Chapter 93: A Type of Person “But he lied to the class owner and others.”…

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Zhan Tianli, this person was usually not noticed by anyone. Even the people in the Tongle Troupe only thought that he was reliable when arranging matters, and usually he would not treat others harshly just because of his position as deputy leader.

Logically speaking, such a person should be very popular, but other people are not very close to him. The main reason is that he is too dull and taciturn, speaks incoherently, and always says inappropriate things that are annoying.

He is the kind of person that everyone knows is reliable, honest and not bad, but he is also uninteresting. Anyway, no one treats him well or gets close to him. He can still be used when needed. Since there is no need to invest, why waste time?

Brick, that's how people in the team describe him.

This kind of person will never get any good things, but no one will think of him when bad things happen to him.

If it weren't for the fact that Yan Siqing's screening criteria were too narrow, Wei Tingzhong would have been able to screen out only this one person after secretly finding the troupe owner to find out everyone's background. He wouldn't have even remembered that there was such a person.

In fact, regarding the case of the hot spring villa, they had Yan Siqing to rely on, so they let her take the lead in solving the case quickly. This was a shortcut, and it was indeed refreshing. They even didn't have the fatigue of leading big things in the past. But they were able to make a name for themselves and become the leaders of a party, which was because they had a long-term competitive spirit.

Young man Jian Wuliang was like this. Wei Tingzhong actually had his own ideas. Privately, he had written down almost all the people in the hot spring villa. The little notebook in his mind was a thick stack, but he did not have the details of the background information. He only knew that the relevant people existed.

When he heard the name Zhan Tianli, his appearance appeared in his mind.

I felt strange: This is the kind of person he is? Is this really him?

Even though Yan Siqing's clues to the investigation were recorded in the secret letter with reasonable evidence, he still had such doubts and insecurities. It was not because he did not have confidence in Yan Siqing, but because the feeling this person gave did not match that of a murderer.

They set up heavy defenses and sealed off the area tightly, and also mobilized Xie Juanshu's men to guard every exit.

He won't let himself make any mistakes in the last step.

But no one expected that when Zhan Tianli was arrested, he revealed his ordinary nature and did not resist at all.

Even when he caught him, Wei Tingzhong personally touched his bones to confirm that the other party had no martial arts skills.

Just an ordinary person.

That’s it?

Xie Rong only realized later that the murderer had been caught despite such a big commotion.

Along the way, he learned that it was Yan Siqing who had investigated and remotely identified the murderer. While praising him highly, he was curious about the murderer's appearance.

"Musician? He's really cunning, so good at pretending."

"Such a cunning and hypocritical person... huh?"

After seeing the person, Xie Rong tilted his head and recalled: I seem to have seen this person before, but I can't remember him even if I have seen him. Is there such a person in our village?

Damn it, could he do such a horrible thing?

Wei Tingzhong looked at Zhan Tianli, who said nothing after being dismissed, and was even as calm as if he was squatting in the pit in his backyard digging sweet potatoes.

"I can understand skinning and dismembering, after all, it's to bring disaster to everyone in the village, but why the human skin lantern? It doesn't really bring any real benefit, just to show that you're more resourceful when Lord Yan finds the water source? Or is it to scare people?"

Let’s not talk about Yan Siqing who screened him out right away.

Just considering his original intention in doing this, it was very strange - playing a game from a distance, did he regard Yan Siqing as his opponent?

When Xie Juanshu arrived, they learned about the human skin lantern. They were frightened and had doubts about it.

Could it be that all of this person's actions were for revenge against the world, and out of arrogance, did he treat Yan Siqing as an opponent when she started to lead the investigation?

Zhan Tianli was under guard, his hands and feet were shackled, and there was a shackle around his neck, making him look like an extremely dangerous and super-serious criminal. However, he did not resist at all. He even seemed to be in pain when he was shackled, and his expression was a little depressed.

The guards felt as if they were facing a great enemy and were also confused.

However, when this person heard Wei Tingzhong's words, he slowly spoke a few words in the intersection of the night and the light of the torch.

"There are two things wrong with what Lord Wei said. First, I don't want to kill everyone in the village. I'm not that perverted."

"Secondly, is Lord Wei testing me? The human skin lanterns placed at the village's water source must have been placed before I came to Guanzhong City. Lord Yan must have figured out that I didn't use any helpers to deal with these things, but did it myself. So you're wondering how I could have predicted everything in advance and arranged the human skin lanterns there to declare war on her."

"Are you suspecting that I've been involved in factional disputes since the White Horse Temple, and that I was forced to kill those people in the villa?"

Here it comes.

I originally thought that this person didn't look like the murderer, but now I suddenly think so.

He is sharp and has a deep insight into people's hearts.

He was always calm and composed when facing Wei Tingzhong.

Others were full of thoughts and concerns, but dared not speak. The night was quiet and the breeze was cool.

Wei Tingzhong's expression remained unchanged as he asked, "So are you, or aren't you?"

Zhan Tianli smiled shyly.

"Guess."

"I just like to compete with you guys."

"Look who is more ridiculous, you or I am more pathetic."

"However, you are not my opponent. That Master Yan is."

“Sometimes, she’s just like me.”

What?

The last sentence is simply incomprehensible.

Xie Rong, who was easily impulsive, cursed: "What do you mean? Are you worthy?"

This man is extremely vicious and cruel, and his methods are sinister. He is not even a human being. How can he have the nerve to drag Yan Siqing into the same level with him?

Zhan Tianli adjusted himself to a more comfortable position.

"What I mean is—if I were a little more arrogant and shamelessly thought that she and I were both quite intelligent, and if we had enough opportunities and a good enough background, tell me, would our situations now be reversed?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then fell silent.

There is no way to refute it.

Zhan Tianli lowered his head and smiled: "In fact, no matter how powerful she is now, she will rise high and fall hard. When will it be her turn to suffer such a lowly end as mine? Will all of you, everyone, look at her with contempt like you do now?"

He asked, as if waiting for an answer, and then looked at them with a strange but penetrating look.

It's strange. He is the most serious criminal, but it seems like the situation is reversed and he is judging them.

The scary thing is that many people were a little embarrassed and didn't know how to refute him, because what he said was actually the secret in their hearts - it's not that they would definitely kick Yan Siqing when she's down, but everyone knows that after Yan Siqing resolves the mess in Chang'an, or after the dust settles on the instigators like King Lie, the next person the emperor will deal with might be her.

At that time, would they really dare to risk opposing His Majesty to protect her?

But soon, a cold female voice came out: "What you said is not right."

"The order of the world is not defined by who maintains it, but by what is right and wrong, good and evil."

"It is true that human hearts are despicable and selfish, and sometimes they act against their will and are cowardly in order to protect themselves and their friends. However, there are always some people who are different, brave and fearless, and would rather sacrifice personal feelings and stand alone, just to be true to themselves."

"If we compare one person to another, extreme to extreme, just imagine, if you act so evil, who would be willing to come out and vouch for you? I'm afraid no one. If we compare it to Lady Yan's style of behavior, at worst there will be a few people who will always follow her, always like this. I can be sure of this because I have seen it."

“Even the number of people who embrace this is just a matter of numbers.”

"You insist on using this comparison simply because you're lonely and know you don't have support or recognition. Therefore, you need to drag someone else into sharing your guilt, to make it appear that all your actions stem from the same persecution, that your actions are justified, reasonable, and worthy of sympathy."

"In other words, you, me, and Lord Yan have all experienced the same thing as you. At least Lord Yan's choice is to not involve others in the grievances and grudges."

"Me too."

"The reason I can say this is because—I am just a lowly person, not one of the nobles here. If I put myself in your shoes and make a choice that is very different from yours, would it make you feel less ridiculous?"

Zhan Tianli's smile froze there, staring at the other person who spoke...a musician.

But the other party is famous all over the world and is much more famous than him.

But they were all people who enjoyed the gossip, and they all knew some of the rumors. Fuyi considered herself despicable and suffered injustice, but the people here had no objection. Zhan Tianli was so smart and cunning, how could he not know it? So he really couldn't refute Fuyi's judgment - because they had all experienced it, but she was not like him, and this was her greatest confidence.

If it were anyone else, even a relatively kind and simple nobleman like Xie Rong, if he refuted it, Zhan Tianli would label him as "having vested interests but not knowing where the interests come from."

Speaking of which, Fuyi was just an expert in music theory. She was assigned a room nearby and happened to see this scene. She could have ignored it and just watched the result and knew the inside story.

But when Yan Siqing was mentioned, she still spoke.

Wei Tingzhong looked at Fu Yi, then at the silent Zhan Tianli, and suddenly said, "You don't need to talk so much. Since ancient times, human hearts have been complicated, good and evil unclear, and can change at any time. In the world, we only judge people by their words and deeds. You did this, either to vent your anger and kill people, no matter who, or for some other purpose."

"Judging from your stance, you're unwilling to answer questions and reveal the truth, yet you're still talking too much. Could it be that you're stalling for time, letting someone know you've been apprehended? So they can help you clean up some traces?"

Wei Tingzhong looked at a subordinate who came to report - the place where this person usually practiced the piano was also watched closely and no one was allowed to get close.

Zhan Tianli narrowed his eyes and said, "I said, I have no accomplices."

"No one is worthy of being my accomplice."

In fact, he even wanted to take that little bit of money. If he had a big customer behind him, he would not be so stingy.

But given the position, Wei Tingzhong had to be cautious.

This man refused to budge and there was no point in torturing him. If he really wanted to use force, he couldn't do it here, so he ordered his men to take him away.

Wei Tingzhong asked Xie Juanshu to take care of the affairs of the manor to prevent anyone from getting uneasy, while he personally checked the small room where the man lived.

He is very clean and tidy, and he tidies up things in an orderly manner, even wiping down the corners. This is also what others criticize him for, thinking that he is too busy. We all have to make a living, so why should we be so careful?

Wei Tingzhong seemed to be thinking about something, and he went to see the boss again, asking him whether this person had always been clean and what he had done over the years.

"Write down everything he's been up to lately, including his time away and his affairs. Do the same for you and everyone else. Write down everything, no matter how big or small. Write it down now."

After a tiring night, Jian Wuliang arrived at dawn and asked for a copy. Before he went to see Zhan Tianli, he glanced at the Jinwu Guard's swift horseman and said, "Your Lord Zhou didn't come? You are so arrogant."

The young officer was neither humble nor arrogant. As he loaded the rubbing, he said, "Lord Yan has no intention of coming here again. If he wants to see the real murderer, he will have to wait until he is taken to Chang'an. I am still under orders to protect Lord Yan, and I need to investigate other things later. This confession rubbing is definitely what Lord Yan needs, so I must bring it back as soon as possible."

Jian Wuliang curled his lips, having nothing to say.

The young general was indeed quick. He took what he could, then went to the place where Zhan Tianli was imprisoned to see him with his own eyes. He memorized his appearance, drew a portrait on the spot, and then left quickly.

——————

At noon, Yan Siqing had already arrived at the Dali Temple.

In fact, the murderer has been found, so there is no need to be so anxious. However, after reporting it, the higher-ups said they want to continue investigating. This means they need to make sure if there is anyone else behind him, and whether there is any risk of using the plague to endanger the empire.

This is understandable.

Yan Siqing had also expected this. He just needed the authority to proceed to the next step in the process to prevent some officials from jumping out to obstruct him.

Jian Wuliang is not here, but Yan Siqing is now the chief officer and a superior in terms of power, so the Dali Temple is very cooperative and all the places can be configured and used.

Now, there are many corpses placed in several morgues.

The coroners performed the autopsy overnight, and some imperial doctors who were skilled in toxicology were transferred over to participate in the research.

"Even though we've caught the person, we're not sure if there's anyone behind this. If there's no one, it's possible that this person alone possesses this poison technique and the source of the poison. Unless we catch them all and deal with them all together to eliminate any future trouble, we'll never be safe."

"But we must also be prepared that once this poison technique is used, it will spread..."

So Yan Siqing had already given the order when he left last night, asking all parties to work together to find a way to break the poison, and both sides should work hard on their own.

"The murderer has been found. The Lord seems to be very concerned about this human skin lantern."

Zhou Li went to pick up people early in the morning, and came to the Dali Temple to coordinate and handle cooperation matters with all parties. At noon, he came to check the human skin lantern that had been placed in the morgue.

Yan Siqing, wearing fish-gut gloves, carefully examined the skin and hair, sighing softly, "Both men and women are present, and some of them don't have any skin symptoms from medication or illness, so they appear perfectly normal."

"Even the hair is well-maintained, like she's living a pampered life."

"I think this human skin came from somewhere else, and it doesn't necessarily point to Fanxianglou."

Zhou Li took a look, touched his chin and agreed, then asked, "This man is a murderer, has he committed evil deeds in private?"

Yan Siqing: "I guess so, Mr. Zhou."

"Um?"

"When we saw them, were there ants or flies on the human skin?"

"No, I don't remember."

Xiaoyun also said no.

Yan Siqing seemed to be lost in thought. "I don't remember either. It's strange. Usually, flesh and skin, whether from humans or other small creatures, always have a fishy smell. For most creatures, it is also food. But the lantern has been hanging there for many days. First, there is no sign of decay. Second, there is no fishy smell to attract insects and ants. This means that this human skin has been soaked in a drug. It is not only anti-corrosive, but also poisonous."

ah? !

Zhou Li subconsciously reached out to pull Yan Siqing's arm and move her away from these human skin lanterns.

But Xiaoyun was a step faster, looked at him, and pouted, a little dissatisfied.

Zhou Li's hand was suspended in the air, his fingers bent, then he put it down and rubbed the hem of his clothes, as if nothing had happened, and looked at Yan Siqing who seemed unaware.

"It's okay. I checked it out. It's not a deadly poison. It's some herbal worm repellent. Crush it into juice and soak it for a while. It will have this effect."

"However, to achieve the desired antiseptic effect, it will probably take more than a month to soak."

"Maybe there's alcohol involved..."

She wanted to go forward and smell it.

Zhou Li, Xiao Yun and the others' expressions changed, and even the accompanying imperial physician shouted "Absolutely not!"

Yan Siqing was helpless and jokingly said, "Then you come?"

Zhou Li said nothing and just went forward.

"Yes, there is a slight smell of alcohol."

Yan Siqing was stunned, her lips moved slightly, but she didn't say anything in the end.

The imperial physician coughed, observed for a moment, and said, "I agree with this. The murderer is knowledgeable in pharmacology. However, I just heard Your Excellency mention that this man seems to be just a musician. I'm afraid his financial situation is..."

Yan Siqing: "It's not just a matter of money. The herbs and other things used are not commonly found. They have to be purchased from large pharmacies or pharmacies with good connections. Every time you buy something, because some of the medicinal properties may cause harm, the pharmacist will also ask carefully and record the purchase. There are probably not many pharmacies in Chang'an or Guanzhong that meet these requirements."

The imperial physician stroked his beard and said, "I will have the Imperial Medical Bureau investigate further. Regardless of whether this person's identity matches or not, anyone involved in these medicines must be registered."

"It should be soon, because the dean just ordered today that all medical professionals with extraordinary medical skills in all pharmacies be put to good use. As long as they are capable, regardless of gender, they can be put to good use."

Yan Siqing paused for a moment and looked at the imperial physician with clear and bright eyes.

The imperial physician smiled sheepishly, "His Majesty and the cabinet have both agreed, so the process is mostly complete. It should be easy to arrange the investigation."

Yan Siqing turned away, hummed, and said with a smile: "This is also good."

The Imperial Medical Bureau had to investigate, and the people from the Dali Temple looked into some individual missing persons cases, but they found that none of them matched the identities of the deceased people with human skins.

"How strange! The people who disappeared earlier were all clients of prostitutes. Since the source of these human skins wasn't Fan Xiang Lou, and this person has secretly assassinated quite a few people, then..."

Someone has to report the case, right?

At noon, everyone had lunch together. It was a lively scene, and they were discussing the case. Yan Siqing, who was sitting at the table, ate for a while and suddenly propped up his chin and asked, "Is it possible that this person was digging up corpses, that is, some newly buried dead bodies, and he dug them up and skinned them?"

Everyone who was eating: "......"

Put down your chopsticks and talk about it!

Li Yu thought for a moment and said, "If the corpse came from this source, there wouldn't be any case records. People who died of natural causes wouldn't be reported to the Dali Temple. The local county government might have a death register. Is it necessary to check it now?"

It would certainly be a tough battle, as there are so many people involved and so many deaths. Even if all departments cooperated, it would be extremely time-consuming just to go to the local cemetery to check if the bodies were still there, not to mention having to communicate with the relatives of the deceased.

Too difficult.

The old coroner took a sip of his soup and said, "He's not that free to act. If he were to go out and do something like this, it would take some time. We'd have to investigate his past, very thoroughly, to determine where he dug up the body."

This can narrow it down.

Yan Siqing thought so too, and it just so happened that the young general of the Jinwu Guard came back.

They brought a lot of information about Zhan Tianli's past, a big package, which contained confessions from musicians who knew him.

Everyone checked and sorted the information separately, worked together and was very efficient.

Yan Siqing quickly decided on a location.

"Liuguang Town? Is there a cemetery next to this place that is shared by the three nearby towns?"

"Yes, there is one over there. He has been going there repeatedly in recent years. But his hometown is nearby, so it's normal for him to go back."

"The local area is developing quite well, with a fair amount of wealth and many wealthy people. But the owner said he rarely went back a few years ago. In the past two years, he's been back a few times for unknown reasons. When I asked him, he said he was alone and missed his homeland. This is normal. Everyone knows he has no relatives, so no one suspects anything."

This place is very suspicious.

Yan Siqing picked up the chopsticks again and said, "Let's go and take a look after we finish eating..."

"But he lied to the class owner and others."

"He wasn't always alone. He must have had a partner. At least he had a romantic relationship."

"The human-skin lanterns have an equal number of men and women, and their ages are also the same, around thirty, just like him."

"He hated these kinds of people, but he also felt sorry for them."

"The handwriting on the skin seems to be deliberately concealing his own handwriting. With so many words, his writing style is very consistent. It doesn't seem like he's deliberately writing in an ugly or childish way to hide it. Rather, he's truly familiar with a different handwriting style."

"That woman can write, but not well, and she hasn't read much."

"I don't know if he's still alive."