CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 40: BLAZING JADE

Zhu Yu’s eyes lit up. The exotic fragrance had appeared many times, and she had always wondered why such similar scents would have such different effects.

Now, hearing Lu Qing’s words, he seemed to know what the origin of this exotic fragrance was.

"In the southwest of Lan Country, there is a mountain containing a little-known mine, whose ore is fiery red and is called Blazing Jade.

This substance is odorless, but when it encounters blood, it emits an exotic fragrance.

As soon as it appeared, it became something coveted by various parties, all eager to seize it."

"Why is this?" Zhu Yu asked, puzzled.

"Because this material, using blood as a fragrance seal and other medicinal herbs as supplements, can amplify its medicinal properties to the extreme. Thus, martial artists in the world are rushing for it, believing that obtaining this material can achieve great success in Inner Strength, while external skills can also improve greatly."

Lu Qing shook his head gently: "However, people at that time did not know that such rapid progress was actually achieved overnight, flourishing and then declining."

Zhu Yu was surprised, not expecting that such an evil thing existed in this world.

Fu Lu had mentioned earlier that on that night he first smelled a bloody scent, then a strange fragrance, and afterwards knew nothing.

The "rust" that Lu Jingxing mentioned should also be the bloody scent.

This aligns with what Lu Qing said about the Blazing Jade needing blood to trigger its fragrance and effects.

According to the characteristics of Blazing Jade, if the person making the fragrance uses Stinky Hemp Flower, it can amplify the medicinal properties of Stinky Hemp Flower to the extreme, causing immediate loss of consciousness, possibly even death in sleep.

As for the Lu Family’s situation, the fragrance maker intentionally added some herbs to stimulate the sense of smell to achieve this effect.

Regarding the wine and yeast from the distillery, it’s likely the same principle.

"Such a sinister thing, letting it appear in the world would surely leave a calamity behind," Zhu Yu couldn’t help but muse.

"That’s why Prince Lan soon had people carry dynamite to blow up the mountain top, burying the Blazing Jade mine deep below, and stationed soldiers at the foot of the mountain, prohibiting anyone from approaching or excavating," Lu Qing said.

Zhu Yu suddenly understood, no wonder she realized what he meant when he talked about where this thing came from.

"How come you know so much about this evil object?" She was a bit curious.

Lu Qing did not intend to answer her, saying only: "If Chief Historian has free time and wishes to hear some old stories to pass the time, feel free to ask me then."

After a while, Lu Jingxing was brought back by Fu Lu, still trembling, holding a piece of paper filled with densely packed names, about a dozen at a glance, with several lines of small words under each name, seemingly noting what the person had done.

Lu Qing took the list from Fu Lu’s hand, glanced at it, and looked at Lu Jingxing kneeling at the door: "It seems Lu Family’s second master does not solely read the Holy Books, and is quite aware of family affairs."

Lu Jingxing’s face flushed red due to this remark, and he hung his head in guilt.

Zhu Yu had little sympathy for this Lu Family second master, who had lost his sense of smell, whose taste was ruined, who had not attained fame despite his age, and whose family had fallen.

At times, silence and inaction against evil deeds are, in themselves, encouragement.

If Li Wencai was the man-eating tiger hidden in Qingshui County’s government office, then the Lu Family housekeeper was undoubtedly the bad guy, aiding the evil tiger in continuing to harm others even after being eaten.

The entire Lu Family lived off the support of the bad guy, desperately saving and scrimping to secure Lu Jingxing’s fame, with no realization but merely hoping to escape Li Wencai’s grasp for greater benefits.

Throughout the family, there was probably not a single innocent person.

Having asked almost everything necessary, Lu Qing ordered Fu Lu to take Lu Jingxing away.

Before leaving, Zhu Yu called out to Lu Jingxing: "Does your brother have a blue birthmark on his chest?"

Lu Jingxing froze as if losing his soul, then realized what Zhu Yu was asking and nodded: "How do you know, sir?"

Zhu Yu waved her hand, signaling Fu Lu to take him away.

How did she know? Of course, it was seen on the "monstrous body" in the cave.

At this point, if she told Lu Jingxing, he might bring people up the mountain to retrieve the corpse, which would certainly alert the hidden murderer, which she did not want to see.

Fu Lu gestured for Lu Jingxing to leave quickly; although somewhat puzzled, Lu Jingxing dared not linger and left dejectedly.

"Now it’s certain that the source of the so-called Ghost Immortal Temple’s lost souls lies in Lu’s past actions. So while others merely lose their lives, Lu’s housekeeper not only loses his life but must also destroy the livelihood he relies on to survive," Zhu Yu felt more assured about her speculations after seeing Lu Jingxing, "just..."

"Just what?" Lu Qing asked.

"Just this list written by Lu Jingxing," Zhu Yu pointed to the paper on the table, "though he might conceal information for his brother, from what he provided, those who assisted Lu’s housekeeper in bullying competitors seemed not to be Lu’s people, but rather the thugs who relied on Li Wencai’s false authority.

I wonder if these people have a grudge with the hidden hand behind the Ghost Immortal Temple and may become ghosts in that temple."

"There’s no need to dwell on this," Lu Qing seemed indifferent, "those who worked with Lu’s housekeeper, robbing livelihoods and harming lives, killed then killed, died then died, no need to care.

Before the murderer is caught, whether they live or die depends on their own fate."

His words left Zhu Yu speechless.

Soon after, Fu Lu returned, and Lu Qing called him into the room.

"Go to the area mentioned in the secret report, find out the identities of the corpses in the temple and whom they held grudges with in life," he instructed.

Fu Lu nodded, then looked worriedly at Zhu Yu: "Master, and you and Chief Historian..."

"With Fu Lu around, no need to worry," Lu Qing signaled him to go quickly.

Fu Lu stopped dawdling and strode away.

"What shall we do next?" Zhu Yu asked.

Lu Qing looked outside: "It’s rather late today; it’s not proper to disturb Mr. Li’s convalescence, let’s rest for now and visit him tomorrow morning."

Zhu Yu followed his gaze outside, seeing bright sunshine and clear weather, the best part of the day.

This fox, claiming it’s not proper to disturb, clearly intends for Li Wencai, knowing they’ve arrived, to be trapped alone in his room, suffering for another day.

Thinking of what Li Wencai did in Qingshui County, Zhu Yu felt Lu Qing’s decision was spot-on.

Lu Qing pointed towards the moon gate at the side courtyard: "That governmental official was probably always outside the side courtyard, probably too scared to come in.

But you don’t have to be polite with him; if you need anything to eat, drink, or for amusement, just go out and instruct."

Foods and drinks for amusement...

"Will Fu Lu take long with his investigation?" Zhu Yu felt a tingling sensation from being stuck indoors upon hearing those words, "I thought investigations usually require haste..."

"We essentially know the origins of the Ghost Temple Case, and catching the murderer is only a matter of time. We’ll decide further actions once Fu Lu returns.

As for this Ghost Temple Case, it’s probably no more than an eyesore, catching one’s attention but least impactful.

Regarding that deep-rooted pus and blood..." Lu Qing smiled faintly, "As the saying goes, illness strikes like a mountain collapse, but receding is like drawing silk, one cannot rush."

"Isn’t it possible that the murderer has already killed most they wanted revenge on and won’t come out again?" Zhu Yu worried.

Although those who tyrannized villagers and persecuted townsfolk deserved death, the method of revenge using Blazing Jade unsettled her, fearing that without capturing them, greater troubles may arise.

After all, Blazing Jade is so peculiar and its medicinal properties so insidiously potent, it hardly seems like a good thing.

"Don’t worry," Lu Qing obviously considered this, "the true and greatest person behind all this is recuperating at home under our watchful eyes, unknown to those outside.

With such a juicy bait at hand, are you worried the ’fish’ won’t bite?"