Chapter 33: The Killer

Yu Jin thought for a moment and said

"Let them in."

Although the Tianjin Guards had now found the crucial clue of the Beiqi Mingqi, the priority was to catch the killer as quickly as possible. With the assistance of the Six Doors, the progress of the investigation would undoubtedly be accelerated.

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

Accompanying Ji Feiyun was another constable, Gong Lishan, who was also ranked among the ten most famous constables of the General Office.

Not long ago, Ji Feiyun had been utterly powerless against the acupoints on Guan Shanxue's body, so he naturally lacked the face to linger. He happened to run into Gong Lishan while he was returning to the Six Doors, so he invited him to come to the Aurora Pavilion together.

After all, for a case that even the Tianjin Guards were helpless against, coming alone would leave him somewhat uncertain.

Although Gong Lishan was burly and rugged, he possessed eyes as sharp as a hawk's. Not only was his martial arts prowess high, but his memory was extraordinary; he was an expert at investigating cases, and having him present undoubtedly increased their chances of success.

However, upon arriving at the Aurora Pavilion, they discovered that the Tianjin Guards had already determined the cause of death for the five deceased individuals.

"Beiqi Mingqi... so it is this kind of thing. No wonder you couldn't find the cause. But, how did Lord Yu discover this?"

Gong Lishan was well-versed and knew the lethality of Beiqi Mingqi, yet he still asked with some confusion.

"One of my young eunuchs discovered it by chance today," An Quan explained proactively, though he concealed the details involving Li Musheng.

When he had previously informed Yu Jin and the others, he had also omitted the fact that Li Musheng had intervened.

Hearing this, Gong Lishan did not ask further. After a moment of thought, he turned to Yu Jin and asked

"What does Lord Yu plan to do next?"

"Investigate everyone in the Aurora Pavilion who had contact with the five deceased, as well as the ten people currently present, to find the most likely suspect."

Yu Jin spoke slowly, then added

"Not just these young masters present here, but every single person within the Tianjin Guards will be thoroughly investigated."

Gong Lishan nodded and said

"There is no issue with doing that, but I fear the killer might be overly cunning and may not be among the people you mentioned, My Lord."

"Then what is Constable Gong's brilliant insight?"

"I wouldn't call it brilliant insight, but I suddenly remembered seeing some records related to Beiqi Mingqi in a certain volume within the Six Doors."

Gong Lishan cupped his hands and continued

"It is said that during the Great Qi Dynasty, someone once observed others practicing this technique and discovered that the nature of Beiqi Mingqi—acting like a persistent medicinal plaster—stems from the need to ingest a medicinal herb called Slug Grass while practicing the art."

"Slug Grass itself possesses an extremely strong fishy odor. Almost anyone who practices Beiqi Mingqi will have this scent lingering on them. Therefore, we might be able to start from this angle."

Upon hearing this, Yu Jin's expression shifted, and he said pensively

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

At that moment, Ji Feiyun, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up

"There is no need to look for another. One of my subordinates has specifically practiced a scent-tracking technique for the sake of investigations. He will be enough."

As he spoke, Ji Feiyun gave a meaningful glance to Cao Po beside him.

The burly man with a wide jaw and bushy beard reacted instantly, stepping forward and cupping his hands in greeting

"It is not my boasting, but no scent within thirty feet can escape my nose."

Cao Po's heart was racing with excitement. If he could identify the true culprit in the Aurora Pavilion this time, it would surely be a great achievement. Once his martial arts improved in a few years, he would have a chance at being promoted to a Silver Medal Constable.

Why should such credit go to a dog!

Seeing this, Yu Jin and the several high eunuchs exchanged glances and then nodded

"Then give it a try."

Hearing this, Cao Po hurriedly agreed. He immediately activated his scent-tracking technique, filling his nasal meridians and acupoints, and began sniffing continuously throughout the hall.

Soon, he seemed to have made a discovery. His nose twitching, he began walking toward the courtyard outside the hall.

However, Ji Feiyun suddenly grabbed him

"Don't go that way! That's the lotus pond; there are lots of fish in there!"

Cao Po froze in surprise and immediately stopped in his tracks.

This caused a burst of laughter from the people in the hall. However, at that moment, Cao Po's eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance as he shouted

"Found him!"

With that, he turned abruptly and walked toward the direction where Li Musheng was located.

Seeing this, Ji Feiyun hurried to follow. However, upon suddenly seeing Li Musheng, a look of obvious astonishment appeared in his eyes.

At this moment, Li Yuanling saw Cao Po and the others approaching. She immediately stepped forward, blocking the path in front of Li Musheng, and said coldly

"Stay right there. What do you think you're doing?"

Cao Po had seen Li Musheng once before at a restaurant, so he was also somewhat surprised to see him here in the Aurora Pavilion.

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

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

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

In an instant, everyone's gaze shifted toward where Cao Po was pointing.

There, less than a few feet behind Li Musheng, stood a guard in black armor holding a spear.

He stood within the shadows cast by the curtains, his head lowered, making it impossible to see his true features.

At this moment, Li Musheng also slowly turned his head to look at the person behind him.

However, what he was thinking was: *Oh, so I really was discovered!*

"You, come here!"

Yu Jin spoke in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as he looked at the armored soldier. His entire aura shifted, exuding a suffocating sense of pressure.

The surrounding high eunuchs and Ji Feiyun's group also showed expressions of vigilance, staring warily at the man.

Once Li Yuanling realized the situation, her first instinct was to grab Li Musheng and pull him backward.

The armored soldier in the shadows remained motionless. After a few seconds of silence, the entire hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Just as the Pacification Commissioner Yu Jin's gaze grew dangerous and he was about to speak again, the soldier finally let out a soft sigh.

For a moment, the long sigh echoed throughout the hall. Simultaneously, the soldier slowly raised his head, revealing a young face with clean-cut features.

"Why must you all be so eager to seek death? It wasn't your turn yet; you originally had several more days to live."

A voice devoid of emotion spilled from the young soldier's mouth, and the corners of his lips curled into a smile that seemed profoundly helpless.

In the next instant, his armor silently burst apart piece by piece, and the long spear in his hand cracked, subsequently turning into a pile of iron dust that cascaded down.

Then, wisps of ink-black mist drifted out from his seven orifices, condensing and linking together into phantom iron chains of swirling mist that wrapped around his entire body.

"Since you want to die early, then no one in the Aurora Pavilion shall live today!"

(End of Chapter)