Chapter 141: Capturing the Old Taoist

Li Wantong survived the night in the cellar on half a flatbread, but by the following day, hunger gnawed at him once more. Never before had he yearned for food with such desperation.

He gazed at the pile of vegetables stored in the cellar but dared not touch them. Having killed someone the previous night, he was too fearful to venture outside. No one knew yet if the body had been discovered.

Suddenly, Li Wantong felt that his decision to poison the city had been rash and impulsive. He should have arranged an escape route beforehand before infiltrating Dingbian City. A pang of regret surged quietly within him.

He endured the hunger through the entire day, and when night fell again, he climbed out of the cellar to scout near the city walls. Patrol soldiers were still numerous, leaving no chance for him to slip away. With no other choice, he returned and entered another household’s cellar. He dared not return to the first one—the family there had been murdered by him, and he feared going back.

He also refrained from stealing food, afraid that discovery would force him to kill again and risk exposing his whereabouts.

Another night passed in agonizing hunger. By the third day, Li Wantong obediently remained hidden in the cellar. When nature called, he resorted to digging a pit within the cellar, relieving himself, and then covering it up.

Though his diarrhea had ceased, the cellar reeked with the foul stench of human waste.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Yang, along with Huang Wenlong, Fei Wen, and others, grew increasingly anxious in the county office. The poisoner remained at large, and they could not rest. Who knew if the culprit would strike again? Such threats were unpredictable.

If the soldiers were all poisoned, Dingbian City would be indefensible.

At dusk, a soldier returned with news: a body had been found in a residential home.

Startled, Magistrate Yang's seasoned instincts told him this corpse might be connected to the poisoner.

He led Huang Wenlong, Fei Wen, Xiao Ding, and other officials, including the coroner, to the residence.

Inside, they discovered two bodies—a man and a woman, husband and wife, surnamed Wang. They had no children and earned their living by laboring for others.

The coroner examined the wounds, concluding they were inflicted by a sharp sword.

Curiously, the bodies were found in the kitchen, which puzzled Magistrate Yang.

Why would a killer choose the kitchen for the murder?

Observant Xiao Ding noticed bloody handprints on a water ladle in the kitchen, indicating the murderer had scooped water after the killing. The cabinet doors were open, and the plates inside were empty.

Could it be that the killer came seeking food and water, then killed to silence the homeowners upon being discovered?

Piecing this together, Xiao Ding was convinced the culprit was ninety percent likely the fugitive Taoist priest.

Because citywide searches prevented the priest from leaving, and having no food on him, hunger forced him to steal.

Upon hearing Xiao Ding’s theory, Magistrate Yang nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Yet, even if correct, where could they find the priest now?

“Let’s have the officers and soldiers inspect this courtyard thoroughly for any suspicious traces,” Xiao Ding suggested.

Magistrate Yang ordered his men to search the property.

Sure enough, soon a report came back: the cellar in the backyard showed signs of recent habitation. They discovered crumbs of flatbread and the lingering stench of human waste.

The group hurried to examine the cellar and confirmed the reports.

Clearly, someone had been living there. The family would never hide in their own vegetable cellar to eat flatbread or soil the place with waste.

“Next, we should prioritize checking every household’s cellar. Perhaps that Taoist is hiding in one of them,” Xiao Ding advised Magistrate Yang.

Magistrate Yang immediately decreed a thorough inspection of all cellars, with any suspicious findings to be reported immediately.

Soon, soldiers found another cellar reeking with foul odor—the very first cellar Li Wantong had entered.

This discovery only confirmed that the poisoner must be concealed in one of the cellars.

Magistrate Yang ordered an increase in manpower to conduct meticulous inspections household by household.

Meanwhile, Li Wantong endured the gnawing hunger and the foul smells, waiting for nightfall. Evening approached; darkness was near. Determined, he resolved to seek food tonight, even if escape remained impossible. He could no longer bear the torment.

Suddenly, the sound of many footsteps approached. Among them, a woman’s voice rang out: “Our cellar is over there, officer. You can check for yourself. I swear we are not harboring any traitors!”

As the footsteps drew closer, Li Wantong realized it was over—he had been discovered.

Sure enough, the cellar door was flung open, and a soldier peered in.

Without seeing clearly, the soldier shouted, “There’s someone inside! Report to the magistrate at once!”

The soldiers tensed, drawing their weapons and blocking the cellar entrance. Li Wantong had no chance to leap out.

The woman who owned the house saw Li Wantong’s figure and collapsed to the ground, crying out, “Officer, I truly don’t know when this man entered my cellar. I have nothing to do with this! I swear I’m not hiding any traitors!”

The soldiers paid her no heed, gripping their weapons tightly and focusing on the cellar entrance.

Before long, the reporting soldier returned with Magistrate Yang, Xiao Ding, and others.

Magistrate Yang ordered his men to surround the cellar, ready to apprehend the Taoist. Then he stepped forward and called into the cellar, “Who are you, and why are you hiding down here?”

A soldier who had seen Li Wantong before recognized him and told Magistrate Yang, “Sir, this Taoist is the very man who poisoned the military camp’s well.”

Xiao Ding, knowing the priest was skilled in combat, rushed to Magistrate Yang’s side and cautioned, “Sir, this Taoist is dangerous; don’t stand too close to the cellar entrance—he might harm you.”

Magistrate Yang stepped back and raised his voice again, “Who are you? Why did you poison our military camp?”

Li Wantong, knowing his fate was sealed, laughed heartily and declared, “I am Li Wantong, the Grand Tutor of the Great Xia Kingdom! I poisoned your camp to kill you all—need I say more?”

Xiao Ding mocked him, “With your meager skills, you call yourself Grand Tutor? Hiding all day in a cellar relieving yourself, yet you have the audacity to claim such a title?”

Li Wantong’s face flushed with anger as he snarled, “Who are you, insolent brat? Come up here and see if I spare your life!”

“Fine, it seems this proud Taoist isn’t willing to come out. We’ll clear the entrance—come out now!” Xiao Ding said. It was difficult to capture him if he remained hidden; they had to lure him out.

“If you plan to attack me when I jump out, you’d better keep your word!” Li Wantong warned, fully aware they awaited his capture.

“Come out peacefully. We promise no ambush,” Xiao Ding assured, though inwardly he thought otherwise. He gave a subtle signal to the soldiers surrounding the entrance to strike simultaneously as soon as the Taoist appeared.

Xiao Ding and the soldiers stepped back slightly, weapons ready.

Suddenly, a shadow darted from the cellar mouth. The soldiers swung their blades, striking the dark figure.

Clang! Clang! Several clashes rang out as all their weapons hit the shadow.

But upon closer look, the shadow was not Li Wantong—it was the large bundle he was carrying on his back.

By the time the men recovered their senses, Li Wantong had already leapt out, sword raised, standing to one side.

He swung his sword at the soldiers surrounding the bundle, forcing them to dodge, then hoisted the bundle back onto his shoulders and turned to flee.

Xiao Ding reacted swiftly, drawing his repeating crossbow and firing multiple bolts at Li Wantong’s back...