C49 (1/2)

County Head Mu smiled at me. I realized that his smile gave off a helpless feeling as he said to everyone, ”This old locust tree has a long history, it can be considered a material and cultural heritage of Shanghe County. Sawing it off would be such a pity.”

The County Head Mu pointed to the courtyard of the Public Security Bureau as he spoke. He said, ”Before liberation, this place was a mass burial ground, and this old locust tree could be traced back to the Qing Dynasty. There are countless people hanged on this place, and some commoners are officials.

”Our Shanghe County is already a poor county, so there is nothing we can take out. This old locust tree is considered a relatively landmark. If we were to cut it down, then there would be nothing left!”

County Head Mu said as he looked at the dilapidated courtyard. A gust of wind blew past the old locust tree, causing a rustling sound, which sounded like the wailing of ghosts and the howling of wolves.

County Head Mu was blown away by the wind, he started coughing violently, it seemed like his health was very bad, the young man beside him supported his arm, his expression anxious, ”Uncle, it's cold outside, let's go back to the house first!”

”Don't worry about it!” County Head Mu waved his hand and led us into the Public Security Bureau's office.

The moment I walked in, I looked back at the 100-year-old locust tree. At that time, there was a sense of astonishment in my heart. I kept feeling as if someone was staring at me from the locust tree.

I noticed that Liao Mengfann had also turned around to look at the tree. I asked her, ”Did you feel it too?”

”En!” Liao Mengfann nodded and said to me in a low voice, ”There are a lot of ghosts …”

”Haha …” I laughed helplessly, women always believe in these fake things, it seems like Liao Mengfann was no exception.

As he walked into the dilapidated Public Security Bureau, the walls on both sides of the building exuded a damp smell. The white walls had already shed off their skin, and the lighting in the corridor was still the same old-fashioned lamp-stick.

Looking at these outdated things, I thought to myself, how poor are Shanghe County? The Public Security Bureau wasn't as good as a village police station.

Pushing open the dark red wooden door, the County Head Mu led us into the office. The office was very simple and crude. There was a red lacquered table that had been there for who knows how many years, a heavy old computer, and a projection screen. However, it was a bit small.

I saw four people sitting around in the office. These four people were quite old, and gave off the feeling that they were just bullies waiting to die. When they saw County Head Mu enter the room, they all stood up one after another.

There were a few photos of the crime scene scattered on the conference table. I walked up to the table and looked at them one by one.

The crime scene was located on top of a grave. It was currently spring, and the rice fields in the northeast had yet to be sown. Some green grass had already taken root and sprouted on the grave.

At this moment, I saw a cut human buttocks at the top of the grave, partially covered by green grass.

I picked up another photo, taken at close range. I saw that the severed buttock was raised to the sky, that is to say, the anus of the buttock was pointed up to the sky.

The picture was not clear, but if you looked carefully, there seemed to be some messy dust on the anus. However, it was not mud. There was also some scorched flesh on the sphincter as if it had been burned.

I pointed to the photo and asked, ”What's going on here?”

The young man beside County Head Mu said to me: ”When this buttock was found, we discovered a large amount of fragrant ashes at the anus, which means that the murderer stuffed a bundle of incense inside the anus of the deceased, and then ignited it on this grave!”

Ah?!

Everyone was very surprised, Aunt Wang Meiqing and Elder Liang were also looking at the photo. After the two of them looked at it, Aunt Wang Meiqing said to County Head Mu, ”I want to look at this buttocks that was cut off!”

”Alright!” County Head Mu said to the young lad beside him: ”Jiang Shan, bring the two experts over to take a look!”

Jiang Shan nodded, he led Elder Liang and Su Yun out of the meeting room. I sent a glance at Jiang Shan's back and felt that it was a bit of a pity for this young man. If he had an appearance, he would give off the impression that he was a top student.

After the three of them left, County Head Mu said to the four of us: ”Our county's manpower is limited. Jiang Shan is the only captain of the Criminal Police squad. This case is also the first time since Shanghe County was founded that we killed a human being. I hope our comrades from Task Force will work hard to overcome this current difficulty! ”

I nodded. I discovered that County Head Mu was a person who was hard to talk to. He gave me a good impression and was kind. I stood up and held County Head Mu's hand as I told him, ”Don't worry, County Head Mu. I will definitely give an explanation to the commoners!”