Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 430 - 427

Xiao Chong brought Shu Qi to the scene; the ground in front of the workshop was just ordinary yellow mud in rural Mao County.

It hasn’t rained recently, so the ground is still quite firm. The area around the water tank has gathered some dust, besides that, there are only shallow footprints.

Shu Qi was observing the surrounding environment, a bit dazed. He wasn’t good at solving cases, but since his master was busy, he felt he couldn’t just stand idly, so he tried to find something to do.

Xiao Chong crouched at one side, carefully examining the footprints on the ground, his expression seemed to be savoring their differences.

When the workshop was constructed, although rushed due to deadlines, Lin Wanwan hired Wang Dulei, who truly had substantial knowledge as an architect (an expert in designing and constructing large temples), and Lin Wanwan showed ample sincerity, respect, and paid generously.

Therefore, when Wang Dulei designed and built the workshop for Lin Wanwan, he didn’t cut any corners. He considered all aspects inside and outside the project for this major client; certainly, fire prevention wasn’t overlooked.

That’s why there were those water tanks in the corner of the workshop.

These water tanks weren’t just for show; their primary purpose was to prevent potential hazards. Although the Great Tang didn’t have a developed firewater system, fire prevention was still something to be considered.

Following these footprints by the water tank, Xiao Chong quickly made a judgment in his mind.

This secluded corner, aside from mischievous children who might come by, was often ignored by adults busy with their lives.

So most footprints belonged to children, leaving only a line of adult footprints, which was especially noticeable, clearly deserving priority in analysis.

In Xiao Chong’s eyes, Mao County’s criminals were full of flaws because they hardly ever thought to disguise the scene.

A very few cunning ones might think to cover up blood stains, which was already considered cautious.

As for footprints, honestly, even the Hidden Guards and professional assassins in Chang’an wouldn’t think to hide them.

And Xiao Chong, who possessed extremely strong footprint identification skills, could imagine how much information he gleaned during investigations.

Footprints could provide a lot of information, an excellent footprint expert could discern many details, from the material of the shoes to the position of the center of gravity, from height and build to gender and age, etc.

Of course, footprints also had their limitations; if a person is average in all aspects, not tall nor short, not fat nor thin, not limping nor disabled, then they become too non-descript, making them challenging to trace in a vast crowd.

Conversely, if a person has particularly distinctive features, such as Xiao Chong himself, they belong to a type that’s easily exposed; he stands out because he’s exceptionally tall!

If he wanted to commit the perfect crime, it would be much harder than an ordinary person.

To the point, these unhidden footprints essentially rebuilt the crime scene for Xiao Chong, making everything clear and evident.

First, little Qingyu ran over, squatting and hiding behind the water tank; half-footprint on the ground was enough to prove this. Then an adult approached little Qingyu from the side; when the footprints pointed outward, this adult’s weight suddenly increased.

Could a person’s weight suddenly change in such a short time? Of course not!

So, it means the owner of these footprints left carrying a load.

What could he carry? Clearly, it was the weight of little Qingyu.

This point was corroborated by the weight difference shown before and after the footprints, the difference between them being little Qingyu’s weight.

Xiao Chong was long familiar with Qingyu’s height, weight, and footprints. This was why he could instantly distinguish Qingyu among these children’s footprints.

Xiao Chong stood up and followed these footprints outwards, Lin Wanwan, who was watching him closely, quickly followed.

Although Lin Wanwan couldn’t read footprints, she figured from observing that Xiao Chong was now following footprints to find someone; she couldn’t help but ask, "Cousin, did you find anything?"

Xiao Chong replied offhandedly while watching the footprints, "Little Qingyu was taken away by a man around thirty years old, and this person was wearing Black Leather Six-Heeled Boots, definitely not someone from Lin Family Manor, so little Qingyu was likely knocked unconscious.

This person couldn’t be a farmer from another village because they couldn’t afford Six Harmonies Boots; having a pair of straw sandals was already quite good. Forget boots, even hemp shoes might be difficult to afford."

"Can you glean so much just from footprints?" Lin Wanwan’s tone was of surprise rather than doubt.

Xiao Chong was never one to talk offhandedly, so Lin Wanwan had great trust in him, and whatever he said, she naturally believed.

"Hmm, it’s pretty obvious. This person is under seven feet tall, with a slim figure, slightly weak footsteps, not a martial artist." Xiao Chong further explained a few sentences and then suddenly stopped.

Lin Wanwan asked, "What’s wrong?"

Xiao Chong replied, "Here, he started pushing a cart, and beside him walked a pair of footprints of a twenty-year-old woman. Presumably, they disguised as a couple selling cotton fibers to reach this place. It seems they acted not out of impulse in chaos but with premeditation."

Lin Wanwan said solemnly, "Surely they’ve scouted the location before; otherwise, it’s impossible to take little Qingyu under the watchful eyes at Lin Family Manor."

Xiao Chong didn’t comment further, having discussed enough; now it was just to see if they could track down the people.

Following the footprints and wheel tracks for more than a mile, Lin Wanwan’s expression began to look grim.

No wonder, because now they were heading toward the wild beach outside Lin Family Manor and met Kun Lun, holding two borrowed military dogs from modern times, along with several clan members from the Lin Family Manor helping to search for little Qingyu.

Though their tracking methods differed, they ended up in the same place.

Xiao Chong calmly stated, "There are traces of a boat stopping here; after leaving the Lin Family Manor, they took the water route."

Lin Wanwan also noticed it, frowned, and cursed, drawing Xiao Chong’s sidelong glance.

"I’ve repaired our manor’s dock several times, outsiders coming to our manor surely dock there. People who stop their boat on this wild beach must be up to no good; it’s a pity no one noticed."

Xiao Chong said blandly, "You can’t blame yourselves for this; this beach is quite a distance from Lin Family Manor and is obscured by rocks. Who would pay attention?"

Lin Wanwan furrowed her brow tightly, not speaking.

Xiao Chong saw her expression grim, knowing she felt exceedingly worried, so he spoke to comfort her, "Don’t worry, cousin. They say little Qingyu is a lucky fish. I trust that she will turn misfortune into good fortune."

Lin Wanwan exhaled coldly, "Let’s hope so."