Eleven Niang looked down at the cliff platform, her heart heavy with worry.
“Immortal Master, the Imperial Inspector Wei Ming, whose name echoes throughout Chang’an, is no ordinary man.”
“Not only did he see through my illusions, but he was also unaffected by them.”
The Immortal Master, wearing a Fang Xiang mask, pondered for a moment: “Though young, this man has only been following Di Renjie for half a year, yet he is exceptionally intelligent and talented. It is not surprising that he could see through your illusions.”
“However, it’s strange that he wasn't affected by your illusions. Perhaps he has some unknown methods.”
“Should we find an opportunity to get rid of him?” Murder flickered in Eleven Niang’s eyes.
The Immortal Master considered for a moment, then shook his head: “Not yet. Wei Ming has just become a champion scholar, and his poetry and prose are renowned in Chang’an. There are many eyes on him. To make a move against him at this time would be unwise.”
“We should wait until I report to the Immortal Envoy before making a decision.”
Dou Cong relayed this conversation to Wei Ming.
“Immortal Envoy?”
“It seems I was right. It turns out that the people behind Yuanlai are not just the Emperor Li Dan, but also a mysterious organization.”
Wei Ming recalled the contents of Tang Gui, which he had read in his previous life. There were many people in it who played tricks, had ulterior motives, and engaged in power struggles.
The Tai Yin Society, which was entrenched in Han Zhou, was a powerful rebel force.
For instance, Zeng San Yi from the Tuo Shen case was incredibly capable but was denied promotions due to his ugly appearance. Later, he harbored resentment and used the guise of the Tuo Shen to control a region.
Then there was the Human Face Flower case, where Li Yue, the East Capital garrison, seemingly a pawn of Princess Taiping, nearly killed the princess and the crown prince to revive their lost country.
However, in none of these cases did an Immortal Envoy figure appear.
Come to think of it, why does Yuanlai call himself an Immortal Master?
Immortal Master, Immortal Envoy… Could this mysterious organization be named after the word ‘Immortal’?
Many questions remain unanswered.
Never mind, since he couldn't figure it out, he decided to put it out of his mind.
Wei Ming instructed Dou Cong to stay in the Ghost Market: “Firstly, help me monitor Yuanlai and Eleven Niang’s movements, especially when they are talking, paying attention to any information about that mysterious organization.”
“Secondly, help me investigate the gathering places of the dead within the Ghost Market.”
Dou Cong bowed: “As you command.”
…
Although they didn’t catch Yin Shi Lang during their initial exploration of the Ghost Market, they did bring back Fei Ji Shi.
Su Wu Ming believed Fei Ji Shi must know something, such as the Soul-Returning Incense and Chang’an Red Tea.
Lu Ling Feng was in a bad mood. He had been tricked by the demon and the demon had escaped.
He immediately vowed: “Once I return to the Jin Wu Guard, I will report to the General and immediately dispatch troops to destroy this Ghost Market!”
Wei Ming smiled without speaking.
It was a joke. The Ghost Market, seemingly a hodgepodge of all walks of life, was actually a complex web of forces behind it, from the court, to the martial arts world, to the noble families.
Even if Lu Ling Feng, the Jin Wu Guard’s middle-ranking general, wanted to destroy the Ghost Market, he could only think about it, not actually do it.
Besides, the existence of the Ghost Market filled the needs of the dark world. As long as there is light, there will be darkness.
Su Wu Ming shook his head slightly: “General Lu, I’m afraid it will be difficult to completely wipe out the Ghost Market.”
“Surrounding it with troops, clearing it out, and sealing it off, how could it not be destroyed?” Lu Ling Feng didn’t believe it.
Su Wu Ming said with a complex look in his eyes: “Even if it can be cleared out and sealed, it’s just this place. What does it have to do with the Ghost Market?”
“They can simply open up shop somewhere else. The Ghost Market will still be the Ghost Market.”
“And there might not be anyone willing to let you seal off the Ghost Market!”
Lu Ling Feng fell silent. He was sometimes impulsive, charging forward with reckless enthusiasm, but that didn’t mean he was stupid. On the contrary, he was sharp and intelligent. Naturally, he understood the subtext of Su Wu Ming’s words.
But he still said unwillingly: “We have to try it.”
When Wei Ming and the others returned to the Chang’an Office, the courtyard was crowded with officers.
It caused everyone to be astonished.
The officers, including Lao Jia and Lao Luo, saw Wei Ming and the others return and hurriedly bowed with clasped fists, respectfully saying: “Lord Wei, you are truly divine! We admire you!”
Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng both turned to look at Wei Ming, who had a calm and composed expression.
Wei Ming smiled and said, “Did you find them all?”
Officer Lao Jia nodded: “According to the address you provided, we searched every inch of the ground and finally found the bodies of the eight missing brides.”
After saying that, he cleared a path.
Lu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming looked at the eight bodies and their pupils dilated in astonishment.
“Junior brother, you…” A thousand words were condensed into one sentence: “Junior brother, you are truly divine!”
Wei Ming humbly waved his hand: “Senior brother, you still have to examine the bodies.”
Su Wu Ming nodded: “It’s my duty.”
While Su Wu Ming went to examine the bodies, Lu Ling Feng couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked: “Brother Wei, how did you know where the eight missing brides were buried?”
All the officers, including Su Wu Ming, pricked up their ears.
Wei Ming smiled lightly: “I went to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple and retrieved the case files. After carefully examining them, I found some clues.”
“I discovered that the deceased brides were born on extremely yin dates, and their disappearance locations followed a regular pattern, as if they were conducting some kind of sacrificial ritual.”
“Before my teacher, Master Di, passed away, he gave me many books on strange and mysterious things. In my spare time when I’m not studying, I would read and browse them to pass the time. Those books happened to record some fairy divination and sacrificial rituals that corresponded to this.”
He looked at Su Wu Ming and said, “Senior brother, you must have those books as well, right?”
Su Wu Ming nodded: “Yes, I do. I often flip through them.”
Wei Ming continued: “I’ve given you the case files, and if you read them carefully, you should also be able to determine where the eight bodies are buried.”
Su Wu Ming waved his hand and said with a look of shame: “Junior brother, please don’t flatter me. When it comes to examining bodies, I dare to boast a little, but in terms of deduction and speculation, you are a hundred times better than me!”
Lu Ling Feng didn’t want to listen to the two of them flattering each other, so he interrupted: “Brother Wei, could you… could you lend those books to me?”
Knowing it was inappropriate to borrow books related to Di Gong’s secrets, Lu Ling Feng, who was always eager to solve cases, couldn’t help but ask.
Wei Ming smiled and said: “I didn’t bring those books to Chang’an. They are all in my hometown of Julu.”
Lu Ling Feng was a little disappointed, but he didn’t suspect Wei Ming of lying to him.
Then Wei Ming said: “But senior brother said you often flip through them, so you must have brought them to Chang’an, right?”
Su Wu Ming nodded: “That’s right, I brought them.”
After replying, Su Wu Ming looked at Lu Ling Feng with a mischievous smile, as if to say, come on, beg me, and I’ll lend them to you.
Lu Ling Feng snorted coldly: “Who wants them.”
At this moment, a Jin Wu Guard soldier came to report: “General Lu, the Crown Prince has summoned you.”
Lu Ling Feng didn’t dare to delay, bowed to Wei Ming, and left.
Su Wu Ming sighed: “Noble family children are just arrogant.”
Wei Ming laughed: “Master said, don’t be impatient, and don’t spread your master’s name. Senior brother, you’re going to have to wait a long time before you inherit your master’s mantle.”
Su Wu Ming shook his head helplessly: “We’ll see. I just hope that Master didn’t misjudge me.”
Just as the two were talking, Yuanlai limped over.
“Oh, my! Lord Wei, you are amazing! You are indeed the number one talented person in our Great Tang Dynasty, a worthy student of Master Di.”
“You have figured out where the eight missing brides are buried. Brilliant, truly brilliant! Yuanlai admires you, admires you!”
Wei Ming smiled faintly: “Lord Yuan, you are flattering me. It’s just the legacy of my teacher. It’s nothing special.”
Yuanlai changed the subject: “I heard you went to the Ghost Market. Did you catch the culprit and solve the case?”
Wei Ming and Su Wu Ming exchanged glances: “We are ashamed to say that we have not yet found the culprit.”
“No problem. Finding the eight bodies is already a great achievement. Success is just around the corner!”
After Yuanlai left, Su Wu Ming looked at Wei Ming: “What’s with him?”
Wei Ming smiled and said: “Bold assumptions, careful verification, take it one step at a time.”