Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1315 - 585: The Real Culprit (Part 2)

Qin Er's heart hammered with rapidly blooming joy and excitement.

If her assumptions were correct, she had just proven her capabilities to Minister Qiu, securing a coveted spot within the Rebel Army. Without the Rebel Army's protection, surviving in Thunder City would be a perilous challenge; thus, remaining with them was a matter of utmost urgency, a question of life and death, far beyond a simple case to be solved! This drive fueled her desperate, wholehearted fight.

However...

"You are mistaken."

It was Diao Deyi's voice that cut through the tension!

Unable to contain herself any longer, Qin Er shot an angry glare at the man.

"Mistaken about what!" Qin Er's voice, tinged with her escalating excitement, grew sharp.

But Fang Yu, maintaining a calm tone and composed demeanor, responded.

"Mistaken about everything."

Fang Yu gestured towards Li Debang.

"Firstly, he is not a demon."

"Secondly, Master Tai returned to his residence for a specific reason. Today, Master Tai was scheduled to visit my courtyard to ensure my wife's safety..." As Fang Yu spoke, Ding Hui leaned in, her proximity causing Fang Yu's heart to skip a beat. The thin fabric of her clothing sent a strange sensation through him, momentarily disrupting his train of thought, but he quickly refocused.

"However, upon reaching my courtyard, Master Tai instructed Master Xiong to continue his watch and then departed in haste."

"According to Master Xiong, Master Tai appeared extremely unwell at the time, clutching a piece of paper of unknown origin. It is highly probable that the information on this paper agitated Master Tai."

"Subsequently, Master Tai returned to his residence, only to be killed at the doorway upon encountering someone."

"Master Xiong should be able to corroborate my account, correct? Master Xiong."

Fang Yu turned to look behind him. It was then that everyone noticed Xiong Rudong, Master Xiong, standing just outside the door, awkwardly scratching his head without entering.

"He speaks the truth. Earlier, Master Tai, looking rather unwell, swapped shifts with me and left in a hurry."

A piece of paper, a visibly poor complexion, an unfulfilled duty… Piece by piece, critical clues unknown to Qin Er left her bewildered.

This sudden influx of information felt akin to a cheat; these clues were beyond her. To have deduced as much as she had with only the initially available information was, in her opinion, already quite commendable…

Even though no one present was actively looking at her, she lowered her head, her ears burning red with embarrassment.

At that precise moment, a hand gently patted Qin Er's back.

"Lord Qiu?!"

Qiu Xiaoping offered a simple smile, remained silent, withdrew her hand, and directed her gaze toward Fang Yu.

"If that is the case, then the contents of the paper Master Tai held are crucial. Yet, even if Master Tai returned to his residence due to the paper, it doesn't invalidate Qin Er's prior deductions, does it?"

Fang Yu nodded.

"It doesn't invalidate them, it's just..."

Fang Yu glanced at Ding Hui, who was leaning against him, her head resting on his shoulder, and letting out a yawn. Seeing Fang Yu's gaze, Ding Hui tilted her head slightly, a hint of puzzlement in her expression.

Never mind, it's of no consequence.

Fang Yu then addressed Qiu Xiaoping.

"However, when we examined Master Tai's body, my wife performed a preliminary examination. The findings indicated that Master Tai had been poisoned prior to his death."

Poisoned?!

Qin Er's eyes immediately lit up.

"If poison was involved, it signifies a degree of diminished capacity, which makes my previous deductions even more pertinent!"

Upon hearing this proclamation, a murmur rippled through the crowd.

Hostile glances once again converged upon the isolated figure of Li Debang.

Fang Yu, however, wore a casual smile.

"Don't be too hasty, allow me to finish. According to my wife, the poison Master Tai was administered was not a potent one, but rather a... slow-acting poison. This type accumulates over time and typically doesn't present significant symptoms of poisoning. Such a poison only fully reveals its cumulative toxicity when it interacts with another non-toxic substance! And that piece of paper must have been the catalyst for activating the poison..."

"That is incorrect!"

To everyone's astonishment, it was Qiu Xiaoping who rose to refute Fang Yu.

She frowned, stating her case.

"I was present at the time and also examined Master Tai's body. I found no discernible traces of poisoning. I believe that even the most skilled Poison Master would be incapable of creating a poison that leaves absolutely no physical evidence; there should be some observable signs, but on Master Tai's body, there were none."

As Qiu Xiaoping spoke, her gaze was fixed intently on Ding Hui.

Having already witnessed Diao Deyi's expertise, the stage was now set to evaluate the renowned Divine Doctor Ding's abilities.

Seemingly aware of Qiu Xiaoping's challenging stare, Ding Hui met her gaze with a calm and indifferent expression.

"You were too early for the examination. If you were to look now, even a simpleton could discern that something is amiss."

What?

Arrived prematurely?

Qiu Xiaoping was struck with surprise.

In the very next moment, her form vanished with a swift whoosh, propelling her towards the entrance.

Before long, Qiu Xiaoping observed Tai Xuelin’s deceased body, noting three dark blemishes indicative of toxic stains upon his right palm.

"Three Black Scorpion Spots!"

With a mere glance, Qiu Xiaoping’s pupils constricted slightly.

Over the years, within Thunder City, numerous affluent merchants had met inexplicable deaths due to this peculiar venom.

Although the merchants of Thunder City were as plentiful as chives, regrowing swiftly, their demise didn't draw significant attention.

Nevertheless, the poison's potency was deeply registered by many, recognized as a formidable toxin.

How... how did it become a slow-acting poison, as Divine Doctor Ding described?

Could those merchants who perished under strange circumstances have suffered like Master Tai, gradually succumbing to the poison until its effects ultimately manifested?

Those identified as poisoned were invariably corpses, rendering any attempts at detoxification futile. Consequently, only a select few enthusiasts delved into the creation of antidotes, but their endeavors largely yielded no success.

One might expend effort in vain; two would be equally useless.

A lifeless body cannot benefit from an antidote.

Yet, the poison's notorious reputation, though confined to specific circles, had reached Qiu Xiaoping’s ears.

"Lord Qiu!" Qin Er hurried over from behind, and others soon began to assemble.

Upon witnessing the corpse on the ground, some appeared bewildered, having detected no apparent anomaly on the palm; others, being more observant, recognized the peculiarity, their expressions turning solemn.

"Truly poisoned."

Qiu Xiaoping turned to face the gathering crowd.

Her gaze settled upon Ding Hui, and she clasped her hands in a gesture of respect: "I was remiss. I failed to conduct a thorough examination of the body before my hasty departure."

Ding Hui's eyes were chillingly sharp.

"So, who do you now suspect to be the perpetrator?"

Qiu Xiaoping shook her head.

"I have no clue."

Ding Hui stated with a cold tone: "This demonstrates the recklessness and inadequacy of your research into poisons. If your comprehension is so limited, you would not have dared to speak with such unwarranted certainty earlier."

Ding Hui was alluding to Qiu Xiaoping's failure to detect the poisoning of the corpse.

This caused Qiu Xiaoping a degree of humiliation.

She had presumed a certain level of expertise, believing she would discern any signs of poisoning on a corpse, never anticipating the presence of the obscure Three Black Scorpion Spots.

Forget about her; the uniqueness of this poison might elude even a physician of considerable skill.

At this juncture, Ding Hui continued speaking, but her attention shifted to Qin Er, whose demeanor appeared entirely innocent.

"If you possess any medical knowledge, you would understand that even when poisoned, an individual can still muster significant combat prowess. However, the scene indicates no struggle, and the dagger strike was fatal, implying... this individual chose to face death willingly at another's hand."

Having performed numerous autopsies and encountered a variety of poisons, Ding Hui could instantly ascertain the corpse's condition; she had simply omitted certain details when speaking with Fang Yu. It wasn't truly their concern; Ding Hui had initially no intention of interfering.

"Willingly... embracing death??" Qin Er looked perplexed.

Qiu Xiaoping also furrowed her brow, murmuring.

"But why?"

Ding Hui let out a soft chuckle.

"Indeed, the question remains: why? Husband, what are your thoughts?"

You were enjoying the moment, weren't you... why suddenly shift the inquiry to me...

Fang Yu contemplated for a moment before responding.

"I cannot say. However, you mentioned that this poison's toxicity accumulates over time, which suggests that someone close to Master Tai was administering the poison daily, an individual who must have been in close proximity. Therefore... who possessed the greatest opportunity to do so?"

As Fang Yu's words settled, the first image that materialized in everyone's mind was... Lady Tai, with her visage contorted in heartbroken sorrow!

"No... it couldn't possibly be her! With Master Tai's passing, Lady Tai wept so profusely that her makeup was ruined! She was an image of utter desolation; how could it have been her!"

"Slander! You are defaming Lady Tai! Utter fabrication!"

"Precisely! Master Tai and Lady Tai shared a loving bond for many years, free from any conflicts or disagreements, as we all witnessed! How could Lady Tai be responsible!"