Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 136 - 135: The Fiercest One

As soon as Zhou Kang spoke, Situ Jing’s face darkened.

From a young age, he was surrounded by his father and elder brother, soaking up their influence and stepping into the military at an early age. He always understood that within the imperial guard, the most taboo subject was the discussion of superstitions.

As military officers, they either defended lands and cities or fought on the battlefield, requiring a steadfastness without distractions.

Once superstition crept in, some would become hesitant and timid due to certain taboos, greatly diminishing the combat strength that the imperial guard should possess.

Yet Zhou Kang, as the Deputy Capital Commander of the army, was older than him and had much deeper experience, but he proposed such a bad idea as if afraid the morale would not be disturbed, actually wanting to hold a rites ceremony in the camp to dispel evil!

He was just about to speak, when suddenly he saw the frame on the head of the Imperial Censor, disguised as a Divine Doctor, wobble slightly. He held back his words, suppressed his inner displeasure, and calmly said, "Let me think about this matter further; there is no rush right now.

With the Divine Doctor here, perhaps a diagnosis can find the root of the problem, and then the issue can be resolved properly.

It wouldn’t be good for the word to get out that we’re performing rituals in the imperial guard camp, so unless absolutely necessary, let’s not go down that route."

Zhou Kang originally had a polite smile on his face, but as he listened to Situ Jing’s refusal, the corners of his mouth slowly drooped. His eyes seemed to hold a hint of dissatisfaction, but when he lowered and raised them again, the emotion had been concealed, leaving no trace of displeasure.

"What the General says is indeed correct," he said respectfully to Situ Jing. "This matter is my haste; seeing the brothers in the army falling into accidents one after another, I lost my judgment for a moment.

Since the General has invited a Divine Doctor from elsewhere, we hope the Divine Doctor can quickly find the root cause, to put the brothers at ease."

As he spoke, he looked towards Lu Qing, who was wearing the frame hat.

Lu Qing made no response, ignoring Zhou Kang’s words.

"Divine Doctor, please follow me this way; I will take you over there to have a look," Situ Jing said politely to Lu Qing.

The few of them no longer paid attention to Zhou Kang and continued walking towards the other side of the drill ground.

Zhou Kang stood from a distance, watching their backs as they walked away, his expression carrying a touch of menacing gloom. Only after they were far away did he snort coldly and turn away.

What he didn’t know was that just now, that gloomy gaze had already been caught by Zhu Yu’s sight, though she said nothing.

It wasn’t until they had walked far and someone came to report military affairs to Situ Jing that she whispered to Lu Qing, "That Deputy Capital Commander just now seems to have some dislike toward us strangers who popped up halfway." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Good," Lu Qing also seemed to have noticed, his voice sounding very calm, "If everyone were unflinching, wouldn’t this trip be in vain?"

Under Situ Jing’s leadership, the three slowly walked around the perimeter of the drill ground, paying attention to the practice scenes.

Suddenly, Zhu Yu paused in her steps, tugged at Lu Qing’s sleeve, and pointed her finger towards the drill ground.

Following her gesture, Lu Qing looked over and saw a group of people practicing staff techniques.

These imperial guard soldiers were dressed in simple cloth outfits, holding long staffs and practicing meticulously with each move.

The person Zhu Yu pointed out looked like a Squad Leader, standing out among the soldiers.

Though these imperial guard soldiers were all practicing earnestly, most had only slightly flushed faces, and at most, a tiny sheen of sweat on their foreheads.

This Squad Leader, however, was different. His face was glowing red, sweat pouring down, drenching his shirt, so he simply took one sleeve off, revealing his arm and half his shoulder. The muscles on his arm bulged remarkably, and the long staff in his hand almost seemed to dance with phantom images.

As he swung the staff across, the faint humming of the wood could be heard, hinting at its great power.

Then came another smashing swing; whereas others’ staffs thudded to the ground quietly, his boomed like a thunder clap, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Lu Qing watched the practice silently, observing for a while before nodding at Zhu Yu.

"The soldiers under the General are indeed brave and fierce," Zhu Yu said to Situ Jing, since Lu Qing had to maintain the pretense of being the Divine Doctor and couldn’t conveniently speak, lest they be overheard and expose their disguise, "We were in a hurry this time and didn’t bring enough people. I wonder if the General could lend us one or two men for errands over the next few days?"

When Zhu Yu began speaking, Situ Jing already had a hunch. The Golden-faced Imperial Censor and the few who accompanied him didn’t seem the type to waste words on pleasantries; now suddenly praising his soldiers had to have a purpose.

Understanding dawned after she finished speaking, and he nodded, "Certainly, but I wonder which one the honored guest would like to borrow?"

"That one over there, the one baring his back and performing each move most vigorously," Zhu Yu pointed.

Situ Jing followed her pointing direction, finally realizing that the Squad Leader did indeed appear more vigorous and industrious than the others around him.

He motioned towards the Squad Leader, beckoning him over. The Squad Leader was so focused on practicing staff techniques that he hadn’t noticed, but the General overseeing their training saw and hurriedly brought the Squad Leader out of the ranks to Situ Jing.

"Commander, are you looking for him?" The Junior General himself rarely had a chance to speak with Situ Jing, leaving him a bit bewildered as he saw his superior indicating one of his lower-ranked Squad Leaders.

The Squad Leader himself was even more at a loss over why he was suddenly pulled from the ranks, standing there rather bewildered and nervous, hardly daring to breathe.

Now that he was closer, Situ Jing could more clearly see the man’s abnormalities.

Though this season had brought about some summer heat, the hour was still early and the weather remained cool and pleasant. Yet the Squad Leader’s sweat had soaked his skin so thoroughly that it appeared as a glossy layer under the sunlight.

The blood vessels at his temples were bulging and they were the same along his neck and arms, the thick veins protruding from his skin like small snakes.

Moreover, Situ Jing noticed the Squad Leader’s unusually rapid breathing.

In martial arts, breath control is crucial, even if this Squad Leader wasn’t expected to have deep skills. With years of grinding in the army leading to his rise to the imperial guards, his foundation should be quite solid.

How could someone who had been trained for years and had a good base be breathing so rapidly and shallowly?

"What’s your name?" Situ Jing suppressed his unease and calmly asked the man.

The Squad Leader quickly replied, "I am called Miao Dashuan, Sir..."

"Very well. From today onwards, you will follow these distinguished guests, obeying their orders. Once the tasks are completed, you may return for further instructions," Situ Jing gestured towards Zhu Yu and the others.

Miao Dashuan swiftly glanced at the few individuals, puzzled yet without hesitation, he quickly cupped his hands in acknowledgment.