“The death of Magistrate Sima Biqi pains me deeply. You must thoroughly investigate this matter! From today on, strictly examine everyone at the city gates. Don’t let anyone slip through, especially those with injuries. Detain them all – I’ll question them personally!”
Mo Qianzhi grew increasingly angry as he spoke. Captain Mo instructed several yamen runners to immediately relay the message to the city gates.
“Today’s tragedy resulted from our lax surveillance! I bear full responsibility for Magistrate Sima’s brutal death. You, come with me to visit Sima Biqi’s family.”
“Yes, sir!” Captain Mo’s face was etched with pain, wishing he could flay that Half-faced Ghost alive.
Only then did Mo Qianzhi seem to notice Shen Du and the others were still present. Looking surprised, he clasped his hands and said in a hoarse voice:
“Lord Shen, thank you for granting Biqi mercy earlier, allowing him to escape his suffering sooner.”
This remark seemed to remind Shen Du that he had personally ended Biqi’s life. Shen Du waved his hand, unconcerned with such details.
“Very well. We’ll go comfort Sima Biqi’s family first. When we return, we’ll discuss how to eliminate the Half-faced Ghost with you, Lord Shen.”
Shen Du nodded without further comment.
Mo Qianzhi departed with heavy steps, Captain Mo in tow, to handle the aftermath. His hunched silhouette exuded a gloomy aura.
After Mo Qianzhi left with his men, Shen Du looked toward Zhu Yan. Earlier, after Shen Du had stabbed Biqi, Zhu Yan appeared to have conducted another examination. Judging by her expression, she must have discovered something.
Perhaps because the previous scene had been too bizarre and tragic, it took Zhu Yan quite a while to regain her composure. When her eyes finally sparked with life, she put away her protective gloves and autopsy tools. She gestured with her hands as if demonstrating something to Shen Du and Pan Chi.
“A small incision is made at the top of the head. Then mercury is poured in. Within half an hour, the skin and flesh separate cleanly from the entire body, peeling off effortlessly.”
Recalling Sima Biqi’s gruesome state, with his flesh flayed from his body, Zhu Yan paused before continuing:
“Due to the datura’s effects, the victim initially feels no pain. But once the skin is peeled off and the datura wears off, the agony comes crashing down like an avalanche.”
The pain of having one’s skin and flesh separated from the entire body was truly unimaginable.
Shen Du frowned. “What use does the Half-faced Ghost have for flayed skin?” The previous theft of eyes, ears, nose, and mouth was somewhat understandable, but what purpose could an entire sheet of human skin serve?
“Isn’t the Half-faced Ghost rumored to enjoy consuming human body parts?” Pan Chi shrugged indifferently. “He took Li Kaixiang’s huge head, so taking a sheet of human skin is no big deal.”
Shen Du stared at him, a hint of disapproval in his eyes. Zhu Yan also spoke seriously: “Don’t joke about the dead.”
Pan Chi shrugged again, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but at least he didn’t continue.
Zhu Yan rolled down her sleeves. Due to the urgency of the situation, she hadn’t had time to change into her official robes, having hastily thrown on everyday clothes before rushing out. Compared to her usual appearance, she looked more girlish and delicate. Pan Chi studied her for a moment before clicking his tongue in admiration:
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, who would have thought you’d be so skilled at autopsies?”
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, while women could hold official positions, Zhu Yan was the only female coroner.
“It doesn’t matter whether people know or not. It makes no difference to me.” Zhu Yan seemed long accustomed to others’ scrutiny, appearing quite nonchalant.
Displeased with Pan Chi’s prolonged gaze at Zhu Yan, Shen Du deliberately stepped between them. Facing Zhu Yan, he spoke seriously:
“Right now, we need to find out where this mercury came from. Secondly, we must determine if Sima Biqi had any connection to the Fire Moth Party.”
Mercury was an extremely precious substance, extracted from cinnabar. Even a hundred loads of cinnabar might not yield one load of mercury. Cinnabar itself was essential for refining elixirs, with very limited production. Since ancient times, it has been favored by royalty. Both the Classic of Mountains and Seas and the Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica highly praised it. The Empress didn’t believe in Daoism, favoring Buddhism instead, so cinnabar was truly only used as medicine – no one dared to openly use it for alchemy.
Even so, cinnabar wasn’t something one could buy just because they had money. For the Half-faced Ghost to casually use such an amount to kill and flay someone was highly suspicious.
The motive for killing Magistrate Sima Biqi of Yingzhou was also puzzling.
With the body count rising, Shen Du felt a headache coming on. Add to that Pan Chi’s predatory gaze on Zhu Yan, and he just wished they could catch the Half-faced Ghost quickly so he could take Zhu Yan far away from here, away from Pan Chi.
Meanwhile, Mo Qianzhi galloped on horseback from the center of Yingzhou City, heading straight for Biqi’s home in the southern part of town.
“It’s my fault that Biqi died. That Half-faced Ghost must be targeting me. Go investigate Biqi’s background thoroughly. Find out if these people are really after me! If it’s true, how can I face the Sima family?”
“Lord Mo, this matter was beyond your control. We’re all devastated by Magistrate Sima’s death. We’ll spare no effort to capture the Half-faced Ghost and avenge Sima. Please don’t be too heartbroken!”
As they spoke, they arrived at Sima Biqi’s residence – an ordinary small courtyard in the city with side wings and three bedrooms at the back. It wasn’t large, but adequate.
Upon hearing of her son’s death, Sima Biqi’s mother fainted immediately. Fortunately, Sima Biqi’s father managed to keep his composure.
The white-haired old man instantly lost his vitality.
“Did my son pass quickly?”
Mo Qianzhi felt a lump in his throat but nodded.
Biqi’s father immediately burst into tears. After comforting them for a long time, Mo Qianzhi promised to capture the Half-faced Ghost and give the elderly couple closure. The group stayed until very late before returning the way they came.
Candles burned in every room of the compound, and no one could sleep.
Jing Lin came to report to Shen Du. After they finished speaking in low voices, Jing Lin stepped back.
“You should retire first. Leave the rest to me.” Shen Du sat on a stool, looking at the drowsy Zhu Yan not far away.
It seemed that at some point, Shen Du had started referring to himself as “I” when speaking to her. Zhu Yan had grown accustomed to it.
Zhu Yan shook her head, immediately perking up: “No, I’m the only one who knows the autopsy results.”
Seeing the stubbornness in Zhu Yan’s eyes, Shen Du didn’t insist. He draped a cloak over her shoulders and fastened it. After a moment’s thought, he took her hand and walked out.
Zhu Yan blushed slightly, her palm growing warm. She quickly pulled away from Shen Du, following behind him.
As his hand suddenly emptied, Shen Du’s face darkened. Seeing Pan Chi ahead seemingly smiling, he said nothing more and led Zhu Yan toward Mo Qianzhi’s study.
Mo Qianzhi stood at the door, pacing back and forth, extremely agitated.
“Lord Mo…” One of Mo Qianzhi’s scouts had returned. Mo Qianzhi went to meet him.
“Let’s talk inside.” Mo Qianzhi’s face, devoid of its usual charm, was etched with exhaustion.
Everyone entered the room.
“I’ve comforted Biqi’s family and sworn to capture the Half-faced Ghost to give them closure,” Mo Qianzhi vowed. “I’ll need the three of you to assist further. Please report to me immediately if you discover any clues.” Mo Qianzhi stood and bowed to Pan Chi, Shen Du, and Zhu Yan.
The three returned the gesture.
“There’s no need for such formality, Lord Mo. I’m here on Her Majesty’s orders to investigate this matter thoroughly,” Shen Du replied, his expression cold.
Mo Qianzhi nodded and gestured for the scout to report.
“Lord Mo, we’ve investigated Sima Biqi’s household registration and life history. The man was clean, with no criminal record or notable conflicts. After passing the county-level examination, he became a magistrate in the Yingzhou yamen and worked there for many years without traveling elsewhere.”
“His parents are also honest, upright people. They get along well with their neighbors. Our inquiries were met with nothing but praise, without a single complaint.”
In the case of the headless corpse, Li Kaixiang had poor relations with his neighbors, loved to argue and quarrel, and was obsessed with sexual affairs and alchemy. But Biqi had no such vices, yet he was killed. It was very strange indeed.
Pan Chi rubbed his nose. “In this matter, he seems to be the most innocent victim.”