Crime Scene

"We've arrived," Zhang Zhiyuan said. "This should be the Yenie Holy Hall."

"Make way, don't block the path!" Several people in coarse linen robes carried a stretcher, quickly ascending the stairs and crossing the main hall.

As they passed Zhang Zhiyuan, he instinctively glanced over and saw a blood-soaked person lying on the stretcher.

"What are they saying?" Qiao.Jam asked.

"Telling us not to block the entrance," Zhou Zhi said hesitantly. "This doesn't look like a place for prayer, does it?"

"Let's go inside first," Zhang Zhiyuan led the way into the hall, with the others following closely. Although the architectural style was grand and imposing, with gray-white stone pillars seven to eight meters high supporting the entire dome, there were no guards on the path. They reached the interior of the hall almost unimpeded.

And there were even more people here, and the scene was more chaotic. Not only were there people running back and forth, but many were sitting and lying down. Along the wall by the window, many simple wooden beds were set up, and many women in black veils moved among them. A foul, unpleasant smell permeated the air.

"Is this... a hospital?" Naruko asked in surprise.

"It looks like it. There probably weren't any professional hospitals in this era," Zhang Zhiyuan nodded. "These nuns always do good deeds to win over believers, and saving people is a good choice."

"No wonder," Zhou Zhi said with sudden realization. "I remember a very famous nurse who was also a nun..."

"Hey, what are you people doing here? We're very busy, can you please not stand in the hall and get in the way?" someone suddenly interrupted him.

They all turned to look and saw a petite woman with her hands on her hips questioning them. Her attire was no different from the other nuns, except for a red band tied around her arm, likely used to distinguish her role.

"Do you have a companion being treated at the Holy Hall? If you're looking for someone, go to the front desk. This isn't a place for you to be," her tone was clearly displeased. Unlike the timid passersby, she seemed to ignore the weapons behind them, showing no fear in her eyes.

"Sorry, we're not looking for anyone, we just want to ask some questions," Zhang Zhiyuan took the initiative to explain. "My name is Zhang Zhiyuan, may I ask your name?"

"Qiang... Zhi... Yuan?" she repeated awkwardly. "Okay, strange name. My name is Jenny, and I don't have a surname like you." Perhaps not expecting such polite behavior from the group, her displeasure subsided considerably.

"No... actually, I do have a surname, but never mind, it's not important," Zhang Zhiyuan coughed twice. "Miss Jenny, are you in charge here?"

"I don't manage the Holy Hall, I'm only responsible for taking care of patients, but I know basically everything that happens here. What do you want to ask?" she said, tilting her chin, the implication clear: ask your questions and leave quickly.

"There was a vicious murder case here, right?" Zhang Zhiyuan led her to a corner of the hall and asked in a low voice, "About half a month ago..."

Jenny's expression immediately turned grim. "Why are you asking about this? The police have investigated several times, and we've told them everything we know--"

"And still found nothing, I know," he said in a soothing voice. "But just because the police couldn't do it doesn't mean we can't. A distinguished client hired us to reinvestigate this matter, and we might get a result."

"...But it's been so long now."

"Indeed, we can't rely on first-hand evidence anymore, but I have my methods," Zhang Zhiyuan insisted. "Just take us to the scene of the crime."

Jenny was silent for a long time, then finally turned and said, "Follow me."

The group followed the nun to a side hall outside the main hall.

"This place was originally used to rescue severely injured patients," Jenny said, pulling down her veil as she pushed open the wooden door. "But ever since that incident, it's been cursed, and now it can only be used as a morgue."

An extremely foul smell of decay wafted out of the room, causing everyone to cover their noses.

"Damn, it stinks!" Qiao.Jam frowned. "You guys go ahead, I'll stand guard outside. I can't understand what she's saying anyway."

"I'm not going in either," Naruko said, brushing her sleeve. "I'm allergic to bad smells."

"Alright, you all can stay outside," Zhang Zhiyuan said irritably. "I'll go in alone." He then entered the room and quickly surveyed the environment. The side hall wasn't large, perhaps thirty square meters at most. High windows were set into the walls, and the dim light of dusk slanted in, casting a faint "grille" pattern on the floor.

By this dim light, he could see large black stains remaining on the stone bricks, most likely the result of blood seeping into the ground.

"The crime must have happened late at night. No one knows how the killer got in or how they subdued so many patients," Jenny said intermittently. "The first person to discover the incident was Vina, who was on the early shift. According to her description... the scene was horrific. Several people were cut up and reassembled, and the spilled blood clogged the door cracks..." At this point, she couldn't help but cover her mouth, making a gagging sound in her throat.

Clearly, this was not a pleasant memory for her.

"You don't need to say more, I know," Zhang Zhiyuan took out a notebook and sketched a simple depiction of the room's furnishings. Although the hospital beds had been replaced with morgue beds, the general layout of the room was the same as half a month ago. He had already confirmed the crime scene based on the positions in the photographs. After doing this, he continued, "By the way, what is this curse you mentioned?"

"The Crimson Curse," Jenny's expression involuntarily showed fear. "The Holy Hall spent two days cleaning this room inside and out, but after that, patients who came here would die inexplicably, their bodies covered in red sores before death. Later, it wasn't just patients, but even we could contract the curse... Finally, the Dean had to order the side hall to be vacated, and it became what you see now."

"I see," Zhang Zhiyuan said thoughtfully. "This situation must have occurred in the main hall as well, right?"

"How did you know?" Jenny looked at him in surprise. "Yes, it did, but not as much as here."

"I have a medical... scholar friend who is quite knowledgeable about curses. As a reward for your help, I'll tell you a way to counteract the curse," Zhang Zhiyuan smiled. "Before touching a patient, whether for treatment or care, wash your hands with boiling water first. And those bandages, splints... anything that will touch a wound, boil it in hot water. This way, the curse might be contained."

"What, you mean boil it in water? That's a curse!" Jenny looked at him as if he were talking nonsense. "And have you seen enough? Don't you need to ask for more details?"

"Yes, that's enough," Zhang Zhiyuan walked towards the door. "Thank you again for your help, Miss Jenny. I don't think those murderers will get away with it forever."

"So, what did you find out?" Qiao.Jam asked, shrugging his shoulders as they exited the side hall.

"A decisive clue," Zhang Zhiyuan was full of confidence now. "Let's head back to the cabin quickly. If I'm not mistaken, the killers are about to make their next move."