The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation
苏河孤证录
by Xnoval Originals · Wuxia · 33 chapters · complete series
The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation is a Wuxia web novel by Xnoval Originals, with 33 chapters.
Synopsis
Investigative journalist Shen Yanjiang uncovers damning evidence of historical fraud buried within an ancient estate. His quest for the truth collides with the machinations of Pei Zhaoye, a corrupt customs official who weaponizes legal loopholes to erase history and enrich himself. As Shen dives deeper, he finds an unlikely ally in Chu Hanyi, a morally ambiguous intelligence broker driven by profit yet bound by a lingering personal debt. Together, they navigate a treacherous web of bureaucracy and danger. Supported by the rigid integrity of forensic examiner Nie Yunzhou and the fervent innocence of student Jiang Wanzhou, the group confronts a system designed to bury the past. With their former friendship on the brink of destruction, Shen Yanjiang must choose between institutional loyalty and the unyielding truth, risking everything to expose the rot at the heart of the empire.
沈砚江追查古宅铁证，与挚友楚寒衣·苏在腐败官僚裴照野·陆的阻挠下争夺历史真相。
Chapter 1: The Box Left in the Rain
The old estate south of Suzhou leaked like a sieve. Rainwater dripped in thin lines from the shattered roof tiles, sounding like someone grinding a blade behind the eaves. I crouched beside a collapsed writing desk and picked up a sheet of mold-blackened ledger paper. The corner bore the faded characters for "Sword-Forging Manor," the ink having lost most of its depth, yet one line of small print remained startlingly clear: 19th year of the Jinghe era, 370 taels of canal grain transport silver, not deposited into the treasury.
This wasn't just clearing out an abandoned house. It was a murder case I’d been chasing for two months. Three years ago, the entire family at Sword-Forging Manor vanished. The officials ruled it a bandit raid and massacre, but the case file was missing all but three pages. Today, someone slipped me a message saying the canal transport ship’s accountant knew the truth. The note ended with just one line: "Come to the ruined house south of the city. Do not bring company."
I held the ledger paper to my nose. Under the smell of mildew, I caught a hint of pine soot fragrance. That was ink commonly used by bookshops in Suzhou, but it was mixed with the salt-alkali residue found only in the ledgers of sea-trade vessels. There were three fine tears along the edge of the page. The tears were identical, clearly not ripped in a fit of anger, but forced open from a complete bound ledger.
Details
- Author
- Xnoval Originals
- Genre
- Wuxia
- Status
- Ongoing
- Chapters
- 33
- Length
- 520628 words
- Updated
- Updated 2026-11-08
- Languages
- 简体中文, 繁體中文, English
Frequently asked questions
Is The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation complete?
Not yet — The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation is still being serialized, with 33 chapters published so far.
Who wrote The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation?
The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation was written by Xnoval Originals.
How can I read The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation?
You can read The River’s Last Witness: A Jiujiang Investigation online on Xnoval. The first 3 chapters are free, and the book is available in 简体中文, 繁體中文, English.