Regarding Liu Jinshi's method and reason for suicide, A Shui said, "The rope he used to hang himself was for tying up oxen; it was especially strong. Moreover, the knot tied in that rope was very unique. It was used with a hook to secure and hang a person's neck, so even if the wind blew, the corpse's head wouldn't easily sway."
"When I investigated, the knot in the rope and the iron hook caught my attention."
"If he was merely committing suicide because he couldn't accept something or was forced, he wouldn't need to go to such trouble. There are plenty of large trees and beams in the mansion; a piece of white cloth would have sufficed for his purpose."
"However, he went to great lengths to specifically create such a troublesome knot and hook for himself, and even ran so far to hang himself at the entrance of the county yamen."
"I found it strange at the time, so I deduced Liu Jinshi's head position based on the rope's length and the iron hook. Then, following the direction of his gaze, I found this bottle of poison buried in the corner of the wall."
As A Shui recounted, Wen Chaosheng immediately understood her meaning.
"So… Liu Jinshi went to such lengths to commit suicide at the county yamen entrance to hint at the hidden location of the poison to others?"
"No, that's not right… His body has been hanging at the county yamen entrance for so long today, and no family members have come to collect it, which means his family was most likely also murdered. In that case, Liu Jinshi probably doesn't have anyone particularly skilled in martial arts around him who could help him get revenge, so doing this would be meaningless, unless…"
Seeing Wen Chaosheng create suspense, A Shui stared at his profile illuminated by the firelight and said, "Hey, can't you just say it all at once?"
Wen Chaosheng looked back at her, a subtle expression on his face.
"…Unless, the person Liu Jinshi was waiting for was you."
A Shui's eyes narrowed.
"Waiting for me?"
Wen Chaosheng said, "You met him before. To make him listen so obediently, you must have threatened him, so Liu Jinshi should know your martial arts are very strong."
"Therefore, you are the only one who could possibly help him get revenge."
A Shui's tone was playful: "You're saying Liu Jinshi hoped for a complete stranger he didn't even know to help him get revenge?"
Wen Chaosheng played with a piece of firewood in his hand, seemingly organizing his thoughts. Soon, he threw the firewood into the fire, and the splashing sparks scattered, disappearing into the depths of his vision in an instant.
"It must be this way."
"If all of this isn't a coincidence, Liu Jinshi could only do this, and he had to do this."
"Before the new county magistrate Chun Qiong took office, he must have been threatened and known that he had to die, and his family would most likely not survive either."
"A cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate rabbit will bite. What's more, for someone like Liu Jinshi?"
"Based on my understanding of him over these past three years, he is meticulous and holds grudges."
"The people from Wangchuan wanted to mess with him; he wouldn't just let it go."
"Moreover, to him, although you are a stranger, you do have a reason to help him."
After speaking, Wen Chaosheng gently tapped the half-bottle of poison in A Shui's hand with a wooden stick. She stared at it, lost in thought.
"You mean… the answer I sought from Liu Jinshi is related to his death?"
Wen Chaosheng nodded.
"Yes."
A Shui closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, countless waves surging through her mind.
She only wanted to know why, even though her parents had died five years ago, she still received letters from them during these five years.
This should have been a very simple matter.
Now, it seemed to have become complicated.
Wen Chaosheng stirred the ashes in the fire pit while speaking in a calm voice:
"And a few days ago, when you went to find Liu Jinshi, he clearly knew the answer to this matter, yet he insisted on delaying, saying he would tell you in a few days…"
"Thinking about it now, he wanted to delay until Chun Qiong came to hand over affairs to him, and then he would simply leave with the secret. But he didn't expect that Chun Qiong had come to take his life."
"So, Liu Jinshi racked his brains and found a way to leave this bottle of poison for you, wanting to tell you that the reason you continued to receive letters after your parents' deaths is inextricably linked to Chun Qiong and his group."
"Liu Jinshi knew you wouldn't let it go. As long as you explore the truth, he can use your hand to get revenge."
As Wen Chaosheng spoke, he glanced at the silent A Shui, his tone peculiar: "Now the two biggest questions are, why did the new county magistrate have to force Liu Jinshi to his death?"
"And what is his relationship to your parents' matter?"
