Holy Bone

Chapter 2040 Emperor Kangzhao, I'll fucking kill him!
"That Yu Xian was killed well!"

"That was truly gratifying!"

"To deceive the people like this, to disregard the law, to use any means for personal gain—they deserve to die!"

After listening to Jin An's description, Scholar Xun praised him repeatedly, but then launched into a tirade against Yu Xian.

His cursing and swearing were no different from those of ordinary mortals, leaving the steward of the Xun family dumbfounded.

It's rare to see the old man like this.

Jin'an's arrival today caused the master to lose his composure repeatedly, his words and actions becoming wildly unrestrained, which truly astonished him.

"Anyone who doesn't know the situation would think that the master and the Marquis of Shenwu have known each other for a long time and are old friends of decades."

"But I remember that this was the first time that Master and Marquis Shenwu had met, the first time they had ever met."

The steward of the Xun family sighed inwardly.

If he knew that Jin An and Scholar Xun had known each other in the underworld and had a close relationship, his perception would be completely different.

"Marquis Shenwu, tell me again about the Peacock Buddha Mother."

"Since Yu Xian's experiences are so legendary and full of hardships, the experiences of the Peacock Buddha Mother must be even more magical. After all, just hearing the name of the Peacock Buddha Mother makes her seem more than one or two levels above Yu Xian."

Scholar Xun became interested and began to urge Jin An to tell him how he met the Peacock Buddha Mother.

The comic books that the emperor's eunuch deliberately mentioned, such as "Jin'an Taoist Priest Solves the Mystery of the Hundred Beautiful Ladies Painting", "Jin'an Taoist Priest Fights the Seven Headless Rain Fairy Sisters", and "Jin'an Taoist Priest Reads the Spring and Autumn Annals While Riding a Peacock", are not at all smearing Jin'an's reputation. They are clearly just another list of Jin'an's achievements.

It specifically records Jin'an's many great achievements, his keen observation, sharp eyes, fearlessness in the face of danger, and his skill in solving cases.

Faced with this result, the emperor's eunuch's face darkened.

He never expected that the obscene comic books he deliberately mentioned would not only fail to tarnish Jin'an's reputation, but would instead enhance Jin'an's prestige and lead to the solving of numerous strange cases.

This was something he hadn't expected.

Therefore, the more he thought about how he was the one who brought up this topic, the more frustrated and upset he became.

Unable to understand it any more, he sat there drinking tea sip by sip to cover up his embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Jin'an and Scholar Xun were like close friends despite their age difference, their conversation flowing endlessly. After discussing the Peacock Buddha Mother, they moved on to other cases they had solved...

They talked from early morning until almost noon, close to lunchtime, but they still hadn't finished, as if they had endless topics to discuss.

On the contrary, the emperor's eunuchs were left out in the cold and could only drink tea by themselves all morning.

As a result, the emperor's eunuch grew increasingly dissatisfied, and his expression darkened.

As a high-ranking official in the emperor's inner court, he was always fawned over and treated as an honored guest wherever he went. He was a rare and precious VIP, and he was truly riding high on his success. Unlike today, when Scholar Xun barely gave him a second glance, and neither did Jin An, he could only sit alone, drinking tea in solitude.

Seeing that it was getting late and lunchtime was approaching, the imperial eunuch, who had to return to the palace to serve the emperor, coughed a few times, interrupting Jin An and Scholar Xun's conversation. He put on a fake smile and said, "Marquis Shenwu is indeed incorruptible and fair in judging cases. If I ever encounter a case that I can't solve, I will definitely ask Marquis Shenwu to judge it personally. He will surely be able to see through everything and solve the case with ease."

Hahaha, Scholar Xun laughed heartily upon hearing this, as if he had heard someone praising Jin An. He was even happier than if he had been praised himself, and he also said a few words of congratulations to Jin An.

Seeing that the time was right, the emperor's eunuch changed the subject and said, "Scholar Xun, the people of Kangding are grateful to Your Majesty for pacifying the border regions, destroying the steppe khanates, and bringing about a thousand years of peace and prosperity. Therefore, all the people in the world earnestly request Your Majesty to hold an ancestral worship ceremony so that Kangding can continue to prosper for another thousand years, rising steadily and flourishing ever since."

"His Majesty initially refused several times, but later, seeing the people's enthusiasm, he was forced to agree to the ancestral worship ceremony."

"Scholar Xun, His Majesty's ancestral worship ceremony is a grand event held at the request of all the people of the land, and it is a cause for universal celebration. We hope that Scholar Xun can also attend the ancestral worship ceremony three days from now, and join His Majesty in the nationwide jubilation and joy."

"This is also His Majesty's wish. His Majesty hopes that Scholar Xun can participate in this ancestral worship ceremony to fulfill his wish. His Majesty has always attached great importance to Scholar Xun."

Scholar Xun clasped his hands in regret and said, "Lord Ding, look at me. I have caught a cold and should not be exposed to the wind, otherwise my condition will worsen."

"It's not that I don't want to celebrate this ancestral worship ceremony with His Majesty, but I have caught a cold and should not go out. It is best for me to stay at home and rest recently."

"Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty, Lord Ding. I am truly unable to attend due to my cold. I hope His Majesty will understand."

The emperor's eunuch looked concerned and said, "A cold is nothing to worry about. When I get back, I will order the imperial physicians to personally diagnose Scholar Xun's condition and prescribe some medicine to nourish his body. He will surely recover completely."

Scholar Xun said gratefully, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Ding. You don't need to worry too much about my illness. I have already seen a doctor, who has prescribed some medicine for me. After taking the medicine, I feel much better now. The doctor said that I am fine and only need to rest at home for a while to fully recover."

The emperor's eunuch insisted, "Scholar Xun, health is the most important thing. Don't say anything more. I will go back and immediately ask the imperial physicians to diagnose you and prescribe medicine. Some medicines in the palace are much more precious than those in the common people. I will go to the palace to get the medicine, and you will be cured as soon as you take it."

The emperor's eunuch went to great lengths to persuade Scholar Xun to participate in the ancestral worship ceremony, insisting on personally examining Scholar Xun's illness and seeing him recover so that he could persuade him to attend and fulfill the emperor's wish.

Scholar Xun frowned and said, "Lord Ding, there's really no need. The doctor said I'm fine, so I'm fine. I just need to rest at home."

"Scholar Xun, please don't stand on ceremony with me. Your affairs are His Majesty's affairs. Hearing that you have caught a cold is as important to me as hearing that His Majesty has caught a cold. Please don't refuse this matter." The emperor's eunuch insisted on inviting Scholar Xun to Emperor Kangzhao's ancestral worship ceremony, speaking in a rather forceful tone.

Seeing the emperor's eunuch so forcefully controlling his private life, Scholar Xun immediately showed some dissatisfaction and said in an unhappy tone, "Lord Ding, you're not allowing me to refuse. Don't you think your style of doing things is rather domineering and unreasonable?"

The emperor's eunuch sensed that Scholar Xun was somewhat dissatisfied with him, so he quickly smiled and explained, "Scholar Xun has completely misunderstood me. I absolutely did not mean to decide your life. I was just worried and confused, and I was really concerned about your recovery."

"Hmph, Lord Ding, when you get back, just report to His Majesty that I have caught a cold and should not go out in the wind. His Majesty will surely understand my poor health."

The imperial eunuch wasn't about to leave so easily; he wanted to say a few more words of persuasion. At this moment, Jin An spoke up, smiling, "Since Scholar Xun is unwell, you should return to the palace first and truthfully inform His Majesty of the situation. I'll be frequently visiting the Xun residence these next few days to gather details of the case. I'll see if Scholar Xun has recovered, and then I'll try to persuade him to attend the ancestral worship ceremony." "This…" The imperial eunuch didn't want to leave so easily and wanted to say a few more words.

Scholar Xun, not wanting to waste any more time on pointless debate with the emperor's eunuch, slammed down his teacup and said in a firmer voice, "Lord Ding, I'm feeling a bit unwell. I don't know if my cold has gotten worse. I'll go back to my room to rest now, so I won't see you off."

He was told to go back to his room to rest, but Scholar Xun remained seated, staring coldly at the emperor's eunuch.

The emperor's eunuch sighed. He knew he had been too hasty and his tone had been too harsh, which had displeased Scholar Xun. Scholar Xun's attitude clearly indicated that he did not want to talk to him anymore.

He knew that it was hopeless to invite Scholar Xun to the ancestral worship ceremony today, and he could only come another day. So he stood up and said, "Since Scholar Xun is not feeling well, then I will not disturb him any longer. I wish Scholar Xun a speedy recovery."

"Hmm." Scholar Xun nodded, his expression still icy.

Then the emperor's eunuch bowed to Jin An and said, "Then I will trouble Marquis Shenwu to take good care of Scholar Xun these next few days and persuade him as much as possible. I am very grateful."

Jin An did not return the greeting, but remained seated in his chair and said without moving, "Okay."

Afterwards, the emperor's eunuch exchanged a few more pleasantries with Scholar Xun before leaving the Xun residence with a group of eunuchs.

As soon as the emperor's eunuch left the hall and disappeared from sight, Scholar Xun's previously cold expression immediately turned into one of fiery enthusiasm as he said to Jin An, "Marquis Shenwu, tell me more about your experiences in solving cases!"

"Your experience in solving cases is like divine intervention in the eyes of ordinary people, as if you were hearing a divine book. It's absolutely amazing, absolutely amazing!"

This time, Jin An did not immediately recount his experience in solving cases, but instead asked with a smile, "Scholar Xun doesn't seem to enjoy attending Emperor Kang Zhao's ancestral worship ceremony."

Upon hearing about the ancestral worship ceremony, Scholar Xun's face darkened. He first waved his hand, dismissing his servants, and then spat out a curse: "What's the point of a foolish emperor who only knows how to harm others and let treacherous officials rise to power? He just wants to erect a golden statue in the ancestral hall to gain a good reputation for himself."

With no servants in the hall at the moment, Scholar Xun spoke without restraint, directly hurling insults at Emperor Kangzhao.

Only when facing Jin'an did Scholar Xun dare to utter these deeply hidden words.

After all, he and Jin An had shared life and death several times in the underworld, and he already knew Jin An's principles of conduct. He knew that Jin An was the kind of person who hated evil and was upright, so he dared to tell Jin An the truth.

"Oh?"

Jin An put down his teacup, his expression shifting slightly as he asked, "Harmful? A treacherous and incompetent ruler who rose to power? What does this mean?"

Scholar Xun snorted and said through gritted teeth, "The palace is heavily guarded. Marquis Shenwu, do you think so many outsiders were able to enter the palace safely and then surround and kill Emperor Kangheng and his family of three without any resistance from the palace?"

"Later I investigated the details. Although there was no clear evidence as to who allowed them to pass or who ordered the Imperial Guards not to resist, my investigation results all pointed to Emperor Kangheng's half-brother, who is now Emperor Kangzhao!"

"It was precisely because there was no evidence to directly overthrow Emperor Kangzhao that I simply resigned from my post and retired to my hometown ahead of schedule, resigning from all my positions in the court so that I wouldn't have to face Emperor Kangzhao's false face every day."

"Emperor Kang Zhao cannot escape responsibility for the deaths of Emperor Kang Heng's family. He was a murderer who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals and killed countless people."

"Marquis Shenwu, tell me, was Emperor Kangzhao a foolish ruler?"

Jin An seemed to be deep in thought and did not give an immediate reply.

Scholar Xun knew this matter was too sensitive, so he only mentioned it briefly and then stopped, waving his hand to indicate that he did not wish to discuss it further. He then asked Jin An, "Marquis Shenwu, you just said that you came to my Xun residence this time to ask me about some details of a case. What case have you been working on lately?"

"If it is something I know, I will definitely tell you everything I know."

Jin An didn't hide anything and asked bluntly, "Scholar Xun, have you heard of the case of picking up bones and eating people?"

Scholar Xun's expression changed slightly, and then he said with a solemn expression, "I have heard a little about this case. Last year, this case caused quite a stir in the capital. This is because the case involves cannibalism and it happened in the most famous Ghost Moth Mountain. It was widely circulated in the capital."

"However, I heard from someone that the case was solved by you, Marquis Shenwu. They said the murderer was a folk bone collector who turned living people into cannibals and lived by eating people every day."

Jin An's expression turned serious, and he nodded, saying, "That's right, this case has indeed been solved. However, another case related to the bone-collecting and cannibalism case has not yet been solved."

"Oh, what other case is involved?" Scholar Xun asked curiously.

Jin An said, "The Shenzhou fleet was destroyed more than ten years ago, the empress had cannibalism, Emperor Kangheng died, and the case of Emperor Kangheng's daughter's death!"

"what!"

"Emperor Kang Heng!"

"Marquis Shenwu, please tell me all the details of this case. Since this matter concerns Emperor Kangheng, I will definitely investigate it thoroughly!"

Scholar Xun hurriedly urged Jin An to recount the details of the case.

Jin'an then revealed all the details of the bone-collecting cannibalism case, the conspiracy of the bone-collecting group, and the disappearance of Emperor Kangheng's daughter.

Even the eunuchs around the Empress were the masterminds, and they recounted in detail the involvement of Emperor Kangzhao and the current Empress.

After hearing the details of the case, Scholar Xun stood up angrily and paced back and forth in the hall. When he got hot, he took off his coat and threw it on the ground.

After circling around in such indignation for a while, Scholar Xun burst out with curses: "I knew it! Emperor Kang Zhao was involved in the murder of Emperor Kang Heng's family back then!"

"And yet, Emperor Kangzhao still wants to hold a grand ancestral worship ceremony, erect a golden statue in the ancestral hall, and go down in history. I'll go to hell with that!"

Scholar Xun angrily cursed.