"You found He Cheng?"
"No."
The Patrol Guard shook his head.
"It's the carter who transported He Cheng's things last night."
At that, Lin Yue perked up.
"Where is he?"
At Lin Yue's question, the Patrol Guard looked hesitant.
"We found him, but..."
"But what?"
"He's injured."
Lin Yue frowned.
"What happened?"
"We found him in an alley in the south of the city. He was unconscious and had several external injuries, but his life isn't in danger."
"Is he awake?"
"He just woke up."
Lin Yue stood.
"Bring him here."
"Yes, sir."
Before long, two Patrol Guards helped a middle-aged man into the hall. His face was pale, a bandage circled his forehead, and he walked with a limp. The moment they brought him in, he looked extremely nervous.
"G-greetings, sir."
"Your surname is Zhou?"
"Yes."
"Don't worry."
"I only called you here to ask a few questions."
After a moment's hesitation, the man nodded.
"Did He Cheng come to you last night?"
"Yes, sir."
"What did he ask you to do?"
"He asked me to transport a chest for him. I usually deliver goods for several shops in the south of the city, so Manager He sometimes asks me to carry things for him."
"Do you remember when?"
"Not long after dark, I think."
"Where was the chest brought out from?"
"The side gate of the Public Security Office."
What the man said matched Wang Tong's account point for point.
Lin Yue continued questioning him.
"Do you know what was inside?"
"I don't, sir. Manager He specifically told me not to open it. It was heavy, too. Two men could barely lift it."
"Where did you take it?"
The man swallowed.
"To an old warehouse in the south of the city. Once I'd delivered it, Manager He told