The autumn afternoon sun was still somewhat scorching, making people's skin greasy and their mouths dry.
The corpses piled on the ground also gave off a thickening stench under the sun.
Wu Di narrowed his small eyes and held a handkerchief over his nose. He had seen much of the world, but this was his first time seeing so many corpses laid out together.
Some of the bodies were missing parts, making for a bloody, harrowing sight.
Some were even naked. However greedy the subsidiary temple's Daoists were, they would not have gone this far. Greedy villagers must have stripped off their clothes and armor, even taking their weapons.
Wu Di sneered inwardly. Taking clothes and valuables was one thing, but daring to steal armor and weapons? These unruly peasants truly did not know how the word "death" was written!
There was no time to deal with the unruly peasants now. He would settle accounts with them later.
Wu Di looked at Zhang Huai, the county office's patrol inspector. Though an eighth-rank official, this middle-aged man spent his days patrolling outside. His skin had been tanned dark, making him look like an old farmer.
Sensing Wu Di's gaze, Zhang Huai lowered his head slightly and cupped his hands respectfully. "Company Commander, how do you think we should handle this?"
He was indeed an eighth-rank official, but Wu Di was a company commander at a guard station under the Pacification Office, holding the Principal Seventh Rank. He also wielded broad authority to investigate local officials. Even the county magistrate had to treat him courteously; he was certainly not someone a mere patrol inspector could afford to offend.
So many rebel soldiers had died at once, and more than a dozen other people had been murdered. This was a major incident.
Zhang Huai truly wanted nothing to do with it, but as patrol inspector-the chief constable, as ordinary people called him-local law and order was precisely his responsibility.
With so many lives lost in Old Cang Village, the county magistrate's head had begun to ache as soon as he heard the news. This carried a grave responsibility.
As county magistrate, if he handled it poorly, he could very well lose his post or even be imprisoned and prosecuted.
At a time like this, the county magistrate dared offend Wu Di even less. He had repeatedly instructed Zhang Huai to defer to Wu Di and, while he was at it, sound out the company commander.
Hearing the villagers describe it had been one thing. Seeing the pile of corpses in the clearing with his own eyes dealt Zhang Huai a tremendous shock.
If all the dead had been rebel soldiers, that would have been easier to explain.
The problem was that an entire village family had also died, along with all fifteen people in the Zhang Household's grain convoy. Together, they numbered twenty.
Discovering that the Zhang Household was involved too, Zhang Huai kept feeling that something was wrong.
He knew his older cousin Zhang Xinhu hated Zhou Wuji, the Daoist from Hidden Dragon Temple, to the bone. Yet Zhou Wuji happened to be right here. These waters ran rather deep...
Wu Di said calmly, "What else can we do? Follow procedure.
"A major crime has occurred. Record the facts and report them truthfully."
Zhang Huai nodded repeatedly, then asked, "How should we dispose of the bodies?"
"Burn them all once the coroner finishes examining them, to prevent trouble." Wu Di waved a hand, signaling that Zhang Huai could get to work.
Zhang Huai understood, bowing as he withdrew and taking several subordinates off to work.
Once Zhang Huai had left, Squad Commander Jin Chuan approached. He bowed and saluted with cupped fists. "Company Commander, I've finished my examination.
"There are thirty-three rebel soldiers. Most of their wounds are sword wounds. Some bodies and bones are charred black. They were probably struck by Yin Thunder. There's an expert among this subsidiary temple's Daoists."
Jin Chuan was not yet thirty and quite handsome. Dressed in the Pacification Office's standard iron armor, with a regulation saber at his waist, he looked valiant and capable.
Wu Di nodded slightly. "I've heard that Wuzheng of the subsidiary temple is highly skilled in martial arts. Zhou Wuji killed fourteen rebel soldiers alone with a single sword in White Stone Village. Worthy of being Yiyuan's disciple. He qualifies as an expert.
"The Daoists' Law Techniques are no use, but they have powerful Law Artifacts. It's no surprise they managed to turn the tables and kill the rebel soldiers."
He added, "Keep a proper record. Pick out a few of the best suits of armor and sabers to take back. They're all worth money!"
Then Wu Di said, "The Zhang Household's convoy turned up here. Who would believe there was nothing behind that?"
He sneered. "Have a word with Zhang Huai. Tell him not to take us for fools."
Jin Chuan hesitated before saying quietly, "Zhang Xinhu colluded with rebel soldiers. This-"
"What the hell is there to fear? Plenty of powerful clans collude with rebel soldiers. One more makes no difference. If he knows how to behave, nothing will happen. If he doesn't, we'll teach him how."
"And the county magistrate. If he's still stingy this time, put some good charges together for him. That old bastard only knows how to pocket money, not how to share it. Then he can go die..."
"The village belongs to the Li Household, doesn't it? Go search out the missing armor and weapons. The unruly peasants have no money, so make them implicate the Li Household. If the Li Household doesn't feed us our fill, we'll ruin their household and leave their people dead this time."
Jin Chuan nodded. The company commander's plan was simple but vicious. The great lineages of Siming County were so rich they dripped oil. This time, they would squeeze that fat out of them hard.
As for the remaining rebel soldiers, those were not their responsibility. So long as those soldiers had any brains, they would not come to the county town to throw their lives away.
He glanced at the courtyard opposite them and asked, "What about the subsidiary temple's Daoists?"
"The Daoist establishment is a world unto itself, and they have right on their side in this matter. Don't make trouble for them for now."
Wu Di frowned slightly as he spoke. He disliked the Daoist establishment intensely. These Daoists held high office and great power at court, yet enjoyed lofty, untainted standing as well.
As the emperor's private troops, their Pacification Office still could not keep the Daoist establishment down at court. That rankled him deeply.
But he also understood that the subsidiary temple was not something he could touch. Nor did he need to make an enemy of it.
If Zhang Xinhu was willing to put up enough money, however, he could help deal with Zhou Wuji.
After some thought, Wu Di added, "Since I'm here, I'll go meet Wuzheng."
He had already been here a while, yet Wuzheng had not come to see him. That displeased him greatly, but he would not act out of pique over it. There was no need.
Jin Chuan followed Wu Di into the courtyard. Since Wu Di was short, Jin Chuan took particular care to keep his distance and bend slightly at the waist.
As a subordinate, he knew Wu Di cared deeply about such details, and he paid attention to them at all times. This was also an important reason he had earned Wu Di's appreciation.
After receiving word, Wuzheng came out into the courtyard to welcome Wu Di, bringing Zhou Wuji with him.
Zhou Wuji had met Wu Di in Siming County. He stepped forward and greeted him with cupped fists. "Company Commander, thank you for making the trip."
Wu Di looked Zhou Wuji up and down. They had not seen each other for a few days. The gentle, handsome young Daoist was still as gentle as before, but he looked even more handsome and clear of bearing.
Beyond that, he could see no other changes in him.
The trouble was that this gentle, handsome Daoist had killed Zhang Xinhu's most gifted son, then killed fourteen rebel soldiers at White Stone Ferry.
And who knew how many rebel soldiers had died at his hands in last night's battle?
Wu Di was deeply surprised. He had been through it himself and knew that someone who killed many people would inevitably accumulate a killing aura. Their temperament, and even their appearance, would change with it.
Yet the Zhou Wuji before him remained as gentle as water and bright as the autumn sun, without the slightest trace of a killing aura.
Wu Di did not know whether the Daoist establishment's Divine Abilities were powerful or this young Daoist possessed some special skill.
Whatever the case, remaining unchanged after so much was impressive.
Wu Di's estimation of Zhou Wuji rose, but however highly he regarded him, he was still only an eighth-rank ordained Daoist, far beneath his master Yiyuan!
He forced a smile onto his dark, spotted face. "Daoist Zhou, it's only been a few days, and you've already attained Qi Consumption. Congratulations, congratulations."
Before Zhou Wuji could offer a modest reply, Wu Di sighed. "Daoist Yiyuan was in his prime, yet he suddenly departed to immortality. How heartbreaking and regrettable."
Since someone had mentioned his master, Zhou Wuji could only cup his fists and bow again.
Wu Di was displeased with Wuzheng and deliberately kept Zhou Wuji talking for a few exchanges.
Wuzheng was somewhat cold and unyielding by nature, but he possessed considerable depth. He simply stood silently to one side, in no hurry to join the conversation.
Realizing that Wu Di meant no good, Zhou Wuji took the initiative to tell him, "Company Commander, this is my senior brother Wuzheng. He will be taking charge of Hidden Dragon Temple."
Only then did Wu Di leisurely cup his hands. "With Daoist Wuzheng presiding over Siming County, you will surely cow all manner of demons and monsters..."
Wuzheng disliked Wu Di's manner intensely. He nodded slightly. "I hope to have your support in the future, Company Commander."
After a few exchanges, Wuzheng and Zhou Wuji courteously escorted Wu Di out through the main gate.
The group had only just emerged when they saw a party of riders galloping over from the village entrance.
The rider in front had thick brows and tiger-like eyes. He wore a black robe, with a long saber thrust upright beside his saddle, and cut an imposing figure as he galloped toward them. It was none other than Zhang Xinhu, the foremost expert in Siming County.
Riding at the head, Zhang Xinhu also spotted Wu Di and the others. His piercing gaze immediately landed on Zhou Wuji, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent.
Though they were dozens of zhang apart, Zhou Wuji felt his entire body tighten. The powerful pressure Zhang Xinhu released had already exerted a tremendous intimidation on his body and mind.
Zhou Wuji was somewhat startled. Zhang Xinhu was far stronger than he had expected.
If he charged over on horseback with his saber right now, things would probably turn very bad indeed...