The eyes of everyone in the city were focused on that Buddhist pagoda.

Anyone with functioning eyes could see that the Precious Pagoda stood over twenty zhang high. Apart from the main entrance at the bottom level that could be entered, the upper floors had no doors or windows. Each level only had narrow eaves about a foot wide with no handholds, and moreover, each level of eaves was hung with a circle of copper bells, layer upon layer gleaming golden and brilliant. Even if there were skilled climbers who secretly scaled upward, it would be absolutely impossible to avoid touching a single bell. Thus, as long as the main gate at the base was sealed and soldiers stationed around it, only flying birds could silently reach the top of the pagoda.

Yet this incredible feat had indeed occurred.

The guests at the Sun Family Inn discussed it with great fervor.

A guest from Bianliang questioned: “Marshal Cui is known as the King of Xuzhou in our region – who would dare to snatch food from a tiger’s mouth and touch his belongings? Especially a treasure Marshal Cui was presenting to the Emperor?”

An elderly man stroked his beard and shook his head knowingly: “It must have been a legendary master thief with unrivaled skills and no regard for law, otherwise it would be impossible to break through ironclad defenses and fly to the pagoda top to steal the treasure.”

Hearing the old man’s theory, a young woman who had been quietly listening choked on her tea. Not wanting anyone to notice her strange expression, she covered her cup with her hand and pretended to continue drinking.

Another young guest asked: “A treasure Marshal Cui was presenting to the Son of Heaven should have been escorted directly to Chang’an by his special envoy. Why would it be delayed here in Xiagui and enshrined at Lotus Temple?”

An old woman working as a cleaner at the inn coughed twice and drawled: “This old slave has a younger sister who works as a wet nurse at County Magistrate Wu’s mansion, so I’ve come by some information.”

Everyone’s attention immediately focused on her. The old woman became spirited, her eyes no longer dim and her back no longer bent, as if she had instantly become ten years younger. She said mysteriously: “County Magistrate Wu is most filial – this is something the whole city knows. His old mother believes in Buddhism, burning incense and eating vegetarian meals daily, and Magistrate Wu serves her hand and foot…”

The young guest interrupted anxiously: “Grandmother, what does any of this have to do with the missing treasure?”

The old woman glared: “Such an impatient young man! How can I explain what happened later without telling the background?”

The audience was eager to hear inside information and quickly scolded the young guest, begging the old woman to continue.

“When Marshal Cui’s treasure-bearing envoy arrived in Xiagui, County Magistrate Wu naturally had to host a banquet. His old mother wanted to see that treasure, and how could such a filial son not try every means to fulfill her wish? So he came up with the idea of having the treasure enshrined in the pagoda, allowing his mother to see it under the pretext of worshiping Buddha. After much pleading, the envoy agreed as a favor. I heard that the current Sacred One also believes in Buddhism, and Lotus Temple is a famous monastery known far and wide – enshrining it for a few days would add glory and splendor. Who would have thought something would go wrong there! When they opened the pagoda to check yesterday morning, the treasure had simply vanished without a trace. County Magistrate Wu’s hair turned mostly white at once. He immediately arrested and tortured the sheriff guarding the pagoda and the monks tending it, desperately seeking to find the treasure and redeem his crime.”

After hearing the conclusion, everyone found the logic tight and the process smooth, and began discussing noisily. Some blamed Old Lady Wu for causing trouble, others called County Magistrate Wu foolishly filial and confused. Only the small official who had been upstaged was greatly displeased and said loudly:

“Military and state affairs – how could they be changed by one woman?!”

He took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and after confirming everyone’s attention had turned to him, proclaimed loudly: “His Sacred Majesty’s beloved Princess Wangshou has just passed away – this is known throughout the realm. The Sacred One is ill with grief and has reportedly suspended court sessions for many days. Sending treasures at this time would be asking for trouble, wouldn’t it? Marshal Cui must have instructed his envoy to find an excuse to delay on the road for several days, waiting until the Sacred One recovers before presenting it, in order to receive the expected rewards. The Military Commissioner of Wuwei is a regional overlord – how would a mere seventh-rank county magistrate dare delay his affairs for family matters? The idea that Old Lady Wu wanted to see the treasure is complete nonsense!”

When he spoke of the princess’s death and the emperor’s illness, the young woman bit her lower lip tightly.

The old woman had provided street gossip passed by word of mouth, while the small official had made deductions from an insider’s perspective – each seemed to have their own reasoning.

The innkeeper said: “We small folk don’t know lofty figures like county magistrates and military commissioners, but we do know Sheriff Luo Chengye. This man was someone who commanded absolute authority in our Xiagui County. He was once a bandit with the nickname ‘Lion Hound,’ meaning his nose was as keen as a dog’s – he could observe in all directions and hear from all sides. In his three years in Xiagui County, he solved many major cases. The habitual thieves and robbers of Xiagui were all subdued by his rule, earning him the title of Huazhou’s foremost detective. He was just a bit greedy for money, demanding tribute from time to time.”

The young guest eagerly added: “Then it must be that the master thief feared ‘Lion Hound’s’ dog nose and killed him first to avoid being captured by this super detective later!”

The innkeeper shook his head: “You don’t understand. Luo Chengye was extremely skilled in martial arts. When he wielded his pair of square steel maces, it was like an iron barrel – water couldn’t splash in, needles couldn’t penetrate. Four or five men together were no match for him. How could he be easily killed by a single thief?”

The audience was thoroughly entertained and discussed animatedly in various voices, then returned to the main topic: what exactly was that treasure?

Was it a Buddha’s tooth? Beautiful jade? A precious stone? A famous calligraphy piece by the Sage of Calligraphy Wang Xizhi? Or an immortality elixir from Penglai Island?

Once curiosity arose, everyone became like Old Lady Wu, itching unbearably and hoping to glimpse the treasure just once to have something to talk about. The innkeeper took advantage of the moment to bring out a peck of dried sunflower seeds, selling them to everyone at two coins per packet, constantly refilling tea and water with attentive service. Seeing that Shisan Lang was young, he even grabbed a handful to give him.

The merchant from Bianliang suddenly said: “I happened to hear a strange tale from Xuzhou that I’d like to share with everyone. However, I cannot say for certain whether it’s that treasure.”

Everyone immediately urged: “Tell us quickly!”

The merchant said: “Last year, an ordinary soldier in the Wuwei Army got drunk and was traveling through the countryside when suddenly a white snake over three zhang long and as thick as a water barrel blocked his path, its eyes glowing red light like horse lanterns. He was so frightened that his drunkenness cleared completely. He quickly drew his blade and fought the snake for a long time before finally killing it. The white snake had a one-inch pearl embedded in its forehead that could glow in the night. After the soldier dug out the pearl, the white snake’s corpse turned into a pool of clear water and disappeared. Not daring to keep it privately, he presented the pearl to his superior, namely Military Commissioner Marshal Cui. Marshal Cui treasured it like a precious find and immediately promoted the snake-slaying soldier to be his trusted aide. This incident is known by everyone around Xuzhou – not a soul doesn’t know about it. That soldier is said to still be serving under Marshal Cui. I dare not embellish the story – every word is true.”

Just as everyone was immersed in this legendary tale, the small official suddenly clapped his hands as if receiving divine inspiration and having his confusion cleared: “It matches! It matches!”

This time he didn’t dare speak loudly and deliberately lowered his voice: “The story of Han Gaozu Liu Bang slaying the white snake and rising in rebellion to gain the empire is known by every household, familiar to women and children alike. Something like a white snake pearl, whether real or fake, only the Son of Heaven is worthy of possessing. Even though Cui Keyong has overwhelming power in Xuzhou, he’s still just a regional strongman. As long as he has no rebellious intentions, he wouldn’t dare privately possess a treasure with such implications. Since the strange tale has already spread, he must voluntarily present the pearl to the Son of Heaven to demonstrate unwavering loyalty. This isn’t about seeking rewards – it’s the path of wise self-preservation, something he had no choice but to do!”

“So that’s it! So that’s it!”

“This official is truly a reincarnated Zhuge Liang!”

Everyone nodded in agreement, praising the small official’s reasoning as logical and sound, unanimously concluding that the treasure stolen from Lotus Temple was undoubtedly the white snake pearl.

Bao Zhu had been listening intently with a composed expression for quite some time. Only after confirming there was no more new information did she rise with heavy thoughts and return to her room with Shisan Lang.

She wasn’t worried about County Magistrate Wu facing dismissal and execution – she was concerned because Wei Xun had been missing for nearly two days with no sign of him.