Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 264 The Killing Technique of King Murder
"It really is Hai Yue! This greenhorn dares to go against me!"

Within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, upon hearing his subordinate's report, Wang Zuo waved his sleeve and dismissed them, coldly saying...

A man from Liyuan Society quietly stepped forward: "This kid does have some courage, daring to directly investigate the cause of death. This is tantamount to directly antagonizing the Commander!"

"A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger!"

Wang Zuo snorted coldly, looked down at the corpse in front of him, and revealed a scrutinizing expression.

Hu Sandao's cold corpse lay across the bluestone slab in front of him.

Wang Zuo had previously ordered his men to forcibly break into the Imperial Guard's compound to seize the body, and at this moment, the burly man's face still showed the frozen horror of his impending death.

After observing for a moment and finding no visible injuries on the man's body, Wang Zuo's eyes revealed a hint of surprise and doubt. He asked in a deep voice, "How did he die?"

The man from Liyuanshe smiled and said, "'Emperor Yuan' granted him death."

"I asked how the person was killed!"

Wang Zuo narrowed his eyes: "'Yuan Tianzi' has the ability to kill, but not the courage to admit the means of killing?"

"The commander's provocation is far too direct..."

The man from Li Yuanshe chuckled, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, and made an inviting gesture: "Why don't you personally examine it, Commander? The Embroidered Uniform Guard deals with death row inmates in the Imperial Prison all year round, so you must have quite a bit of experience in determining the cause of death, right?"

A meaningful smile played on his lips: "If the Commander can figure out the cause of death, I will tell you the truth—how exactly did 'Emperor Yuan' take his life in full view of everyone!"

Seeing the other party's confident expression, Wang Zuo narrowed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then snorted coldly: "As you wish!"

With a flick of his python robe, he bent down and peered at the corpse.

Later generations categorized the main causes of death into three main types: physical, chemical, and biological.

Physical injuries include mechanical damage, burns, electric shocks, asphyxiation, and extreme temperatures; chemical injuries include poisoning, drug overdose, and exposure to industrial chemicals; and biological injuries include snake and insect bites, biological toxins, and extreme allergic reactions, etc.

In ancient times, due to the relative scarcity of autopsy techniques, it was impossible to classify corpses in this way, but there was still a set of classifications.

The division of Wang Zuo is very simple.

One cause of death is external force, including wounds from swords, axes, and halberds; marks from hanging; and injuries from water, fire, and lightning.

One cause of death is internal injury, such as rupture of the five internal organs or chronic poisoning. For poisoned individuals, a silver hairpin can be used to probe the throat and observe the color change. If the person has been dead for a long time, the bones should be taken and steamed to test for toxicity.
The last category is rather special, such as sudden death from fright or death from depression. Humans have seven emotions, and excesses can lead to disaster. Wang Zuo has seen many officials who were imprisoned in the imperial prison. They did not suffer any torture and lived in decent cells, but their bodies quickly weakened and they scared themselves to death.

It can be said that Wang Zuo was quite forward-thinking to be able to summarize such a classification in this era, especially considering psychological factors.

However, when he applied this method of identification to this corpse, his brows quickly furrowed.

There were no external injuries from chopping or striking, no marks on the neck, no bruising or swelling on the face, and no blood on the face or lips, ruling out suffocation, poisoning, and internal injuries...

Even if someone is bitten by a snake or insect, it's still considered death by poisoning, and there should be signs on the face and lips, but there weren't...

"Could it be!"

Wang Zuo reached out and touched the top of Hu Sandao's head.

If a steel needle is inserted into the top of the head, it is considered death from external injury. However, the wound is relatively hidden and difficult to detect, but it cannot be hidden from a skilled person like him.

'no?'

Still not?

'How did this person die?'

Wang Zuo was truly shocked.

Not to mention Hu Sandao, the Imperial Guard witness, who was being closely watched by the Taoist priests of Chaotian Palace, there were also young and strong Imperial Guards selected from the regimental camps around him. Even if they weren't paying special attention, their eyes were still a huge obstacle.

Even if Hu Sandao died in a deserted corner, the bizarre corpse alone is enough to baffle people.

Seeing Wang Zuo repeatedly examining the corpse, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper, the man from Liyuanshe leaned against a pillar and chuckled, "Why doesn't the Commander-in-Chief dissect the body? Perhaps there are still clues left on the internal organs."

"Humph!"

Wang Zuo knew the other party was being sarcastic. Hu Sandao was, after all, a member of the Imperial Guard, and his death had alarmed all sides, attracting the attention of countless people. He would never allow himself to be dissected and examined: "Stop playing tricks! Tell me the truth about how this person died!"

The man spread his hands, revealing a playful smile: "I don't know either!"

"You dare to play tricks on me?"

Seeing the murderous intent surging in Wang Zuo's eyes, he calmly said, "I said earlier that if you could figure out the cause of death, I would tell you the truth. Unfortunately, you couldn't figure it out in the end! To be honest, I dared to make this bet because I was certain that you couldn't figure out the cause of death, and the result was exactly as I expected!"

Wang Zuo's chest heaved, seemingly enraged: "I see you're just a fox borrowing the tiger's power! This 'Son of Yuan' is nothing but a fabricated facade! The real murderer, I'm afraid even you don't know his origins, do you?"

"That's fine!"

The man said, “Since Commander Du is so skeptical, I might as well say a few more words. This method is called ‘Royal Death,’ and it is unique, passed down from generation to generation. No one in the society can fake it. If I had not served by His Excellency’s side, I would not have been able to witness the wonder of this method!”

He paused, then continued, "If the Commander believes that a murder method that even you couldn't identify the cause of death afterward could be done by any random assassin in the Liyuan Society, then we would be happy to see it!"

“‘The Emperor’s Death’… ‘The Emperor’s Death’…” This time, Wang Zuo did not directly question him. While his heart was filled with shock, his eyes revealed suspicion: “‘The Emperor’s’ close attendant? You?”

A fleeting look of shame and anger crossed the man's eyes.

Despite numerous exchanges between the two sides, this commander has never inquired about his position within the sect, treating him merely as an ordinary liaison. Clearly, he despises Li Yuanshe at heart and only submits due to the poisoning.

The reason for asking the question now is also because Hu Sandao's death was so horrifying, which is why he is taking it so seriously.

"Your Excellency is right. We must intimidate this person before we can truly bring him under our control!"

The man composed himself, bowed slightly, and introduced himself: "I am Ziwei Yuan, Junior Assistant!"

"Young Assistant..."

Wang Zuo frowned: "These are official titles? There are quite a few positions within the Purple Palace Enclosure?"

"My Purple Palace Enclosure is divided into eight stars in the Left Enclosure: Left Pivot, Supreme Minister, Junior Minister, Supreme Assistant, Junior Assistant, Supreme Guardian, Junior Guardian, and Junior Chancellor; and seven stars in the Right Enclosure: Right Pivot, Junior Lieutenant, Supreme Assistant, Junior Assistant, Supreme Guardian, Junior Guardian, and Supreme Chancellor."

The man said, "I am but a lowly junior assistant of the Right Guard, and I am nothing more than an unremarkable foot soldier under the command of 'Emperor Yuan'!"

Wang Zuo scoffed, "What's the use of a bunch of shady thieves dividing things up so meticulously?"

The Junior Assistant chuckled: "Commander-in-Chief, don't speak too confidently. Once you have rendered meritorious service, His Majesty may bestow upon you the position of 'Supreme Minister.' Then you will know the wonders of it!"

"Let's get back to the killing techniques!"

Wang Zuo shook his head, but didn't press the matter further. He said directly, "You're saying that this killing technique is unique to 'Yuan Tianzi,' and that he's the only one in the Li Yuan Society who can perform it?"

"Of course!"

The young minister's eyes blazed with renewed fervor: "The ability to 'death the emperor' is truly miraculous and unbelievable! I also witnessed another extremely noble person back then, just like Hu Sandao, being extinguished like a lamp in full view of everyone! To be honest, Commander, there are still many speculations within the Liyuan Society, but no one can figure out how the successive emperors managed to do it!"

Wang Zuo frowned: "Judging from what you're saying, it's not so much that you're referring to 'Yuan Tianzi,' but rather 'King Yama.' If he has the power to take lives, why does the Sanyuan Hall dare to fight amongst themselves? Why do the Taiwei Yuan and Tianshi Yuan dare to betray him?"

"This method should not be used casually. If it were not to protect you, would His Majesty have used it on a mere Imperial Guard?"

The young minister paused, then became somewhat embarrassed and angry: "However, those traitors won't be smug for long. One day, they will kneel at His Majesty's feet, weeping and repenting for their disloyalty today!"

Wang Zuo looked skeptical: "I still don't believe it. How about this, you kill a few more people for me..."

"That's unreasonable!"

Shao Fu could no longer contain himself and flew into a rage: "We, the Li Yuan Society, are not an assassin group, Wang Zuo. You need to understand your place. Now that your worries have been resolved, you should obey the orders of the Supreme Leader! You don't want Guo Xun to come back alive, do you?"

Wang Zuo stared intently at the other party, but his attitude softened in the end: "What do you want to do?"

"With the southern tour nearing its end, what do you suggest we do?"

The Junior Minister coldly said, "The current emperor is acting perversely, engaging in the Great Rites Controversy and major prison cases, treating his subjects like dirt. Therefore, the subjects should regard him as an enemy. His Majesty has predicted that the prince in the Forbidden City will die young. The one who is currently on a southern tour will not be able to return alive either!"

Even though he was somewhat prepared, Wang Zuo still felt a pang of fear when these words came from their mouths, and his fingers clenched tightly: "You really dare to commit regicide?"

"Why don't you dare?"

The Junior Assistant smiled slightly, watching Wang Zuo's expression change with great interest: "When the Commander heard the words 'Emperor's Death,' he must have already realized something? That's right! This method was originally created for regicide—unpredictable and impossible to guard against!"

At this point, the young minister's eyes gleamed with fervor once more: "Several emperors in the Forbidden City have perished because of this technique. Now, Your Majesty is merely displaying your divine power once more!"

"Since you are so capable, what use do you have for me?"

Wang Zuo's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists, and he said coldly.

"There is certainly a place where it can be used for command..."

The junior assistant leaned closer, whispered something in his ear, and finally said, "Don't ask any more questions, just do as I say!"

This arrogant tone was exactly how Wang Zuo had treated him before. Now that the tables had turned, he was extremely pleased with himself. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Time waits for no one. Let's carry it out quickly. I'll take my leave!"

After saying that, he flashed and disappeared into the darkness.

Wang Zuo stood still.

he knows.

He was already very, very close to becoming the "Prince of the Abyss".

But even though we're so close, it feels like we're worlds apart.

Suddenly.

A figure appeared in my mind.

Wang Zuo turned his head and looked in the direction of the Imperial Guard's courtyard, his eyes filled with complex emotions, a mixture of resentment and anticipation: "Haiyue... can you break this 'King-Killing' killing technique?"

(End of this chapter)