Volume One: A Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Murder Case

People surged like a tide, and every day countless souls fought their way into this glittering imperial capital.

Yang Hao stood at the entrance. The morning wind seemed to carry a trace of dampness, and he shivered.

He had heard before that in the state of Xia, the martial spirit ran deep; only private possession of heavy crossbows and armor was forbidden, and little else was restricted.

Most of the passersby wore swords.

Even the scholars and gentlemen bore long blades at their waists, walking with straight backs and hands resting lightly on their hilts, each one holding his head high with an air of proud assurance.

After a while, at last the waiting was over. A neatly ordered line of soldiers arrived and sealed off the area around the guesthouse.

“I am an official of the Court of Judicial Review. A murder has occurred here. Who are you?” said a man in a dark blue official robe as he stepped forward.

“This is where the Crown Prince of Jin is staying. Idle outsiders are not permitted to approach,” Yang Hao replied.

“This is the state of Xia!” the official said.

“We do not answer to Xia,” Yang Hao said with a cold laugh.

“Right now, we suspect the killer may be hiding inside, or may have left some clue behind. Let us search the premises.” The official cast a frosty glance at the guards around them. “And what are they doing?”

“Nothing much. A few petty thieves showed up in the middle of the night, and we were only worried about disturbing His Highness,” Yang Hao said lightly.

“You knew?” The official blinked.

“Didn’t know,” Yang Hao said, shaking his head. “We know nothing.”

“Er...” The official could not help but stare.

After thinking for a moment, he turned and left in a hurry, leaving a few soldiers behind to keep watch.

This was already beyond what he could handle. He would have to report upward.

Not long after, Zhong Jie came again. He frowned as he looked inside.

“I need to meet Prince Wang Chuan. I spoke with him last night. Please pass on the message.”

Yang Hao nodded and returned the courtesy with equal politeness. “His Highness... is not awake yet. Sir, please come back later.”

But the man did not move at all, and no one went in to report. What was that supposed to mean?

Zhong Jie gave them a cool look.

Then he walked aside to discuss matters with several constables and the prefect.

“Must we search it after all? The Crown Prince of Jin has only just arrived. It would not be proper to barge into his residence at once. In my view, this matter has nothing to do with them.”

“Sir, but those are seven or eight murder victims,” one of his subordinates, a constable, said. “The killer very likely climbed in over the outer wall and fled. If Wang Chuan is truly involved, he would not need to behave like this. We also do not think it has anything to do with him. We only want to search for peace of mind. Perhaps we may even find a clue the killer left behind.”

“Seven or eight lives? So serious an affair... and yet we cannot simply leave this place unattended.” Zhong Jie frowned. “How could it be so severe? They have not even heard the news.”