Although I can't read the text, the illustration is clear enough.
On the left is a hexagonal honeycomb, which obviously refers to the bronze disc; on the right is a human-shaped symbol engraved, which probably refers to evil spirits.
From top to bottom, the number of solid honeycombs gradually increased, and so did the humanoid symbols. In the last row, all the honeycombs became solid, but the right side was scraped off by a sharp instrument, leaving only a deep scratch.
Below the pattern is a large version of ancient characters.
The beginning of each line consists of a few simple horizontal or vertical bars. Considering the continuity of the text, Xia Fan thought that they should be numbers like dates, years and months.
Likewise, many parts of it were deliberately destroyed, as if someone did not want the records of this place to be leaked.
After even guessing the engravings on the entire wall, an extremely shocking picture emerged in Xia Fan's mind.
This underground facility built during the Yongguo period was probably a place used to study evil spirits!
The illustrations show that they not only confirmed the characteristics of the formation of Yuangui, but even progressed to a deeper realm. When all the holes in the disk were filled, what did they see? In other words - what was produced
Xia Fan only felt that his mouth was a little dry.
When he realized that the vast majority of the people's understanding of evil spirits was still at a blank stage and that the Privy Council monopolized all knowledge about alchemy, he did not feel anything was wrong. Being limited by the times, it is normal for our ideas to be backward.
But now he discovered that the ancients may have gone very far in studying the phenomenon of evil spirits.
"Brother Xia, what should we do next?"
Wei Wushuang's shout interrupted his thoughts.
Yes, these issues can be studied later. At this time, he must first deal with the problems in Gaoshan County.
Xia Fan returned to Du Mingjin, "Where did the people you murdered come from?"
"I don't know, I really don't know, sir!" The latter shook his head repeatedly, "Every time, Hu Zhi County informs me, and I go to pick people up outside the county."
"Only you two brothers?"
"If there are a lot of people there, they will help. But they are basically all dressed in black with hoods covering their faces. I really can't tell where they come from!"
"In addition to sending people, did they send anything else?"
"There was money sent in boxes and boxes, and all the money was put into Mr. Hu's mansion. We brothers could only get some fractions! By the way, they also sent a woman from Hu Zhi County, a Very beautiful woman, that’s all I know!”
Xia Fan looked at Shangguan Cai, who spread his hands, indicating that he had nothing to add.
"Whether you have concealed anything or not, someone will come and check later." He checked the rope on the other party's body and lifted it up with force, "Follow us."
"W-where are you taking me?"
"Jinxia City, Prefecture Mufu."
"Sir, I will die if I go there!" Du Mingjin's face changed drastically, and he struggled to kneel down, "I only obey orders, please spare my life!"
"Listen up," Xia Fan said sternly, "your only way to survive is to report the magistrate of Gaoshan County, Hu Huairen. Other than that, there is no other way to save your life! Besides, even if you cannot escape death, you can at least rush to Yuanpan to complete the investigation." Before closing, let the officials fish out your brother—you don’t want him to be tortured here and eventually turn into a ghost, right?”
Du Mingjin's body went limp, as if he had lost all his strength.
Xia Fan didn't want to waste any time, so he grabbed him and walked out of the grotto.
The way back was much faster, and in less than an hour, the five of them had reached the foot of the mountain.
However, just when Gaoshan County was looming, something unexpected happened.
Du Mingjin's face turned as pale as paper, and foam overflowed from the corner of his mouth.
The group had to stop and check on his condition.
"What's wrong with this guy?"
"I'm afraid he was poisoned." Shangguancai pressed his pulse, "I don't think he can make it to the city."
Her words soon came true. In less than half a quarter of an hour, Du Mingjin's condition deteriorated sharply. His whole body was shaking, and the foam turned into bloodshot streaks.
He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end Xia Fan only heard the words "that bowl of wine".
After a few breaths, Du Mingjin completely stopped shaking.
"He's dead." Shangguancai shrugged.
Is this... silence? Xia Fan couldn't help but clenched his fists. Since the other party had such a hand on Du Mingjin, there was no reason to let Du Mingyin alone.
In an instant, they lost two witnesses, and the originally good situation suddenly turned upside down.
"As long as the grotto is still there, we still have a chance." Wei Wushuang said with relief.
"That's not necessarily the case." Xia Fan shook his head, "Maybe this poison is just a preventive measure. If the Du brothers can return to the county town on time, they may not even realize that they have been poisoned. Once he fails to return, In addition to killing people and silencing them, this drug can also provide a warning to the poisoner."
"You mean... we were discovered?"
"I'm not sure, but it is indeed possible." Xia Fan felt that his brain was running rapidly, and the information in just one day hit his cognition almost like a storm, even though he had known that the lives of the people at the bottom of this era would not be enough. It was a piece of cake, but when he actually experienced it personally, he was still greatly shocked. "If this is the case, Hu Huairen will definitely send another group of people to seal the grotto. The worst result is that no witnesses or physical evidence will be left."
"Then what should we do?" Wei Wushuang asked worriedly.
"I need to go to Jinxia City alone to report the news. It's best to travel lightly. The faster the better." Xia Fan looked at Wang Renzhi and said, "Young Master Wang, the only one who is good at equestrian skills here and can enter the city at night is you."
"Oh, I have to take action after all." Wang Renzhi suddenly became more energetic, "Don't worry, with my Wang family's status in Jinxia, they will never dare to ignore my news. Then I will take the first step!"
After the other party went away, Xia Fan turned his attention to the other two people, "As for you two - can you guard this intersection for me? If Hu Huairen sends people over again, they will be government servants and police officers at most. And the alchemist is eight Pingguan, it shouldn’t be a big problem to delay for a while.”
"I should be fine," Wei Wushuang nodded, "Brother Xia, what about you?"
"I want to go to the magistrate's mansion in person." Xia Fan said decisively. "Only by controlling Hu Huairen can we ensure that the physical evidence of the grotto is not lost. What's more, he is also the biggest witness to the whole incident - in other words, if he cannot move, we can take the initiative! Even if he doesn't confess anything, At least it can prevent him from transferring the stolen money. I think Hu Zhixian will not be able to explain why he has so much cash hidden in his house."
"Sorry, I quit." Shangguancai said suddenly.
"Eh..." Wei Wushuang didn't react for a moment, "Why?"
Shangguan Cai ignored him, but stared at Xia Fan and said, "Do you know what you are doing? Although the county magistrate is not of high rank, he is also the official in charge of the official department. If something unexpected happens to the second son of the Wang family, what will happen? Or you failed to control Magistrate Hu, resulting in no evidence at all, and you, the eighth-grade alchemist, are probably done."
"Of course, that's all. But have you ever considered a possibility - why the Privy Council prohibits alchemists from intervening in this matter. Is there really no other reason except that it is inconvenient to intervene in government affairs?" At this point, Shangguan Cai paused, "Do you think they really don't know anything about the reasons behind the frequent appearance of evil spirits?"