The two of them already knew what the so-called monster killings were about. Even if the man in black was lying, it was highly unlikely he would rush back ahead of them to commit murder at this very moment.
If the man in black was telling the truth, what did it mean that Rift Valley Manor had suddenly killed seven of its own guards? The Sleeper only fed on one person last night, and now seven more today?
The more they knew about this matter, the more confused they became.
“Did anyone see the killer?” Yu Qing asked.
Nan Zhu replied, “No. Otherwise, there would have been chaos long ago, and everyone would have already chased the culprit. There would be no need to gather here.”
Seeing everyone looking their way, Yu Qing walked over and parted the crowd to take a look. Seven corpses were lined up on the ground. They were all men, and their chests had nothing but bloody holes left, their hearts completely gouged out.
The Second Manor Master, Wu Xieshan, and the Third Manor Master, Wu Heyun, were both at the scene with gloomy expressions, staring at Yu Qing and Mu Aotie who had just returned.
After examining the seven corpses, Yu Qing walked up to the two manor masters and asked, “Could you let us go to the crime scene and take a look?”
Wu Heyun said, “They could not be stopped. They have already been to see it.”
Yu Qing looked back, and Nan Zhu nodded to confirm it was true.
Wu Heyun, however, stared at Yu Qing and asked, “Brother Lin, where did you two go? Why are you coming back so late?”
Yu Qing said, “We could not just stay here and do nothing. That monster is truly detestable, not even sparing the young. The two of us tracked the direction the man in black went last night to investigate the surroundings.”
Wu Heyun asked, “Did you find anything?”
Yu Qing naturally could not tell the truth. He shook his head and sighed, “It is like looking for a needle in a haystack. We found no clues whatsoever.”
The woman in floral clothes, Lou Yushu, suddenly chuckled and said, “So that means you two are the only ones who were not present when the incident happened here.”
Hearing this, Yu Qing and Mu Aotie were a bit stunned. Although they were not entirely sure what she meant, they could already feel that her words were off.
Nan Zhu immediately stepped forward and spoke up, “Judging by your tone, it sounds like you are implying my brothers killed them. Young lady, you cannot just talk nonsense. There are plenty of people from the entire Rift Valley Manor who were not present. Besides, looking at the bodies, it is clear a monster did the deed.”
Young lady? Yu Qing and Mu Aotie were actually shocked by this form of address first. Wasn’t Lou Yushu nearly a hundred years old? How old are you, Nan Zhu? She is more than old enough to be your grandmother, and you can actually call her a young lady?
They then understood the meaning from the exchange. She was suspecting them of being the murderers.
Lou Yushu covered her mouth and giggled, “Brother Fatty, I never said that. Wasn’t Rift Valley Manor just checking who among us was not present? I am just responding slightly. Everyone else is here, and only your two brothers were absent.”
Yu and Mu were speechless. If it really came down to this, they would be like a mute eating bitter herbs, unable to explain their suffering. They could not explain the matter with the man in black, nor did they expect such a coincidence that trouble would break out here the moment they left.
But they still had to defend themselves. Yu Qing said, “This matter has nothing to do with us, and we have no reason to do such a thing. Besides, isn’t this the work of a monster?”
Nie Pinlan from the Thief Mandarin Ducks spoke up, “We do not want to drag anyone into this. It is just that, judging by the intentions of the three manor masters just now, they seem to suspect us. We happen to have just arrived today. If this matter is not cleared up, what would that look like? This young brother’s surname is Lin, right? You do not need to be nervous. The pure are pure, and the murky are murky. I suppose no one here would wrong you. You were not here when the incident occurred. Where exactly did you go? Just honestly explain everything clearly, and naturally there will be no problem.”
Yu Qing stared at her, “I came here in the first place to eliminate monsters. The monster committed murder here last night, and I have been out investigating all day today.”
Nan Zhu also said, “The Third Manor Master asked about this during the day, and I already explained it.”
Nie Pinlan said, “Brother Lin, it is not that we do not believe you. It is just that those of us who were present all have witnesses. Is there anyone who can vouch for where you were outside?”
Yu Qing said, “The direction we went is a vast desert. Where would I find someone to vouch for me?”
Lou Yushu chuckled again, “If that is the case, it is truly a bit hard to explain. After all, your origins are unknown. To avoid suspicion, you two manor masters, why not keep these two under guard first and interrogate them thoroughly before deciding anything.”
Yu Qing stared coldly at her, “I have no grudge against you, so why must you slander me?”
Lou Yushu waved her hand, “You are overthinking it. Only by investigating clearly can we restore your innocence, and also clear everyone else. We do not want to be implicated for no reason.”
“Implicated?” Yu Qing glared coldly and gave a cold laugh, “I really do not know who is implicating whom. You two manor masters, some people came rushing here in a flock. I am just simple, but I always feel something is off. I am afraid you really need to be careful.”
Wu Heyun’s eyebrows twitched slightly. His reaction was much like Wu Xieshan’s, as his gaze swept left and right, observing the reactions of the two groups.
The scene had clearly temporarily split into two factions. Yu Qing and his three companions naturally stuck together. The Three Flowers and the Thief Mandarin Ducks seemed to have reached a consensus. As for the sheep herder, he looked completely indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Zhu Kuanzhen, who had thick eyebrows, big eyes, a full beard, and a broad sword on his back, finally spoke up. He pointed at Yu Qing and shouted, “Kid, say clearly who you are talking about. Do not be sarcastic here. The sword on my back will not tolerate your tricks!”
Nie Pinlan reached out to stop her husband, “We did indeed happen to arrive together by coincidence. What about the people who died yesterday?”
Yu Qing said, “Yesterday, the Third Manor Master and the others saw the monster commit the murder with their own eyes. It cannot be pinned on us.”
“Dang… dang dang dang dang…”
Amidst the surrounding firelight, Ning Chaoyi sat on a stone block, holding a lute with three strings. He leisurely plucked the strings, making everyone at the scene listen and look at him.
After the music stopped, Ning Chaoyi tilted his head to look at the Third Manor Master, “Having enjoyed the fine wine, I originally did not wish to stay long. I also declined the generous invitation of the Third Manor Master, intending to leave tomorrow. But looking at the situation now, if I leave, I am afraid it will be hard to explain. Oh well, since I have nothing better to do anyway, I might as well stay for a while and see. I want to see exactly what kind of monster is causing trouble.”
The expressions of both Wu Xieshan and Wu Heyun turned stiff. Wu Heyun said with a forced smile, “This matter is definitely unrelated to Mr. Ning. It must be the work of a monster. Please do not take it to heart, sir.”
Ning Chaoyi stood up, “I have also faced the inquiry and given my explanation. Can I return to my room now?”
Wu Heyun cupped his hands and said, “Please go ahead.” He then cupped his hands to the others and said, “Everyone, please go ahead.”
Ning Chaoyi left at an unhurried pace, holding his lute. He was someone who easily attracted everyone’s attention. None of the others had his unique aura.
Lou Yushu smiled at her daughter and granddaughter on either side and said, “Mr. Ning makes a valid point. If this matter is not investigated clearly, it truly will be hard to explain. Let us first thank the Third Manor Master for his kindness, and we will stay for a while longer.” Having said this, she turned and left, followed by the two women.
Wu Heyun bowed slightly to show his respect.
“Since that is the case, we cannot let people mistake us for being guilty. We will wait until the truth is cleared up before leaving.”
Nie Pinlan left these words behind and called for her husband to leave together.
The corner of Wu Heyun’s mouth twitched. He bowed slightly again, his expression quite complex.
Previously, these three groups had all reached an agreement with him about buying wine, and they were all preparing to leave tomorrow. He had breathed a sigh of relief, thinking his side might have overthought things, and politely invited the guests to stay a few more days, which they had all declined.
Now it was fine. After such an incident occurred, everyone took up his polite offer, and none of them were leaving.
After watching the three groups leave, Yu Qing said to Wu Heyun, “Third Manor Master, could you let me go and see the crime scene?”
Wu Heyun sighed, “Is there a need for that? Your wife and Brother Zhu have already been to see it. Besides, I also believe you did not do it.”
Everyone knew that Qiao Qie’er was living with Yu Qing. An unmarried man and woman sleeping together would naturally be announced as husband and wife to avoid strange looks from outsiders. Yu Qing did not feel anything was wrong with this. He had already decided that once this matter was settled and he had earned the cultivation resources, leaving him with no further worries, he would marry Qiao Qie’er.
Even Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie understood this. Knowing that their fifteenth brother was not just playing around, they had already started calling her directly “sister in law” in public and in private.
Yu Qing said, “Third Manor Master, an extra pair of eyes means an extra possibility. Would there be any problem if I go and take a look?”
Wu Heyun hesitated for a moment, and finally extended his hand in a “please” gesture. As he led the four of them inside, he secretly gave a look to a subordinate nearby. The latter understood and left immediately, heading straight for the vineyards under the night sky, which was also the direction Yu Qing and Mu Aotie had disappeared in during the day…
The direction of the incident was also a road Yu Qing and the others often saw when entering and exiting the living area.
Previously, he had tried to walk further in to see the internal situation. However, after turning in, he found he could not go deeper. The fork in the road inside was guarded by people who would not let him proceed. Now, there were bloodstains on the ground at this fork. It was obvious that the guards here had been killed.
Most of the bloodstains were on a downward staircase. After committing the murder, to avoid easy discovery, the killer dragged the corpses up the stairs, and then sneaked along the stairs all the way down. It was a path leading underground.
Walking all the way to the end of the underground area, apart from some storehouses, it was actually a dead end. These storehouses were considered the place in the manor to keep some important supplies, which was why four people were arranged to live here, taking turns to guard it.
The overall situation summarised along the way was as follows. After the killer murdered the people at the outer fork, they also killed the four people here. However, facing four people, they could not do it silently. Judging from the damage to the stone walls, a fight had occurred. The noise of the fight alerted the people outside, who rushed over. The first two to arrive were also killed by the killer.
The problem lay right here. While the noise of the fight inside was still happening, the large number of Rift Valley Manor personnel who rushed over subsequently had already sealed off the exit. The killer could not escape. However, bizarrely, the killer vanished into thin air and was actually gone. Every nook and cranny inside was searched, but there was no trace of them.
Yu Qing, having figured out the situation, also found it unbelievable. “Is there really such a thing? Third Manor Master, are you sure there are no other exits here, such as a secret passage or something?”
Wu Heyun shook his head. “No.”