Chapter 131 Murder

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu came to Yong'an Palace, showed their certificates, and went through the relevant formalities before moving in smoothly.

The internal ranks of the Taoist sect are naturally clear. Zhang Yuelu lives in the upper room of the fourth-rank priest. Although it is not a separate courtyard, it has a living room, study, and bedroom. Qi Xuansu can only enjoy the treatment of a seventh-rank Taoist priest, with only one bedroom, which is equipped with a table and a chair for writing.

Seeing that it was still early, Qi Xuansu went to Zhang Yuelu's residence. The Taoist priests of Yong'an Palace knew that the two were traveling together. Although the specifications arranged for them were different, their residences were not far apart.

Zhang Yuelu had not slept yet and was reading in the study. When he heard Qi Xuansu knocking on the door, he got up and opened the door to let him in.

Earlier, that is, before going to the Western Regions, Qi Xuansu still felt that it was not good for a single man and a single woman to be in the same room late at night, but now it is very casual.

Qi Xuansu sat down on the chair opposite the desk with a dignified manner and glanced at the cover of the book lying upside down on the desk: "Demon... Dao... Sword Sect, is it the latest storybook?"

"It's not the latest storybook, it's an old book from last year." Zhang Yuelu said, "I bought it a long time ago, but I never had time to read it, so I put it in the Xumi object to collect dust. It tells a story about a great sword master who fell into the devil's way because of a witch."

Qi Xuansu asked: "What kind of sword cultivator is it?"

"It's probably a kind of person who only uses swords, who can always fight across borders, and the acquired kills the innate, the innate kills the celestial, and the celestial kills the immortal." Zhang Yuelu explained.

Qi Xuansu asked again: "Then are there sword cultivators, gun cultivators, and fire gun cultivators?"

"No." Zhang Yuelu rolled his eyes at him.

Qi Xuansu said: "If there are, I want to be a fire gun cultivator. One gun can destroy dozens of miles, which is more domineering than a flying sword that cuts off heads thousands of miles away."

"Be a free man with peace of mind." Zhang Yuelu smiled.

Qi Xuansu stopped joking and suggested: "Since you have nothing to do and you won't sleep for the time being, let's play a few rounds of cards."

Zhang Yuelu put away the storybook, took out the Xuansheng card from the Xumi object, put it on the desk, and rubbed it into a fan shape: "Do you want to bet?"

"One Taiping money." Qi Xuansu now feels quite rich.

"Okay." Zhang Yuelu took out a set of ancient immortal cards.

For the sake of safety, Qi Xuansu chose the Taoist cards.

The two had just played three rounds, and Qi Xuansu made a small Taiping money with the Taoist cards, when he heard someone knocking on the door outside.

Qi Xuansu got up and went to open the door. The person outside was the head of Yong'an Palace who arranged for the two to stay. When he saw Qi Xuansu, he was stunned for a moment, and when he saw the Xuansheng card on the table, he immediately understood: "You two also like Xuansheng cards. The night is long, and it is indeed a good thing to kill time."

Xuansheng cards are almost only popular within the Taoist sect. Outside the Taoist sect, go, chess, and leaf cards are still popular.

Qi Xuansu asked, "Master Tang, is there something wrong?"

This Master Tang's name is Tang Yongde, and he was born in the Tang family in Shuzhong.

Tang Yongde slapped his forehead and said, "Yes, of course there is something wrong. Since Deacon Qi is here, it couldn't be better. Right now, there is something that needs the help of Deputy Hall Master Zhang and Deacon Qi."

"What is it?" Zhang Yuelu stood up and asked.

Tang Yongde said, "A murder just happened. I suspect that it was committed by a demon from a secret society. It happens that both of you are from Tiangang Hall and should have a lot of experience in dealing with these demons, so I would like to ask you to help solve the case."

Zhang Yuelu's face was a little solemn. He put away the Xuansheng card on the table and said directly, "Take us to the scene."

Tang Yongde responded and walked in front. Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu each picked up their cloaks and followed behind.

The place where the murder happened was not in Yong'an Palace, so it's no wonder that Zhang Yuelu didn't notice anything unusual. The three of them left Yong'an Palace and got on a carriage.

On the way to the crime scene, Zhang Yuelu asked about the case: "When did this case happen?"

Tang Yongde replied: "It was exactly the hour of You when the body was found."

There are twelve hours in a day: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai.

According to the timekeeping method of the Western Continent, two hours make up one hour. Zi hour corresponds to 23:00 to 1:00, Chou hour corresponds to 1:00 to 3:00, and so on. You hour corresponds to 17:00 to 19:00.

In the past, the twelve hours were subdivided into 100 ke, each hour was divided into 8 ke, a total of 96 ke, and 4 ke left. These four ke are divided into 240 minutes, and each hour is divided into 20 small ke.

Therefore, one hour has eight big ke and two small ke, which are: the four big ke of the first half: Chu, Chu Yi, Chu Er, Chu San, and the small ke: Chu Si. The four big ke of the second half: Zheng, Zheng Yi, Zheng Er, Zheng San, and the small ke: Zheng Si.

According to the timekeeping of the Western Continent, each ke is fourteen minutes and twenty-four seconds.

However, because the 100 ke timekeeping is too complicated, the Taoist sect has now simplified it to ninety-six ke, each ke is fifteen minutes, and removing the small ke, each hour has eight ke, that is, the beginning, the first day, the second day, the third day, the first day, the second day, the last day.

The Youshi is exactly 18 o'clock.

Zhang Yuelu opened the pocket watch and took a look. The pocket watch of Tianji Hall is naturally the Eastern twelve-hour ninety-six-ke style, not the Western twenty-four-hour style.

It is now the end of the Youshi, and nearly half an hour has passed. However, from the discovery of the deceased to the help of the two of them, it took less than half an hour, which can't be said to be delayed.

Zhang Yuelu asked again: "What is the identity of the deceased?"

"His name is Mason. He is not from our sect, but a merchant who has been traveling to Baidi City for many years and has a close relationship with the sect." Tang Yongde said with consideration.

Qi Xuansu patted his forehead and said softly: "Shibo Hall, merchants, could it be related to Taiping money or some bulk goods?"

Tang Yongde smiled bitterly, but did not refute. Obviously he also had such a guess. After all, when it comes to money, there are too many motives for killing.

Zhang Yuelu asked again: "Who are the people involved in this matter?"

Tang Yongde replied: "In addition to the two stewards of our Yong'an Palace, there are some other merchants, including Mason's fellow townsmen and some old friends."

Speaking of this, Tang Yongde became hesitant: "Deputy Hall Master Zhang should know that these merchants are not from our Taoist sect, and there are not so many rules and regulations, so they have to find some fun at night, and there is a brothel in the city..."

The so-called brothel is a place of love, but it is different from ordinary brothels and other places of fireworks. The brothel generally occupies a large area, almost the same as the mansions of officials and wealthy merchants. There is a different world inside, with deep courtyards, quiet and elegant. Most of the women are beautiful, including courtesans, and there are also proficient courtesans who are proficient in literature and music. In addition to a group of prostitutes, there are also musicians, tailors, craftsmen, and servants, so that people can stay in it without leaving the house, but have everything they need, so many rich sons will linger in it and even lose all their property.

The interior of the brothel is divided into countless independent courtyards. Many powerful people will gather a prostitute here and rent an independent courtyard. It is not all for the enjoyment of women, but to find peace in the hustle and bustle and cultivate themselves in seclusion.

Zhang Yuelu was born in Beichen Hall, and subconsciously questioned: "Since you are going to the brothel to have fun, what are the two Taoist deacons doing?"

Tang Yongde hesitated and did not speak for a long time.

Seeing this situation, Zhang Yuelu didn't understand it, but this was not the time to pursue this, so he said: "The person died in the brothel, how can you determine that he died at the hands of a demon?"

Tang Yongde was a little embarrassed and stammered: "Because, because, this rich businessman died when... doing that thing."

Before Zhang Yuelu could react, Qi Xuansu blurted out: "Is it a stroke?"

Tang Yongde nodded.

The so-called "sudden death during sex" is also called "sudden death during sex" and "decompression syndrome".

"The Art of Sex" says: "Sex can prolong life, but can also kill people. It's like water and fire. Those who know how to use them can keep healthy, but those who don't know how to use them will die immediately. When a woman is menstruating, having sex is the easiest way to get sick. Both men and women can get it, but it's more common in men. It's a wind on the horse, a wind on the horse, and it's a wind that kills people."

Zhang Yuelu's face was a little stiff.

Tang Yongde said: "This disease is mostly caused by excessive sex, excessive indulgence, qi and yang exhaustion, and untimely treatment. However, this rich businessman has been busy with business recently and has not been close to women for more than a month. He is also physically strong and has the cultivation of a person with a Dan. How can he not be said to have excessive sex, excessive indulgence, and qi and yang exhaustion, so it seems strange."

Qi Xuansu nodded and fell into deep thought.

The carriage slowly stopped. The brothel that Tang Yongde mentioned was not far from Yong'an Palace, and was located in the southwest corner of Baidi City. Although the whole view could not be seen in the night, the continuous red lights illuminated half of the night sky, which surprised Qi Xuansu. No wonder it was called "brothel". It was indeed not comparable to the ordinary brothel with only one main building. It was a rebuilt mansion.

Under the guidance of Tang Yongde, the three did not go through the main gate, but entered the brothel from a side door - one was to avoid attracting attention, and the other was that this door was closest to the crime scene.

The three walked through the corridor and hall, and after twists and turns, they came to a single-family courtyard.

As soon as they entered the door, what came into view was lush flowers and trees, green grass and trees, and a quiet atmosphere. There was no trace of fireworks at all, but it was more like a separate courtyard of a famous scholar.

Qi Xuansu came here for the first time, and he couldn't help but secretly sighed. How could this be a fireworks place?

However, at this time, many spiritual officials were already standing in the courtyard, all wearing armor and holding sharp weapons, blocking the place. Without Tang Yongde's permission, no one could enter or leave at will.

Seeing the three people coming in, the spiritual officials saluted one after another.

Tang Yongde explained: "Baidi City is not under the jurisdiction of the court, so there are no Qingluan Guards, only spiritual officials from our Taoist sect."

Zhang Yuelu nodded and walked towards the main hall.

The main hall was brightly lit and warm like spring. Qi Xuansu looked at it and saw that there were only a few Taoists wearing crane cloaks and a dozen men dressed as wealthy businessmen.