Yin Yang Soul Searcher

The three people next to him looked a little embarrassed. Brother Shan probably felt that it was a bit shameful that the four of them had failed to find any clues, but a criminal had found them. That's why he said that first.

Is he putting pressure on me right away? Does this guy not trust me? Does he think I'm not good enough?

It's because I discovered clues you all missed, making me lose face. Just wait and see what they mean by "things change in thirty years."

Bai Jueming said firmly, "My lord, I dare not lie. There is indeed an important clue. We can follow this clue to investigate further."

Seeing Bai Jueming's confident expression, Li Zhengshan breathed a sigh of relief. No one would joke with their own life. Nevertheless, he slowly leaned back in his chair and said, "Tell me."

Ha, feigning composure. The anxiety he showed when his three subordinates questioned him, and the words he spoke upon entering, didn't suggest this calm demeanor.

Clearing his throat, Bai Jueming said, "My lord, I have been observing the 'Chen's Pharmacy' shopkeeper and Cheng Yanbing in his dream for a long time, and I have found that their memories after entering the shop are completely accurate."

"So the junior observed over a longer period of time, from when Cheng Yanbing smelled the herbal aroma until he rode his horse out of that street. Finally, he discovered a detail that was not easily noticed."

Bai Jueming paused deliberately, wanting Li Zhengshan to recall the details himself, preferably to discover the differences directly, so that this lord could see through the flaws, and then he could first offer a round of flattery.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhengshan straightened his back and began to frown, pondering what details he might have overlooked.

He had also observed over a longer period of time, but his observations were no longer focused on the street, but rather on the conversation and behavior between Cheng Yanbing and the shopkeeper after they entered the store.

The three people next to him thought about it and then gave up. When they observed Cheng Yanbing's mind before, they only observed it once and did not extend the time frame.

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Bai Jueming carefully observed Li Zhengshan's expression and noticed that his brows were gradually furrowing deeper.

I immediately sensed something was wrong. If this lord hadn't noticed the details and made me lose face in front of my three subordinates, he might have become furious and sentenced me prematurely.

Just before Li Zhengshan was about to say that he hadn't noticed it, Bai Jueming quickly said, "I presume that you, sir, have also noticed the sundial at the entrance."

Upon Bai Jueming's reminder, Li Zhengshan's pupils widened instantly. He quickly reviewed the events since Cheng Yanbing entered the shop, then slammed his hand on the table: "Right, can a worthless herb last this long?"

Bai Jueming immediately clasped his hands and said, "Your Excellency is wise. Indeed, you were just too eager to solve the case, which is why you overlooked this detail."

The three people beside them exchanged bewildered glances, still confused about what had happened. Wasn't the herb fine? And what happened to the sundial by the door? Finally, Zhou Dahai asked with a puzzled look, "Brother Shan, what did you find?"

Li Zhengshan first gave Bai Jueming a meaningful look. This flattery was quite pleasing; he spoke so well and was truly a talented person.

He then calmly explained to the three of them, "From the time Cheng Yanbing entered the shop to the time he left after buying the herbs, a full hour had passed according to the sundial. Judging from what I experienced in my dream, everything was done in a maximum of fifteen minutes."

Then, a glint flashed in Li Zhengshan's eyes: "This method can make people forget the passage of time and prevent them from seeing the actions of the mastermind behind the scenes. I'm afraid only an array can achieve this."

At this point, his gaze swept over his three subordinates and Bai Jueming, then he slowly leaned back in his chair, the entire sequence of events becoming clear in his mind.

Then he explained to Zhou Dahai, "The mastermind knows that Cheng Yanbing is refining pills for the Yin Yang Palace. Cheng Yanbing would definitely not send such important pills to the Yin Yang Palace through others. The mastermind should know Cheng Yanbing very well, at least knowing that he is very fond of rare herbs."

"So they used a gambler to sell a 30-year-old medicinal herb called Sand Dragon Grass to Chen's Pharmacy in order to lure Cheng Yanbing there. Once Cheng Yanbing entered the pharmacy, they activated the array and switched the herbs."

Bai Jueming, standing below, was also secretly shocked. This person was quite something. As expected of a professional Yin-Yang Master, he had seen many different methods.

With just a single reminder, they were able to connect the discrepancy in timing to the formation, and then deduce so much more. Are all the people of the Yin-Yang Palace this powerful? Terrifying!

Then Li Zhengshan added, "This is also why I couldn't understand why the mastermind would make their move at 'Chen's Pharmacy'. If they had such an inexplicable method, why didn't they do it on the street? There would be even fewer clues that way."

"It's because the mastermind needed to set up a formation in a specific location, which wouldn't work on the street. As for the sundial, it wasn't an oversight, but rather unnecessary. If you observe the timeline over a longer period, Cheng Yanbing wouldn't pass through a place with only one sundial."

The last sentence resolved Bai Jueming's doubts. Why the sundial wasn't included in the formation was not due to the criminal's negligence, but because this loophole could not be patched up no matter what.

Unless it's done at night, it's a pity that Cheng Yanbing only finished refining the pills during the day.

After hearing the hall master's explanation, the three breathed a sigh of relief. Thanks to the criminal boy's reminder, the hall master had deduced the whole incident. With such a big breakthrough, they probably wouldn't need to go to Liangzhou anymore.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude when she looked at Bai Jueming.

Standing to the side, Bai Jueming felt the grateful looks from the three men and turned back with a slight smile. He just didn't understand why they were looking at him like that.

Li Zhengshan, sitting in the hall, let out a long sigh of relief, then looked at Zhou Dahai and the other two: "We know the mastermind's methods and the details. Now you should go find the gambler and catch the mastermind as soon as possible. As for the investigation into the formation, I need to report to Vice Hall Master Luo first."

The three men accepted the order and left, their steps much lighter. With such a significant breakthrough in the case, even without catching the mastermind, they had a clear picture. They probably didn't need to go to Liangzhou anymore.

Then Li Zhengshan looked at Bai Jueming with a hint of appreciation: "You did a good job. These kinds of details are easily overlooked. Knowing that you only had one night left, you were still able to calmly find clues. You've done a great job."

Bai Jueming clasped his hands and said, "You flatter me, sir. I was just lucky to spot the flaw in the sundial. I cannot compare to you, sir, who could deduce the whole story from such a small detail." After speaking, he straightened up and looked at Li Zhengshan with hopeful eyes, the meaning of which was clear: Will I live?

Li Zhengshan nodded, understanding his meaning: "As for your survival, there shouldn't be any problem. However, I need to report this matter to Vice Hall Master Luo and await his instructions. Of course, you won't be wronged before then. You can go home now and let your family know you're safe."

After Li Zhengshan finished speaking, he thought Bai Jueming would take his leave and go home. However, Bai Jueming shook his head and said, "My lord, I won't go back for now. Why don't I find a room to stay in for the night and wait for news here? That way, you gentlemen can rest assured."

Li Zhengshan wondered why this guy didn't want to go home, but he didn't think much of it. He called out and a minor official came in. Bai Jueming bowed and took his leave.