We paid for an expert from the Shen Family to come and use the Triple Scrutiny Technique. Only then did we see the wounds on their chests and managed to copy the patterns from the pestle. Recently, we’ve also invited some experts at breaking formations, and they are studying how to break the formation here."

Zhang San suddenly asked curiously, "I can understand the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture not having experts at breaking formations, but not the Ministry of Punishment? You should borrow people from the Ministry of Punishment!"

Wang Qi sighed helplessly and said, "I had planned to borrow some people from the Ministry of Punishment yesterday. But when I got there later, they said they had lost quite a few people and were short-handed now."

Zhang San felt that the Ministry of Punishment was just embarrassing itself and wanted to drag the Magistrate of the Metropolitan Prefecture down with them in embarrassment.

Being drenched in the rain was miserable enough, but if you tear up someone else’s umbrella, you’d feel that your own misfortune wasn’t so bad after all.

As long as the Magistrate also lost face, then it wouldn’t just be the Ministry of Punishment that had been embarrassed in the Capital recently.

Zhang San shook his head helplessly and signaled Wang Qi to find him some paper and pen before turning to Wen Ruyu and asking, "I’ve heard that the Town Demon Office has some very powerful Observation Skills. Young Master Wen, could you demonstrate one for us later? Let me broaden my horizons."

Wen Ruyu waved his hand with a smile and said, "Military Chief Zhang flatters me too much. Truth be told, I just joined the Town Demon Office this very morning. Although many of the Techniques of the Town Demon Office are indeed profound, I truly don’t know them."

At that moment, Hao Naiwen couldn’t help but smirk proudly.

"Baili Chengfeng, I remember that the Observation Skill of your Baili Family is unparalleled, right? It is said that every archer in the world takes pride in learning your Baili Family’s Observation Skill. Even mastering just a bit of the basics can greatly improve one’s Archery Technique. Is that true?"

Baili Chengfeng sounded puzzled as he uttered an "Ah."

He knew that his family’s Observation Skill, Baili Shenxuan, was powerful, but it couldn’t be that impressive, could it?

Hao Naiwen gave Baili Chengfeng a knowing look. Baili Chengfeng instantly understood; this was about saving face in front of the Town Martial Office!

"Of course, our Baili Family’s Observation Skills dare to be second to none in this world; there are no other Observation Skills that dare proclaim themselves to be the first."

Zhang San was delighted to hear this and, ignoring the back-and-forth between Baili Chengfeng and Hao Naiwen, turned to Wen Ruyu and said, "Is there really such a mysterious Observation Skill in this world? Young Master Wen, I don’t know whether to believe or not, but I surely don’t."

Baili Chengfeng became agitated upon hearing these words.

"You still don’t believe it? If you don’t, let’s put it to the test?"

Zhang San scoffed and said, "I don’t know Observation Skills, so of course you can say whatever you want. But can you really see my brother Wang Dali’s face under his mask?"

Baili Chengfeng laughed and answered, "What’s so difficult about that? Just one look and I can..."

As Baili Chengfeng was speaking, a shade of blue Rune flashed through his pupils, illuminating layer upon layer of Formation.

Zhang San realized that perhaps all Observation Skills were essentially a form of Formation, using Rune Arrays to enhance one’s eyesight with greater insight.

However, at that moment, Baili Chengfeng suddenly shuddered, looking at Ximen Jinxing with a look of shock, trembling, "Why is it you! You... you... you were supposed to go to the Chuan-Yu Road Town Martial Office... Oh... no wonder..."

Baili Chengfeng’s words were cut off mid-sentence when Hao Naiwen, standing nearby, also started to realize who the woman in the silver armor and ghost-faced mask was.

Ximen Jinxing, noticing that her identity had been exposed, took off her mask with a smile and said, "I remember you now. You’re the one who peeped over the wall at my sister back then. I recall breaking one of your legs, how come you seem so unbothered today? It seems I was too kind and didn’t strike hard enough."

Whoosh—

Before Ximen Jinxing had finished speaking, Baili Chengfeng had already turned around, transforming into a gust of wind and vanishing without a trace.

Hao Naiwen turned pale with fright upon realizing it was Ximen Jinxing.

"Miss Ximen, the one with the broken leg was his brother, Baili Tayun, who is still recuperating on his bed," he said.

Ximen Jinxing nodded slightly and then said, "Keep my identity a secret, understand? Otherwise, you know."

As Ximen Jinxing spoke, she put her mask back on.

Having witnessed the entire scene, Zhang San had been closely observing Wen Ruyu’s expression and noticed that this scholar of the Wen Family, always so elegant and gentle, showed a moment of panic when he learned Ximen Jinxing’s identity.

That panic wasn’t out of worry or fear; it was the urge to flee for his life!

Is Ximen Jinxing really that scary?

Not at all!

She always seemed so gentle, always grilling fish and meat for me when we were out.

What’s with these people of the Capital? They’re so faint-hearted!