Coroner's Diary

On the third morning, Zhang Daoshi finally emerged from the duty room.

After visiting the crime scene that night, he had secluded himself for two full days and nights. When he stumbled out with dark circles under his eyes and disheveled hair, his first action was to seek out Zhan Yang...

"Officer Zhan! I've calculated it! I've calculated it!"

Zhang Daoshi clutched a scroll covered in dense, incomprehensible diagrams and writings. Seeing Zhan Yang's bewildered expression, the Daoist urgently explained, "This person likely seeks to alter their fate—to defy heaven's will. The altar they've set up is enormous and requires seven deaths to succeed. With three already dead, the perpetrator must kill four more to complete the ritual."

As Zhan Yang frowned, Zhang Daoshi continued, "The next optimal hour is tonight at midnight. I've calculated three most suitable locations, all in the eastern city. If you trust me, preparing to intervene now might still be timely."

Zhan Yang's expression shifted dramatically. "Are you certain?!"

Zhang Daoshi smiled wryly. "Why would I deceive you? I also wish to capture that person to determine if they were involved in what happened years ago!"

Nodding, Zhan Yang pulled Zhang Daoshi along to find Zheng Baishi. The Daoist complained helplessly, "I'm about to faint from hunger. Could you please get me some food? The trotters from days ago have long worn off..."

Without turning back, Zhan Yang replied, "Business first. You'll have all the pork trotters you want afterward."

Hearing this, Zhang Daoshi immediately stopped complaining and followed Zhan Yang to the main hall where they met Zheng Baishi. After repeating his findings, Zheng Baishi reacted with great alarm. "Can you specify the exact locations, Master Zhang?"

Zhang Daoshi produced a paper displaying a celestial chart where stars interconnected like an orderly web—utterly incomprehensible to both Zhan Yang and Zheng Baishi.

Zheng Baishi smiled bitterly. "We cannot decipher these drawings, Master..."

Realizing this, Zhang Daoshi said, "In that case, quickly fetch me some food and mobilize personnel. We'll depart shortly."

Satisfied, Zheng Baishi instructed Zhan Yang accordingly. After some thought, he also dispatched someone to the Loyal Marquis Manor and sent another to inform Yan Chi.

After eating, Zhang Daoshi followed the constables toward the eastern city.

The eastern district was an aristocratic area, either gathering nobles like in Ruoxingle Ward or hosting the southern Dong Market. Only the outermost periphery contained scattered small residential lanes.

Zhang Daoshi led the constables first to Hulu Lane, near the Loyal Marquis Manor.

Hulu Lane housed about a dozen families, each residing in heavily guarded mansions—including the residences of the Left Vice Minister of Personnel and the Minister of Works. Upon arrival, Zheng Baishi smiled wryly; these court officials were his close friends. How could the perpetrator possibly commit crimes in their homes?!

Waving his hand, Zheng Baishi declared, "Impossible. If crimes occur in these great households, it's always internal. Even if the culprit is among them, committing crimes at home would expose their identity."

Zhang Daoshi focused on divination, not deduction, and found this reasoning plausible, so they proceeded to the next location.

The next site was Jade Street in the Dong Market.Zhang Daoshi walked from one end of the street to the other, then stood right in the middle of the long street and said, "This is the most suitable spot." He pointed toward the sky, "This place aligns directly with the Canglong Fangsu constellation in the east. If a living person is sacrificed here, it can alter the trajectory of the Fangsu star, thereby changing one's destiny. Using this as the boundary, anywhere within half a li radius counts."

Zheng Baishi didn't understand anything about the Canglong Fangsu, but he grasped the meaning of the half-li radius. However, when he looked up, he saw bustling shops, teahouses, and taverns all around. Though it was only just noon, the area was already crowded with a steady stream of people. Zheng Baishi gave a bitter smile—the range was not small, and they only had one day left. How were they to investigate?

Zhan Yang said, "If we conduct inquiries openly, might it scare off the culprit?"

Zheng Baishi then asked Zhang Daoshi, "If the culprit doesn't strike today, can the altar still be set up?"

Zhang Daoshi shook his head, "Not necessarily. If we miss tonight, we can continue setting up the altar within the next seven days. So, it's not that someone must be killed tonight. I've checked—if we miss tonight, the next auspicious time is three days from now in the evening. If we miss both tonight and three days later, then the altar truly cannot be set up."

Zheng Baishi thought for a moment, "The second victim died only four days after the first, and the third only four days after the second. Indeed, none exceeded seven days."

His gaze shifted, and he instructed Zhan Yang, "Have everyone change into plain clothes. For now, proceed quietly. When the streets are less crowded tonight, we'll pretend to be shop assistants from nearby and keep watch here."

Zhan Yang understood and then asked Zhang Daoshi, "Daoist, where is the next location?"

Zhang Daoshi pointed further east, "That way—"

The group walked for nearly half an hour before arriving at a secluded residential alley. Though still in the eastern part of the city, it was far from the main Imperial Road. The houses were scattered and unlike the clearly defined grid of streets in Xingle District. Most residences here were low and simple, homes of moderately wealthy families.

Zhang Daoshi pointed at the alley before them, "It should be here. If we treat the entire Lin'an city as a star chart, this place corresponds to the Canglong Xinsu constellation..."

Zheng Baishi then turned to Zhan Yang, "Go and make some inquiries. See what this place is like."

Zhan Yang led two junior constables and departed as instructed. Zheng Baishi looked at Zhang Daoshi and said, "May I ask, Daoist, what does the culprit mean by changing destiny? Is he seeking wealth and honor? Wanting to rise rapidly?"

Zhang Daoshi shook his head, "This altar requires seven deaths—it is the most extreme altar. If he seeks wealth, then he seeks the utmost riches. If he seeks Lifespan, then he wants to live to a hundred years. If he wants to save someone, then he aims to revive a dying person. In short, since it's about defying heaven to change fate, it means completely altering one person's destiny."

Zheng Baishi's brow twitched, and he lowered his voice, "The utmost riches?"

Hearing his tone, Zhang Daoshi knew what he was thinking but didn't answer immediately. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "It depends on who the culprit is..."

Seeing that Zhang Daoshi was perceptive, Zheng Baishi couldn't help but regard him with greater respect.Ordinary cases would be one thing, but Zhang Daoshi said the killer might be seeking ultimate wealth and status. What exactly constitutes ultimate wealth and status? This goes far beyond simple official prosperity. As a third-rank court official, Zheng Baishi couldn't help but connect this matter to power struggles within the imperial court. However, since Emperor Taizong established the Great Zhou Dynasty, there had been explicit decrees strictly prohibiting court officials and imperial clan members from involvement in witchcraft and sorcery. Although the evil arts of the Moon Worship Sect aren't exactly witchcraft, using live human sacrifices to defy fate and alter destinies is fundamentally no different from witchcraft! If anything, it might be even more terrifying.

Thinking this, Zheng Baishi felt cold sweat forming in his palms. Could this case be more than just a simple murder?! Could it be connected to court politics, or even to the Crown Prince or Prince Cheng?!

The Crown Prince is already the Crown Prince, so could it be Prince Cheng?!

Cold sweat beaded on Zheng Baishi's forehead. Zhang Daoshi glanced at him twice and said, "This matter isn't as serious as Lord Zheng thinks. Whoever did this harms both others and themselves. If they seek wealth and status, obtaining them will shorten their Lifespan. If they seek longevity, they may live long but likely in misery. As for cheating death, even if they survive, they can forget about happiness in their remaining years. Everything in existence follows its natural Path. Such heaven-defying, harmful fate alteration always comes with a price. The nobles in court want wealth and power that bring them pleasure. This matter most likely involves one of the five officials."

Zheng Baishi's eyes widened. "How dare you say such things?!"

Zhang Daoshi smiled. "I only say this because Lord Zheng seems too tense, trying to offer some perspective."

Zheng Baishi stared at Zhang Daoshi, unsure whether to be angry or relieved. He snorted, "Don't speak like this again. If others hear, I can't guarantee your head will remain attached!"

Zhang Daoshi shrunk his neck. As a worldly Taoist who enjoyed wine and meat, he knew better than to get involved in court affairs. He chuckled obediently, "Alright, I won't say such things again!"

Soon, Zhan Yang emerged from the alley. "Sir, there are over twenty households living here. Most compounds here have only one courtyard, at most two. However, two compounds are empty and uninhabited."

Zheng Baishi frowned. "With so many people, who knows whom the killer might target? Also, the killer might bring victims here to commit murders, just like with Wu Qian and Zhao Jiaxu."

Zhan Yang nodded. "And the killer's target must be someone who violated the sect's doctrines."

With so many people, who among them might have committed offenses?

Zheng Baishi narrowed his eyes. "It's not appropriate to investigate openly now. Follow previous instructions - have everyone change into plain clothes. You arrange personnel here, at the East Market, and leave two people at Hulu Alley as precaution."

Zhan Yang scanned the surroundings. "I believe this is the most likely crime scene."

Zheng Baishi agreed. This area was the most remote, with crisscrossing paths making it convenient for the killer to come and go. Zheng Baishi nodded, "Then station more people here."

Zhan Yang nodded, made another round of inspection, then returned to the prefectural magistrate's office with Zheng Baishi and others.

When they returned to the prefectural magistrate's office, Qin Guan had already arrived.When Qin Guan received the news, she was doing needlework with Qin Shuang. Upon hearing that Zhang Daoshi had indeed deduced something, she immediately brought her attendants to the yamen. However, by the time she arrived, Zheng Baishi and the others had already left. Qin Guan wasn't particularly anxious and decided to wait there.

Zheng Baishi invited Qin Guan to the front hall and recounted what Zhang Daoshi had said that day along with his own arrangements. Qin Guan looked at Zhang Daoshi in mild surprise, never expecting he would actually provide such crucial assistance.

"The Path master truly possesses remarkable abilities. Without you, the yamen would still be clueless about where the crime might occur."

Zhang Daoshi grinned, "I'm glad to be of help. It would be best if we can catch the culprit tonight!"

Zheng Baishi glanced at the sky outside, where the sun was already setting. Qin Guan suggested, "Are the yamen's personnel sufficient? Should we request assistance from the Nine Gates Garrison?"

Zheng Baishi frowned in contemplation for a moment, "I'm afraid that won't work. Around midnight, the streets are sparsely populated. If we deploy too many people, we might alert the snake."

Qin Guan thought it over and agreed with the logic. Realizing she couldn't contribute much at night either, she exchanged a few more words with Zheng Baishi and prepared to take her leave. Just as she was about to depart, a yamen runner entered from outside, "Sir, the Court of Judicial Review has delivered a case file."

Zheng Baishi immediately stood up, "What did the messenger say?"

The runner hurriedly replied, "He said the documents you requested have been found—they were mistakenly mixed with other official papers."

Zheng Baishi promptly took the file and opened it. After reading for only a brief moment, he turned to Qin Guan and said, "Your Ladyship, look here. It turns out six years ago, similar ash remnants were discovered near the person buried in the snow. It also mentions vermilion markings on the victim's clothing, though no imprints were taken."

Qin Guan took the file and examined it. Indeed, the record contained this detail. Though briefly noted, it was enough to prove the case six years ago was also a ritual killing. Qin Guan frowned, "This detail was recorded so obscurely that few would have known back then—likely only the yamen runners who collected the body and the Coroner. Now that a similar case has emerged, it's implausible to attribute it to imitation by someone else. Sir, this must undoubtedly be the same perpetrator from six years ago!"

Zheng Baishi shared the same thought and was about to nod in agreement when he noticed Zhang Daoshi nearby. He then said, "I think so too, but we'll only know the truth for certain after apprehending and interrogating the culprit."

Qin Guan smiled, "Naturally, Sir. Please be careful tonight, you and Zhan Butou. I shall take my leave now."

Zheng Baishi promptly escorted Qin Guan to the gate, watching her board the carriage before returning to the yamen.

Once inside the carriage, Baiying remarked, "I never expected this Zhang Daoshi to be so remarkably capable."

Qin Guan leaned against the carriage wall, nodding while her heart grew heavy. She had vaguely sensed Zhang Daoshi's extraordinary nature during their first encounter—his gaze toward her had been too peculiar. At the time, she had clung to hope, but now, seeing how he had assisted them, though she desired an early resolution to the case, she also felt uneasy.

Had Zhang Daoshi's abilities reached the point of discerning her origins?

...

...

As soon as night fell, the yamen runners changed into plain clothes and set out.Six people were left in Hulu Alley, ten in the East Market, while the remaining sixteen followed Zhan Yang to the remote area. Zhan Yang had changed into ordinary clothes, and the others wore the simplest coarse linen gowns. Upon reaching the residential alley, they scattered into corners to conceal themselves. Time passed slowly as Zhan Yang watched the surrounding houses extinguish their lights one by one, plunging everything into darkness, yet there was still no sign of movement.

Even at night, the East Market remained bustling with constant activity. It wasn’t until near midnight that the liveliness gradually faded. Still, nearby taverns and teahouses hosted late-night patrons seeking amusement. Given this, the likelihood of the culprit being spotted while committing a crime in the East Market was quite high. Therefore, the culprit would undoubtedly choose a more secluded location.

Zhan Yang hid at the corner of a dark alley, his gaze fixed on a crossroads ahead in the lane. Not far off stood two uninhabited courtyards. Based on his deduction, these deserted places were highly likely to become the scene of the crime. The night grew deeper, and the early summer air carried a slight chill. Surrounded by pitch-black darkness, the occasional stray cat darting past with glowing eyes sent an involuntary shiver down one’s spine.

The young constable standing beside Zhan Yang pressed close to him. Ever since witnessing Wu Qian’s skinned body, this constable hadn’t slept well for half a month. Now, hiding in the pitch-black alley, he couldn’t help but recall that horrifying scene. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, almost desperately clinging to Zhan Yang’s arm—

Zhan Yang pulled his arm away impatiently. "What are you doing?!"

Tong Yu wore a pained expression. "Boss, I... I’m scared..."

Zhan Yang’s brows furrowed, and he raised his foot to kick, but Tong Yu nimbly dodged. Whining, Tong Yu said, "Boss, it’s almost midnight. Why is there still no movement? Could the killer have already murdered someone?"

Zhan Yang frowned. "Impossible. We’ve been watching this whole time—not even a ghostly shadow has appeared."

Tong Yu shuddered. "Ghostly shadow... maybe... maybe the killer is..."

A cold glare from Zhan Yang silenced him. Tong Yu meekly hugged his sword and crouched against the wall, glancing up at the starless, moonless sky as he muttered to himself...

Zhan Yang ignored his muttering and kept his eyes fixed on the alley. Yet, after watching for a long time, there was still no movement. Midnight had long passed—could Tong Yu be right?

A growing unease settled in Zhan Yang. He quickly emerged from the corner, and the others followed suit. Zhan Yang led them on a swift patrol of the area, but all they encountered were a few stray cats!

Where was the killer?! Had he silently infiltrated one of the residences without their notice?!

Zhan Yang’s heart tightened with anxiety. Just as he wondered what had gone wrong, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from the main road. Everyone tensed. As the horse drew nearer, they recognized it as a messenger from the magistrate’s office.

The arriving constable reported, "Chief! There’s a fire in the East Market!"