Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Blood-Clad Malevolent Curse

Mary's corpse lay upon the mortuary slab, sunlight streaming through the window onto her face, which was covered in runes, lending an uncanny and dreadful air to the scene. Nearby, Bao Rong was intently examining something beneath a microscope, beads of sweat clustering on the tip of her nose.

At that moment, Ying Xi and Lu Huan entered, pushing the door open. Lu Huan hurried to Bao Rong’s side. “Rong, have you got the autopsy results for Mary?”

Bao Rong turned her face and nodded. “Mary died in exactly the same way as Ling Yan. The wounds on her face appear to have been self-inflicted before death.” She paused. “The deceased gripped a dagger in her right hand and slashed her carotid artery, resulting in hypovolemic shock and death.”

“Both Ling Yan and Mary died on evenings shrouded by heavy fog…” Lu Huan mused, frowning as a surreal image flashed through her mind: Ling Yan and Mary, smiling eerily in an ethereal world. After a moment, she returned to herself, half asking the others, half murmuring to herself, “Why do the victims have such strange smiles on their faces?”

Ying Xi stared at Mary’s corpse. “Because the ‘Blood Robe Curse’ continually replicates the deceased. Ling Yan committed suicide using the ‘Blood Robe Curse,’ knowing she could avenge herself, so she died with a smile. Every subsequent substitute will die in exactly the same manner, including the smile at the corners of the mouth.”

“Nonsense,” Lu Huan blurted.

Ying Xi shrugged indifferently. “There are many things in this world we've never seen or experienced, but they may well be real. I believe the ‘Blood Robe Curse’ exists.”

Lu Huan shook her head, eyes fixed on the wound at Mary's neck. “This is a premeditated serial murder, nothing to do with any ‘Blood Robe Curse.’”

Bao Rong looked at Lu Huan in confusion. “But why would the killer choose Ling Yan and Mary? I don’t think these were random killings.”

Lu Huan nodded. “Exactly. Ling Yan and Mary both graduated from Mingde Middle School, and they were classmates in the same class. If this were random, it would be too much of a coincidence.”

Ying Xi grew impatient. “What’s so coincidental about it? Ling Yan committed suicide with the ‘Blood Robe Curse,’ and Mary died because of it—obviously there was some grudge between them.”

Lu Huan looked at Ying Xi helplessly and shook her head.

By midmorning, Bao Kang, holding a feather taken from the wonton seller, arrived at the largest poultry farm in Old Gate—Thousand Phoenix Poultry Farm. He stood at the entrance, gazing at the signboard that read “Thousand Phoenix,” and wiped the sweat from his brow in delight.

“Who would have thought a single feather would lead me straight to this farm? Bao Kang, you’ve still got it!” he said, laughing smugly as he strode through the gate.

Inside, a worker was feeding the chickens. Bao Kang approached him. “Where’s your boss?”

The worker eyed Bao Kang warily. “Who are you?”

“I’m Bao Kang, chief of the Old Gate Police Station. Go fetch your boss.”

The worker replied at once and ran off.

Soon, the farm owner approached. He was in his forties, with a prosperous look and a prominent moustache. At the sight of Bao Kang, he grew agitated. “Chief Bao, you’re finally here! I was about to report to the station myself!”

Bao Kang looked at the owner in confusion. “What’s happened?”

“Come see for yourself,” the owner said, pulling Bao Kang to a chicken coop. Inside, from one end to the other, dead chickens littered the ground, flies buzzing everywhere.

Bao Kang paused. “Boss, what—?”

The owner sighed heavily. “Hundreds of chickens died overnight! I suspect poisoning!”

Bao Kang thought for a moment. “Who usually feeds the chickens?”

The owner searched around and shouted, “Luo Si! Luo Si—”

Moments later, Luo Si appeared at the other end of the coop. Bao Kang’s gaze swept over him: a man in his twenties, with a straight nose and bright, handsome eyes.

Luo Si bowed respectfully. “Boss, you called?”

The owner snorted impatiently. “Come here!”

Luo Si nodded and walked over, stepping past the dead chickens. Seeing a stranger present, he eyed Bao Kang warily.

The owner pointed at Bao Kang. “This is Chief Bao of the Old Gate Police Station. Tell him what happened last night.”

Bao Kang scrutinized Luo Si. Luo Si glanced timidly at him, and, feeling Bao Kang’s gaze, suddenly turned and bolted.

Bao Kang was momentarily stunned. “Stop! Stay where you are!”

He hurried after Luo Si, who ran straight for the gate. Seeing this, Bao Kang drew his revolver and fired a warning shot into the air. Luo Si stumbled and fell, and Bao Kang rushed forward and pinned him down.

Luo Si was soon brought to the station. In the interrogation room, all was quiet. Bao Kang sat on his chair, eyes sharp as he stared at Luo Si, who was tied to the opposite chair. Luo Si kept his head down, avoiding eye contact.

There was a knock at the door; the wonton seller was ushered in by Baldy, who pulled over a chair for her and then strode behind Luo Si, grabbing his hair. Luo Si cried out in pain.

Baldy shook Luo Si's head toward the seller. “Is this him?”

She studied Luo Si up and down. “He looks very much like—”

Baldy handed her a notebook and ink pad. “Just a fingerprint.”

She pressed her finger and left. Bao Kang slammed the table, glaring fiercely at Luo Si. “Speak!”

Luo Si shuddered. “Speak… speak about what, Chief Bao?”

“What were you doing at Mary’s house last night?” Bao Kang pressed.

“I—I was delivering chickens to her family,” Luo Si stammered, clearly hiding something.

Bao Kang eyed him suspiciously. “Delivering chickens?”

Luo Si’s eyes darted.

Bao Kang sneered. “Then what about the injuries on your face?”

“I—I fell and hurt myself accidentally.”

“Nonsense!” Bao Kang’s temper flared.

Luo Si insisted weakly, “It’s true, I’m not lying.”

Bao Kang fixed him with a cold stare. “If you won’t cooperate, I’ll have to show you some real discipline.” He grabbed a leather whip and cracked it loudly on the floor.

Luo Si swallowed nervously. “What are you going to do?”

Without a word, Bao Kang swung the whip at Luo Si. Luo Si cried out, “I’ll talk! I’ll talk…”

Bao Kang quickly put down the whip, eyes gleaming.

After a pause, Luo Si finally spoke. “The chickens for Su Shoushan’s house are usually picked up by the servant Yi Shu, but Yi Shu was sick last night, so the boss sent me. I only meant to find something valuable to take…” As he spoke, he fell into recollection.

That evening, Luo Si carried two chickens, following a servant into the Su residence.

The servant gestured. “Take the chickens up to the kitchen on the second floor.”

Luo Si nodded and went upstairs. Passing a room with the door ajar, he looked around, saw no one, and slipped inside.

He entered, searching sneakily for valuables. Suddenly, he heard water running in the bathroom and tiptoed toward it. Peeking through the crack in the door, he saw Mary bathing in the tub.

Luo Si watched excitedly, moving closer until he bumped the bathroom door, making a noise.

Mary looked up and spotted him, shrieking, “Help! Someone help!”

Luo Si panicked and tried to leave, but several servants rushed in. As Mary dressed, she ordered, “Catch that pervert!”

The servants piled on him, pinning him to the ground.

Luo Si kowtowed frantically. “Miss Mary, please forgive me, it was unintentional!”

Mary finished dressing, glared at him furiously. “Beat him! Beat this pervert to death!”

“Mercy, mercy!” Luo Si’s cries grew ever more desperate.

The servants pummeled him with fists and feet. Luo Si fled in panic.

Recalling this, Luo Si was filled with regret, looking pitifully at Bao Kang. “All these injuries on my face were inflicted by Mary’s servants at her command.”

Bao Kang pursed his lips. “So you bore a grudge and killed her in revenge, isn’t that right?”

“Murder? I didn’t!” Luo Si was horrified.

“Still denying it. Tell me, how did you kill her?”

“I didn’t kill anyone! I swear I didn’t!”

“Obstinate!” Bao Kang continued to lash him with the whip.

Luo Si begged, voice trembling, “Chief Bao, I didn’t kill anyone! I’m innocent…”

Bao Kang sneered and swung the whip again.

Later, the sun was shining brightly as Lu Huan and Ying Xi entered the police station. They encountered Baldy, who was beaming.

Ying Xi looked at him in confusion. “Baldy, what’s got you so happy?”

“Detective Ying, the Mary case is solved—the killer has been caught.”

Both Ying Xi and Lu Huan exclaimed, “Caught?”

Baldy nodded. “Chief Bao himself made the arrest. After two hours of interrogation, the suspect confessed to Mary’s murder.”

Ying Xi was delighted. “I didn’t expect Chief Bao to be so capable, solving the case so quickly.”

Lu Huan frowned in doubt. “Where is the suspect now?”

“He’s already locked up.”

Lu Huan looked at Ying Xi. “Let’s go see.”

Ying Xi, Lu Huan, and a police officer arrived at the jail. Inside, Luo Si was cowering in a corner, covered in whip marks.

Lu Huan sighed. “I suspected something was off—forced confession, just as I thought.” He signaled to the officer, “Open the cell.”

The officer opened the door, and Ying Xi and Lu Huan went in.

Luo Si glared at them silently.

Lu Huan crouched down. “Luo Si, I know you’re innocent.”

Luo Si’s eyes lit up, emotional. “Then let me out!”

Ying Xi interjected, “You were arrested by the chief—how can a mere officer release you?”

Lu Huan’s face darkened. “Luo Si, if you want out, you must tell the truth.”

Luo Si nodded.

Lu Huan spoke sternly. “Where did you go last night? Is there anyone who can vouch for you?”

“I—I went…” Luo Si stammered, pleading, “Officers, I really am innocent. Please, save me…”

Lu Huan reassured him. “If you tell the truth, I can help clear your name. If not, once the case is closed, the chief inspector won’t spare you.”

Terrified, Luo Si confessed, “I went to the pharmacy last night to steal. Then I returned to the farm.”

As they spoke, Lu Huan noticed Luo Si’s palms were covered in red blotches.

He pointed. “What happened to your hands?”

Luo Si scratched them as he replied, “Last night at the pharmacy, I knocked over a jar of powder and scooped it back with my hands. Afterwards, my hands started itching.”

Ying Xi couldn’t help but interject, “Which pharmacy?”

“Huichuntang.”

Ying Xi and Lu Huan exchanged glances.

They went to the pharmacy, looked at the sign reading “Huichuntang,” and entered side by side.

The pharmacy owner greeted them. “What medicine can I get for you?”

Ying Xi showed his badge. “I’m Detective Ying Xi from Old Gate, and this is Officer Lu Huan. We have some questions.”

The owner nodded.

Lu Huan asked tentatively, “Was there a break-in last night?”

The owner nodded. “Yes, the thief even knocked over a jar of arsenic.”

Lu Huan pondered. “What happens if arsenic powder touches human skin?”

“It causes dermatitis, with red blotches.”

Lu Huan looked at Ying Xi. “Luo Si’s hands have red blotches.”

Ying Xi stroked his chin. “So Luo Si’s telling the truth? That means he’s not the killer.”

“Not entirely certain yet. We need to bring Bao Rong to the farm for further investigation.” Lu Huan spoke, and the two headed to Thousand Phoenix Poultry Farm.

There, Bao Rong was diligently analyzing several dead chickens, then discussed findings quietly with Lu Huan, who grew thoughtful.

Lu Huan pushed a cart full of feed, feeding the chickens from one end of the coop to the other.

Afterward, he checked his pocket watch, deep in thought.

Ying Xi approached curiously. “What are you up to?”

“I’ve checked—Luo Si couldn’t have committed the crime.”

Just then, Bao Rong, alarmed, remembered something. “Oh no, my brother is about to hold a press conference to announce the case closed.”

Ying Xi added, “Once the case is closed, Luo Si will be sent to trial—he’ll surely be condemned.”

Lu Huan frowned and signaled, “Let’s go!”

The three hurried off.

Under bright sunlight, Bao Kang stood at the police station entrance, holding a press conference to announce the case closed. Two officers stood beside him, holding Luo Si. Reporters surrounded them, taking photos.

Bao Kang cleared his throat. “The Mary murder case has finally been solved. Today, we’ll send the killer Luo Si to court, to face the law…”

Before he could finish, Lu Huan and Ying Xi pushed their way in.

Lu Huan called out, “Chief Bao, you can’t close the case!”

Bao Kang cut him off abruptly. “Lu Huan, this is a press conference—don’t make trouble.”

Lu Huan glanced at the reporters, hesitating.

Luo Si, agitated, shouted at her, “You liar! You said if I told the truth, you’d save me! Liar! I’ll kill you!”

He struggled fiercely; suddenly, he snatched a dagger from an officer’s belt and lunged at Lu Huan.

In the nick of time, Ying Xi stepped between them, grabbing the blade. Blood seeped between his fingers as two officers subdued Luo Si.

Lu Huan recovered, concerned. “Detective Ying!”

Ying Xi pressed his palm, enduring the pain. “It’s nothing, just a scratch.”

Lu Huan looked remorseful.

Ying Xi quickly reassured her, “I’m fine. Do what you must.”

Lu Huan nodded, stepping forward. “Luo Si is not Mary’s killer.”

Bao Kang glared at her, but she ignored him and addressed the crowd. “In my investigation at the poultry farm, I found that the chickens in Luo Si’s coop all died overnight on the day Mary was murdered. Tests showed they died of arsenic poisoning. Luo Si had been to Huichuntang pharmacy to steal, and knocked over a jar of arsenic. Fearing traces, he scooped it up with his bare hands…”

“Back at Thousand Phoenix, he forgot to wash his hands before feeding the chickens, poisoning them all. The time of death of the chickens varied, with a two-hour gap from one end of the coop to the other, roughly between midnight and two a.m…”

“I tested it myself: feeding from one end to the other takes two hours. Arsenic acts in about an hour, so Luo Si must have fed the chickens between eleven p.m. and one a.m., while Mary died around midnight. In short, Luo Si’s feeding coincides with Mary’s time of death—thus, he has a clear alibi and cannot be the killer.”

Hearing this, Luo Si’s anger turned to joy, and he recanted, pointing at Bao Kang. “I was framed! I only confessed because Chief Bao forced me!”

The crowd erupted.

Reporters swarmed Bao Kang. One shouted, “Chief Bao, now there’s evidence Luo Si couldn’t have committed the crime. You should release him immediately.”

Others chimed in, “Yes, let him go now…”

Bao Kang was speechless with rage.

The crowd buzzed with debate.

Lu Huan seized the moment, approaching Bao Kang and speaking earnestly. “Chief Bao, let him go.”

Bao Kang, both furious and helpless, went to Luo Si, unlocking his handcuffs himself.

Luo Si rubbed his arms, beaming as he ran off.

In the police office, Lu Huan sat quietly, reviewing the autopsy reports for Ling Yan and Mary. Beside her, Ying Xi had his wound bandaged, looking relaxed.

Suddenly, Baldy rushed in, mysterious. “Have you heard?”

Ying Xi turned to him. “Heard what?”

Baldy’s expression was dramatic. “Word’s spread like wildfire across Old Gate! Everyone’s saying Mary died because Ling Yan used the ‘Blood Robe Curse’ to kill. Huan, you’d better be careful—they say it’s a dangerous curse, and anyone who gets involved is doomed!”

Lu Huan sneered. “Superstitious nonsense.”

Ying Xi looked at her with concern. “Matters of spirits and gods shouldn’t be fully believed, but neither should they be ignored. I think we ought to suspend the investigation.”

“How can you believe such things?” Lu Huan was irritated.

Ying Xi, seeing her dismissiveness, dropped his worried look and spoke sharply, “I’m just concerned for you—believe it or not, up to you!”

“Thank you for your concern, but I don’t believe Ling Yan would use any evil curse to kill herself. She was murdered, and I’ll find her killer. I won’t give up this case.” Lu Huan’s expression was resolute.

As they spoke, Lu Xiang entered abruptly, pointing at Lu Huan. “You must drop this case!”

Lu Huan looked at him. “Father…”

Lu Xiang raised a hand to cut her off. “There’s a theft at a tea house—go investigate that instead.”

“No.” Lu Huan showed no hesitation.

Lu Xiang lowered his voice, warning her, “Huan, Old Gate is in turmoil. The ‘Blood Robe Curse’ rumors are everywhere. I’m telling you, stay out of this case! Your mother wants you to go pray at the Temple of Guanyin…”

Lu Huan stubbornly cut him off. “Father, I won’t give up.”

“You…” Lu Xiang was furious, pointing at her. “As Deputy Chief, I order you to cease the investigation into Ling Yan’s case.”

Lu Huan shook her head firmly. “Deputy Chief Lu, Ling Yan’s and Mary’s murders are connected. I’m investigating under Chief Inspector Gordon’s orders. I can’t obey your command to end the investigation.”

“You!” Lu Xiang was livid.

Lu Huan turned to Ying Xi. “Detective Ying, let’s go.”

Ying Xi, troubled, followed her out.