Chang'an West Market, known as Liren Market during the Sui dynasty.

After the founding emperor established the capital in Chang'an, it was renamed West Market, echoing the East Market in Wannian County from afar.

The West Market covers an area equivalent to two wards, divided into nine districts, with streets on all four sides. In this way, each district borders the street, making trading even more convenient. This has always been the most bustling commercial area in Chang'an.

The reason John Adams came to the West Market was to look for a place to live.

The West Market is far from the imperial quarters, and most of the surrounding neighborhoods are inhabited by commoners.

There are many brokers' offices here, commonly known as agents or intermediaries. Through these brokers, one can quickly and conveniently find a desirable residence. Although it costs a bit more, it is far better than wandering around Chang'an like a headless fly.

Moreover, finding a house through these brokers is relatively safe.

Chang'an, as the heart of the empire, is a place where all sorts of people mix together.

If one is not careful and falls into a trap, losing some money is a small matter; getting into trouble would be a real headache.

John Adams did not want to get himself into trouble as soon as he arrived in Chang'an.

“Leonard Grant, what happened over there?”

As soon as he entered the West Market, John Adams sensed that something was off about the atmosphere.

Tense!

Yes, a bit tense.

At the intersection near the ward gate, a large crowd had gathered.

John Adams, being very curious, stopped and looked toward the intersection.

Leonard Grant and John Adams had grown up together, and he knew this young master's temperament all too well.

Before John Adams could say a second word, he jogged over. A moment later, he ran back and whispered in John Adams's ear, “Young master, someone died over there.”

“Hm?”

John Adams's eyes lit up. “Let's go take a look.”

“Young master!”

Leonard Grant knew this would be the result and quickly grabbed John Adams, whispering, “We're out and about now; the less trouble, the better. Don't forget, before we left, Master told us to mind our own business.”

John Adams had been clever since childhood, with extraordinary powers of observation.

Back in Taiyuan, he had solved many mysterious cases thanks to his boldness and attention to detail.

But this habit had also gotten him into plenty of trouble. That was in Taiyuan, though. While the Di family wasn't a noble clan, it did have some influence locally. So even if he caused trouble, his family could clean up after him.

But now...

Before Leonard Grant could finish, John Adams waved his hand repeatedly.

“I just want to take a look. I won't meddle, all right?”

“Young master, you really have to mean it this time.”

“A gentleman's word is his bond... Leonard Grant, am I the young master, or are you?”

“Young master, of course you are. It's just that Master...”

“All right, all right, I'm just teasing you. Look how nervous you are. I said, I'm only going to look, I won't get involved.”

Since John Adams had made himself clear, Leonard Grant couldn't stop him any further.

He could only pray silently that John Adams would keep his word.

The two of them, one after the other, reached the edge of the crowd. John Adams, being tall and sturdy, squeezed his way into the crowd.

“Excuse me, excuse me.”

He apologized as he pushed his way in, quickly making it into the center.

At one end of the intersection stood a stone bridge.

Beneath the bridge was a small river, connecting to the canal north of the West Market.

At the head of the bridge lay a corpse.

The body was lying face up, head resting on the bridge, with a pool of blood beneath it that had already turned somewhat black.

Because the guards were blocking the way, John Adams couldn't get any closer, so he could only get a general look, not a detailed one.

Out of habit, he wanted to get a bit closer.

But Leonard Grant grabbed him and whispered, “Young master, don't get involved.”

“I know, I know.”

John Adams turned and saw Leonard Grant looking very nervous.

He had no choice but to give up on moving forward, standing at the edge of the crowd, squinting at the corpse, and casually glancing around.

Leonard Grant still looked tense, keeping a close eye on John Adams.

“Young master, you've seen it. Let's go.”

“Let me look a bit longer.”

Just then, there was a sudden commotion at the edge of the crowd.

Immediately after, someone shouted, “Make way, make way, Brandon Young is here.”

The onlookers quickly cleared a path.

John Adams turned to look and saw a middle-aged man in official attire, leading more than a dozen constables, striding over.

They passed through the crowd, heading straight for the stone bridge.

The guards who had been keeping people back did not try to stop them.

These people must be constables from Chang'an County.

John Adams became even more interested, ignoring Leonard Grant's urging, and watched as Brandon Young walked up to the corpse.

The city office officials hurried over to greet him and began speaking with Brandon Young in low voices. Because they were too far away, John Adams couldn't hear what they were saying. So, he stared intently at the two men talking, murmuring to himself as if in a trance.

“This fellow is called Eric Newton, lives in Yong'an Ward, and is one of Samuel Carter's men...”