Holy Bone

Chapter 2017 The Case of Southern and Northern Money, Meeting Young Master Yiyun
Next, True Man Chiyuan and True Man Xuanlei asked Jin'an how he planned to handle the case.

Jin An explained his general strategy: he wanted to use his divine sense to scan the entire capital city to see if there were any similar layouts like the Locked Dragon Well underground. If so, he could use them to search for clues.

After hearing Jin An's plan, True Man Chi Yuan and True Man Xuan Lei immediately decided to help Jin An with the search.

Jin An was deeply moved.

Although it would be convenient and quick for him to scan the entire capital with his spiritual cultivation, the fact that True Person Chiyuan and True Person Xuanlei were willing to help investigate the case was a testament to their willingness to share weal and woe, and it was a rare friendship.

Immediately, the three began to use their divine senses to thoroughly scan the vast capital city.

Except for a few places that couldn't be penetrated by divine sense, such as the Jade Capital Golden Palace, Zhenguo Temple, and the Celestial Master's Mansion, which had strong restrictions that prohibited external divine sense from probing, the entire underground of the capital was thoroughly explored by the three people's divine sense.

However, the results of the divine sense scan were somewhat regrettable.

Apart from this Lock Dragon Well pattern, no other similar discoveries have been made.

"Ok?"

Jin An suddenly let out a soft exclamation.

"What happened to Master Jin'an?"

"Neither I nor Master Chiyuan discovered it, but you did?"

Master Xuanlei seemed greatly invigorated.

A thoughtful look flashed across Jin An's eyes, then he shook his head and said, "I haven't found anything here either. Let's leave the investigation at this point for now, and I'll start investigating from other angles."

"That's all we can do." Master Chiyuan nodded slightly.

Master Xuanlei patted his chest and said, “Master Jin’an, if you ever need our help in the future, please tell us. We will definitely lend you a hand. Since this Dragon Locking Well formation is a harmful thing, and has the sin of disturbing the world and making it restless, we must stop this Dragon Locking Well formation from continuing to harm people.”

"Thank you very much, True Man Chiyuan and True Man Xuanlei."

"If you have something to do, please go ahead and do your work. I also have something to do and will be leaving soon."

Jin An clasped his hands in gratitude and said.

"Alright, we won't insist on staying here any longer."

"Master Jin'an, you should go and attend to your important matters first, hahaha."

After finishing their conversation, True Man Chiyuan and True Man Xuanlei raised their primordial spirits and escaped from the ground, flying towards the direction of the Jade Capital Golden Palace, their primordial spirits returning to their physical bodies.

Jin An took one last look at the underground cave he had cleared, then his spirit emerged from the ground and headed towards the Criminal Investigation Department.

As soon as Jin An's primordial spirit returned to his physical body, he immediately said to Fatty Li, "Fatty Li, prepare the carriage, I need to go somewhere."

"Alright, Daoist Jin'an." Fatty Li didn't ask why or where they were going, and went straight to arrange Jin'an's Bixie carriage.

……

About half an hour later.

The Bixie horse-drawn carriage from Jin'an stopped in front of a teahouse.

"Fairy Tea's Heartfelt Connection..."

Fatty Li pulled on the reins, stopped the carriage, looked at the four gilded characters on the plaque above the pavilion, and read them aloud.

"Master Jin'an, what brings you here for tea today?" Fatty Li only asked Jin'an the reason for his visit after they arrived at their destination.

Facing Fatty Li, Jin An did not hide anything and said truthfully with a smile, "When I left my body and scanned the whole city with my divine sense, I accidentally found an old friend here, so I came to say hello."

Upon hearing this, Fatty Li became interested and curiously peered into the carriage, asking, "Oh, who is it?"

Jin An smiled and said, "Young Master Yiyun and Qi Bo."

In fact, having spent so much time with Young Master Yiyun and Qi Bo, Jin An had long since become intimately familiar with their auras. Even though the capital city had over 100,000 residents, a vast and bustling place, he still recognized Young Master Yiyun and Qi Bo at a glance.

Upon hearing this, Fatty Li also showed a joyful expression and hurriedly said, "Last time we went to Prince Zunyi's Mansion to see Young Master Yiyun, we didn't get to meet him. It was a great pity. I didn't expect to meet him today at Xianming Xinyuan Tea House in the capital. We really should meet him."

"Master Jin'an, should we buy some gifts to bring in? Wouldn't it seem a bit rushed to go in empty-handed?"

Jin An smiled as he stepped down from the Bi'an carriage and said with a smile, "No need."

Then, Jin An led Fatty Li and several brothers from the Criminal Investigation Department into the Xianming Xinyuan Teahouse.

Jin An made no attempt to conceal his identity. As soon as he entered the Xianming Xinyuan Teahouse, he caused quite a stir, with a large group of people bowing to him.

Jin An was the Commander of the Criminal Investigation Department, in charge of criminal justice and punishment. Ordinary people could not afford to offend him, so they all hurriedly bowed to him when they saw him.

Jin An didn't make things difficult for others over these small details. He cupped his hands in greeting and said amiably that everyone should continue drinking tea and not worry about him.

Then, he led his brothers from the Criminal Investigation Department to a window seat on the third floor of the teahouse.

Sure enough, I found Young Master Yiyun and Qibo here.

“Master Jin’an, please have a seat. Hahaha, just now my young master saw Master Jin’an’s carriage parked outside the teahouse and immediately deduced that Master Jin’an was here to see us. It seems that my young master and Master Jin’an are of one mind and understand each other perfectly. Hahaha.”

Qi Bo laughed and stood up, inviting Jin An to sit down.

Jin An smiled and sat down, saying, "Qi Bo hasn't changed at all; he's still vigorous and enthusiastic towards everyone he meets."

Hahaha.

Qi Bo laughed heartily, then picked up the teapot and brewed a pot of tea for Jin An.

“Last time I visited Young Master Yiyun at the Zunyi Prince’s Mansion, it was extremely difficult, and I left with great regret.” Jin An took the tea, took a sip, praised the tea, and then looked at Young Master Yiyun across from him, chatting and laughing.

“Master Jin’an is also extremely busy, making it difficult to meet him. The other day, when I returned to my residence, I learned that Master Jin’an had come to visit my Zunyi Prince’s Mansion on business. So I planned to go to the Criminal Investigation Department myself to ask Master Jin’an what business he had with me. But Fatty Li said that you were out investigating a case and were not in the capital.” Young Master Yiyun took a sip of tea and said with a smile. Her words contained both an eye roll and a playful, teasing tone, making her look incredibly charming. Haha, Jin’an laughed and took another sip of tea. Then he put down his teacup and looked at Young Master Yiyun with bright eyes, saying, “Then, Young Master Yiyun, do you know where I went to investigate a case that day, and do you know what case I investigated?”

Young Master Yiyun shook his head and said, "I'm not a tapeworm in Master Jin'an's stomach, how would I know so many of your secrets? I don't know."

Jin An stared intently at Young Master Yiyun, as if trying to find something on his face, and then said, "Regarding the Southern and Northern Coins case, I went to the Japanese islands in the East China Sea again."

"Oh?"

"Wasn't this case closed? Has something unexpected happened again?"

Young Master Yiyun stopped drinking tea, his face showing great surprise, and looked directly at Jin An as he spoke.

Her expression remained normal throughout, showing no signs of anything amiss.

Jin An stared at Young Master Yiyun's face for a while before nodding with a light laugh and saying, "Yes, there's been another unexpected turn of events."

"I discovered the batch of Southern coins from the Southern and Northern Coins case in Beijing."

Young Master Yiyun was first surprised, then said with a thoughtful look in his eyes, "Copper coins are widely circulated among the people, and it is indeed difficult for the court to catch them all in a short period of time... Could it be that a small portion of the coins from the Southern and Northern Coins cases are still in circulation and have not been recalled by the court?"

Jin An shook his head and said, "No."

“Those Southern coins appeared together, and their surfaces were brand new without any dust from long periods of disuse, indicating that they were Southern coins that were frequently used in large quantities.”

“I know that the imperial court attaches great importance to the Southern and Northern Coins case. In addition, this case was handled by my Criminal Investigation Department a year ago. So as soon as I discovered that the Southern and Northern Coins case was showing signs of resurgence, I immediately set off for Japan to investigate the Southern and Northern Coins case there again to see if there were any details that I had overlooked.”

Upon hearing this, Young Master Yiyun's expression turned serious, and he asked, "Did Daoist Jin'an find any clues on the Japanese islands?"

Jin An looked directly at Young Master Yiyun again, and after a long while, he sighed and said, "No."

"The imperial court has thoroughly wiped out the Japanese islands. Anything related to the Southern and Northern Money Case has been completely eradicated, leaving no trace."

Young Master Yiyun nodded and said, "That is indeed a bit of a pity."

At this moment, Jin An looked directly at Young Master Yiyun's face and casually said something that seemed unintentional: "Young Master Yiyun, the other day when I was at your Zunyi Prince's Mansion, I saw two peace amulets hanging in your house. I heard from the servants of the Zunyi Prince's Mansion that those two peace amulets were hung there by you, Young Master Yiyun?"

Young Master Yiyun smiled and said, "That's right."

"These are just some idle trinkets, used to pray for my father's safety and peace on the border, so that he can return home safely."

Jin An didn't dwell on the topic of peace amulets. Instead, he changed the subject, saying, "When I went to Japan this time, I discovered that the locals also enjoy playing with peace amulets and using them to pray for good fortune. I was wondering at the time whether Young Master Yiyun's fondness for peace amulets came from Japan or from Kangding?"

Upon hearing this, Young Master Yiyun smiled calmly and said, "I've heard of the Japanese islands, but I've never been there. In Kangding, peace amulets are widely circulated among the people. As a citizen of Kangding, I like peace amulets just like the common people. I shouldn't be doing anything wrong, right?"

"What, Daoist Jin'an, do you suspect me? Do you suspect me of being involved in the Southern and Northern Money Case?"

Young Master Yiyun looked at Jin An with a smile, seemingly testing her, perhaps amused, or perhaps joking. Her expression was unfathomable, making it difficult to discern her true thoughts.

Hahaha.

Jin An laughed and said, "I was just asking out of curiosity. Young Master Yiyun, there's no need to worry too much, haha."

"Humph."

Young Master Yiyun gave a light, reproachful hum, which seemed to be both a blaming and a display of affection, making it incredibly enticing to watch.

Jin'an and Qi Bo exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh out loud, as if the tense atmosphere from before had vanished and they had returned to their old friendship.

After laughing for a while, Jin An's expression turned serious, and he asked about another matter, saying, "Young Master Yiyun, have you found any trace of the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into the foreign lands that you sent people to?

"Is the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into Things on its way back?"

When the topic of the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into Things came up, the smiles on the faces of Young Master Yiyun and Qi Bo vanished, replaced by serious expressions.

Young Master Yiyun said solemnly, "Yes, it has been found."

"I have already ordered someone to transport it back, and it's on its way."

"In order to see the appearance of the Immortal Cauldron of Investigation of Things as soon as possible, and to see if this thing can really cause people to develop the evil habit of cannibalism, I have asked the people who went to the foreign land to find the Immortal Cauldron of Investigation of Things to return from the underworld."

According to Young Master Yiyun, the journey from Kangding to foreign lands is extremely long, separated by an ocean. To cross the ocean and return to Kangding, it would take at least several months to half a year.

In order to see the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry as soon as possible, she specially ordered someone to travel to the underworld and bring the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry back.

However, the risk of traveling to the underworld in the physical body is very high. If one is not careful, there is a risk of being trapped in the underworld and unable to return to the mortal realm. Moreover, the people of Kangding are unfamiliar with the foreign underworld, which makes the risks even greater.

Those people could only travel to the underworld during the day and return to the mortal realm at night. The underworld was relatively safer during the day, so they traveled day and night to speed up their journey back to Kangding.

"Judging by the time, they should be arriving in Kangding soon, within the next ten days," Young Master Yiyun said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Jin An's eyes lit up slightly, and he said sincerely, "If the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry into Things arrives, I hope that Young Master Yiyun will allow me to take a look at it as well."

"I am also very curious about this creature's cannibalistic tendencies."

"Moreover, I have strong objections to the matter concerning the late emperor and empress. I hope to thoroughly investigate the case of the late emperor and empress more than ten years ago through the Investigating Immortal Cauldron and find out the truth behind it. If the late emperor and empress and their family were indeed wronged and died, I hope to do my best to clear their name as much as possible."

Jin An continued, "To be honest with Young Master Yiyun and Uncle Qi, a year ago when I was exploring the Corpse Painting Cave in Jiangzhou Prefecture, I encountered the group from the Wusheng Holy Land who attacked me. Fortunately, I was later helped by the late Emperor Martial Dao Immortal, who helped me block the pursuers and allowed me to escape."

"I don't know why I was able to see the late emperor more than ten years after his death. There may be many secrets involved, but none of that matters anymore. The fact that the late emperor saved my life that day is irrefutable, and I must repay this kindness."

"Whether it was the late Emperor who saved my life that day, or someone else, the fact remains that the late Emperor intervened, so I must repay him for this case! If the late Emperor and his family were truly wronged, I am willing to do everything in my power to clear their names and repay the life-saving grace!"

Jin An looked at Young Master Yiyun with utmost sincerity and pleaded, "Therefore, after Young Master Yiyun receives the Immortal Cauldron of Inquiry, please be sure to invite me to observe it together. Thank you!"

When he heard that the case of the Jin'an Cha Gewu Immortal Cauldron was actually to exonerate the late emperor and clear his name of the injustice suffered more than ten years ago, Young Master Yiyun was stunned, bit his lip slightly, and lost his composure.

But she quickly composed herself, her momentary lapse in composure vanishing as she nodded solemnly and agreed, "Okay, I promise you."

Jin An raised his teacup, using tea instead of wine, and solemnly thanked him, saying, "Thank you very much, Young Master Yiyun."