Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
A Niu held the Route Map in her hands. At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, one could discern the hidden intricacies within the route. When connected, it formed a diagram known as the Soul-Settling Diagram.
"What does this Taoist want to do?" Mu Xi murmured. "First, he sent these talismans, then had this brother carry a lantern to guide souls, and now there's this Soul-Settling Diagram... Could it be that he's also after the Coffin Ghost?"
"What does the Taoist look like?" Xing Ruyi asked A Niu.
The only Taoist she knew was Moxuyou, who was particularly fond of such matters. Naturally, Xing Ruyi associated everything with him.
"An ordinary Taoist, looking just like those in the Daoist Temple, nothing unusual," A Niu replied, giving a brief description of the Taoist's features.
Xing Ruyi exchanged a glance with Chang Tai, and they both arrived at the same conclusion. The Taoist A Niu saw was likely not Moxuyou. However, this Yun Family Gathering was intricately linked to Moxuyou; even if this Taoist wasn't him, the entire situation might still be related to him.
They exchanged a knowing look, and Chang Tai excused himself, taking A Niu back to Xing. As for the Soul Guiding Lantern, it remained at the Relay Station.
Watching Chang Tai and A Niu leave, Xing Ruyi turned to Mu Xi. "Madam, please be brief. How exactly was the female ghost in the Copper Mirror released? These strange occurrences tonight are likely connected to this female ghost; if we can't figure out the ins and outs of this matter, it will be difficult for us to guess the true intentions of that Taoist."
Mu Xi looked at Xing Ruyi but remained silent for a moment.
"There's something I wonder if Madam is aware of?"
"Please go ahead."
"You know the General's temperament; if there’s no urgent matter, he would never leave the Military Camp. Even if he did leave, he would have some attendants with him. After being with the General for so long, have you never wondered why he appeared at Mountain God Temple that night? How did he get infected with Corpse Poison?"
"Also, Madam just mentioned that the female ghost came to visit that night. At that time, Madam was unaware of the entanglement between this female ghost and the General, so after a struggle, she forced the ghost back into the grave. The Fox Demon wanted to ask again, did Madam notice anything at that time?"
Mu Xi shook her head in confusion. "That night, I did not notice anything strange near the Tomb. As for why the General appeared at the Mountain God Temple and why he was afflicted with Corpse Poison, I had some doubts in my heart, but I did not dwell on them. I have never been one to pay attention to every detail in life, and after becoming a demon, I became even less inclined to investigate deeply. Moreover, given the circumstances at that time, I had no extra thoughts to consider anything else."
"Did Madam truly not notice anything?"
Mu Xi lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. "If I say I noticed nothing at all, that wouldn't be entirely true. I did catch a faint smell of blood, but being in a remote area near a graveyard, such a smell is quite normal."
"Madam, you are truly remarkable! The reason the General appeared at the Mountain God Temple is because he was schemed against, and it was none other than his own attendants who plotted against him. The General was fortunate; he only lost half a fingernail to that Coffin Ghost, but those who conspired against him died on the spot. The murderer was indeed the female ghost in that coffin.
At that time, Madam should have been able to see their corpses. Yet you just said there was nothing unusual around the Tomb. This indicates that someone was there to handle the scene promptly after the incident occurred. It’s even possible that the female ghost in the coffin did not crawl out by herself to find the Mountain God Temple.
And one last point that the Fox Demon suspects the General has never mentioned to you: The reason the General brought his attendants to that Tomb was not because of the person inside it. To put it simply, even when attacked by the female ghost, the General himself did not know it was his former fiancée."
"I thought the General..." Mu Xi paused slightly. "Afterwards, when I learned that the ghost sealed in my Copper Mirror was indeed the General's betrothed, I had my doubts. I thought it was because of his deep feelings that he specifically went to visit her. The reason I didn’t ask him was because of my face. But now, hearing what you said, Mu Xi is even more confused; since the General did not know who was in that coffin when he went there, why did he bring his attendants such a long way to that place?"
"That is because someone falsely claimed through a Military Doctor that there were Ghost Mulberries in that grave which could nurture Ghost Silkworms, and these Ghost Silkworms were miraculous medicine for curing Tetanus."
"Mu Xi does not understand medicine."
"It is understandable that Madam does not know." Xing Ruyi said as she took out a Silk Handkerchief from her sleeve. "This Silk Handkerchief contains a prescription which was conveyed to the General by someone pretending to be a Military Doctor at that time. It is also what the General personally gave to the Fox Demon today; fearing it might be forgotten, it was recorded truthfully here. Madam, would you like to take a look yourself?"
"No need; Mu Xi does not understand medicine. Even if I look at this Prescription, I fear I won't be able to discern any oddities within it. Ruyi can speak plainly; Mu Xi will listen."
"This is called Cocooned Silkworm, derived from Cang Jiang. Its main ingredients are Ginseng, Astragalus, Angelica, Thick-skinned, Balloon Flower, Angelica Dahurica, and Zombie Silkworm. It is primarily used to treat Lymphadenitis ulcers that do not heal over time. In folk medicine, this condition is also known as 'Lymphadenitis' or 'Mouse Ulcer,' while Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to it as 'Lymphadenitis.' However, here it has a more unique yet memorable name: cervical lymph node tuberculosis. This condition was first mentioned in the Huangdi Neijing, specifically in the section on cold and heat. Its symptoms begin like a small bean, initially painless, gradually increasing in number and forming clusters resembling beads. When it becomes pus-filled, the skin turns dark red, and after rupturing, the pus is thin and clear. Often, as one heals, another breaks open, forming a sinus that resembles a mouse hole. Due to the difficulty of treating this condition, it is said that 'nine out of ten die' in folk sayings. Fox Demon, have you heard anything about this?"
"Although this condition is indeed frightening, Mu Xi has not found anyone with similar symptoms in the military."
Xing Ruyi nodded: "This is the crux of the problem. The prescription shown to the General replaced Zombie Silkworm with Ghost Silkworm, but its efficacy and pharmacology should not differ significantly. In simpler terms, this medicine is not for treating Tetanus but for Lymphadenitis. If so, why did that person present this prescription to the General and fabricate a story about Ghost Mulberry and Ghost Silkworm? The answer is simple: because both the General and you are not well-versed in medical knowledge. Even if this prescription reaches the General's hands, he would not discern its true nature. As for the motive, it is merely to exploit the military's vulnerabilities to pressure the General into going near that Tomb. Regarding this Mastermind, there are those in the military who harbor resentment against the General; those who replaced him and caused his fiancée's death could also be involved."
The lady had witnessed how that Attendant's family brutally murdered his fiancée. Such matters would not be publicized by the Attendant's family; only they would know where her grave lies. If there were no connection between these two parties, how could the General have fallen into their trap so accurately?
"Mu Xi may not understand the cause, but she sees the result clearly. Ruyi, what you just mentioned aligns with what I vaguely overheard during those secret discussions. However, those people are already dead; we may never know the truth. Mu Xi does not comprehend why you chose this moment to discuss these matters with me."
"Do you still not understand? It is not surprising that the military doctor knows about Cocooned Silkworm; it is easy to see that there are those who envy the General and wish to harm him. However, one point remains: who proposed the method of brutally murdering the General's fiancée? Ordinary families would likely not know such a vicious method. Furthermore, whether among Nobility and High Officials or common folk, unless absolutely necessary, they would not easily disturb a grave. Let alone repeatedly forcing someone to open their own son's tomb. Why did this Attendant's family agree to such actions? How did they know they could use this murdered individual to cause the General to succumb to Corpse Poison? If their sole intention was simply to kill the General, there are many other ways to do so."
"We cannot guess at the thoughts of such sinister individuals. Perhaps they simply do not want the General to die peacefully; instead, they wish to see him suffer through torment and anguish." Mu Xi sighed lightly and turned away, softly saying: "I have only just realized what you meant by your words, Ruyi. You imply that the one plotting behind the scenes is likely this Taoist priest. But what could his purpose be?"
"The Fox Demon cannot fathom it either. If he was indeed responsible for harming the General back then, why would he send these exorcism talismans today? If he wasn't responsible for that harm, why would he entice A Niu to bring this Soul Guiding Lantern to Relay Station? If both actions were his doing, wouldn't that be contradictory? It is precisely because I cannot make sense of it that I wish to understand all aspects of this incident—especially why that female ghost in the Copper Mirror was released. Since you sealed her away yourself, Mu Xi girl must possess considerable power; surely you wouldn't release her just to invite trouble upon yourself?"
"That was an accident!" Mu Xi turned around and bit her lip hard: "If I tell you that when the Copper Mirror was thrown out, I had no idea that the seal had been broken—would you believe me?"
"Thrown?" Xing Ruyi pondered over that word: "If you speak honestly with me, I will certainly believe every word you say."
Comment 0 Comment Count