The road to Baihe was treacherous, winding through dense forests and steep mountain passes. Lan Yu rode at the front, her crimson cloak a stark contrast to the pale dawn light filtering through the trees. Xiaoli and Xiaoyu followed closely, their keen eyes scanning for danger. The forest was eerily silent, save for the crunch of hooves on frost-laden ground.
"The silence feels unnatural," Xiaoli murmured, her tone wary.
"Perhaps the villagers are too afraid to disturb the forest," Xiaoyu replied, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.
Lan Yu didn't look back. "Silence can deceive," she said. "Keep your wits about you."
The journey stretched into the afternoon before the outskirts of Baihe came into view. The village, nestled at the base of a snow-capped mountain, seemed tranquil at first glance. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and villagers moved about their tasks. Yet the closer they drew, the more apparent the unease became. Faces turned quickly away, shutters were drawn, and whispers trailed in their wake.
As they reached the village square, the site of the murder, the scene before them revealed the depth of the villagers' fear. The sacred tree, stripped of its former sanctity, stood in stark contrast to the snow-covered ground. A crude attempt had been made to scrub away the blood, but the faint stains remained, a grim reminder of the act that had shattered their peace.
The village elder approached cautiously, bowing low before Lan Yu. He was an old man, his weathered face etched with worry. "Your Highness," he said, his voice trembling. "It is an honor to have you here, though I wish it were under better circumstances."
Lan Yu dismounted with fluid grace, her gaze sharp as she surveyed the square. "Tell me everything you know about the murder," she commanded.
The elder wrung his hands, glancing nervously at the villagers who lingered at a distance. "The young man… his name was Cheng Wei. A farmer's son. He was found hanging from the tree at dawn yesterday. The message carved into him… it has shaken us all."
Lan Yu stepped closer to the tree, her sharp eyes studying every detail. "Who discovered the body?"
The elder hesitated. "It was… it was my grandson, Your Highness. He went out early to fetch water and saw…" His voice broke, and he bowed his head.
"I will need to speak with him," Lan Yu said firmly.
The elder looked up, his expression stricken. "He is but a boy, Your Highness. He has seen enough horror."
"Which is precisely why I must speak with him," Lan Yu replied, her tone brooking no argument. "He may hold the key to understanding what happened here."
The boy, no more than twelve years old, sat on a low stool in the elder's modest home. His hands trembled as he clutched a clay cup, its contents untouched. Xiaoyu knelt beside him, her gentle presence offering some comfort.
"Your Highness," Xiaoyu said softly, "the boy is ready."
Lan Yu approached, her crimson robes trailing behind her. She knelt to meet the boy's eyes, her voice calm but firm. "What is your name?"
"Li… Liang," he stammered, his gaze darting between her and the floor.
"Liang," she said, her tone softening slightly. "You are very brave. I need you to tell me what you saw. Every detail matters, no matter how small."
Liang hesitated, his small hands tightening around the cup. "I… I went to fetch water, like always. It was still dark. When I got to the square, I saw… I saw him. Cheng Wei. He was hanging there, and the blood… it dripped onto the snow. And the words… they were so clear. I ran back home as fast as I could."
Lan Yu studied him carefully, noting the pallor of his skin and the quiver in his voice. "Did you see anyone else? Hear anything unusual?"
Liang shook his head. "No… but…" He paused, his brow furrowing. "The snow. It had footprints. Leading into the forest. Big ones."
Lan Yu's gaze sharpened. "Did you follow them?"
The boy's eyes widened in alarm. "No! I was too scared."
Lan Yu straightened, her mind working quickly. The footprints could belong to the killer, but they might also be a diversion. "You've been very helpful, Liang," she said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Thank you."
The boy nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly under her praise.
As the sun began to set, Lan Yu returned to the square with Xiaoli and Xiaoyu. They examined the tree and its surroundings in detail, paying particular attention to the snow where the footprints had been.
"They're faint now," Xiaoli observed, crouching to inspect the ground. "But they lead toward the forest, just as the boy said."
Lan Yu nodded, her expression grim. "The killer wanted them to be found. It's too deliberate to be an oversight."
"Then what's the purpose?" Xiaoyu asked, frowning.
Lan Yu's gaze shifted toward the dark outline of the forest. "To draw attention away from something else, perhaps. Or to send a message."
Night fell over Baihe, casting the village in an uneasy stillness. In the shadows beyond the square, a figure moved silently, his white hair glowing faintly in the moonlight. He watched the sacred tree from afar, his hood concealing his face.
A faint smile played on his lips as he turned and vanished into the forest, his footsteps leaving no trace in the snow.
For Lan Yu, the hunt was just beginning. For the killer, it was already well underway.