Tang Dynasty Puppet Doctor

Chapter 72 Murderer
Xiao Muchen was a little surprised. His master did not teach him how to make and control incense. Instead, he taught him more about astronomy, mathematics, the mystical way, and the art of governing the country. What Murong Huan learned was exactly what he did not have.

"What are the stories of 'The Red Thread' and 'The Story of the Magistrate Nan Ke'?"

"Hong Xian was a blue-robed hermit with extraordinary swordsmanship. He once served as a military advisor to Jiedushi Xue Song. When Xue Song's fiefdom was about to be invaded by Tian Chengsi, Hong Xian cleverly sneaked into Tian Chengsi's residence and quietly stole the Seven Star Sword from his bedside. Later, Xue Song sent a letter to Tian Chengsi to return the Seven Star Sword. Tian Chengsi was shocked to learn that Xue Song's residence had such an elusive master, and he never dared to invade Xue Song's fiefdom again."

After finishing this story, Murong Huan said, "In this story, Hong Xian is a chivalrous warrior of extraordinary talent and wisdom. But I don't know what kind of person this Hong Xian, who killed Guo Hongba and Qiu Shi, is. But one thing I am certain of is that she can disguise herself and use soul-stealing incense!"

"And her ability to control fragrance is comparable to mine. She can create dreams for others, like the Nan Ke dream of Wu Jie, the head constable. If Lu Shiyilang hadn't woken him up in time, he would have likely ended up living in that dream."

"A dream?"

"Yes, that's the story of Nan Ke, the governor. Nan Ke dreamed of the Kingdom of Huai'an, where he lived a life of luxury in this paradise-like capital. That was until Huai'an was attacked and even destroyed. He returned to his hometown and awoke from his dream, only to discover that the so-called Kingdom of Huai'an was nothing more than an anthill."

Speaking of this, Xiao Muchen's eyes also showed extreme surprise.

"You mean to say that the things you've encountered these days have all been told to you by your master using stories from puppet shows?"

Murong Huan nodded. "Yes, so, I want to ask you, what kind of person is the master you met? Was everything we are experiencing now what he had predicted?"

This question made Xiao Muchen's expression change completely, especially the look he gave Murong Huan was filled with fear and pity.

"what happened to you?"

Xiao Muchen shook his head. "I'm fine. My master gives me a very strange feeling. He seems like someone who lives in seclusion, but he's also very familiar with the affairs of the imperial court. He's even familiar with the history of the major families of the Five Surnames and Seven Families, as well as the history of the Tang Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty. It's as if he knows everything in the world..."

He even changed his fate...

Although what he said was incredible, he was only half-believing and half-doubting it before, but now... If what Murong Huan said is true, then what the master knows is a prophetic knowledge, or a planned arrangement?

If it was a planned arrangement, why did he do these things?
"Forget it, let's not talk about the master anymore, let's talk about this case! What do you think?"

Murong Huan pulled himself back to his thoughts and pondered for a moment before saying, "People don't disappear for no reason. There are only two possibilities for Qiu Shenji's disappearance. One is that someone opened the prison door, let him out, and then locked the door. To be able to quietly take him away from the Dali Temple without arousing anyone's suspicion, this person can only be someone from the Dali Temple. He could be a spy lurking in the Dali Temple, or he could be the murderer who disguised himself as a Dali Temple member, that is, Hong Xian! In addition, Qiu Shenji was also disguised."

"What about the second possibility?"

"The second possibility is that he is truly dead, killed by someone using bone-dissolving water. I've also heard Master mention this bone-dissolving water; it can melt everything in the world, even gold and stone, into nothingness, leaving no trace."

"If it is the second possibility, there will be no trace left. I am more inclined to the first possibility, or there is a third possibility." Xiao Muchen continued.

"What's the third possibility?"

"See if there are any hidden mechanisms in the Dali Temple's prison, such as in the walls or the ground."

When she heard this, Murong Huan's eyes lit up. She had not thought of this.

"Then let's go back to Dali Temple and take a look!"

Murong Huan was speaking when he suddenly thought of something and changed the subject, "No, Xiao Muchen, it's not important how the murderer killed or took people away now, but what will she do next?"

"Next step?"

"I also heard that ringing sound last night, including on my first night at your house. Xiao Muchen, this can't be a coincidence or accident." "Do you suspect that the murderer is hiding in my Xiao Mansion?"

"Yes, she might be the Red Line, or someone related to the Red Line. She should know what the poison in your body is..."

……

When the two were about to return to the Xiao Mansion, they heard a commotion outside the car window. Murong Huan opened the curtain and looked out. He saw another group of monks riding tall horses and galloping wildly on the street, causing screams on the street. The leader was Xue Huaiyi.

"During the morning court session today, Prime Minister Di brought some officials from the Imperial Censorate to impeach Xue Huaiyi for using his title as the abbot of the White Horse Temple to seize fertile farmland, oppress the people, and even defraud the national treasury of money and grain under the guise of Buddhism. Unexpectedly, Xue Huaiyi remains unrepentant."

"My dear, there's one more thing!" Xuan Yu suddenly interrupted from outside the door. "I heard that Princess Taiping presented a male favorite to the Saint yesterday, and the Saint was quite fond of him. So this Xue Huaiyi has completely fallen out of favor."

When Murong Huan heard about Princess Taiping offering her male favorite, the memory of the male favorite Zhang Changzong flashed through his mind again: it turned out that it was from this time that Zhang Changzong began to gradually gain the favor of the empress and eventually control the power of the inner court.

Seeing the horse getting closer, Xuan Yu asked, "Sir, do you want to avoid him?"

"Get out of the way!"

Xuan Yu responded and immediately turned his horse around, preparing to head up another street. Unexpectedly, Xue Huaiyi rode up to him and shouted, "Xiao Zhongcheng, are you helping the Dali Temple investigate another case?"

Xiao Muchen opened the car curtain to look in: "Yes, General Xue, if there is nothing else, I will go back now!"

"Why are you in such a hurry? I heard that there's a young lady who's a miracle doctor beside Xiao Zhongcheng. She specializes in treating strange diseases. I'd like to ask her to examine me, too. What do you think?"

Xiao Muchen's face darkened instantly.

"I'm sorry, although this young lady beside me is a miracle doctor, she also has her own rules for treating patients. Before I, the patient, am fully recovered, she will not treat anyone else. Moreover, General Xue does not meet her standard for saving people: she will not treat those who are not good and must die!"

After saying that, he ordered Xuan Yu, "Let's go! Go back to the mansion!"

"Here!"

It was not until Xiao Muchen's carriage had gone a long way that Xue Huaiyi reacted and his face turned ashen.

"What does he mean? Saying that I'm not a good person? Good Xiao Muchen, I want to see how you die!"

……

After returning to the carriage, Murong Huan asked Xiao Muchen curiously, "Why did you say that just now?"

Xiao Muchen said, "Your reputation has spread throughout Luoyang City. You will likely have countless patients seeking your help in the future. However, not every patient truly understands how to repay your kindness, and not every patient is worthy of your care. Ah Huan, your own safety is the most important thing."

"Yes, I understand." Murong Huan nodded with a smile, and then changed the subject, "However, this Xue Huaiyi seems to be dying!"

Xiao Muchen was slightly startled, then listened to her say, "Let's not talk about him anymore, Xiao Muchen, cooperate with me in a play, tonight, to draw out this red thread."

(End of this chapter)