Chaptеr 189: Тhe Hеadless Соrрsе Саse
"Yes..." Мo Qianzhi was about to ехplаin when Раn Сhi tоok оvеr thе tорic. "Тhe decеаsed is nаmed Li Kaiхiang, and thе murderer is thе dесеаsеd's уounger brоthеr, namеd Li Каirui. Thе two wеrе drinking togethеr whеn a disрute arosе. Later, the уоungеr brothеr drank too muсh аnd fеll into а dеер slееp. Whеn hе wokе up, his оlder brothеr's heаd wаs gоne, аnd it still hаsn't bееn found to this daу."
After listening to Pаn Chi's descriрtion, Zhu Yan nоdded thоughtfullу. Hоwever, Shen Du didn't seem very appreciative.
It was more like he was thinking, "No one asked you, yet you have so much to say."
Pan Chi didn't take this to heart. Holding the items from the corpse, he analyzed them one by one. "Based on the situation at the deceased's home, this case is likely a revenge killing. The older brother had a bad temper and often quarreled with neighbors over trivial matters like land disputes. He even fought with them and reported the incidents to the local magistrate. He also frequently argued with people in business dealings and offended many. The murderer took this opportunity to kill him, intending to frame the deceased's younger brother."
Shen Du didn't speak, only listening to Pan Chi's analysis with a dark gaze.
He had his own suspicions about this because, while reviewing the case file earlier, he noticed that the deceased's younger brother was not a martial artist.
Yet the smooth cut surface presented by the corpse before them was something an ordinary person simply couldn't achieve.
Zhu Yan examined the corpse with a serious expression, taking in Pan Chi's analysis as well. It wasn't until she made a discovery that she straightened up, looking somewhat shocked.
Seeing Zhu Yan's unusual expression, Shen Du quickly asked, "Did you find something?"
Zhu Yan's willow-like eyebrows were tightly knitted together. She pinched her chin with one hand and said with a grave expression, "Judging from the state of the deceased's blood coagulation, the corpse was still alive when its head was severed."
As soon as these words were spoken, all three people present were shocked.
Mo Qianzhi, standing nearby, was so startled that his face changed dramatically. "So... so you're saying Li Kaixiang was beheaded while still alive, and the murderer's method was extremely cruel and precise?"
Zhu Yan nodded, the seriousness in her eyes earning Pan Chi's admiration from the side.
He had long heard that Zhu Yan was exceptionally intelligent and courageous, and now it seemed the rumors were true.
What surprised him, however, was that such an extraordinary woman was also so beautiful.
Glancing at Shen Du beside him, he noticed Shen Du was staring at him with a murderous gaze. Truly protective of his "food."
"At present, there are only two possibilities. First, the deceased was in a state of deep sleep before death, and the murderer struck a fatal blow. Second, the murderer was a master, and the deceased was beheaded because he was no match for the murderer's skill. However, the deceased's skin shows no bruises, and an abdominal examination reveals no internal injuries, so the second possibility is ruled out.
The murderer seems to have a deep-seated grudge against the deceased. Killing him would have been enough, but why take the head as well?"
Zhu Yan assumed a thoughtful pose, murmuring to herself.
"Can you determine what kind of weapon was used?" Mo Qianzhi hurriedly pressed.
Zhu Yan shook her head slightly. "I need to examine it more carefully. Don't rush, Lord Mo."
With that, Zhu Yan bent down to take out her tools for a more detailed inspection. But before she could spot anything unusual, her wrist was suddenly grabbed by Shen Du. "Let's stop here for today. I'm hungry."
"..." Zhu Yan was utterly confused, completely failing to understand Shen Du's meaning.
The next moment, without giving her any time to think, Shen Du directly took her away.Mo Qianzhi froze on the spot. Weren't they supposed to investigate the case first? Why was he leaving again?
Watching this scene from the side, Pan Chi found it both amusing and exasperating. So even a man as proud and arrogant as Shen Du could get jealous—how interesting.
Shen Du brought Zhu Yan back to the guest room arranged for them. Once inside, he casually closed the door and pinned her against it.
Placing his hands on either side, he trapped her in the middle. "That Pan Chi seems quite to your taste, doesn't he?"
Shen Du spoke with a sarcastic tone, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Zhu Yan with a meaningful gaze.
"Wh-what do you mean, 'to my taste'?" Zhu Yan didn't understand Shen Du's meaning at first and was even more flustered by his sudden actions. "Weren't we supposed to investigate the case first? Why are you suddenly hungry? Besides, we're not in Chang'an, how could you..."
Before Zhu Yan could finish speaking, Shen Du grabbed her chin and tried to force a kiss on her.
This time, Zhu Yan reacted quickly, slapping his hand away and glaring at him with a dark expression. "Have you lost your mind? If you dare do this to me again, don't blame me for being impolite."
After saying this, Zhu Yan pushed him away and prepared to leave.
Shen Du thought Zhu Yan's anger was because she had been thinking about Pan Chi all along, which irritated him immensely. The more she struggled, the more he felt the urge to keep her by his side.
"Impolite?" Shen Du said coldly, grabbing Zhu Yan's wrist and pulling her back, trapping her in his arms. "Let's see just how impolite you can be."
As he finished speaking, Shen Du lowered his head again, but Zhu Yan cupped his face with both hands to resist.
"What do you think you're doing, you shameless man? If you really can't control yourself, I can go outside and find someone willing for you."
Zhu Yan shouted, and her words struck a deep chord in Shen Du's heart.
Shen Du stopped his movements and slowly released his grip on Zhu Yan.
His heart was a turmoil of emotions, as if filled with an indescribable pain that left him extremely agitated.
Seeing Shen Du's troubled expression, Zhu Yan realized she had said something wrong. She quickly broke free from his embrace and said awkwardly, "I didn't mean it that way. Don't take it to heart. Didn't you want me to cook for you? But look at my hands."
As she spoke, Zhu Yan stretched both hands in front of Shen Du, turning them back and forth.
Shen Du was puzzled, his brows furrowing into a deep frown. "Smooth, fair, and glowing—just like before. What's wrong?"
Hearing Shen Du's words, Zhu Yan couldn't help but laugh, knowing the man before her had calmed down.
"These are hands that just touched a corpse," Zhu Yan said playfully, looking at Shen Du, hoping to disgust him a little. "Are you sure you could still eat food made by these hands?"
Shen Du's displeasure returned, his expression darkening as he snorted coldly. "Nonsense."
Zhu Yan was confused. Had she said something wrong again?
"You and that Pan Chi have only just met, yet you call him an upright person. How can you judge someone's character so hastily?"
"..." Zhu Yan's lips twitched, perhaps realizing why Shen Du had suddenly become so strange.
"He's famously good-natured, not only handsome but also wise. What's wrong with me calling him an upright person?"Shen Du's expression darkened further. This woman simply didn't grasp the main point.
What he cared about was Zhu Yan's attitude toward Pan Chi, yet Zhu Yan was only fixated on the superficial meaning of those words.
"Do you really not understand what I'm saying?"
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