Yi Shuyuan's voice was not only identical to He Xin's, but seemed to carry a compelling force of its own. By the time he reached the end, even Magistrate Lin was beside himself with rage.
"That vile merchant's pleasure ship is moored at the county town's docks even now, and he is still aboard, drinking and making merry. There are other women on the ship who were tricked or abducted just as I was. My only bitterness is that, even as a ghost, I can do nothing to him. That is why I begged Young Master Du to come plead my case..."
As Yi Shuyuan finished speaking, Magistrate Lin, whose anger had already set his hair on end, slammed down his courtroom block.
Clack!
"Guards! Go at once to the docks outside the south gate and arrest the wanted criminal Jia Yuntong. There must be no mistakes!"
"Yes, sir! Brothers, follow me!"
A Black-Robed Constable Chief waiting in the outer hall accepted the order and charged out of the county office with eight constables. All nine swept past the white-clad woman at the entrance like the wind, yet none could see her excited face.
Yi Shuyuan swayed slightly before steadying himself. Breathing hard, he faced the magistrate's bench and cupped his hands in a bow.
"Your Honor, this courtroom is protected by our dynasty's fortune and its stern, righteous aura. Ghosts cannot remain here long. Miss He Xin has returned outside the gates to wait!"
This was Yi Shuyuan's own voice.
The ghost had spoken clearly and courteously, and had shown no intention of harming anyone. Magistrate Lin was no longer as frightened as he had been at first. Yi Shuyuan's explanation put him still further at ease. He looked Yi Shuyuan up and down, then nodded repeatedly.
"Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Yi. Someone bring him a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Honor!"
Yi Shuyuan cupped his hands in thanks. Watching an attendant bring over a chair, he thought for a moment, then spoke to the magistrate with some feeling.
"Your Honor, I am compiling the county gazetteer. Your hearing a lone spirit's case by night and winning justice for her must be recorded in the Yuanjiang County Gazetteer, so that your good name may endure for a hundred generations!"
Magistrate Lin paused, then nodded as realization belatedly dawned on him. An indescribable expression appeared on his face.
Settling the people's disputes by day and judging wronged souls by night-just imagining such a deed recorded in a book stirred Magistrate Lin's excitement. He drew a deep breath, and a new sense of dignity rose within him. He would see this case judged splendidly!
"Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Yi. Simply record the facts!"
"Yes, Your Honor."
Having answered, Yi Shuyuan walked to one side, where the magistrate's Private Secretary had already risen.
"Please, Mr. Yi!"
Yi Shuyuan cupped his hands, and only then did the two sit down together. The Private Secretary cautiously leaned over to ask a question.
"Mr. Yi, that Miss He Xin is now..." "Waiting just outside the door."
"Oh..."
The Private Secretary nodded and looked toward the empty doorway Yi Shuyuan had indicated. He felt as though a chill wind were blowing through it and could not help drawing his clothes tighter.
Beyond everyone else's sight, the White-Clad Female Ghost, He Xin, was bowing gratefully to Yi Shuyuan.
Yi Shuyuan let out a long breath. The woman looked much more normal now, with no black blood flowing from her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. His thoughts returned to the constables who had hurried away. They moved swiftly and appeared to know martial arts. He hoped they could bring that vile merchant back.
Outside the inner hall, the County Commandant arrived late. Seeing that a large number of the office's fighting men were missing, he asked the Old Instructor nearby what had happened. After exchanging a few words in low voices, the two also decided to leave for the docks.
At Yuanjiang County's south gate, nine constables came rushing up. They were not the only men going to make the arrest; a group of attendants from the Strong Constables accompanied them.
"We have orders to arrest a wanted criminal. Open the gates at once!"
The gate guards emerged yawning, with their clothes draped over them. One glanced at the fierce-faced constables, then asked the Strong Constables accompanying them a question.
"Haaah... Who are you brothers off to arrest at this hour?"
"Enough nonsense! Open the gates! If the criminal escapes, you'll answer for it!"
The Chief Constable's voice brimmed with anger. The gate guards' leader jolted in fright and hurried to open the gates with his men.
As the heavy gates slowly swung open, the constables and attendants immediately rushed out. The docks were less than two li from town; even from the gate, they could see the lanterns on the waterfront and the lights aboard the ships.
Every constable had been taught the martial arts used by the law, and even the attendants had a trick or two up their sleeves. At least, they were stronger than ordinary people. The party soon reached the docks, where numerous vessels of every size were moored, including four or five pleasure ships.
"You, you, and those few-go over there. The rest of you, check the other side. We'll split up and investigate. First find out which ship that scoundrel is aboard. Don't act rashly. Once we find him, we'll board together and make the arrest!"
"Yes, sir!"
Led by experienced constables, the groups questioned people on the docks and soon identified the vessels arriving from Luo Prefecture. They singled out the River Prefecture merchant's pleasure ship and summoned their colleagues. In roughly the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, nine constables and sixteen attendants had gathered before the ship.
The singing and dancing aboard seemed to be continuing. Along with the music, occasional sounds of frolicking and curses drifted out, making quite a racket.
In the darkness, more than twenty men wearing tall, square-topped caps gathered beside the ship and looked up.
"Hmph!"
The Chief Constable snorted coldly and addressed the men on either side.
"We'll board and subdue the boatmen first. Old Yu, take a few men and guard both sides of the ship, blocking the entrances fore and aft. Keep an eye on us and act as the situation demands. Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Go!"
The next instant, two constables skilled in lightness arts leaped up and landed on the pleasure ship's deck one after the other. Together, they lowered the gangplank, and the men below immediately rushed aboard.
"Hey, hey! Who are you?"
"Yuanjiang County officers on official business! Everyone else, stand aside!"
With one violent sweep, the Chief Constable shoved aside a man who had just stepped onto the deck. He led his men toward the ship's main hall and kicked at the door.
Bang!
Inside the brightly lit hall, the music stopped abruptly. The scantily clad dancing women fled to the corners in panic.
Everyone in the hall stared at the entrance in astonishment as a pack of fierce, menacing constables poured inside.
"Who is Jia Yuntong?"
The Chief Constable shouted the question, but his gaze had already locked onto the plump man seated in the center at the far end of the hall. The man in the place of honor ought to be the vile merchant, and his appearance matched the description.
The Chief Constable beckoned to his men.
"That must be him. Seize him! Don't let the others go either. Take them all!"
"Yes, sir!" "Understood!"
The constables immediately pounced like ravenous tigers upon their prey. The hall erupted into chaos and screams.
"Aaah!" "No!" "Help!"
"I had nothing to do with it! Nothing!"
While the others seized the remaining people, two constables charged toward Jia Yuntong together. He backed away, shouting in panic.
"What crime have I committed? Why are you arresting me?"
"A capital crime!"
One constable answered through gritted teeth and reached out to seize Jia Yuntong.
At that very moment, a foot suddenly struck the constable's hand, followed by a palm blow to his shoulder.
With a bang, the constable went flying sideways. His companion's pupils contracted, and he immediately drew his saber.
Shing!
"You dare resist arrest? Your life is forfeit!"
Shing! Shing! Shing! Shing!
Every constable present drew his saber, and several charged toward Jia Yuntong. A figure swayed from side to side, dodging their slashes and weaving among the constables like a phantom.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three more constables were sent flying.
Seeing that something was wrong, the Chief Constable drew his saber and advanced. A powerful downward cleave forced his opponent back two paces. Then he drove off his feet, turning with his saber trailing behind him before following with a horizontal slash. But before the blade's gleam reached its target, a kick knocked it aside. The force sent the Chief Constable staggering back several steps.
The cabin was now a scene of utter chaos. Many people had already been restrained by the attendants, while numerous constables lay in the corners, struggling to rise.
Cries of alarm mingled with groans of pain.
The few men still standing faced one another in the hall.
"Who are you, and why are you obstructing our arrest of a wanted criminal? This man has committed monstrous crimes. If you protect him, you are his accomplice!"
Facing the Chief Constable and his men was a middle-aged man in blue. He had large hands and long arms, and stood slightly hunched, like an ape crouched low-seemingly relaxed, yet ready to move. He shielded Jia Yuntong behind him and appeared untroubled by the Chief Constable's furious demand. Smiling, he said,
"I take a man's money and rid him of his troubles. You won't be taking him away. I only held back because I didn't want entanglements with officers of the law. Consider that a greeting. If you insist on forcing the matter, I won't be so polite!"
Jia Yuntong had been terrified moments earlier. Now that he saw he was safe for the moment, he tried to steady his breathing while fumbling inside his robe, hurriedly speaking at the same time.
"Officers, this must be some misunderstanding. I have some silver here. Why don't you take it and enjoy yourselves at a brothel?"
"Oh? A misunderstanding? Someone has lodged a complaint at the county office. Since His Honor has issued the order, you can find out whether it's a misunderstanding when you get there!"
The Chief Constable knew he was outmatched, but showed no fear. Instead, he discreetly signaled with his eyes to a man standing guard outside the cabin. Under cover of the Chief Constable's deliberately raised voice, the man silently leaped off the ship.
"It must be a misunderstanding! It must! May I ask who lodged the complaint?"
The Chief Constable thought for a moment. A strange smile crept across his face, and he spoke in a low, chilling voice.
"The complainant wasn't a person. A ghost beat the drum to cry out for justice, forcing the court to convene in the middle of the night. That ghost's name is He Xin!"
The Chief Constable had been watching Jia Yuntong's expression all along. The moment he uttered He Xin's name, the merchant gave a violent shudder, bringing a cold smile to the Chief Constable's face.
"Hmph. Frightened now? Even if we can't arrest you, that ghost will come to claim your life. Will you go to the county office, or wait for a wronged spirit or Vengeful Ghost to come knocking?"
The Chief Constable narrowed his eyes and spoke softly.
"She probably wasn't the only person you killed..."
Across from him, Jia Yuntong had already gone pale.
"N-nonsense! Th-there are no ghosts. S-someone must be framing me."
"You'll know whether it's nonsense once I tell you what happened."
The Chief Constable was forty-three that year and had served for many years as a constable at the Heaven-Bearing Prefecture office. His martial skills might not have been outstanding, but he had no shortage of experience. When he returned to his hometown a few years earlier, the magistrate at the time had immediately hired him as Yuanjiang County's Chief Constable. Naturally, he knew this was the moment to strike at the man's nerve while buying time.
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