Xiao Song donned his straw raincoat but did not go to visit the Su residence as he had said he would; instead, he spurred his horse toward the Yue Lai Inn.
In the thunderstorm, the sound of horse hooves was not distinct, only occasionally could one hear the noise of wading through water.
"Assistant Minister Xiao!"
No sooner had Xiao Song dismounted than County Magistrate Feng, his face still haunted with shock, hurried up to meet him.
Xiao Song glanced at him, showing little surprise. He casually tossed his bamboo hat to the person beside him, took the oil-paper umbrella handed over by a government official, and, while heading into the inn, asked, "What has happened?"
"It's..." County Magistrate Feng felt he couldn't make things clear in just a few words and simply said, "You'll see everything once you enter the courtyard."
Xiao Song strode into the inn's main hall where a strong stench of blood assailed his nostrils.
