There is a god in the sky

Chapter 255 Beauty Bones 15

"What's going on lately? There's been a city lockdown and searches all over the place. My house has been searched three times by the officials."

"You didn't know? There are human traffickers in our city!"

"What's so strange about human traffickers? Haven't they always existed?"

"Hey, it's been particularly rampant lately. I heard that many young and beautiful girls have been murdered. The government is furious and has started a city-wide manhunt for human traffickers."

"If you knew the whereabouts of a few human traffickers, you'd be rich."

"How to say?"

"The government has posted a reward notice, offering five taels of silver for each clue that leads to the capture of a criminal. If you catch a few, you can relax and enjoy yourself for the rest of the year."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go look for them too. I know a few places where some people from out of town are hiding. They might be human traffickers."

Looking at the noisy prison, Lord Chen said to Xiao Ji, "Ever since you came to the capital, several government offices in the city have become bustling. It's all thanks to the efficiency of young people."

If someone else had said this, Xiao Ji would have thought it was a sarcastic remark.

But Lord Chen was a very understanding person and genuinely praised him.

"Lord Chen, you flatter me. It is also thanks to the cooperation of the Jingzhao Prefecture."

Lord Chen led him aside and sighed, "Actually, quite a few people have gone missing over the years. I have tried my best to catch them, but I just can't find the right method."

Because remnants of a cult were involved in the crime, the Emperor granted leniency and allowed a city-wide manhunt for the human traffickers.

But this isn't a long-term solution. What will happen after this batch is arrested? Does Lord Xiao have a better plan?

Xiao Ji took out a written plan from his sleeve, which was an anti-abduction manual he had written based on Shen Lan's suggestions.

"These are some of my insights; I wonder if they can be of any help to Lord Chen."

Lord Chen hadn't expected him to be so thorough, even writing out a manual.

In addition to educating the public about preventing child abduction, there are several effective methods for tracking down human traffickers.

"Excellent! Well written!" Lord Chen clapped his hands and exclaimed.

It has to be young people. They have drive and unique, innovative ideas, which is much better than a bunch of old men.

"Lord Xiao has made a great contribution this time, and his promotion is just around the corner. When you have time, I'll host a celebratory banquet for you at Bixiao Tower."

Xiao Ji, feeling grateful, bowed and said, "It should be me who invites Lord Chen."

The two grew closer, and Xiao Ji asked casually, "Does Lord Chen still remember the cult from back then?"

"Of course I remember. It was such a big deal. Which of the old officials in the court doesn't remember it? Everyone is itching to get their hands on it."

"I heard that General Qian led the troops to suppress the bandits back then. How come General Qian retired and returned to his hometown early?"

Lord Chen thought for a while before remembering General Qian.

"I heard that he was wounded on the battlefield and his health deteriorated, so he went back to his hometown to recuperate."

"What a pity, otherwise, with General Qian's military achievements, the Qian family would definitely be thriving."

"That's not necessarily true. The next generation of the Qian family didn't have any outstanding talents. I remember that General Qian had a youngest son who was very naughty when he was young. Later, he went to Yishan Academy for a few years and finally passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an official in a remote area."

Come to think of it, this kid was pretty lucky; back then, everyone thought he was just playing around with his studies.

"Answering exams definitely requires a bit of luck."

"However, that kid must have had some extraordinary connections to get him into the top tier. I remember that General Qian and Headmaster Tong had a good relationship back then."

Lord Chen held Xiao Ji's hand and said, "Just listen to these words and don't spread them."

"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely keep it a secret."

"Master Tong lives in the academy year-round and rarely comes down the mountain. Those cult remnants are always shouting that they want to attain immortality. I think only a hermit like Master Tong is like an immortal."

"Master Tong is a highly respected elder. It's truly remarkable that he didn't come home to visit even though such a big thing happened to the Tong family."

Lord Chen sighed, "I heard that the Ministry of Justice has already caught the murderer."

Xiao Ji understood. They had all been paying attention to this case. If he were the real murderer, the Ministry of Justice wouldn't still be hiding him.

Moreover, Xiao Ji knew all too well who the murderer was.

After leaving the Jingzhao Prefecture prison, Xiao Ji pondered how to go back to Yishan Academy again.

“My lord… Lord Xiao…” A constable from the Ministry of Justice ran toward him.

Xiao Ji remembered that he was one of Constable Xing's men, and his nickname was Shunzi.

"What's the matter?"

"Coroner Shen has sent me to inform you that she has made some important new discoveries."

"Where is she?"

"Coroner Shen is still in that dilapidated house. After the body was moved, she said she wanted to take another look in the cellar."

As Xiao Ji walked, he wondered if there was something in the cellar that hadn't been dug out yet.

When he arrived at the scene, he saw Shen Lan sitting in the courtyard washing things, wearing a mask on her face.

He walked over, looked at the dirty water in the basin, and asked curiously, "What is that?"

Shen Lan was startled and glared at him. "Why do adults walk so quietly?"

"It's all grass here, so there's hardly any footsteps. Besides, you were too focused on washing just now."

Shen Lan took out the things she had washed several times and shook them.

"This is... sheepskin?"

"It should be. I think what's recorded here is very important. Look at the handwriting..."

Xiao Ji squatted down and examined the sheepskin closely for a while.

The handwriting is very blurry, and only a few characters can be made out. Below it is a picture of a person meditating, but I don't know what it means.

"I dug this out from the corner of the cellar. At first, I thought it was the clothing of some deceased person, but I didn't expect it to be a piece of sheepskin."

I remember Tu Ying saying that their sect's techniques were passed down from their early years.

Perhaps it was originally recorded on a parchment scroll? So I decided to develop it and take a look.

To be honest, the sheepskin, after being washed, really does have a bit of a treasure map style; it's quite convincing.

The words on it are really blurry, and it might take some effort to restore them.

Xiao Ji nodded, "I'll take it back and study it."

“I remember there are people who specialize in restoring ancient books and paintings. Jifeng Study has craftsmen we work with year-round. Shall we ask them to give it a try?”

"Alright, but this matter must be kept secret, and we need to find someone trustworthy to do it."

The two then headed back home.

Qian Tai has already been sent back by Xiao Ji, and before leaving, he left Xiao Ji the address of the Qian family's old house.

Xiao Ji wrote a letter and sent it, but it was still unknown whether he would receive a reply.

Madam Xiao would take a few short walks around the mansion every day, and when she saw her son return, she would quietly slip away.

Since being diagnosed with her pregnancy, Madam Xiao has stopped leaving her home and has stopped seeing outsiders.

Others might assume that she was staying home because her baby was less than three months along and she was worried about the instability, but Xiao Ji knew that she was just embarrassed.

Seeing the hurried figure disappearing into the distance, Xiao Ji shook his head and laughed, "My mother is really something, she doesn't even dare to see her son."

He said to Shen Lan, "My mother will need Miss Shen to take good care of her this pregnancy."

“Okay, I’ll go take a look after I shower and change.” Shen Lan readily agreed.

These days, the two of them have been so busy with the case that they have indeed neglected Madam Xiao, and she hasn't had her pulse checked for several days.

Compared to doctors outside, Madam Xiao preferred to have Shen Lan take her pulse.

In addition to examining her pulse, Shen Lan also records her weekly waist circumference, weight, and eating habits.