Chapter 105: The Devil Within the Heart

Upon opening her eyes, for a fleeting moment, Wen Jing felt as though she had lost her sight. Could it be that she was dead... had she traveled through time once again?

A faint scent of blood lingered in the air—an odor she knew all too well. She couldn’t sense her hands or feet; it was as if she had become a wandering soul drifting between heaven and earth. The only sound in her ears was the steady drip of water—one drop... two drops...

Her memories stopped after she had boarded the bridal sedan chair. Later, she found herself here. She thought she could still hear the faint sounds of suona horns and drums. Trying to move, a sharp pain shot through her wrist.

She wasn’t dead... her limbs were likely just numb. Holding back the pain, Wen Jing attempted to move her body again. Her intuition was half right—she had assumed the culprit would wait until she reached the Wang household to strike, but never imagined she would be kidnapped midway and taken to this forsaken place. Who had abducted her here?

At last, sensation returned to her hands and feet. The dagger once hidden in her sleeve was gone, evidently taken by someone else. Wen Jing felt a surge of frustration—she hated feeling so vulnerable. If only she had informed her father or Ji Changge earlier... No, they certainly wouldn’t have let her take such a dangerous risk. Without concrete evidence, the only way to prove Wang Erlang’s guilt was through such drastic means. Her original plan was that once she reached the Wang estate, Wang Erlang would attempt to harm her. At that moment, she would slip some sedative into his wine or food. Even if he intended her harm, he wouldn’t kill her so quickly. Judging from the previous three cases, the murderer seemed to relish the act itself.

But where exactly was this place? The surrounding silence was absolute—no sounds at all. This was definitely not the Wang residence. By now, the Wang household must be in chaos, and her father and Ji Changge were surely searching everywhere for her.

The ropes binding her wrists and ankles were tied tightly. She reached around, feeling the cold ground—there was nothing nearby she could use.

Time dragged on endlessly. Wen Jing felt trapped in an immense black hole, the boundless darkness nearly swallowing her whole. Anxiety gnawed at her relentlessly. She tried to recall events from her current and past lives—the good and the bad—reminiscing about the cases she had helped solve to pass the time. Otherwise, she feared she might break before the culprit arrived. She did not want to die. Her father and the others would find her—of that she was certain...

—

At the Wen Mansion.

“Master, is it true that Seventh Lady has been kidnapped?” Madam Wen asked with a face full of terror, looking at Wen Qiran.

Wen Qiran nodded, troubled and restless.

“How could Seventh Sister simply vanish from the bridal sedan chair? And why was she replaced by Qingliu?” Lady Ping inquired.

“I heard even the dowry was swapped for stones?” Wen Wuniang added.

“I heard the brother-in-law was taken to the Dali Temple by the junior lord,” Wen Baniang said in confusion.

A fleeting trace of ruthless malice flashed in Madam Wen’s eyes. Someone had beaten them to it. But who...?

Wen Qiran’s expression grew darker. He rose hurriedly and left the room. He could not stay at home—it was better to go to the Dali Temple to investigate.

—

Ji Changge watched Wen Qiran return once more, realizing how anxious he was. He surely could not sit still at home.

“Lord Ji, have the sedan carriers been found?” Wen Qiran asked anxiously.

“All city gates have been sealed. Rewards have been posted for the sedan carriers. I believe we will have news soon,” Ji Changge replied, though even he felt somewhat at a loss.

Wen Qiran knew in his heart that what they were doing now was no more than what Lord Shen had done years ago during the search. To rescue Seventh Lady, these efforts alone were useless.

Wang Jue observed the two men flustered and said gravely, “We must not lose our composure. Seventh Lady needs you. Let’s think—if we were the culprit, how would we evade capture? Where would we hide Seventh Lady so she wouldn’t be found?”

Ji Changge was silent for a moment. “I can’t think of any place that cannot be searched. Unless one could escape the heavens, earth, and sea, anywhere in the capital is subject to discovery.”

Wen Qiran nodded. He had taken part in the search during the Shen Ying case years ago. Every household was searched thoroughly, yet no clue was found. Where had the culprit hidden Miss Shen back then...?

Ding Wu approached and whispered a few words to Ji Changge.

“What? They’re all dead?” Ji Changge shouted angrily.

“Yes, sir. The bodies have all been brought back,” Ding Wu reported.

—

Ji Changge looked over the four corpses, all with their throats slit—a clear act to silence them.

A guard hurried in. “Sir, the Grand Academician Wang has arrived.”

Before the words had finished, Grand Academician Wang burst in.

“Where is Erlang?” Wang Xuelin scanned the room and, without waiting for Ji Changge to respond, strode inside.

Ji Changge quickly stepped forward to block him. “Grand Academician Wang, please wait. There is a dangerous prisoner inside. According to procedure...”

A rare sinister gleam flashed in Wang Xuelin’s eyes. “Feiran, are you lecturing me on procedure now?”

“This concerns human life. I must follow the rules, and I hope you understand,” Ji Changge replied impassively.

“What if I choose to ignore the rules?” Wang Xuelin said coldly.

Ji Changge smiled faintly. “Then I will have to apologize for the offense.”

“You—!” Wang Xuelin trembled with rage, pointing a finger at Ji Changge, then withdrawing it. Without giving him face, forcing their way in would be useless. Ji Changge’s skill was not to be underestimated, and the guards Wang brought were no match.

Wang Xuelin’s gaze suddenly rested on Wang Jue beside him. “What are you still doing here? Come with me.”

Wang Jue glanced at Ji Changge. “Yes, ancestor.”

As Wang Xuelin and his party walked away, Wen Qiran said, “I’m afraid Grand Academician Wang won’t let this go easily.”

“Let him be. Finding Seventh Lady is what matters,” Ji Changge said coldly.

Wen Qiran was somewhat moved. He hadn’t expected Ji Changge to disregard the master-disciple relationship with Wang Xuelin. It showed his care for Seventh Lady was no less than that of a father.

“The sedan carriers lead has gone cold. Now only Wang Erlang remains. Continue the interrogation,” Ji Changge said before going back inside.

Wang Erlang stared blankly at the ground.

“Have you seen these two paintings?” Ji Changge placed the pictures before him.

Wang Erlang glanced at them twice. “No.”

“Then let me tell you—they were found at the Wang estate. You saw these paintings and believed that Seventh Lady Wen had an improper relationship with Wang Jue. So you captured her and dealt with her as you did He Yunxiu, to cleanse her of impurity,” Ji Changge stared intently.

Wang Erlang remained indifferent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The death of your mother has haunted you deeply, hasn’t it?” Ji Changge suddenly said.

Wang Erlang was struck as if by lightning, snapping his head up. “Don’t mention my mother!”

A spark flickered in Ji Changge’s eyes. “You miss her terribly. Your mother was a beautiful woman. Whenever you see a girl who resembles her, you want to get close. But you find they are not devoted to you, so you kill them, drain their blood to cleanse their souls. You won’t let them tarnish your mother’s image...”

“No! That’s not true!” Wang Erlang’s bloodshot eyes declared.

Ji Changge locked onto him, voice icy and low. “I hated her too. She preferred a cripple over me. Since she betrayed us, then we kill her. Tell me, where did you hide her? I’ll do it for you.”

Wang Erlang’s gaze suddenly calmed, a faint, inscrutable smile curling his lips. “I really don’t know. Don’t ask me anymore. I know nothing.”

Ji Changge slammed a fist into Wang Erlang’s face. “Speak! You beast! Where did you hide her?”

—

Blood seeped from Wang Erlang’s mouth, his smile grotesque.

Ji Changge struck again, swelling his face.

“Sir, calm down!” Ding Wu stepped forward to restrain Ji Changge. If this continued, someone would surely die.

“Let go of me!” Ji Changge said coldly.

“Stop! What are you doing?!” Officer Liang shouted.

Ji Changge withdrew his fists, and Ding Wu released him, stepping aside.

The three moved outside.

“The Emperor has decreed that Wang Erlang be released immediately,” Officer Liang said, frowning.

“No!” Ji Changge said resolutely. Releasing Wang Erlang now would be to hand him over to Seventh Lady. As long as Wang Erlang was detained, Seventh Lady would be somewhat safer.

Officer Liang widened his eyes in disbelief. “You dare defy the imperial will?”

Ji Changge paused. “I will seek an audience with the Emperor immediately.”

“Do as you please. Just release Wang Erlang first. If I arrive any later, I might see a corpse. I’m about to retire, Junior Minister Ji. Don’t give me trouble now. That seat will be yours soon enough.” Officer Liang spoke softly, imploring.

Ji Changge glanced at Officer Liang and uttered four words: “Human life is paramount.”

Officer Liang’s face stiffened, his gaze turning cold. “Ding Wu, release the prisoner.”

“No!” Ji Changge said coldly.

Ding Wu looked between Officer Liang and Ji Changge, unsure whom to obey.

“Are you quitting? Go release the man!” Officer Liang shouted.

Ding Wu looked at the silent Ji Changge, then hurried inside to remove Wang Erlang from the stocks.

Wang Erlang strolled out leisurely, wiping blood from the corner of his lips.

Wen Qiran stepped forward. “Erlang, tell me where Seventh Lady is. I won’t blame you—just keep her safe, and I won’t pursue anything else.”

Wang Erlang looked up at Wen Qiran blankly. “I’ve told you many times—I don’t know. I truly don’t know.”

Wen Qiran clenched his fists tightly, then slowly relaxed them.

Wang Erlang walked away, followed by Ji Changge.

Casting a faint glance behind him, Wang Erlang continued onward.