"Corpse A suffered two blade wounds, both fatal. One struck the chest, the other the head. Corpse B took a single slash, angled deeply into the neck...
"The perpetrator used a short-handled, two-handed Wide-Backed Saber. Their Saber Technique was masterful. Judging from the wounds and traces left behind, this should be the Wave-Treading Saber, a martial art passed down within the Vast Sea Sect of this commandery's Haiyu County.
"About one hundred and thirty-seven spans away from Corpses A and B lies Corpse C. This victim suffered thirty-nine slashes, making the exact fatal wound impossible to determine. The body was hacked into several pieces, suggesting a deep-seated hatred. The killer's Saber Technique was just as proficient, utilizing the same methods as on Corpses A and B. They came with the singular intent to slaughter."
At Zhao Er's residence, the constables had already surrounded the area. The forensic doctor, clad in a Black Robe, calmly conducted the autopsy.
Wearing a new set of clothes, Zheng Jun stood in Zhao Er's estate with his saber at his waist. He gazed at the two victims now labeled as Corpses A and B, his heart perfectly tranquil. It was as if he hadn't been the perpetrator last night at all.
Aside from them, Ti Cavalry Song—who had previously investigated the Wang Residence massacre—was also present.
Soon, the forensic doctor finished his examination and reported to Ti Cavalry Song with the seasoned composure of a veteran Taoist, "Reporting to Your Lordship, traces in the courtyard indicate that when the killer murdered Corpse C, they deliberately lay in ambush for quite some time, striking only when the victim had fallen asleep.
"Based on the depth of the blade marks and the perpetrator's actions, the killer should be a Martial Artist in the 'Blood Refining and Body Tempering' stage."
"Inside Corpse C's residence, all gold, silver, and valuables were looted," the forensic doctor continued. "There are also burn marks in the room. This might have been a vendetta.
"The County Government Office has also sent word. Last night, four other murders occurred as well."
Ti Cavalry Song's face was ice-cold. He released his imposing aura, seemingly unable to suppress the fury in his heart. "Twelve people died last night, and eight of them perished under the Wave-Treading Saber!"
"What does this mean?" he fumed inwardly. "Did he deliberately wait until I was on duty to make a move?! Lou Wei, what audacity! Such sheer audacity!!!"
Amidst his anger, Ti Cavalry Song cast a cold glance around, scanning the constables assisting in the investigation before speaking again. "Who slashed Liang Fan to death last night?"
Hearing his words, Zheng Jun did not hesitate in the slightest. He took a step forward, performing a respectful Ritual salute that was neither subservient nor overbearing. "Reporting to Your Lordship, it was me."
Ti Cavalry Song stared at him, his voice frosty. "Recount the events in detail."
Zheng Jun immediately recounted exactly what had happened the previous night. He made no embellishments; everything he said was the truth. However, he strategically omitted a few key details, such as the words Liang Fan had spoken while begging for mercy. He withheld anything that could be detrimental to him, simply glossing over it.
Listening to Zheng Jun's account, Ti Cavalry Song couldn't help but give the young man a profound look.
Observing Zheng Jun's fully opened muscles and bones, Ti Cavalry Song finally spoke. "I remember you. I passed the Eagle-Hawk Force down to you barely a month ago, and you have already achieved Blood Refining?"
"Yes, I was lucky enough to complete a single cycle of Blood Refining," Zheng Jun replied, his tone neither haughty nor humble.
Suddenly, before Zheng Jun's voice could even fade, the black-robed Ti Cavalry struck!
His robes fluttered as his figure flashed forward, erupting with formidable Qi and Blood. Ti Cavalry Song curled his five fingers into a claw and brought it crashing down right toward Zheng Jun's head!
As his fingers descended, they whipped up a howling gale. The air currents violently ruptured like firecrackers, issuing a series of CRACKS. Infused with profound Inner Strength and True Qi, this claw strike was so devastating that even if Zheng Jun possessed supreme Horizontal Training and a body of Copper Sinews and Iron Bones, he would still be left with five bloody holes in his flesh!
This sudden assault gave Zheng Jun a massive fright. The hairs all over his body stood on end, and he felt as though he had been targeted by a vicious beast. Without a moment's hesitation, he moved to draw the brand-new Ceremonial Saber at his waist, only to realize the claw was already bearing down on him mercilessly.
Zheng Jun didn't waste a second. He threw himself into a roll, narrowly evading the strike in a highly undignified manner. The next instant, a flash of white steel illuminated the air as his Ceremonial Saber left its sheath. His muscles bulged, his Qi and Blood surged, and he immediately assumed an offensive stance, his back already drenched in cold sweat.
"Why did this Ti Cavalry surnamed Song attack me out of nowhere?" Zheng Jun wondered in shock. "Could he already know I'm the real culprit?! If I bolt for the door right now, what are my chances of survival? Perhaps I can take advantage of his underestimation of me and see if I can land a counter-kill. Even if I can't kill him, as long as I land a single slash, it will create the perfect opportunity for me to escape..."
These thoughts flashed through Zheng Jun's mind in an instant. However, just as he was fully prepared for a deadly struggle, he saw that Ti Cavalry Song had already retracted his stance.
"Not bad. You have indeed achieved Blood Refining. Your talent is decent, and you're willing to spend money on your cultivation. With this kind of agility, it makes sense that you had the means to slash Liang Fan."
Ti Cavalry Song nodded in approval, then unceremoniously appointed him on the spot. "I heard one of the deceased was a Squad Leader? In that case, you will fill his vacancy and become the new Squad Leader. Once you have accumulated Qi in your Dantian, don't bother taking up some petty official post at the County Government Office. You'd be better off coming to the Garrison Command so you and I can be colleagues."
Hearing Ti Cavalry Song's words, Zheng Jun was momentarily speechless. But he quickly snapped out of his daze, sheathed his Ceremonial Saber, and cupped his fists toward the man. "Thank you for your high regard, My Lord!"
"It turns out he was merely testing my Martial Arts," he realized, breathing a sigh of relief while simultaneously reflecting on his own rash thoughts. "I still need to keep my composure!"
"There is no need for formalities," Ti Cavalry Song waved his hand dismissively and continued. "Since you are now a Squad Leader, you will be in charge of patrols for the next few days. Just make the proper arrangements. If you find any intelligence, come directly to the Garrison Command's Government Office to find me. My name is Song Jing!"
Ti Cavalry Song never once considered the possibility that Zheng Jun was one of the killers from the previous night. Although he approved of Zheng Jun's Martial Arts talent, there was no faking the killer's masterful Wave-Treading Saber! Leaving aside the question of how Zheng Jun could have obtained the Wave-Treading Saber in the first place, even if he had, an ordinary Martial Artist would need more than half a year of practice under the guidance of a renowned master to wield it with such proficiency. If the killer wasn't Lou Wei or Liang Fan, it had to be a disciple under the Vast Sea Sect.
"How could it possibly be Zheng Jun?" he reasoned.
Furthermore, the forensic doctor had already examined the corpses at the other locations. They were all victims of the Wave-Treading Saber, executed with even cleaner and sharper strikes. The methodology was identical to Lou Wei's killing style. However, among the six murder cases from last night, aside from the five committed with the Wave-Treading Saber, a family of four had also died by the Five Organ Skill, similarly disemboweled. It was just that this particular family had been discovered early on, so the news hadn't spread all over town like the massacre of Wang Wu's family.
"I'll leave this place in your hands."
Taking a deep breath, Ti Cavalry Song looked at the unyielding Zheng Jun and declared, "The killer here possessed a proficient Saber Technique, but it had not yet reached Great Success. In all likelihood, the perpetrator was Liang Fan. Since you have already killed this man, there is no need to further examine Corpses A, B, and C.
"Closing the case requires testimonies. Go ask around the neighborhood. Once you've collected their statements, find someone to collect the bodies. If these three have no friends or family, just roll them up in a straw mat and throw them out of the city."
With that said, Ti Cavalry Song didn't dawdle for a second. He turned and left, seemingly rushing to the next crime scene. After all, compared to this scene where the murderer had already been "confirmed," the incident involving the Five Organ Skill was far more worthy of investigation.
Watching Ti Cavalry Song's departing back, Zheng Jun was at a loss for words. "I... I'm a Squad Leader just like that?" he wondered in disbelief. He glanced around at his surroundings. The other constables and Quick Hands were also looking at each other in dismay, not knowing what to say.
However, upon seeing Zheng Jun look their way, the constables and Quick Hands did not hesitate to step forward and offer their congratulations.
"Greetings, Squad Leader Zheng!"