Chapter 22

It was deep into the night, and a thick fog had enveloped the southern part of the city, obscuring the bright moon and weighing heavily on the sky.

Near Jishi Fang, cold winds howled, and cries echoed. Whether it was intentional or not, the cries of the Li family’s grandfather and grandson, who were wailing as if they were about to die, made even the neighboring women shed tears. Most of the crowd stayed back, not just because the cold winds from Jishi Fang gave them goosebumps, but also because those with weak constitutions dared not even approach, for fear of being possessed by evil spirits, which could lead to serious illness or even injury.

The head of the city’s constabulary, Cheng, had been appointed by the governor to maintain order in the southern part of the city for the first time this spring.

This was originally a thankless job, but compared to the less bustling southern part of the city, Constable Cheng was quite happy. Compared to his colleagues who maintained order in the city center, the southern part was much easier.

He had planned to just walk around the city until midnight and then go home to his wife, but he never expected to encounter this situation.

When he heard that a family in the southern part of the city was haunted by ghosts, Constable Cheng wished he could die on the spot. He blamed himself for wanting to take the easy route and applying to be stationed in the south. Not only had he not gained any benefits, but he had actually seen a ghost wall.

By the time Constable Cheng arrived, the place was already crowded. Although he did not believe in ghosts and spirits, he immediately led his men into Jishi Fang. However, they were forced to retreat before reaching the back courtyard, driven out by the overwhelming cold winds. At that moment, Constable Cheng saw the notorious bandit he had once executed, baring his teeth at him.

This terrified even the fearless Constable Cheng. Looking back, he saw his men were equally frightened, some even confessing their wrongdoings, and two had wet their pants.

There was no denying it; Constable Cheng had no choice but to retreat, not daring to enter again.

The cold winds howled, and the spirits wailed. The cold winds from Jishi Fang continuously rolled out from the inner courtyard, strangely dissipating quickly once they left the premises. Nevertheless, the street in front of Jishi Fang was still oppressed by a heavy, deathly aura, even carrying the scent of decaying corpses.

There was no doubt that this astonishing scene was the work of Feng Daya, the great assassin. To set up this feng shui trap, Feng Jueyu had racked his brains. Although he was not an expert in feng shui, he had some knowledge of it, but it was far from being able to manipulate the yin and yang. However, using the Life and Death Unpredictable Skill, he simulated the aura of death, ghosts, and cold winds, spending two hours transforming the small courtyard into a place of ghostly haunts and cold winds.

He did this because he knew that the Li family, consisting of Yi De and his grandson, could not stand up to the Xu family or the government. Even if they found a temporary solution to the crisis, the Xu family would still pose a threat to Jishi Fang in the future.

Thus, he used people's fear of ghosts and spirits to stage this terrifying scene, and as he had predicted, the rumor of Jishi Fang being haunted attracted more attention than the spring talent show. Almost everyone he wanted to see was present.

As for the woman's analysis of the haunting, it was arranged and spread by the three Zhao brothers, under the direction of Xiao Yuanshan, to give the impression that Jishi Fang was a victim, not a killer.

As expected, soon the crowd was spreading rumors about the Li family being wronged, and the spirits of their ancestors appearing to haunt Jishi Fang to protect their home. With the convincing performances of Yi De and Tong'er, the public's sympathy was aroused, and they began to pity the grandfather and grandson.

It had to be said that their performance was so convincing that they deserved an award for Best Actor and Actress at the Golden Horse Awards.

Feng Jueyu stood in the crowd, the feng shui trap in the courtyard now complete. It was not a traditional feng shui trap but the aura of death from the Life and Death Unpredictable Skill. He was confident that even if the experts from Tian Nan City came, they would not see through it. Moreover, this trap had just begun.

"Ancestors of the Li family, I am incapable and unable to protect our ancestral home. I am willing to join you in the netherworld to atone. Please, ancestors, stop this haunting..." Yi De wept bitterly, looking genuinely remorseful.

As he spoke, Yi De stood up, ready to take his own life. Several kind neighbors rushed to stop him, and Constable Cheng also intervened, restraining the weak Yi De. "Joking, if someone dies under my jurisdiction, how can I keep my job?"

"Yi De, calm down. There are no such things as ghosts. Don't scare yourself."

"But I really saw them, my father, my grandfather, and Tong'er's parents. I have failed them." Yi De sobbed, then said, "Constable Cheng, believe me, I did not kill anyone."

"That's right. Who doesn't know Doctor Li's reputation here? His medical skills are top-notch. How many would believe he killed someone? I think someone is framing him, and his ancestors are here to seek justice." The voice came from the crowd, but no one knew who it was.

Before anyone could look in the direction of the voice, another hoarse voice called out, "Exactly. There's only an old man and a child left in their home. How can they live if their home is taken away?"

"They could hang themselves." A third voice from the west, "If it were me, I wouldn't be able to live, sigh."

Xu Zixiong, listening from the back, gritted his teeth, stretching his neck to find the people spreading these rumors. But every time he turned his head, the voices would stop, and then they would come from another direction, too fast and too unpredictable.

Then another voice said, "Has the case been thoroughly investigated? Was it a medical error, or is someone trying to extort money? Let the deceased's family come forward and swear an oath in front of the Li family's ancestors. If they dare, we'll believe them."

This seemingly spontaneous suggestion immediately stirred the crowd's sympathy, and many began to echo the call for the governor to re-examine the case.

If there were no grievances, why would the ancestors, who had been dead for so long, come back to haunt?

"Governor has arrived."

Just as the crowd was demanding that Constable Cheng report to his superiors for a re-examination, an eight-man sedan chair entered from the back, carrying the governor of Tian Nan, Pang Zhi.

The sedan chair landed, and the crowd fell silent. Pang Zhi, with his large belly, stepped out, looking unhappy.

It was no wonder. It was the first day of the talent show, and Pang Zhi had finally managed to take a break from his fierce wife to accompany some officials to the Hundred Flavors Tower for a meal and drinks. Just as he was enjoying himself, Constable Cheng sent a shocking message.

In the southern part of the city, Jishi Fang was haunted.

In broad daylight, under his jurisdiction, there was a haunting, and even a grievance. This was unacceptable.

Pang Zhi put down his wine cup and rushed over. Upon arriving at the scene, his legs went numb. What kind of weather was this, so cold, like the depths of winter.

Glancing nervously at the dark, eerie courtyard, Pang Zhi pretended to be calm as he approached Yi De.

This was a mess. He had already taken money from the Xu family and felt guilty. Facing the ghosts, he was even more afraid than others. But Pang Zhi, being a seasoned official, managed to maintain his composure.

Looking at the crowd, he said unhappily, "What are you all doing here? It's the middle of the night. Why aren't you sleeping at home?"

"Governor, please do justice for us."

Before he could react, Yi De, with a runny nose, threw himself at Pang Zhi's feet, grabbing his leg and sobbing, "Your Excellency, believe me, I did not kill anyone. I cannot betray my ancestors. Please, Your Excellency, do justice for us. Exhume the body and examine it..."

"Exhume the body, my ass..." Pang Zhi was so angry that he almost shouted, but he caught himself. The body had long been gone.

"Get up." Pang Zhi tried to shake Yi De off, but in front of the crowd, he dared not be too harsh and failed.

Pang Zhi shouted, "This court is always impartial. Your case has been decided. You misdiagnosed Wang Dazhuang, and he died because of you. What more do you want? I have already shown you mercy by not arresting you. If you don't get up, I will have you taken back to prison."

Yi De, taught by Feng Jueyu, ignored him and continued, "Your Excellency, I was not allowed to be present during the autopsy. I still don't know the cause of death. This is unfair."

"Who is accusing me of being biased and making a hasty judgment?" Pang Zhi's eyebrows shot up.

"I dare not, Your Excellency. I just want to know the truth," Yi De said.

"The truth is that you are old and blind, and you killed someone. That's it. Take him away," Pang Zhi ordered, trying to assert his authority.

"No, Grandfather." Tong'er finally appeared, hugging Yi De and crying, "Please, Your Excellency, give us a chance. Exhume the body and examine it..."

Constable Cheng and his men hesitated. Beating an old man and a girl in front of hundreds of people would ruin their reputation.

"Governor, this..."

"Take him away. What are you standing there for?" Pang Zhi knew that if the body were exhumed, it would be the end. Even if he could suppress it, he would still be charged with a hasty judgment.

"Governor, you have such great power, but you won't even give us a fair chance. Are we commoners just to be bullied? Corrupt official..." This was said by Feng Jueyu, using ventriloquism to avoid being identified.

"Who said that? Step forward."

Hearing this, Pang Zhi and Xu Zixiong, who were at the edge of the crowd, were shocked. This was a direct accusation of Pang Zhi using his power to oppress the people.

The crowd was already boiling, and the insult "corrupt official" only made it worse.

With a leader, there were followers. Xiao Yuanshan and his disciples raised their fists and shouted, and soon the entire street was in chaos.

"Please, Your Excellency, investigate thoroughly..."

"Give them a chance, Your Excellency..."

"What a disgrace, I spit..."

"Corrupt official, you should be stripped of your position and beheaded..."

The crowd was furious, and the insults grew louder. Some were ready to confront the officials. The constables tried to control the situation, but it was impossible.

Pang Zhi was shaking with anger. Usually, a single glare from him would scare these poor people, but not today.

"Who dares to slander an official? Your entire family will be punished..."

"Who do you think you are? Just because you're an official, you can kill people at will? Come on, I'm right here. Corrupt official, come and get me."

Zhao Bing, who was short, shouted and then ran to the other side, while Zhao Yi covered for him, "If officials don't serve the people, what are they if not corrupt?"

The brothers worked well together, stirring up the crowd and avoiding detection. They were having a great time, despite the chilling cold winds from Jishi Fang. They admired the skills of the high expert mentioned by Xiao Yuanshan, wondering how he managed such a feat. They were grateful for the strong liquor that kept them from being scared to death.

Pang Zhi's face changed several times, and Xu Zixiong was no better. Seeing the situation getting out of control, Xu Zixiong's brows were tightly furrowed.

"Send someone in to check if it's really haunted. Even if it is, bring out the ghost..."

Suddenly, a figure with a strong scent of perfume rushed in. Before Xu Zixiong and the others could see who it was, the person said, "Oh no, Master Xu, something terrible has happened. My husband is missing."

The person was Wang Dazhuang's wife...

"Who is missing? Wang Dazhuang?"

To the readers:

PS: Four updates today. Please vote and support. Happy April Fool's Day...

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