Chapter 547: White Ziqi’s Request

Chapter 543: Bai Ziqi's Request

"So, it was a gu worm?" "Indeed, it was very fast, taking less than thirty breaths from start to finish."

Bai Ziqi gestured for the doctor to begin the autopsy, then addressed the two men: "I have traveled extensively throughout Beijia, and twenty years ago, in Xuluo, I encountered a similar case and conducted specialized research. The deceased was an official's attendant who died after poisoning his master. Those killed by the 'Fated Gu' almost always exhibit this appearance in death."

"The Fated Gu always involves two worms from a single egg. One larva is implanted in the heart, feeding on blood and vital energy. After three hundred days, it matures and gains the ability to threaten its host. By then, the host is completely controlled by the gu-breeder, who can activate the gu at any time to take their life."

He Lingchuan interjected, "What does 'conjoined hearts' imply?"

"These are twin gu worms hatched from the same egg. One, called the 'Yang worm' or 'illness worm,' resides in the victim's heart, while the 'Yin worm' remains with the gu-breeder. They can go years without food, but the container for their cultivation is crucial. It cannot be gold, porcelain, or jade, must not touch soil, and must be waterproof."

Fu Shanyue casually asked, "Then what can they be kept in? Bamboo?"

"Precisely, bamboo tubes are commonly used." Bai Ziqi found it ironic, "The bamboo tubes used for chewing tobacco in Beijia are quite suitable."

Bamboo tubes?

Gu worms kept in bamboo tubes?

He Lingchuan's gaze sharpened.

Besides the chewing tobacco of various countries, he vaguely recalled hearing someone mention bamboo tubes elsewhere, but he couldn't pinpoint it at the moment.

"Killing is also simple: the two worms, refined through special methods, are conjoined in heart and fate, sharing life and death. If the Yin worm is crushed, the Yang worm will violently perish within dozens of breaths. Before dying, it will extensively damage the host's body and even release toxins that attack the meridians, which explains Wu Kai's appearance in death."

Fu Shanyue's doctor was quite professional. While the three men conversed, he had already excised the deceased's heart, drained the blood, and presented it for the officials to examine.

Wu Kai's heart was riddled with small holes, almost like a sieve. No one could have survived such injuries.

Bai Ziqi sighed deeply, "Cut it open and let's see."

The doctor complied.

Wu Kai's heart was cut open. The three men present stared intently, but initially saw nothing unusual.

It was the doctor who, after a long observation, used the tip of his knife to carefully extract a slender, purplish-black object from the myocardium, which resembled a blood clot.

"Is this the 'illness worm' that Imperial Envoy Bai mentioned?"

Wu Kai suffered greatly before dying from a heart attack, so blood clots would be normal. But as the doctor pulled it apart, they realized it was indeed a worm, though its abdominal legs were very indistinct.

Fu Shanyue scratched the back of his head, annoyed. "What good does it do to know he died from a Peach Heart Gu? Dead men tell no tales!"

Wu Kai's mouth was effectively sealed; some secrets were destined to go with him to his grave. If they couldn't dig deeper, the primary culprit in the Elixir of Immortality case would remain Cen Boqing.

This would pin all the blame squarely on him.

"The Fated Gu, once implanted in the heart, takes a full year just to mature. Once activated, no array or divine power can stop it; even substitution techniques are ineffective because even if the injuries are transferred, the gu worm remains in the original host's heart. In essence, if the gu-breeder wants you dead, you will die." Bai Ziqi mused aloud, "However, I've heard that the Fated Gu is extremely difficult to refine; its success rate is low, and masters of the art are few and far between. Had they not feared Wu Kai would reveal secrets, they probably wouldn't have rushed to kill him."

Fu Shanyue looked up, his eyes full of hope. "Can we investigate from that angle?"

Bai Ziqi had previously investigated similar cases and might have relevant resources to mobilize.

"Perhaps. I'll need to write some letters and ask old friends for their help in investigating."

Fu Shanyue breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. As long as the trail isn't broken."

As the three walked upstairs and reached the inn's courtyard, they saw the eastern sky turning a pale gray, marking dawn.

Bai Ziqi glanced at He Lingchuan and smiled wryly, "It's getting light. It seems Heaven doesn't want us to rest."

He had also made several arrangements with Cheng Yu.

Fu Shanyue invited him, "How about coming to my courtyard for some tea and a short break?"

Bai Ziqi, not one to stand on ceremony, immediately nodded, "Good. I hear Chi Yan has many fine teas."

He had seen every kind of storm, yet rarely had a case triggered so many unexpected developments in a single day.

The three walked to Fu Shanyue's quarters, where guards promptly cleared away the Prince's previous leftover meal and set out tea and pastries.

"The lead on Cen Boqing probably ends here for now," Fu Shanyue said with some regret. "Mai Xuewen is also missing, which makes things difficult. Oh, by the way, my father mentioned that the strange beast Mai Xuewen kept seems to have quite a background."

A Snail Toad? He Lingchuan's heart skipped a beat, but he continued to shell sunflower seeds outwardly. Fu Shanyue hadn't mentioned this before; did they already know the Snail Toad was Dong Rui's creation?

Bai Ziqi: "Oh?"

"His subordinates rely entirely on this creature to burrow underground to hunt demons, moving without a trace, operating very covertly. But this monster, well, it relies entirely on the hard shell on its back. He Xiao once set a trap in Zhitian Township to capture it, but its shell was a hundred times tougher than a turtle's. Even with a hundred officers possessing elemental energy, it still managed to escape," Fu Shanyue said slowly. "After this incident was reported, my father said that hard shell closely resembled a magical artifact he had once heard of."

"Oh?" Not only was He Lingchuan fully attentive, but Bai Ziqi also raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it?"

"One of Qing Palace's former treasures, the Snail Residence." Fu Shanyue continued, "This was the ancient Snail Immortal's intrinsic magical artifact, said to have taken a thousand years to refine. Not only is it incredibly tough, but inside, it forms its own spacious palace capable of accommodating a hundred people. However, the Snail Immortal perished before the War of Annihilation, and no other demon has been able to control this hard shell since. Somehow, it ended up in Beijia and became part of the Qing Palace collection."

Bai Ziqi remained silent, while He Lingchuan played his part, prompting: "How could a Qing Palace treasure be linked to Mai Xuewen?"

Bai Ziqi immediately said, "He Xiao, mind your words!"

He Lingchuan cleared his throat. "I meant to ask, is there another hidden story behind this?"

Bai Ziqi hesitated before saying, "About a dozen years ago, a batch of treasures was stolen from Qing Palace, and the Snail Residence was among them."

"Even Qing Palace lost things!" He Lingchuan was greatly surprised. "Who had such skill? Was it an inside job?"

"...Yes," he replied. "This kid is spot on. It was indeed an inside job. Although the culprit was later killed, many treasures have since gone missing and were never recovered."

He Lingchuan was puzzled. "How could Cen Boqing, being in Lingxu City, not know about such a major incident?"

If Cen Boqing knew, Wu Kai would likely know too, so how would Mai Xuewen dare to use the Snail Residence so carelessly?

Bai Ziqi did not respond. Fu Shanyue chuckled, "Because most people in Lingxu City don't know about it. Qing Palace suppressed the information. Even if the Grand Minister of Agriculture knew, he might not tell his son-in-law."

"But the Emperor... I mean, those who should know, do they know?"

"Of course," Fu Shanyue said, pointing to his own nose. "My family certainly knows."

"So, the lost magical artifacts were just written off?"

Fu Shanyue said teasingly, "With spiritual energy so scarce, do you know how many ancient treasures turn into mere relics every year, only fit to be sold for their antique value?"

He Lingchuan shook his head without hesitation, like a bumpkin.

In this regard, he truly was a bumpkin. In terms of heritage, ancient artifacts, or financial power, how could Kite Nation compare to Beijia?

Beijia was vast and rich in resources, with so many antiques that they wouldn't mind if a few were casually damaged. Kite Nation, on the other hand, would treat one or two such items as priceless treasures, having no family wealth to squander.

"Lost treasures and resold antiquities are often simply reported as damaged or deteriorated. You could even claim they shattered, and no one would pursue it. These items were originally hidden deep within the palace; ordinary people neither knew nor cared about them, so why tell them?" Fu Shanyue smiled at Bai Ziqi. "Imperial Envoy Bai surely knows about these semi-open secrets."

Bai Ziqi cleared his throat but did not deny it.

He Lingchuan suddenly understood, "So that's how it is!"

"The thief who stole the treasures from the palace back then is dead, but the Snail Residence somehow fell into Mai Xuewen's hands and is being used to cause trouble," Bai Ziqi said slowly. "When I return to Qing Palace, I will also visit National Master Qingyang to search for more clues."

This statement was an indirect admission that he currently had no way to deal with Mai Xuewen.

He Lingchuan mentally summarized for him: Mai Xuewen, the fugitive who ambushed and killed Zhongsun Mou, was still at large and untraceable, with no immediate solutions. As for the major culprit Wu Kai, who died suddenly, the only outcome was that Cen Boqing had confessed and was taken into custody, and the evidence against him was solid.

Madam Cen, Yao Xingning, had provided him with an important witness: the actor from Listening Lotus Garden, who was Wu Kai's contact. However, the leads gathered from this person would also require them to return to Lingxu City to pursue further.

Therefore, the Elixir of Immortality case had reached a dead end in Baishajue, and Bai Ziqi had no reason to stay longer.

Unless, another task he was assigned was also connected to this place.

What would he do next?

Fu Shanyue had already asked, "So, Imperial Envoy Bai, are you planning to return to Lingxu City to continue the investigation?"

He wanted to follow the case's progress, so of course, he needed to inquire about Bai Ziqi's next move.

Bai Ziqi seemed undecided, spinning his teacup several times before finally nodding. "Yes, I will escort Cen Boqing back. He Xiao—"

He looked at He Lingchuan. "You have connections with Cen Boqing, Zhongsun Mou, Mai Xuewen, and others. As a witness, you must also come with me."

"Huh?" He Lingchuan pointed to himself, a surprised expression on his face. "I have to go too?"

Heh, Bai Ziqi indeed made this request of him. He wanted to question him on the way, didn't he?

Bai Ziqi smiled and nodded, "The Prince wouldn't be reluctant, would he?"

"Of course not!" Fu Shanyue raised a hand to pour him a cup of tea, then told He Lingchuan, "Aside from its bustling prosperity, Lingxu City is a truly exceptional place, renowned throughout the world. Wouldn't it be delightful for us to journey there, sightseeing all the way?"

Bai Ziqi's gaze sharpened slightly, "We?"

"That's right," Fu Shanyue grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth. "I'm going too. My father kept emphasizing that I must thoroughly investigate the deaths of the Chi Yan demon folk. Oh, well, I have to go and see, don't I?"