On the dark stone surface, there was a distinct dark spot, different from the surrounding area. However, due to the varying shades of color on the stone’s surface, it wouldn’t stand out among a pile of rough stones.

But when Lin Fei picked it out, Liu Yuan and Bai Zhu immediately noticed the color difference.

It wasn’t just the spot Lin Fei pointed out that was different; another stone, though it didn’t have the large patch of different colors, also had this kind of dark spot, and its shape resembled…

“Gush of blood.” Wu Bucai examined the two stones and pointed to the one Lin Fei had pointed out, saying, “This one is stained with a large patch, practically soaked in blood, while that spot looks like splattered blood.”

How could there be blood on the rough stone in Liu Sanqing’s hand? When they went to see Liu Sanqing earlier, they had personally witnessed that neither Liu Sanqing nor his masters or helpers showed any signs of injury.

Liu Yuan watched as Wu Bucai moved the stone and couldn’t resist reaching out to try. While he could lift it, using it as a murder weapon was clearly impossible for an ordinary person. However, considering how easily Liu Sanqing lifted the stone, Liu Yuan felt that Liu Sanqing might have the strength.

“This isn’t fresh blood from the last couple of days; it’s been there for some time,” Wu Bucai said, glancing at Liu Yuan as he moved the stone. “As for using a stone as a murder weapon, that’s unnecessary. A knife would be much faster! Feng Tong died from a direct stab to the heart, from a sharp blade wound, not from being crushed by a heavy object.”

However, although not from being crushed by a heavy object, looking at the bloodstains on the stone’s surface… Wu Bucai thought for a moment and said, “As for whether it’s possible that after death, the body was transported to this place where stones are stored and dismembered using the stone-cutting tools you mentioned… that’s not impossible.”

Although Wu Bucai’s speculation lacked any evidence at the moment, it was still plausible.

“According to Liu Sanqing’s own confession, he only brought this batch of rough stones into the city these past two days,” Bai Zhu, who had already gone out for a walk, immediately said upon hearing Wu Bucai’s words. “I went to the city gate to ask the guards, and because of the unusual ‘goods’ he was transporting, the guards still remembered him. They said they had indeed seen Liu Sanqing carrying stones back from outside these past two days.”

The guards, like the courtesan and the boatman, were unlikely to lie. If Liu Sanqing had truly only returned these past two days, then he was unlikely to be the murderer of Feng Tong; the timing didn’t match.

“The guards see countless people coming and going in the city every day. They remember Liu Sanqing because he was transporting stones. If he hadn’t been transporting stones before, how could the guards remember him coming and going?” Liu Yuan shook his head and said, “Liu Sanqing’s testimony this time is the same as the courtesan and the boatman; it’s not conclusive evidence.”

Besides, how did bloodstains end up on the perfectly good stones? That was something worth considering.

Hearing Liu Yuan’s words, Bai Zhu nodded, but after thinking for a moment, he said, “I checked the quarry where Liu Sanqing buys stones. It’s quite far from here. A round trip, plus the time spent selecting rough stones, would mean he could return in the last two days with almost no delays. Besides, Liu Sanqing did indeed go out to select rough stones shortly after the Mid-Autumn Festival. The neighbors haven’t seen him for months, only recently.”

This was evidence, but not conclusive. After all, if Liu Sanqing wanted to hide, he had plenty of ways to avoid seeing his neighbors.

“That batch of rough stones can’t be faked,” Liu Yuan thought for a moment and said, “Although Liu Sanqing is shrewd, that batch of stones is indeed physical evidence unless he can get so many rough stones from somewhere else.”

The two paused here and turned to look at Lin Fei beside them.

Lin Fei was looking down at the two stones, lost in thought. But perhaps sensing their gaze, he looked up at them. He didn’t say much about the rough stones, only saying, “Go to the jail and ask Hu Siming if he knows anyone named Liu Sanqing.”

Hu Siming had been quiet ever since he was arrested at the market and imprisoned. Though he didn’t talk much, he answered only what he knew. While he seemed clueless about many things, his attitude was relatively mild, quite different from his fierce appearance.

“Liu Sanqing?” When asked about Liu Sanqing, Hu Siming visibly paused, then shook his head, saying, “I don’t know this person.”

After hearing Liu Yuan describe Liu Sanqing, Hu Siming shook his head even more vigorously: “How could I, a butcher at the market, know such a wealthy gentleman? Even Feng Tong, if he weren’t the market magistrate, I wouldn’t recognize him either.”

The answer from Hu Siming was again “I don’t know,” and seeing his blank expression, everyone couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Upon emerging from the prison, a minor official who had been recording the events couldn’t help but remark, “This Hu Siming isn’t truly clueless; he’s a real criminal, and he’s put on such a convincing act! His expression is flawless!”

This remark immediately drew agreement from the crowd. Lin Fei, who was at the front, head bowed over his file, remained silent until everyone had mentioned “Hu Siming.” Then, he suddenly asked those behind him, “After Liu Sanqing, who were you originally going to question?”

Liu Yuan quickly replied, “The tea merchant, Su Fuhai.”

His inner armor was special, so he would naturally be questioned first. After questioning Liu Sanqing, they would proceed in order.

However, before he could finish speaking, Lin Fei shook his head, saying, “Su Fuhai, wait a moment. Let’s question this one first.” He then held up the file in his hand, pointing to the name on it.

Everyone looked at the name Lin Fei pointed out: Zhang Wulin. He was a merchant who sold the Four Treasures of the Study, but not just any ordinary ones. Every item in his shop was a top-quality piece, including the Red Moon Chengni inkstone, which he had acquired.

It didn’t seem strange that a merchant selling the Four Treasures of the Study would carry a Chengni inkstone with him, and if someone was interested, he could take it out for appraisal and potentially close a deal.

However, having just seen Hu Siming, and before that, Liu Sanqing, Lin Fei had mentioned Zhang Wulin. For some reason, it seemed like there was a strange connection between these people.

“It’s not strange to use names in order; there are plenty of people named Zhang San, Li Si, and Wang Wu. But these seemingly unrelated people appearing together in the same case and even arranged in order—I don’t know why—they’re somewhat similar…similar…” A constable said, meeting the gazes of the crowd, “Like sworn brothers from different fathers and mothers!”

In the world of martial arts and outlaws, there were often brothers named after different surnames. These three—Sanqing, Siming, and Wulin—were indeed quite similar. It was just unknown whether there would be anyone named “one” or “two” later on.

(End of Chapter)

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