Startled in his heart.
"Impossible!"
Lord County Magistrate almost instantly denied without any consideration.
"Brother Xue, I understand there are some disputes between your son and Jiang Feng, but it has not escalated to this extent. Moreover, Jiang Feng is merely a scholar, where would he have the capability to kill Wang Qi? We can't simply conclude he is the murderer just because of the character 'Jiang'."
"I can understand your feelings and know that your son has been pursuing Miss Yan for many days without progress, leading to some friction between the two parties."
"To claim Jiang Feng is the murderer based solely on this is utterly preposterous; we need a valid reason to arrest someone."
He did not believe Xue Ming's words, instead kindly began to advise. There are seven or eight households of Jiang Family in Qingshui County, and he also did not quite believe that Jiang Feng had the capability.
Upon looking again at the door panel full of scratch marks, it was clear that Mr. Xue had tried very hard to leave behind a clue about the murderer before his death, but there was only a lonely "Jiang" character.
Just then, one of the Government Officials suddenly coughed and quickly stepped forward, lowering his voice, "Lord County Magistrate, last night someone from the Yan Family came to report to the authorities."
The County Magistrate frowned and said displeasedly, "Why bring this up now? Can't you see I'm talking with Brother Xue?"
"But... the Yan Family reported that Jiang Feng was missing last night, and had not returned all night…"
These words made the County Magistrate stop in his tracks.
"It's him, it must be him! Over the past year, only he and Wu Wei had conflicts! Three years ago, he already…"
His eyes were bloodshot, his expression manic; however, he was barely coherent enough not to blurt out how he had sent someone to assassinate Jiang Feng three years ago.
He clenched his fists. Wu Wei having hired an assassin was something he was aware of; without his knowledge, how could Wang Qi have connected with the former accomplices?
However, he also felt that the chance for Yan's father to leave Qingshui County should not be missed.
As a father who doted on his son, knowing Wu Wei had set his heart on Miss Yan, he would naturally do everything possible to help his son marry his intended, especially since the Yan Family had only one daughter.
In Xue Ming's plan, once Wu Wei took the Elixir he had obtained at a high price to improve his constitution, and when the Immortal passed through this area to take disciples, his status would naturally rise. He had already figured out a way to pave the path for recommending his son.
With higher status, capable of becoming an Immortal, and having dealt with Jiang Feng, his son could then confidently propose to the Yan Family.
But unfortunately… the perfect plan was all ruined by Jiang Feng.
A father's heart connects with his son; his first reaction upon seeing his son's body was actually Jiang Feng, just that he was still not daring enough to determine. But upon seeing the clue left by Wu Wei with his last ounce of strength, he no longer had any doubts!
Twenty years of effort destroyed by this wretched beast…
Before the County Magistrate could speak, Xue Ming said with a grim face, "They had conflicts, when investigating it's reasonable to first question those involved in prior disputes, right?"
"Yes."
"Moreover, Wu Wei also left behind the character 'Jiang'! Based on this clue, should Jiang Feng be investigated?"
"This…is also true."
"Jiang Feng was not at home the night of the incident! Does he have the suspicion to commit the crime!"
"Hmm, Brother Xue makes sense."
Nodding with a cold smirk, he was waiting for just this response, his eyes gleaming fiercely, he decisively said, "Good! I will personally lead men to capture that wretched beast!"
"Wait! Stop!"
He raised his hand to stop the other person.
At this moment, the face of County Magistrate Sun also showed a moment of indecision. It was difficult for him to decide whether he should investigate Jiang Feng. Logically, he shouldn't, considering his relationship with the Yan Family. Under these circumstances, he should protect Jiang Feng.
However, what Xue Ming said wasn't wrong either. If they didn't clarify things, and Xue Ming lost his temper, it could spell disaster for the entire Qingshui County.
But Xue Ming was furious, letting him go would only worsen the situation, even if Jiang Feng was not the murderer, he could become a target for venting anger.
Frowning deeply, he stared straight into those bloodshot eyes.
"I will investigate, I, the official, will see to it personally, but Brother Xue, you better not go for now. Firstly, to avoid suspicion, and secondly, to spend more time with Wu Wei. Is that okay?"
But Xue Ming wouldn't pass up such an opportunity; he argued, clenching his teeth, "I'll go with you, don't worry, I won't cause any trouble for County Magistrate Sun!"
"But..."
"I will go alone!"
Standing firm to this extent, even County Magistrate Sun couldn't say much but nodded. It was a compromise for both parties, and having him along wouldn't really cause any harm.
He stroked his beard and then led people towards Jiang Feng's home.
The corpse and the crime scene still needed to be preserved, but now County Magistrate Sun's heart began to have doubts.
It started three years ago, at the birthday banquet for Yan Yu Rou's thirteenth birthday, that Jiang Feng came into everyone's sight. Before that, no one knew he existed, and though his family had some assets, there were many families with assets in this region.
No one would care about such an orphan.
That year, when Lady Yan held her thirteenth birthday party, many from surrounding towns came seeking marriage, as according to their customs, thirteen was the age to get engaged, and sixteen was the prime age for marriage.
For boys, it would be delayed by two more years.
Many hoped to pluck the flower of Miss Yan; both the Yan Family and she herself were appealing enough to cause intense competition, he vaguely remembered Mr. Xue was there too, but no one expected...
When Yan Yu Rou faced the suitors, she shyly bowed her head and admitted that she was already betrothed, an arranged marriage by her grandfather.
Since then, Jiang Feng had entered his scope, and he started to slowly monitor Jiang Feng's whereabouts.
Actually, he was aware of Xue Wuwei secretly ordering people to kill Jiang Feng, but what good did knowing do?
The deed had been clean, and even with evidence, what then?
Kill that spoiled heir for a mere orphan? Inciting retaliation from the entire Xue family?
He wasn't that foolish. Just paying a small price, subtly hinting to Mr. Xue, to protect his son, he was naturally willing to grease the wheels, and the disgrace would be carried by Mr. Xue's son alone.
That was why Xue Wu was so comfortable locally, untangling himself from local officials; it was such reasons that led to multiple assassination attempts, causing Jiang Feng to be unable to leave the city for a long time.
Because of this, he felt somewhat indebted to Jiang Feng, but once the investigation cleared, if it really was that young man's doing, what then?
Even if it wasn't done by Jiang Feng, but since he wasn't home that night, he wouldn't avoid trouble. With Xue Ming's personality, just using this incident could disturb that young man's life forever.
He sighed, now they could only take one step at a time, hoping that the young man had true business for leaving home last night, and best if there were witnesses.
"Just don't say something foolish like he didn't come home because he was visiting a brothel last night…"