Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 356 Sons One After Another

Xu Yun's expression was somewhat unpleasant as she spoke.

"The case of climbing the ladder to heaven made me famous in Chang'an, but I am ashamed to accept it."

Because when I was investigating this case, I clearly felt a big hand pushing me forward from behind. I guessed that person was the one who sent me the message to report the case of climbing the ladder to heaven to the Court of Justice.

"It was also the person who saved the thirteenth victim, and at the same time, when I found the killer, I vaguely felt I was being guided."

Zhou Zhao's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

"Didn't my uncle think that the thirteenth victim was special at the time, and then conduct an investigation?"

Xu Yun nodded and lowered his voice.

"Of course, I even thought that someone wanted to use me to get rid of the Prince of Dongping, and I suspected that the murderer I found was just a scapegoat."

However, with both witnesses and physical evidence, and the murderer confessing without hesitation, after multiple investigations, I confirmed that the murderer was indeed not the wrong person.

As for the thirteenth victim, he was naturally special. Twelve people had died before him, so why was it the thirteenth… I remember his name was Gong Ling… Why was he the one who was rescued?

Xu Yun said with great emotion, "You haven't seen the Ladder to Heaven, so you can't imagine the shock you felt when you first saw it. It's a giant tree that seems to stretch towards the sky, as if it has taken root in the ground, sprouted, and is about to climb to the moon."

The corpses were piled up one on top of another, and by the time the thirteenth corpse was reached, it was so high that even an average person would have their legs go weak if they climbed up.

Afterwards, I tried using my sword with all my might, but I couldn't even budge the branches of that bronze tree.

I examined the cut surface of the copper branch; it was perfectly clean, without any extra marks. What does that mean? That person cut the copper branch in one move. After the branch was severed, Gong Ling would fall, and that person would not only have to catch him but also carry a rather heavy adult man down from the tree.

He placed the person on the ground, but did not rashly pull out the copper branch, which shows that he was very familiar with the treatment of penetrating injuries.

That person is a master.

Zhou Zhao was not surprised at all. That person was definitely a master, and a master who could escape from her, Changying and Ahuang.

"Did you notice anything special about Gong Ling back then, or was there anyone you could suspect?"

Xu Yun shook his head, lowering his head somewhat ashamed. "I investigated, but I couldn't find anyone. However, I have one suspect: Gong Ling's second son."

For Xu Yun, the case of ascending the ladder to heaven was one of the most important cases during his long years at the Court of Justice, so he remembered every detail very clearly.

At that time, he was just one of Zhou Tingwei's many disciples, and apart from being a troublemaker, he didn't have much of a good reputation in the Court of Justice.

It wasn't until after the "Ladder to Heaven" incident that he rose to fame and soon became a court historian.

"Second son?" Zhou Zhao and Su Changying exchanged a glance, and Zhou Zhao couldn't help but get excited.

"That's right. At that time, Gong Ling was seriously injured and unconscious. His three sons were all around him. I looked at them carefully. His eldest son and youngest son both looked like him, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and wide double eyelids."

Gong Ling's wife was also there at the time. She had a round face and almond-shaped eyes with wide double eyelids. But his second son was different; he had a somewhat effeminate appearance, with thin eyelids and upturned eyes..."

Xu Yun paused as she spoke, "How should I put it, it just doesn't feel like a family. I have a basis for saying this. I've encountered similar cases before, where both husband and wife had thick double eyelids, but the child had almond-shaped eyes. After a blood test to determine kinship, it was discovered that the child was not their biological child."

Moreover, one of the people I brought with me at the time was knowledgeable in physiognomy and also believed that the second child was most likely not Gong Ling's child.

I secretly asked Gong Ling's wife about it, and she revealed a secret in her fear. Gong Ling had been studying martial arts under a master and had been staying in her hometown for many years to serve his mother-in-law. At that time, there was war and banditry everywhere. When her second son was five years old, she unintentionally saved a lady and her young son.

By a twist of fate, the second son of the Gong family became the scapegoat for the young master, and the lady was also murdered at the time.

To avoid being killed, Gong Ling's wife took their young son to seek refuge with Gong Ling, thinking they could return home in a few years when people in their hometown could no longer recognize the child. The young son stayed with the Gong couple for over a year.

Later, the young master's family secretly found Gong Ling's wife and wanted to take the child away.

Zhou Zhao listened attentively, his heart filled with emotion.

"Gong Ling's wife then suggested returning to her hometown and returning the young master on the way. She said she originally planned to say that she had encountered bandits on the way and that the child had died. But unexpectedly, she met a refugee orphan on the road and raised him under her care. He was the second son with single eyelids."

Gong Ling was away from home most of the year, while his wife and children stayed in their hometown to care for their elderly parents. He had no idea that his sons, like crops in a field, had come and gone.

Zhou Zhao frowned. "Such a big matter, didn't Madam Gong tell Gong Ling about it?"

Xu Yun shook his head. "At the time, I was the chief investigator in this case and had a high reputation in Tianmang Mountain. She trusted me completely and shouldn't have lied."

According to her, she was worried that the young master was carrying trouble. If people knew that she had taken in the child, it might lead to her death, especially since Gong Ling was a craftsman who worked for high-ranking officials.

Secondly, she thought that if he knew his son had died young, he would not only be heartbroken, but would also inevitably treat his adopted son differently, so she simply didn't mention it.

Moreover, at that time, Gong Ling was focused on honing his craft and learning from his master, so he didn't notice the changes in his child... and thus avoided adding any further complications.

As Xu Yun finished speaking, she looked at Zhou Zhao and knew what she wanted to ask.

He shook his head. "I asked her. When the young master left, he wanted to reveal his identity, but she refused. She said that her family only wanted peace and tranquility and did not want to get involved in disputes. Later, the young master did not say anything, gave her a plate of gold as a thank you gift, and left. I have never seen him again."

After finding out this much, I stopped investigating.

Because I suspect it's very likely the young master was repaying a debt of gratitude; in any case, at least he meant no harm. Besides, the case is solved, and I can't stay there long; I need to hurry and escort the prisoner back to Chang'an. So, the matter was dropped.”

There are many suspicious points in the case, but not all of them will be thoroughly investigated.

Zhou Zhao and Su Changying exchanged a glance, then Zhou Zhao asked Xu Yun, "Were there any important figures around Tianmang Mountain back then, who seem remarkable now?"

Xu Yun pondered Zhou Zhao's words for a moment; now it seemed he was an extraordinary figure...

"If you wanted to fight against the Prince of Dongping, you must have known who was available to you at the time, right?"