Chapter 127 Before meeting the old well, first force the Wang family to reveal their trump card.

When Liu Buyu placed the black-feathered short arrow on the table, the lamp wick flickered slightly.

He first took out oil paper, separated the arrow shaft from the rolled paper, then took two layers of wrapping, wrapping both items layer by layer, his movements as meticulous as if he were locking up a human life.

"Grey Sparrow has requested a meeting, the location is the old well outside the west wall of the Wang Family Main Residence."

Liu Buyu finished writing, the tip of his brush paused at the end of the paper for a moment before he applied the sealing wax.

"This matter must be entered into the official case file."

Zhou Tie stood by the table, his fingers rubbing against the broken spear shaft.

"Why bother with a case file? Let's just go and tear that well apart."

Zhao Gang sat by the threshold, his blade still resting on his knees; he looked up upon hearing this.

"You go try tearing it apart."

Zhou Tie shot him a sideways glance.

"What, are you afraid of the Wang Family's high walls?"

Zhao Gang sneered.

"I'm afraid you'll turn this into a case of trespassing on a noble family's property. When the Wang Family bites back and accuses the Patrol Division of breaking into their main residence at night, what will you use to defend yourself?"

Zhou Tie puffed out his chest, about to retort, but Lin Chen had already raised a hand to press down.

"He is right."

Zhou Tie looked at Lin Chen.

"Inspector, are we still talking about rules at a time like this?"

Lin Chen held the black-feathered short arrow between his fingers, his gaze falling on the piece of rolled paper.

"The more critical the moment, the more we must adhere to the rules."

Zhou Tie frowned.

"So Grey Sparrow invites us to the old well, and we're just going to stand by the well and wait?"

Lin Chen nodded.

"Stand."

Hearing this, Zhao Gang stood up immediately.

"Then I'm going too."

Lin Chen looked at him.

"You are not going."

Zhao Gang's expression darkened immediately.

"Why?"

"Because what you need to do now is more important than going to a fight."

Lin Chen handed the rolled paper to Liu Buyu.

"Write down Grey Sparrow's meeting request and the old well location as the open line of investigation, and start a new page for the bait line."

Liu Buyu was stunned.

"What should I write for the bait line?"

Lin Chen raised his eyes.

"Write that Tao Jiu has spoken and confessed about the back well of the pharmacy and the contact person in green clothes."

Zhao Gang was taken aback for a moment, then realized.

"You want to spread this word to make the Wang Family and the Provincial Administration Commission panic first."

Lin Chen nodded.

"The more anxious they are, the sooner they will move their own hidden assets."

Zhao Gang stared at the two pieces of paper, and after a long while, he let out a scoff.

"Fine, I'm familiar with this kind of work."

Zhou Tie looked at him.

"Didn't you want to chop someone?"

Zhao Gang picked up his blade and rested the back of it on his shoulder.

"I'm going to light the fire."

Liu Buyu looked up at him.

"Don't spread the wrong message."

Zhao Gang scoffed.

"Don't worry, I'll just say Tao Jiu confessed about the pharmacy's back well, not a word more."

Zhou Tie clicked his tongue.

"This really is like lighting a fire."

Lin Chen turned to Shen Yue.

"Go to the side courtyard of the Governors Mansion and tell A-Shi and Zhou Huaiyi that the side courtyard will have extra guards tonight, and no one is allowed to move around."

Shen Yue nodded.

"I'll check the children's windows and doors on the way."

Lin Chen looked at Sun Qi.

"You follow Shen Yue along the rooftops, scout the retreat routes outside the west wall of the Wang Family Main Residence. Within three zhang of the old well, mark down every path you can take."

Sun Qi subconsciously glanced at the black-feathered short arrow.

"I'll go."

Lin Chen finally looked at Zhou Tie and He Jian.

"You two will come with me to the old well."

Zhou Tie responded immediately.

"That's more like it."

He Jian spun the short blade in his right hand, his left arm's medicinal bandage pressed under his sleeve.

"This subordinate will accompany the Inspector and arrive first."

Zhao Gang stared at him.

"Can that arm of yours still handle seeing blood?"

He Jian answered bluntly.

"The blade is in my right hand."

Zhao Gang was stumped by those four words, and after a moment, he cursed.

"Fine, you're all tough, aren't you."

Liu Buyu sealed the case file and looked up.

"I'll stay in the Main Courtyard and wait for your news."

Lin Chen looked at him.

"You're not just waiting for news; you also need to watch the time."

Liu Buyu understood and nodded immediately.

"I will record until the hour of the rat."

Lin Chen said no more and turned to walk out.

The wind outside the Main Courtyard blew through the end of the corridor, carrying a lingering chill of the night.

Zhou Tie followed a couple of steps and lowered his voice.

"Inspector, are we really not taking Zhao Gang?"

Lin Chen did not stop.

"Once he sees blood, he tends to burn bridges."

Zhou Tie chuckled.

"Then it's fitting for him to go spread the message."

Lin Chen looked at the shadows of the lamps ahead.

"Let him do what he should be doing."

Zhou Tie followed him to the courtyard gate and asked again.

"What if Grey Sparrow gets to the old well first?"

Lin Chen pressed the black abyss at his waist.

"Then we'll see what he has to say."

Zhou Tie scoffed with a laugh.

"I'm just afraid he won't dare to tell the truth."

Lin Chen turned his face to look at him.

"If he doesn't dare to speak, it means there is still someone watching from inside that well."

Zhou Tie's expression darkened slightly.

"The Wang Family's people."

Lin Chen did not answer, only raising his hand to take the lamp handed over by the patrol guard outside the door.

The patrol guard dared not look too much and lowered his head.

"Inspector, the men you requested are waiting at the outer gate."

Lin Chen nodded.

"Remember, wait three zhang away from the old well; no one is to cross the wall line."

The patrol guard was stunned, then cupped his fists.

"This subordinate understands."

Zhou Tie watched the patrol guard retreat and couldn't help but whisper.

"You really intend to turn the old well into a courtroom."

Lin Chen said calmly.

"If people are to meet, it must be in a place where testimony can be left."

Zhou Tie grinned.

"If the Wang Family were reasonable, they would have torn down the wall themselves today."

Lin Chen did not smile; he just quickened his pace.

In the side courtyard of the Governors Mansion, when Shen Yue entered, A-Shi was sitting by the threshold, dazed.

The lights were on inside; Zhou Huaiyi was half-leaning against the head of the bed, clutching the copy of the list in his hand.

A-Shi heard footsteps and immediately looked up.

"Sister Shen Yue, is Inspector Lin going out again?"

Shen Yue pulled her cloak over her shoulders and walked over to crouch down.

"To meet someone."

A-Shi stood up immediately.

"Where to meet?"

Shen Yue looked inside the room.

"The old well outside the Wang Family Main Residence."

Zhou Huaiyi heard these words, and his fingers visibly tightened.

"The old well."

Shen Yue turned to look at him.

"Grandpa Zhou, do you know that well?"

Zhou Huaiyi was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"I do."

A-Shi immediately stepped closer.

"Were people locked up in that well too?"

Zhou Huaiyi looked at him, his eyes somewhat vacant.

"They were locked up, and they were buried."

A-Shi's face turned paler.

"Then, will it be dangerous for Inspector Lin to go?"

Shen Yue did not answer immediately; she just reached out and pushed the door open a bit more, letting the wind outside blow in.

"There will definitely be danger."

A-Shi grabbed her sleeve.

"Then why are you still going?"

Shen Yue looked at him.

"Because someone requested it."

A-Shi bit his lip.

"Who requested it?"

"Grey Sparrow."

A-Shi was stunned.

"Is that the person who delivers arrows?"

Zhou Huaiyi whispered.

"In ten years, many things could not bypass this name."

A-Shi didn't quite understand, but he subconsciously leaned closer to Zhou Huaiyi.

"Will he trick us?"

Shen Yue turned back and pushed the window halfway open.

"Whether he will trick us or not, we'll know when we get to the well."

Zhou Huaiyi stared at the night through the window crack, and after a long time, he asked.

"Is Lin Chen going alone, or is he taking people?"

Shen Yue answered bluntly.

"Taking people."

Zhou Huaiyi nodded and fell silent again.

A-Shi looked up at him.

"Grandpa Zhou, are you afraid?"

Zhou Huaiyi was stunned for a moment, then said softly.

"I am."

A-Shi was a bit stunned.

"You're afraid too?"

Zhou Huaiyi looked at him, his lips moving slightly.

"Only if a person feels fear does it mean they are still alive."

A-Shi thought about this sentence for a long time, and finally asked.

"Then what happens after being afraid?"

Zhou Huaiyi looked outside the door.

"After being afraid, don't lie for them anymore."

Hearing this, Shen Yue lowered her head and straightened A-Shi's collar.

"Remember that."

A-Shi nodded sullenly.

"I will."

Zhou Huaiyi placed the copy of the list on his knees, as if using those few pages to suppress the trembling in his heart.

"If Tao Jiu is really at the Wang Pharmacy."

Shen Yue looked at him.

"What about it?"

Zhou Huaiyi's voice lowered.

"That child was afraid of the dark when he was young, and would always crawl near the stove at night."

A-Shi listened, dazed.

"He was afraid of the dark too?"

Zhou Huaiyi nodded.

"Very much so."

A-Shi slowly tightened his hands.

"Is he still afraid now?"

Zhou Huaiyi did not answer immediately, and after a while, he said.

"If he can still feel fear, he still has a human side."

Shen Yue took this sentence to heart, and when she got up, she conveniently opened the window a little wider.

"Grandpa Zhou, rest for now; before Lin Chen returns, this window will not be closed."

Zhou Huaiyi looked at the window, his throat moving slightly.

"Okay, don't close it."

Shen Yue turned to leave, but A-Shi suddenly chased after her two steps.

"Sister Shen Yue."

Shen Yue looked back.

A-Shi stood by the door, his fingers gripping the door frame, his voice somewhat tight.

"If Tao Donger doesn't remember himself, can he still testify?"

The room suddenly became quieter.

Zhou Huaiyi also looked over.

Shen Yue did not rush to answer; she just walked back to A-Shi and raised her hand to press his shoulder.

"If he can still feel fear, there is still a way."

A-Shi blinked.

"And what if he pretends not to remember?"

Shen Yue looked at him.

"Then someone must call out his original name."

A-Shi's lips moved.

"Liu Xiaoshuan, Tao Donger."

Hearing these two names, Zhou Huaiyi closed his eyes.

"Yes, you have to call out the name."

A-Shi seemed to understand a little, or maybe not fully, but he nodded heavily.

"I will remember."

Shen Yue then turned and went out.

In the dark alley outside the Governors Mansion, Sun Qi had already climbed onto the roof.

He lay on the roof ridge, his palms pressing against the edge of the blue tiles, moving slowly along the side of the Wang Family Main Residence's west wall.

Shen Yue followed closely, her movements as light as a passing breeze.

Sun Qi lay down and looked for a long time, then whispered.

"The old well is three zhang inside the west wall; there is a narrow alley outside that can fit two people."

Shen Yue looked in the direction of his gaze.

"Are there any other paths?"

Sun Qi shifted his gaze deeper.

"On the left is the back wall of the carriage and horse transport agency, and on the right is the old pharmacy alley. If we really need to retreat, we can go back towards the pharmacy's back well."

Shen Yue finished listening and said.

"The pharmacy's back well and the old well really do connect."

Sun Qi nodded.

"I've smelled the same damp earth scent; there's no mistake."

Shen Yue's gaze fell on the pitch-black wall shadow.

"Grey Sparrow choosing this place doesn't seem like a simple meeting request."

Sun Qi said.

"It's like trading his life for a message."

Shen Yue did not speak; she just spun the short blade between her fingers.

"Outside the Wang Family Main Residence wall, which path is the easiest to hide someone?"

Sun Qi pointed.

"The dry well platform at the base of the wall; underneath there is a section of old canal that can bury two people."

Shen Yue looked at him.

"Wang Xuan retreats from the pharmacy's back well, and Grey Sparrow requests a meeting at the old well; these two paths seem to have been connected intentionally."

Sun Qi lowered his body.

"Either someone is pulling the strings, or someone is blocking the line."

Shen Yue whispered.

"The Provincial Administration Commission might come."

Sun Qi did not answer; he just shifted his gaze to the high wall of the Wang Family Main Residence.

"If they come, what arrives first might not be people."

Shen Yue thought about his words.

"Hidden sentries."

Sun Qi nodded.

"And smoke."

Shen Yue looked at him.

"Like the smoke chimneys at the city gate."

Sun Qi hummed.

"If there really is an old well outside the Wang Family wall, there must be someone watching the entrance and exit."

Shen Yue lowered her eyes.

"Then we won't go in yet."

Sun Qi turned to look at her.

"Does the Inspector think so too?"

Shen Yue raised her head from the other side of the roof ridge.

"He wants to follow the rules."

Sun Qi whispered.

"But Grey Sparrow might not be able to wait."

Shen Yue looked at the shadow that looked like a black well on the west wall.

"Only those who cannot wait will reveal flaws."

Sun Qi was about to say something else, when suddenly, a very light sound of footsteps came from the alley entrance outside the wall.

Both of them stopped their movements simultaneously.

Shen Yue tilted her head to look and saw a figure standing at the alley entrance; the figure was not tall, holding a lamp covered with cloth, and stopped at the three-zhang line outside the old well, not moving forward.

Sun Qi whispered.

"They're here."

Shen Yue did not move immediately; she just pressed her hand on the handle of her blade.

"Let's see how long they stand there."

The wind outside the Wang Family Main Residence swept over the wall; the figure stood outside the old well as if, if they took one more step, they would be swallowed by the entire Wang residence.

When Lin Chen arrived, this was exactly what he saw.

He did not cross the line; he stopped three zhang away. The lamp light just reached the edge of the well but couldn't clearly illuminate the person's face.

Zhou Tie stood with his spear behind him to the left, whispering.

"Inspector, could this person be a fake?"

Lin Chen looked at the shadow.

"Regardless of whether they are real or fake, let's see if they dare to speak."

Zhao Gang did not follow, but Liu Buyu handed a sealed booklet to the accompanying patrol guard, having someone stand far away at the alley entrance to record the time.

Lin Chen took the booklet, glanced at it, and then said to those behind him.

"Record it; it is now the third quarter of the hour of the pig."

The patrol guard responded immediately.

"Recorded."

Zhou Tie glanced at the figure and couldn't help but speak.

"They stand quite steadily."

Lin Chen said calmly.

"Standing steadily only means they are very afraid."

Zhou Tie heard this and grinned.

"That sounds like something you would say."

Lin Chen did not reply; he just raised his hand to press down on the tip of Zhou Tie's spear as he was about to move forward.

"Don't move."

Zhou Tie lowered his voice.

"The person is here; why aren't we asking?"

Lin Chen's gaze remained on the well.

"First, ask one thing."

"What?"

Lin Chen spoke.

"Are you Grey Sparrow, or are you here to die for Grey Sparrow?"

The figure by the well finally moved; the lamplight swayed, revealing a segment of a blue-grey sleeve.

The other party did not answer immediately; they just raised their hand, placed the cloth-covered lamp by the well, and then gently tapped the edge of the well with two fingers.

"Lin Chen, according to the rules, don't ask for my name first."

Lin Chen looked at him.

"According to the rules, you report your origin first."

The person was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"My origin is from under the well."

Zhou Tie slammed the butt of his spear onto the ground.

"Bullshit, can someone grow legs and walk out from under a well?"

Lin Chen raised his hand, signaling Zhou Tie not to interrupt.

"Continue."

The person pushed the lamp forward another half inch, stopping exactly at the edge of the well.

"Someone wants me to meet you, and someone wants me to die by this well."

Lin Chen's fingers gently tapped the scabbard.

"Then tell me first, who wants you to come?"

The person by the well raised their face; the lamplight only illuminated half of their jaw, the other half still hidden in the shadow of the wall.

"Official Chen Zhili."

Zhou Tie's brow bone lowered.

"A person from the Provincial Administration Commission."

The person ignored him and just looked at Lin Chen.

"And Wang Chongyuan."

Lin Chen asked.

"What does Wang Chongyuan want you to do?"

The person's voice tightened.

"He said, if you dare to come, he will let you see a corpse by the old well first, and then read a letter."

Lin Chen looked at him, his eyes showing no extra fluctuation.

"Where is the corpse?"

The person reached out and slowly pulled a piece of white cloth from their sleeve.

The moment the white cloth hit the ground, the lamplight by the well illuminated a patch of dark red.

Zhou Tie's hand tightened.

"Whose is it?"

The person raised their eyes to look into the depths of the well, their voice low and heavy.

"Grey Sparrow's own."