Chapter 30

"Sir, can this case really be closed now?"

On the way back to the inn from the abandoned temple, Ma Heshang couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Qin Shao You didn't rush to answer. He first glanced around to make sure there were no outsiders nearby before saying, "Closed? Not yet. The victim was fake, and the criminals were also fake. Do you think this case can be closed?"

"The victim and the criminals were both fake?"

Everyone was stunned.

They had clearly seen a rain of bones and the thief being beaten to death by the angry crowd. How could it all be fake?

It couldn't be that everything they had seen, heard, and felt was just an illusion, could it?

Qin Shao You didn't keep them in suspense and directly revealed his findings:

"Those bones weren't human bones; they were dog bones. The few thieves had been dead for several days and were controlled by demonic magic as living corpses."

The strongmen were even more shocked, but Zhu Xiuzai and Ma Heshang's faces showed a look of sudden realization.

Qin Shao You noticed and asked them, "Did you also make some discoveries?"

Zhu Xiuzai nodded and pulled out a few sharp dog teeth from his sleeve.

"I found these in the mouth of a skull. I was puzzled as to why human skulls would have dog teeth. Now I understand; those human bones were all fake, made from dog bone fragments!"

Ma Heshang then said, "I detected a corpse aura on those thieves. I thought it was due to their cultivation of evil magic, but after hearing what you said, I realized they had been dead for a long time and were turned into living corpses."

Zhu Xiuzai and Ma Heshang's words corroborated Qin Shao You's findings.

The strongmen were both surprised and relieved.

These discoveries at least proved one thing: the missing children were likely still alive.

The strongmen soon had new questions.

"Why did the real criminals put on such a show? What was their purpose?"

Zhu Xiuzai analyzed, "They probably wanted to cover up something, like the true whereabouts of the missing children, and also make the authorities and the public believe the case was closed, to provide cover for their next move."

Everyone agreed, and Qin Shao You couldn't help but nod.

Ma Heshang even praised, "When you're not thinking about vulgar things, you're quite impressive, Xiuzai. Your mind works fast."

Zhu Xiuzai was modest.

"It's not me who's impressive, but the sir. What I said, the sir had already thought of."

Qin Shao You was confused: I had already thought of it? What did I think of?

Zhu Xiuzai continued, "The sir told County Magistrate Sun that the case could be closed because he didn't want to alert the criminals.

He also wanted to lull the real criminals into a false sense of security, making them think their plan had succeeded, to lure them into their next move, expose their weaknesses, and allow us to find and lock them down!"

"Turns out the sir had thought so much and made so many arrangements. Truly impressive."

Ma Heshang and the strongmen looked at Qin Shao You with genuine admiration.

Qin Shao You was even more confused.

While he did suspect the criminals were trying to hide something, he hadn't thought so deeply or far ahead.

He didn't tell County Magistrate Sun the truth because he saw that Sun and others were eager to close the case, fearing that revealing the truth would not only fail to gain support but also hinder their efforts.

So he kept it to himself and investigated secretly.

He hadn't thought of using their own plan against them...

Before Qin Shao You could reveal the truth, Ma Heshang looked down at the dog he was holding and raised a new question.

"If the missing children were really turned into dogs by beast-making magic, why would the criminals let them run around freely? And what was their purpose in turning people into dogs?"

These were also questions that puzzled Qin Shao You.

Zhu Xiuzai glanced at Qin Shao You and smiled, "Actually, the sir already knew the answers to these questions and hinted at them to us."

Again?

Qin Shao You instinctively wanted to say he hadn't.

But before he could speak, Zhu Xiuzai continued,

"Do you remember what the sir said when he bought this dog? At that time, he was hinting that the criminals turned the children into dogs to have them die at the hands of their loved ones.

While I don't know the criminals' specific purpose, such a death would certainly create immense resentment, even giving rise to vengeful spirits!

So I speculate that the criminals are either raising vengeful spirits or planning some terrible curse or dark ritual!"

Everyone nodded, finding this analysis reasonable.

They also recalled the news from the city gate guards when they entered Mianyuan County, about wild dogs often entering people's homes.

Actually, these dogs weren't running around randomly.

They were lingering near homes, walking in front of people, because they wanted to return home and be recognized by their parents.

Unfortunately, their parents had no idea that the dogs lingering around them were their children.

"The sir's ability to unravel the truth is truly admirable."

After understanding this, everyone praised Qin Shao You.

Their praise made Qin Shao You doubt himself: Did I really analyze so much? And hint to everyone? But why don't I know these things myself?

As they spoke, they returned to the inn.

A strongman who was supposed to be watching the luggage at the inn was looking out the door.

Seeing them from a distance, he quickly approached.

"Sir, someone from Zhang Shilang's residence is looking for you."

Qin Shao You was surprised, "Did they say why they're looking for us?"

The strongman replied, "They want to redeem the dog."

Qin Shao You immediately turned to Ma Heshang and instructed, "Heshang, give the dog to Xiuzai."

He then told Zhu Xiuzai, "Find a place to hide."

"Alright."

Zhu Xiuzai took the dog and quickly disappeared around the corner.

Qin Shao You led everyone into the inn and indeed saw the two servants from Zhang's residence who had sold them the dog.

Seeing them return, the two servants hurriedly stood up to greet them and took out a piece of silver.

"Gentlemen, this is the silver you paid for the dog. We want to redeem the dog you bought."

Qin Shao You feigned surprise, "Why? Didn't we say that your young master was too frightened to eat dog meat? Why do you want to feed it to him now?"

"It's not for eating," the two servants quickly explained, "Our young master said the dog helped him find his way home from the abandoned temple. He wants to keep it as a way to show gratitude."

"Your young master, at such a young age, understands the principle of gratitude. That's truly commendable."

After praising them, Qin Shao You asked, "But how did he know the dog we bought was the one that helped him find his way home?"

One servant said, "Our young master described many features that match the dog you bought."

The other servant added, "When we were looking for the dog, we met the butcher who sold it to us. He said the dog he sold us was caught at the back door of our house, which is where the young master and the dog parted ways."

Qin Shao You nodded and asked, "Why didn't he bring the dog back to the house when he returned home?"

"Maybe he was too excited and forgot?"

The two servants didn't know the exact reason, just guessing.

Seeing that they were genuinely unaware, Qin Shao You stopped questioning and put on a regretful look.

"We also wanted to return the dog to your young master to complete a beautiful story. Unfortunately, we went to the abandoned temple and encountered demonic spirits. In the chaos, the dog ran away. You might want to search around the abandoned temple; you might find the dog there."

The two servants from Zhang's residence looked at each other.

Since Qin Shao You and his group really didn't have the dog, they had no choice but to leave and try their luck around the abandoned temple.

After seeing them off, Qin Shao You returned to the dormitory room and found that Zhu Xiuzai had already returned with the dog.

"Change sleeping places tonight."

After closing the door, Qin Shao You's face lost its smile, and he coldly instructed.

"The criminals won't give up. They will definitely act at midnight, either to steal the dog or to harm us... Once it gets dark, we'll sneak out, follow them, and track them."