Chapter 23: A Heinous Crime? Silence?

“You guessed it, cousin.”
The fox scratched his head and gave another sheepish grin.
“This is a Six Banners case, and I’m part of the Six Banners. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to get involved,” Iron Mask said, frowning.
“All the Six Banners ghost wardens have been reassigned by Sun Wuchang today. I really couldn’t find anyone else, so I came to you, cousin.”
The fox pleaded miserably.
“Just this one time, cousin, help your little brother out. Scholar already promised that if you’re willing to help, he’ll give me all the credit for this case. That way, I’ll be promoted to Class C Warden by next month. If you don’t get promoted this year, I’ll be transferred to the outer city for night patrols. You know I’m my mother’s only son—if anything were to happen to me, what would she do?”
Seeing Iron Mask unmoved, the fox immediately began sighing and even brought up his mother.
At the mention of his aunt, Iron Mask’s stern face softened considerably.
“All right, but this is the last time!”
Iron Mask sighed, then spoke to the fox with great gravity.
“The last time, the last time—I swear, cousin, this will definitely be the last time!”
The fox nodded vigorously.
Watching from the side, Xu Ye shook his head in secret, thinking, “Last time my foot. With this rascal around, Iron Mask just can’t harden his heart.”
“Brother Ye, this happened suddenly. Wait here for a bit while I take care of this—I’ll be right back.”
At this, Iron Mask turned to Xu Ye.
“I’d rather go with you, Iron Mask. It’ll be a good learning experience,” Xu Ye replied without hesitation.
Given his current situation, the more he knew about the ghosts of this world, the safer he’d be. He had no intention of passing up such a valuable opportunity.
“Very well. A person possessed by a shadow ghost isn’t too difficult to handle. Three wardens will be more than enough. Following us will be good training for you,” Iron Mask agreed.
“And what’s your warden name, brother?”
The fox walked up to Xu Ye.
“Xu Ye. I’ve just been registered and haven’t been given a warden name yet,” Xu Ye replied with a faint smile.
“Hold on, cousin! He’s just been registered. Isn’t it risky to let him tag along?”
The fox, a little worried, stopped Xu Ye and turned to Iron Mask.

Xu Ye’s first day and he’s already opened his Martial Courage. That’s more than enough. It’s still daytime, and he’ll just be assisting; there’s no real danger,” Iron Mask said coolly, brushing the fox’s hand away.
“Opened Martial Courage on the first day?”
The fox looked at Xu Ye with a hint of surprise.
“Let’s go. I’ll help you catch that shadow ghost, but I need to be back soon!”
With Iron Mask’s impatient urging, the group left the yamen at a brisk pace.
...
Wuliu Lane, the Cao residence.

It was already noon. Despite several attempts by the constables to disperse them, a crowd had gathered outside the courtyard.
As Xu Ye followed Iron Mask and the others into the residence, he was immediately hit by the heavy stench of blood. The path to the main gate was strewn with corpses, each body covered in chaotic wounds and flayed flesh, as if hacked apart with wild blades. Flies had already settled on many of them.
Inside the main hall, they found more bodies. Judging from their clothes, they were likely the Cao couple and other key family members.
But these corpses had been neatly arranged on the floor, clearly having been moved.
Seeing this, Xu Ye couldn’t help but frown. He made a mental note to later suggest that the sc