With Wu Dajing's words, Zhao Fusheng was almost eighty percent certain that Wu Liren's family had met with some misfortune.
The village wasn't large, with only over a hundred people. Wu Liren's family alone accounted for more than two-tenths of the village's population.
For such a large family to travel, no matter how light and simple their entourage, it would be impossible to avoid everyone's notice.
They didn't leave at night, and no trace of them was seen during the day.
"They should have been at home, yet the Wu family disappeared into thin air—"
The room was silent, save for Zhao Fusheng gently tapping the rolled-up dossier in her hand on the table, making a rhythmic sound.
Her voice, amidst this rhythmic tapping, seemed calm, composed, and methodical, starkly different from the assertive, reckless, bold, and somewhat impulsive image she sometimes projected.
Fan Bisi was slightly distracted in this situation. He recalled the extraordinary qualities Zhao Fusheng had displayed when calmly suppressing the Zhao couple, forcing him to divert disaster, burning Paper Man Zhang, and handling the Beggar's Alley ghost case. Combining these with Zhao Fusheng's current demeanor, he wondered: what kind of person exactly was Zhao Fusheng?
As he was in a daze, he heard Zhao Fusheng say again:
"I assume the doors and windows were bolted from the inside, and before Wu Dajing and others broke in, Wu Liren's family's doors and windows were intact. Now, with dozens of members of the Wu family mysteriously disappearing, it's clearly abnormal."
This situation was indeed strange. Zhao Fusheng combined it with the earlier memory interference experienced by herself and others, and was now seventy to eighty percent certain:
"There's no fierce ghost in this case, yet everywhere there's an eerie aura. It could indeed be related to ghosts." She clenched the dossier.
"Since that's the case, and I have nothing else to do lately, I might as well make a trip to Doghead Village in Wuan Township."
After speaking, she turned to Fan Bisi:
"Call Zhang Chuanshi. Tell him to pack some luggage and come with me."
She was decisive. Once she said she was leaving, she didn't procrastinate in the slightest.
County Magistrate Pang and the others had come with no expectation of convincing her to immediately take on another ghost case. They had even prepared for a fruitless return, but they never expected that as soon as they brought up the matter, Zhao Fusheng would immediately agree.
The gentry's faces showed surprise and joy, a hint of incredulity, and a trace of hesitation:
"Your Excellency, are you… are you really going?"
"Yes," Zhao Fusheng nodded, then watched County Magistrate Pang and the others exchange glances, their faces showing hesitation.
She smiled without speaking, instantly guessing their thoughts.
When she had promised to handle ghost cases that day, these people hadn't fully trusted her. Bringing Wu Dajing to the yamen today was probably not to genuinely solve a ghost case, but to test her attitude.
Once she agreed to handle the ghost case, County Magistrate Pang and the others, having a clearer idea, would probably be reluctant for her to leave.
Sure enough, as soon as her words fell, the group paused for a moment, and a gentry member leaning on a walking stick was the first to speak:
"Your Excellency—we don't think this matter is urgent."
With someone speaking first, County Magistrate Pang breathed a sigh of relief and echoed:
"Yes," he said.
"This matter is indeed strange, but it's still unclear whether a human or a ghost is involved in the case."
After speaking, he clapped his hands together, his face showing regret:
"It's all my fault for not investigating thoroughly beforehand. Why don't I handle this matter? I'll first send constables to Doghead Village to thoroughly investigate the disappearance of the Wu Liren family. Once it's confirmed to be related to ghosts, then Your Excellency can step in, how about that?"
He spoke with grandiloquence, and the others all nodded.
Fan Bisi's expression was indifferent, as if he hadn't heard their discussion.
Although these people in Wan'an County were influential, Zhao Fusheng now displayed extraordinary abilities; she was the spiritual leader of Wan'an County.
If she didn't want to go to Doghead Village, these people couldn't persuade her; and if she wanted to go, their ceaseless arguments would be useless.
Wu Dajing's face was anxious, listening to these 'important figures' persuade her with one word after another.
His backside felt extremely itchy, as if the newly worn clothes, having been stored in the bottom of a chest for a long time, had grown lice. They were very irritating to wear.
Although scratching in front of everyone was not very elegant, he couldn't resist. He secretly put his hand behind his back and rubbed his back vigorously against his clothes a couple of times.
The rough fabric, rubbed forcefully against his skin, felt a bit hot, but it relieved the itch, and he felt much more comfortable.
While Wu Dajing was scratching his back, Fan Wujiu had already taken orders and gone out to call Zhang Chuanshi.
This old man had been terrified and out of his mind ever since he learned he would accompany Zhao Fusheng on another ghost case.
When he heard that County Magistrate Pang had brought a group of gentry to the Demon Suppression Division today, he was immediately both afraid and angry, grumbling all the way there, cursing County Magistrate Pang and the others to no end in his heart.
But as he stood at the door, he heard County Magistrate Pang and the others trying to dissuade her, and his heart involuntarily filled with joy. His bent back straightened considerably, and just as he was about to speak, he heard Zhao Fusheng say:
"No need."
She said in a deep voice:
"I already have some clues about this case."
"Clues?" The old gentry who spoke first looked bewildered upon hearing this.
"What clues?"
Wu Dajing's words were disjointed.
Although the matter was the disappearance of Wu Liren's family, he first spoke of Wu Datong leaving to work and getting rich, then mentioned Wu Liren having many sons, and finally veered off to two villagers arguing in the village, completely failing to distinguish priorities.
"Lord Zhao—" the gentry member drew out his tone.
"Lord Zhao's willingness to handle ghost matters for our Wan'an County is a blessing for Wan'an County, but this unruly commoner speaks incoherently and without method. If you ask me, Lord Zhao might as well stay in Wan'an County and observe the situation quietly—"
"Yes, yes," County Magistrate Pang and the others chimed in.
Zhang Chuanshi also subtly interjected from among the crowd:
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Zhao Fusheng frowned slightly:
"I have decided to make a trip to Doghead Village in Wuan Town."
County Magistrate Pang then said:
"Lord Zhao used the power of fierce ghosts to deal with the ghost calamity in Beggar's Alley."
"Twice…" Zhang Chuanshi said faintly.
Everyone's expression hardened. County Magistrate Pang then painstakingly advised:
"Lord Zhao must still take care of her health and not let fierce ghosts drain her essence—"
Zhao Fusheng was amused by these people and deliberately said:
"Your meaning is that I shouldn't handle ghost cases in the future?"
How could that be?!
Everyone was speechless, only Zhang Chuanshi looked secretly delighted.
"…Even if you do handle ghost cases again, don't be in a hurry; rest and recuperate for a while longer," the gentry added.
"Say no more!" Zhao Fusheng's face darkened, and she slammed the table, rising to her feet. "I said, I have decided to go to Doghead Village. I am not discussing it with you; I am informing you."
Her attitude was strong, and a gentry member involuntarily said with disappointment:
"If you leave, what will happen to Wan'an County?"
"Things will proceed as they should," Zhao Fusheng said indifferently.
"I protect Wan'an County, and I uphold the safety of the county, not your private guards."
Zhao Fusheng realized she had been too polite. Her previous amiable demeanor was out of mutual respect, but these people were taking advantage, becoming increasingly aggressive.
As her face darkened, the others suddenly remembered that she was a ghost-controller and immediately dared not speak further.
"Wu Dajing, stay here. Everyone else, go back. Brother Fan, help me pack some luggage. Zhang Chuanshi, prepare the carriage—"
Zhang Chuanshi, hearing his name called, his face instantly turned deathly pale. He wanted to speak but was dragged out by Fan Bisi.
"Old Zhang, hurry up!"
"I don't want to go—I don't want to go—Lord Zhao, spare my life—spare my life—uwah—" A hand seemed to have covered his mouth, and after two squeals, there was no sound.
The others, seeing Zhao Fusheng's darkened face, dared not provoke her further and left one after another, feeling uneasy.
The side room was soon empty, leaving only Wu Dajing prostrated on the ground.
Zhao Fusheng sat back down on her chair, her gaze falling on the scroll in her hand.
This ghost case might involve some eerie power.
Wu Datong's youngest son had a problem; everyone's memory of 'his' existence seemed fuzzy, and even if they heard it one moment, they would soon forget it.
Even if she controlled fierce ghosts, she would still be affected by this power.
Thinking of this, Zhao Fusheng's scalp felt slightly itchy again. She scratched it a couple of times before feeling more comfortable.
She refocused her thoughts on Wu Datong's 'son.' If even she would forget some things, then she needed a medium to constantly 'remind' herself.
At such times, 'people' influenced by eerie forces were the most unreliable; only objects were truly real.
Her gaze fell on the dossier, where a small scab was clipped. This was what she had torn off after thinking about Wu Datong's son.
Through this connection, she wouldn't forget Wu Datong's 'son'!
Thinking of this, Zhao Fusheng put the dossier away and tucked it into her other sleeve.
…
Zhao Fusheng didn't know what Fan Bisi had said to Zhang Chuanshi, but by the time she came out, the old man had already harnessed the carriage as Zhao Fusheng had previously instructed, waiting for her departure.
The simple luggage was already packed.
This ghost case might take an unknown amount of time, but based on the time it took to resolve the Beggar's Alley case, Fan Bisi had prepared three days' worth of dry rations in advance, as well as a set of her toiletries.
"Leave the affairs of the Demon Suppression Division to you. If there's a ghost case, collect clues, find the relevant people, and just wait for me to return."
She calmly instructed Fan Bisi.
Fan Wujiu beside them hesitated to speak, but dared not under his brother's warning gaze.
After Zhao Fusheng finished speaking, she said no more, motioned for Wu Dajing to get into the carriage and give directions, and then she herself also got in. Zhang Chuanshi flicked the reins, shouted, and the horses stepped forward, pulling the carriage onward.
Once the carriage had driven away from the gates of the Demon Suppression Division, Fan Wujiu, who had been suppressing himself for a long time, finally asked:
"Brother, do you think Fusheng will—"
"Don't think too much, just do your job." Fan Bisi interrupted him.
"Whether she lives or dies is irrelevant to me; just look at the final outcome," he said calmly.
Fan Wujiu thought for a moment and realized that was indeed the case.
On the other side, the carriage sped along. Zhao Fusheng asked Wu Dajing:
"How far is Doghead Village from here?"
"Replying to Your Excellency," Wu Dajing's small body huddled in the corner. Hearing Zhao Fusheng's question, he quickly perked up and responded:
"If walking, it's not close at all. Three days ago, I entered the town to report the case. The town elders took me to the city by ox cart—" He paused here, a hint of pride on his face.
"I estimate it took five or six hours to get to the city. If walking, I'd say at least a day and a night."
"As for how far this journey is…"
He looked troubled:
"…I don't know either."
After speaking, he cautiously glanced at Zhao Fusheng's expression, and seeing she wasn't angry, he continued:
"As for returning to the village from town, walking is quicker, two hours would be enough."
Zhao Fusheng nodded.
She meticulously reviewed the clues of this case again. Wu Dajing dared not speak.
After a long while, she suddenly asked:
"You just mentioned that the Wu Liren family recently held a funeral."
Wu Dajing, hearing her speak suddenly, quickly looked up. Zhao Fusheng asked him:
"Who died?"
He reached his left arm around to his right armpit and scratched a couple of times, saying:
"Not long ago, my old friend just passed away."
He wasn't satisfied with the scratch, and subtly rubbed his back against the carriage wall a couple of times.
Zhang Chuanshi tilted his head, his peripheral vision catching this scene, and he showed an expression of disgust.
"Elaborate," Zhao Fusheng instructed.
"Yes," Wu Dajing nodded repeatedly.
"Not long ago—" He paused here. Seeing Zhao Fusheng imperceptibly frown, he quickly corrected himself:
"Half a month ago…"
"How long exactly?" Zhao Fusheng interrupted him, asking.
Sweat appeared on Wu Dajing's forehead. He struggled to recall for a long time, then suddenly seemed to remember, his eyes lighting up:
"It was on the twenty-first of July."
It was now August seventeenth, meaning twenty-seven days had passed since the incident.
"On July twenty-first, Wu Datong passed away." He breathed a long sigh of relief after confirming the date.
Zhang Chuanshi, who was driving the carriage, also listened intently to their conversation. Hearing this, he couldn't help but interject:
"You two are from the same village and grew up together. Your relationship should be good. How come you don't seem to remember his death anniversary clearly?"
Zhang Chuanshi disliked the old man, and his words carried malicious contempt.
He really didn't want to go on this ghost case. Although Zhao Fusheng had called him out early on, Zhang Chuanshi still hoped to delay as long as possible, seeking a glimmer of hope.
Unexpectedly, Wu Dajing suddenly appeared to report the case, disrupting his plans, which naturally made him hate the old man to the core.
He dared not resent Zhao Fusheng, so he could only be sarcastic towards Wu Dajing.
Facing the 'important figure' from the Demon Suppression Division, Wu Dajing dared not get angry and said with a fawning smile:
"Yes, yes, I'm getting old, and my memory is indeed not as good as before."
Zhao Fusheng ignored their conversation. Her mind was focused on Wu Dajing's poor memory.
Although Zhang Chuanshi had spoken out of anger, his words were correct: Wu Dajing's memory had problems again.
This old man was a village elder.
His age was considered advanced at this time, and he held considerable prestige in the village, which was why he was nominated by the villagers to report the case to the town.
It was clear that he wasn't senile; he could still converse after entering the Demon Suppression Division.
Although his explanation of the case lacked focus, he still conveyed what needed to be said—at least Zhao Fusheng had extracted many useful pieces of information from his words.
In other words, Wu Dajing hadn't reached the point of senility, yet when he spoke of two specific matters, his memory became confused, as if his consciousness was being interfered with.
First, Wu Datong's son.
Second, Wu Datong's death.
In fact, Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised that Wu Datong had only recently died.
On the surface, the Doghead Village case was about the disappearance of the Wu Liren family, but everywhere, Wu Datong's shadow loomed.
Wu Datong married late—Wu Datong had two sons—went to the city to get rich—returned home in glory—arranged a concubine for Wu Liren and had a son—helped his son become the village chief.
This was the life story of Wu Datong, as mentioned by Wu Dajing.
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