Chapter 6: The Murder Case in the Buddha Statue Secret Room

It is easy to imagine that you would not be mingling in the crowd, but rather likely positioned towards the periphery. Thus, I found you by walking a circle along the edge of the open space. " Shui Jing said softly, "Would I be disturbing your thoughts?"

Shuijing called Lingyu over and then introduced him to Xipo: "Grandma, let me introduce you, this is my classmate, his name is Lingyu, and I asked him to accompany me. Lingyu, this is my grandma."

Afterward, the old lady brought the two into the village, introducing them to everyone she met by saying: "This is my granddaughter, and this is my granddaughter's classmate"

Ling Yu sat on a low tree stump beside the open space, gazing from a distance at the dazzling memorial, yet his mind was still pondering the case of Bai Sanyuan's murder

It is quite strange ... ? ... The murderer clearly strangled the victim to death, so why did they still stab the throat with a dagger? Isn't this redundant? Or is there some compelling reason behind it?

Shuijing smiled again and couldn't help but interrupt, saying: "You can just say I am your classmate; I told my mom the same thing."

After finding a glass of water in the hall and drinking it, Ling Yu went to the courtyard to look for Shui Jing. At this time, most of Shui Jing's relatives had already dispersed, but there were still a few aunts and uncles remaining there.

What does this mean? After Ling Yu arrived, Xi Po invited him to sit in the chair next to the water mirror. The water mirror looked at him with an embarrassed expression. Just as Ling Yu was about to ask a question, Xi Po spoke first: "Ling Yu, when did you start dating our little braid?"

The people of Ganhe Village seemed to have never encountered such an event. In an instant, some shouted, some were stunned, and others ran outside. Soon, there was a cacophony of voices outside, and chaos ensued.

Isn't that line of poetry a Zen poem? The water mirror has its own thoughts, and the author is a monk; could it be related to Buddhism?

Ah, Shui Jing, is this young man with you? Who is he? A few minutes later, Xi Po finally noticed Ling Yu's presence

Ling Yu could vaguely guess what wound she did not want to touch upon, which was likely the divorce of Shui Jing's parents, leading to the separation of the two sisters. He felt somewhat sorry for her, but on the surface, he remained composed, quickly brushing over the topic with jokes and laughter, redirecting the conversation to the living habits of the Bai people.

Certainly. The Bai people predominantly practice Theravada Buddhism, and there is a shrine in the village that houses a statue of the Buddha

On the airplane

Ling Yu was extremely thirsty; not to mention three cups of tea, he could drink thirty cups without caring about the taste or significance. Murong Shuijing did not receive such treatment, as Xipo stated that she was not considered a guest.

In the events that followed, Ling Yu observed everything from the perspective of a bystander

When it comes to reporting an incident, Ganhe Village has no telephone service, and due to its remote location, even if there were mobile phones, they would not receive a signal. Therefore, the only way to report a crime is to cross two mountains and reach the train station to call the police, and this can only be done after dawn the next day. By the time the police arrive, the perpetrator may have already destroyed the evidence and fled.

At the command of the village chief, several men pushed over a wooden frame shaped like an 'F', standing two to three meters high. They then lowered the ropes from the horizontal bar of the frame, tied the offerings to them, and hung them up. Subsequently, they pushed the wooden frame into the fire, allowing the offerings to be consumed by the flames, thereby serving as a substitute for the villagers to receive the punishment from the deities

If the first two brothers can be considered to have made mistakes that led themselves into trouble, then Bai Sanyuan's predicament is entirely of his own making

At that moment, a graceful figure walked past me

After struggling for more than half an hour outside, Ling Yu could not find any inspiration. Ultimately, unable to withstand the heat of the sun, he ran back to Xi Po's house

Hmm! Grandma, is there any sour and spicy fish to eat?" Shui Jing said with a smile, her tone sounding just like that of a greedy little girl

As they reached the door, both of them heard the sound of an argument coming from inside. They hurried in and, after inquiring with the matriarch, learned that Old Man Bai had already clarified matters regarding the inheritance.

After leaving the home of the matriarch, Shuijing inquired about the matter of the task

Subsequently, the two individuals found the Bodhi tree, but once again, they did not uncover any clues. Moreover, according to Shui Jing, the lifespan of a Bodhi tree is quite short, with very few living for over a hundred years. In other words, several hundred years ago, this Bodhi tree did not even have a shadow; how could it possibly appear on the maps of that time

However, Shui Jing seems to be quite averse to discussing her family life and her father, and even her sister Huo Wu is rarely mentioned. The most she talks about is her mother and the culture of the Bai ethnic group

Additionally, a clay sculpture of a Buddha was shattered on the floor in the middle of the room. Observing its form, it is quite similar to the Buddha statues enshrined in the ancestral hall

It turns out that Shuijing's mother is a genuine Bai ethnic person. After marrying her father, she left her hometown and settled in City G for work. She works as a sales manager in a clothing store, and her attire and manner of speaking are no different from those of urban women, yet she retains many traditions of the Bai ethnic group

Ling Yu only understood at this point that they had mistaken him for Shui Jing's boyfriend. Dazed, he wondered if they thought Shui Jing had come this time to show her boyfriend to her grandmother. In the absence of any better explanation, Shui Jing could only acknowledge this, which is why their attitude towards him suddenly changed.

As the conversation dragged on, one naturally began to lose focus. At that moment, Ling Yu suddenly noticed a young man in jeans crossing the courtyard and then entering the red house across the way

Bodhi Tree

I did not expect that the matter of inheritance distribution would be so intricate. Old Mr. Bai's estate consists of only three houses and a few acres of land. I believe that none of his three sons would particularly value these possessions. However, why did all three sons rush back home?

Grandma Xi hasn't seen her granddaughter for a long time, and while happily chatting with Murong Shuijing, she completely neglects Ling Yu.

Ling Yu suddenly realized upon hearing this; no wonder he had always felt that Shui Jing possessed a certain ethereal and refined quality

Thus, he fully utilized his eloquence to address the questions posed by the various aunts and relatives one by one. He neither exaggerated the facts nor concealed his family background, but made adjustments in certain details.

Seeing Ling Yu suddenly stand up, his eyes fixed intently on the flames, Shui Jing was genuinely worried that he might become obsessed with solving the case. He tentatively asked, "A Yu, are you alright?"

Then let us go and take a look right away

Shuijing smiled slightly and shook her head, saying: "That place is too remote and has no attractions, so it is impossible to have tourists. If you say you are a tourist, it will instead make everyone in the village look at you strangely"

"Who would give the water mirror to you? Are you dreaming?" Murong Huowu continued to show a cold attitude towards Ling Yu

A group of about ten young men and women, dressed in eccentric costumes, began to dance around the bonfire. The men used props such as the "Ruyi Drum" (an octagonal drum with a single skin, adorned with copper coins and bells along the edges) or the "Double Flying Swallow" (two pairs of bamboo boards, each tied with colorful ribbons, held in each hand). The women wielded the "Overlord Whip" (a bamboo stick approximately one meter long, with several copper coins threaded on iron wire at both ends, and paper flowers attached to the stick, producing sound during the dance). Their dance was passionate and exuberant; rather than seeking forgiveness from the deities, it resembled a performance more than a ritual.

The second son is named Bai Jiguang and is currently engaged in biological research in City D. The third son is named Bai Sanyuan and is currently a junior at TW University in City D.

We should have thought of this earlier! Ling Yu raised his arm and called out, his eyes shining brightly. That line of poetry has a preceding line: 'The Bodhi tree is originally without a tree, and the bright mirror is not a platform.' The Bodhi is the key point; the other three sections merely serve as hints and emphasis. We have reversed the primary and secondary!

The water mirror... Ling Yu felt a warm sensation in his heart, an uncontrollable impulse surged up his throat. In a deep and emotional voice, he said: "Shuijing, although we have not known each other for long, I believe I have already fallen in love with you!"

Ling Yu could not find much peace in the ancestral hall either, as it wasn't long before a group of elderly people came to pay their respects. Subsequently, the situation escalated, and the entire village was mobilized.

There is everything you want to eat

Bai Sanyuan lay dead on his own bed, with marks of strangulation on his neck. His throat had been pierced from the front by a long dagger, extending to the back of his neck.

The youngest daughter is named Bai Xiaoxiao; she did not attend school and has always stayed by the side of the elderly couple to take care of them. The young man in jeans who just appeared is the third son, Bai Sanyuan, who has just returned from City D. Before his return, Bai Yifei and Bai Jiguang had also successively come back home in the morning.

The house where the old lady lives is quite nice and can be considered to be at a moderately prosperous level

"Dating?" Ling Yu was taken aback for a moment. Looking at the water mirror again, she slightly nodded, as if encouraging him to continue. "Oh, I met her at the beginning of the school year."

The water mirror did not respond immediately; it spoke again after a few seconds: "Auntie just asked me to step aside for a moment. By the way, what were you saying earlier?"

The water mirror. Upon seeing the appearance of the water mirror, Ling Yu's mood suddenly brightened. "Aren't you supposed to be with your grandmother?"

After the investigation at the crime scene was completed, Ling Yu went outside again to continue his investigation at the ventilation window and the exterior of the window. Shui Jing saw him come out and followed him to see what he was doing. Later, upon observing that he was conducting an investigation and was very focused, Shui Jing decided not to disturb him.

No, I have been thinking for a long time but still couldn't come up with any clues said Ling Yu helplessly

This is a murder case, it is truly a murder case

It turns out that the Bai family possesses a family heirloom, estimated to be at least 200 years old. It is passed down to sons but not to daughters, so Xihua has never seen this treasure. She only knows that it was once shown to an antique expert, who stated that the item holds significant historical value and could be sold for at least 5 million in the market. The expert then asked Old Bai if he wanted to sell it, offering to contact a buyer immediately.

After having a distinctive lunch, Shui Jing's relatives pulled her into the shaded courtyard to ask her various questions. Ling Yu felt quite superfluous among them, so he excused himself to go to the restroom and left Xi Po's house. As he was leaving, he gave Shui Jing a glance, indicating that he would go out first to assess the situation and would discuss it with her later.

"Indeed, this won't escape your mother's notice, as your grandmother will inform her. But when your grandmother sees me, how will you explain? Should we rehearse this first?" Ling Yu took a sip of mineral water to clear his throat. "Just say I am a tourist who happened to run into you on the road, and then you invited me to stay at your grandmother's place. How does that sound? The Bai people should be very hospitable, right?"

"No, it won't." Shui Jing said, glancing at Ling Yu with her bright, sparkling eyes. Ling Yu noticed that her gaze was filled with trust, and his heart couldn't help but flutter.

Ling Yu immediately became interested and then asked them more questions about the Bai family. They initially said they couldn't speak carelessly, but after Ling Yu's persuasion, they finally agreed to quietly reveal the inside information to her

The change in circumstances did not make Ling Yu feel nervous or uneasy; instead, he secretly rejoiced. Regardless of whether it was an act, playing the role of her boyfriend in front of Shui Jing's relatives was indeed a rare experience.

Everyone, hurry and take a look! shouted the son of the old lady.

"Shuijing, did you tell your mother that you are out traveling?" Lingyu thought of a particularly interesting question

Ling Yu originally intended to secretly call Shui Jing out, but unfortunately, he was spotted by an aunt. The aunt, speaking in a somewhat non-standard Mandarin, called out to Ling Yu, and he understood that she was asking him to come over and take a look

The columns are adorned with numerous intricate wood carvings, featuring a myriad of patterns depicting various animals and plants, each more diverse than the last. There are even exquisite translucent carvings with three to five layers, showcasing multi-dimensional landscapes, figures, flowers, birds, insects, and fish that appear vividly lifelike. In the courtyard, there is a large flower bed containing trees and fruit-bearing plants such as camellias, sweet osmanthus, red osmanthus, pomegranates, and fragrant wood.

At this moment, Ling Yu also understood why Murong Huo Wu was concerned about Shui Jing. A solitary man and woman walking in such desolate mountains and wilderness can easily let their thoughts run free, and there is a primitive feeling of returning to nature. In other words, it is the awakening of wild instincts, which can indeed lead to some "romantic" associations.

At exactly 9:00 AM, they exited Kunming Airport and then took the same long-distance bus to City D. Locations 11 and 12 happened to be there as well, both situated in mountainous areas, but they were relatively far apart. Therefore, after disembarking in City D, the two groups had to temporarily bid farewell and part ways.

In the ancestral hall, large candles for offerings were lit, providing a relatively bright light. Ling Yu sat at the entrance, rubbing the back of his ear with one hand while sorting through clues in his mind.

The purpose of shattering the Buddha statue was precisely this, to incite panic among the villagers, exploiting their superstitious beliefs to attribute the crime of killing Bai Sanyuan to the divine... This is truly a clever tactic; those villagers are so foolish as to believe that divine punishment would involve daggers and ropes. Surely, the divine has not yet fallen to the point of needing to take matters into their own hands... This is truly a clever tactic; those villagers are so foolish as to believe that divine punishment would involve daggers and ropes. Surely, the divine has not yet fallen to the point of needing to take matters into their own hands...

Dinner was served at seven thirty. Aunt Xi and her sister's family, as well as her brother's family, each prepared their own meals, but they all ate in the courtyard. Since it was impossible to find the way out of the village when it got dark, the three Bai brothers did not return to City D, and Bai Xiaoxiao prepared meals for them. During dinner, only Bai Yifei, Bai Jiguang, and Bai Xiaoxiao were present; Bai Sanyuan and their mother did not appear.

Shuijing was seated next to Lingyu, while Wu Jian and Murong Huowu sat three rows behind them. Shuijing appeared relatively relaxed, and Lingyu naturally seized the opportunity to chat with her. Starting from the topic of his grandmother, after an hour, he gained a deeper understanding of her

The incident of Bai Sanyuan dying in the room has quickly become known throughout the village. The villagers, who live relatively dispersed, are now making their way here with torches, and from every direction, one can hear voices inquiring and greeting.

The reason for the commotion was that Bai Yifei and Bai Jiguang were dissatisfied with the distribution of the family heirloom to Bai Sanyuan. They joined forces to criticize their younger brother and even questioned their father, which led to their father's health deteriorating. Their mother, in tears, scolded them for being unfilial. The situation became somewhat chaotic

The chain reaction triggered by the death of Bai Sanyuan reached a boiling point at ten o'clock at night. The village chief first gathered the villagers and announced that Bai Sanyuan had met with misfortune due to offending the deities. To prevent the deities from taking their anger out on the entire village, a ritual must be conducted immediately.

At the scene and on the body of the deceased, no trace of the so-called heirloom was found. The motive for the murder is clearly to steal the heirloom, and the primary suspects in the murder of Bai Sanyuan should be his two brothers

After a little over ten minutes, Ling Yu arrived outside the ancestral hall, and indeed, there was no one here

To be precise, it should be the corpse of Bai Sanyuan

No, because she knows me very well

The reason why they all returned home from afar today is the same: Old Bai has been bedridden for many years, and knowing that his time is drawing near, he called his sons back to discuss the distribution of his inheritance

Coming to his senses, he felt a sense of emptiness around him, which made him realize that Shui Jing was nowhere to be found. He immediately contacted her using the communicator: "Shui Jing, Shui Jing, where are you?"

Although the sun is shining brightly overhead and the temperature is quite warm, the forest is cool and refreshing, with colorful wildflowers blooming everywhere. The two of them walk along, chatting and laughing, not resembling individuals on a mission, but rather like a couple out camping.

"Buddhism?" Ling Yu also found it reasonable, but just couldn't find a clue. "Is there anything here related to Buddhism?"

"Little Braid (the childhood name of Shuijing)! Oh, my dear granddaughter has finally come to see me!"

Ganhe Village is located deep in the mountains, surrounded by dense thickets and miscanthus grass. If it weren't for the visits from Shuijing, one would truly struggle to find those hidden paths.

Additionally, there are some rumors brought back by young people who have gone out to seek their fortunes. It is said that Bai Yifei, after drinking, entered the operating room, resulting in a surgical error that led to the death of a patient. The patient's family discovered this and is insisting on taking him to court

Ling Yu stood firm, turned around, and smiled brightly at the water mirror, asking: "Is there anything else related to Buddhism?"

"What a nuisance!" With two flushes of red appearing on her face like a reflection in water, she shot a glare at Ling Yu and then strode forward.

He spoke with a resonant and forceful tone, yet deep down he felt it could not possibly be that simple; it was merely an opportunity to showcase his enthusiasm to Shui Jing.

The scene of the memorial is quite captivating

Is that gentleman a visitor from outside? He diverted the topic and successfully shifted the conversation away from himself

The individuals who burst through the door at that time informed the villagers who came to inquire about the detailed situation. The villagers were unaware of any locked-room murder; they only believed in the facts before their eyes.

Women often wear white tops, paired with black or purple velvet jackets, and blue wide trousers. They tie a short waist sash adorned with embroidered ribbons around their waist, and wear embroidered "百节鞋" (Bǎi jié xié) on their feet. Their arms are adorned with twisted silver bangles, fingers with enamel silver rings, and ears with silver earrings. The right side of the top is embellished with silver "三须" (Sān xū) and "五须" (Wǔ xū) accessories.

It is the Bodhi tree; I remember there is a very large Bodhi tree on the west side of the village

Oh! Thank heaven, I have finally waited for this moment!

The matchmaker arranged rooms for the two individuals, each having their own spacious room. It is said that those two rooms were once occupied by Murong Shuijing's mother and the matchmaker's eldest son. The rooms are made of tiles, with about ten beams overhead, which made Ling Yu feel very familiar, as his grandmother's house is also of this kind.

When Ling Yu entered, he was welcomed with the "Three Teas" of the Joyful Matron: the first was "Bitter Tea," the second was "Sweet Tea," and the third was "Aftertaste Tea," symbolizing that life is first bitter, then sweet, and finally savored slowly

Ling Yu wandered around outside, and from time to time, kind-hearted villagers would come over to ask him if he was lost. Each time, he would respond with a dry smile, saying, "I have a compass"

The door was locked from the inside, the windows could not be opened, and there were no other exits. In such a room, a person had died, and the only possibility was divine punishment. The shattered clay Buddha statue at the scene further solidified their belief that those who had desecrated the village deity and showed contempt for it would not meet a good end. Even the village chief intervened, stating that there was no need to report it to the police; burying the body would suffice.

Alright, I understand. I will take good care of Shui Jing. Ling Yu saw Shui Jing taking care of herself, so he adopted a friendly demeanor to smooth things over, preventing Mu Rong Huo Wu from seizing the opportunity to escalate the situation.

Shuijing, do you know that your smile is captivating? I truly wish to gaze at your smile forever, never diverting my gaze away

At this moment, they had already seen a small village through the woods. After walking a few steps, they came across a stone tablet inscribed with the three characters "Ganhe Village"

How did you know I was here

Half an hour later, Ling Yu and Shui Jing had entered the mountainous area. They got off the tricycle, each carrying a large backpack, and walked along the winding mountain path

The water mirror nodded, smiled gently, and said: "Yes. The Bodhi tree."

This young man is Ling Yu

After chatting with the aunts and gossipers for more than half an hour, Ling Yu's patience reached its limit. He signaled to Shui Jing, who understood and suggested taking Ling Yu around to have a look. Naturally, the aunts and gossipers had no objections.

With a loud crash, the door panel collapsed entirely, and everyone rushed in. In the candlelight, the first thing they saw was Bai Sanyuan lying motionless on the bed

This is a murder case, it truly is a murder case...! ... Oh! Thank heaven, I have finally waited for this! It is a kind of excitement that can stir a tremor deep within the soul

"No problem, you can rest assured to leave her to me," Ling Yu said, revealing a smile that conveyed, "I am actually very reliable."

In an instant, Ling Yu seemed to grasp a key point. Following the guidance of the water mirror, he gazed at the dancing flames, and his mind gradually entered a state of ethereality

Technique, what technique? What is the technique?

It is a thrill that can evoke a shiver deep within the soul

"Water Mirror, wait for me, don't leave me behind... I don't know the way, I'm so scared." Ling Yu playfully chased after.

The walls near the main gate, pillars, and Buddha statues of the ancestral hall are inscribed with some scriptures and phrases, all written in the Bai ethnic script, which neither of the two could understand. Ling Yu also asked several elderly people who were resting nearby about the historical anecdotes of the ancestral hall, but those elders just laughed in response.

Ling Yu walked back into the courtyard, where there were only a few people left. Those who were eating had rushed off to see the body, and the noise around him was chaotic. He wanted to find a quiet place to sort out his thoughts, so he left the home of the matchmaker, only to find that it was even louder outside.

This is a rectangular room, with the bed positioned in the corner of the wall diagonally opposite the door. The wall against which the head of the bed is placed has a ventilation window at a height of two meters, featuring bamboo railings. The gaps between the railings are approximately three to four centimeters wide, and the window cannot be opened at all. The wall opposite the door has only one window, as depicted in the illustration, which is also fitted with wooden railings. The gaps between these railings are relatively wide, measuring about ten centimeters.

Grandmother has fallen into a deep sleep, and Aunt is taking care of her. Shui Jing sat down on another low tree stump beside Ling Yu, saying, "You haven't sent a signal in a long time, so I came out to find you and see if you need assistance"

This is a line from a Zen poem, the source of which can be verified. It is said to be a "sudden enlightenment" experienced by a monk, which feels quite profound. However, various versions of the vernacular translations all convey similar meanings.

"No, no, how could that be!" Ling Yu quickly shook his head, fearing that Shui Jing would leave. "I have a terrible headache right now and was just thinking of shifting my focus."

What do your parents do? asked Liu Po

Murong Shuijing's grandmother has dark red skin, is of medium height, and appears quite robust. She has a warm smile that endears her to others. The villagers affectionately call her "Aunt Xi" because of her consistently optimistic and cheerful demeanor.

At this moment, the dancing young men and women had already retreated to the side, while the offerings (a live cow and two sheep) were ready.

Old Bai's partner received the main house, Bai Yifei received two rooms, Bai Jiguang received farmland, and Bai Sanyuan received the family heirloom. Bai Xiaoxiao, being a daughter, will eventually marry out, so she received nothing.

The room of the Bai Sanyuan is located at the corner of the courtyard. Ling Yu followed several big men from the Bai family to the door. The men stepped forward to knock, but there was indeed no response. When they pushed the door, they found it was already secured from the inside, so they had no choice but to work together to break it down.

Their attire created a distinct sense of alienation for Ling Yu, highlighting that he was Han while the villagers were Bai. It was not merely due to the clothing; in the city, even if one saw a girl dressed in a certain style, it would not evoke the impression that she belonged to a different ethnic group. However, in this region of Yunnan, where various ethnic minorities converge, Ling Yu would instinctively perceive Han people as superior to the minorities, leading to a sense of arrogance and a desire to draw a clear line between himself and the ethnic minorities.

Since childhood, Huo Wu has enjoyed following fashion trends and is tireless in her pursuit of the latest styles. In contrast, Shui Jing, influenced by her mother, has a deep interest in the culture of the Bai ethnic group. She understands the attire, clothing, handicrafts, and taboos of Bai girls, which is why her grandmother particularly adores her

The layout and combination forms of the Bai people's residences are generally divided into several types. The place where the bride lives is called "Zouma Zhuangjiao Lou," which has a structure similar to that of a Beijing Siheyuan, but it has two stories. The main entrance in the northeast corner faces a wall, on which the character "Fu" is inscribed.

Auntie Xiaomiao looked at Lingyu and said, "Ayu, thank you for accompanying my granddaughter! Now, you two come with me to eat." The Bai people usually address guests by using "A + the last character of the guest's name" to express familiarity

Then, the villagers slaughtered pigs and sheep, lit bonfires, and built an altar with bamboo in the open space in front of the ancestral hall. Those who are unaware might think they are holding a grand celebration, yet little do they know that they are doing all this with a heart full of trepidation.

The truth has finally come to light! Ling Yu wore a sly smile on her face, exuding an unstoppable aura.

Murong Huowu frowned and suddenly shouted at Lingyu: "Lingyu, if anything happens to my sister, you must take responsibility!"

Ling Yu also believes that this interpretation is quite reasonable, but does not a "technique" contain less information than what is concealed in the original line of poetry

The sky had completely darkened, and in order to avoid worrying the old lady, the two could only drag their unwilling steps slowly back home

Ling Yu had never seen her so innocent, and couldn't help but marvel at the fact that she also had such a lovely side.

Then say that I am a travel enthusiast

Living there is a large family, which includes not only the family of the matriarch but also her younger brother, older sister, and their descendants

The ancestral hall is located on the eastern side of the village, constructed in a relatively classical style. Inside, there is a gilded Buddha statue, which is not a historical Buddha but rather the guardian deity of this village, similar in nature to the Earth God worshipped by the Han people.

After he entered university, he became infatuated with gambling and secretly engaged in illegal lottery activities with a few classmates off-campus. Later, he was apprehended by the police, who not only confiscated the funds but also imposed a fine of 50,000 yuan. Moreover, the gamblers who had paid for the illegal lottery tickets pursued him like creditors demanding refunds. It seems that the three brothers were all short on money, which is why each of them harbored the desire to obtain that family heirloom

At the moment the corpse was seen, no one noticed that a bright-eyed youth had an incongruous smile on his face

Sister, please don't do this! Shui Jing advised, looking quite displeased.

Ah, it's nothing! Then take good care of your grandmother, and we will get in touch if anything comes up. " After hanging up, Ling Yu sighed and murmured to himself, "I am really an idiot, what does it even mean to say such nonsensical things..."

Young man, you may not know that this ancestral hall was built only six years ago, so it has no historical anecdotes. There used to be another ancestral hall, but it was located to the west. That hall was quite dilapidated, and it was only after our villagers had some money that we rebuilt this new ancestral hall.

Of course not, I said I want to visit my grandmother

The placement of these charcoal and hay so close to the window... Is this merely a coincidence

Ling Yu once treated it as a riddle and asked a riddle expert. The expert pointed out the answer: "hetushucomcom" represents the character "无一" which is "木", and "尘埃" is represented by the punctuation "、". When combined, it forms the simplified character for "术"

Ah! That's it!

If you want to divert your attention, you can look at the flames. You can imagine throwing all your thoughts into the fire to be burned away completely. At that moment, your mood will calm down, and the clutter in your mind will be cleared. The water mirror said softly: "Because fire is one of humanity's most primitive memories, it can help people forget the tedious reality and enter another realm of thought. This is something I read in a psychology book."

However, he quickly calmed down, as the investigation needed to proceed immediately. He could not allow himself to be blinded by the tragic scene before him, like those villagers who were caught up in their emotions.

"Does she agree to you dating?" Ling Yu said with a mischievous smile

From the chattering responses of the aunts and uncles, Ling Yu learned that the red house was home to the family of Uncle Bai, the brother of the matchmaker. Uncle Bai has three sons and one daughter. The eldest son is named Bai Yifei, who is currently a surgeon in City D

"Forget it, let's go back first. It's getting dark, and we can look for it again tomorrow," Ling Yu said somewhat dejectedly.

Ten years ago, Mrs. Xi lost her husband. In her household, there is a son in his thirties, a daughter-in-law also in her thirties, and a ten-year-old grandson named Xiao Tian

The secret room ...! ... Isn't this the real deal of a locked-room murder? ! Ling Yu became more and more excited as he thought about it.

Flames, wooden frame ... ... such a hot feeling. ... ... ... The key to solving the case is becoming clearer and clearer in my mind ...

The family heirloom, of course, cannot be sold, so Old Man Bai kept it until he was on the verge of death, at which point he intended to pass it on to the next generation. His three sons came solely for the heirloom. No one would believe they had filial piety, as ever since they moved to the city, they lived for themselves, rarely returning to visit their elderly parents, and the villagers looked down upon them.

"Sister, you must take good care of yourself. That guy is very good at sweet-talking, so be very careful not to fall for his tricks." As they were parting, Murong Huowu pulled Shui Jing aside to whisper, but her voice was loud enough for Ling Yu, who was a few meters away, to hear clearly.

This Buddha statue is too incongruous with the other items in the entire room

Just now, my uncle heard the news that my cousin Bai Sanyuan has passed away, and he was so shocked that he suddenly passed away as well. My grandmother is very sad, so I need to stay with her. Shui Jing spoke quite loudly because it was very noisy around. "I am fine here, you go ahead and do what you need to do, don't worry about me"

"Unruly!" When Ling Yu arrived beside Shui Jing, Shui Jing swung her bag, striking him and causing him to flee in panic.

After a while, Bai Xiaoxiao left and then returned, her complexion looking very pale. When others asked her what was wrong, she suddenly burst into tears, saying, "Third Brother is staying in his room... I brought food to Third Brother, but when I knocked on the door, he didn't respond... I'm afraid something has happened to Third Brother..."

"This does not sound like something you would say." Shui Jing looked deeply at Ling Yu, and her eyes seemed to reveal a hint of disappointment.

Ling Yu wanted to tell them not to disturb the scene, but then realized that they would not heed the words of a guest. Therefore, the only option was to quickly examine the scene and gather useful evidence

It is a sizable village, with approximately fifty to sixty households. Due to the uneven terrain, the houses are somewhat scattered, and there is a considerable distance between the village entrance and the village end

"Apart from you, how many people are there in your family?" asked Aunt San.

Flame

The matchmaker even enthusiastically offered them suggestions on suitable places for dates, which made Shui Jing blush deeply, prompting her to quickly take Ling Yu away. Ling Yu secretly laughed at Shui Jing's hurried demeanor, feeling deeply enamored with the Bai people's customs that celebrate free love.

Bai Jiguang was also quite unfortunate; due to a work-related oversight, he damaged an imported testing device worth over one million. It seems that the research institute intends to seek compensation and has given him a three-month deadline

The clues have come to a standstill here; a shrine that has only been established for a few years could absolutely not be related to something buried hundreds of years ago

A large bonfire illuminated the corners of the open space with a bright glow, and beside the fire were two tables where several elderly men were gathered, performing a ritual.

Ling Yu looked at the face in the water mirror, marveling inwardly. In order to see a more beautiful smile from the water mirror, he continued, "You went on a trip alone with a male classmate... Doesn't your mother worry about you after hearing that?"

The reflection of her beautiful visage in the firelight seemed like a dream within reach, causing Ling Yu to feel a sudden flutter in her heart

Ling Yu used a flashlight to illuminate the path and discovered freshly turned soil on the grass outside the window. Upon digging with his hands, he found that beneath the new soil lay a small pile of charcoal and some unburned dry grass. Aside from this, there was nothing else, thus refuting the hypothesis that children used the charcoal to roast sweet potatoes.

The men in the village wear white or blue headscarves, dressed in white front-opening garments and black-collared jackets, with white long trousers. Their shoulder jackets are adorned with beautifully embroidered bags.

Ling Yu felt a sense of urgency, eager to unmask the murderer immediately and expose their true identity in front of the entire village, which would undoubtedly be a grand affair. However, she struggled to find inspiration, and after more than half an hour of contemplation, she remained at a loss.

On the parchment, next to the small hole at location 12, there is a note: Originally, there is nothing; where could dust settle