The great physician's realm, a revelation in one word (fifth update)

At the gates of the Huang residence, yamen runners carried out one desiccated corpse after another beneath white shrouds and stacked them on the Mortuary wagon.

A gust lifted a corner of the cloth, revealing a sliver of skin as gray and withered as dead wood. The onlookers' hearts clenched, yet they could not bring themselves to leave. They had to steal another look at the ruin of a family that had lived behind high walls.

Qin Geng stood outside the cordon, his gaze passing over the bodies.

The world really had fallen into chaos.

Was this the work of the Foreigners, or had some Demons and evil spirits done it to feed themselves? Or was it both?

Whatever the answer, Tianjin's waters had grown too muddy to see the bottom.

"All right, clear out."

Shen Yi's voice rang out, edged with Killing Intent, and the surrounding buzz of conversation stopped.

He rested a hand on the saber at his waist and swept the crowd with a hawklike gaze. "The Huang residence is sealed off effective immediately. Post the seals.

"Except for Dragon-Guard Office personnel working the case, no one is to approach. Anyone who trespasses will be arrested on the spot!"

"Yes, sir!"

The soldiers answered in unison and struck the butts of their spears against the ground. A grim, murderous air spread at once.

"One more thing."

Shen Yi turned to the prominent figures behind him. "Come to the Dragon-Guard Office in Tianjin for a meeting on the fifteenth of the third month. Until then, keep your people in line. Don't make trouble for me at a time like this."

"Yes, sir."

Third Master Cao, Old Tan, and Old Hai all answered without argument.

Jia Xincun shook his head, said nothing more, and climbed into his sedan chair.