Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Ninety-Two: Luring the Snake Out of Its Lair

In Ganquan Village, a young man honestly recounted Chen Chang’an’s questions: “At the beginning of the plague, it was the wife and children of our village doctor Jia who died first!”

“After that, it was Master Zhao Si, and then…”

“Enough, no need to say more!” Chen Chang’an interrupted, probing deeper based on his answers. “After Jia’s wife and children died, where were they cremated? How did he react?”

“They… weren’t cremated, they were buried.”

“What did you say? Buried?” Chen Chang’an nearly jumped up.

“Yes… buried!” The young man answered matter-of-factly, adding, “But only his wife and children were buried. The villagers who died later were cremated on the village chief’s advice.”

This didn’t add up. Chen Chang’an sensed something amiss. Since Jia was a doctor, he should have known those who died from the plague must be cremated. Why then were his wife and children buried? Was it because he couldn’t bear to see them dismembered by the plague?

No, in ancient times, cremation was widely accepted and was not simply about preventing dismemberment.

Ah, right. Since he was a doctor, he must have known the village’s affliction wasn’t a plague but poisoning. That would explain the burial.

But then why did the village chief insist on cremation afterward? And if Jia buried his family because he knew it was poisoning, why didn’t he inform the village chief or local authorities?

Could it be… that he was the one who poisoned them?

“There’s definitely something wrong here…”

“Forget it, I…”

Chen Chang’an suddenly noticed the young man’s body covered in red rashes, bleeding, and itching unbearably under the sunlight, yet he dared not scratch. Chen gently pressed his shoulder.

“Sir… you…” the young man’s face darkened.

Chen Chang’an smiled gently, “It’s alright. Since you’re cooperating with the Black Clothes Guard in the investigation, I must repay you somehow.”

As he spoke, the Immortal-Slaying Heart Technique activated. Using a specific method from the Materia Medica, he transformed his internal energy into nourishing Pengbai energy, infusing it into the young man. Over time, the pus and blood clots dissipated.

The pale, ashen face gradually regained a faint flush of color.

“This… this is… healed! Sir, you must be a deity!” The young man knelt down, repeatedly bowing.

“What are you doing, Tiedan?”

At that moment, the village chief, having finished the offerings, noticed the young man Chen had brought for questioning and shouted loudly.

The young man’s name was Tiedan, a rustic name. Hearing this, he shrank back, fearful.

“What are you doing? Everyone is worshipping; why are you wandering about? Do you want to be punished by Lord Lü?” the chief barked, approaching with a scolding air.

Chen Chang’an stepped forward, blocking the chief. “Hello, I’m from the Black Clothes Guard. I was just asking this young man some questions.”

The chief halted, his face twitching involuntarily before he huffed, “The court is something else. The plague ravages Ganquan Village,I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.