Chapter Six, Homicide (Part Two)

He crouched beside the corpse, suppressing the urge to vomit, and after carefully examining it once more, he slowly stood up

The toothbrushes from the Tang Dynasty were made roughly, making them quite uncomfortable to use

Yang Shouwen stepped into the main hall and saw the young girl, resembling a little adult, walking out from the kitchen with a food tray in her hands

What do you mean someone has died? Please clarify, and do not be so anxious

This is the 3rd day of the 8th month in the first year of the Holy Calendar, here at Tiger Valley Mountain outside Changping City

If you do not call me 'Da Lang', I will be grateful to your ancestors for eight generations

After finishing my washing and grooming, I feel refreshed and invigorated

Yang Shouwen got off the stool, walked to the door, and opened it. A rush of fresh air greeted him, instantly refreshing his somewhat muddled mind.

He quickly stood up, turned his head, and walked a few steps briskly, stopping beside a stone to vomit loudly

Then let me eat with my brother.

Good morning, Brother Zizi

Thinking of this, Yang Ruiping felt a surge of courage.

Yang Shouwen took a step forward, but felt someone behind him tugging at his sleeve

Looking at the neatly arranged toiletries, Yang Shouwen couldn't help but smile. Every day upon waking, he would see these items and knew exactly who had placed them there. The image of a small figure struggling to carry a basin of water and setting it down on the porch unconsciously surfaced in his mind. Yang Shouwen felt a warmth in his heart, picked up his toothbrush, dipped it in green salt, and then began to brush his teeth

He turned his head to see Yang Rui pulling at him

Yang Shouwen glanced at him and said, "Er Lang, you are now the only officer here, why not take a look yourself and search for clues?"

Yang Shouwen glanced at him, then circled the corpse twice before walking away without looking back, following the mountain path deeper into the mountains, all the while observing his surroundings, his eyes revealing an indescribable curiosity.

At this moment, Yang also ran out

Yang Rui ran breathlessly to Yang Shouwen, swallowed hard, and said in a trembling voice: "Elder brother, someone has died, there is a dead person at the village entrance"

Yang Shouwen thought for a moment and said to Yang: "Aunt, take good care of the young lady, I will go over with Erlang to take a look."

Yang Shouwen placed the food tray on the porch and then sat cross-legged

What are you shouting about so early in the morning

A pair of eyes, devoid of any emotion and resembling dead fish, stared wide open, appearing to be filled with unwillingness... His clothes were nowhere to be found, yet he wore a pair of black boots. His body was covered in wounds, perhaps due to being soaked in rainwater, those wounds had become deformed, and the edges of the wounds were tinged with a ghastly white.

Yang Erlang, you are indeed the son of the county lieutenant and the heir of your father. How can you achieve great things if you cannot even speak clearly after someone's death? Did you just say that a corpse was discovered at the village entrance?

Yang Rui urged in a trembling voice, the redness and swelling on his face still faintly visible, which gave a more pitiable impression

What?

The morning sunlight was particularly bright, shining upon the pale corpse, yet it evoked an indescribable chill.

He had the intention to refuse, but recalling the scene from last night when Yang Shouwen slapped him, the words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.

If it were in the past, Murakami would never have let him go. However, he also knew that the once foolish Yang had seemingly regained some clarity after being struck by lightning. Moreover, yesterday, he had subdued a mad bull and saved his son. Out of both sentiment and reason, Murakami could no longer continue to obstruct him and could only say softly: "Dalang, be careful."

However, under the temptation of Yang Shouwen, the young girl ultimately gave up her insistence. She secretly glanced towards the kitchen and found her mother still busy there, so she opened her small mouth and took a bite of the fried egg. However, the fried egg was very hot, causing the young girl to open her mouth wide and wave her small hands continuously, yet her little face was filled with pure happiness

Along the damp little path in the village, the Yang brothers quickly walked out of the village. About two li from the village entrance, they saw the corpse that Yang Rui had mentioned.

Yang Rui walked over with weak legs and stood beside Yang Shouwen, softly inquiring

Has the young girl eaten?

Just as Yang Shouwen was feeding the young lady a poached egg, the courtyard door was suddenly burst open by someone

Where have the clothes on his body gone? And where did the wounds on his body come from? It seems that the situation has become interesting!

He Yang Achi, if the elder brother dares to go, how can I be afraid

Yang Rui is only thirteen years old after all. Even though he has been an assistant for a year, he has never truly participated in a case. All along, he has played the role of a secretary, spending ninety-nine percent of his time in the office, and he has never been to a crime scene. Now, suddenly discovering a corpse, Yang Rui naturally feels an inexplicable sense of tension and fear

Upon seeing Yang Shouwen, the young girl's face immediately broke into a radiant smile

After all, one has lived again as a human being, having already experienced death once; how could one possibly fear a corpse

Damn Yang Achi, I have already vomited like this, do you still want me to look at the corpse

The young maid was initially reluctant, as it is not customary for a servant to dine together with their master

deceased

Yang Shouwen is quite indifferent to the title 'Dalang', as he easily associates it with some unpleasant matters

It was only when he saw the corpse again that he couldn't help but run to the side and crouch down, vomiting incessantly. This was the second time he had seen a corpse, but this time it was clearer and more terrifying than the previous one

Yang Shouwen furrowed his brows, descended from the porch, and put on his shoes

Yang Rui stepped forward, gritting his teeth, and slowly crouched down.

It is quite strange, why is that person lying there so exposed

Clang

To speak frankly, even though Yang Shouwen was mentally prepared, he still felt quite uncomfortable upon seeing the corpse

Muramasa, accompanied by several young men, was maintaining order at the scene. Upon seeing Yang Shouwen approaching, he furrowed his brow and stepped forward to block his way

Speaking as he walked, he strode out with great strides, while Yang Rui closely followed behind him, and together they exited through the main door

Yang Ruiton immediately widened his eyes, feeling an impulse to curse at someone in his heart

On the porch, there are a basin of water, face towels, green salt, and toothbrushes

In the dish is breakfast, a bowl of rice porridge with egg flower floating on top. A plate of pickles, and two thick meat patties weighing about one pound in total, exuding a rich aroma

Yang Ruilian rushed in, rolling and crawling, and did not even see Yang Shouwen before shouting loudly: "Elder brother, something is wrong! Elder brother is dead..."

He took a deep breath to steady his mind, and then said: "I set out early this morning to return to the county town, but unexpectedly, shortly after leaving the village, I saw a corpse lying in the road. Brother, this is my first time seeing a dead person, of course I was scared"

Exactly!

But the issue is that this is a custom

It was only when his gaze met the lifeless, fish-like eyes of the corpse that an uncontrollable feeling of nausea surged within him

Upon hearing this, Yang Shouwen quickly put down his chopsticks and stood up

The Yang family's life is decent, but even so, Yang Shi and the young lady can only have two meals a day most of the time. Youzhou is bitterly cold, and food is already scarce. It is not very common for someone like Yang Shouwen to have three meals a day, and each meal includes meat.

He, Hong Guoguo, lay on the ground, facing the sky.

Yang Shouwen hurried over to take the food tray, then softly replied, "The young lady arrived earlier than Brother Sizi."

Yang Rui's face was pale, and upon hearing this, he nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice

Even if Yang Shouwen is very averse to the term 'Da Lang', there is nothing he can do about it

Yang Achi ... No, it is indeed as my elder brother said. Since I have taken on the role of my father's steward, I must consider my father's reputation.

You are the one, Da Lang, and your whole family is Da Lang!

Having spoken, he shook off Yang Rui's hand and walked towards the corpse

Yang Rui hesitated for a long time in the same place, and finally gritted his teeth and decided to follow.

Tamura Masashi, I just want to take a look, it won't disturb you

Elder brother, since Muramasa has already reported to the authorities, let us not go over and add to the trouble

If one is not careful, the bristles made of boar hair on the toothbrush may fall out and get stuck between the teeth. Even after having been reborn for seventeen years, Yang Shouwen still finds it quite uncomfortable. It is necessary to find a way to improve this situation another day; otherwise, brushing teeth like this every day is truly painful

After the rain, a round red sun burst forth, illuminating the earth

Peh peh peh

Not far from here, there is the Juyong Pass, as well as the vassal state inhabited by the Khitan and Hu people, known for their fierce customs, where deaths are not uncommon

The young girl gazed longingly at the food on the tray and shook her head

Yang Chenglie is the county constable, similar to the police chief in later times

Ugh

Yang Shouwen sighed, "Er Lang, you are indeed a person of the government... Do not forget, you are now the attendant by Father’s side, and every word and action represents Father’s dignity. How can you not face a mere dead person? How will you alleviate Father’s worries in the future? I am too lazy to argue with you about past matters... But now, do not tarnish Father’s reputation"

Elder brother, do you see anything?

Yang Shouwen, however, was completely unconcerned and squatted down beside the corpse

"Dalang, do not go over there. I have already sent someone to the county town to inform the authorities. It is best to wait for the officials to come over."

What are you doing

However, at this moment, the small village had already come alive.