Tang Dynasty Prison Administration

038: The Strange Case of Youzhou

According to Tang Dynasty law, monks were exempt from taxes and enjoyed many privileges beyond those of ordinary people. However, it was unexpected that the monks in this area would use the hot springs for business.

Su Wen paid the money and entered the men's section. As a winding staircase appeared, Su Wen was stunned by what he saw.

It is about ten meters high from top to bottom. The right railing is covered with lanterns of various colors. The bottom is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, which is very beautiful. When you come down, the hot spring steam is slowly rising and disappearing.

Along the way, Su Wen also clearly noticed that the further down he went, the warmer it became, even a bit hot, as if he had entered a bathroom or sauna. Everything here was naturally formed, and the artificial modifications were probably just the hot spring pools, the steps, and the railings. That was all!

However, this scene left Su Wen speechless with shock.

However, this also made Su Wen even more convinced that the datura flower should be hidden nearby, firstly because it was warm here, and secondly because it was secluded and would not be known by anyone.

Su Wen soaked in the hot spring, trying to find new clues, but unfortunately, those who came to soak in the hot spring were either local people or high-ranking officials.

After searching around without finding any clues, Su Wen had no choice but to turn around and leave, intending to visit the temple to see if there were any clues there.

Su Wen wandered around the temple for a long time but couldn't find any clues. It was no different from an ordinary temple.

However, Su Wen noticed something along the way: some monks had packed a lot of things. These monks were standing in a row. Back at Qingfeng Temple, the Taoist priests varied in height and build.

In contrast, Ningxiang Temple was quite interesting. It was filled with strong men who were all about seven feet tall, and each of them was burly. They didn't look like monks, but rather like soldiers led by Xue Song, charging into battle.

Finding no clues, Su Wen had no choice but to leave the temple dejectedly.

In the afternoon, after Li Xingguo finished his work and returned, he shook his head and said, "I asked many woodcutters and hunters, and they all said that no one had found any caves. The only two caves that existed have been turned into hot springs by Ningxiang Temple!"

In other words, Su Wen's trail has completely gone cold!

Su Wen sighed and sat down in the chair. There were no new clues in this case. Now, it seemed that Su Wen could only wait for a new case to occur so that he could find new clues.

The other party was far too decisive, abandoning Wei Nanzi outright.

With Wei Nanzi dead, the other party only needed to remain hidden and inactive, making it impossible for Su Wen to find any new clues. Of course, the more crucial point is that the other party did not fall for Su Wen's trap.

......

As night deepened, Su Wen couldn't sleep, so he took out paper and pen and began to draw all the people and clues in the case.

He Yan was responsible for providing a list of people's birth dates and times, and he was also responsible for finding targets, using datura flowers to drug and anesthetize them, and then taking them for dissection to remove their internal organs.

Wei Nanzi was responsible for removing internal organs.

Why would a household registration clerk and a coroner, both government officials, help the murderer?

He Yan frequented the Qingyi Pavilion, while Wei Nanzi frequently visited temples; there was no connection between the two.

What exactly is their purpose? Is it really to resurrect the Grand Princess who protects the nation?

But even if the Grand Princess of the State were resurrected, what difference would it make? The opponent is Li Longji. To put it bluntly, for Li Longji to deal with the Grand Princess of the State, Princess Taiping, would be as easy as kicking a stray dog ​​to death on the roadside.

It's clearly unlikely that it would take such a lot of trouble and effort to revive someone who is of little use.

unless...

Suddenly, Su Wen had a flash of inspiration and something quickly came to mind.

Ningxiang Temple, hot springs!

The Twelve Zodiac Animals Formation is resurrected!

Buddhist secret methods, Taoist formations.

Su Wen suddenly stood up and, without any hesitation, went straight to Li Xingguo's room next door and knocked on the door, saying, "General, I've remembered something important. You must come with me to Ningxiang Temple immediately!"

Without a word, Li Xingguo hurriedly put on his clothes, opened the door, and followed Su Wen.

Su Wen said, "As I picked up my weapons, I suddenly remembered something, something very important!"

Li Xingguo asked, "What's the matter that requires us to rush to Ningxiang Temple in the middle of the night?"

Su Wen said, "I know who's behind this. We need to get to Ningxiang Temple right away, or the culprit will escape!"

Li Xingguo responded and accompanied Su Wen to Ningxiang Temple. As they passed the city gate, Su Wen shouted, "Immediately send someone to inform Xue Song to lead his troops to Ningxiang Temple. Be quick!"

The two rode at high speed, and Su Wen, who was riding a fast horse for the first time, was exhausted.

Upon arriving at the foot of Ningxiang Temple Mountain, they saw some monks carrying bundles and preparing to leave. Su Wen shouted, "Everyone, stop right there! Don't move!"

The monks all stopped and looked at Su Wen and Li Xingguo. Su Wen asked directly, "Where is your temple's abbot?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a person slowly descended the steps.

The man, who appeared to be in his forties, was greeted with a slight smile by Su Wen, who asked, "Abbot, where are you going in the middle of the night?"

The abbot murmured, "Amitabha! The world suffers greatly. This humble monk is about to lead my disciples on a pilgrimage to alleviate the suffering of the world!"

Su Wen smiled slightly and said, "The abbot is truly considerate of the people!" Then, Su Wen suddenly shouted, "Xue Huaiyi!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xingguo was stunned for a moment, then looked at Su Wen with a shocked expression, and then at the abbot.

Upon hearing this, the abbot showed no sign of surprise, but calmly replied, "This humble monk's surname is not Xue, and I do not know who this Xue Huaiyi you speak of is!"

Su Wen slowly said, "Actually, Wei Nanzi's death cut off my clues and left me with no leads. But when I was sorting things out, I suddenly remembered something. Ningxiang Temple and Tangquan. I've been thinking, how could He Yan, a household registration clerk, possibly know a coroner of such a lowly status as Wei Nanzi?"

"Furthermore, how did the mastermind come into contact with these two people? And how did they manage to get them to willingly risk their lives for him?"

"I've never understood it. Killing so many people and going to so much trouble, was it all just to resurrect the Grand Princess Taiping, the mother of the nation?"

"But could she really defeat a saint? Even if she were alive, let alone resurrected, she never defeated a saint!"

"I was completely baffled and almost got stuck, but then a thought suddenly struck me!"

"He Yan frequents the Qingyi Pavilion and often seeks out Nu'er and Qing'er. I remember the madam saying that a new girl has arrived, and she can go to the hot springs with him!"

"Wei Nanzi, the coroner, also frequented Ningxiang Temple. I think we probably met there!"

"But I think the reason those two met is because of you, Abbot Xue Huaiyi!"