Chapter 106: The Eerie Last Words

All eyes turned toward Li Tianque, faces filled with disbelief.

“Do you really have a way to find out what he wrote?” Liang Zhichao widened his eyes, staring at Li Tianque.

“What are you planning to do?” Zhu Chunguang was also taken aback.

Li Tianque slowly ran his hand over the old, worn desk and said, “You must have noticed that the paper the beetle ate was a thick type of parchment. This kind of paper is tough and not easy to write on. When Zhuoma was writing, to make the handwriting clearer, she must have pressed harder with the pen. Therefore, we can deduce what was written by examining the indentations left on the desk.”

“That’s right! Such a simple method!” Liang Zhichao exclaimed, enlightened.

Others realized this as well and began trying Li Tianque’s suggested approach to examine the marks on the desk.

However, despite the good idea, the practical situation was less promising. The wooden desk had been in use for many years, and Zhuoma’s grandmother had written on it more than once. The surface was covered with countless carved marks, making it difficult to discern any single inscription.

Fortunately, since the desk was also used as an incense table, the older markings were obscured by ash and stains, while the most recent ones remained relatively clearer.

Zhu Chunguang shone a flashlight on the side of the desk, carefully inspecting the characters, with Li Tianque leaning in as well.

Under the flashlight’s glow, Zhu Chunguang’s bright eyes sparkled as he murmured, “This… this is Kang language… but it’s hard to make out…”

Though Li Tianque had only learned some basic Kang vocabulary, he could replicate the characters by copying the shapes. Thanks to the “Critical Condition” enhancement, his physical abilities—including eyesight and recognition—were superior to ordinary people.

He focused on the worn indentations and beckoned Xiao Liu, “Find me a piece of paper; I think I can transcribe it.”

After careful observation, Li Tianque quickly copied the general content of the Kang script from the desk. The strokes of Kang script were not as intricate as Korean characters, making recognition easier.

The transcription went smoothly, and Li Tianque felt confident that his copy was close to the original.

Once finished, he spread the transcript on the desk.

The next challenge was translation.

Among the five present, only Bai Ruixue was fluent in Kang language.

Though Li Tianque was wary of her, both he and Zhu Chunguang had some knowledge of Kang script, so if Bai Ruixue tried to alter the content, it would likely be discovered.

Given the circumstances, she was the best choice.

—

Li Tianque asked Bai Ruixue to translate the Kang text to the group.

She stared at Li Tianque’s transcript with a detached expression, showing little reaction. Perhaps the text was somewhat obscure even for her, as she took a moment before slowly reading aloud:

“Great Dewa Earth Spirit, thank you for your protection, thank you… um… thank you for granting the herders… life?

That word should be ‘life’…

In this era filled with endless suffering, you have always given us boundless strength, bestowing food and water.

Now, it is time to make a sacrifice; time for me to give my life to you, with this humble… humble…”

Bai Ruixue studied the Kang text carefully, seeming momentarily puzzled by its meaning.

“Humble offering…

To repay your selfless gifts, I am willing to sacrifice everything…

I am willing to make all those who slander you, fear you, and hate you disappear, to burn their filthy bodies with blazing fire, to incinerate their ugly souls…”

Great Dewa Earth Spirit…

I am willing to endure all this, to bear the sacred punishment of sin on your behalf, to purify my soul through the flames, and may you forever bless the entire grassland.

I vow to guard your supreme divine power with my life. When this is over, I will cleanse my soul in the holy river and be reborn!”

Bai Ruixue read steadily, pausing occasionally to ponder, speaking with care and seriousness.

When she finished, everyone present was shocked.

The note seemed to reveal the true culprit behind the string of brutal murders.

If Bai Ruixue’s translation was accurate, Zhuoma’s grandmother had effectively confessed to the so-called “Insect God,” and her motive for killing appeared to be related to someone harming the insect deity and all insects.

Zhu Chunguang’s gaze burned as he stared at Bai Ruixue, who remained composed and silent.

After reading the transcript, Bai Ruixue cautiously added, “Kang language is complex; some words have different meanings in certain tribes. This translation is a simple interpretation based on my current level. For a more accurate translation, I recommend consulting a professional.”

“That’s understandable. But if this content is true, Zhuoma has essentially admitted her guilt. More importantly, no matter her reasons for hiding this paper inside a cockroach and feeding it to the giant insect, it proves she intended to destroy it rather than let us see its contents. This lends credibility to the note. So… I personally lean toward listing Zhuoma as a prime suspect,” Zhu Chunguang said.

Li Tianque glanced at him. Though Zhu Chunguang spoke cautiously, he had likely already concluded Zhuoma was the murderer.

Xiao Liu immediately agreed after hearing the note’s contents.

“The killer must be her! Then let’s go capture her now! The note mentions cleansing the soul in the holy river—is it possible she’s escaped near the Siweiwei River?” Xiao Liu urged.

“Yes, that’s quite possible.”

—

Zhu Chunguang spoke while picking up his phone, apparently to reassign tasks.

At that moment, Liang Zhichao worriedly said, “And from the note, this cleansing doesn’t seem like a simple bath. Could she be planning to commit suicide out of guilt?”

Zhu Chunguang paused with his phone in midair, ignoring Liang’s remark and instead turning to Li Tianque.

“Brother, what do you think?”

Li Tianque was still deep in thought and answered casually, “I don’t see a problem. If you want to investigate, check the riverside. But you know the Siweiwei River basin is vast, and Zhuoma didn’t specify which part she would go to in the note… Searching will be very difficult, like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

“Do you have a better idea to find her?” Zhu Chunguang raised an eyebrow.

Li Tianque had a plan but feigned casualness, “Since Zhuoma chose to sacrifice herself to the Insect God, the place she picks to drown herself would likely be related to insects. You could ask villagers if there are any altars or gathering spots for insects nearby.”

Liang Zhichao quickly added, “Also, since the note’s translation is only Bai Ruixue’s interpretation, local people might understand some phrases better, maybe even pinpoint exactly where she went.”

Zhu Chunguang nodded slightly without revealing his stance.

He reassigned tasks via phone: one officer would escort the research team out of Urkolo Township, while the other four would search the city and the Siweiwei River basin for Zhuoma’s whereabouts.

Zhu Chunguang himself took Li Tianque’s transcribed note to consult locals from the Kang community.

Zhu Chunguang wanted Li Tianque to join the investigation, but Li Tianque declined politely, saying he needed to return to the police station to examine the body.

Thus, the research team returned to the hotel, prepared to leave Urkolo Township with the escorting officer, while the others split up to search for Zhuoma.

Li Tianque searched Zhuoma’s home a bit longer but found neither the “Insect Flute” mentioned by Ma Baoguo nor any other clues.

He then took Xiao Liu’s car to the police station, needing to confirm a crucial matter that would be key to unraveling this entire mystery.

He wasn’t sure what Lü Mou wanted to test in him, but if it was about his use of the insect exterminator, then his previous secret operation was definitely an exceptional performance.

Moreover, one important doubt still troubled Li Tianque: What exactly was the murderer’s ultimate goal?