Evil of all ages

Chapter 16 A Calamity That Lasts a Thousand Years

Chang Xingde immediately asked the people outside to bring in the tables and chairs used for regular court hearings.

Di Qingtian sat in a chair and had someone cover the bodies with straw mats again, as it was not appropriate for the wrongfully imprisoned to see these gruesome corpses.

When questioning Ren Zhengnian and the others, pull back the straw mats to put psychological pressure on them.

In order to find valuable clues, Di Qingtian interrogated those who were wrongfully imprisoned very carefully.

However, after the investigation, not only did they fail to obtain any valuable clues, but they also became quite confused.

“Their grievances are all different, they don’t know each other, and they have no connection to each other. Some have just been imprisoned, and some are…”

"The yamen (government office) and the imperial prison are not part of the same system. Only the yamen that makes the judgment knows the details of whether a prisoner is guilty; the imperial prison is only responsible for imprisoning them."

How did the "judge" in the prison become so certain that they were innocent?

“If it was a gang crime, these people who were wrongfully imprisoned were not convicted by just one government department.”

“The crimes were determined by the various district governments in the capital. It’s impossible for a ‘judge’ to have people in every government office.”

Di Qingtian frowned for a long time, unable to figure it out, so he temporarily put aside his questions and looked up at He Rongjiang.

"Warden He, these people who were wrongfully imprisoned are temporarily being held in ordinary cells. Their cases are under the jurisdiction of the Dali Temple."

Di Qingtian never considered himself a meddlesome person. He was fine if he didn't encounter any wrongdoings, but he would intervene whenever he encountered one.

He not only wanted to clear these people's names, but also to hold those responsible for their imprisonment accountable, including those government departments that failed to act or neglected their duties.

Even though this will offend many people, how many people has he offended over the years?

He's solved so many cases, he should have been promoted long ago, maybe even several levels.

It's all because he offended someone; he's been stuck as a clerk ever since.

He Rongjiang naturally knew the prestige of the Dali Temple and said he would take good care of those who were wrongfully imprisoned.

Next door district

"What's the panic? If it's a blessing in disguise, it's a curse; if it's a curse, we can't escape it. Let's just relax and drink."

Seeing that Gao Zhiming and the others were anxious, Ren Zhengnian advised them to calm down.

"Boss, we haven't heard a single word yet, I'm getting scared..."

Everyone present knew perfectly well what Gao Zhiming was afraid of.

"咹"

Huang Taichu opened the door and walked out of the single room.

"I just dreamt about my dad. He said I have a tough life and am destined to live a long life. He almost cursed me, saying I'd be a jinx for a thousand years."

To put everyone at ease, Huang Taichu spoke in a joking tone.

"Haha...the saying goes, 'a scourge lives on for a thousand years.' I wish you were a scourge, Xiao Chu. Only a scourge can live a decent life."

Old Bug is the oldest and has long since become indifferent to life and death; he is the most composed person in the group.

“Xiao Chu is a junior, and he’s not afraid, but you elders are so uneasy. Don’t you think it’s shameful?”

Ren Zhengnian was pleased to see that Huang Taichu was no longer as taciturn as before.

“I’m not afraid, I’m worried about Xiao Chu. Xiao Chu is still young and shouldn’t have to face an unknown fate with us old bones.”

"I really regret going to the brothel to call you back. If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have let you escape from the city back then."

Gao Zhiming said with deep regret.

"Uncle Gao, we can't escape. We're not alone."

“We have relatives and families. If we run away, it doesn’t prove that we have a problem.”

Huang Taichu's words silenced everyone present.

"tread"

"tread"

"tread"

Then, the sound of a group of people's footsteps gradually approached.

"Old Gai, what's going on here?"

The leader was Zhu Fanggai, one of the three jailers in District Ding. Seeing Zhu Fanggai's imposing manner, Ren Zhengnian's heart tightened.

"Warden Ren, come with us. We have some questions for you."

Zhu Fanggai said calmly.

"head"

Gao Zhiming and the others straightened up and gathered in front of Ren Zhengnian, clearly not wanting their heads to be taken away.

Ren Zhengnian naturally wouldn't let Gao Zhiming and the others make mistakes. He pushed them away and used a fierce look to stop their excessive behavior.

"Old Gai, for the sake of our past relationship, give me a straight answer: is this trip going well or badly?" Ren Zhengnian saw that the other party was simply taking him away, instead of immediately controlling him like a prisoner, which made him realize that the situation had not yet reached its worst point.

“Warden Ren, I’m old. Please have mercy on me and don’t harm me. I just want to retire peacefully.”

Instead, Zhu Fanggai looked at Ren Zhengnian with pleading eyes, begging Ren Zhengnian not to ask him any questions. He just wanted to retire peacefully and didn't want to get involved in this matter.

Ask him to have some compassion and, when questioned by superiors, try not to involve him.

Ren Zhengnian saw that Lao Gai was avoiding him, so he smiled and didn't ask any more questions. He didn't blame Zhu Fanggai either, after all, it was only human nature.

"His head has been taken away like this, what are we supposed to do?"

Having lost their leader, Gao Zhiming and his group were somewhat at a loss.

"Being asked to leave, rather than being taken away, means there's still a chance inside. We just need to wait patiently."

The old man said, puffing on his pipe.

Huang Taichu's focus had long since shifted elsewhere; he was now sharing his vision through the Greedy World-Devouring Gu, watching the unfolding events with great interest.

Upon arriving outside the murder scene, Zhu Fanggai told the prison guards and patrolmen to wait outside while he led Ren Zhengnian inside alone.

Ren Zhengnian knew that this questioning from above was a moment that would determine his fate. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down as much as possible.

Upon entering, he saw his direct superior, Chang Xingde, and He Rongjiang, the nominal controller of the prison, but these two were merely supporting characters.

The real protagonist is the handsome, roguish man who is nearly thirty years old and sitting at the desk.

This wasn't what caught his eye the most; what truly drew his attention were the gruesome corpses on the ground.

The moment Ren Zhengnian entered, Di Qingtian's attention was already on him.

Especially when Ren Zhengnian saw the corpses of Shi Boyi and the others, Di Qingtian stared intently at Ren Zhengnian's face.

The reaction of an unrelated person upon seeing a corpse is different from the reaction of the actual culprit.

Because the strangers are meeting for the first time, while the real culprit has already been met.

The two have different expressions.

Even if the real culprit is good at disguising himself, you can still discern something from his disguise and his natural behavior if you observe carefully.

Especially for someone as experienced in solving cases as him.

"It's so natural, it wasn't deliberately faked. Could it be that their deaths had nothing to do with him?!"

Di Qingtian took in Ren Zhengnian's changing expressions but found nothing amiss; however, this was not enough to clear him of suspicion.

"I have met you sirs."

Normally, kneeling is not customary, but at this time, Ren Zhengnian had to follow the proper etiquette and kneel on one knee with his head bowed in greeting.

"Head jailer, answer whatever Lord Di asks you."

“If you dare to utter a single falsehood, you’re a veteran in prison, and you should know what torture is like there.”

Chang Xingde reminded Ren Zhengnian to behave himself and not to implicate him if anything happened.

"I dare not. I will certainly tell you everything I know without reservation."

Ren Zhengnian felt his palms sweating, but he still tried his best to calm himself down.

“Warden Ren, I want you to tell me the whole story of the mystery, including what you experienced, what you realized, what you saw, and what you discovered.”

Di Qingtian asked calmly.

"what"

Ren Zhengnian was taken aback; he thought he was going to ask something.

When asked this question, it turned out that his experience was different from others.

"What do you mean 'ah'? Just tell me."

Chang Xingde glared at him with dissatisfaction.

Ren Zhengnian had no choice but to recount what he had seen and heard.

After listening, Di Qingtian's expression remained unchanged, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

"Did you ever wish they were dead? I want to hear the truth."

Di Qingtian continued to ask.

"Have"

"But ideas are just ideas. I'm not all alone. I have a family to support."

"I can't afford the price of harming people; at most, I'll curse them to die in my heart."

Ren Zhengnian's expression was uncertain, but he still chose to confess honestly.

(End of this chapter)