Minglong

Chapter 79 Follow the clues
Two o'clock in the morning, in a mansion near East City!

The three-story mansion was dark, with a few guards walking around outside and a faint firelight in the bedroom in the backyard.

In the magnificent bedroom, the scent of cosmetics lingered, and the two concubines huddled in their quilts, shivering.

The wealthy businessman Yang Sichen was writing at a round table in his nightgown. Because it was a cold autumn night, he had a blanket wrapped around his back.

As a famous drug dealer in the capital, Yang Sichen was extremely wealthy and had hired many powerful guards, but it was obviously of no use. At this moment, he said with admiration:

"Great tricks, hero! Entering Yang's house is like coming home. Just say hello next time you come. Suddenly putting a sword on my neck is really scary..."

Outside the room, Linghu Qingmo held a sword and cautiously kept watch. Although he followed his brother Jinhuan out to investigate the case, at this moment, he always felt like a thief!

Just now in Xiaoyao Cave, Xie Jinhuan went to the fur shop to check things out, and ended up scaring out a bunch of fleas, which scurried around on the roof and disappeared in an instant.

She followed the instructions and did not act rashly. As a result, Xie Jinhuan quickly ran back and pulled her towards the East Market.

Linghu Qingmo was full of doubts. He learned along the way that they were going to ask Yang Sichen, the head of the four major pharmaceutical dealers, for the order list. He felt that this was a very difficult matter.

After all, Yang Sichen is no small figure. Most of the wealthy spiritual families near Jingzhao Prefecture, such as Taiyin Palace and Zihui Mountain, place their orders from him. He has connections in both the black and white worlds, and the order list is a trade secret.

Linghu Qingmo had originally thought that when he arrived, he would visit Yang Sichen as the direct descendant of Zihui Mountain, start with the relationship between the two families, appeal to his emotions and reason with him, and let him cooperate with the investigation and provide the list of names.

What a great result!

Brother Jinhuan pulled her to the outside of Yang's house. As if he had turned on the ability of X-ray vision, he quickly bypassed the light and dark sentries, sneaked into Yang Sichen's room, and put the sword directly on his neck.

Mr. Yang was also an old hand, and without saying a word he stood up and began to write. The communication was so pleasant and barrier-free that both the host and the guest enjoyed it.

Linghu Qingmo, who was following behind, was stunned. They were clearly tracking down the murderer, but at this moment they felt the thrill of killing and robbing.

Fearing of being recognized, Yang Sichen, the supplier, raised the price for Zihuishan. Then the master hung her up and beat her. Everyone hid outside, secretly thinking:
No wonder Xie Jinhuan was so incredibly efficient in chasing down the demon bandits...

The professionalism of this investigation, forced confession, stealth, and assassination is beyond the reach of professional killers. It's a waste of talent to use it to solve cases...

I can’t learn, I can’t learn…

But it is really useful...

Meiqiu was used to it, walking back and forth on the roof, making a "Guji?" sound from time to time. He probably thought Xie Jinhuan was being too slow this time...

……

Xie Jinhuan stood behind Yang Sichen, holding a sword. Since Mo Mo was supervising outside, his tone was quite casual:
"I apologize for disturbing you. There are already over a hundred names, and you haven't finished writing them yet? How many people have ordered Longyang flowers?"

Yang Sichen was nervous, but his expression was as if he was facing an ordinary old friend:

"Longyang Flower is something that is needed by all warriors of the fourth rank and above. Pharmacies, alchemists, and sects in Danzhou, Weizhou, and other places also purchase it from me, Yang. There are more than 800 people in total, and the demand is always insufficient to meet the supply."

How could so many people rush to buy medicinal materials worth eighty taels and one qian? Xie Jinhuan frowned and said:

"Mr. Yang can remember so many people's names?"

Yang Sichen thought this was just a simple business war and responded with a smile:
"For long-term orders of Longyang flowers, each one has a different price. If you can't remember this, how can you still do business? Yang promises that he won't make a mistake."

Xie Jinhuan could see that Yang Sichen was very professional, but he didn't have time to check so many people.

The murderer committed the crime locally, so the goods shipped to other states can be ruled out.

Medicine shops and alchemists have both incoming and outgoings. If they keep using the medicine for a long time without disclosing it to others, they'll be exposed sooner or later. If the amount used is so large that it's invisible to outsiders, and the impact is certainly astonishing, it doesn't fit the speculation of casual cultivators, so we can rule it out...

As for the Jianghu sects, killing a few people is like playing. They have all turned to demonic ways and even take animal medicine to practice martial arts. Isn't this embarrassing? It can also be ruled out...

After a brief consideration, Xie Jinhuan asked:
"Aside from outsiders, as well as the medicine shops, alchemists, and sects in Jingzhao Prefecture, how many individual customers have placed long-term orders for Longyang Flowers in recent years?"

Yang Sichen thought about it carefully and said, "There aren't many people like this, only about thirty or so. Most of them order Longyang Flowers to cure stubborn illnesses."

"Tell me roughly the identities and purposes of these thirty-plus people."

Yang Sichen held the brush and wrote while thinking:

"Hmm... Huo Zhonghu, Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Observatory, ordered the Dragon Sun Flower to gather medicinal materials for refining the super-grade 'Sha Po Dan'...

"Lie'an man Ye Shirong, Dinglong Yanghua is used to heal old injuries sustained during the Jian'an Rebellion...

"Captain Wu of the Daxing Thousand Households Office also cured an old illness..."

……

Xie Jinhuan listened to the narration and secretly ruled out those who did not need to go to the ghost market to buy blood essence.

It turned out that there were still seven or eight suspects, most of whom were retainers of wealthy families and individual warriors.

Xie Jinhuan was still thinking about how to check these people, but when Yang Sichen wrote down the 27th person, he suddenly said:
"Wu Su from Baima Street does business in the antique street. Dinglongyanghua can also cure old ailments..."

?

Xie Jinhuan frowned and interrupted:

"Wu Su is an antique dealer. What old ailment does he need to use Longyang Flower to cure?"

Yang Sichen explained, "It seems that Shopkeeper Wu had been running around too much in the past, which damaged his foundation. He asked the genius doctor from the Imperial Hospital to prescribe a prescription. He needs to use Longyang Flower for warming and nourishing for a long time, but not in large quantities."

This reason is barely reasonable. Xie Jinhuan thought about it:

"Tell me about Wu Su in detail."

"Uh..." Yang Sichen looked embarrassed. "Shopkeeper Wu has been recuperating at home in recent years, and his son has been looking after the shop. I haven't seen him for a long time."

He has considerable wealth, a low social status, and lives a secluded life...

This fits the profile of the demon bandit as a 'wandering demon with few connections'.

Xie Jinhuan thought of the murderer's characteristic of being able to identify masters within a hundred feet radius, and asked again:
"Is there anything special about this person?"

Yang Sichen thought for a moment, "Wu Su's nickname is 'Golden Eye Wu'. He made his fortune gambling on stones. He rarely makes mistakes when looking at things. He's quite famous in the antique street. I wonder if this counts."

After hearing this, Xie Jinhuan was basically certain that there was something wrong with this person.

However, to be on the safe side, he still asked Yang Sichen to finish writing about the remaining people and analyze them carefully.

But except Wu Su, the others among the more than 30 people are either too powerful or have strong backgrounds, and none of them are as suspicious as Wu Su.

After discovering the key target, Xie Jinhuan wanted to go directly over, but thinking of his own troubles, he asked again:
"Mr. Yang, what kind of medicinal herbs can you buy here?"

Yang Sichen tightened the blanket around him and didn't dare to look back:

"What do you want, hero?"

"The rhizome of the Chinese lotus. I'll pay you, I won't rob you."

"?"

Yang Sichen didn't believe it at all!
However, he really didn't have this kind of thing in stock, so he apologized:
"Apart from a few old sects, the only place that has the rhizome of the lotus is in the national treasury. The last time it was taken out was when the abbot of the Fanyun Temple, who had reached the highest level of excellence, came to the capital to perform a ritual and pray for the emperor. Only then was the court bestowed one as a reward.

"This item is mostly used by ancestors of super-grade and above to 'cleanse the marrow and thin the bones'. As long as it reaches super-grade, it must be sought after. All major sects regard it as their lifeblood. Yang definitely doesn't have it." Xie Jinhuan saw that the largest drug dealer in the capital was out of stock, and his heart sank. He could only say:

"I understand. It's getting late, Mr. Yang, please go to bed early. I apologize for disturbing you."

Seeing that Xie Jinhuan was really ready to leave, Yang Sichen thought for a moment and asked again:
"Are you sure you want this, hero?"

Xie Jinhuan paused and turned around:

"Mr. Yang has connections?"

Yang Sichen said with a hint of arrogance: "Ordinary people certainly can't get Jiazi Lotus, but Shang Lianbi, Sikong Laozu and other old monsters on the top of the mountain must have a lot of them in stock."

"Oh?"

Xie Jinhuan is very familiar with the name Shang Lianbi.

He is the only ancestor in the whole world who dares to openly explore the path of demons. He is proficient in the five religions of immortality, Buddhism, martial arts, witchcraft and demons, and he rules the Dragon Bone Beach for thousands of miles!
The content of "Shang Lianbi, the Sentimental Swordsman" is about him acting arrogantly in Longgu Beach, teasing the yellow-skinned demon and the octopus lady all day long, which makes people envy him...

Although he didn't know whether the content in the book was true, given Shang Lianbi's status, it wouldn't be surprising for Jiazilian to be used to make tea. As long as he could afford the price, he would definitely be able to buy it.

Thinking of this, Xie Jinhuan asked:
"Mr. Yang can even contact such a person?"

"No."

"..."

Are you looking for a fight?
Xie Jinhuan's expression darkened!
Yang Sichen felt a chill down his spine and quickly continued:
“Although the rhizomes of the Chinese lotus are rare, they are not so rare that you can find them at Dragon Bone Beach. There are definitely sellers within a thousand miles.

“However, the old people on the mountaintop don’t care about worldly silver at all. These kinds of magical herbs are usually exchanged for other things.

"As long as the hero can produce materials of equal value, Yang can inquire for him. If nothing goes wrong, we'll have a connection within three to five days. The reward will be based on the market price, and I'll take a 5% cut if the deal is successful."

5 cents is 5% of the transaction amount, which is quite unfair...

But Xie Jinhuan had no money. If the money transfer was not smooth, there would probably be no transaction amount. He just gave up:
"Thank you. Mr. Yang, please help me find out the price. I will come to visit again in a few days."

"You're welcome, hero. Remember to knock next time!"

"clear."

……

Not long after, outside Yang's house.

Xie Jinhuan walked on the street, looking at the list carefully.

Linghu Qingmo looked back every few steps, and only when he was sure that Yang Sichen hadn't sent his followers to pursue him for revenge did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief:
"How can you... how can you be so decisive in your actions? Yang Sichen is a legitimate and wealthy businessman, and he's the uncle of the Zihui Mountain Sect Affairs Hall. He should be given some respect, and yet you just put your sword to his neck..."

Xie Jinhuan didn't really kill Yang Sichen, he just used the more efficient "attack first, listen later" approach:

"Things have their priorities. The demons and bandits could strike and harm people at any time. When necessary, we must take necessary action. Sometimes, being too soft-hearted can lead to more serious consequences."

"Oh……"

Linghu Qingmo thought it made sense, so he took out his little notebook, wrote down the "Jinhuan Quotations", and asked:
"Why are you asking about Jiazilian?"

Xie Jinhuan blinked and looked at the kind-hearted Mo Mo:

"Miss Zisu wants to make Shenglonghuohuo Pills, and she needs this. I'm just helping to find out. The Jiazi Lotus from Zihui Mountain..."

Linghu Qingmo quickly shook his head:

"I can give you other things, but my master is not qualified to use this kind of sect foundation until he reaches the super level. I really can't give it to you."

"Haha, just a joke."

Xie Jinhuan's smile was very relaxed, but in fact he was heartbroken!

After all, he only had twenty days left, and he didn't earn any points, and a lot of them were eaten by coal briquettes...

But there was no point in being anxious. Seeing Momo's high morale and checking the list, he thought for a moment:
"Shall we make another bet?"

Linghu Qingmo was a little nervous when he thought about the first time they met and the bet on her breasts:

"What are you gambling?"

"I'm betting on the murderer. If I don't catch the murderer before dawn, I'll buy you breakfast. If I do, well... you give me three chances not to get angry."

Don’t be angry?

Linghu Qingmo felt that this range was a bit too large:
"Don't be angry about what?"

"I did something to make you angry. You can't be angry. You have to forgive me."

Linghu Qingmo frowned slightly:

"You mean even if you kiss me, I can't hit you?"

How could Xie Jinhuan just be close to Mo Mo? But that's pretty much what he meant:
"It doesn't matter if Miss Mo Mo doesn't dare to gamble. I won't take you with me when investigating cases in the future. You can run much faster alone."

?

When Linghu Qingmo heard this, his eyes suddenly darkened!
Is this a bet?
This is clearly a threat to force her to submit!
But she was really afraid that Xie Jinhuan would not take her with him in the future...

Xie Jinhuan was so good at doing things. If she didn't learn from him, when would she be able to become a righteous female hero like her master...

Moreover, according to the government, the murderer was extremely cunning and could identify masters within a radius of a hundred feet.

Even if Xie Jinhuan really found the place with the help of Longyanghua, he might not be able to find his whereabouts...

It would be a good thing if the murderer was caught!

Linghu Qingmo pondered for a long time, gritted his teeth and nodded:
"Okay. If you don't catch it, give me three chances to 'stop'!"

?

Xie Jinhuan was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"No matter what you are doing, if I say stop, you must stop!"

hiss……

Does that mean that when we reach the critical point, we have to hold it back?
This might be a bit uncomfortable...

Xie Jinhuan was a little hesitant, but still believed in the ghost wife's judgment. As long as the murderer had indeed been taking veterinary drugs, then Wu Su was 90% likely to be the murderer, and the remaining 10% was also on this list!

"Okay, it's a deal!"

After Xie Jinhuan finished speaking, he rushed to the Antique Street without stopping to avoid wasting time.

Linghu Qingmo knew Xie Jinhuan's abilities and felt guilty, but the thought of catching the murderer ignited his fighting spirit and he flew after him...
-
It will be on the shelves next Monday. I have tried my best to update it. I hope you guys can give me a first order or 2!

(End of this chapter)