The mention of *wuzuo* (ancient coroners) actually refers to ancient corpse examiners, equivalent to modern forensic pathologists. The most famous among them was Song Ci, the *Da Song Ti Xing Guan* (Investigator of the Song Dynasty). They were skilled in using tools like linseed oil, corpse-examining umbrellas, bone-listening sticks, and white vinegar to examine corpses, pry open their mouths, and apprehend the perpetrators of bloody crimes.
Although I hadn't learned much, I was familiar with some basic techniques.
I took out a red umbrella from my investigation kit, a bone, and a book left by my grandfather titled "The Secret Manual of *Wuzuo* and Modern Forensics: A Connection." I opened it and began to read it carefully once more.
"I hope you can see the light of day again!" I muttered to myself. Then, I picked up my phone. "What is it?"
"He Sheng, what are you doing? I've called you so many times, didn't you hear me?"
"I was just tidying up the house!"
"Tidying up? You really have a lot of leisure time. Get over here immediately! Something's happened! I've sent you the address."
"What happened?"
"The scene is very chaotic. We'll talk when you get here!" Liu Yuning's tone was very anxious, so I could only agree. I put away my grandfather's belongings, put on a jacket, and quickly drove a Buick away from the quadrangle.
I sped along, following the address Liu Yuning had sent, and found a rather remote old house.
As I got out of the car, I scratched my head. "What kind of spooky place is this?"
The surroundings seemed to be full of withered poplar trees, and there wasn't a soul in sight. It was late at night, and a solitary, dark old house stood in my view.
Judging by its architectural style, the house likely dated back to the Qing Dynasty.
This was because Qing Dynasty architecture favored the direct combination of beams, pillars, and purlins, reducing the role of the dougong bracket system as an intermediate layer. The building before me perfectly matched this design, and in fact, it shared a similar ingenious concept with my family's quadrangle house.
Before I could enter the old house, two criminal police officers stood at the ancient gate, blocking me. "Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!"
These two probably were new recruits, not knowing my identity.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yuning immediately said, "Let him in, he's with me!"
The two criminal police officers did not dare to delay and stepped aside. I directly crossed the blue and white caution tape and entered the courtyard of the old house. Liu Yuning was standing in front of a main building, waving her flashlight and signaling me to come over.
I immediately walked towards her and, following her, entered the main hall.
The entire hall was filled with a pungent, foul odor. A woman's entire head was embedded in a large, 80-inch television displaying a night scene.
Furthermore, her body was naked.
Forensic pathologist Xie Chuchu was busy, along with several other forensic examiners, trying to move her body.
Seeing that they were struggling, I went over to help.
However, when I pulled, the body wouldn't budge.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"It seems the female corpse's head is stuck by some part!" Xie Chuchu explained.
"Go get someone to smash the television!" Liu Yuning said angrily.
"No, that could easily damage the corpse! Let me take a look!" With that, I lowered my head, and my entire head felt as if it were also embedded in the television, just like the deceased woman. I took out my white light and explored inside, discovering that the deceased woman's neck was entangled with numerous wires!
No wonder it wouldn't move.
I carefully extended my hand and said, "Give me the scissors!"
I admit my actions at that moment were peculiar, but there was no other way. Xie Chuchu reacted quickly. "Senior! Here!"
"Thanks!" I took them and, with skilled movements, cut the wires. Then, I withdrew my neck and, along with Xie Chuchu and the other forensic examiners, pulled the deceased. This time, the body came free.
Liu Yuning asked me curiously, "How did you manage that?"
"Nothing much, there were wires inside!" I replied casually. Then, I squatted down, took out a strange bone, and began tapping the deceased's body.
"Consultant He, what is that?" Liu Yuning asked, puzzled.
"A bone-listening stick, made of willow wood. It can be used to listen to bones and identify sounds!"
"What is this nonsense?"
"I forgot to tell you, my grandfather was a *wuzuo*. He told me that in some situations, ancient techniques are even better!"
"*Wuzuo*??" Not only Liu Yuning but everyone present expressed surprise. Liu Yuning then added dismissively, "What era is this? Still using ancient techniques? Do you think you're filming 'The Investigator'?"
Gao Mingqiang quickly chimed in, "That's right, Consultant He. Don't show off your skills here. We invited you back to solve the case, not to listen to stories!"
I didn't reply. However, Xie Chuchu patted my shoulder and gave me a thumbs-up. "Amazing! Senior, I've heard you talk about *wuzuo* stories before, and I found them fascinating!"
"You guys are too deeply influenced!" Liu Yuning scoffed.
"Whether we're influenced or not, we'll know soon enough!" I said calmly. I used the bone-listening stick to tap the deceased's chest and abdomen, while also using the forensic white and black lights for scanning.
I knew very well that ancient techniques were rudimentary, but often, they were faster. And if I could integrate them with modern forensic science, it would be twice as effective with half the effort.
Soon, I discovered that the deceased's internal organs had all been removed, and I could also discern the shape of her hands.
At this moment, Xie Chuchu said, "Considering factors like pupil dilation, rigor mortis, room temperature, and the extent of decomposition, the time of death should be approximately 24 hours ago. It's 10 PM now, so she died around 10 PM last night!"
"That's incorrect! Chuchu."
"What? Senior, you mean...?"
"The time of death can be faked. This corpse has a strong smell of preservative. Moreover, I checked below, near the anus, and preservative was injected there. This killer is too cunning, actually understanding our forensic examination methods. Furthermore, my grandfather once mentioned: 'Zi Wu Mao You, pinch the middle finger; Chen Xu Chou Mo, spread the palm; Yin Shen Si Hai, clench the fist; the deceased's time of death is precise.' Currently, the deceased's hands are spread open, ruling out death at 10 PM. The time of death should be between Chen, Xu, Chou, and Mo."
"What are you referring to?" Xie Chuchu was merely surprised by my words, but Liu Yuning and Gao Mingqiang, among others, scoffed, "Consultant He, do you have a fever today? What are you doing with all these things?"
"I don't! I just want to try my grandfather's methods. If you don't believe me, you can go back and verify it."
"Senior, I believe you! I've witnessed your prowess in forensic examinations during university before. Bone steaming, facial reconstruction – these were all very impressive. No wonder you solved the serial murder case of the woman in the red skirt back then."
"Chuchu, be discreet! You must be discreet!" I replied awkwardly.