Gu Yun ran towards the source of the scream, finding several onlookers already beginning to crowd around an alley while some hawkers whispered amongst themselves,Ā their faces ashen. Leaning against the stone wall was a young girl whoād been thoroughly scared stiff, stammering with her eyes covered, āD-dā¦.dead! S-someoneās dead!ā
Behind her stood another young lady, one hand holding the wall for support, another hand clutching her chest. Although she was not as distraught as the other girl, her face had lost all colour and her hands were trembling; Her ragged breathing and tightly shut eyes clearly displayed her fear. As Gu Yun racked her brains to remember where sheād seen this familiar face, she eventually realised that this was the girl, Yu Han Dan, whoād recommended the jade comb as a present.
As to why she was in this place, judging from her appearance, she must have been the first to discover the body,
Gu Yun cast a glance into the alley; There was no dead end, and it was only about 2 meters wide. A girl lay in the middle of the passageway, by her feet was a lantern that had been knocked askew, and it was from the glow of this lantern that Gu Yun was able to assess the situation in the alley.
The girl on the floor was very young. Her hair was strewn all about her, while her clothes had been ripped to shreds, revealing the pale, beautiful skin beneath, making the bruises on her neck all the more apparent. Rigor Mortis had already begun to set in her hands that were curled defensively in front of her neck. On first glance, it would seem quite apparent that this was a murder performed through strangulation, but Gu Yun noticed the heavy smell of blood, which made her suspicious. As she examined the corpse once more, her eyes glinted as her cold pupils focused on the details before her.
In between the victims thighs was a very obvious wound from which a massive amount of blood had poured forth. (the original text writes that blood is constantly flowing, but thatās not possible because blood doesnāt flow from a corpse)
Ā
Gu Yunās hands balled into fists as she took a deep breath, smothering the rage boiling within her, calmly assessing the crime scene, suddenly noticing a still moving figure huddled in the corner .
āThereās someone still alive here!ā Some of the bystanders had noticed this as well, and a few courageous youths had wanted to step in closer to take a look, only to find a slender arm blocking the passageway.
āNobody is to enter! Someone go and report this incident!ā No one present knew the importance of preserving the crime scene, who could tell how badly they might mess up the evidence? In fact, the killer could even still be in their midst at this very moment!
The youths were momentarily stunned by the girlās clear and steady tone. The way she cooly assessed such a chilling scene showed that she was no ordinary woman. When faced with her domineering attitude, a few people backed away meekly, while one of them rushed off to report the murder.
Gu Yun grabbed a lantern from nearby, and inched carefully towards the crouching figure. Getting a better view as she moved closer, she realised that this skinny, trembling girl was dressed in the attire of a maidservant, her head tucked between her legs not daring to look up.
Ā
Gu Yun did not attempt to make her stand, but instead put the lantern next to the girl, allowing the both of them to stand in the light, asking gently, āMiss, are you alright?ā
The girl drew herself in tighter, not daring to move, while Gu Yun continued speaking, āIāll bring you out of this place, alright?ā
The girl tensed up for awhile, and after a long pause, eventually raised her head slowly, revealing a young faced smothered in tears. She stared at Gu Yun with terrified eyes, not saying a word.
Ā
Having confirmed that the girl was in a better condition, Gu Yun tried to offer the girl an arm to lean on. The girl trembled slightly, but did not push her away. In a single motion, Gu Yun pulled the girl up from her seated position, the force of which scared her some, and made her struggle. Gu Yun, fearing that the crime scene would be destroyed, maintained her grip and pulled the girl out of the alley.
Once out in the open where it was much brighter, the girl didnāt seem as terrified as before, although she continued to struggle in Gu Yunās grip. Gu Yun didnāt want to make her uncomfortable, and thus let go, upon which the girl immediately knelt on the ground, shaking uncontrollably.
Gu Yun took a half-squat next to her, and asked directly, āWhat kind of relationship did you have with the victim, and what did you see just now?ā
The girl tensed up visibly and immediately grabbed her head with both hands, pulling on her hair as she moaned, āIā¦Iā¦blood! There was so much blood!ā
Gu Yun frowned, and held on to the girls hand, asking again, āItās already over, thereās nothing to worry about, could you please tell me what happened earlier?ā
Ā
The girl kept on shaking her head, completely unable to speak. Yu Han Dan eventually walked over, and observing Gu Yunās relentless questioning, couldnāt help but think in her heart: the poor girl was already scared out of her wits! Why did she still have to forcefully pressure her for an answer? As she patted the huddled up figure, Yu Han Dan said reproachfully, āCanāt you see what a state sheās in, why do you insist on forcing an answer out of her?ā Although she was scolding, her upbringing taught her to make her words come out in a manner that didnāt seem confrontational at all.
Gu Yun was lost for words. She had no intention of pressurising anyone, but given the current circumstances, this girl was their only lead in solving this case, there was no way she could not question her. A witnessā first response was a critical piece of information. It was this moment that the first responders from the Public Safety Bureau arrived. Having caught a glimpse of Cheng Hang fromĀ Xing Bu, Gu Yun was just about to walk over to explain the circumstances to him, when the girl by her feet was suddenly overcome with terror, and waved her hands in an agitated manner, shouting in a loud voice, āDonāt kill me, donāt kill me!ā
A person who was empowered by fear could display unprecedented levels of strength, and the girlās vigorous thrashing about caused her to forcefully push Yu Han Dan aside. Yu Han Dan herself let out a low cry in surprise, and would have fallen on the ground had Gu Yun not managed to catch her in time.
Gu Yun faced the girl once more, without even sparing Yu Han Dan a second glance, and calmly looked into the girlās distressed eyes, speaking steadily, āDonāt be afraid, there is no one who can harm you here. Tell me, who wants to kill you?ā
Gu Yunās collected demeanour, and her firm, soothing voice must have calmed her down somewhat, although her eyes revealed her to be completely in panic. āSilver hair!ā she suddenly cried out, as if wailing was the only way to lessen her terror, her wavering voice repeated one sentence over and over, āIt was a silver haired man that brought our familyās young miss into the alley!ā
Ā
Silver hair? Gu Yun felt her heart sinkā¦ A silver haired assailantā¦. a hurried escapeā¦ Ao Tianā¦
No, it couldnāt be him! But how could it be so coincidentalā¦
And as for her, she never believed in coincidences!