Putting aside the commotion between Leng Shuang and Qin Ming, Long Xiaotian, having lost their numerical advantage, weighed the situation and finally waved his sleeve, signaling a few disciples to retreat.
Lin Qingge arrived at the cell where Feng Wuying was held.
Though not as professional as Murong Bai, after her initial examination, she found that despite Feng Wuying bleeding from all seven orifices, the blood was a deep black.
It seemed less like cultivating deviation and more like dying from poisoning.
Moreover, the poison must have been potent, likely the kind that causes instant death upon contact with blood.
Lin Qingge, using a handkerchief, lifted a corner of the food container at the deceased Feng Wuying's feet. She discovered that the food within was untouched and still retained a slight warmth.
"The deceased died from poisoning before eating, indicating the killer used another method to administer the poison, or forcibly poured it into the victim's mouth.
However, the deceased's expression is peaceful and calm, not suggesting any violent struggle before death…"
"It is rather similar to the state of Master Hui Chong's death!"
The speaker was Murong Bai, who had just walked in from outside. He then proceeded with the autopsy with practiced ease:
"The deceased likely died from the potent poison, 'Crane's Crown Red.' This poison is quite common in the martial world, and I presume there are considerable stocks of it here at Wolong Villa."
"Constable Yan, go to the storeroom where Wolong Villa keeps its medicines. Check if anyone has accessed 'Crane's Crown Red' from the storeroom recently."
"Understood!"
"Furthermore, there are no obvious pinch marks on the deceased's cheeks and jaw.
Although this prison cell reeks, one can still detect a faint, lingering aroma of wine when close, perhaps aged Nu'er Hong?"
Hearing Murong Bai's words, Lin Qingge habitually rubbed her chin:
"Are you suggesting that the culprit mixed 'Crane's Crown Red' into the wine and then made Feng Wuying drink it?"
"Currently, this possibility seems the most likely."
"My Lord, this student has discovered a line of small characters at the base of the wall, suspected to be left by the deceased~"
Lin Qingge leaned closer and saw that behind the moved corpse, there was indeed a line of crooked, small characters:
【We have sinned, we are unforgivable sinners, we do not deserve to live, we all deserve to go to hell!】
"Is this a confession?
The word 'we' suggests that Feng Wuying was not the only one who committed the crime…"
"My Lord, there are signs of smudging on the ground here!"
Similar to the previous two cases, a character was left at the scene of this crime, but it had been smudged out.
Lin Qingge crouched beside the smudged character, examining it closely. "This character was likely scratched onto the ground with a sharp object like a sword tip.
However, the covering was done in too much haste, only damaging the surface layer of the character.
If the surface sand and soil are cleared away, the outline should reveal what the character is.
Master Hua, go and call Elder Qin Ming to come here. He can help me with a small task."
Qin Han was usually the most skilled at such delicate work. Since Qin Han was not present, Qin Ming, being Qin Han's younger brother, should be just as capable, right?
Suddenly assigned a difficult task, Qin Ming: ?!!!
Taking advantage of the lull, Lin Qingge found Long Xiaotian again. "Master Long, since this is your villa's forbidden area, I presume few people can usually enter here?"
"Besides myself, only a few of my disciples. They take turns delivering the three meals a day to Feng Wuying."
"Yes, Brother Lin, oh no, Lord Lin!"
Gao Ming, who had previously addressed Lin Qingge as a brother, was surprised to realize that Lin Qingge was a high official. He quickly clasped his fists and bowed:
"Reporting to you, my Lord, it was supposed to be our junior sister who delivered the meal to Hero Feng today.
However, the forbidden area is remote, and our junior sister is the only woman among us. Therefore, her duties are always shared among us disciples." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Today, it should have been our senior disciple, but with frequent incidents at the villa, Senior Disciple has to help Master handle affairs, so he instructed me, Liu, to run this errand."
The speaker was Long Xiaotian's third disciple, Liu Chenfei.
"When I saw Hero Feng in a bad state, I rushed out to call for help. On the way, I met our second senior disciple, who then went to fetch the doctor, and I went to notify Master.
But our second senior disciple's voice was too loud, making it known to everyone, and disturbing you, Lord Lin."
"Being loud-mouthed is inherent, how can you blame me?"
Gao Ming muttered this softly before sullenly lowering his head.
"By the way, Brother Liu, after you noticed something was wrong with Feng Wuying, did you see the large characters written on the ground beside him?"
The questioned Liu Chenfei hesitated for a moment, casting a furtive glance at his Master, then shook his head:
"Reporting to Lord Lin, I did not see them."
Noticing that the other party was clearly lying, Lin Qingge did not expose him but instead asked where each of them had been that afternoon.
The eldest disciple, Lan Yishi, stated that he had been with Master Long Xiaotian all afternoon, mainly appeasing the martial artists who wanted to leave Wolong Villa but could not.
The second disciple, Gao Ming, said that he seemed to have done nothing particular that afternoon, but he had been running around without rest.
The third disciple, Liu Chenfei, stated that he had only run this errand for his senior disciple that afternoon, and it had resulted in a death.
The fourth disciple, Su Mo, said that he had spent the afternoon in the library reading as usual.
The fifth disciple, junior sister Jian Xing, said that she had followed Master's and her senior disciples' instructions and stayed in her room, not wandering around.
After Long Xiaotian left with his five disciples, Hua Jinrong walked over, fanning himself, "What, My Lord, do you also face difficulties?"
"Rather than difficulties, it's that there's too little useful information in this serial murder case.
Three lives have been lost, yet the killer's motive remains unclear, and there are even those deliberately obstructing my investigation."
"My Lord speaks of Master Long Xiaotian, the Villa Master?"
Before Lin Qingge could answer, Hua Jinrong answered his own question:
"Indeed, only Master Long Xiaotian remains of the former 'Five Tigers of Lancang.' There must be some hidden story behind this~"
At this moment, Lu Mingxuan walked over from a distance.
"My Lord, after my inquiries, someone reported seeing a man pushing a cart towards the pond at the hour of You (5-7 PM) this afternoon.
According to the witness, the man was burly, and his robes resembled those of Master Long.
However, because it was already getting dark, and Master Long would not likely do such arduous work, they didn't think much of it.
Furthermore, after my repeated in-depth investigations.
After the martial arts大会 ended two days ago, apart from those delivering food, only Master Long went to the courtyard where Master Hui Chong resided.
And upon my persistent questioning, the young monk said that Master Hui Chong had a fierce argument with Master Long that night.
But because Master Long's eldest disciple guarded the door, preventing anyone from approaching, he could not hear the specifics."
"It appears that Master Long is highly suspicious~"
However, after hearing this, Lin Qingge frowned and replied two words:
"Not necessarily."