Miss Truth
Chapter 260 - 164: Thrown into the Ice Cellar

Chapter 260: Chapter 164: Thrown into the Ice Cellar

Ran Yan’s heart skipped a beat as she estimated the poison hidden on her person and whispered in a low voice, "How many?"

Liu Qingsong knew she might be asking about the number of people, "Average." he said while slightly opening the window a crack, allowing Ran Yan a quick glance outside.

The number of people wasn’t large, but the dozen or so black-clad, robust men were capable of fighting ten men each. Ran Yan had some ability to defend herself, but Liu Qingsong’s physical condition was not even on par with Wan Lu’s; escaping was absolutely impossible.

"Get off the carriage," Ran Yan said calmly. If these people wanted to kill them, there was no need for such an elaborate plan just to bring them here; it was imperative to first understand their intentions, staying in the carriage was not a solution.

Ran Yan put on her mask and was the first to jump down from the carriage. Wan Lu was still somewhat confused, not knowing what was happening, but obediently followed suit.

Once out of the carriage, Ran Yan could see clearly, on the veranda behind the two rows of burly men sat a middle-aged man in splendid clothes, around forty years old, with dark skin and a face obscured by a thick beard, his right hand coarse, wearing a pale yellow jade ring carved with a fierce and exquisite Ya Zi.

The Ya Zi, the second son of the dragon, resembled a wolf with dragon horns, glaring with rage, and its horns laid flat against its back. The Ya Zi, known for its bloodlust and love of battle, was usually carved on weapon rings, sword hilts, and other armaments to intimidate, and was rarely used purely as decoration.

After taking in the man, Ran Yan casually turned as if waiting for Liu Qingsong, but in fact, she was discreetly assessing their surroundings.

A typical courtyard, structured like a quadrangle, with nothing to see but the sky above.

"Who are you, sir? And why have you brought us here?" Liu Qingsong, having spent much time with Xiao Song, was quite composed.

The man on the veranda studied them for a while before standing up, his voice rough, "Can you examine corpses?"

Ran Yan and Liu Qingsong responded with silence.

However, the man did not get angry, instead, he walked down the steps politely bowing, "I am Zhuang Yin. I’ve invited you here with no ill intentions; I merely hope that you will not intervene in this murder case."

Regardless of his intentions, the confidence and domineering manner revealed through his actions were far removed from the cautious approach of the case, so it was clear the murderer was not this man. So why was he meddling in this matter?

"We are also just driven by interest. If you want us to stay out of it, that’s simple, but surely there must be a reason why?" Liu Qingsong interjected timely. He had always known to look out for himself; safety came first, and then he could consider reneging later, since he never cared about his reputation.

The smile on Zhuang Yin’s bearded face was faint, but his words sent a chill down one’s spine, "The reason is, if you do not continue to meddle, the dismembered body the Government finds tomorrow might be the three of you."

Ran Yan frowned, "It’s not difficult to give up, but the hard part is, how can we make you believe us?"

Zhuang Yin paused, taken aback. He hadn’t expected the veiled young wife to speak so sharply, hitting the nail on the head with her words when she did speak.

"It’s not difficult. Each of you gouges out an eye as an oath, to show determination," Zhuang Yin swiftly covered his initial surprise.

Wan Lu and Liu Qingsong both gasped at the idea, the pain of gouging out an eye, they thought, would be more bearable than a swift end with a knife! Yet, Ran Yan’s mind was racing. To gouge out an eye...

By the contours of his face, Ran Yan could dimly make out that Zhuang Yin’s bearded appearance, though rough and burly, would likely be very different if he shaved off his beard.

"Gouging out an eye...is not impossible," Ran Yan clenched the flute hidden in her sleeve, the cool touch of the flute calming her nerves, "But how can we be sure that you will let us leave after we gouge out our eyes?"

"We..." Zhuang Yin began, but suddenly stopped short, his hawk-like gaze fixing on Ran Yan, and a deathly silence fell over the courtyard.

After a moment, Zhuang Yin slowly said, "Do you think I’m that easily fooled?"

"I haven’t underestimated you that much," Ran Yan said calmly, "I actually have a proposition that could work best for all, if you’re interested in hearing it, Zhuang gentleman."

Zhuang Yin was wary of Ran Yan’s cool-headedness and audacity, anxious she might be plotting something. His voice strained slightly, "Go ahead."

"Let the two of them return, and I’ll stay behind. After they leave Jushui County, then you can let me go." Ran Yan continued to watch Zhuang Yin’s expression and, seeing no objection, carried on, "After all, we do not know your identity at the moment, and it doesn’t seem very beneficial for you to offend Xiao Song by interfering with the case, does it?"

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