Chapter 1477 - 799: Han King, Crown Prince, Iron Abacus (Two-in-One) (Part 3)

The abbot let out a muffled groan, stumbled back several steps, and fell to the ground, clutching his chest. All the color drained from his face, leaving only shock and pain, unable to utter a single word.

The black-clad man from Qiao Tumen slowly withdrew his fist, not even glancing at the fallen abbot, and pronounced each word slowly:

"I, as an official, cannot bear the word 'barbarian.'"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an intimidating chill to the bone. The word 'barbarian' was bitten off particularly sharply.

The other black-clad men around him turned a blind eye to this, continuing to perform their duties. The monks who witnessed this scene from afar were terrified, burying their heads even lower.

"Stand up. Describe Pu Hui's appearance, as detailed as possible."

The abbot, clutching his chest, got up, not daring to slacken in the slightest, and said, "Brother Pu Hui... he, he is about forty years old, of medium height, and slightly thin. His face is slightly long, cheekbones a bit high, eyebrows thin and sparse, eye sockets deeper than usual, seems to have Western Regions... mixed blood. The bridge of his nose is straight, lips are thin, skin tone... fair, but not the pampered kind of white..."

Beside him, a supervisor held a hardcover notebook and a charcoal pen, recording everything one by one. The sound of the pen scraping across the paper was particularly clear in the silent temple.

Qiao Tumen listened intently, and after the abbot finished, he said:

"Record this. Sixteenth Year of Jianji, February 3, at dusk. At the Qinglong Temple lecture and dharma assembly, presiding monk Pu Hui, before all eyes, caught fire and burned completely, leaving behind ashes and scorch marks at the scene. According to investigation, the cause of death is uncertain, not purely karmic fire or ordinary fire, suspected to be related to the backlash of an Evil Array. Pu Hui, about forty years old, of medium build, thin, long face, high cheekbones, deep eyes. He came to Chang'an a year ago, quickly rose to fame, mingled widely with the elite and noble households for dharma events. This case is taken over by the Inspection Department, to investigate his background, related arrays, and potential accomplices or masterminds. Recorder, Number 7 of Group A."

The supervisor wrote swiftly, recording every word without omission. After signing his codename and date, the ink not yet dry, he closed the notebook and respectfully handed it back.

Qiao Tumen did not look, just waved his hand, indicating to keep it, then turned and walked towards the temple gate.

"Captain, should we follow the remaining traces of the array to search for the source directly?" A supervisor quickly caught up and asked in a low voice.

"No rush." Qiao Tumen's steps didn't stop, his voice indifferent, "Since the array is broken, if the one who arranged it hasn't died from the backlash, they would be heavily injured and uncertain. Searching ostentatiously now would likely alert the snake, possibly forcing a desperate move. Let's let this pond stir itself for a while; if the one behind has a scheme, they will inevitably act again. Wait for them to show a flaw when they can't hold back."

He reached the tightly closed temple gate, where a supervisor silently pulled open a crack in the door. Qiao Tumen sidestepped through it, standing on the slightly chilly street outside the temple, the spring sunlight casting no warmth on his cold iron mask.

"You all return to the Inspection Department first, compile today's sightings and hearsay into record, pay special attention to all reports or rumors in Chang'an City related to Qinglong Temple, Pu Hui, and abnormal rituals or family disturbances, and compare them one by one. Review all cases handled by Pu Hui since he arrived in Chang'an, check which households he has visited, whom he has contacted."

"Yes!" The supervisors responded in unison.

"I will handle some matters myself," Qiao Tumen said, then walked off alone in one direction, soon disappearing at the street corner.

Not until his figure was completely out of sight did the few supervisors left behind relax a little.

One of them looked in the direction Qiao Tumen had gone, elbowed his companion lightly, and whispered:

"Going that way... Is the captain heading towards the north side, near the Imperial City? I think Wuding Square is there, is he going to the Han Prince Mansion?"

The other supervisor's face changed slightly, quickly pulling him aside, lowering his voice until it was almost a breath: "Shh, silence! Is the Han Prince Mansion something you can talk about carelessly? Do you want to lose your head?"

"What are you afraid of? Who in the current court doesn't know about the Han King..."

...............

"Are you saying the Han King and the Crown Prince are at odds?"

Under the shadow of an old tree by the city gate archway, Chen Yi asked.

"Hey, who with any status in Chang'an doesn't know? It's just not openly stated. You were introduced by Steward Li, so this news is free."

A man dressed as a coachman stood in front, patting his chest, and said:

"Whatever else you'd like to hear, feel free to ask me, Iron Abacus."