Volume I: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter 72: Did the Buddha Kill?

Indeed, Chen Chang'an saw that the person who appeared opposite him was none other than Hua Mulan, the Assistant of the Apprehension Bureau, a woman known for her tough persona much like Cao Wu. Hearing him greet her, Hua Mulan was equally surprised.

Like Ye Lin, she had only just learned from Li Wu yesterday that Chen Chang'an had been informally chosen by Cao Wu as a member of the Black-Clad Guards. The news struck her like several depth charges thrown into her mind—utterly unacceptable, for she had never held out any hope that this son-in-law of the Su family could ever join the Guards. Yet, unexpectedly, it was already decided. What’s more, he had come first in both assessments, outshining thousands of specially trained martial artists. She had to admit, her view of Chen Chang'an needed to be thoroughly revised; there was so much about him that defied expectation.

After a moment of internal reflection, Hua Mulan replied, “I have some personal matters to attend to, so I’m here for that. Are you in the midst of a trial?”

Chen Chang'an merely nodded in response to her question, not saying much more. He had just managed to put on the airs of a seasoned Black-Clad Guard before Peng Wanli; if he discussed the trial too much, he might give himself away.

His eyes rolled as he made introductions, “Master Peng, this is Hua Mulan, Assistant of the Apprehension Bureau—one of the three main bureaus in Chang’an City.”

“Sister Hua, this is Master Peng Wanli, Magistrate of Sanhe County!”

Both Peng Wanli and the village head of Shiqiao Town immediately bowed deeply, “Ah, so it’s Master Hua of the Apprehension Bureau! We’ve long admired you!”

With a much higher official rank, Hua Mulan was far less excited than the two men. She merely waved a hand, “No need for such formality. Focus on your investigation. I am here on private business.”

She then patted Chen Chang'an on the shoulder, her tone encouraging, “I’ve heard about the serial murders in Shiqiao Town. The culprit is far too brazen. Find the truth as soon as possible and uphold the laws of Great Min.”

“Absolutely!” Chen Chang'an replied eagerly.

“Good,” Hua Mulan nodded, saying no more. She walked toward Shiqiao Town. Watching her receding figure, Chen Chang'an mused to himself. Compared to her earlier antagonism and doubts, her attitude toward him had changed considerably.

Also, as a department leader of one of the three bureaus, Hua Mulan’s jurisdiction was within Chang’an City. What business could she have in this remote town?

Unable to resist, Chen Chang'an turned to the village head, “Does Master Hua have any relatives in your town?”

“No, definitely not!” The village head waved his hand in denial.

“Indeed. Judging by her tight, fitted, action-ready clothing and the twin swords at her waist, she hardly looks like someone here to visit family.”

“Well, never mind that. I’d better focus on finding the serial killer.”

Muttering under his breath, Chen Chang'an motioned for the village head to continue leading the way. Soon, they arrived at the home of the first victim, Zhang Fenggu—a poor household with a makeshift fence for a gate.

In the yard, a woman of about thirty-seven or thirty-eight, dressed plainly and with dust on her face, was feeding ducks from a bamboo tray. Even from a distance, her thin and haggard appearance was clear.

“Hey, Sister Feng, Master Peng and Master Chen of the Black-Clad Guards have come to see you!” the village head called out.

The woman known as Sister Feng dropped her tray with a clatter and rushed out, grabbing Peng Wanli’s sleeve, “Master Peng, have you found the one who killed my son?”

“My boy was always so good, never causing trouble. Who would have thought such disaster would befall us? You are our upright magistrate—please bring the killer to justice!”

The more she spoke, the sadder she became, covering her face as tears streamed down.

Peng Wanli, who had failed to find a single clue after four murders, felt awkward. He quickly pulled Chen Chang'an forward, “Don’t worry. This is Master Chen from the Black-Clad Guards in Chang’an, here specifically to investigate this case.”

“Oh, so you’re from the Black-Clad Guards!”

Sister Feng immediately turned and clutched at Chen Chang'an’s sleeve, sobbing, “Master Chen, my son Gu was such a good child, never fought or made trouble, so kind—and yet he was murdered. Heaven has no eyes! Please, you must help us commoners!”

“Er…”

Chen Chang'an’s forehead twitched. He thought, Shameless! If this case drags on without results and your superiors demand answers, you, Peng, wouldn’t hesitate to throw me under the cart.

Suppressing his complaints, he helped Sister Feng up and reassured her, “Of course, we will catch the murderer. Rest assured, I will see that you get a satisfactory answer.”

Ah… Just a few days ago, he had called himself a commoner, and now he was an official. Rather ironic, he thought, muttering as he asked, “Sister Feng, did your son encounter any suspicious people or behave strangely before his death?”

“Don’t rush, take your time and be as detailed as possible.”

She thought carefully before answering, “No, Gu was always very obedient and filial. Every day, he would make medicine for me, cook, and then go to the mountains to gather wild herbs and vegetables.”

“When Gu’s body was found, he was still clutching some plantain seeds he’d picked to treat my rheumatism. Oh, oh…”

Her emotions overwhelmed her; her eyes reddened and her voice broke with sobs.

“Sigh, Brother Chen, what should we do now?”

Peng Wanli was anxious. He had asked all these questions when he first arrived in Shiqiao Town, yet found nothing useful. Chen Chang'an’s second round of questioning seemed pointless—he began to think the Black-Clad Guards were nothing out of the ordinary, nothing special.

But more than anything, he was worried. The serial murders grew worse with each passing day, more and more people dying. If Chen Chang'an was unreliable, and their superiors called them to account, even if he could shift some blame, as magistrate he would still have to answer.

At that moment, Chen Chang'an didn’t reply. He stroked his chin, deep in thought. He recalled that in the Xioalian case, the breakthrough came from a clue found in the victim’s room.

He decided to try the same approach.

“Could you take me to Brother Fenggu’s room?” Chen Chang'an asked.

“Alright, come with me,” Sister Feng replied, leading the way, her mood subdued but cooperative.

Unfortunately, Chen Chang'an was disappointed. He found nothing of value in Zhang Fenggu’s room.

But as he was about to leave the earthen hut, he accidentally noticed an old, cracked Buddha amulet on the main altar.

Hmm?

Curiosity piqued, Chen Chang'an asked, “Why do you have a Buddha amulet at home? That's against the laws of Great Min!”

He was well aware of the situation. Nine years ago, during the reign of Empress Bai Wan—who seized the throne after Emperor Zhao Chong’s sudden death—there had been a great anti-Buddhist purge. After a scandal involving Princess Yun Zhen and a famous monk, the Empress ordered the destruction of Buddhism. In just half a month, Buddhism vanished from the Nine Provinces of Great Min; over twenty thousand monks and nuns were killed, more than three thousand temples burned. The rival Mi and Chan sects fled together beyond the Jade Gate to the Loulan Gobi.

It didn’t end there. Bai Wan decreed that anyone caught with Buddhist relics would be put to death.

Thus, for someone so close to Chang’an to have a Buddha amulet was highly unusual.

“I…”

Sister Feng knew the seriousness of the matter. She snatched the amulet from the altar, knelt, and explained, “Master, this has been here for many years—it’s just a keepsake, nothing more. I have never burned incense or candles to it!”

“It’s only because… because this amulet is connected to my son, Gu. I couldn’t bear to throw it away. Please, Master Chen, Master Peng, forgive me!”

“Eh, you…”

Peng Wanli was about to rebuke her, but Chen Chang'an interrupted, “You say the amulet is related to your son. How so?”

“This…” Sister Feng hesitated before replying, “It may involve Buddhist matters—I dare not say.”

“I grant you pardon,” Chen Chang'an said authoritatively.

Relieved, Sister Feng confessed, “Nineteen years ago, before the Empress destroyed Buddhism, our town had an Arhat Temple, home to a one-browed Chan master renowned for his efficacy, especially in helping people conceive.”

“My husband and I had been married for years without a child, so we visited the temple and asked the master to perform a ritual. Not long after, I became pregnant with Gu, and this amulet was a gift from the temple.”

“Nine years ago, when the Empress issued her edict, I was about to throw the amulet away, but thinking Gu was a blessing from the master, I feared misfortune if I did, so I secretly kept it.”

“Alas, now that Gu has been murdered, it’s all meaningless.”

“I see,” Chen Chang'an nodded.

The village head chimed in, “That’s right. Before the Empress destroyed Buddhism, our town had the Arhat Temple. The one-browed Chan master was truly efficacious.”

Peng Wanli said nothing.

Chen Chang'an remained silent.

Embarrassed, the village head fell quiet.

After a long pause, Chen Chang'an said, “Let’s go. Take me to the second victim, Jin Ruolan’s home.”

“Yes, yes!”

The village head eagerly led the way, Peng Wanli and Chen Chang'an following. As they left, they comforted Sister Feng and promised to bring the murderer to justice.

The Jin family was one of the wealthiest in Shiqiao Town, a merchant household so prominent that even the village head treated its patriarch, Jin Youde, with deference. After passing through several alleys and pausing for a bowl of cold noodles at a roadside stall, they arrived at the Jin residence around mid-afternoon.

“Go inform them that Magistrate Peng Wanli and Master Chen of the Black-Clad Guards are here,” the village head called to the doorman.

Soon, Jin Youde himself, his grief barely concealed, came to greet them. “I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Please, come in.”

Chen Chang'an did not stand on ceremony. He stepped over the threshold and said, “Master Jin, we are all saddened by your daughter’s death. We hope to uncover the truth as soon as possible, so we’ve come to ask a few questions.”

“Of course, Master Chen. If there is anything I can do, just say the word. I only want the murderer caught swiftly.”

“Rest assured.”

As they spoke, the group entered the courtyard, where Chen Chang'an saw Madam Jin crouched by a brazier, burning a pile of belongings. He stopped in his tracks.

Jin Youde explained sorrowfully, “Master, these are just my daughter’s things. They’re no use to us now—better to send them with her spirit.”

“Hmm,” Chen Chang'an replied, but did not move. Just as Peng Wanli and the village head wondered why, he suddenly thrust his hand into the brazier, rummaged through the coals, and fished out a half-burned, smoke-blackened Buddha amulet.

On the front was a faint carving of an Arhat, and on the back, words indicating the Jin family’s wish for a child. In that moment, Chen Chang'an seemed to grasp the key to the case and asked, “Master Jin, was your daughter conceived after a visit to the Arhat Temple?”

“This…”

Jin Youde hesitated, “Yes, Master Chen. My wife and I were married for years without a child. At that time, the one-browed Chan master at the Arhat Temple was famous for helping people conceive, so we went to him.”

“Strangely enough, soon after, my wife became pregnant with Ruolan.”

After hearing this, Peng Wanli exclaimed, “How odd! Didn’t Sister Feng just say her son Zhang Fenggu was also conceived after she visited the Arhat Temple because she couldn’t have children?”

His tone was light, even amused.

But Chen Chang'an was tense, his face unusually grave. He pulled Peng Wanli aside into a dark room and said, “Master Peng, send someone immediately to find out: besides Miss Jin and Zhang Fenggu, did the other victims—Du Mingcong and the one we just saw—also have parents who visited the Arhat Temple for help conceiving?”

“Ah… yes… yes!”

Peng Wanli nodded, bewildered by Chen Chang'an’s leap of logic, but seeing his seriousness, dared not delay. He quickly dispatched county officers to investigate.

Half an hour later, Constable Wang, sweating profusely, rushed into the room.

“How did it go?” Peng Wanli asked, tapping his cup with its lid.

Constable Wang presented a detailed report, “Master, it’s been confirmed. Besides Zhang Fenggu and Jin Ruolan, the other two victims' parents also visited the Arhat Temple for help having children.”

Smash!

Peng Wanli’s teacup shattered on the floor. A chill shot up his spine, his body went cold, and he stammered, “Master Chen… all the victims were children conceived after their parents visited the Arhat Temple all those years ago. Could it be… could it be the Arhat seeking vengeance now that Buddhism is gone?”

“Is… is it the Buddha killing people?”