The Powerful and Favored Coroner Imperial Concubine

167: The Fourth Killing Method, The Fourth Death

"Lured here?" Yan Li frowned slightly.

Qin Wan nodded, stepping around Yan Li to look at the place where the oil lamp had fallen. The lamp had shattered on the ground, spilling all its oil. The lampshade, however, remained intact. Qin Wan was about to move closer for a better look when, unexpectedly, her foot caught on a protruding stone tip. She slipped, her body tilting sideways. Just as she was about to stumble, a hand steadied her waist.

Regaining her balance, Qin Wan turned to see Yan Chi standing behind her, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere.

The passage was dimly lit, and no one else seemed to have noticed Yan Chi's action. Yan Li stood to the side, still wanting to explore further ahead. Qin Wan steadied herself, and Yan Chi withdrew his hand. Just then, Wang Huaiyu's voice came from outside the passage.

"Found something? The search here hasn't even started yet…"

With a shhh sound, Wang Huaiyu walked in holding a lit firestarter. Seeing Qin Wan, Yan Chi, and Yan Li inside, his expression immediately turned respectful. Yan Chi tilted his chin slightly. "There was the smell of lamp oil on Commissioner Liu's bundle. Later, we followed it and indeed found this lamp here. Later, we'll ask the household servants if this lamp belongs to Commissioner Liu's room. What about you? Found anything…"

Wang Huaiyu shook his head. "Searched, but found nothing. The bundle was thrown in a corner outside the courtyard wall, but no strange traces were discovered. Also, last night, Master Pang rested in the eastern wing of Huiyuan. According to the servants in the courtyard, he slept soundly all night and was only awakened when the incident in the manor occurred at dawn."

Yan Li raised an eyebrow. "What does 'eastern wing' mean…"

Wang Huaiyu coughed lightly. "Master Pang and Madam Pang do not sleep in the same quarters."

Qin Wan frowned. "There were no signs of a struggle in Commissioner Liu's room, and the courtyard was normal. That indicates Commissioner Liu walked out by himself. Moreover, he most likely had a lamp in hand. If he intended to leave Clear Radiance Garden, why would he carry a lamp?"

Wang Huaiyu narrowed his eyes. "So, Commissioner Liu walking over here with a lamp had a reason?"

Qin Wan nodded. "If the lamp indeed came from his place, that would be sufficient proof."

Yan Li squinted. "If Commissioner Liu came out by himself, then why? Late at night, even if he discovered someone or something, he wouldn't have followed it all the way out here."

Yan Li looked from Yan Chi to Qin Wan, finally posing a question no one could answer for the moment.

Commissioner Liu had been a court official for many years; naturally, he would consider things carefully. In the dead of night, it certainly wouldn't be some ordinary commotion that led him all the way to the lotus pond. And the person who lured Liu Renli here likely did so to drown him in the pond. Qin Wan frowned. "Is there only this one lotus pond in the manor? Are there any inner lakes or the like?"

Wang Huaiyu shook his head. "No inner lakes. There are two lotus ponds and a few streams and pavilions. This pond is the deepest; the others are just minor scenic spots."

Qin Wan understood. "Perhaps the murderer planned long ago for Commissioner Liu to die in this manner."

Wang Huaiyu pondered for a moment. "The murderer is undoubtedly someone within Clear Radiance Garden." Then he suddenly said, "Could the murderer be someone Commissioner Liu knew? Or… or did the murderer do something that forced Commissioner Liu to come out?"

The murderer being someone Liu Renli knew?

Beside them, Yan Chi considered briefly. "That's possible. However, Commissioner Liu has been in the manor for several days. If he recognized someone, he should have recognized them earlier. There's no reason to only recognize them now…"

Wang Huaiyu and Qin Wan both knew Yan Chi was referring to the old case. Analyzing it this way made it feel increasingly intertwined with the events of that year. Wang Huaiyu looked worried. "If it's someone within the manor, it might be difficult to find. The crime occurred in the latter half of the night when everyone in the manor was sound asleep. If it's someone from the manor, naturally they would know how to avoid notice."

Wang Huaiyu's point was valid. As he spoke, he frowned. "I wonder if there are any more clues on the body?"

Earlier, Qin Wan had only determined the cause of death; she hadn't conducted a detailed autopsy or performed a dissection. Hearing this, Qin Wan said, "Alright, I'll go take another look. If necessary, I'll perform a dissection."

Wang Huaiyu was full of gratitude. The prefectural coroner hadn't returned yet. Without Qin Wan, these cases would be difficult to unravel.

Having said this, Qin Wan didn't linger. Yan Chi said, "I'll go with you."

Wang Huaiyu gave Yan Chi a slightly surprised glance. Though he hadn't known Yan Chi long, he seemed to perceive Yan Chi's consideration for Qin Wan. He had initially intended to go along but hesitated for some reason and swallowed his words. "Very well, then I must trouble Your Highness. I'll have people investigate this area."

Yan Chi nodded. Just as he accompanied Qin Wan out of the rockery passage, Bai Feng, who had left earlier, returned.

"Master, Ninth Young Miss…"

Bai Feng first saluted, then said, "Earlier, this subordinate inquired with the manor servants. They said these past few days, since the Qingjun case arose in the manor, Commissioner Liu's room often had a lamp burning until the latter half of the night. Also, the servant responsible for that guest courtyard said the candles in Commissioner Liu's room were indeed replaced daily. Besides candles, he also had an oil lamp."

Qin Wan and Yan Chi exchanged a glance. Yan Chi nodded without comment.

Seeing Qin Wan was about to conduct another autopsy, Qin Shuang was unsure whether to follow. Seeing Qin Yan also remained, Qin Shuang sidled up to him. "Third Brother, she's strangely capable…"

Qin Shuang's tone was complex, a mix of admiration and a faint note of something else. "A young girl, how can she investigate cases like a man? And she conducts autopsies repeatedly, not afraid of attracting unclean things."

Qin Yan stood still, watching Qin Wan and Yan Chi walk side by side towards the empty room where Liu Renli's body was kept.

Qin Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. "The Heir Apparent treats her quite well."

Qin Shuang blinked. "Of course. After all, she's a granddaughter recognized by the Grand Princess. Besides, back in Jinzhou, she helped His Highness investigate cases…"

Qin Yan watched Qin Wan and Yan Chi walk further away, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Meanwhile, Qin Wan said, "I still remember Commissioner Liu's extreme reaction when Qingjun died. It was even oddly sorrowful. These past few nights he was unable to sleep. It must be related to Qingjun's death."

"I've already ordered a thorough investigation into their backgrounds, to see if they are indeed connected to the Great Gold Robbery from back then."

Qin Wan hummed in agreement. Lifting her gaze, she saw they had already reached the empty room housing Liu Renli's body. The constable at the door immediately saluted upon seeing Yan Chi. Yan Chi nodded and pushed the door open. Inside, Liu Renli's body was covered with his clothes.

Qin Wan rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward, first removing Liu Renli's robe. She examined it twice and finally found a spot of particularly dark stain on the lower hem.

Liu Renli's robe was lake-blue; soaked in water, it turned a deep indigo. Moreover, since it had been submerged, any odor it might have had would be undetectable. The stain Qin Wan discovered resembled lamp oil.

"The smell's gone. This looks like a stain left by lamp oil."

Saying this, Qin Wan found several more marks on Liu Renli's robe, distributed on the chest and back. Although now damaged, one could still tell they originally formed concentric circles.

Qin Wan frowned, carefully feeling the imprints on Liu Renli's robe…

"What is it?" Yan Chi had been examining the old scar on Liu Renli's shoulder blade. Turning his head, he saw Qin Wan's serious expression.

Qin Wan snapped out of her thoughts and suddenly asked, "Your Highness, have you ever seen a trick involving underwater escape?"

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "No, I haven't."

Yan Chi, having spent years on the battlefield, likely rarely visited lively places for entertainment. Qin Wan explained, "I remember seeing it once as a child, at some gathering. It was a troupe from the north. Besides making people appear and disappear, they could perform death-defying escape tricks. They would tie a person up with a rope strong enough to pull a cart and throw them into a large water vat to see if they could escape the tightly knotted bonds. If they couldn't, they'd drown."

A gleam appeared in Yan Chi's eyes. "What was the trick?"

A slight curve touched Qin Wan's lips. Yan Chi's reaction was indeed quick.

Yan Chi understood the source of her smile. "Any such trick has a reason."

Qin Wan nodded and continued, "They used a special rope. An ordinary hemp rope tying a person up, how could they break free? But if they used a rope that lost its toughness upon contact with water, it was very different."

Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan. Qin Wan said, "When performing the trick, they would first use the rope to pull a cart or a large stone to demonstrate its strength. They might even let the audience members tie the person up themselves and check the person for any hidden cutting tools before proceeding. But the audience wouldn't know the rope wasn't hemp…"

"Not hemp?" Yan Chi was slightly surprised.

Qin Wan nodded. "It was made of paper. Not writing paper, but a specially treated coarse yellow paper mixed with fine hemp fibers. Unless someone in the audience cut the rope to examine it closely, it looked no different to the naked eye. Hemp rope doesn't lose toughness in water and takes a long time to rot. But paper is different. Paper absorbs water and becomes loose, so the rope wouldn't be as strong. As long as the person could hold their breath and had strength, breaking free from such a rope was much simpler."

Yan Chi looked at Liu Renli. "So…"

Qin Wan handed over the garment in front of her. "Look, earlier I found ligature marks on his hands and neck. I hadn't figured it out then, but seeing the marks on his robe now, I thought of this possibility. Using hemp rope to bind someone and throw them in would be too obvious. But using the kind of rope I described could mislead people. I suspect if we dredge the bottom of that lotus pond now, we might find something. But later on, it might not be there."

As she spoke, Qin Wan frowned. "This is generally only known to people in performance troupes."

"The Shuangqing Troupe?" Yan Chi raised an eyebrow.

But Qin Wan shook her head. "If it's the Shuangqing Troupe, how do we explain Qingjun's death?"

"So, you mean someone in this manor has a background in a performance troupe?"

Qin Wan nodded. "Even if not from a troupe, they were closely associated. Otherwise, they wouldn't know this."

Yan Chi nodded and walked to the door to give a few instructions. When he returned, he saw Qin Wan lost in thought. "What are you thinking?"

Qin Wan looked up at Yan Chi. "The first night we arrived at Clear Radiance Garden, late at night, I heard someone singing opera."

Yan Chi frowned. "The first night? The Shuangqing Troupe?"

Qin Wan shook her head. "It didn't sound like them. The singing voice was somewhat sorrowful and eerie… it didn't feel like a normal person singing. At the time, I found it strange and asked Bai Ying and Fuling, but they both said they didn't hear anything."

They both said they didn't hear anything…

Yan Chi glanced at Liu Renli's robe. "You think it was that person?"

Qin Wan shook her head and walked to Liu Renli's body. "Not sure. I only heard the voice. But I always feel there must be someone else in this manor who knows a lot about opera troupes. Regardless of anything else, just the fact that Master Pang invites the Shuangqing Troupe every year is enough for many servants to become familiar with them."

Qin Wan also examined the old injuries on Liu Renli's body. "These injuries are at least ten years old."

"What kind of injuries?" The scar on Liu Renli's shoulder was no longer gruesome, but it wasn't the usual linear healed wound. It was an oval, somewhat irregular scar.

Qin Wan examined it closely. "Looks like an arrow wound, but larger in scope. It seems… like a wound from a spear thrust."

Mentioning a spear, Yan Chi immediately narrowed his eyes. After a long moment, he said, "Indeed, it does."

Yan Chi also used a spear and naturally understood what Qin Wan meant. However, Liu Renli's scar had healed many years ago. Not being a physician, Yan Chi couldn't imagine what the initial wound looked like. During the first autopsy, Qin Wan had seen the old scars but hadn't examined them in detail. Now, pondering it, Qin Wan and Yan Chi simultaneously thought of the old case again.

"It seems we still need to investigate whether Commissioner Liu encountered any danger in his early years."

Though investigation was needed, given the time that had passed, Yan Chi wasn't confident for the moment.

Qin Wan then examined Liu Renli's entire body. This time, she found several minor abrasions on his heels and calves. Qin Wan noted them one by one, instructed Fuling to fetch some incense to dispel impurities, and began preparing for the dissection.

Since Qin Wan had determined Liu Renli died from drowning, she didn't dissect the entire body, only focusing on the chest and abdomen. Half an hour later, Qin Wan washed the blood from her hands as she spoke. "There are white frothy bubbles in the trachea, mouth, and nose. Additionally, a bit of what appears to be mud was found in the trachea. Both lungs are enlarged, their surfaces moist with bloody spots. Death by drowning is confirmed. No poison or narcotics were found. The stomach contained mostly fluid. It's certain he was thrown into the lotus pond and drowned alive."

Yan Chi's gaze sharpened. "It seems this case is inextricably linked to performance troupes."

Qin Wan nodded. Outside, Fuling brought in another basin of water. Qin Wan washed her hands repeatedly before they were clean, yet a speck of blood still stained her sleeve. Yan Chi frowned slightly. "Got dirty again."

A faint smile touched Qin Wan's lips. "It's fine. Just a little. I'll wash it off when I go back."

Yan Chi said nothing, looking at Qin Wan's slightly reddened earlobes from the cold. "Alright, I'll escort you back first. It's too cold outside. I'll come find you when Prefect Wang has any news."

Qin Shuang and Qin Yan were nowhere to be seen. Qin Wan thought for a moment and nodded. "No need to escort me. I'll go back myself."

Yan Chi's lips tightened slightly, seeming somewhat displeased. However, meeting Qin Wan's clear gaze, he ultimately said nothing.

"Very well. Off you go."

Yan Chi saw Qin Wan out the door and didn't move further, merely watching her until she disappeared from sight before heading back towards the lotus pond.

Meanwhile, Fuling sighed. "Young Miss used to conceal it before. Now everyone knows you can conduct autopsies."

Qin Wan smiled wryly. When she first awakened in Jinzhou, her status was lowly, and Jiang-shi of the Qin household was quite superstitious. Concealing it a bit was naturally to avoid complications. But here, firstly, the situation didn't allow her to hide; secondly, she herself no longer had that initial sense of confusion, helplessness, and self-preservation. Whether it was medical skills or autopsy techniques, the former could save the living, the latter could bring solace to the dead. When necessary, why conceal it? Thirdly, and most importantly this time, Yan Chi was by her side. She felt Yan Chi not only didn't mind her autopsy skills but even trusted only her. Not only trusted her, but seemed to want her to showcase a woman's proficiency in this field. To Qin Wan, this feeling carried an indescribable sense of indulgence and doting.

Thus, she went with the flow and took the spotlight. If some thought her conducting autopsies made her inauspicious, or that as a daughter of the Qin family engaging in such a lowly occupation was base, then she had nothing to say to them. One cannot discuss ice with summer insects.

"What if they know? I can do what others cannot, excel where others do not. I haven't harmed heaven or reason, and I can uncover the truth to bring solace to the dead. What is there to hide?"

Qin Wan's voice was steady. Fuling smiled bitterly. "That's true, but this servant worries you won't be able to marry in the future…"

"That…" Qin Wan's smile faded slightly. "Don't worry about that."

Fuling still looked troubled. Qin Wan lifted her gaze and saw Madam Chang standing at the intersection ahead with Pang Jiayan. Qin Wan was taken aback. The wound at the corner of Madam Chang's eye had faded, and today she wore powder, making it barely noticeable upon casual glance.

"Madam." Qin Wan stepped forward and curtseyed.

Madam Chang also performed a slight curtsey, smiling. "Ninth Young Miss assisted with an autopsy again today?"

As she spoke, Madam Chang glanced at Qin Wan's sleeve with its bloodstains. Qin Wan nodded. "Yes. Commissioner Liu met with misfortune."

Madam Chang gave a slight nod. "I know. I hadn't planned to come out today, but another incident occurred in the manor…"

Qin Wan comforted her. "Madam needn't worry. Prefect Wang will investigate thoroughly."

"It's not that I'm worried about that." Madam Chang's tone was detached, showing none of Pang Fuliang's somber urgency. Moreover, Liu Renli was Pang Fuliang's old friend, yet Madam Chang showed no sympathy or regret over his death.

"Sooner or later, something was bound to happen in this manor."

Madam Chang said this with a faint smile. Qin Wan was slightly startled. "What does Madam mean by that?"

Madam Chang didn't answer, only saying, "Has Ninth Young Miss met Jiayun?"

Qin Wan was startled, immediately recalling the night they were teased. She shook her head. "One night, I think I encountered the young lady, but we didn't meet face to face."

The smile faded from Madam Chang's face, her clear eyes reflecting deep sorrow.

"If possible, I truly wish Ninth Young Miss could examine Jiayun."

Qin Wan, moved by the sadness on Madam Chang's face, quickly said, "Of course."

Madam Chang seemed grateful, but as if remembering something, her eyes reddened. She shook her head, gripping Pang Jiayan's hand tightly. "Not now. Ninth Young Miss doesn't know, since marrying into this family, I've been left with only this empty shell. I cannot do as I wish. I am powerless, unable to protect my own daughter…"

Madam Chang's voice choked slightly as she spoke. Pang Jiayan shook her arm. "Mother…"

His voice was soft and sticky, tinged with concern.

Madam Chang stopped speaking. "Fortunately, Qingniang helped. When I married in, Jiayun was only three. In a way, both siblings were raised by Qingniang."

Qin Wan thought of the figurines Qingniang had made for Pang Jiayan that day and instinctively asked, "Does Qingniang know how to sing opera?"

Madam Chang looked at Qin Wan with slight surprise but said, "Qingniang cannot sing, but she enjoys watching. Every time the Shuangqing Troupe comes, she watches with us."

Qin Wan gave an "oh," feeling inexplicably relieved. Seeing the lingering sadness in Madam Chang's eyes, Qin Wan hesitantly asked, "What exactly is the young lady's illness…"

Pang Jiayun was mad; Yan Chi's words had already corroborated that. Qin Wan had found it strange. Now that Madam Chang had expressed a desire for her to examine Pang Jiayun, she naturally wanted to ask more.

However, upon hearing this, Madam Chang lowered her gaze. This time, her silence was prolonged, as if something rose and fell within her. Just as Qin Wan began to feel apologetic for asking something inappropriate and thought Madam Chang wouldn't answer, she suddenly looked up. "Ninth Young Miss will have a chance to know."

Then she glanced again at Qin Wan's sleeve. "Ninth Young Miss should go back and change your clothes. Someone of your standing truly shouldn't be involved in such bloody matters."

Qin Wan looked at her sleeve. "Those who practice medicine cannot avoid such things. It's alright."

With another curtsey, she said, "Then I shall return first."

Madam Chang, holding Pang Jiayan's hand, stepped aside to make way. Qin Wan gave Madam Chang a deep look before leading Fuling back towards their guest courtyard.

Madam Chang and Pang Jiayan stood where they were, watching Qin Wan walk away. After a long while, Pang Jiayan whispered, "Mother, will it get better?"

Madam Chang nodded with an "Mm." "It will. Of course it will."

…

…

"Young Miss, what did Madam Pang mean? What does she mean by not protecting her daughter?"

Fuling's question mirrored what Qin Wan was pondering. Yet, after frowning for a while, Qin Wan shook her head. "I don't know. But Pang Jiayun's madness must have a cause, must have a reason…"

Fuling rubbed her own arm. "This manor truly has many strange occurrences. It's a pity we can't leave now."

Qin Wan's expression was grave. "Three people have already died. I believe it will soon be over."

Hearing this, Fuling felt another chill down her spine and promptly pulled Qin Wan, quickening their pace back to their courtyard.

Upon returning, Qin Wan naturally washed up and changed clothes first. Yet, even as she did so, Madam Chang's image lingered in her mind. Madam Chang's slightly reddened eyes, her sorrowful, despairing gaze, always made Qin Wan feel that the Pang manor hid more than one secret. Besides Madam Chang herself being frequently beaten by Pang Fuliang, there must be other secrets.

After changing, Qin Wan stayed in the courtyard for a while, not going out. According to Yan Chi, he would come find her once there were results from the investigation outside. Qin Wan waited like this, but by late afternoon, Yan Chi still hadn't come. Undoubtedly, the investigation had encountered difficulties again.

Solving a case wasn't something achieved overnight. Qin Wan wasn't anxious either. Only when dusk approached and after dinner did she begin to feel restless. Something must have been uncovered throughout the day, and regardless of what it was, she wanted to know sooner.

Qin Wan sat by the window, feeling somewhat unsettled. Suddenly, Fuling pointed outside. "Young Miss, look, what's that…"

Qin Wan snapped back to attention, following Fuling's pointing finger. She saw a blaze of fire, accompanied by thick black smoke, rising from the northwest direction of Clear Radiance Garden.

Qin Wan straightened up, her dark pupils trembling violently!

Fire! The fourth method of killing!

In an instant, Qin Wan stood up. "Come, let's go see!"

Her heart clenched tight. Qin Wan rushed out so fast she forgot her cloak. Seeing this, Fuling grabbed the cloak and, along with Bai Ying, followed Qin Wan as she ran out. The commotion from Qin Wan's side alerted Qin Shuang. As soon as Qin Shuang stepped out, she also saw the flames. Without hesitation, she followed Qin Wan.

"How could there be a fire for no reason?!"

Qin Shuang was somewhat afraid of fire; her voice trembled as she spoke. The final fire at the Qin manor had taken Jiang-shi and Qin Chen's lives. The memory still filled her with lingering fear.

Qin Wan didn't answer Qin Shuang's question. She only felt her heart pounding with alarm!

Yan Chi was right. The case in the Pang manor must be related to the Great Gold Robbery from back then. There were already three coincidences; this fourth coincidence further corroborated Yan Chi's theory. So, who set the fire?

Catching the arsonist meant catching the murderer!

Qin Wan's heart thundered in her chest. Wang Huaiyu and Yan Chi were both in the manor, and Yan Chi had given instructions to Wang Huaiyu. Wang Huaiyu would certainly be on guard. With such precautions, the murderer setting a fire was tantamount to walking into a trap!

Qin Wan had just left her courtyard gate when Qin Yan caught up from behind. Clearly, the servants in the manor were also startled by the fire, all heading towards the northwest. Soon, Qin Wan saw a three-story building. It was located in the northwest corner of Clear Radiance Garden, somewhat remote but relatively close to their guest quarters. As she had thought, Wang Huaiyu indeed had taken precautions. By the time she ran closer to the building, she saw many people gathered outside.

Yan Chi, Yan Li, Wang Huaiyu, along with the prefectural constables and Clear Radiance Garden servants, were all there.

The prefectural constables and servants had already been ordered to fight the fire. Yan Chi and Wang Huaiyu watched the interior of the building with grave expressions. Qin Wan ran straight to Yan Chi's side. "What happened? Is the arsonist still inside?"

Seeing Qin Wan run over, Yan Chi instinctively stepped back, trying to keep her at a distance, and nodded. "Inside."

Qin Wan's dark pupils constricted. She quickly looked towards the fire. The flames were spreading from the bottom up; currently, the first floor was fiercely ablaze, tongues of fire licking at the windows of the second floor. Hearing Yan Chi's words, Qin Wan strained her eyes and saw a petite figure amidst the thick smoke.

Qin Wan frowned. "That's…"

Wang Huaiyu's voice was complex. "It's the Pang family's eldest young lady. Half an hour ago, someone said the young lady had run out. I immediately had the constables keep an eye out and help search. Not long after, this fire started. We just arrived." He let out a frustrated sigh. "How could it be her? She's mad, and so young. How could she possibly…"

Qin Wan's eyes also widened. She never imagined the arsonist could be Pang Jiayun?!

According to their deduction, if the murderer was connected to the old case, the fourth killing method, setting a fire would surely appear. Now, the fire had indeed appeared, but it was set by Pang Jiayun… Was Pang Jiayun the murderer?!

Qin Wan's frown deepened. If Pang Jiayun was the murderer, then who was the victim?

"Where is Master Pang?" Qin Wan asked immediately.

As soon as the words left her mouth, footsteps sounded behind the crowd. Qin Wan thought it was someone else, but turning, she saw Pang Youde following Pang Fuliang as they walked over. Qin Wan's suspicions instantly deepened. Based on her and Yan Chi's speculation, the events of that year should involve Qingjun, Liu Renli, and Pang Fuliang. But now, the fire was set, yet Pang Fuliang was outside?

Could Pang Jiayun setting the fire just be a coincidence?!

Almost as soon as this thought formed, a terrifying scream pierced the air above everyone's heads.

Qin Wan started, instinctively looking up. What she saw was a figure plummeting from the third floor of the building. Everyone who saw it instinctively stepped back. Immediately after, with a loud thud, something heavy crashed onto the steps in front of them.

The change happened too fast; even Yan Chi couldn't react in time.

In the glaring firelight, Qin Wan saw Pang Yiwen's blood-streaked face with stark clarity.