Chapter 82: The Culprits Arrive (1/2)
After shaking hands, both of the men developed an understanding. Lin Mu returned all of the masked man's weapons except for the poisoned needles. The masked man also tacitly understood and did not ask for them either.
”From the bandaged wounds, we can assume that this has been done by the same people who attacked you before. Now we only need to find some more clues here if we can.” The masked man spoke.
Lin Mu nodded his head and went around to search for clues. It didn't take him long to find them either, as it was right in front of him. He looked at the first corpse and checked it. He soon found a small vial filled with some kind of colorless powder in it.
The vial was hidden in the sleeve of the corpse and was dangling by its tassel. When the masked man turned the corpse a little, it must have gotten loose. Lin Mu picked up the vial and saw that its cap was actually a little loose and some of the powder had actually spilled out onto the sleeve of the corpse.
The masked man saw the vial in Lin Mu's hand and suddenly exclaimed,
”The Beast Inciting powder!”
Lin Mu's eyes narrowed upon hearing the masked man's words, and he looked at the small vial.
”So this is what caused the stray dogs to attack Xiao Lu.” Lin MU stated.
”The stray dogs came in contact with the powder that was spilled onto the sleeves while eating the hand and probably went insane.” The masked man deduced.
Lin Mu nodded and then continued,
”Now the question is, why did this person have this powder? I originally thought that the culprits spread the poison, but now it seems otherwise.”
”Still, it is not easy to get this poison. It is a mystery how this mercenary came upon it. Even an elite mercenary doesn't have the capabilities or the reach to obtain a poison such as this.” The masked man spoke.
”It's also a little strange that the attackers didn't search his corpse.” The masked man added.
”That is true, but we still don't know what their objective is.” Lin Mu replied.
”That's not all, Lin Mu, you're forgetting something.” Xukong interrupted.
”What senior?” Lin Mu asked.
”The effect of the Beast Inciting powder is to send the beasts into a mindless rage, but when the stray dogs encountered you they ran away,” Xukong answered.
Lin Mu realized the meaning of senior Xukong's words and spoke to the masked man.
”Was there an abnormality in the Beast Inciting powder or the stray dogs? Because they ran away after encountering me.”
The masked man felt confused upon hearing Lin Mu's words, but tried to think over it. He had not paid attention to the occurrence at first, but now that he was remembering it, something like this shouldn't happen according to his knowledge. Beasts affected by the Beast Inciting powder don't even fear death and plunge in headfirst into conflict, them being afraid of Lin Mu was extremely strange.
”You are right, but I don't know what the abnormality could be.” The masked man spoke.
Lin Mu suddenly realized something as his eyes went wide,
”It couldn't be because of your imprint, could it senior?” Lin Mu questioned.
”Hmm, that should not be possible as the imprint is only detectable by cultivators or beasts of a higher cultivation,” Xukong spoke and took a pause.
”But if it was detected by the stray dogs then that vial of Beast Inciting powder is certainly abnormal. If it was also able to increase the sensing capabilities of a normal animal, then it's probably not simple.” Xukong explained.
After hearing senior Xukong's explanation, Lin Mu thought of something before looking at the masked man.
”Do you know anyone that is more knowledgeable about this Beast Inciting powder?” Lin Mu asked.
The masked man snapped out of his thoughts after hearing Lin Mu speak and looked up at him.
”I myself don't know, but there should be someone my comrades know.” The masked man answered.
”Well then, I would like to meet them as well.” Lin Mu stated.
”That can be arranged.” The masked man simply replied.