About a quarter of an hour later, a guard ran back to report: "Oh no, someone took the lead to kill Zhou Si, and now the villagers are gathered outside Zhou's house." ”

The lark's face sank, and he immediately rushed over with everyone.

A hall, two wings and a simple kitchen, a yard with chickens, ducks and a big yellow dog but all dead, and a vegetable patch on the left. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary house.

When the villagers saw a few of them, there was a commotion, and soon the village chief came out of the crowd and protected the villagers and asked, "Who are you?" ”

The lark arched his hand and said: "Uncle, I am from the government, I heard that there was a murder here, is this the case?" As he spoke, he took out a waist tag and showed it in front of people, and quickly took it back again.

Rao was like this, and the names of the villages, including the village chief, were bluffed, and they immediately became respectful.

"Official, we don't know what's going on, Zhou Da moved here three years ago, and he has been living in the most remote corner of the village, and he rarely goes out and doesn't communicate with us." In the face of the people in the government, the village chief was nervous and his mind was quite sober at the same time, and he took the initiative to explain the cause and effect.

"Actually, we used to never see him for a few days, but today, the daughter-in-law of the Ma family, who was closest to their house, didn't hear their dog bark, which is usually very noisy. The daughter-in-law of the Ma family felt strange, and came to take a look, only to find that their animals were dead, and then she knew that something was wrong. ”

The lark asked, "Didn't you hear anything unusual before this?" When did you notice something wrong? ”

The village chief shook his head, "Our village is so big, anyone can hear a movement." The Zhou family was quiet all day today, and the daughter-in-law of the Ma family found out half an hour ago. ”

"How many entrances do you have to your village?" The lark asked again.

"Three."

"Which one is closest to here? If an outsider comes in, will you be able to find out in time? ”

The village pointed to the path not far to the left, "That's the closest exit here, but beyond that is our village's graveyard, a deserted hillside." And you have to take a long detour to get out of the village, so the villagers generally don't take this road. ”

The lark looked at the location, regardless of anything else, this was probably the most commonly used entrance and exit for Zhou Si, after all, he also needed to eat and drink.

At this time, several guards who had gone in to check on them came out and returned to the lark to report: "Look at the blood stains in the courtyard and in the house, those beasts must have been dead for seven or eight hours. ”

Another guard added: "We also checked the house, and found a large blood stain on the bed in the bedroom, but we searched everywhere and found no human body. ”

The lark looked at the village chief, the village chief was shocked, and the villagers behind him were also in an uproar.

The village chief hurriedly explained: "Official, we don't know what's going on, we are a small village here, and there has never been such a thing, so everyone doesn't dare to go in to check." If it weren't for a few officials coming, we don't know what the situation would be inside. ”

The lark looked at the cowering villagers, many of whom still had horror on their faces, and he felt that they did not look like the perpetrators.

"You two check the Zhou family again, and the four of you go out to check along that exit, don't let go of any clues." The lark held out his hand to command, and the guards quickly dispersed.

The lark looked at the village chief again and asked, "Do you know the origin of Zhou Da?" What does he do for a living? Who do you hang out with? Is he the only one in the house? ”

"This house used to live in a family surnamed Cao, but later the family moved, and the house was empty for five years. Three years ago, Zhou Da suddenly came forward and claimed to be a relative of the Cao family with the deed and title deed. I saw that something was right, and it couldn't stop people. The village chief explained.

"Do you know where the Cao family is now?" The lark asked.

The village chief shook his head and explained: "I heard that the daughter of the Cao family married a good family, so I took my father and mother to live in the city, but their family never said where she married." Later, as soon as I left, I was never heard from again. ”

Skylark nodded, "Then how much do you know about Zhou Da?" ”

"Not much, on weekdays, he lives in a simple house, except for the livestock and vegetable fields in the yard, I don't see him farming, and there is no other livelihood." The village chief waved his hand, "This week, the great god Shinto said, so the villagers can usually avoid him, who knows who he used to be." ”

"So, he doesn't have any friends who he usually has?" The lark asked.

"yes, weirdo." The village chief shook his head and said disapprovingly: "It looks like he is in his thirties, and he doesn't even have a wife or children, I'm afraid that his face is too ugly, and no girl dares to marry him." ”

Skylark's eyes lit up, "Do you remember the appearance of the Cao family?" ”

The village chief was stunned for a moment and nodded hesitantly, "I remember a little, but after so many years, I don't know what has changed." ”

"It's okay." The lark bowed his hand and asked, "Can you please come with me into the city, and I will personally send you back tomorrow." ”

The village chief was embarrassed and turned to look at his children.

The lark took out a jade pendant and put it in the hand of the village chief's son, and said: "This is a token, don't worry, I ask the old man to go back to paint a few portraits, and I will definitely send people back safely tomorrow." ”

When the man touched the jade pendant, it was smooth and delicate, and the color was luster, even if he had only heard of this kind of thing and had never seen it, he could feel that this jade pendant must be a precious thing.

This official gave it to him casually, and it doesn't seem like a lie.

The son and his father discussed, and the village chief agreed with confidence.

The lark explained a few words to the guards, and then took the village chief back to the city first. found an inn in Nanshi for him to stay, and sent a letter back to the Hou Mansion to ask the painter to come over.

That night, under the repeated and repetitive descriptions of the village chief, the painter completed two portraits.

One is Zhou-aged, with a lean and tall man, dark skin, a full beard, and the left side of his face is covered with burn scars, which is extremely ugly. This kind of physiognomy is very distinctive, and it is easy to be spotted if it appears in a crowd. Zero Long Literature Network

The lark looked a little familiar, and after thinking about it carefully, Hou Ye was also dressed like this when he went to Weiji City, which was really a coincidence.

He couldn't help but smile and went to look at another portrait of a young girl. looks only fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed very plainly, but his appearance is extremely beautiful, and there is a seductive charm between his eyebrows and eyes.

According to the village chief, this is Cao Rui'er, the daughter of the Cao family, before she got married, this Cao girl was a famous beauty in their village, and she was known to all the villages.

At that time, there were many young men squatting at the door of Cao's house every day, and there were also many matchmakers who came to say goodbye. It's just that the Cao family is just this daughter, and she looks like a fairy, so she is particularly picky about her future son-in-law.

After seven or eight years, the village chief can still remember her appearance, just because she is so good-looking and impressive.

The lark also thinks that this Cao girl is a rare beauty, seductive.

That night, the guards returned to the city before the gates were closed, and arrived at the inn where the lark was staying.

The lark waited for them, and everyone did not say much when they entered the house, so they reported the situation one by one.

"We searched the Zhou family carefully, there is no secret room, but the things in the house have indeed been rummaged through, if there is anything, I am afraid it will also be taken away."

"The footsteps near Zhou's house are too messy, and many of them are villagers, so it's hard to tell if anyone has been there."

"No footprints were found at the exit of the village next to Zhou's house, nor were there rut marks or horseshoe prints. This is not normal, I asked the villagers, in the past two days, there have been people who have gone to the mountain cemetery to burn paper money, unless someone deliberately erased the traces, it is impossible not to have a single footprint. ”

"I have observed the blood stains in the bedroom, judging from the amount of bleeding, even if Zhou Si is not dead, he is seriously injured, I don't know if he escaped by himself or was taken away."

"Are there any signs of a fight in the house?" The lark asked.

"No, depending on the situation, the murderer should have moved while Zhou Si was asleep."

The lark was silent for a while, and then said, "I know, you go back and report the situation to the Hou Ye first." ”

Everyone had no objection and took their leave.

On the evening of the third day, Ye Jinyu and others finally arrived at Weijicheng. Seeing that it was getting late, I originally planned to find a place to live first, and then go to Yizhuang early the next morning to claim the remains.

But Yun Qianzhong didn't want to wait for a moment.

Mo Wu told Ye Jinyu that Yizhuang was outside the city, and if he went to claim it at this time, he would definitely not be able to enter the city tonight.

Ye Jinyu couldn't bear Shangyun Qianzhong's helpless gaze for help, and said to Mo Wu: "Go find an inn outside the city." ”

Mo Wu understood what she meant, and ordered the rest of the people to find a place to live, while he asked the little guy who picked them up to take them to Yizhuang.

The road ahead was quite easy to walk, Ye Jinyu and Yun Qianzhong sat in the carriage, swaying a stick of incense, and the carriage stopped.

"It's here!" Yun Qianzhong grabbed Ye Jinyu's hand.

At this time, Mo Wu said outside: "Two girls, the road ahead is not easy to walk, and the carriage can't pass, so I can only bother the two of you to get off the car and walk for a while." ”

Ye Jinyu looked at Yun Qianzhong and asked, "Can you?" If you can't walk, I'll take a look for you? ”

Yun Qianzhong shook his head with a white face and smiled reluctantly, "It's okay, I can go." With that, he got up and got out of the car, but after taking two steps, his knees suddenly weakened and he almost fell.

Ye Jinyu hurriedly grabbed her arm and helped her get out of the carriage.

Hey, it doesn't matter where this state is, my arms are shaking like I have Parkinson's. The mother, who has not seen her for five years, is now lying in Yizhuang, and I don't know what it will look like, if she is Yun Qianzhong, she must be so excited that she can't even walk well.

When I got out of the carriage, there was a potholed, rather narrow path ahead. There are quite a few weeds on both sides, which looks a little desolate in the afterglow.

They followed the path for about three miles, and finally came across a very large house that looked rough from the outside.

At the entrance of the courtyard hung white flags and two white paper lanterns, on which the word "Yizhuang" was written. When the breeze blows, the white flags and lanterns sway, suddenly giving them the illusion that they have strayed into a cemetery.

The little guy stepped forward and knocked on the door, and Yun Qianzhong slowly moved behind Ye Jinyu, nervously even breathing out of rhythm.

With a squeak, the courtyard door opened half of the inside, and a thin and short gray-clothed old man came out of it, his eyes swept lightly over them, and instantly brought a burst of coldness.

"Coming to claim the body? Which household, who is claiming, and what is the age? The old man asked expressionlessly.

The little guy hurriedly smiled and said, "Uncle, they came from Yingcheng, didn't they just dig up a corpse from the mass grave two days ago?" ”

When the old man heard this, he didn't need them to say more, turned around with his hands behind his back and said, "Come with me." ”

"Thank you!" Mo Wu and Ye Jinyu spoke at the same time, but the old man walked in as if he hadn't heard.

They hurriedly followed, but Ye Jinyu just raised his foot and took a step before he found that he couldn't walk. Yun Qianzhong dragged her arm tightly, her feet seemed to have roots, and she couldn't move a step.

"Don't be afraid, if you don't dare to look at it later, just tell me, and I'll show it for you. Do you have any characteristics on your mother? Ye Jinyu patted the back of her hand.