boyutpedia Chapter 315: Broken Bones
Chapter 315: Broken Bones
Lin Lezhi went to the lake island with Chen Muxing and Cheng Su.
Seven days had passed since the Lantern Festival, and the fog on the island was no longer as thick as before.
Without the cover of night, the piles of bones in the Bone Pit looked even more shocking and unbearable to look at. Anger, shock, and grief were intertwined on everyone's faces.
Chen Muxing ordered the yamen runners to move the bones out and find an experienced coroner to restore the bones of the deceased Huaifeng villagers as much as possible, and choose a good location to bury the Huaifeng villagers properly.
It is not difficult to move the corpses out of the bone pit, but it is not a one-day job to piece together the corpses in the pit into a complete body.
Lin Lezhi also did his best to help restore the remains of the deceased.
Through this assistance to the island, Lin Lezhi was able to accompany Chen Muxing to the crime scene many times.
Standing on the cliff and looking at the mountains, you can still see the river fog because the mountains are low and the terrain is complex, and the fog is difficult to dissipate.
But when he looked at the scene again, Lin Lezhi's eyes did not show any shock at the scenery, but instead contained some solemnity and anxiety.
"I didn't expect that you are not only good at solving cases, but also so proficient in the structure of human bones."
Chen Muxing's voice sounded from beside him, but Lin Lezhi did not panic. Instead, he was very calm. Perhaps Xiao Yihuo had asked him tentatively before, so he already knew what to respond.
Lin Lezhi leaned over and nodded slightly, saying, "I only read about this in an ancient book. Fortunately, my limited knowledge can help the people who have passed away."
Chen Muxing nodded slightly, looking at the foggy scene in front of him, with an unconcealable look of regret in his eyes. He sighed softly, and the sigh was filled with pain and regret, and then he left the cliff without saying a word.
After three days of working almost day and night, they finally restored all the bones in the Hundred Bone Pit. A large pit remained on the ground where the bones were originally buried, and the soil was red.
Looking at the corpses lying on the ground, it is even more heartbreaking and unbearable to watch. One wishes that the perpetrators of this tragedy could be severely punished.
It is precisely because I know that all the perpetrators are dead that the grief and anger surging in my chest are difficult to calm down.
Three days after restoring the bones, Chen Muxing also called Qi Xi to the island. After listening to Qi Xi's ideas and suggestions, he chose another resting place for the people of Huaifeng Village and filled in the place where the bones were originally buried.
In front of the newly dug grave, Qi Xi once again burned New Year couplets for the villagers of Huaifeng Village and kowtowed three times solemnly.
Three days passed.
The Huaifeng Village case was not only widely known, but also spread to the capital. The government was furious and ordered Chen Muxing to severely punish all the perpetrators. Their corpses were beheaded and displayed to the public, and hung on the city gate tower for three months as a warning to others.
The public was outraged, but not happy.
After the dust settled, Cheng Su did not plan to stay in Pinghai Town any longer and prepared to leave early the next morning. After all, the longer the bodies of the dead soldiers were kept in the charity cemetery, the more they would rot.
It would take four or five days to bring so many corpses back safely.
Chen Muxing stepped forward and asked, "General Dingyuan, are you planning to take them back to the barracks? I will arrange for someone to escort you and the soldiers back to the barracks tomorrow."
But Cheng Su shook his head and said, "No need. Just prepare a carriage and a cover for me. They are all soldiers who fought for their country. They should return to their homeland after death."
Upon hearing this, Chen Muxing's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he said with shame: "General Dingyuan is absolutely right. I was negligent. I will order people to prepare it. The carriage and horses will be ready for you before tomorrow morning."
After saying this, Chen Muxing left the charity cemetery temporarily to take care of things.
The government decided to build a cemetery for Chang Feizhang's body to commemorate his achievements to the world, so the body had to remain in the charity cemetery.
Looking at Chang Feizhang's body covered with scars, Chen Muxing's eyes were filled with grief, and he sighed again with helplessness and regret.
Chen Muxing returned Wu Sanshan's body to Qi Xi. Qi Xi did not bring Wu Sanshan's body back to the island, but buried it in a forest not far from his home.
Wu Sanshan's funeral was simple. Not many people attended, including Luo Zhifeng, Deng Yang, Zhou Yuanliang, the village chief and several villagers, Lin Lezhi, Xiao Yihuo and their group, and Cheng Su and Cui Yan.
Three days passed before Lin Lezhi saw Xiao Yihuo again. His complexion was obviously much better than the previous few days. The two just looked at each other without saying a word.
Just like in Huaifeng Village, Qi Xi also kowtowed three times solemnly in front of Wu Sanshan’s grave.
After the kowtow, Qi Xi knelt down in front of Cheng Su, clasped his fists and said solemnly: "I would like to return to the camp with the general. I hope the general will allow me to do so."
Qi Xi's voice was solemn, and trembling because of the fear of being rejected by Cheng Su. Her fists, clasped together, were also trembling. The little finger that was broken by Hong Mingxu had lost the ability to bend and was straight and twisted.
A flash of surprise flashed across Cheng Su's eyes, and then his eyes became serious. He said in a deep voice: "You should really think about it. The military camp is not a place to take it easy. If you..."
"Yes!" Qi Xi's tone was extremely resolute. "I have considered it carefully and am willing to follow the general and serve Northern Qi."
After this incident, Qi Xi's situation became known to everyone. The people of Pinghai Town avoided Qi Xi and were afraid of him. Cheng Su was worried that Qi Xi said he was going to the military camp just to leave this place.
Cheng Su naturally saw this and wanted to help him, and help him leave this place.
But before he could finish, he was interrupted by Qi Xi. Seeing Qi Xi's resolute attitude, Cheng Su's worry disappeared. He said with some relief and appreciation: "Okay, since you have this intention, go to the city gate at dawn tomorrow. If you feel regretful, you don't need to come."
"Thank you, General!"
Qi Xi said this and bowed solemnly to the ground.
Afterwards, everyone returned to the inn and the case was settled. Because he had to return to Tiandi Pavilion as soon as possible to report to the Pavilion Master, Luo Zhifeng said goodbye to everyone and left Pinghai Town.
At the hour of Mao the next day, Lin Lezhi, Xiao Yihuo and their party also went to the city gate to see them off. Qi Xi was already waiting there, and the bodies of the soldiers and their carriages and horses had also been properly placed.
Chen Muxing stepped forward and said respectfully, "General, I have already sent someone to place ice on the carriage to prevent the bodies of the soldiers from being damaged. I have also sent someone to greet you at the charity cemetery you are passing by. You can go directly to the charity cemetery to replace the ice to protect the bodies of the soldiers and ensure their safe return home."
Cheng Su nodded, his eyes full of gratitude as he said, "Thank you, Prefect Chen, for your thoughtfulness."
"That's how it should be."
Chen Muxing nodded slightly.
After saying that, Cheng Su looked at Lin Lezhi, and gestured for Lin Lezhi to come to him. Chen Muxing knew that Cheng Su had something to say to Lin Lezhi, so he nodded and stood a little further away to give the two room to talk.
"Brother Cheng."
Lin Lezhi shouted with a respectful look and some reluctance.
Cheng Su's eyes were serious as he promised, "After today's separation, I don't know when we'll meet again, but I won't break my promise to you. When the time comes, you can ask someone to send your dagger to the barracks. I'll know it's you when I see it."
"Actually..." Lin Lezhi said with a somewhat embarrassed look, "That dagger is not mine."
A hint of surprise flashed across Cheng Su's eyes.
"If it's not yours, whose is it?"
After hearing Lin Lezhi admit that it was Xiao Yihuo, Cheng Su laughed out loud and looked at Xiao Yihuo with admiration in his eyes.
Xiao Yihuo didn't know why Cheng Su was looking at him. There was a hint of surprise and a bit of vigilance in his eyes.
It was unknown what the two men were whispering about, but the atmosphere between them was not tense and their behavior was calm, so Xiao Yihuo also relaxed.
After saying that, Lin Lezhi took out something wrapped up and square-looking from his arms and handed it to Cheng Su with both hands. After Cheng Su opened a corner and took a look at it, he handed it to Qi Xi who was standing beside him.
Before leaving, Cheng Su glanced at Hong Mingxu hanging on the city gate tower, and with a gloomy look in his eyes, he slowly left with Cui Yan, Qi Xi, and the bodies of the soldiers.
Before leaving, Qi Xi also looked towards the city gate, with a hint of loneliness in his eyes.
There were twenty-one people when they came, and only three left when they left.
When Cheng Su's team went farther and farther away until they were out of sight, everyone returned to the town. On the way, everyone seemed to have their own thoughts and no one spoke.
Guan Ziheng was wary of Xiao Yihuo and his group.
"Xiao Xu!"
Just as they were about to reach the inn, Lin Lezhi, after hesitating all the way, shouted in a panic and hurried tone, as if he would miss something if he didn't speak quickly.
There was a hint of surprise in Xiao Yihuo's eyes, then he stopped and looked at Lin Lezhi.
Qingchuan, Liu Yunhe, and Guan Ziheng also stopped.
"What's the matter?"
Lin Lezhi looked a little uneasy, but he still looked very calm as he smiled and said, "I'm a little thirsty. When we were on the island, Yun He told me that you brought some fine tea. I wonder if I could have the pleasure of sitting in your room and asking for a drink of water?"