Chapter 85 Is it a plague? Yan Siqing: "The source of the plague is mostly due to...

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When searching a mountain, having more people is definitely helpful, especially once the scope is determined.

After half an hour, the two leaders, who were wearing conical hats and other clothes, braved the damp and cold night drizzle, heard the urgent report from their subordinates and hurried over.

A cave filled with ivy?

No, it's a pit.

"There's actually a huge pit, blocked by a thousand-year-old tree. The crack below has been covered by creepers over the years, obscuring the gap. Because it's in such a narrow spot, it's overgrown with weeds. I'm afraid even the Xie family's patrols wouldn't pass here."

"We really don't know. We rarely come here because if an outsider enters the mountain, they'll just take the quickest path to their destination. Who would have thought they'd come this way?"

While everyone was talking, the subordinates had already pulled out many vines, piling them up like a small hill, and exposing the entrance to the rift below.

In fact, the rift valley is about a hundred meters long, and you can hear the sound of gurgling water below.

"When lightning strikes a tree, the ground cracks and trembles, and hot springs emerge. Many years later, someone is butchering an ox here."

Wei Tingzhong looked at the underground crack pit that was about three meters deep, and saw the groundwater exposed at the bottom of the valley, gurgling and flowing, crystal clear, but on the shallows next to them, there were piles of white bones that had been washed clean by them.

Those are the bones left after the dismemberment.

The bones are too heavy and easily get stuck at the pool entrance, and the hydraulic force is not enough to push them, so they are left here.

Originally, everyone had guessed through the inferences of Yan Siqing and others that the person had been dismembered. The human skin and eyeballs had been seen, so there was nothing to be afraid of.

But the first time they saw the piles of bones, their scalps tingled.

Just because.

The bones were neatly stacked, even symmetrically, with a human head centered on top.

Even the hair on the human head...

"He even helped comb my hair?" Many people either looked nauseous or turned pale with fear of this person's cold heart.

Sometimes, the most frightening scene is not the bloody, hideous, messy and brutal scene, but the fact that we are all human beings, but can kill people as gracefully as killing a chicken.

This will make the living people put themselves in their shoes - the other party is no longer a human being, or, in his eyes, we are not human beings, but only chickens, ducks and livestock.

How scary is this?

When everyone was quiet, they suddenly heard someone stunned and exclaimed in a low voice: "Is it him?!"

What?

Li Yu stepped forward and carefully identified the man whose hair had been carefully combed, revealing his complete face.

Her expression was distressed and panic-stricken. "It's Liu Guangzhi."

"The Liujia Village case, the one involving the Chen Yue sisters."

"Although he's not the real murderer, we arrested him and took him to the Dali Temple for investigation. He was only released not long ago. Why is he... here?"

"But he is indeed sick!"

Li Yu, despite being a carefree person, was too embarrassed to mention such a serious illness. However, since the matter was urgent, he explained it in detail. Finally, he concluded, "At the time, we were sure his condition wasn't that serious. After we took him to the Dali Temple for a reexamination, it was confirmed that it was indeed a contagious disease."

When she mentioned Liu Guangzhi, Jian Wuliang had an impression of him. He was very busy at that time and had to report to his superiors. He even had to go to the cabinet to recount the case of Xuerengou.

But because the Liujia Village case was handled by Yan Siqing, he also asked about it later.

Liu Guangzhi's medical examination was also reviewed by him.

"Indeed, although this disease is terrible and easily spreads, it will not spread casually. There are certain conditions for contact."

"Besides, even if he is really infected, it can be cured. Whether it is our Dali Temple, the Imperial Hospital, or Lord Yan, they all have ways to treat it. After all, they said that his case is a mild one, not yet a serious one..."

Jian Wuliang was actually relieved, and everyone else was in much the same mood - as long as it wasn't some terrible plague or some hot disease that was hard to tell others about, it didn't matter. After all, there were quite a few princes and ministers who did things improperly in private, and they were the ones the Imperial Hospital treated most often.

so.....

Wei Tingzhong kept frowning.

Jian Wuliang was a bit younger after all, but because he was very sensitive and attentive, he still noticed it and his face turned ugly.

Li Yu: "What's wrong, sir?"

Jian Wuliang: "After handling so many murders, many perverted murderers once handled the corpses with great ritualistic feeling, usually for people to see. He knew we could find this place, so he put the head here, just because he was not afraid that we would recognize Liu Guangzhi."

If they recognized Liu Guangzhi and determined that his illness was not enough to threaten the safety of the crowd and was not a plague, then the urgency of the case would naturally be greatly relaxed, and everyone could just go home and deal with the matter, and the deceased Liu Guangzhi would be insignificant.

So, is this the other party’s purpose?

Or the other way around?

Wei Tingzhong didn't want to waste time on such uncertain speculation. He looked at the miscellaneous items beside the bones—they were clothes. "Take them all away, but the placement of the bones...any paintings that can be painted will be rearranged as they were when we move them back."

"Let Master Yan take a look."

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Yan Siqing saw it quickly, because there were many people in the Dali Temple, and there were a few people here who were considered by the common people to be "child prodigies with photographic memory".

Li Yu could even remember the placement of all the bones after just two glances.

So when Yan Siqing saw it, it had already been arranged as it was, and there were also on-site drawings.

She took two glances and then turned to Liu Guangzhi's hair.

"It seems the comb he used was quite good." Jian Wuliang said, "This man seems quite respectable."

Is it decent?

Yan Siqing: "I didn't recognize him just now. Maybe Liu Guangzhi was too unkempt before."

She turned her gaze and looked at the clothes and miscellaneous items beside her.

Something has been picked out.

A purse, empty, with nothing in it.

But, there are also weird stains.

The people from the Dali Temple had smelled it before and after and were sure that there was a smell.

It's very complicated and I can't tell what it is.

"It seems to be some medicine."

"After all, he's sick and feeling unwell. He'll have to find medicine when he gets out, but where will he get the money?"

Yan Siqing also wanted to go forward to listen, but was stopped by Wei Tingzhong.

He was worried that some kind of disease might spread through his sense of smell...

Yan Siqing: "I can already smell it."

"It's considered medicine, but it shouldn't be considered medicine for him."

What's the meaning?

"star anise."

What?

Everyone was a little embarrassed.

Is that the Bajiao they know?

Yan Siqing had a strange expression on his face. "This should have some of the flavor of star anise. He must have eaten some braised food. He's not very self-disciplined and put it in his wallet."

"It's a bit strange, this guy."

Jian Wuliang was stunned, then thought, "First, the material of this purse is unusual. It's not the rags that ordinary people use. It's very new and made of silk. Second, he's sick and must have felt uncomfortable after coming out of the Dali Temple. He actually has an appetite for braised food, which means his health has improved. He either has medicine or money to buy it. Third, he was able to put the braised food into the bag because he had run out of money and there was nothing else in it. Otherwise, even the sloppiest person wouldn't be so careless. After all, it's food that goes into the stomach, and it won't be mixed with anything else."

"Taking all things into consideration, after Liu Guangzhi left our Dali Temple, someone gave him money, possibly medicine. After his illness was cured, he started to get food... Could such a person be carrying such a severe plague? If the illness is so easily cured, I'm afraid..."

After discussing it, they all felt that this matter was very strange. On the one hand, they couldn't see how serious the matter was. On the other hand, they were worried that they would be deceived by the murderer and misjudge the threat, which would lead to unpredictable consequences.

The main thing is that the murderer is very strange and perverted, but he is secretive and seems to want to show off, but he also knows everything about them.

Wei Tingzhong: "It's like they're playing a game with us from a distance, teasing us."

That's right.

Everyone felt uncomfortable thinking that the other party was most likely among those people in the hot spring villa.

Who is it?

In fact, both bosses had someone they suspected - when Yan Siqing mentioned that he could predict the weather, they had already guessed it.

But what is the other party’s purpose?

Because it might be the prince, and considering his identity, they could not raise suspicion on him without solid evidence.

Especially since the other party would definitely not do it himself, and has other subordinates, it would be even more difficult to identify him. Even if he is identified, he might be fine and the suspicion can be easily dismissed.

Unless they are sure that Liu Guangzhi's harm is so great that it cannot be hidden, they will not take real action easily.

Yan Siqing had been thinking and checking Liu Guangzhi's clothes and hair.

The hair is dry.

After a while, she said, "First, the purse is dry, and the grease from the marinated food hasn't been soaked and spread. The marks on it are complete and haven't seeped into the fabric, which means it hasn't been exposed to rain. Or, when Liu Guangzhi got the purse after coming out of the Dali Temple, it hadn't rained yet. He got the purse from someone, so it wasn't just these two days, it was earlier. At that time, he was already in good health and still had the mind to eat and drink. According to my understanding of this kind of disease in many medical clinics, it will take a few days to get it cured. It's just because it's an infectious disease, and the doctors are cautious. Many medical clinics don't even understand this kind of client unless the other party can't refuse. Obviously, Liu Guangzhi doesn't meet such an identity, and it would be strange if he wasn't kicked out. Then, based on the time he recovered, I guess he didn't get the medicine in the clinic, but when the person gave him the purse, there was already medicine in it, otherwise there wouldn't be enough time."

"Li Sizhi just mentioned that this person was released five days ago. He should have received money and medicine on the same day or the next day. Someone gave him these in Chang'an."

"Because the clothes here have some holes on them. I remember when the Xiaoliu Village case happened, he was taken to the Dali Temple and he was wearing this set of clothes. At that time, the clothes were still in good condition. Although they were not rushed, there were no tears from friction. After a closer inspection, there were still some bloodstains."

Jian Wuliang: "Yes, I thought he was being tortured in my Dali Temple."

Don't sound too natural in your tone.

But the other disciples hurriedly denied it, "Master Yan has already said that he is not the murderer, and he is sick. The brothers have no time to avoid him, so why would they attack him? Even though this man is indeed disgusting and deserves a beating!"

So... he was beaten by someone outside the Dali Temple?!

Got beaten, but got the money bag?

Is there any medicine in your wallet?

ah?

Jian Wuliang suddenly thought of something. "If I were him, after leaving Dali Temple, I would lose everything and have nowhere to go back. My life would be bleak, no different from a stray dog. I would definitely seek help or revenge."

The ones who took revenge were naturally the Dali Temple and Yan Siqing.

No need to ask.

If you need help or want to make a claim...

"Fan Xianglou." Wei Tingzhong said softly and glanced at Yan Siqing.

The person's words were referring to this brothel, but she didn't say it clearly, and seemed to be avoiding the idea that it was the power of a nobleman.

Unless necessary, she doesn't like to confront each other directly.

Yan Siqing: "The blood on the clothes is on the lower body, which is consistent with the servants' habit of sweeping the lower body to make people fall down when they fight in groups, and then surrounding and kicking and beating them."

The thugs in brothels do use such tactics.

Because they don't want to beat people to death directly, because that would make them responsible for dealing with the body, and it would also be a bad impression for other guests. Usually they hit the person's lower body, beat him until he can't resist, and then drag him out and throw him somewhere out of the way, so that he can't easily come back and cause trouble again, and he has to stay in bed for a while to recuperate. They won't let him die directly and cause a lawsuit.

And it’s hard to say who the big money man behind Fan Xiang Lou is.

But Wei Tingzhong and Jian Wuliang looked at each other, and they both knew that the person behind the scenes was a member of the royal family.

Wei Tingzhong: "Master Yan, do you also know this much about this kind of thing? I'm not talking about the filthiness of the brothel, but the things behind it. It seems this isn't your first time in Chang'an. Could it be that you have a deep memory of it from your childhood?"

It's almost like she has thoroughly investigated everything in Chang'an over the years and even knows about the affairs of the royal family.

Yan Siqing downplayed it, "I still remember the male corpse from Fanxianglou..."

After hanging up, Jian Wuliang immediately explained a few things.

From that incident, Yan Siqing did know something, and it was revealed by the Dali Temple.

He must have a powerful background, either a prince or a high-ranking royal family member.

There is nothing to doubt.

Wei Tingzhong smiled faintly: "That was a misunderstanding on my part."

Yan Siqing: "No misunderstanding, I do pay attention to these things."

Wei Tingzhong narrowed his eyes.

Yan Siqing smiled elegantly, "I have received quite a few orders from Yuguifang. I even know some of the rare treasures that some nobles in Chang'an want to show to you, Governor Wei."

"Businessmen, if they are in a low position, want to make money and survive, so they must listen to all sides, be concerned about other people's concerns, know what others know, but also know what they don't know."

"If I wasn't afraid that Lord Wei would misunderstand me, I would never admit it."

Versatile and impeccable.

Wei Tingzhong: "I am suspicious and misunderstood. Lord Yan, please don't blame me. Then what do you think these suspicions point to? Who is Liu Guangzhi..."

Yan Siqing: "You have never considered that Liu Guangzhi's illness, to put it bluntly, is a disease of promiscuity. Not all prostitutes will have this disease. He got it by accident. The murder was also an accident. Because it was handled quickly, even if the results and the inside story were eavesdropped from the Dali Temple, it is impossible for Fanxianglou to directly produce such a highly effective drug that would cure him immediately."

yes! !

Accident upon accident, in such a short time, Fanxianglou...

Jian Wuliang's expression suddenly changed. "Unless the person who gave him the medicine already knew about his illness, and even this illness was within his control and prediction!!"

Yan Siqing: "These past few days, while I was with you sorting out the Snowman Valley case, I listened to your personnel deployment and found that a group of people were transferred out. I haven't heard of any serious cases recently that require you to allocate personnel to handle them. So there are some cold cases, but you are afraid of something drastic happening - if I'm not mistaken, it's the missing persons case? Because only cases like this require a lot of people to visit and investigate, and they actually waste more manpower than homicide cases."

Based on her understanding of Jian Wuliang, this man faced a major case like the Snowman Valley case and luckily avoided the previous charges. The most important thing for him to do is to make merit and enhance the reputation of the Dali Temple. He should have come out in full force to handle the case perfectly. The fact that so many people were sent out obviously meant that he had other cases.

Forehead.....

Wei Tingzhong's eyes are as sharp as lightning!

Jian Wuliang had cold sweat on his forehead.

What evil has befallen the Dali Temple? I thought it was an accidental case, but now it’s involved again?

What is the connection between those missing people and Liu Guangzhi’s illness?

"Could it be that they were all..."

Yan Siqing: "The source of the plague is mostly due to the group."

It must be applicable to most people, able to break through the body's resistance, make people show symptoms and infect others.

It's difficult to deal with, but it's not easy to be born either.

Unless it is a group of people who have been planned for a long time and controlled by drugs, and no matter what happens to these people, they have an identity to cover it up, and the people around them don’t care too much.

Gambler, prostitute.

It's just this kind of people.

Are most of the missing people of this type?

Jian Wuliang nodded gloomily after being questioned. "Most of them are gamblers, and some are just ordinary people who like to have affairs. Because they are small-time people, their families don't care about their disappearances. They even hope that they will disappear and be left in peace. They wait a while before reporting to the police, so we can't find any trace of them for a while."

"If they are involved in this...then the question arises: what will happen to Liu Guangzhi?"

Yan Siqing: "If the other party's research and preparations are mature enough to release Liu Guangzhi, then the medicine in the pocketbook may not be a cure for his illness, but a trigger."

"It will directly cause the toxins already in his body to mature rapidly and then infect others."

Just as he finished speaking, Xie Juanshu sent someone to report.

Not good!!!

The young bird is going crazy!