Chapter 55: The Soul Leaves the Body
Even after confirming it again, Li Yanchu still found it hard to believe.
A scholar with an official title actually discovered the whereabouts of the Elixir of Immortality?
After asking about the background of the house servant, he dismissed the lady of the house. According to her, the servant's name was Song Yi, who had entered their household about half a year ago. He had always seemed honest and reliable, and his work had been diligent.
Who would have thought he was a murderous criminal with ill intent? Li Yanchu had heard many stories about fugitives from the jianghu hiding their identities and going underground, so it wasn’t uncommon.
The next step would be for the officers to thoroughly interrogate him. They needed to find out whether the murder was driven by greed or if someone else had orchestrated it.
Bai Hongtu stepped forward and asked, “What’s going on?”
Li Yanchu explained the story of how Wuling Wanderer had once invited a prominent monk to Wei City to search together for the Elixir of Immortality, and that the man who died today was that very same Wuling Wanderer.
Bai Hongtu was shocked. “That’s... way too much of a coincidence!”
In response, Li Yanchu nodded. “Exactly. On the first day of the Qingyi Temple Festival, Wuling Wanderer is murdered? The timing is just too perfect. And also, we can’t be sure this man really is the same Wuling Wanderer who sent that letter to the monk. He was a scholar, and he didn’t seem like one of those wandering eccentrics from the jianghu.”
Bai Hongtu thought for a moment. “That may not mean anything. Scholars read widely. He could’ve come across something unusual in his books, so maybe he had a special lead on the elixir’s whereabouts, which is why he invited the monk to help. Besides, the name Wuling Wanderer doesn’t necessarily mean he was one of those eccentric cultivators.”
Li Yanchu paused, then said, “That... makes sense.”