Chapter 572 - 378: The Greatest Case

Jiang Zhe, Duan Rong, Wang Shuliang and the others entered the Yuan Shun Escort Agency together.

During a harsh investigation, screams of agony occasionally emerged from inside the escort agency.

Ruan Fengshan’s wife and family, including Ma Chunying, Ma Wentao, and his only son Ruan Jing, were all locked up in the county office’s jail.

About three hours later, Duan Rong and Xiao Yu emerged from the main gate of the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, accompanied by an escort master with a pale face.

This escort master was Zhang Xinping, originally from the Fifth Escort Team.

That night, it was he who led people to transport the bodies of Xiao Zongting and the other troublesome escort masters to the Desolate Burial Mound.

Xiao Yu walked out while wiping her tears. Every time she thought of her father’s body being left at the Desolate Burial Mound for over half a month, her heart ached as if being cut by a knife.

They arrived at the city gate, which had already been taken over by a team of heavy armored cavalry.

"Who goes there?!"

The small captain guarding the gate saw Duan Rong and Xiao Yu approaching, and his expression instantly became alert.

Duan Rong and Xiao Yu immediately displayed the Taiyi Order together.

"My lords!"

The small captain’s face changed upon seeing the Taiyi Order, and he responded respectfully. He had already heard that the case here was stirred up by several outer disciples.

Duan Rong said, "Open the gate! We are taking this person out of the city!"

"This..."

The small captain’s face showed a hesitant expression; his orders were not to let anyone leave the city.

Duan Rong saw the small captain’s hesitation and knew the reason. After a night of observation, Duan Rong had discovered that the Iron Cavalry Commander named Yuanye was very strict with his subordinates, maintaining strict military discipline.

Not wanting to make things difficult for the small captain, he said, "If you can’t decide, go ask your commander for instructions. He is inside the Yuan Shun Escort Agency."

The small captain’s eyes lit up, and with a look of gratitude, he cupped his hands towards Duan Rong and said, "Please wait a moment, my lord; I will go right away!"

The small captain mounted a black stallion, whipped it hard, and rode off towards the Yuan Shun Escort Agency.

Before long, with the sound of clopping hooves, the small captain galloped back.

As he reached the city gate, he pulled his horse to a stop and shouted, "Open the gate, let the two lords leave the city!"

With the gate now open, the small captain stood at the city gate, cupped his hands in salute, and respectfully saw Duan Rong and the others out of the city.

Once outside the city gate, Duan Rong immediately exerted his skill, grabbing Zhang Xinping by the shoulder with his right hand, and the two swiftly crossed the open field.

Xiao Yu exerted all her strength but could barely keep up from behind.

Their figures were as swift as phantoms, and in no time, they had reached the edge of the Desolate Burial Mound and halted.

Although it was the afternoon, the winter sun was bleak. Throughout the journey, a cold wind howled, and Zhang Xinping was freezing, with his nose running.

He sniffed and swallowed. Duan Rong turned his head to glance at him and coldly asked, "Where is it?"

Zhang Xinping raised a hand and pointed, "Right there at the edge."

Duan Rong grabbed Zhang Xinping and, with a flicker of movement, headed toward that spot.

The path required them to cut diagonally across the Desolate Burial Mound.

The distance was short, so Duan Rong no longer suppressed his speed to wait for Xiao Yu.

At such a short distance, Xiao Yu trailed behind Duan Rong by nearly half a breath’s time, despite Duan Rong carrying Zhang Xinping.

The Desolate Burial Mound was scattered with dry bones and wild weeds.

Duan Rong and Xiao Yu swept past, startling many birds and wild cats.

Duan Rong lightly landed on the ground, looking at the pile of corpses before him, his eyelids twitching wildly.

Despite it being winter, a strong stench of corpses permeated the air. The bodies had turned black, covered in corpse spots, yet had not begun to decompose.

The top layer of bodies clearly showed signs of being gnawed by wild cats.

Duan Rong observed the clothing on the top few corpses and recognized them as the uniforms of Escort Masters from the Yuan Shun Escort Agency.

Duan Rong looked at Zhang Xinping and asked, "Where’s Elder Xiao?"

Zhang Xinping trembled as he responded, "It was pitch dark at the time; we hauled two or three carts full of bodies. Who could tell who was who?"

As Zhang Xinping spoke, his eyes were wary, watching the two of them, afraid that they would kill him in a fit of rage.

"Father! Your daughter is here!" Xiao Yu had already run to the stinking pile of corpses, weeping as she searched.

Seeing Xiao Yu like this, Duan Rong felt a twinge of sympathy, but he could not stop her. How could he stop a daughter from looking for her father’s body?

Duan Rong took a few steps forward and stood there, suddenly releasing his divine sense that pierced through the pile of corpses.

Zhang Xinping, seeing that the two had left him and went to the pile of corpses, felt slightly relieved. At least they wouldn’t kill him for now. But he didn’t dare flee; the lightweight skills displayed by Duan Rong and Xiao Yu had already quashed any thoughts of escape.

Duan Rong’s divine sense penetrated the pile of corpses, carefully searching.

Since Xiao Zongting’s right leg was disabled, Duan Rong focused particularly on that detail. The corpses had already turned black, rendering their appearance indistinguishable.

Soon, Duan Rong’s expression shifted.

He had found Xiao Zongting.

Tearful and full of sorrow, Xiao Yu seemed impervious to the overpowering stench of decay. "Father, where are you? Show a sign, let your daughter know!"

"Xiao Yu! Over here!" Duan Rong called out to Xiao Yu and then dashed to the other side of the pile of corpses.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu immediately dashed over, having a certain inexplicable confidence in Duan Rong’s words.

Duan Rong had already reached the other side of the pile of corpses and began to dig through it, tossing aside body after body!

Xiao Yu stood there, stunned, beside Duan Rong.

Duan Rong glanced at her and said, "Give me a hand! It’s down here!"