Chapter 193 - 191: The Relationship Between the Two Murderers (Second Update)

Chapter 193: Chapter 191: The Relationship Between the Two Murderers (Second Update)

Xu Jing unconsciously exchanged a glance with Xiao Yi.

These details indeed perfectly match the profile of the murderer!

Xiao Yi immediately asked, "The murderer disappeared for a year during the fourth year of Tianxi, did Mr. Jiang mention if He Qiusheng showed any unusual behavior during that time?"

"Yes!"

Si Langzhong promptly nodded and said, "Mr. Jiang said that in the fourth year of Tianxi, He Qiusheng didn’t participate in any trade caravan activities for the whole year because his wife suddenly fell seriously ill and died that year. He stayed in his hometown to keep vigil for her for an entire year.

Speaking of which, Mr. Jiang mentioned that everyone in the caravan found He Qiusheng’s actions unreasonable. He said He Qiusheng didn’t get along well with his wife. His wife was a renowned local beauty, and He Qiusheng fell in love with her at first sight, made considerable efforts, and finally married her.

However, his wife chose him because He Qiusheng passed the scholar level exam at the age of fifteen. People in their county said he would inevitably become an advanced scholar in time and make a name for himself. Who would have thought that after that, he failed every county exam, and by the time he turned thirty, five years ago, he had completely given up the imperial examination and turned to commerce.

His wife already held resentment against him for repeatedly failing the exams, often taunting him with sarcasm. When he gave up the exams, they had a big fight that nearly ended in separation. Later, family elders mediated, and because they had two children, they barely maintained their relationship.

However, after that, Mr. Jiang mentioned that every time He Qiusheng was about to go home, he looked gloomy, indicating that returning home was a great pressure for him. Hence, they found it astonishing to hear He Qiusheng planned to keep vigil for his wife for a year."

Xu Jing frowned slightly.

That year in the fourth year of Tianxi, his wife died?

She noticed Xiao Yi’s expression also turned serious, realizing they had thought of the same thing—his wife was probably killed by him.

His wife was the third victim in the Smiling Killer case!

And the other victims were likely chosen based on her characteristics by him! This was all to vent his resentment and distorted feelings towards his wife!

Xiao Yi immediately stood up and said, "Have you inquired precisely where He Qiusheng lives?"

Si Langzhong replied, "Yes, He Qiusheng is from Bei County in Xinzhou. Mr. Jiang said they traveled by carriage from Western Capital to Bei County, Xinzhou. If the carriage went without rushing, it would take five days. Today is the third day since He Qiusheng left, so sending someone by fast horse should catch up quickly."

"Good."

Xiao Yi immediately said, "Dispatch someone immediately to catch the suspect! You should already know from Mr. Jiang which route they generally take home."

Si Langzhong quickly said, "Yes, I’ll arrange it right away."

He was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something and said, "By the way, Mr. Jiang mentioned something else. In the fourth year of Tianxi, after keeping vigil for a year, He Qiusheng was unwilling to return to the caravan. The head of the caravan, knowing his grandfather, was concerned about He Qiusheng and visited his home personally. However, he found He Qiusheng seemed to fear something and refused to leave home.

Just when their leader was about to give up, a very refined and elegant man arrived at He Qiusheng’s home. Speaking with a Western Capital accent, he was obviously from Western Capital. Upon seeing him, He Qiusheng appeared both startled and frightened, instantly turning pale. However, after having a private conversation with him, He Qiusheng agreed to return to Western Capital with their leader."

Xu Jing’s eyes slightly widened.

There is indeed a second person involved in this case!

But the relationship between this second person and He Qiusheng was unexpected for her.

She thought they might have been kindred spirits joining forces to commit crimes, yet it seemed more like that person held something over He Qiusheng, forcing him to commit crimes together?

Suddenly, Xu Jing thought of something and asked in a deep voice, "Did Mr. Jiang mention the specific date their caravan returned to Western Capital and if there was anything unusual about He Qiusheng’s behavior before leaving this time?"

The questions Si Langzhong asked needed to be very detailed, but it was somewhat difficult for him to recall everything at once.

Si Langzhong paused and said, "He mentioned that they returned to Western Capital on July 28th. Afterwards, the caravan took some time for reorganization, delivery, and accounting, so it was disbanded on August 6th.

Come to think of it, Mr. Jiang mentioned in passing that usually He Qiusheng and a few others would leave immediately after disbandment; since everything in Western Capital is expensive, staying an extra day means losing some of the Silver they earned. But this time, for some reason, He Qiusheng claimed he had unfinished business and delayed his departure by almost three days."

Xu Jing stared intently into his eyes, her voice heavy, "Did he mention that He Qiusheng seemed emotionally off before leaving Western Capital this time?"

Si Langzhong’s eyes quickly glanced with surprise and said, "He did mention it. He said He Qiusheng was often somewhat distracted before leaving Western Capital. How did you know?"

Xu Jing no longer looked at him, quickly turning to Xiao Yi and said in a deep voice, "Vice Minister Xiao, we must find the second murderer quickly. I believe the current situation of the second murderer is extremely dangerous."

Xu Jing’s words shocked the two doctors present.

What second murderer? It implies there’s a second murderer in addition to He Qiusheng in this case?!

They had never heard about this before!

Xu Jing continued speaking, "If I’m not mistaken, He Qiusheng was caught by the second murderer’s suspicion after committing the first and second crimes. That’s why he hastily fled home out of fear of being exposed, not daring to return to Western Capital, but he never expected that person to follow, and that person turned out to be just like him... No, more accurately, that person is a beast a hundred times more brutal!

That person forced He Qiusheng to commit crimes together with him. He Qiusheng was responsible for kidnapping and disposing of the bodies, while the other person tortured the victims with him! And that person’s desire to kill was evidently stronger than He Qiusheng’s, so when He Qiusheng reemerged after the fourth year of Tianxi, the pattern changed from killing one person a year to one person every six months.

I suspect He Qiusheng has been under the control of the second murderer all along. He actually doesn’t want to commit these acts, at least not so frequently. Therefore, conflicts developed between them. When he returned to Western Capital, he likely no longer wanted to continue the killings and sought to delay as much as possible, ultimately succumbing to the second murderer’s coercion, resulting in the latest crime being discovered later than previous ones, as He Qiusheng unusually delayed his departure by nearly three days!"

Xiao Yi’s eyes gradually turned stern, "In this case, the second murderer will inevitably act alone, and given his brutal and cautious modus operandi, he wouldn’t want a disobedient pawn. He Qiusheng is likely in danger!"

Xu Jing nodded, "Exactly!"

Doctor Si and Doctor Chen: "..."

When did Vice Minister Xiao and Miss Xu come up with these deductions?!

Did they miss anything earlier?

Seeing Si Langzhong standing frozen, Xiao Yi gave him a cold glance, "Are you not going to quickly send someone after He Qiusheng?"

Si Langzhong shivered, promptly answering and turning to leave hurriedly.

Seeing this, Doctor Chen quickly regained his composure, lightly coughed, came forward, and saluted, "Reporting to Vice Minister Xiao, regarding the fruit pits you asked me to investigate last night, I have results."