Coroner's Diary

While sending Tong Yu to search for the hidden weapon, Zhan Yang noticed the blood on Qin Guan's elbow. His expression shifted slightly, "Your Highness, you're injured?!"

Baiying frowned deeply, "Miss—"

Qin Guan raised a hand to stop her inquiry, "It's nothing serious. Did you see anyone when you went out?"

Zhan Yang quickly nodded, "We chased for two streets but found no one. Worried that something might happen to you and Zhang Daoshi if we stayed away, we returned first."

Qin Guan sighed, "Then we fell into their trap."

Turning to Zhang Daoshi with a somber gaze, Qin Guan's expression puzzled him, "Your Highness, what is it?"

Qhan Guan looked at Zhang Daoshi, then at the stone mill that had left a shallow dent in the ground. "You said the Stone Mill Hell punishes those who break precepts, and you admitted being one such person. Is the killer trying to eliminate you ahead of schedule?"

Zhang Daoshi paled at the realization, "But that doesn't make sense... the timing is wrong... It should happen two nights from now...Qin Guan pressed her lips together, "If not for using you as a live sacrifice, then the killer must know you've been helping us and wants you dead—"

Currently, Zhang Daoshi was indeed the government's greatest asset. He could calculate the timing and locations. Though the killer escaped last time, completing the altar ritual required three more victims, all under tight surveillance. The slightest misstep would lead to capture!

Zhang Daoshi wiped sweat from his brow, "They must know I've assisted you and want me dead. Either they followed us here, or they were nearby when we arrived. What just happened was likely coincidental."

Zhan Yang scanned the surroundings grimly. Tong Yu soon returned holding an exquisite knife—thin as bamboo yet razor-sharp—the very weapon that had severed the rope.

Though the rope wasn't particularly thin, cutting it from outside the courtyard with a hidden weapon demonstrated remarkable skill. Zhan Yang examined it, "This blade seems meant for carving something."

Qin Guan frowned as Zhang Daoshi added, "I used similar knives for wood carving in the past."

Clenching the knife, Zhan Yang glared toward the courtyard entrance, "How audacious! Utterly lawless! Knowing we're here, they still dared attempt murder right under our noses."

Someone capable of killing four people would naturally disregard the law. Qin Guan's eyes darkened, "It seems we must increase our vigilance during travels, especially for Zhang Daoshi."

Zhang Daoshi laughed lightly, "This old man's life isn't short, Your Highness need not worry."

Qin Guan smiled faintly as Zhan Yang said, "I'll take two men to scout the perimeter. The rest will stay to protect you."

After Qin Guan nodded, Zhan Yang left the courtyard with his team.

Baiying watched Qin Guan anxiously, "Miss, your arm..."

Qin Guan reassured her with a smile, "It's nothing. Don't I know my own condition? Just a scratch. How far did you chase earlier?"

Baiying hurriedly replied, "The constable and I split up—we each only pursued for two streets."Qin Guan sighed, "The murderer must be hiding nearby without leaving. He knows this place better than we do. With many abandoned houses around, it would be easy for him to conceal himself."

As she spoke, Qin Guan narrowed her eyes, recalling the flash of a blue cloth robe. Though the garment was utterly ordinary, the fleeting shadow had stirred an inexplicable sense of familiarity. She couldn't determine whether it was the silhouette that felt familiar or if she'd seen someone wearing such a robe before.

Zhan Yang returned swiftly, clearly concerned about further incidents. "I've checked the area thoroughly and found no one suspicious. However, I encountered a night watchman who said that about six or seven days ago, he saw a tall, thin man entering this mill late at night. He thought it strange—why would anyone come to such a desolate place at that hour? But when he followed, the mill was pitch dark and empty. The watchman feared he'd seen something unclean and hurried away."

"Six or seven days ago... a tall, thin man..." Tong Yu rushed over. "Could it be the murderer?"

Zhan Yang nodded. "Most likely. Otherwise, why would anyone come to the mill so late?" He then frowned deeply. "This person couldn't have been guarding this place daily. Was today's incident a coincidence, or did he know we were coming?"

Zhang Daoshi knitted his brows. "This person must possess martial skills, judging by how he severed the rope. Last time, he saw the yamen officers lying in wait early and deduced someone among them knew the Moon Worship Sect's altar rituals. That's why he tried to eliminate me. Although I accompanied you once before, few people knew my identity."

Zhan Yang shook his head. "Don't forget, this murderer might be the same one from the case six years ago. Back then, he watched you get arrested and likely recognizes you. After six years of imprisonment, your sudden release would be easy for him to investigate with minimal effort..."

Zhang Daoshi's frown deepened. "So, it's possible I've seen this person before?"

At this, Zhan Yang and Qin Guan exchanged glances. Six years ago, Zhang Daoshi had been wrongfully accused for no apparent reason, and when questioned later, he claimed ignorance. With the old case long past, reinvestigating it would be time-consuming, so they had only reviewed the files without returning to Guanyin Town. Yet Zhang Daoshi, as a witness to the original incident, had probably encountered the murderer back then.

Zhan Yang stepped forward. "Daoshi, did you have any suspects in the old case? When you were spreading the Moon Worship Sect in Guanyin Town, were there any particularly devout followers?"

Zhang Daoshi narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment before shaking his head. "At that time, most people followed Buddhism or Taoism. The Moon Worship Sect was just a novelty to them—many didn't take it seriously. I knew a few believers, but none were fervent enough to know about things like the Demon-Subduing Temple. Even I hadn't fully grasped it back then."Zhan Yang scanned the surroundings once more. Although they had encountered danger during this visit, no additional evidence had been found. The only piece of evidence was this knife. Carrying the knife with him, Zhan Yang noticed the night had fully descended and led the group away. He first instructed the other constables to escort Zhang Daoshi back to the magistrate's office, while he personally saw Qin Guan back to the Loyal Marquis Manor.

As the two groups parted ways, Zhang Daoshi wore an expression of hesitation. Finding this strange, Zhan Yang pulled him aside and asked, "What's the matter, Daoshi? If you have something to say, please speak freely."

Zhang Daoshi gave a bitter smile. "Actually, the injury the Junzhu sustained today was entirely my fault."

Zhan Yang was taken aback. Zhang Daoshi then recounted the events of the day. Zhan Yang listened in astonishment, never imagining that Qin Guan had been injured while saving Zhang Daoshi. Zhang Daoshi continued, "Junzhu said this matter need not be known to everyone, especially not her maidservants. That's why I didn't speak of it, but in my heart..."

Zhan Yang collected himself and quickly said, "Since Junzhu has said so, Daoshi, you need not dwell on it for now. If you wish to repay her for your guilt, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Zhang Daoshi sighed. Ahead, Qin Guan had already boarded the carriage.

Zhan Yang bid farewell to Zhang Daoshi and escorted Qin Guan all the way back to the Loyal Marquis Manor. Fortunately, the journey was uneventful.

Upon reaching the manor gates, Zhan Yang looked at Qin Guan's elbow and asked, "Is your injury truly alright, Junzhu?"

Qin Guan smiled. "It's nothing. Zhan Butou need not worry."

Zhan Yang nodded, glanced at Baiying once more, and then took his leave.

As Baiying followed Qin Guan into the manor, she remarked, "This servant feels that both Zhan Butou and Zhang Daoshi seemed to have something left unsaid."

Qin Guan replied very calmly, "Perhaps they are still shaken by today's events."

Baiying quickly said, "This servant was scared to death as well, Miss. Let's hurry back and check your wound."

Returning to the Pine Breeze Courtyard, once Qin Guan removed her outer robe and rolled up her sleeves, Fuling immediately spotted the abrasions on both of Qin Guan's elbows. Fuling's eyes reddened instantly. "How did you get injured, Miss!"

Qin Guan gave a wry smile. "It's just a minor injury, nothing serious. Quickly go fetch the medicine; it'll be fine once applied."

Fuling sighed and hurried off to get the medicine. While waiting for Fuling, Qin Guan's gaze fell upon a painting of a noble lady hanging on the wall. Seeing this painting, her eyes suddenly brightened. That's right! Since the night watchman had seen the person, why not have Ning Buyi help draw a portrait?! Hadn't there been such a precedent before?!

Once this idea emerged, Qin Guan immediately made up her mind.

After applying the medicine, Qin Guan retired early. The next morning, after finishing breakfast, she went straight to the magistrate's office.

Both Zhan Yang and Zheng Baishi were at the office. Qin Guan promptly explained the matter of creating a portrait. Since there was already a precedent for this, both Zhan Yang and Zheng Baishi understood Qin Guan's intention. Zhan Yang immediately went to the painting studio to invite Ning Buyi, while also sending someone to fetch the night watchman.

After waiting half an hour, Ning Buyi arrived first, followed shortly by the night watchman. On the way, Ning Buyi had already learned why Zhan Yang had invited him. As soon as the night watchman arrived, Ning Buyi began painting.

"That person was very tall, about the same height as Zhan Butou, but somewhat thin, similar to this young master here. He wore a very ordinary silk robe, but his demeanor carried an indescribable air—like a scholar, yet also like a noble young master from a good family. In any case, he was no ordinary ruffian...""I only saw a silhouette. The man had a very high nose bridge, and his eyes didn't give off a fierce impression. The whole person carried an air of refinement... I can't quite describe it, but someone like that absolutely shouldn't have appeared outside the mill."

Ning Buyi frowned upon hearing these words. The watchman had provided too few facial features, making it difficult for him to sketch. After a moment, he made a few brief strokes, and soon the silhouette of an elegant and noble young gentleman appeared on the paper. With this template, the watchman said, "The neck should be more slender, the chin slightly raised, the brows and eyes very scholarly... hmm... that's somewhat like it... His hands were positioned one behind his back and one in front, appearing very graceful..."

Ning Buyi carefully considered the watchman's description, modifying the sketch as he worked. After a full hour and more than ten attempts, he finally produced a complete portrait. The watchman nodded repeatedly upon seeing it, saying it looked very similar. However, Qin Guan and Zheng Baishi looked at the portrait with some concern. The watchman had seen too few noble figures, so any refined young gentleman would seem similar to him. But to Zheng Baishi and Qin Guan, many people could match this portrait.

Noticing the troubled expressions on Zhan Yang and Qin Guan's faces, Ning Buyi apologized, "I'm sorry, it seems I haven't been of much help this time..."

Both Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang had known Ning Buyi for a long time and quickly offered comfort. Zhan Yang had someone escort the watchman away and said helplessly, "He saw the person at night and didn't get a full view of the face. Just a silhouette gives only a general impression. Even if he had seen the face clearly, he might not have been able to describe it accurately. You've done your best under difficult circumstances."

Ning Buyi sighed, "I only learned about the incident in the East Market when the princess visited the painting gallery recently. The capital has been quite unsettled these days."

Zhan Yang nodded, "Indeed, it's been turbulent. This case is particularly tricky, and the murderer is too audacious, continuing to kill despite the heightened scrutiny. You should be careful when going out these days."

Ning Buyi smiled, "Alright, I'll be cautious. But I doubt the murderer would target me."

"Don't be so sure! You should take extra care."

Ning Buyi quickly agreed. Seeing that the yamen was busy with official matters, he didn't stay long and prepared to leave after sitting for a while. Zhan Yang personally saw him out. Before they could step through the doorway, a figure suddenly flashed into the room—it was Zhang Daoshi holding a blueprint, exclaiming, "I've calculated it! I've calculated it! My night's work wasn't in vain. The third location is at the border between the south and west city!"

Only after excitedly delivering this news did Zhang Daoshi notice Ning Buyi in the room. His expression changed slightly, but Zhan Yang said, "It's alright, he's one of us, here to help..."

Zhang Daoshi relaxed and went straight to Zheng Baishi with the blueprint. Ning Buyi looked at Zhang Daoshi and asked Zhan Yang, "Who is this..."

As they walked out together, Zhan Yang smiled and explained, "He's quite an extraordinary person. Wrongfully accused for six years, he's just been released. He has considerable expertise in the Path of feng shui and is currently helping us with the case."

Ning Buyi raised an eyebrow but tactically didn't inquire further. Just as they reached the entrance of the government office, they encountered another familiar figure—it was Wu Yu, the third son of the Earl of Weiyuan's family!

Zhan Yang was surprised, "Third Young Master, what brings you here? Is it regarding the Fourth Young Master's matter?"

Wu Yu smiled wryly, "No, it's not that. I'm here about my eldest brother's affairs."As he spoke, Wu Yu produced a worn-out sachet so faded its original color was unrecognizable. "While cleaning the storeroom today, we unexpectedly discovered my elder brother's sachet. This was his most cherished possession, always carried on his person. Yet now we found it placed inside his treasure box, later gathered by the servants. Had we not opened my brother's treasure box during today's storeroom cleaning, I would never have known this sachet remained in the residence all along. That's why I've come to report this - my elder brother didn't simply leave home... I fear... I fear something must have happened to him too..."