Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 62 Starscream

Rong Wanyin stood up and said while thinking, "The child opened his eyes once, but didn't cry or laugh. Although his eyes were empty, they were more lively than the old woman's. Does this mean that the younger the child, the better the treatment will be? And the child's limbs are stiff, but the joints can still move, just like... just like... that's right, like a marionette!"

Everyone gasped. Turning people into puppets? This was too shocking!
Yan Mingzhang thought for a moment and said, "I once read in a book that some of the Nanzhao people raise poisonous insects, one of which is a kind of puppet insect. It uses the insect to control people, making them look like living people. Is it possible that the person who 'treated' them raised this insect? But this is all speculation, there is no direct evidence. None of us know about poison techniques."

Rong Wanyin continued Yan Mingzhang's line of thought, "Based on the information we have so far, it's most likely that Sister Ruoping was the one who 'treated' the child. If it was Sister Ruoping who did the 'treatment,' then could it be that the Taoist priest knew her before and knew that she had used this method to 'treat' her own child? Later, after learning that the grandson of the village's Old Li family had been 'treated,' he thought it would be profitable, so he bought his gear and hurried over. Then, how could he have tricked or coerced Sister Ruoping into 'treating' other people?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Su Zhan seemed to be thinking: "What is the relationship between that Taoist priest and the woman in red? It would be better if I could hear what the woman said herself."

Rong Wanyin glanced at Yan Mingzhang and said, "I'll go see Sister Ruoping again in the next few days and see if I can bring her back to the inn. If that Taoist priest really has malicious intentions, I'm afraid Sister Ruoping will suffer."

Yan Mingzhang nodded in agreement: "Okay, I'll go with you."

Seeing that it was almost time for dinner, the old man took his leave and went to prepare the meal.

Yan Mingzhang lowered his voice and said to Changfeng, "Today, we found a dried corpse in the bamboo forest. It's buried under a bamboo. I've marked it. You should return to the government office immediately, bring some brothers with you, and then search the bamboo forest at night to see if there are any other... deceased. Don't alert the enemy. Oh, and bring Coroner Hong with you; he's an expert in this area."

Changfeng was surprised to hear that there was a dead body in the bamboo forest, but he was not an inexperienced person and quickly calmed down. He nodded to Yan Mingzhang and replied, "Don't worry, sir. I will be back soon."

Yan Mingzhang explained some things in detail before letting Changfeng leave.
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The next morning, Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin took some food to find Ruoping, and of course they also wanted to take this opportunity to go to the bamboo forest to investigate again.

When the old man found out, he hurriedly stopped them: "That bamboo forest belongs to the mountain god's temple. Don't offend the mountain god if you go there. That's how that idiot from our village died. He went in and never came out! Unless there are special circumstances, the villagers will never go to that bamboo forest!"

Yan Mingzhang comforted him, "Don't worry, old man. We're just going to give Miss Ruoping some food. We'll be back soon. Don't delay any longer. I believe the mountain god will be merciful and won't make things difficult for us."

Yan Mingzhang and Rong Wanyin looked at each other and understood. It turned out that it was the legend of the mountain god that made the villagers afraid to approach the bamboo forest. No wonder the murderer was so fearless and buried the person there directly.

The old man knew he couldn't stop them, so he could only sigh, shook his head, and watched them leave with disapproval, worried.

The bamboo forest was quiet in the early morning. The birds in the forest fluttered their wings and took off at their arrival. The two of them arrived in front of the cave and heard some movement inside. Rong Wanyin called out with some vigilance, "Sister Ruoping..." Sparse sounds came from the cave, as if someone was putting on clothes. A person emerged from the cave. It was the Taoist priest.

Taoist Xuanji knew that they came from the bamboo forest. He was a little confused and wondered if these two people knew something. His squinting eyes seemed to try to see through them.

The Taoist priest wasn't surprised to see them. He held the white porcelain jar in his hand and looked them up and down with ill intent. With a forced smile, he asked, "I wonder what brings you two distinguished guests here? A word of advice: don't meddle in other people's business; you'll live longer."

Yan Mingzhang calmly placed Rong Wanyin behind him. Rong Wanyin was alert, but she looked at the Taoist priest calmly.

Ruoping heard Rong Wanyin's voice and timidly emerged from the cave, gathering her clothes. Her clothes were disheveled, her face flushed, and her face was covered in scars of varying sizes, including several obvious fingerprints. Tear marks streaked the corners of her eyes. The child in her arms was also covered in dust, as if she had just been thrown to the ground. The child simply stared at Ruoping with its eyes open, showing no signs of crying.

Yan Mingzhang remained calm as he asked, "My brother and I are here to return this silver locket to Miss Ruoping. I wonder what brings you here?"

Yan Mingzhang took out the slightly blackened silver lock from his arms and handed it to Ruoping with both hands. Ruoping took it, lowered her head and stood behind Taoist Xuanji without saying a word.

The Taoist priest narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He pulled the corners of his mouth into a disdainful smile and stared at the two of them. Ruoping knew him too well. He had murderous intentions. He always did this to those who doubted him. Besides, he was anxious to practice martial arts recently and urgently needed a living sacrifice. This outsider was the best choice. Even if he disappeared, he could just say he was returning home. If that didn't work, he could just blame it on the mountain god and there would be no problem. He had done this more than once.

Ruoping was so anxious that she kept shaking her head at Rong Wanyin, but her voice was hoarse and she couldn't speak. Ruoping stood behind the Taoist priest, so the Taoist priest couldn't see her movements.

Rong Wanyin understood a little and said, "Master, why are you here? My second brother and his guards are waiting for you at the Taoist temple. We came from the inn together. I came to see Sister Ruoping. He came to see you and agreed to have dinner together later. If he can't see you, he will come to find me."

A hint of suspicion flashed in the Taoist priest's eyes. He touched the white porcelain jar, wondering if she was right. Rong Wanyin had some impression of that white porcelain jar; it was the one she had seen in Sister Ruoping's cave last time. It seemed that this jar held some secrets.

The Taoist priest looked at Rong Wanyin carefully. Seeing that she looked calm and didn't seem to be lying, he lowered his head and thought for a moment. Then he slowly said, "Then I will go first. You two can do as you please. Life and death are determined by fate, wealth and honor are in the hands of God. Please take care of yourselves, my dear friends!"

Yan Mingzhang nodded and said, "Master, take care!"

Rong Wanyin smiled sweetly: "Master, take care!"

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