Miss Truth
Chapter 275 - 174: Despicable Characters

Chapter 275: Chapter 174: Despicable Characters

Ran Yan had tried every method to recover her damaged vocal cords. Although it was impossible to return to the original state, speaking should not be a problem. Ge Lan’s inability to make a sound might be due to a psychological barrier.

They could only stimulate her unconscious vocalization. However, Ran Yan also felt somewhat vexed; Ge Lan’s composure was infuriating. No matter how Wan Lu tried to scare her, the result only elicited a faint glance.

Helpless, they had to put this matter aside for the time being.

After taking her medicine, Ran Yan lay down on the couch to contemplate the case. Zhuang Yin was arrested, yet another person had died. Was it his accomplice who committed the crime? Was there another murderer? Did Luo Ling really have a motive to kill?

According to Xiao Song, when the several criminals died, there was no proof of her whereabouts. If they could establish her motive for murder, then she was very likely the murderer...

These were all secondary issues. What puzzled Ran Yan was why Wang Si, who lived in Luoyang, would appear here? Also, Feng Zhao, who had no reason to be here would not run to the western city forest in the middle of the night for no reason.

The rain outside the window grew heavier, and all sounds between heaven and earth were drowned out by the downpour.

At the end of the hour of the Dog, the County Government was brightly lit.

Xiao Song had returned to the governmental office from the crime scene, changed his clothes, and sat drinking tea in the small eastern room, his ink-black hair casually tied back with a silk belt and the tips still dripping with water.

The steamy mist veiled his facial features, making it impossible to discern his expression.

Zhuang Yin, sitting across from him, had fine beads of sweat on his forehead and was secretly alarmed. If he hadn’t known that this man was only twenty-six years old, Zhuang Yin might have thought he was just an old hand at the bureaucratic game who merely maintained his appearance well. Xiao Song’s casual questions, which seemed simple at a glance, were now perceived as striking straight to the heart of the matter.

Zhuang Yin’s nervousness was not because he feared him, but because he had to constantly guard against the seemingly casual questions, which was exhausting.

After finishing his tea, Xiao Song gently placed the cup on the table and once again looked up at Zhuang Yin with a gentle smile, as if discussing which dish they had for dinner, "The ’Tang Code’ decrees that anyone who kills more than three people, regardless of their principal or accessory role, shall all be beheaded. I remember several files from the Ministry of Criminal Justice, on the evening of November 4th in the seventh year of Wude, during a heavy snowfall in Zhang Village of Yingzhou; in the spring of the eighth year of Wude, February, Yingshang County of Yingzhou..."

Xiao Song did not mention specific cases, only precise times. Zhuang Yin stared at him in astonishment, listing these cases from memory without a single error. Previously hearing that Xiao Song had gone to Jiangnan for a case, Zhuang Yin specifically inquired about his itinerary. Although he did not know how Xiao Song suddenly came to Jushui County, Zhuang Yin was certain he didn’t have time to consult files at the Ministry of Criminal Justice.

Xiao Song did not give him time to think further, "Added together, there are no fewer than twenty-seven lives lost at the hands of Master Zhuang. Xiao Song said with a faint smile, "The crimes you committed are punishable by death regardless. However... there are many ways to die. Heroes shed their blood and lose their heads, which amounts to nothing more than a scar the size of a bowl. I truly do not wish to see Master Zhuang suffer and be humiliated."

"There’s nothing more than hanging and beheading," Zhuang Yin clenched the fists resting on his legs, with the thumb ring pressing into the surroundings, leaving a pale mark.

Unlike before, the Tang Code stipulated that capital punishment should only be carried out by hanging or beheading.

Xiao Song picked up a cup of freshly topped-up hot tea and skimmed off the floating leaves. As he heard Zhuang Yin’s words, Xiao Song paused in his actions and kindly explained, "Master Zhuang seems to understand the criminal law quite well. Though, in my few years as Assistant Minister of Ministry of Justice, I have figured out quite a few tricks. For instance, this beheading, there is no explicit stipulation that it must be done in one stroke..."

"You despicable cur!" Zhuang Yin’s face turned ashen as he interrupted him, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Xiao Song took a sip of his tea, "I’ve heard that Master Zhuang is not very cooperative with the investigation. You must have also heard that Xiao’s reputation is not exactly pleasant."

The implication was clear: falling into Xiao Song’s hands meant no chance of survival, but if he cooperated nicely, he might consider a swift end.

Actually, the rumors about Xiao Song were not all that bad. It was only said that he was resolute and ruthless in his methods, and he carried a deadly aura, which naturally wasn’t good news to those who engaged in criminal behavior. However, the view of him within court circles was extremely favorable, claiming that he was upright and incorruptible at the very least.

"What do you want to know?" Although Zhuang Yin was loath to admit his fear of this man twenty years his junior, the situation had come to a point where he had no choice but to give in.

Leaning back on the round-backed armchair, Xiao Song’s smile did not lessen, but Zhuang Yin, who dared to harm Sister Seventeen, could not possibly expect a good end in his hands, regardless of his explanations or cooperation. Yet from his calm demeanor, not a trace of his thoughts could be detected, "I’ve heard that you were loitering around the Su Family’s door a few days ago. Why is

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