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"The case is still unresolved, and I can't leave you here alone," Nie Qiuyuan said, leaning against the door and looking at me, freshly made up. "Father's passing was sudden, and you were his deepest concern in this world. I must take good care of you."
A wave of emotion surged within me. You truly are a person of deep feelings, worthy of my infatuation!
On the way, Nie Qiuyuan shared information that once again astonished me regarding Luo Dachun's capabilities. The report he submitted contained nearly all the information that needed to be gathered.
The Information Broker was not mistaken; the Guan Sheng case was the third strangulation case to occur in Water Margin County in the past month. The other two victims were both men, not much younger than the Vice Hall Master. One was Wu Xingwang, the thirty-one-year-old boss of a casino in the county. The other was Yue Yunqi, the thirty-two-year-old deputy head of the Yangwei Escort Agency, a competitor in our Wanzi Mountain courier business.
Both men died in their beds late at night, with ropes around their necks. Just like in the Guan Sheng case, the ropes were tied to nearby furniture, and the cause of death was asphyxiation—indeed, they were both strangled.
"I had Dachun investigate whether they were found fully clothed," Nie Qiuyuan explained slowly. "The answer is that they were both dressed. However, when Wu Xingwang's body was discovered, he was actually naked. His family dressed him out of concern for his reputation."
Upon hearing that he had asked Luo Dachun to look into this matter, I understood that it was information relayed by Night Phantom. I wondered how Night Phantom conveyed this to Nie Qiuyuan; whatever method he used, it was certainly effective—he was quite talented.
The facts uncovered further confirmed my suspicions. However, if Shen Hongyuan was indeed the murderer, why would she resort to such means to kill these three men?
"These three individuals appear to have no commonalities on the surface and no connections at first glance. But Dachun has his own methods; I asked him to investigate their relationships, and he quickly discovered that they actually share a common past."
I listened intently. This line of thought was indeed excellent. Now we had suspects but lacked evidence. If we could trace their connections and find a motive for the suspect among them, it would make it easier to pinpoint our approach.
"Everything began ten years ago. A famous gang called the Red Gang existed in Jinyang, Shanxi. At that time, during the tyrannical rule of the Sui Emperor and frequent uprisings, the Red Gang was essentially an organization formed by refugees driven to desperation by oppression—a genuine group of rebels."
"The Red Gang's influence wasn't significant at that time; however, its most renowned members were known as the Five People, who were young and full of vigor back then. Among these Five People were Guan Sheng, Wu Xingwang, and Yue Yunqi—the victims of the three strangulation cases."
The mention of the Red Gang could not be mere coincidence. Given this information, it seemed highly likely that revenge was a motive. My heart stirred: "What about the other two members of the Five People?"
"Guan Sheng, Wu Xingwang, and Yue Yunqi gained their reputations from considerable martial skills. The other two were one man and one woman. The man was named Liu Sirui; he was handsome and not only skilled in martial arts but also quite cunning. The woman’s name is unknown; she is referred to as the Red Concubine. The Red Concubine had no martial skills but gained fame through her beauty and musical talent."
The Red Concubine seemed highly suspicious. Was she targeting her former acquaintances? And what about Liu Sirui—could he be the next victim?
Nie Qiuyuan seemed to sense my thoughts and appropriately remarked: "The Five People originally had a good relationship; however, ten years ago, Liu Sirui suddenly disappeared without a trace. Shortly after his disappearance, the Red Gang disbanded, and everyone vanished."
He gazed at me with his beautiful eyes: "Some say that the Red Gang actually fell entirely under Li Shimin's control when he arrived in Jinyang that year with his father."
Ten years ago, in the year 616, Li Yuan was appointed as the governor of Jinyang, while Li Shimin followed him to Taiyuan. His elder brother, Li Jiancheng, younger brother Li Yuanji, and Li Zhiyun remained in their ancestral home in Hedong. In 617, Li Shimin urged Li Yuan to raise an army against the Sui Dynasty, an event known as the Jinyang Uprising. This made it quite possible that the Red Gang was utilized by Li Shimin.
But what does this have to do with the Strangulation Case?
It sounded like a man had vanished without a trace, and a woman killed the three closest people to her ten years later. It all seemed like revenge for a lover!
Perhaps Shen Hongyuan was that Red Concubine, and Liu Sirui was her lover at that time. It was very likely that after ten years of investigation, she finally discovered that her missing lover had been killed by those three friends from the past, leading her to seek revenge on them.
I looked up and suddenly locked eyes with Nie Qiuyuan. I was startled; I had been so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't know if I had revealed anything! What was that feeling just now? His words were too perceptive, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking!
Had I given myself away?
"Would you rather not hear this? For a girl, these things are too violent and bloody. After all, you're not the same as before," Nie Qiuyuan said quietly. "I just worry you might feel a bit stifled on the way."
So that's how it was.
I gently replied, "These things sound a bit frightening, but with my brother here, I'm not afraid. Liu Ying also wants to help ease his worries."
I sensed that the aura of my idol had momentarily paused, as if he was trying hard to suppress something. Perhaps he was starting to feel a little moved.
(Author: Please don't get carried away! He’s just holding back laughter! He’s probably already internally injured...)
Wait! This time he came down the mountain to meet someone. All the related people we found were dead; who were we going to see?
Nie Qiuyuan said, "Aside from all this, Da Chun also found something strange. These three deceased individuals didn’t seem to have any connections normally, but recently they frequently visited the same place—a tea shop that just opened in this county this year. The name is..."
Unknown Spring Hall.
Strangulation, sensuality, Unaware of Spring—I was starting to feel a bit confused.
"According to the boss of Unknown Spring Hall, his surname is Liu." I couldn't tell if it was my imagination, but there seemed to be a strange tone in Nie Qiuyuan's voice, almost as if he found my confusion amusing.
It must be my illusion; this is not how Nie Qiuyuan operates. If it were Night Phantom, that would be more understandable.
But Liu? Liu Sirui? Then my earlier deductions have completely turned into nonsense.
Unaware of Spring, then does Young Master Mu also have a part in this?
"I asked Brother Zilong where his Unaware of Spring came from." Nie Qiuyuan paused, "But he absolutely refuses to tell me."
Things are getting more and more chaotic.
"I have a feeling, Liuying," my idol said, slightly lost in thought, his eyes shining like bright stars, "the key to unraveling this mystery lies with this Liu Boss."
Silin Yuzheng wrote in a long review: "Wanzi Mountain, what an ordinary name. Thanks to the meticulous arrangement by the Author, this group of people has gained spirit and story. It won't be long before the Tang Dynasty's Chang'an Evening News reports on it!"
Hmm, this "Tang Chang'an Evening News" has greatly piqued the Author's interest! Just imagine, in the mysterious Tang Dynasty and the fantastical Chang'an, how could there not be a street newspaper to sensationalize the news? Shouldn't we find an opportunity to launch the Chang'an Evening News in a grand way?
Rise up, Chang'an press!
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