Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 124 - 123: Cowardly Rabble

The bustling military camp suddenly quieted down, with the imperial guards looking at each other anxiously, casting worried glances at Pang Centurion who lay unconscious on the ground not far away.

"Where are the five people he killed now?" Situ Jing’s expression grew more serious.

Although there had been incidents before, killing five people at once was unprecedented.

Moreover, if word of this got out, it wouldn’t sound good. Why did Pang Centurion suddenly turn like this? There was no conclusion yet, but if it spread, it would be seen as infighting in the imperial guard camp.

Such incidents are absolutely unacceptable in any army and have a terrible impact on military discipline and prestige.

And how would he report this to the Holy Emperor? Could he say there was an evil spirit stirring among the Li State imperial guards, causing the Centurion to go berserk and slaughter his men?

If he dared to report such a thing, he wouldn’t even need the Holy Emperor’s wrath; his father would probably be the first to step forward and scold him for spreading sensationalist myths.

Situ Jing turned his gaze to the Golden-faced Imperial Censor, the firelight from a nearby torch flickering on that golden mask, making it impossible to discern what the other was thinking.

Just as he was about to speak, the Golden-faced Imperial Censor spoke first, "I wonder, was Pang Centurion usually as brave and extraordinary?"

Having only been in the post for two months, if he were asked about someone else, Situ Jing might not be able to answer, but he knew Pang Centurion: "He usually trained diligently, but his aptitude was only slightly above average; among martial artists, he was rather ordinary.

If on a normal day, I were to spar with him, he would barely be able to handle a few moves. To face four at once today and not be at a disadvantage is really unusual."

"Was he still normal before dinner this evening?" Hearing Situ Jing’s words, Lu Qing raised an eyebrow under the mask and turned to ask the Squad Leader from earlier.

Though the Squad Leader didn’t know who this person with the golden mask was, he could tell the person’s extraordinary bearing. The martial skills he showed while fighting Pang Centurion were remarkable, and now even the Commander spoke to him with some respect, which made him tremble even more.

"Re-Report, sir, he-he-he..." He stuttered, becoming more tongue-tied the more he was anxious.

Lu Qing waved an impatient hand at him, looking around at the others, his tone as cold as if ice shards were mixed within: "Is there anyone who can speak clearly?"

Upon hearing this, the Squad Leader was so frightened that he immediately kowtowed to the ground, wanting to plead for mercy but not daring to make a sound, keeping his head lowered and trembling.

The other Squad Leaders, who were originally with him, seeing the imposing manner of the masked man and the intimidating atmosphere, dared not speak up.

Situ Jing didn’t expect the Li State imperial guards to be cowards who would tremble with fear at the sight of a superior, his expression grew even more solemn.

In this awkward atmosphere, a man in his early twenties stood out from the crowd.

His appearance was unremarkable, but he stood out from the crowd without hesitation, his eyes honest and determined.

"Who are you?" Lu Qing glanced at Situ Jing beside him and, seeing this man seemed new to him as well, directly asked.

"Reporting to sir, I am Liao Yu, serving as Chief in the Li State garrison." The man spoke with respect but without obsequiousness, cupping his fists towards Lu Qing, "This afternoon, Pang Centurion led a team for training and had dinner with his soldiers in the evening. Until the night patrol, he had not been alone or interacted with outsiders.

We ate from the same pot of food as Pang Centurion, and none of us have shown any abnormalities, only Pang Centurion suddenly changed his disposition.

Though I do not know the cause, I’m certain it has nothing to do with the camp’s food."

His words were clear and logical, not only answering Lu Qing’s questions but also addressing deeper doubts that Lu Qing wanted to understand.

Situ Jing’s gaze was now fixed on the person named Liao Yu.

"Oh?" Lu Qing’s tone carried a hint of skepticism, "Did you see all of this yourself?"

"Indeed." Liao Yu nodded.

"There are so many people in the army, why do you pay special attention to Pang Centurion?"

"Reporting to sir, I do not pay special attention to Pang Centurion alone, but wherever I go and whoever I see, I take notice.

After all, being in the army, one must be cautious everywhere; if we don’t stay vigilant and a spy sneaks into the camp, it could lead to a major incident." Liao Yu replied methodically.

Situ Jing nodded quietly on the side, thoroughly remembering the name of Liao Yu.

As a small Chief, not even ranked, there are countless in the Li State imperial guard.

Situ Jing had only been in office for two months and had been busy investigating the mysterious death of the previous Commander and overseeing the guard’s training, leaving no time to know such small officials.

But one with such courage, facing a superior’s questioning and probing, remained composed and organized, indeed worth noticing.

"Liao Yu, take a few men and wrap the bodies of those killed by Pang Centurion in rush mats first, carry them into a tent, and let no one approach." He instructed Liao Yu.

Liao Yu responded with a salute, looked back among the crowd, picked out a dozen men, and ran off in the direction the previous Squad Leader had stuttered out.

"How long will your Mist Smoke Pill keep him asleep like this?" Lu Qing turned to ask Yan Daoxin, who had already approached.

"Five to six hours shouldn’t be a problem." Yan Daoxin spoke before the others, maintaining the demeanor of when he diagnosed patients as a Divine Doctor, his tone clear and cold, exuding a sense of detachment from worldly matters.

"To be safe, better tie him up first." Zhu Yu also squeezed over, whispering to Lu Qing, "It’ll be easier to examine him this way."

She didn’t believe in ghosts or demonic possession.

That almost godlike state Pang Centurion was in earlier was actually a reaction of a person unleashing full power in extreme excitement.

Typically, no one truly exerts full strength because exerting full strength until exhaustion would mean death.

To survive, everyone’s body keeps reserves of energy and strength, hence the feelings of weakness and the need to recuperate.

And when a person suddenly loses the tension they should have in their head, rather than being possessed, Zhu Yu was more inclined to believe he was poisoned.