All Heavens and Worlds Starting from the Night Watchman

Chapter 003: Using a Monster’s Hand to Commit a Human Crime

At the site where the tax silver was lost, the Emperor had already dispatched numerous investigators to conduct a thorough search. He had also sent Chu Caiwei to use her aura-vision technique to determine whether any monsters were present nearby.

Unfortunately, after multiple rounds of searching, no traces of monster aura were found.

For twenty miles along the route, no monster aura was detected in the river, nor were there any traces on the shore.

“No traces?” Chen Hanguang, the Prefect of Jingzhao, was stunned upon hearing this. It was truly bizarre.

“This case is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps we are looking in the wrong direction.”

“Why don’t we visit Yunlu Academy and consult an expert?”

“Lord Prefect, what do you mean by that? Are you doubting the aura-vision technique of the Directorate of Celestial Observations?”

Chu Caiwei, clearly offended, leaped into the air and flew off to continue her investigation.

Chen Hanguang quickly explained, “Miss Caiwei, I meant no offense. However, we only have two days left. His Majesty has ordered us to recover the tax silver before Xu Pingzhi’s execution. We must act swiftly!”

He then turned to Yang Jinluo, the night patrol officer.

“Lord Yang, this is the year of Gengzi, a critical year for the triennial imperial assessment. During this period, officials are constantly at risk of dismissal. If this case remains unresolved for too long, I fear I won’t be able to account for it to His Majesty…”

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Jinluo had already vanished in a flash.

Chen Hanguang watched him go, his heart growing heavy. If he failed to solve this case, his dismissal was imminent.

Yang Jinluo said, “You civil officials have assessments, but we night patrol officers are evaluated as well.”

“To be honest, this case is also a test from Lord Wei for me.”

Hearing this, Chen Hanguang let out a breath of relief. It seemed they were in the same boat. “Understood.”

Yang Jinluo asked, “Any new findings regarding Xu Pingzhi?”

Chen Hanguang replied, “That Xu Pingzhi is just a martial officer. He keeps shouting that he’s been wronged, but he doesn’t even know how the tax silver was lost.”

At that moment, Chu Caiwei returned with her findings. “I’ve checked Xu Pingzhi’s aura—he is not lying.”

Yang Jinluo frowned. “Not lying?”

“The escort route for the tax silver was decided by Xu Pingzhi at the last moment. What kind of monster could have interfered?”

Chu Caiwei added, “I’ve meticulously examined everything—there are no traces in the river or on the shore. Just what kind of monster are we dealing with?”

“It can even conceal itself from the aura-vision technique of the Directorate of Celestial Observations.”

While they were still at a loss, a prison officer from the Jingzhao Prefecture arrived with a report.

“My lords, the prisoner Xu Qian claims to have a crucial lead regarding the lost tax silver.”

“What?”

The three of them were taken aback. That man was merely a martial officer—what kind of lead could he possibly have?

But since they had no other direction to pursue, they had no choice but to hear what Xu Qian had to say.

“Let’s go. We’ll see what Xu Qian has to say.”

The three of them set off for Jingzhao Prefecture. Soon, they were seated in the government office, and Xu Qian was brought before them.

The prison officer announced, “My lords, the prisoner Xu Qian has been brought in.”

Xu Qian knelt on the ground, taking a quick glance at the three officials present. Seeing their composed expressions, he hurriedly paid his respects.

“This humble citizen greets my lords.”

Chen Hanguang had no patience for pleasantries and got straight to the point. “Xu Qian, when you were imprisoned three days ago, you did not mention having any leads.”

“Where did this lead come from today?”

His words were contradictory, making Xu Qian seem unreliable, or even deceitful.

Xu Qian hesitated briefly, recalling the case files Xu Xinnian had given him earlier. He wasn’t sure how to explain himself.

After a moment of hesitation, he realized that honesty was his best chance for survival. Besides, this was the Jingzhao Prefecture. If they wanted to investigate, they could uncover everything in an instant. Whether he spoke or remained silent, it would all be laid bare before them.

Since that was the case, he might as well be truthful. Gaining their trust was his only option.

“Just now, my cousin Xu Xinnian came to see me and gave me these case files.”

Hearing this, the Prefect of Jingzhao was unsurprised. “Xu Xinnian?”

“Yes.”

Xu Qian knew that his every move was being scrutinized. Only by being forthright could he prove his honesty and make them listen to him seriously.

If he spouted nonsense, they would walk away without a second thought, and he would miss his chance to clear his name.

“And then?”

“My lord.”

Xu Qian was slightly agitated and couldn’t help but stand up.

Chen Hanguang scolded, “Kneel! Who told you to stand?”

“My lord, I have solved the case.” Xu Qian knelt back down while ensuring his key point was heard.

As soon as he said this, the three officials’ expressions changed. Was he joking? He was just a mere martial officer—could he have really solved the case?

Did he think he was more capable than the Directorate of Celestial Observations, the night patrol, or the Jingzhao Prefecture?

They had no leads, and yet he claimed he had already solved the case? Ridiculous.

Initially shocked, they quickly composed themselves, convinced that it was impossible.

However, Prefect Chen Hanguang changed his approach. He smiled and said, “Rise and speak.”

“Gladly.” Xu Qian was overjoyed. This was his chance. The Prefect seemed like a reasonable man.

Chen Hanguang looked at him and said, “Go on, then.”

Xu Qian explained, “The tax silver theft was not the work of a monster but of someone using a monster’s hand to commit a human crime.”

Upon hearing this, the three officials were momentarily stunned. They had investigated the scene and found no traces of monster aura.

Xu Qian’s claim aligned with their findings—it was an unexpected but logical conclusion.

Chen Hanguang said, “Explain yourself clearly.”

Xu Qian nodded. “This case is actually quite simple. According to the guards’ testimony, my second uncle left the city through Guangnan Street at the second quarter of the Mao hour.”

“At that time, there was an unusual celestial phenomenon, seemingly indicating a monster’s presence. The horses panicked, and the silver-laden carriage fell into the river, triggering an explosion.”

“My lords, have you noticed anything unusual?”

The three exchanged glances. If they had, they would have already solved the case.

Chen Hanguang asked, “What is unusual?”

Xu Qian said, “May I ask, my lords, how much does 150,000 taels of silver weigh?”

Yang Jinluo grew impatient. “Enough nonsense. Get to the point!”

Chu Caiwei murmured, “A catty is sixteen taels, so 150,000 taels would be 9,375 catties.”

“Exactly.”

“So what does that prove?”

“It proves the timing is off.”

“You’re suggesting that 9,375 catties of silver could not have been transported to Guangnan Street within that time frame?”

“Precisely.”

“But the tax silver did arrive at Guangnan Street at that time.”

“That’s because the tax silver was fake.”

“Nonsense!”