Lin Taichu thanked Master Zhang and left the yamen. After returning to the medical hall, he explained the situation to Wang Xiaohu and Chen Zhiming.
Chen Zhiming said, "It seems the force behind this is truly cunning. They actually came up with such a thorough plan. The clues Steward Li provided are limited now. It won't be easy to find them."
"It won't be easy, but we still have to find them," Lin Taichu said. "Since they've already made a move against me, they won't let this go. If we don't root them out, more people will suffer in the future."
"Wang Xiaohu, have the scouts widen their search. Don't just investigate Su Mingyuan. Also find out whether any unfamiliar forces have entered Qinghe Town recently, especially those skilled in Poisonous Arts or capable of refining Qianji Powder."
"Chen Zhiming, make another trip to the Kunlun Sect. Tell Daoist Master Xuanqing that the City Lord was poisoned to death and someone framed me. Tell them to stay alert as well. They might have clues about this force."
The two immediately agreed and went their separate ways. Lin Taichu entered the dispensary, took out his notes from when he had studied Su Mingyuan's Poison Powder, and compared them against the ingredients of Qianji Powder.
He discovered that both poisons contained a rare medicinal herb called Nether Grass. This herb only grew in dark, damp valleys, was extremely scarce, and was difficult to gather.
That meant Su Mingyuan's Poison Powder and the Qianji Powder that had poisoned the City Lord likely came from the same place—or, rather, had been supplied by the same force.
This discovery made Lin Taichu even more certain that Su Mingyuan belonged to the force behind it all. If they found Su Mingyuan, they could follow the trail