Half-step Smile Madness.
It was both poison and a parasitic curse.
It was a poisonous parasite refined by the Mountain Tribe.
It was said that anyone implanted with this parasite would have their five viscera and six bowels gnawed clean in an exceedingly short time.
As the Gu worms gnawed away, they would numb all five senses with poison.
Not only would the victim feel nothing, but an inexplicable sense of comfort would spread through their body, leaving them smiling broadly even in death.
Chen Yunfan examined the family's condition one by one. He deliberately touched their corpses, confirming that their chest cavities were completely empty.
He rose, shook the rainwater from his hands, wiped them on his clothes, and said, "It is unlikely that people of the Mountain Tribe would interfere in Imperial Court affairs."
"This matter will likely require careful deliberation."
Fang Hongxiu glanced at him. She naturally knew that Half-step Smile Madness alone could not prove the Mountain Tribe was responsible.
But now that a clue had emerged, she would not abandon it either.
Han Ruixuan studied their expressions and frowned. "If this happened to the Education Minister's household, then Xu Jitong..."
Chen Yunfan raised an eyebrow slightly, turned, and left. "Lead the way."
Fang Hongxiu reacted at once as well, wind seeming to rise beneath her feet as she ran for the door.
Seeing how decisively the two had left, Han Ruixuan shook his head helplessly and instructed several Judicial Officers who had accompanied them:
"Meng Chuan, take two men and stay behind to guard the place. Do not alarm the surrounding residents."
"Jingxuan, return to Zhennan Street and notify the coroner to come examine the bodies..."
Before long.
Chen Yunfan, Fang Hongxiu, and Han Ruixuan arrived outside Xu Jitong's residence.
After listening for a moment,