Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 7 Recommending a Case Solver
Inside the Mingguang Hall.

The lamplight was dim, and the candlelight flickered on the Buddha statues on the four walls.

The air should have been filled with the crisp scent of sandalwood and morning dew.

The taste now is indescribable.

Amidst the chaos around him, Zhan Zhao looked at Hu Xiba's corpse covered with a white sheet, his expression grave.

Although I have a very negative impression of this person, this is a poisoning incident.

It's a long story, but in reality, from the time everyone entered the hall, picked up their teacups, and listened to the lecture until the tragedy occurred, less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn was up.

Because the tea was so unpalatable, many of the novices didn't even finish it, and two of them subsequently fell ill with the poison.

If it weren't for Zhan Zhao, that little novice monk would definitely have been doomed.

In other words, it should have been two people who were poisoned and both died.

"My master once said that when it comes to the skill of using poison in the martial arts world, the 'Five Immortals Sect' of Miao territory and the 'Black Water Palace' of Liao territory should be the foremost. Could the poisons originate from these two sects?"

"If the tea I just drank was also poisonous, even if I forced myself to expel the poison after drinking it, it would inevitably cause harm to my body."

"As expected, poison is far more dangerous than a fair and square challenge. We must not let our guard down just because we have that poison-controlling technique!"

Just as Zhan Zhao was quietly summarizing his experience, the monks arrived upon hearing the news.

Master Jiewen and his disciple Dinghai from Guanyin Temple, and Dingming, the steward of Dizang Temple, all came.

The person in charge at the very center was the head of the Ksitigarbha Temple, Zen Master Chihong, who had been bestowed a golden kasaya by the late emperor.

Of course, the "coat" that symbolizes noble status is not something worn on an ordinary day. At this moment, Zen Master Chihong is wearing a patchwork monk's robe and has a string of ebony prayer beads hanging in his hand, each bead gleaming with the soft light of years of handling.

The preaching monk, Dingjue, hurried forward, prostrated himself on the ground, and wept, saying, "Abbot, please have mercy! Your disciple failed to protect all the monks, causing this Dharma assembly to be tarnished. I am willing to accept punishment!"

"You are a monk who preaches the Dharma, yet your own mind is like a drifting tumbleweed. How can you set an example for all the novices?"

Zen Master Chihong said in a calm tone: "I am not imparting the words of the scriptures, but transmitting the lamp of meditation and wisdom. If the mind is at peace and unmoved, remember this well!"

"This disciple has learned much!"

Dingjue felt that the voice was like the dawn breaking, his body trembled, and a calmness immediately appeared on his brows, and his voice was no longer flustered.

'Buddhist teachings are indeed adept at calming people's hearts.'

Zhan Zhao watched from the sidelines, nodding secretly.

The Buddhist Lion's Roar technique can be used as a wake-up call, but Zen Master Chihong's subtle and gentle approach is undoubtedly more skillful, befitting one of the four abbots.

The firsthand demonstration also gave Zhan Zhao some new ideas about the application of the "Chengxin Jue" technique.

While they were pondering the essence of martial arts, the circumstances surrounding Hu Xiba's death were clarified after questioning:

"First, a scream was heard, then he was seen gagging, followed by spasms in his limbs and bulging of his eyes."

"After about half an incense stick's time, dark blood seeped from the ears and nose, crawling like earthworms, and the body convulsed violently."

"Until he breathed his last and died."

Zen Master Chihong lifted the white cloth, gently pressed the corpse, and judged based on the symptoms and characteristics of the body: "This is the poison of 'Corrosive Marrow Ambrosia'!"

"This poison has an unusual taste, so it often dissolves in alcohol or cheese. Once it enters the throat, it begins to corrode the internal organs. The poisoned person suffers excruciating abdominal pain and will die in less than half an incense stick's time. There is no common antidote."

"When the autopsy was performed later, even the bones were soft, hence the name 'rotten marrow,' and its infamous reputation!"

The monks were horrified, and even the Maitreya Buddha-like Jiewen could no longer laugh: "Uncle-Master, please allow me to ask, is this poison from the 'Five Immortals Sect'?"

Zen Master Chihong nodded: "It was more than twenty years ago that it was brought out by a traitorous disciple of the 'Five Immortals Sect' and spread into the martial arts world. It poisoned many chivalrous people who liked to drink, and at that time, all the taverns were in a slump."

"This angered the 'Flying Swordsman,' who loved fine wine the most, and he personally went to the 'Five Immortals Sect' to demand an explanation."

"The Holy Maiden of the 'Five Immortals Sect' left Miao territory and went north to clean up the sect. After the 'Corrupting Marrow Elixir' caused that uproar, it disappeared without a trace. I never expected it to reappear in the temple today!"

The monks' expressions turned solemn.

Zhan Zhao, who was listening in, also understood. "Rotten marrow nectar" has an odor, which is easily identifiable if it is in plain water or a slightly bland beverage.

Unfortunately, the tea served during morning classes is inherently strong and pungent, which masks the smell, making it impossible to detect.

"Could the deceased have had any grudges against anyone?"

Having figured out the origin of the poison, Zen Master Chihong asked another question.

This time, the question is clearly about motives.

Chen Xiuhan's expression changed immediately in the crowd, and the novice monks in the same monastery also quickly lowered their heads.

Hu Xiba was from their monastery, and there was a conflict between them not long ago. He died today. Will they be implicated?
"Master, I have something to report."

As expected, the steward monk Dingming dared not be negligent and stepped forward to inform Hu Xiba of his actions and punishment.

After listening, Zen Master Chihong frowned, his gray brows furrowing: "So, this person has repeatedly broken the precepts and made many enemies?"

The officiating monk Dingming dared not speak further and silently retreated behind the other monks. The preaching monk Dingjue then continued, "Reporting to the head monk, this disciple believes that the murderer could not have poisoned Hu Xiba specifically..."

Zen Master Chihong looked at him calmly, waiting for an explanation.

The preaching monk Dingjue said, "Hu Xiba was not the only one poisoned; Cheng Ruoshui was also poisoned. Fortunately, Cheng Ruoshui was saved by a junior brother named Zhan, thus escaping the disaster!"

Upon hearing this, Dinghai and Dingming's eyes lit up, and they quickly searched for him. Sure enough, they saw their junior uncle's outstanding figure standing among the novice monks.

The preaching monk Dingjue continued, "The key is that the tea was placed on the table, and the disciples could take it at will after entering the hall. Even if the murderer wanted to deliberately harm Hu Xiba, how could he make him drink poisoned tea?"

The other monks looked at the table and quickly realized what was happening, nodding in unison.

The teacups are placed on the table, and the disciples take them themselves. After the morning lessons are over, the teacups are put back on the table.

The reason for this arrangement is that tea has the effect of refreshing the mind; if you feel drowsy while listening, a sip can instantly lift your spirits.

Under such circumstances, it becomes impossible to poison a specific person with tea.

But if the murderer didn't hate Hu Xiba and plot against him, what was their motive?

'Could it be...'

Zen Master Chihong's gray eyebrows twitched slightly, and his gaze, as deep as a pool, swept over the gathered monks. He said in a deep voice, "Each of you return to your place, keep to your duty, and do not lose your composure, lest you become the target of the thieves."

"I will obey the Abbot's decree!"

Upon hearing this, the monks immediately became alert, realizing that there might be a diversionary tactic. They immediately put their palms together in prayer and dispersed.

Zen Master Chihong then looked at the steward of the Dizang Temple: "Take the novices to the side hall and settle them in. Keep them calm and prevent them from becoming alarmed and running around."

The monks, including Dingming, clasped their hands in agreement and said, "Disciples obey!"

After everyone dispersed, Jiewen came up to him and whispered, "Uncle-Master, the Six Doors are out there, and this case involves... If it's not handled promptly, it might cause trouble!"

Zen Master Chihong's expression became serious.

People in the martial arts world have their own rules. Whenever a murder occurs within their sect, they resolve it internally and will not ask the government to intervene unless absolutely necessary.

However, the nature of Daxiangguo Temple is different.

It was indeed the foremost Buddhist temple in the world, and also a royal temple of the Song Dynasty, serving the nation.

Putting aside everything else, it is already winter, and the New Year is just around the corner. When everything is renewed, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Eighth Prince, and other members of the royal family will come to the temple to offer incense and pray for blessings.

If the poisoning that has occurred in the temple is not dealt with promptly, the Six Doors (a government agency) will inevitably want to intervene once they receive the news.

Zen Master Chihong pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Do you have a way to quickly find the murderer and quell the storm?"

Jiewen was prepared: "I recommend someone who once saw through the evil deeds of the Six Doors at Yunqi Villa in Jiangnan. He was later brought back by Master and has now joined our temple."

the other side.

As Zhan Zhao was walking towards the side hall with the other monks, a deep, honest voice suddenly rang in his ears: "Nephew, please wait!"

(End of this chapter)