Chapter 409, Investigating the Corpse
The light stones hanging from the ceiling illuminated the faces of the few people present.
The entire room was deathly silent.
Even the ever-chatting guards were stunned in place, staring in disbelief at the coffin in the center.
Macintosh was dead!
The old barrel boss, who controlled all the port workers and had countless lovers, lay there quietly.
Dressed in his most familiar clothes, with petals scattered around him.
Wu Heng observed the guards and, judging from their incredulous expressions, realized they had only just learned of his death.
"When did this happen?" Wu Heng asked.
The bald man sighed softly and said, "The day after the attack, the boss couldn't hold on anymore, so we prepared the coffin."
Wu Heng looked at the body. "What was the cause of death?"
"Snake venom."
Snake venom?
"No potions were used?"
In this world, the development of potions had reached an exaggerated level.
Even antidotes for zombie viruses could be developed, and snake venom could take his life?
And he was a high-level Professional.
His resistance to abnormal conditions should have been stronger.
"We used potions and even invited a renowned alchemist from the island, but it still had no effect," the bald man said helplessly.
"If he was cured, would he still be lying in a coffin?" the guard commander snorted coldly. "Why didn't you say Macintosh was dead before?"
The bald man replied, "The old barrel had many enemies. If word of the boss's death got out, someone might take action."
The guard commander nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.
He walked straight into the room and circled around the corpse.
Then, he removed his gauntlets, checked for breath, and lifted the corpse's clothes to place his hand on the heart.
The bald man's expression changed, wanting to stop him but ultimately holding back.
He averted his gaze to the side.
After a moment, the commander withdrew his hand. "He's really dead."
From his tone, it seemed the guards found it hard to believe this woman had died.
The guard commander took out a handkerchief, wiping his hands as he walked back. "Macintosh and I were on good terms. An old friend's death leaves me feeling bad. If the old barrel has any thoughts, just say them directly."
The bald man clenched his fists, looked at everyone present, and said solemnly, "The venomous snakes found in the body were definitely someone's doing. If you can help us find the culprit, the old barrel is willing to offer 200 gold as a reward."
Everyone present was shocked.
The old barrel was truly wealthy.
Killing a pirate only earned a few hundred silver.
Finding the culprit on the island could net 200 gold.
For a team like Wu Heng's, solving the case could mean splitting the gold among themselves.
It was clear the old barrel people were genuinely furious.
The guards shared the same sentiment. After the shock came a burning determination.
The guard commander cleared his throat. "Explain everything that happened in detail. Whether we can find who killed Macintosh depends on the information you provide."
The bald man fell silent, then recounted the events at the port.
The trouble began when two work teams had a dispute over cargo, escalating into chaos that disrupted the port's normal operations.
Macintosh went to mediate. After resolving the dispute, while examining the workers who had died in the chaos, one of the corpses exploded, and a venomous snake bit Macintosh.
Even with immediate use of potions,
Upon returning, the symptoms did not subside, and he ultimately died in the tavern.
The commander continued, "Who do you suspect?"
"The Black Raven's Nest. We've had conflicts with them. The Sea Dog Gang also wants to take over port business. The boss's death benefits them the most."
The commander nodded. "Wait here. I'll investigate for you."
With that, he gestured and led his guards out.
...…
After the guards left, the room grew much quieter.
Wu Heng and his team approached the coffin for a closer look at the corpse.
It was confirmed there were no obvious signs of life.
The once-arrogant female boss lay stiffly in the coffin.
After looking around, Wu Heng asked, "Why wasn't an autopsy conducted?"
"Our leader's race has a tradition of preserving the body intact after death. Before passing, she instructed us to investigate the culprit by any means, but her body must not be damaged," the bald man explained.
"What about corpse interrogation? Necromancers asking questions to the body?"
The bald man shook his head, indicating it was not an option.
After all, this wasn't a wanted criminal's body, so forcing such a method was unreasonable.
Wu Heng glanced at him and turned, saying, "Kavina, check the body."
Kavina stepped forward, unbuttoned the corpse's clothes, and began examining it.
The men present moved a short distance away.
They continued asking questions.
The bald man cooperated fully, answering every question and occasionally adding more details.
After a while, Kavina returned. "There are clear snake bite marks, but no other fatal wounds."
Wu Heng nodded and looked back at the bald man.
"You mentioned the corpses with snakes inside. Where are they?"
The bald man replied, "Fearing they carried toxins, we buried them in the wasteland. If you need to see them, I'll have someone take you there."
"Alright, arrange it."
The group headed back upstairs.
The bald man gave instructions to two similarly burly men.
The two men approached and saluted.
Wu Heng said, "Let's go. Take us to the port first."
The two nodded.
They left together, prepared a carriage, and headed directly to the port.
...…
At the port,
The two pointed out the location and described the scene.
Since Macintosh's death had not been made public, the port continued operating as usual.
There was no effort to preserve the crime scene, not even traces of blood.
After a quick inspection, they proceeded to the burial site.
Outside the city, in an undeveloped wasteland.
The two burly men and the team members used shovels to dig up the bodies.
Unrolling a straw mat revealed three corpses with ruptured abdomens.
In the nearby soil, black venomous snakes, about the width of a pinky finger, lay dead.
"Sir, these are the three bodies. Their bellies burst open like balloons, and these snakes emerged. Shortly after, the snakes died on their own," one of the men said.
Wu Heng nodded, signaling the others to step back and casting [Speak with Dead] on the first corpse.
The corpse suddenly sat up, its gaze turning toward them.
The two men from the tavern jumped back in fright, retreating in a panic and watching from a distance.
Wu Heng directly questioned the corpse, "Why did a fight break out before your death?"
The corpse replied, "They stole our work. Negotiations failed, so a fight broke out."
Wu Heng asked again, "Who implanted spells in your body? Who did it?"
"I don't know!"
"Before you died, did you interact with unfamiliar people?"
"No."
"At the scene, did you notice anyone suspicious approaching you?"
"No."
"In your opinion, who might have killed Macintosh that day?"
"The Black Raven's Nest. They had unresolved conflicts."
After five questions, the corpse lay back down.
Based on the first corpse,
No useful clues were found.
There was no breakthrough, and the corpse had no answers.
Mentioning the Black Raven's Nest was just personal speculation and not evidence pointing to a specific target.
...…
Wu Heng turned to the second corpse and cast [Speak with Dead].
The corpse sat up.
"Before you died, did you notice anyone suspicious trying to approach you?"
"No!"
"…"
After five questions, this corpse also provided no valuable information.
All attention had been focused on the fight.
The third corpse sat up.
This corpse was dressed differently, looking somewhat like a supervisor.
"Before you died, did you notice anyone suspicious trying to approach you?"
The corpse was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"That morning, a gnome came looking for work. He asked for less money, so I agreed to let him join."