Liu Sanniang asked this to see if there was a connection between the three cases.

As long as there was one connection, she knew which direction to work in.

Wei Shilai nodded. “That’s right. When we asked the surrounding villagers, they mentioned that the family moved here 20 years ago from Huanghu Village. That village was burned down 20 years ago and everyone moved out.”

Wei Shilai’s eyes widened. “Did the family of the first case from Huanghu Village too?”

Wei Shilai immediately instructed his men. “Go and check if the family of the first case was from Huanghu Village too. Then, find out where the families that moved out of Huang Hu Village are now!”

Lin Zheng did not delay and immediately took his men to Chaoyang Village to investigate.

Wei Shilai let out a breath. The three cases were now connected, but it made him even more worried. He still had no idea who the murderer was. He was worried that there would be a fourth case soon.

“If we can find the victim in advance, we might be able to catch the murderer and no one will die,” Wu Ju looked at Liu Sanniang and said calmly.

Wei Shilai agreed. “That would be the best scenario. We must catch the murderer and not let him continue commiting atrocities.”

Wu Ju smiled faintly. “With me and Miss Liu around, we’ll definitely be able to catch the murderer.”

Liu Sanniang looked at Wu Ju as if she was trying to guess if he was telling the truth. Wu Ju was kind-looking and his gaze was sincere.

Liu Sanniang nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

Not long after, the corpses of the family that were wiped out in Xiangle Village were sent back. Liu Sanniang went to look at the corpses. It was a tragic sight.

The whole family was smashed to death by Huang Shantian with a hoe. Their faces were badly mutilated. The coroner came quickly and confirmed that the deaths were caused by the hoe.

The children were no exception.

When she came out of the government office, Liu Sanniang saw Wu Ju standing by the roadside. When he saw her coming out, he smiled and waited for her.

Liu Sanniang turned around and glanced at Chu Yan. He lowered his voice and said, “Go, I’m right beside you. Don’t be afraid.”

Liu Sanniang was speechless.

She was not afraid. She just felt pressured with Chu Yan by her side all the time.

However, she did not say anything and walked towards Wu Ju.

“Miss Liu, can I buy you a cup of tea?”

Wu Ju was gentle and polite. Looking at his kind expression, one would find it impossible to refuse.

If it were anyone else, they probably would have agreed without a second thought.

However, Liu Sanniang remembered that Chu Yan said that Wu Ju was stenchy. She asked him. “Why?”

Wu Ju looked at Liu Sanniang and said, “Miss Liu is blessed by the heavens. I want to discuss Buddhism and karma with you.”

Liu Sanniang nodded. “Then let’s go.”

She followed him with Chu Yan beside her.

Wu Ju seemed to be very familiar with Yong County. He walked in front and never looked back. There were fewer and fewer people on the street. When they reached a teahouse, Wu Ju went in first.

Liu Sanniang followed him in, but she suddenly tripped over something and almost fell. She was held up by a hand. Wu Ju said gently, “Miss Liu, be careful.”

Liu Sanniang stood up and looked behind her. Chu Yan was gone.

Wu Ju smiled. “Miss Liu, please come in.”

Liu Sanniang felt that her feet were out of her control. She walked in.

Wu Ju sat down at the table. A wooden tea set was prepared in advance. After sitting down, he began to wash the cups and tea.

Liu Sanniang sat down opposite Wu Ju. She did not know what Wu Ju wanted to do, but Chu Yan was missing. It must be Wu Ju’s doing.

Wu Ju’s cultivation level was far higher than hers.

Liu Sanniang really felt danger this time. With her life in Wu Ju’s hands, Liu Sanniang didn’t panic but stayed collected. She observed Wu Ju and saw that he was calm and not impetuous.

Wu Ju also knew that Liu Sanniang was looking at him. He smiled and said, “My master taught me how to make tea. He said that I’m impetuous and that making tea and copying scriptures are both meticulous work that can calm me down. While making tea, the first thing to do is wash the tea. After the tea is washed, it won’t taste bitter. The second thing to do is make the tea.”

Liu Sanniang looked at him calmly. From washing tea to making tea, Wu Ju was very meticulous, as if he was really just here to drink tea and chat with Liu Sanniang.

Wu Ju pushed the first cup of tea to Liu Sanniang and gestured for her to drink it.

Liu Sanniang picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Wu Ju smiled. “Is it good?”

Liu Sanniang said calmly, “I don’t like tea, so I can’t really tell.”

Wu Ju didn’t mind. He smiled. “People’s taste differs.”

Liu Sanniang cut to the chase. “Didn’t you want to discuss Buddhism with me?”

Wu Ju nodded. “I wanted to start with chit-chat, but you don’t seem to be into it. Then I’ll just get to the point.”

Wu Ju paused and looked at Liu Sanniang. Seeing her calm expression, he said, “Miss Liu, what do you think karma is?”

Liu Sanniang said calmly, “Everything in the world is karma.”

Wu Ju smiled. “What do you think of the three murder cases?”

Liu Sanniang did not speak. She looked at Wu Ju, who was no longer smiling. His eyes were like an endless dark abyss that was sucking Liu Sanniang in.

With a crisp sound, something seemed to be broken. Liu Sanniang turned around and saw Chu Yan standing not far from her with a cold expression.

Wu Ju smiled. “Miss Liu, have a good dream.”

Chu Yan walked over, grabbed Liu Sanniang’s hand, and walked out with her.

Liu Sanniang could only jog to keep up with his walking. She could feel that Chu Yan was angry. He was like a dark storm, ready to roar.

The fear in Liu Sanniang’s heart rose. Her voice trembled unconsciously. “Chu Yan, let go of me.”

Chu Yan suddenly stopped in his tracks. He pulled Liu Sanniang into his arms and hugged her tightly. Liu Sanniang was terrified. For some reason, she was very afraid of Chu Yan.

Chu Yan lowered his head as if he was about to kiss her.

Liu Sanniang couldn’t help but tremble.

Chu Yan ran his lips across her forehead and hugged her tightly. His voice was slightly hoarse. “Sanniang, don’t be afraid.”

Liu Sanniang gulped and tried to suppress the fear in her heart. She trembled and said, “Let go of me.”

Chu Yan let go of Liu Sanniang and looked at her. His eyes were as dark as ink, like a bottomless well.

Without any hesitation, Liu Sanniang turned around and ran away. This Chu Yan now was the real him. His gentleness before was fake.