CH 35

Although Great Master Jìng Míng was holding the keys to the underground palace when he arrived, his expression was slightly nervous, “Hou’ye, the underground palace has a precedent of only being opened once every thirty years, with the symbolism of protecting the country’s foundation, if it’s opened for the sake of investigating the case today, it might affect the country’s destiny—”

Huò Wēi Lóu looked at Jìng Míng with a touch of surprise, “Since Great Master is a senior monk who has achieved enlightenment, he must be aware that it’s the Buddha’s spiritual bones which protect Great Zhou Dynasty’s foundation, not an empty underground palace. Now that the Śarīra has been lost for so many years, why does the Great Master presume that opening an underground palace would affect the country’s destiny?”

Jìng Míng’s complexion changed slightly as he hurriedly said, “Since that’s the case, this humble monk will bring Hou’ye to enter the underground palace.”

Huò Wēi Lóu nodded, while Lín Huái and the rest naturally followed along. Bó Ruò Yōu trailed after them, and beside her, Fu gonggong said with some interest: “Typically, the underground palace can’t be trod into. Zajia didn’t even enter the underground palace ten years ago since it’s the sacred land where the Buddha’s spiritual bones were being enshrined. Allegedly, only senior monks who have attained enlightenment have the fortune of entering, and ordinary people entering will have their longevity reduced.”

Bó Ruò Yōu remained expressionless when she heard that, which made Fu gonggong look at her, “Yōu You, you’re actually not afraid of…”

Bó Ruò Yōu was in a slight predicament, “Not hiding from Gonggong, when min’nü was a child, it was asserted that she would not live past eighteen, and there is a mere half-year before min’nü turns eighteen. If it truly reduces one’s longevity, then it is reckoned that not much can be taken off.”

Fu gonggong sucked in a mouthful of cold air, “Pei pei pei, don’t make such utterances, the Buddhist patriarch and deities in Heaven are listening, it would be terrible if it really comes true…”

Bó Ruò Yōu issued a short chuckle. Fu gonggong said doubtfully, “Why would someone assert that? Was the Buddhist monk of Taoist Priest lying? Did they also say that if you give a certain amount of money, they can help you overcome the calamity?”

On the contrary, Bó Ruò Yōu said: “Gonggong has made the wrong guess, the Taoist priest said that it wouldn’t work even if money was given.”

Fu gonggong made a noise of surprise, “That doesn’t make sense ah…”

Bó Ruò Yōu curled her lips into a smile, as if she had never taken that claim seriously. Her line of sight shifted, moving towards Great Master Jìng Míng who was walking at the very front, “After Gonggong attended the Grand Śarīra Ceremony ten years ago, when did he depart?”

Fu gonggong released a sigh, “Back when the Śarīra was lost, His Majesty flew into a great rage. The Sacrificial Offering Grand Ceremony was supposed to be an auspicious event, but the loss of the Śarīra will affect the country’s fortune, and even has some connotations of terribly inauspicious omen. His Majesty had been exhausted from the travel down south to begin with, and he started to feel unwell that night. Though it was originally planned that he would leave on the third day, he departed on the morning of the second day, going down the mountain to take the water route back to the Capital. Back then, the matter was handed to the Luozhou Prefectural Magistrate to investigate, which was Féng daren, General Yuè was the Commander-in-Chief back then, so he was aiding him from the side, whereas Wú daren and Wáng daren were in charge of the arrangements for the Grand Ceremony from the very start, and they had to stay behind to deal with the aftermath, hence they helped to investigate the case together with the aforementioned pair.

“Despite the month-long investigation, nothing was found. As a result, Féng daren was reprimanded, remitting his promotion to the capital to five years later, Wú daren and Wáng daren were affected by a fair bit too.”

Bó Ruò Yōu’s eyes did not stray away, “What about General Yuè?”

Fu gonggong said: “General Yuè did not escape unscathed either of course. However, General Yuè rendered meritorious service by suppressing bandits later, which allowed him to enter the Zhenxi Army. For military officials, the position of a Commander-in-Chief isn’t low per se, but if there are no military achievements, and he only depends on suppressing bandits to safeguard peace, it would be difficult for him to continue climbing upwards.”

Bó Ruò Yōu did not have a deep understanding of governmental positions within the court and comprehension only emerged in her eyes after hearing Fu gonggong‘s explanation. 

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The group left the morgue courtyard, following the main road inside the temple northwards, before climbing up a flight of stairs, going past places like the ten square foot monastic room, the hall for preaching the Buddhist doctrine, and the Library Pavilion, until they reached an elevated platform. Pine and cypress extended towards the sky on the elevated platform, the bluestone tiles that formed the main road split off into two directions, with one road heading towards the Changing Pagoda at the peak of the mountain, while the other slanted and rounded off towards the east. 

Jìng Míng pointed towards the east, “The entrance to the underground palace is in the east—”

As they walked, Jìng Míng stated, “The underground palace was built in a natural cave in the previous dynasty, with its main body being at the half-way point of Xixia Mountain. After entering the outermost door, there are four more heavy doors, and ten years ago, it was this humble monk’s Temple Head-shixiong and two other Shishu who went inside. Those two Shishu are of high virtue as well, and they have attained nirvana after death in succession a few years back.”

Huò Wēi Lóu did not express an opinion. Very quickly, the group saw a copper door that was mounted on a cliff in the middle of the pine forest. 

The rock face was straight, with Buddhist hymns carved into the stone on both sides of the thick and heavy, primitively simple greenish-copper large doors. There were two martial monks standing left and right of the door, and upon seeing Jìng Míng appear, both of them were slightly surprised. 

Jìng Míng stated: “Marquis Wuzhao has arrived as His Majesty’s representative, to enter the underground palace to have a look.” 

The two martial monks exchanged mutual looks before they retreated to the side, holding their poles perpendicular to the ground. Jìng Míng then added: “They are martial monks from the Hall of Arahant, and are responsible for guarding the underground palace, with each guard shift lasting for six double-hours, regardless of rain or shine. If it isn’t a martial monk with great tenacity, it would be difficult to persevere.”

After Jìng Míng was done speaking, he took out a few keys that were the length of a palm and opened the first lock. 

Since it hadn’t been opened for ten years, the copper lock was tough, and Jìng Míng had exert quite a bit of strength before he managed to open the door. Once the door was opened, the dark and damp air gushed out and brushed across their faces. Jìng Míng ordered someone to hold a lamp before he brought the group into the passageway. 

Though there were five heavy doors, only by going through the last door would it be considered as entering the underground palace. The group remained silent for the entire journey, and when they finally reached the front of the fifth heavy palace doors, everyone held their breaths in rapt attention. They only heard a loud click before the copper lock was opened, and the thick and heavy copper doors were unsealed, then the underground palace of the Famen Temple which was hidden behind a mysterious veil appeared before everyone’s eyes.

What emerged in their vision was forty-nine stone steps, the flight of steps in the multiple of seven. On the landing of the stairs was a lotus pond carved out of stone, with a corridor at the end, and the paved road led to the front room of the underground palace. Jìng Míng pointed in the direction of the room, “Further upwards is a centre room, back room, and a secret shrine. The Five-Fold Treasure Chest which stores the Śarīra has always been enshrined in the secret shrine—”

Just as they entered the front room, they saw a pagoda structure sanctifying Ashoka – the last major Emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty of India – and within the Pagoda was another secret treasure of Buddhism. Huò Wēi Lóu did not make any inquiries, going past the stone door to head into the middle room. The middle room had a gossamer white curtain in one area, enshrining a Buddhist ceremonial tool within, the back room had a three-fold treasure chest, and it also enshrined a secret Buddhist treasure.

After going through the stone door, Huò Wēi Lóu promptly saw the copper coffer that was being enshrined on a lotus platform at a glance.  

The copper coffer had a simple and unadorned design with a lock clasp, though the rivet on the one side of the lock was loose, and there were a number of Buddhist verses carved on it. It was impossible to judge whether the Śarīra was in it just from the appearance alone. When Jìng Míng saw the copper coffer, he seemed to recall the unforeseen event from that year, “That year, Shixiong personally held onto this chest to present the Śarīra, and it was barely displayed for a day during the Grand Ceremony before the accident happened. Despite being under thousands of staring eyes, no one knew how the Śarīra disappeared into thin air.”

Huò Wēi Lóu asked, “On the day of the Grand Ceremony, was the copper coffer ever opened?”

Jìng Míng shook his head. “Not once. Each and every part of this Five-Fold Treasure Chest had been blessed by senior monks from the previous dynasty, and during every Grand Ceremony, the entire copper coffer that would be brought out instead of directly taking out the Śarīra. The key for this copper coffer has already disappeared in the previous dynasty, and it has never been opened within the past hundred years of this dynasty. When the accident occurred that day, the guards needed to use a knife to pry the copper coffer open when the His Majesty ordered for it to be opened. This is precisely why the humble monks present found it all the more peculiar. Everything was in perfect working condition, what kind of person would steal the golden coffin and the clear glass bottle storing the Śarīra from the confines of the copper coffer and sandalwood case.”

Huò Wēi Lóu picked up the copper chest. It was the most valuable treasure in a Buddhist temple, and yet he picked it up without the slightest qualms. Jìng Míng wanted to speak but stopped himself, repressing whatever he wanted to say in the end. Huò Wēi Lóu waved his hand to beckon Lù Kē, who was standing at the very end, to come over, “Come here and take a look.”

The underground palace never saw the light of day; with the five heavy doors and the stone door inside, the security of the rooms within the underground palace were exceedingly tight. Lù Kē accepted the bronze coffer which was barely stained with dust. He took a glance at the lock clasp on the copper chest before stating: “This lock comes from northern Shanxi. The lock is square, but the keyhole is extremely unusual, the lock and key have a long handle and is spoon-shaped, with the bottom of the spoon having a fretwork of a particular decorative design, and the decorative design has to be embedded into the keyhole before it can be unlocked. Since the internal dark pattern within the lock is different, there is only one lock and one key; unless a person is cognizant of the key’s structure, it’s impossible to open the lock without damaging it.”

When Emperor Jianhe ordered for the bronze chest to be opened that day, he had commanded his guards to pry open the rivet of the copper chest, which was why one side of the copper chest had been damaged. That being said, how did the thief manage to open the copper coffer that day?

Huò Wēi Lóu did not believe that there were spells that could phase through walls to extract objects. He opened the copper coffer again, only to see that the sandalwood case and silver coffin were still inside. These two folds of the treasure chest were extremely elaborate, but it was not locked shut.

“Bring out the copper chest.” Huò Wēi Lóu instructed Lù Kē.

The palace rooms were all square and partitioned off by stone doors, which could be considered as heavy obstructions. Huò Wēi Lóu surveyed each area with a meticulous gaze, before he asked: “The construction of this copper chest, does anyone in the outside world know about it?”

Great Master Jìng Míng shook his head, “There shouldn’t be. This object has existed since the previous dynasty, and it was constantly enshrined within the underground palace afterwards, so the people who have seen it are extremely scarce.”

Huò Wēi Lóu remained silent with sunken eyes. Bó Ruò Yōu was standing a distance away but she was also studying the copper coffer, so Huò Wēi Lóu beckoned her forward with his hand, “Come here—”

Bó Ruò Yōu stepped forward. Lù Kē did not dare to be negligent, and he quickly showed her the copper coffer. Bó Ruò Yōu inspected the loosened rivet before opening the lid to take a look. The sandalwood case and silver coffin were perfectly intact.

Subsequently, she asked, “This chest was only opened once ten years ago?”

Great Master Jìng Míng nodded, “That is the case, yes.”

Bó Ruò Yōu stated, “Hou’ye, it is dim here, it’d be easier to inspect carefully outside.”

There were no clues within the underground palace itself, so Huò Wēi Lóu did not prolong his stay there any further, bringing his entourage to walk outwards. Bó Ruò Yōu fell one step behind, and when they were leaving the dark room, she took a subconscious glimpse at the lotus flower base that the copper coffer was placed on.

This base was still the same base. Owing to the long years, the simple and unadorned pigments had darkened. She contemplated briefly before she caught up with the group to exit together.

The interiors of the underground palace were cramped and dusky. Once they made their exit, everyone breathed out collectively before the group doubled back to the morgue courtyard. 

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Míng Guī Lán was still examining the bones, and he was slightly surprised when he saw everyone return so quickly. Lù Kē placed the copper chest on the long table, which immediately prompted Jìng Míng to say “Amitābha”, before he took off his kasaya hastily, “Benefactor, please place the chest on the kasaya.”

Lù Kē touched his nose and complied.

Upon seeing the exigency that Jìng Míng treated this object with, Bó Ruò Yōu cleansed her hands first before going forward to study it. The four walls of the copper coffer were glossy like an ancient mirror; let alone cracks, there wasn’t even a scratch on it, which sufficiently proved that it had been very well-preserved all these years. Apart from the loose rivet, the lock did not show any traces of damage, which made Bó Ruò Yōu frown as she said: “Min’nü has once heard of northern Shanxi locks, of a well-known locksmith from Shanxi in the previous dynasty who created such locks. Owing to the complexity of its internal formation, and the intricacy of his craft, it was extremely rare for ordinary people and families to use this lock. Since that’s the case, it can be assumed that the unlocking method wouldn’t be widely circulated.”

Huò Wēi Lóu did not expect that Bó Ruò Yōu would know so much. He said, “Nevertheless, it’s not possible for the person who stole the Śarīra to use a skill that can phase through walls to extract the object. Since there are no additional traces of damage on this copper coffer, it’s more than likely that they made entry through this lock.”

Bó Ruò Yōu hummed in response as she started to inspect the chest carefully. At the side, Lín Huái asked, “How did the thief manage to open the lock and steal the relic when it was under the eyelids of the crowd that day?”

Huò Wēi Lóu’s lips were lined with a near imperceptible sneer, “There must be a way. No matter how the thief deliberately mystified their ways, they can’t avoid having to open this lock. Let’s see if there is any evidence left on this chest.”

Seeing that Míng Guī Lán was examining that pile of human bones, Huò Wēi Lóu asked him, “Have you concluded anything?”

Míng Guī Lán shook his head, “Hou’ye, my hands are somewhat bound and there isn’t much I can do about it this time around.”

Huò Wēi Lóu replied, “No rush.”

At that moment, a rustling noise sounded from Bó Ruò Yōu’s end. Huò Wēi Lóu turned around, only to see Bó Ruò Yōu taking out a snow-coloured handkerchief from her sleeve. She was wiping something on a corner of the sandalwood box, and once she took out her handkerchief, a black smudge could be seen on the white fabric. The stain was dry, and it was hard to distinguish what it was immediately. Bó Ruò Yōu touched it with her fingertip, “Seems like lantern oil.”

“Let me have a look—”

Míng Guī Lán spoke up, and Bó Ruò Yōu quickly handed over the handkerchief. Míng Guī Lán placed it under the light to illuminate it, “Certainly, it’s composed of fats, it might be resin or butter too. It’s been too long; it has dried up.”

Bó Ruò Yōu looked towards Great Master Jìng Míng, whose expression distorted slightly, “This… After it was opened once ten years ago, no one touched it again, and it was directly sent back to the underground palace.”

Which also meant that, within the past hundred years, it was only opened once ten years ago.

Lín Huái hesitated momentarily, “Either It was left behind by the guards when His Majesty ordered for it to be unsealed, or it was left behind by the thief.”

Jìng Míng quickly responded, “Back then, it was the imperial guards by His Majesty’s side who opened the lock. After a knife was used to pry it open, it was Shixiong (Jìng Kōng) who went forward to check it, and Shixiong has always revered this object, it’s unlikely that his hands would be stained with any filth.”

Therefore, it was left behind by the thief.

Huò Wēi Lóu’s pupils shrank, “The thief was within the temple, it’s not strange if they were stained with some lantern oil. Which places had lantern oil during the Buddhist rites that day?”

Jìng Míng issued a bitter laugh, “Altar lamps were lit everywhere.”

Huò Wēi Lóu sank into deep contemplation briefly, “Draw a sketch of the Buddhist rites arrangement from that day. Whether it’s the position of the ceremonial stage, what was placed on top, where the altar lamps were lit, do not omit any of those details. If [you] can still remember it clearly, sketch out the people who were the closest to the Śarīra as well.”

A thin layer of sweat was already oozing out of Jìng Míng’s forehead. After hearing his order, he wiped away his sweat and agreed, “This humble monk will sketch it out for Hou’ye by today.”

Huò Wēi Lóu nodded, and then Jìng Míng withdrew. With due caution, Bó Ruò Yōu inspected the sandalwood case inside the copper chest again, and she discovered the same type of stain within the dark decorative patterns of the silver coffin. Since there was more than one stained area, it further cemented the fact that someone had opened the copper chest, but how the thief managed to succeed under a thousand staring eyes that day was honestly unimaginable.

“Hou’ye, the few Daren have arrived.”

Fu gonggong reported in a soft voice from outside. Turning his head back, Huò Wēi Lóu saw that Wáng Qīng Fǔ, Wú Yú, and Yuè Míng Quán had arrived. The trio stepped forward and bowed before Wú Yú said: “Does Hou’ye have any instructions?”

Given that the three in question had arranged the Grand Ceremony, Huò Wēi Lóu wanted to ask about the details of that year, so he ordered the three of them to enter the right wing-room for questioning. After Bó Ruò Yōu watched Huò Wēi Lóu leave, she studied the ins and outs of the copper coffer again, but there were no additional yields. Although the underground palace was not ventilated and it was rather dry inside the palace rooms, ten years have elapsed when all was said and done, and it was even possible that the evidence had been destroyed.

Her refined brows scrunched together, countenance grim, and her entire person was cold and solemn as she single-mindedly devoted herself to the inspection. When Míng Guī Lán saw this kind of Bó Ruò Yōu, his gaze was glued to her person for a moment. When Bó Ruò Yōu finally noticed that Míng Guī Lán was staring at her, a few seconds had already passed, and she was slightly surprised when she collided with Míng Guī Lán’s line of sight, “Does Gongzi have any pointers to give?”

Míng Guī Lán laughed and shook his head, “There is naturally none. It’s just that looking at your appearance reminds me of a person.”

Bó Ruò Yōu arched an eyebrow. Míng Guī Lán pointed at the right wing-room. “Hou’ye, it reminds me Hou’ye.”

Bó Ruò Yōu was all the more surprised. Míng Guī Lán uttered, “Persevering to some extent, a heart that never lacks devotion to one’s work; for this ilk of people, they will always excel the common regardless of what they do. You’re young of age, yet your skills as a coroner surpasses that of ordinary coroners. If you were male, you could enter the officialdom and render meritorious service. It’s a pity that you’re female. Have you ever thought about delving into the art of healing?”

Medical expertise and coroner skills had points of intersection. Moreover, Míng Guī Lán came from an aristocratic family of renowned physicians, and if she wished to learn medicine, it could be considered as being near a waterside pavilion – a favourable position – since he could recommend her to a teacher. However, Bó Ruò Yōu shook her head, “Min’nü specialises in the coroner discipline, though she has cursory knowledge of medicine, it is difficult to divide her attention and study intensively.”

Míng Guī Lán was quite amazed. A woman working as a coroner wasn’t really a long-term path, but if she studied and practiced medicine, not only would she be creditable and receive the respect of others, but she would also gain a good reputation. He sighed, “Bó guniang is truly admirable.”

Bó Ruò Yōu immediately asserted that “she did not dare to accept the praise”. Upon realising that there was nothing more to gain from the copper chest, she could only place it at the side and walk up to the table to look at the pile of human bones. Apart from the broken ribs among the bones, there were no injuries elsewhere, nor were there any symptoms of poisoning. Therefore, if they wanted to verify a person’s identity, they could only base it off this pile of bones, which was genuinely difficult. Bó Ruò Yōu fixed her eyes, picking up the bones to check them one by one, either splitting them apart or joining them together, examining them in a complicated manner.

Not long after, Bó Ruò Yōu’s brows furrowed slightly, “Gongzi is proficient in the field of medicine, does he know what kind of illness would lead to bony spurs growing out of human joints despite the lack of external injuries?”

This was what Míng Guī Lán was adept in, so he immediately answered: “Numerous illnesses that cause pain around the joints will cause such spurs, with osteoarthritis being one of them, where the finger joints, ankles, or knees swell up, and the second being rheumatic pain, which also causes pain and swelling at the joints, and even cause the growth of osteophytes (bony spurs). What kind of bony spurs are you referring to?”

Bó Ruò Yōu gave the two finger bones to Míng Guī Lán, “Min’nü discovered that there were minute bony spurs around the knees at the start, but since the murderer used a sharp object to dismember the corpse after he murdered the deceased, min’nü had assumed that it was left behind by the murder weapon scraping the bone. Now that min’nü has discovered it on the finger joints as well, however, the murderer couldn’t have gone as far as chopping the finger joints as well. Hence, these bony spurs must have grown out of the deceased himself.”

Míng Guī Lán looked over the two finger bones carefully, “If that’s the case, the patient will feel sore around his finger joints, especially after strenuous exercise.”

Bó Ruò Yōu’s heart settled. Using one piece of evidence alone was not enough to determine a deceased’s identity, but if it was iron-clad evidence from the skeletal remains, then it was largely different. She stepped out the door to ask the embroidered emissary, “Are the two Shifu, Liǎo Fán and Liǎo Jué still around?”

Liǎo Fán and Liǎo Jué did not follow them to the underground palace, and she did not see the pair after returning. The embroidered emissary replied: “They have already gone back, does Guniang wish to see them?”

Bó Ruò Yōu was about to nod her head when she heard the sound of conversing voices outside the courtyard. The manner of speaking was fierce, as if they were quarrelling, and this noise drew Fu gonggong and Lín Huái out of the right wing-room. Hence, the few of them strode towards the courtyard entrance together.

Unexpectedly, it was Liǎo Fán and another monk in his thirties who were arguing outside the courtyard.

“Liǎo Fán shifu, what is going on here?”

Seeing that they had disturbed them, Liǎo Fán twisted his body and pressed his hands together before bowing, “This small monk heard that Hou’ye had returned from the underground palace, and wanted to come over to make inquiries, but he saw Liǎo Qīng shixiong sneaking around outside the courtyard—”

Once the other monk heard that description, his face became red instantaneously, “Shidi, what sneaking around, don’t speak indiscriminately. I merely wished to take a look, that’s all.”

Liǎo Fán sneered, “It’s not as though Liǎo Qīng shixiong was Shifu’s disciple, why are [you] so concerned about this case?”

Liǎo Qīng raised his chin, “This matter happened inside the temple, anyone would be concerned.” Then, he saw that Fu gonggong and the rest were looking at him, so he swiftly executed a bow, “That being said, this small monk will take his leave, and refrain from disturbing the Benefactors here.”

He promptly left after bowing, rage colouring his expression, but his gait was extremely fast.

Noting that cold anger was still present on Liǎo Fán’s visage, Bó Ruò Yōu hurriedly said: “Liǎo Fán shifu, may one ask if Great Master Jìng Kōng had any rheumatic pain? Especially after strenuous exercise—”

Liǎo Fán’s pupils focused as he nodded swiftly, “Yes. Shifu was getting on with his years, and he did have rheumatic pain.”

In response, Lín Huái asked, “Has Guniang discovered something?”

Bó Ruò Yōu nodded, “The deceased was afflicted with rheumatic pain at his joints.”

Lín Huái wavered, “But most elderly suffer from this illness in their old age.”

Bó Ruò Yōu replied, “Min’nü is aware, which is why she asks Liǎo Fán shifu to think about it sedulously, which were the areas where Great Master Jìng Kōng ached on his body? Or has it ever swelled before?”

Liǎo Fán’s brows knitted, “The middle finger and index finger of Shifu’s right hand was thicker than most people. Sometimes when the Buddhist rites were taking too long, it would even be difficult for him to knock the wooden fish or twirl his Buddhist beads, and on the right side of the knee bend, right, Shifu had problems exerting weight on his right leg, and he needed to warm it every autumn and winter before he could walk.”

The bottom of Bó Ruò Yōu’s eyes brightened a little, “From the examination just now, the deceased’s skeletal remains certainly went through some pathological changes in those few areas. Although it’s common for the elderly to suffer from rheumatic pain, there are a lot of joints in the body, but patients who suffer from the symptoms in these three exact areas are not many. Furthermore, the bone age and height match, in addition to the other material evidence left together with the human remains, it’s basically enough to verify that this deceased is precisely Great Master Jìng Kōng.”

The rims of Liǎo Fán’s eyes reddened instantaneously when he heard those words, “This small monk… This small monk knew it was Shifu. Shifu never left Famen Temple all these years, he suffered from false accusations and died, hence why the Buddha statue gave rise to cracks, which finally allowed everything to be exposed under the Heavens…”

Bó Ruò Yōu wanted to comfort him but she did not know how she should start. A skeleton that was only revealed to everyone after ten years, was honestly a cause for deep grief. She turned her body to look at the Buddha statue inside the hall before she abruptly asked: “The Buddha statue won’t be used again after this, right?”

Liǎo Fán smiled painfully for a moment, “A Buddha statue that once hid skeletal remains, how could it accept the kneeling and prayers of others?”

After Bó Ruò Yōu nodded, Fu gonggong asked, “What does Yōu Yōu want to do?”

Bó Ruò Yōu replied, “Min’nü wants to smash open the Buddha statue to see if any clues were left behind inside.”

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When the sound of banging and slamming reverberated, Huò Wēi Lóu stepped out of the right wing-room, only to see that the Buddha statue had been lifted out of the central hall and placed on a carpet, while two embroidered emissaries were holding iron hammers as they smashed the Buddha statue. The very first thing they smashed was the lotus flower pedestal, and once it was broken into pieces, a large number of maggots that had become dried husks fell out, and the sight of them made scalps numb.

The people standing in the vicinity moved away, and only Bó Ruò Yōu was crouching beside the floor of maggot corpses, meticulously inspecting the inner walls of the bronze statue. Huò Wēi Lóu stared at her back figure with narrowed eyes, and it was unknown when Míng Guī Lán had slowly sidled up to him.

“Bó guniang really invokes fondness in others ah.”

“Mn……” Huò Wēi Lóu hummed in response, but his brows twisted together shortly after, “Mn?”