Chapter 33: The Murderer

Yu Jin pondered for a moment, then said:

"Let them in."

Although the Tianjin Guard had now found the crucial clue of Northern Qiming Qi, the immediate priority was to swiftly identify the murderer, and with the assistance of the Six Fan Gate, the progress of solving the case would undoubtedly be accelerated.

Before long, the guards brought Ji Feiyun and his group to the main hall.

Accompanying Ji Feiyun was another constable, Gong Lishan, who also ranked among the Ten Famous Constables of the General Office.

Just a short while ago, Ji Feiyun had been powerless against the acupoints on Guan Shanxue's body, so naturally he had little face to remain for long.

Happening to meet Gong Lishan, who was returning to the Six Fan Gate, he immediately asked the other to accompany him to the Aurora Pavilion.

After all, for a case that even the Tianjin Guard was helpless to solve, coming alone left him somewhat uncertain.

Although Gong Lishan was large and burly, he possessed a pair of eyes like those of a hawk or falcon.

Not only was his Wu Gong high, but his memory was extraordinary; he was excellent at investigating cases, and with him present, there was undoubtedly greater confidence.

However, upon arriving at the Aurora Pavilion, they discovered that the Tianjin Guard had already identified the cause of death of the five deceased individuals.

"Northern Qiming Qi, it turns out to be this kind of thing. No wonder you couldn't find the cause, but how did you, my lord, discover this?"

Gong Lishan, being well-traveled and knowledgeable, understood the danger of Northern Qiming Qi, yet he asked with some confusion.

"It was discovered unintentionally today by a small eunuch under my command."

An Quan spoke up voluntarily to explain, yet he concealed the events related to Li Musheng.

Previously, when he informed Yu Jin and others of this matter, he had likewise omitted the fact that Li Musheng had intervened.

Hearing this, Gong Lishan did not ask further questions; he merely pondered for a moment before asking Yu Jin:

"What does my lord intend to do next?"

"Investigate everyone within the Aurora Pavilion who had contact or connection with the five who died previously and the ten now, to identify the suspect most likely to have acted."

Yu Jin spoke slowly, then continued:

"Not only these Young Masters present, but everyone within the Tianjin Guard, I will investigate thoroughly."

Gong Lishan nodded and said:

"Doing so presents no problem, but I fear the murderer is overly cunning and may not be among those my lord mentioned."

"Then what is Constable Gong's high opinion?"

"I wouldn't call it a high opinion, but I suddenly recall reading some records related to Northern Qiming Qi in a certain scroll within the Six Fan Gate."

Gong Lishan clasped his hands in a bow and continued:

"It is said that during the Great Qi Dynasty, someone who spied on others cultivating this cultivation technique discovered that the characteristic of Northern Qiming Qi, which is like a dog-skin plaster, stems from the need to swallow a medicinal herb named Slug Grass while practicing this technique."

"And Slug Grass itself possesses an extremely strong fishy odor; almost everyone who cultivates Northern Qiming Qi will retain this scent on their person, so perhaps we can proceed from this angle."

Hearing this, Yu Jin's expression shifted, and he spoke with a thoughtful air:

"In that case, we will need to find a hunting dog with a keen sense of smell..."

At this moment, Ji Feiyun, who had been silent beside them, suddenly spoke:

"No need to look elsewhere; one of my subordinates, specifically for investigating cases, has cultivated a skill called Scent-Smelling. Having him here is sufficient."

As he spoke, Ji Feiyun gave a subtle glance to Cao Po beside him.

The large man with a swallow's jaw and tiger's whiskers's expression shifted; he immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed, saying:

"I do not wish to boast, but no scent within thirty zhang can escape my nose."

Cao Po felt intense excitement in his heart; if he could find the true murderer in the Aurora Pavilion this time, it would surely be a great achievement, and after a few more years when his Wu Gong advanced further, he hoped to be promoted to Silver Constable.

Why should such merit be given cheaply to a dog!

Seeing this, Yu Jin and several senior eunuchs exchanged glances, then nodded:

"Then you shall try."

Hearing this, Cao Po quickly agreed, immediately activated the Scent-Smelling Wu Gong, filled the meridians and acupoints in his nose, and began constantly sniffing around the main hall.

Quickly, he seemed to make a discovery; twitching his nose, he walked toward the courtyard outside the hall.

However, Ji Feiyun beside him suddenly grabbed him:

"Don't go over there; that is the lotus pond, and there are many fish inside!"

Hearing this, Cao Po froze, immediately stopping his steps.

This caused a round of laughter among everyone in the hall, yet just then, Cao Po suddenly showed a gleam of light in his eyes and said:

"Found it!"

Having spoken, he turned sharply and walked toward the direction where Li Musheng stood.

Ji Feiyun, seeing this, hurriedly followed, but upon first seeing Li Musheng, a clear expression of surprise appeared in his eyes.

At this moment, Li Yuanling looked at Cao Po and the others approaching, immediately stepped forward, blocked in front of Li Musheng, and said coldly:

"Stand there and do not move; what do you intend to do?"

Cao Po had seen Li Musheng once before at the wine house; seeing him now appear in the Aurora Pavilion, he too felt somewhat surprised.

However, his mind was clearly not on this now; waving his hand, he said:

"The person I am looking for is not him, but... him!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed behind Li Musheng.

Instantly, everyone's gazes turned together toward the direction Cao Po pointed.

There, standing less than a few chi behind Li Musheng, was a guard in black armor holding a spear.

He stood within the shadow cast by the curtains, his head bowed, making it impossible to see his true face clearly.

At this moment, Li Musheng also slowly turned his head, looking toward the person behind him.

However, what he thought in his heart was: Oh, so I was indeed discovered!

"You, come here!"

Yu Jin spoke in a heavy voice, his gaze sharp as he looked toward that armored soldier; his entire demeanor had shifted, radiating an oppressive pressure that made one's breath catch.

Meanwhile, the several great eunuchs nearby, along with Ji Feiyun and others, also showed expressions of alertness, watching the opponent warily.

At this moment, after Li Yuanling reacted, she immediately grabbed Li Musheng and pulled him backward.

The armored soldier standing in the shadow of the curtains had not moved; silence hung in the air for a few breaths, and the entire hall instantly became so quiet that the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.

Just as the Jinyiwei Commander Yu Jin's gaze grew increasingly dangerous and he was about to speak again, that armored soldier finally let out a soft sigh.

For a moment, the long sigh echoed throughout the entire hall; at the same time, the armored soldier slowly raised his head, revealing a young face with clean, distinct features.

"Why must you rush to seek death? It was not yet your turn; you originally had several more days to live."

A voice devoid of any fluctuation issued from the young armored soldier's mouth; the corner of his lips curled into a smile that seemed extremely helpless.

In the next instant, the armor on his body silently shattered inch by inch; the long spear in his hand cracked with a sharp sound, then turned into a pile of iron powder that rustled as it fell.

Then, wisps of black-as-ink mist emerged from his seven orifices, coalescing and linking together into phantom images of iron chains with surging mist, winding around every part of his body.

"Since you wish to die sooner, then today, no one in the Aurora Pavilion shall survive!"

(End of this chapter)