Chapter Thirty-Six: Nightmares and Clues

Proof of his position as a coroner? He had none; his departure was so hasty that even if he had such documents, he wouldn’t have brought them. Yet, aside from a coroner, who else would carry such specialized tools out of boredom? To minimize the bailiff’s questioning, Fang Mu even adopted a threatening tone, shifting all blame for any delay onto the bailiffs themselves.

The two bailiffs exchanged glances. Hearing Fang Mu’s grave words, one of them entered the yamen. In less than a moment, the bailiff returned and said, “Come with me. Magistrate Zhang is waiting for you.”

Fang Mu nodded and followed him inside.

Once within the county office, the magistrate of Meng County was already waiting in the main hall.

“You are Fang Mu?” Magistrate Zhang spoke first, not waiting for Fang Mu to introduce himself. “Magistrate Yu once came to Meng County on official business long ago and mentioned you. He said you are the only coroner in Jinglong County—quite a treasure, it seems.”

Fang Mu replied politely, “I could hardly compare with Meng County. In Jinglong County, I am the only coroner, which keeps me exceedingly busy.”

Magistrate Zhang sighed. “Having many coroners may not be a good thing either. By the way, you said a murder case is connected to Meng County?”

“Yes,” Fang Mu replied. “Magistrate Zhang, has anyone recently moved out of Meng County?”

From the tree bark found on the little girl’s corpse, Fang Mu surmised there must be a connection to Meng County. That family of three appeared unfamiliar, most likely newcomers from Meng County.

At this, Magistrate Zhang fell silent.

Fang Mu saw the expression and understood at once.

There was something amiss here!

“This concerns human life.” Fang Mu rapped his knuckles on the chair’s armrest. “If Magistrate Zhang withholds information, it may well affect your official career.”

Worry flickered in Magistrate Zhang’s eyes. He took a sip of tea, hesitation and struggle evident in his gaze, and signaled discreetly to those nearby.

The bailiffs exchanged looks, then quietly withdrew, one after another.

When all had left, Magistrate Zhang was still torn.

Fang Mu shook his head. “Now it’s just the two of us. I’m discreet by nature; you needn’t worry. Besides, with no one else present, you can always deny what is said.”

Magistrate Zhang gritted his teeth and asked, “Do you believe…that ghosts exist in this world?”

Fang Mu fell silent.

What is there not to believe? If only you knew I’m not even from this world.

Of course, he did not voice this thought.

Magistrate Zhang continued, “Several years ago, there were unexplained deaths in Meng County. No cause could be found. I reported it, and the capital sent a Taoist priest to deal with it.”

“That Taoist said it wasn’t man-made and advised me not to probe further. I thought things had returned to normal, yet lately, trouble has arisen again…”

At this point, Magistrate Zhang’s brow furrowed in distress and he sighed heavily.

Fang Mu asked, “What has happened?”

“Nightmares!” Magistrate Zhang replied gravely. “Several households are plagued by nightmares. I’ve already contacted the authorities above, and investigators have come. But each time, the nightmares cease right after their arrival—nothing can be found. Once they leave, the nightmares return.”

Nightmares?

Fang Mu stroked his chin. Nightmares did make this case somewhat bizarre.

“As it happens, just last night, several people tormented by nightmares finally had a night of peace.”

“They stopped?” Fang Mu asked.

“Yes. In the past, whenever officials were dispatched, they left fruitlessly, and the nightmares would resume after their departure. But last night, they suddenly ceased.”

Magistrate Zhang sipped his tea. “So…even if you search, you will find nothing. There have been no murders, nor are there any corpses.”

When outsiders arrived, the nightmares vanished; when they left, the nightmares returned. Clearly, something was hiding deliberately.

Fang Mu asked, “What sort of nightmares?”

“Famine,” Magistrate Zhang replied solemnly. “All of them dreamed of famine, and a mysterious figure fed them tree bark. After eating it, they became dazed and confused, only to wake and realize it was all a dream.”

Tree bark?

Fang Mu slipped his hand into his robe, feigning to produce something from within while actually retrieving it from his mind. “Is it this kind of bark?”

Magistrate Zhang was startled, took it for a careful look, and after a while, nodded. “Indeed, it’s the bark of the Fire Phoenix Fruit—unique to Meng County.”

Fang Mu fell into thought. “Are there any other clues concerning the nightmares?”

A single nightmare was scant evidence.

Magistrate Zhang shook his head. “You may ask those afflicted yourself, but there’s nothing more—it’s only nightmares. The families who left Meng County did so out of fear, recalling the old murder cases.”

Fang Mu made a sound of acknowledgment and retrieved the bark.

The matter of nightmares could wait; more pressing issues remained.

He asked, “When the murders occurred years ago, were there any headless corpses?”

The headless ghost had killed the little girl’s family, and that family was from Meng County. Was there a connection?

At this, Magistrate Zhang’s expression grew stern. His gaze toward Fang Mu became suspicious.

How did he know about the headless corpse from two years ago?

Fang Mu noticed the doubt and explained, “It’s quite simple. I had contact with those victims before their deaths. News travels; they told me themselves.”

The suspicion lessened. Magistrate Zhang hesitated. “There was indeed one—a little boy, raised by his father alone. After the child’s death, the father went mad.”

“Mad, but still alive?”

“Yes, he’s still alive. The county office has been supporting him ever since. As magistrate, I feel responsible.”

“Where is he?” Fang Mu pondered, then asked.

Perhaps…the breakthrough lay with this man.

Magistrate Zhang forced a bitter smile. “The man is insane. We questioned him, but it was useless.”

“Magistrate Zhang,” Fang Mu stood up and said solemnly, “where there is the slightest hope, it must not be abandoned. Since I am here, do not doubt me.”

Magistrate Zhang was taken aback, then called out.

A bailiff entered and awaited orders.

Magistrate Zhang instructed, “Take this young man to the Chen family home. That Chen family.”

The bailiff glanced in surprise at Fang Mu, but since the magistrate commanded, he said nothing more. He nodded, then turned to Fang Mu. “Please, follow me.”

Fang Mu adjusted his wooden case and left the county office with the bailiff.

They wound through twisting streets until they reached a slightly secluded spot.

Before Fang Mu stood a wooden house, its exterior old and weathered. A small yard stretched before it, with several poles set up for drying laundry.

In the yard, a woman was busy hanging clothes.

She was about forty, slightly plump.

“The county pays her to care for him,” the bailiff explained, leading Fang Mu over. “Sister Wang, we’re here on business.”

Hearing their voices, the woman recognized the bailiff at once. She wiped her hands and came forward.