Free Web NovelChapter 77: Chapter 77: Investigation
Ferry Town was too close to Cangshui County Town. Usually, when something happened, the County Government Office would send people to handle it.
However, Huang He’s case involved Evil Spirits, so it was typically handled by the Observatory.
That’s why the County Government Office only dispatched a few Government Officials to guard Huang He’s home and wait for a Demon Exterminator to arrive.
Seeing that it was Han Yuan who had come to handle the matter, Lü San was greatly relieved.
By now, who in Cangshui County Town didn’t know of this man’s reputation?
In the Martial World, he was known as the Overseas Dragon. A Demon Exterminator from the Observatory, he was brutally cruel, immensely powerful, and fond of finishing his opponents in the bloodiest ways imaginable.
This was Han Yuan’s current reputation in the Martial World.
But to deal with monstrous things like Evil Spirits, you needed a vicious man like Han Yuan.
"Lü San?"
"What a coincidence."
Han Yuan was also a little surprised.
"Can’t be helped. These thankless jobs always fall to us Government Officials without any connections."
Lü San said with a wry smile.
Han Yuan had spent time in a County Yamen before, so he naturally knew what a Government Office was like.
He didn’t say any more on the topic, instead asking, "Is Huang He’s body still inside?"
"It is... The corpse handlers in town don’t dare come collect it."
Lü San said seriously.
After all, the man died in his room, yet his state was identical to that of a drowning victim.
Naturally, it was terrifying. No one dared to take the job.
"I’ll go take a look then."
Han Yuan said softly.
He pushed open the wooden door and walked straight in.
The weather was cold, so Huang He’s body hadn’t decomposed or started to smell too badly.
Han Yuan moved closer and saw that Huang He’s livor mortis was faint, his complexion was bluish-purple, and his skin was slightly swollen.
All the signs were indeed identical to those of drowning.
But Huang He’s expression was horrifying, filled with a sense of utter despair and terror.
It was easy to imagine that just before his death, Huang He must have seen something terrifying.
’Drowned... Could it be a Water Ghost at work again?’
Han Yuan was lost in thought.
He called Lü San over and asked, "Has anyone drowned in Ferry Town recently?"
"I’ll have to ask around about that."
Lü San replied. freewebnσvel.cøm
"Mm... You go ask around first."
"I’m going to check the other crime scenes."
Han Yuan said softly.
Besides Huang He, two other people had died this time.
One of them was named Qiu Wan, a local gang member who specialized in things like debt collection.
Qiu Wan’s house wasn’t far from Huang He’s, so Han Yuan went to look there first.
The state of the body was indeed identical to Huang He’s. It looked like he had drowned, and there were no signs of a struggle in the house.
Just as Han Yuan was about to head to the last crime scene, Lü San found him.
"Master Han, I’ve asked around. No one has drowned in Ferry Town recently."
"After all, this town is right on the river. Most people know how to swim."
Lü San said in a low voice.
"No one has drowned?"
Han Yuan frowned.
He didn’t say more, just had Lü San lead the way to the third victim’s house—the last victim.
"Master Han, this Tang Shanbao is a bit special."
"He was a merchant who dealt in ’black goods’."
Lü San said softly.
"In that case, the guy must have had some money."
Han Yuan asked.
"He did."
"But we checked before. The man is dead, but none of his valuables were stolen."
"His wife also took the kids and fled back to her hometown."
Lü San said.
As they spoke, the two arrived before a residence.
Tang Shanbao had indeed been wealthy. The residence was quite large, with white walls, green tiles, and five or six rooms.
Lü San led Han Yuan to a study.
Tang Shanbao’s body was in the study. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
He was sitting at his desk, his dead face a mask of terror and fear.
Han Yuan went over for a look and found that the state of the body was almost identical to the previous two.
He examined it carefully but found no clues, so he left with Lü San and the others for the time being.
It was just noon.
Han Yuan took Lü San and the other Government Officials to a nearby tavern for food and drinks.
After all, work was work, and life was life.
Only after they had eaten and drunk their fill did they resume the investigation.
This time, Han Yuan had Lü San take his men to investigate the relationship between the three deceased.
He himself stayed behind in the tavern, sipping wine.
Lü San, that old fox, was quite capable indeed. He quickly dug up a lead.
"Master Han. Turns out that Huang He was a compulsive gambler."
"He owed the Black River Gang a lot of silver coins."
"And that Qiu Wan happened to be a member of the Black River Gang."
"As for Tang Shanbao, I couldn’t find any connection between him and the other two."
Lü San said urgently.
Han Yuan took a sip of wine. Hearing this, he smiled. "A lead is a lead. Let’s figure out the relationship between Huang He and Qiu Wan first."
"So what’s the deal with this Black River Gang?"
Lü San said softly, "They’re a gang based here in Ferry Town. Their Gang Leader, Li Dahe, is a Body Tempering Martial Artist. He’s ruthless and does all sorts of dirty work."
"The common folk here both fear and hate him."
"Then let’s go pay him a visit."
Han Yuan stood up.
Lü San hurriedly led the way.
The group soon arrived at a Black River Gang stronghold.
In reality, it was just a large courtyard near the docks.
"What do you want?"
An unobservant young punk saw Han Yuan’s group, stepped directly in front of them, and asked coldly.
SLAP!
Lü San slapped him hard across the face, sending a few of the young punk’s front teeth flying as he collapsed to the ground.
"You! Tell Li Dahe to get his ass out here!"
At his roar.
More than a dozen fierce-looking, blade-wielding men instantly rushed out from the Black River Gang’s stronghold.
But when these men saw Lü San in his Governmental Uniform, they didn’t dare to make a move.
In Cangshui County Town, the Government Office still held some sway.
Moreover, some of the more worldly men recognized the robe Han Yuan was wearing.
A Piyao Robe!
Only a Demon Exterminator from the Observatory could wear one of those.
"You dare draw your weapons in front of us?"
"Are you tired of living?"
Lü San showed them no courtesy whatsoever, berating them loudly.
Han Yuan remained silent, just watching coldly.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Get back inside, now!"
A lean, wiry man walked out and waved his hand.
He was none other than the Gang Leader of the Black River Gang, Li Dahe.
Hearing their Gang Leader’s words, the punks hastily scrambled back into the stronghold.
Li Dahe gazed at Han Yuan in his Piyao Robe, his heart tightening.
He had no idea when he could have offended this Demon Exterminator.
"Sir... these boys are ignorant."
"I will discipline them severely later!"
Li Dahe said with a fawning smile.
Lü San said nothing.
He knew his part was done.
It wasn’t his place to speak next.
Han Yuan glanced at Li Dahe and said coolly, "Qiu Wan was one of yours?"
"Qiu Wan?"
Hearing Han Yuan’s question, Li Dahe breathed a sigh of relief.
He had a good idea why they had come.
"Sir... why don’t we go inside to talk?"
Li Dahe said with a smile.
"No need. Just say what you know."
"Don’t waste my time."
Han Yuan said coolly.
His tone was soft, but the words stabbed into Li Dahe’s heart like a knife, making it clench.
