Chapter 288: Plate-Like Scales

Inside the Caobang Main Helm, the scene was utterly horrific.

The walls were splattered with blood everywhere.

Pools of blood covered the ground. There were countless drag marks where bodies had been pulled away, along with fragments of chewed flesh and bone. Doors and windows had been smashed apart, and sections of the walls had collapsed.

Strange claw marks were left across the ground, the walls, and even the roof.

“What kind of monster did this?”

Constable Captain Yu stopped in front of one of the claw marks on a wall.

The mark was larger than his face.

“The creature must be larger than a fully grown tiger. What kind of beast could this be?”

His eyes were filled with fear and disbelief.

“Old Yu, come up here!”

Constable Captain He pointed toward a sharp footprint on the roof.

“I’ve served in the Six Gates for twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve encountered a case like this. Have you ever seen anything like it?”

“Never.”

Constable Captain Yu sighed, his expression bitter.

The constables of the Six Gates were making discoveries throughout the Main Helm.

One of them soon found a broken black scale. Holding it carefully in both hands, he hurried over with a solemn expression.

“Captains! I found this.”

The two men’s expressions darkened further.

“The texture is as hard as metal.”

“No wonder arrows could barely injure it…”

“But what kind of beast would have scales this tough?”

The only creatures they had heard of possessing such armor were mythical beasts recorded in ancient bestiaries.

No ordinary animal had such scales.

“Put it away. I’ll take it to the capital later and see if we can find an answer.”

Constable Captain He carefully wrapped the half-scale and tucked it into his robe.

Before long, the Six Gates reached their conclusion.

“All one hundred and sixty-seven people in the Caobang Main Helm are dead. Not a single survivor.”

“There are very few signs of resistance. The entire event was likely a one-sided slaughter. The enemy was far stronger than them.”

While Constable Captains Yu and He were discussing their findings, Yin Xingtian and Old Seven stood nearby.

Their expressions were grim.

“One hundred and sixty-seven people. Aside from the maids and servants who handled chores, the remaining hundred were at least close to the level of formal Martial Artists. Sun Wen himself was a Second-Rank Martial Artist, and several Martial Artists served under him—all of them had already entered the ranks.”

“With strength like that, they had no ability to resist at all?”

Yin Xingtian and Old Seven felt extremely troubled.

The Main Helm had already been very strong.

The other Branch Helms and islands that were attacked had even weaker defenses.

It was easy to imagine the outcome of those places.

“There is still one hour until midnight.”

Yin Xingtian looked up at the Blood Moon, feeling an inexplicable irritation as he muttered,

“The Blood Moon has reached its peak. I only hope they can survive.”

“…That is all we can hope for.”

Constable Captains He and Yu were equally exhausted.

Although their own losses were small, such a massive number of casualties appearing overnight within Sanhe Commandery would place tremendous pressure on the Six Gates.

Afterward, they would be running themselves ragged investigating the case.

“Hall Master Yin, Old Seven,”

Constable Captain He suddenly turned toward the Caobang leaders.

“I heard that the blood fog near the Sanjiang Branch Helm has already retreated.”

“Is that true?”

Old Seven nodded.

“The Sanjiang Branch Helm discovered early that the monsters inside the fog fear light and do not wish to expose themselves to it. They had already prepared tung oil torches in advance to suppress the creatures within the fog.”

“That is why their losses were relatively small. Only a dozen or so brothers were killed.”

“This Blood Moon Incident will likely cause many casualties throughout Sanhe Commandery. We must gather more intelligence as soon as possible and report it to our superiors.”

Turning to Constable Captain Yu, he said,

“Old Yu, stay here and keep watch. I’ll take a team along the official road to Hejiang Town and investigate the situation at the Sanjiang Branch Helm.”

“At this hour?”

Constable Captain Yu frowned slightly.

But Constable Captain He had already made up his mind.

“From what we can see, the blood fog originates from the river. Its spread is slow and does not extend far onto land. The road should be safe.”

“We must obtain more information before dawn tomorrow and report it to our superiors.”

They could hardly report that the Six Gates had simply stood there watching the fog retreat while the killers escaped.

Did they still want to keep their official hats?

“Travel carefully.”

Constable Captain Yu nodded.

Constable Captain He immediately gathered a team of constables and yamen runners.

They mounted their horses and galloped out of the city toward Hejiang Town.

He was correct.

Along the way, they encountered no blood fog.

Soon the group arrived at Hejiang Town. After presenting their identification tokens, they were immediately allowed inside and quickly located the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

From afar, they could already smell the heavy scent of burning tung oil in the air.

Wangchuan had been stationed on the rooftop the entire time. From a distance, he spotted Constable Captain He and his group approaching.

Recognizing him, Wangchuan stood and cupped his fists in greeting.

“Constable He! Visiting so late at night—what brings you here?”

“I heard from Hall Master Yin that the blood fog on your side has already retreated. I came specifically to take a look and seek your advice.”

When they last met, Wangchuan had only been a First-Rank Martial Artist and a hall leader of the Yulong Gang.

Now he was a Branch Helm Leader of the Caobang and a Second-Rank Martial Artist.

Constable Captain He’s attitude was no longer so cold or arrogant.

“The situation during the Blood Moon is unusual. If Constable He does not mind, you may come up to the roof and we can speak there. Ask whatever you wish—I will answer everything I know.”

“Good.”

Constable Captain He understood Wangchuan’s cautious nature.

Without bothering with formalities, he leapt upward, stepping against the wall for leverage before landing beside Wangchuan.

Below them, the constables of the Six Gates saw no blood fog along the river or dock.

Encouraged, they began searching for clues.

“Constable He still dares to investigate a case during the Blood Moon. I admire your courage.”

Wangchuan cupped his fists respectfully.

Hundreds of people both on and below the rooftops followed suit, expressing their admiration for the constable’s boldness.

Constable Captain He laughed and waved his hand.

“Frankly, it is embarrassing.”

“The prefectural dock was attacked by the blood fog earlier tonight. The Six Gates and your Hall Master Yin were there together, yet we failed to capture even a single culprit. We did not even see their appearance.”

“If we are not diligent tonight, tomorrow we may be scolded by our superiors until our ears ring.”

After his self-deprecating remark, he formally began questioning Wangchuan about everything that had happened that day.

Wangchuan called several disciples over and began recounting the events from the moment the pleasure boats first appeared on the river.

Constable Captain He listened very carefully.

When he heard that more than a dozen disciples had been killed while placing torches outside the Branch Helm, he pressed them for details about whether anyone had seen the shape or features of the creatures inside the fog.

The people around them grew interested and began speaking all at once.

“That thing was big—probably some kind of beast. It ran on all fours and moved incredibly fast!”

“It also had a long whip-like appendage that could easily drag people into the fog!”

“I think it must be at least as strong as a Third-Rank Martial Artist.”

“Could it be a water ghost? The kind that knows sorcery and cannot stand the light?”

“Yeah, yeah!”

“It was not afraid of arrow volleys. It is probably some kind of ghost or monster.”

Constable Captain He felt his head spinning from the chaotic speculation.

Finally, he turned to Wangchuan.

“What do you think, Helm Leader Wangchuan?”

Wangchuan gestured for Chen Ergou to bring something over.

He handed it to the constable.

“This is what the killer used to attack us.”

“To be honest, I am just as confused. I do not know what kind of creature the killer is.”

“But if someone tells me it is human—I would not believe it.”

“No human could commit such brutality.”

“And no human would fear light like this.”

As for the rest, it was up to Constable Captain He to determine how to solve the case.

After pondering for a moment, the constable took out the half-scale he had collected earlier.

“Helm Leader Wangchuan, take a look at this. We found it at the Main Helm.”

Wangchuan took the scale in his hand and felt its texture.

His expression immediately changed.

He stood up and looked toward the dock plaza, his eyes turning grave.