Chosen One, how did I end up as the villain?

The fourth watch of the night

Qin Huaiyu and the other two escorted Sun Shu back to her residence. The girl was still in a daze, completely unaware of anything.

According to Feng Yunming, the secret technique wouldn't last long; he would probably wake up around dawn.

"Uncle Feng, the secret master has already set his sights on her. There's no guarantee he won't resort to desperate measures."

"Don't worry, I'll send people to keep watch. If anything changes, have them notify me immediately."

With such a guarantee, Qin Huaiyu felt more at ease. After all, it was his idea, so he naturally had to ensure the safety of the people involved.

"Let's go, it's almost dawn, let's go back and rest."

Feng Yunming greeted the two of them.

So the three of them agreed on a time and then returned to their respective residences.

............

At the entrance of the Qin Mansion.

As soon as Qin Huaiyu arrived, he saw Du Ming leaning against the stone lion at the entrance, holding a cloth boot in one hand and performing a one-legged pose.

"Hey, Uncle Du, when did you get back?"

Upon hearing this, Du Ming was startled and quickly looked up. When he saw who it was, a look of panic appeared on his wrinkled face, but it disappeared in an instant.

"Oh, it's young master. This old servant returned at noon."

"Why aren't you asleep so late? What are you doing here?"

Qin Huaiyu was puzzled. Standing outside the door in the middle of the night, anyone who knew you would think you were a ghost.

Especially since you're an old ghost!

The terror has doubled!

Du Ming's face was wrinkled and creased, and he forced a smile, saying awkwardly:

"I heard that the young master and the mayor went to investigate the missing person case. I was worried because it was getting late and you hadn't returned, so I went out to look for you. But on my way back, I accidentally fell into the tunnel..."

As he spoke, he glanced at the shoes in his hand and quickly put them back on.

tunnel?

Qin Huaiyu stepped forward and took a few steps closer.

Beneath the stone lion, however, lies a patch of loose mud, which appears somewhat black under the red moonlight.

"Young Master, how's the investigation into the disappearance going? Have you found the culprit?" Du Ming asked with a smile, stamping his foot to disperse the dirt.

This old man is acting strangely; he probably didn't do anything right.

Qin Huaiyu didn't think much of it, assuming it was a matter of personal privacy. He habitually pressed his forehead and opened his eyes.

"Not yet. We found the place where the girl was being persecuted, but the perpetrators have already escaped. Fortunately, we found some clues, and we will continue the investigation tomorrow."

"What clue?"

"The yellow silk and monk's robe were most likely made by a monk."

"Monk"

Du Ming turned his head away, looking surprised.

"Alright, this is just a guess, it's not confirmed yet," Qin Huaiyu explained helplessly.

"Oh, that must be hard work, young master. It's getting late, you should go and get some rest."

As he spoke, Du Ming bowed slightly, gesturing for him to proceed.

Qin Huaiyu nodded. "You are indeed a bit tired. You should rest early too. Also, don't just focus on the lower part and neglect the upper part. Pick off the leaves on your head."

He may be old in years but young at heart; who knows where he might be having an affair.

He didn't bother with it anymore and quickly went inside.

Du Ming frowned, immediately reached up and touched the top of his head, took it down, and sure enough, it was an oval-shaped leaf, purplish-red, and exceptionally bright.

"You left in such a hurry, you were so careless!"

..........

Second day

The watch ended, and it was just getting light.

The three figures at the foot of Hidden Spirit Mountain have reunited and begun to climb upwards.

"Once we go up there, no one should act rashly. With the current clues, we cannot be certain that the strategist is a monk from Yinling Temple."

As Feng Yunming spoke, he deliberately glanced at Shen Wan'er.

He still vividly remembers the girl's behavior yesterday, and if he doesn't explain it to her, it might cause trouble.

"Uncle Feng, I know, I'm just going to investigate."

A smile spread across Shen Wan'er's fair face, as beautiful as a flower in bloom in season.

A woman's mouth is a deceitful devil.

Qin Huaiyu pursed his lips, completely understanding Feng Yunming's concerns.

Yinling Temple is the only temple in town, and it is said to be very efficacious. Prayers for children, marriage, wealth, etc., are often granted.

For example, Wang, the old man on the front street, had a daughter-in-law whose son had been trying for ten years without having a child. However, after burning incense at Yinling Temple for a month, she became pregnant, a speed that left people speechless.

Li, a lame beggar, lived by begging every day. One day, while offering incense, he was struck by wealth and fortune. He acquired a grand mansion with three courtyards and a beautiful wife. However, it's rumored that he's now being cuckolded several times...

As evidenced by the examples, its reputation spread far and wide. The townspeople believed that the true Buddha had manifested his power and flocked to it, almost regarding the temple as a sacred place.

If trouble were to break out there now, it would mean making enemies of many people, and even the town mayor might not be able to handle it.

"Nephew, where shall we begin once we arrive at the temple?"

Feng Yunming frowned in thought. Although he had clues, he had no leads and didn't know where to begin investigating.

Upon hearing this, Qin Huaiyu bit his dry lips and fell into deep thought.

Two clues: yellow silk and a monk's robe.

The most obvious reference is the monk's robe, yet everyone in the temple wears a monk's robe.

As for the size, does that thing even exist?

Doesn't it look the same whether you're fat or thin?

He wouldn't be able to tell, unless it's a young monk.

Materials and place of origin? That's utter nonsense!

This pass.

黄绸

In temples, it seems that only a few specific rooms have this item: the front hall, the high monks' quarters, and the scripture repository. Wealthier temples may have more of these.

But if you use it, there will always be traces.

Furthermore, make an inquiry to see if any monks left the temple yesterday and returned late at night.

Having found a direction, he said:

"Uncle Feng, start with the yellow silk and the inquiry. There are only a few rooms with yellow silk. Check if anything is missing. If not, ask the warehouse manager, Xiao Seng."

"No, what's the point of asking the warehouse manager?"

Shen Wan'er blinked and asked, puzzled.

A young lady like her is just a young lady; she has no idea what ordinary people's lives are like...

Qin Huaiyu rolled his eyes at her. "Because the yellow silk is all stored in the warehouse, there will be a record whenever it is taken out."

"What if it doesn't?"

".............." Feng Yunming

"...Then you go ahead and do it. A monk's natural enemy is a woman!"

Qin Huaiyu's words immediately shut her down. This girl seemed quite shrewd, but why did she speak so bluntly?

"..." Shen Wan'er.

As they spoke, the three of them arrived at the temple gate.

On the bluestone steps, a young monk in a robe was sweeping the yellowed leaves with a broom. Behind him, two large red-lacquered doors were open, and the three characters "Yinling Temple" were written in a flamboyant style on the horizontal plaque above the beam, which was very impressive.

"Please wait, esteemed benefactors. The time is not yet right, the incense has not been opened, and we cannot enter the temple."

The young monk stopped sweeping and put his hands together politely.

Seeing this, Feng Yunming smiled and stepped forward:

"Young master, you misunderstand. I am the mayor of Pingxing Town, and I have something to ask Master Kongzhi."

Upon hearing this, the young monk looked up at the three of them, then bowed and said:

"My apologies, my apologies. It turns out you are the town mayor. I have spoken presumptuously. Please forgive me. Please follow me."

After saying that, he gestured for them to proceed and walked forward.

Seeing this, the three followed closely behind.

Passing through the gate, there is a spacious open space paved with blue bricks. In the center, there is a huge incense burner with several long incense sticks burning slowly, and the smoke curls up.

On both sides were dozens of lamps, each about half a person's height, with candles still burning inside.

"Young master, why is this light kept on during the day?"

Qin Huaiyu frowned slightly, looking quite puzzled.

The young monk turned around and said:

"You may not know this, but this is an ever-burning lamp. It uses specially made lamp oil and can burn for decades."

.............