Longevity from Liao Zhai

Chapter 27 Cellar
Zhou Ping came to the cellar and Xiaobai lay on his shoulder.

This cellar is very secretive, with a room above it.

There is a table above the cellar door, which is difficult to see.

Moreover, the He family’s haunted house is very large, and Zhou Ping did not check every room carefully.

If it weren't for feeling the connection between the ghost baby and himself, Zhou Ping would not have discovered this cellar.

Zhou Ping opened the cellar door and walked in.

The ghost baby is waiting in the cellar.

This cellar is very large, about five meters long and wide.

There were many jars of wine scattered all over the cellar.

Zhou Ping roughly calculated that there were about 100 or 200 jars in total.
"It smells good."

Zhou Ping opened a jar of wine and a fragrant aroma rushed out.

There was a piece of paper on a wine jar: "My daughter Yunqing was born, so I prepared two hundred jars of fine wine."

Zhou Ping looked at the handwriting and realized that this was the daughter's red wine prepared by Mr. He for He Yunqing.

This wine is for when He Yunqing comes to pick up the bride.

"A jar of good wine is worth at least two hundred coins!"

"These two hundred jars of wine cost forty taels of silver."

“Not to mention, this wine has been buried for more than ten years and is worth more.”

Zhou Ping never expected that he would actually make a small fortune.

A house costs thirty taels, and the value of this wine alone is more than thirty taels.

This house was picked up for free!
Make a lot of money, make a lot of money!
This is only the case with Zhou Ping. If it were anyone else, it would probably take many years to discover the good wine in the cellar.

"come here."

Zhou Ping greeted the ghost baby.

The ghost baby crawled to Zhou Ping's feet, and Xiaobai also jumped to the ghost baby, scratching it with its claws.

"Since you and I have signed the contract, follow me from now on."

"I live forever, you are immortal!"

Zhou Ping said. The main reason was that he didn't know how to decipher the contract.

It's impossible for the two of them to sign a contract and then just let the ghost baby fend for itself.

The ghost baby and Xiaobai get along very well, and the two of them are good companions together.

The ghost baby has low intelligence and knows nothing, but it can feel that Zhou Ping is very happy.

Because of the contract, the ghost baby became much closer to Zhou Ping. Zhou Ping was happy, and the ghost baby was also happy.

"Well, you two go look around the mansion again and see if you can find anything as good as these wines."

Zhou Ping said.

After Zhou Ping finished speaking, Guiying and Xiaobai left. They wanted to check the whole yard.

Zhou Ping brought up several jars of wine. He planned to give one jar each to Chen Erdan, Scar and Uncle Lame, and keep the rest for them to drink slowly.

"Zhou Ping, Zhou Ping."

Chen Erdan came to the yard anxiously.

"Erdan, what's wrong?"

"Lend me ten taels of silver! I'm afraid it will take a long time to pay you back. My brother is in trouble."

Chen Erdan said anxiously.

"Give."

Zhou Ping gave Chen Erdan ten taels of silver without saying a word.

Zhou Ping, Chen Erdan and Daoba have a very good relationship and would never lend each other money under normal circumstances.

When Chen Erdan was getting initiated, even though he borrowed money from all his relatives, he did not borrow money from Zhou Ping and Dao Ba.

If you borrow money at this time, it must be because you have encountered some urgent matter.

Chen Erdan was very grateful to Zhou Ping.

Chen Erdan’s elder brother Chen Dadan worked as a runner in the county government.

Just last night, when Zhou Ping and the other two were eating hot pot, Chen Dabing, a few police officers, and the accountant from the county government were also drinking.

However, by the late night, the others had all left, leaving only Chen Dabing and the accountant.

The next day, people from the county government office discovered that the accountant was dead.

It would be fine if he died from drinking, but the accountant died in a horrible way.

The accountant's skull was opened and his brain was empty.

There was no one else at the scene except Chen Dabing.

Chen Dabing was thrown into jail.

That’s why Chen Erdan was anxious to borrow money so that he could smooth over the relationship.

Chen Dabing is the pillar of the Chen family. Once something happens to him, the entire Chen family will have a hard time.

Zhou Ping followed Chen Erdan to the county government office, and along the way he learned the whole story.

It's really evil to empty out everything in a person's head.

Zhou Ping didn't think Chen Dabao would do this. After all, it was too stupid. Would he stay at the scene after killing someone?

But who knew that Chen Dadan was the only one at the scene of the death?

Chen Erdan borrowed money and then went to ask Daoba to borrow money again.

Qinghe County, prison.

"Brothers, this is a little gift from my younger brother."

Chen Erdan bribed the prison boss and got the opportunity to visit the prisoner.

Zhou Ping and Dao Ba also followed Chen Erdan. At this time, we should help those who can.

Chen Li was also among them.

The four men walked from the sunny outside into the dark and damp prison.

As soon as he entered the prison, Zhou Ping frowned slightly.

Not only is it dark and damp in here, but there's also a foul odor, like that of a cesspool.

If you live in this kind of environment for a long time, you will become insane even if you don't die.

"what!"

Scar screamed, scaring everyone.

A mouse squeaking under Scar's feet.

"No, sorry, let's keep going."

Scar smiled awkwardly.

Four people came to the cell where Chen Dadan was imprisoned.

In the cell, Chen Dabing was wearing prison uniform, his hair was disheveled, and his eyes were cloudy and lifeless.

"Bold."

Tears welled up in Chen Li's eyes instantly.

"Mom, you're here."

Chen Dabing's cloudy eyes had some light in them. He came to the prison door.

"You stupid kid, I told you not to drink, I told you not to drink."

"Why do you drink all day? Why don't you just die?"

Chen Li slapped Chen Dabing, feeling very disappointed with him.

Chen Dadan also started to cry. He knew that even if he didn't die, he would probably be skinned alive.

Chen Dadan was well aware of the rules of the county government.

In a murder case like this, it would be best if the murderer can be found. If not, they will look for a scapegoat.

Chen Dabing was at the crime scene, making him a rare scapegoat.

The entire Chen family depends on Chen Dadan's work in the yamen for face and favors.

If Chen Dabing were gone, hard times would come for the Chen family.

Putting aside the question of whether they would be looked down upon by the neighbors, the third and fourth brothers became apprentices at Herentang because of Chen Dabing's job as a clerk in the county government.

If Chen Dabing lost his official position, it is hard to say whether He Ren Tang would still give face to the Chen family.

In this troubled time, without a way to make a living, there is only one way out: death.

"Mom, you're right. Why didn't I die with the accountant last night?"

"If I die, I'll leave a good reputation behind, and my brothers can work in the county government."

Chen Dabing knew that his imprisonment would have a huge impact on the Chen family.

An official who could take over the position is gone just like that!

In the yamen, I wonder how many people are eyeing this position.

"My poor child."

Chen Li and Chen Dabing hugged each other and cried bitterly.

"Brother Bold, you should tell us what happened last night. Maybe there are some clues that can help us find the real murderer."

Zhou Ping advised from the side.

It is indeed strange that Chen Dabing killed the accountant and ate his brain.

Zhou Ping felt that it was a bit unreasonable.

If you really want to kill someone, why don't you just leave after killing him?
"Yes, yes, yes, be brave, tell your brother, Zhou Ping and Scar what's going on, just in case there's a chance of a turnaround."

Chen Li said.

"Well, there is a chance. Some of the officers I am close to told me that no useful evidence could be found at the scene."

"The murderer was very skilled! He didn't leave anything at the scene."

"I'm probably going to be a scapegoat." Chen Dabao said dejectedly. The officials in the government office couldn't find any clues, and he was desperate.

"Brother Bold, you can't say that."

"The criminal may be very powerful and we cannot catch him."

"But recently a fourth-rank Confucian master has come to Qinghe County. If we go and ask him for help, maybe there will be a chance of success."

Zhou Ping said.

Killing people and taking their brains is horrifying.

In Zhou Ping's opinion, this kind of matter is not something he can interfere with, but Fan Shiyi should be able to find some clues.

"Oh, that's Mr. Fan. I've heard of him too. He's a Confucian of the fourth rank!"

Chen Dabing's eyes lit up, realizing that this might be his chance.

There are things that ordinary people cannot see, but for a fourth-grade person, he should be able to see something different.

It’s hard to say whether the Chen family can hire this person, but there is hope at least.

"Last night, I drank with the accountant until the end, and then I passed out and I don't know anything."

Chen Dabing carefully recalled what happened last night, but he couldn't find any useful information.

"Be brave and think about it again."

Chen Li urged.

Chen Dabing frowned and thought for a long time.

"Yes, I heard a sentence in a trance, this tofu pudding is not very good."

"I was wondering at the time why there was no tofu in the dinner."

Chen Dabing finally thought of a clue, but it seemed that this clue was useless.

"Brother, this clue is useless?"

Chen Erdan said.

Chen Dabing frowned. He really couldn't think of anything else.

“It’s not like this sentence is useless.”

"First, why did Mr. Accountant die, but Brother Bold didn't?"

"Secondly, if what Brother Bold said is correct, then the murderer may commit crimes again."

"Tofu pudding should refer to the brain."

Zhou Ping expressed his analysis.

"Since the murderer is not satisfied with the accountant's brain, why not open another one? There is a person next to him."

"If the murderer kills again, it will prove that Brother Bold is not the murderer."

Outside the cell.

The four people came out after the visiting hours.

Chen Erdan planned to lobby the county government again to prevent it from making a decision so early, so that there would be a chance of turning the situation around. After Zhou Ping's analysis, Chen Dadan had hope of survival again.

"Zhou Ping, thank you so much. I don't know what to say."

Chen Li was crying and snotting.

"Don't worry, Auntie. Everything should be fine."

Zhou Ping consoled her. In fact, he had no idea, and was just making up a few words to comfort her.

Several people came out of the prison and separated.

Chen Erdan and Daoba prepared to go to Fan Shiyi to plead for mercy.

Zhou Ping planned to send a jar of wine found in He's house to Uncle Bo, and then ask him what he thought about killing people and taking their brains.

After all, Uncle Lame is knowledgeable and may be able to help Chen Erdan.

In the Yan Family Escort Agency.

The sound of long swords breaking through the wind came one after another.

Yan Yi, the young master of the Yan Family Escort Agency, danced with his sword with great vigor.

Uncle Lame looked at Yan Yi lovingly from the side.

"Okay, okay, we've been practicing all morning, let's eat something."

Uncle Lame advised from the side.

"Uncle Lame, I just ate. It's not even an incense stick long. How can it be a whole morning?"

Yan Yi said as she danced with the sword.

Zhou Ping silently came to Uncle Bo and put down a jar of wine.

"Uncle Lame, I brought you a jar of good wine."

Zhou Ping said in a low voice.

Uncle Bo's eyes were always on Yan Yi, but he still spared some attention.

"What's wrong."

Uncle Lame asked.

Zhou Ping told Uncle Lame what had happened to Chen Erdan's brother, but he didn't know whether he had heard it.

Uncle Lame didn't hear it, but Yan Yi seemed to hear it.

"Killing people and taking their brains, this seems like something the Demon Sect would do."

Yan Yi put away his sword and looked at the two of them.

Uncle Bo took the opportunity to hand Yan Yi a string of candied haws, which was her favorite food.

"Uncle Lame, I'm getting fat."

Although Yan Yi refused, she still started eating.

"This is Zhou Ping."

Uncle Lame introduced.

"Are you Zhou Ping?"

"Could this wine come from the He family?"

Yan Yi asked.

Zhou Ping nodded. He didn't know how Yan Yi knew that the wine came from the He family's mansion.

"Yesterday, that damn girl Xiaoyun was still saying that she had suffered a huge loss. There was still a lot of wine in the yard."

"She also said that the wine cellar is very well hidden and you will never find it. She is even prepared to trade you for half of the wine with the information about the cellar."

Yan Yi looked at Zhou Pinghe and the wine on the ground and smiled.

"Uncle Bo, Young Master, is there any progress on what I asked just now?"

Zhou Ping asked. His purpose was to ask for advice on killing people and taking their brains.

"What Xiaoyanzi said just now is right. This may be the style of the Demon Cult."

Uncle Lame also agreed with Yan Yi's words.

Demonism is not the way of cultivation for human beings, they just practice evil ways.

In essence, evil ways are also a kind of Taoism.

The people of the Demon Cult have no respect for etiquette and laws and love killing.

This kind of killing and brain-stealing seems to be the style of the evil cult.

Zhou Ping told Uncle Bo and Yan Yi about Chen Dadan's affairs.

"Yes, Zhou Ping, your judgment is correct."

"The murderer spared Chen Dadan and even disdained the accountant at the county government office. This shows that he is selective and will have a next target."

"I just don't know what the murderer's selection criteria were? An elderly person? Or some other selection criteria?"

Uncle Bo agreed with Zhou Ping's analysis.

The three chatted for a while, but there were no other new clues, so Zhou Ping left.

However, when Zhou Ping was leaving, a little beggar came to deliver a letter to Uncle Bo, saying that it was a letter from an old friend.

Zhou Ping also delivered a letter for the little beggar.

In the escort agency.

"Uncle Lame, you treat Zhou Ping very differently."

"Well, this child is a good talker. Although he is overly cautious, he is very calm and has great potential."

"Are you more talented than me?"

Yan Yi was a little unhappy. Uncle Bo never showed such concern for anyone other than Yan Yi.

What's more, this is someone of the same age.

Uncle Lame laughed as he opened the letter. He saw that Yan Yi was a little jealous.

"You little swallow, even though I raised you, it is the sky that you love."

"When I get old, who will take care of me?"

"I have no children, so I have to leave a way out for myself, right?"

Uncle Lame teased Yan Yi.

Yan Yi became even more unhappy.

"Uncle Lame, I am your backup plan! Although I am not your biological daughter, I am actually your daughter!"

Yan Yi pouted and hugged Uncle Lame's arm.

Yan Yi's father is very busy and has been escorting goods all the time.

Uncle Lame raised Yanyi, and she has long regarded Uncle Lame as her father.

Uncle Lame seemed not to have heard Yan Yi's words. He held the letter tightly with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

Letter: Do you want to know the secret of the ambush when the escort was on the road?

(End of this chapter)