Killer

Yu Jin thought for a moment and said:

"Let them in."

Although the Heavenly Brocade Guard had now found the crucial clue of Northern Qi Meditation Qi, the most pressing matter was to root out the murderer as quickly as possible. With the Imperial Secret Police's assistance, the case would undoubtedly be solved faster.

Before long, the guards led Ji Feiyun and his group into the main hall.

Another Head Catcher, Gong Lishan, had come with Ji Feiyun. He too was ranked among the Ten Great Catchers of the headquarters.

Not long ago, Ji Feiyun had been utterly helpless regarding the acupoints on Guan Shanxue's body, so naturally he had little face left to linger.

As it happened, he ran into Gong Lishan, who was returning to the Imperial Secret Police, and so invited him along to Aurora Pavilion.

After all, even the Heavenly Brocade Guard had been at their wits' end over this case. Coming alone, he could not help feeling somewhat uncertain.

Though Gong Lishan was broad-shouldered and brawny, he had a pair of eyes like an eagle's.

Not only was his martial prowess formidable, but his memory was extraordinary as well. He was a true expert at investigating cases; with him here, they would undoubtedly have a better chance.

However, the moment they arrived at Aurora Pavilion, they discovered that the Heavenly Brocade Guard had already found the cause of death of the five deceased.

"Northern Qi Meditation Qi? So it was this thing. No wonder you couldn't find the cause. But how did Lord Yu discover it?"

Gong Lishan was widely experienced and knew the terror of Northern Qi Meditation Qi, yet he still asked in puzzlement.

"One of the young eunuchs under my command discovered it by accident today."

An Quan took the initiative to explain, though he concealed everything related to Li Musheng.

When he had reported the matter to Yu Jin and the others earlier, he had likewise omitted Li Musheng's involvement.

Hearing this, Gong Lishan did not ask further. After pondering for a moment, he asked Yu Jin:

"What does Lord Yu intend to do next?"

"Investigate everyone in Aurora Pavilion who had contact with the five who died earlier, as well as the ten people now affected, and find the most likely suspect."

Yu Jin spoke slowly, then added:

"Not only these young masters present here—everyone in the Heavenly Brocade Guard will be thoroughly investigated."

Gong Lishan nodded.

"There's nothing wrong with that, but I fear the murderer may be too cunning and not be among the people Lord Yu mentioned at all."

"Then what brilliant insight does Head Catcher Gong have?"

"I wouldn't dare call it brilliant insight. I merely suddenly recalled seeing some records related to Northern Qi Meditation Qi in a dossier at the Imperial Secret Police."

Gong Lishan clasped his hands and continued:

"It is said that during the Great Qi dynasty, someone once observed another person cultivating this technique and discovered that Northern Qi Meditation Qi's clingy nature, like dog-hide plaster, came from the fact that one had to swallow a medicinal herb called Slug Grass while practicing it."

"Slug Grass itself carries an intensely fishy stench. Almost everyone who cultivates Northern Qi Meditation Qi retains this scent on their body. Perhaps we can begin from there."

Yu Jin's expression shifted at those words. He fell into thought and said:

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

At this moment, Ji Feiyun, who had remained silent at the side, suddenly spoke.

"There's no need to find one elsewhere. This subordinate of mine specially cultivated a Qi-Sensing Technique for investigating cases. With him here, it will be enough."

As he spoke, Ji Feiyun shot Cao Po a look.

The burly man with a swallow's jaw and tiger whiskers stirred, immediately stepping forward and clasping his hands in salute.

"This subordinate is not boasting. No scent within thirty zhang can escape my nose."

Cao Po was burning with eagerness. If he could uncover the true culprit in Aurora Pavilion this time, it would certainly be a great merit. After a few more years, once his martial arts improved further, he would have hope of being promoted to Silver Medal Head Catcher.

Why should such merit be handed over to a dog?

Seeing this, Yu Jin exchanged glances with the chief eunuchs, then nodded.

"Then give it a try."

Cao Po hurriedly acknowledged the order. At once, he circulated his Qi-Sensing Technique, filling the meridians and acupoints in his nose, and began sniffing continuously throughout the main hall.

Very soon, he seemed to have found something. Twitching his nose, he walked toward the courtyard outside the hall.

However, Ji Feiyun suddenly grabbed him.

"Don't go that way. There's a lotus pond over there, and it's full of fish!"

Cao Po froze at those words and immediately stopped.

This drew a burst of laughter from everyone in the hall. Yet just then, Cao Po's eyes suddenly gleamed.

"Found him!"

With that, he spun around and strode toward Li Musheng.

Ji Feiyun hurriedly followed, but the instant he caught sight of Li Musheng, a flicker of surprise clearly appeared in his eyes.

Li Yuanling looked at Cao Po and the others approaching them, immediately stepping forward to block Li Musheng. She said coldly:

"Stop right there. What do you want?"

Cao Po had seen Li Musheng once before at the tavern, and seeing him appear in Aurora Pavilion now also surprised him.

However, his mind was clearly not on that. He waved a hand.

"The person I'm looking for isn't him, but... him!"

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

In an instant, everyone's gaze turned in the direction of Cao Po's finger.

Less than a few feet behind Li Musheng stood a spear-bearing guard dressed in black armor.

He stood in the shadows cast by the curtains, his head lowered so that no one could make out his true features.

Li Musheng slowly turned around as well and looked at the person behind him.

Yet what he thought was: Oh? So he was discovered after all!

"You, come here!"

Yu Jin spoke in a deep voice, his sharp gaze fixed upon the armored man. His entire bearing had changed, exuding a suffocating pressure.

The chief eunuchs nearby, as well as Ji Feiyun and the others, wore wary expressions as they watched him vigilantly.

Having realized what was happening, Li Yuanling immediately grabbed Li Musheng and retreated.

The armored man standing in the curtain's shadow remained motionless. For several breaths, silence hung in the air, and the entire hall became so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Just as the gaze of Yu Jin, the Commandant, grew increasingly dangerous and he was about to speak again, the armored man finally let out a soft sigh.

For a time, that long sigh echoed throughout the hall. At the same time, the armored man slowly raised his head, revealing a young face with clean-cut features.

"Why are you all so eager to die? It was not your turn yet. You originally still had several more days to live."

The young armored man's voice was utterly calm, while a seemingly helpless smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

The next moment, his armor silently shattered inch by inch. His spear cracked with a sharp snap, then turned into a heap of iron powder that sifted down.

Then wisps of pitch-black mist streamed from his seven orifices, gathering and linking together into phantom chains of roiling mist that wound around his body.

"Since you are so eager to die, then no one in Aurora Pavilion will leave alive today!"