Chapter 321: The Bone Injury Unveiling Tes (2/2)

”No, this isn’t the Thrice Steaming Bone Test,” I stated. “It’s a unique technique created by Song Ci–the Bone Injury Unveiling Test which resurfaces old wounds on the bones.”

”But there aren’t any wounds on the skull!” argued Xiaotao.

A while later, Dali returned with the items. I placed the metal bowl above the alcohol burner, heating it up while I poured vinegar, threw all the powdered herbs and medicine and crushed the succulents into the bowl. When the mixture started steaming, I placed the skull inside and covered it with cling wrap.

”In a different setting, people would actually believe you’re a shaman,” Dali remarked.

I chuckled, keeping my gaze fixed onto the metal bowl. Five minutes later, Xiaotao cried, ”There’s a color change in the skull.”

As the skull began to turn yellow, Dali interjected, ”Is it almost ready?”

”Discoloration is normal,” I explained. “This method actually damages the corpse so it’s not something I would usually do. But this time it had to be done to verify my conjecture.”

”You don't believe the conclusion given by the Physical Evidence Identification Center, do you?” laughed Xiaotao.

”You know me so well!”

“What is your conjecture?” she continued.

I narrowed my eyes enigmatically, ”Wait and see, won’t you?”

After another ten minutes, steam filled the metal bowl and more changes appeared on the skull. When I uncovered the cling wrap, an acidic smell filled my nose. Choked by the smell, Dali coughed uncontrollably and hurried to turn on the ventilator.

I put on rubber gloves before carefully removing the skull. There was an obvious shaded area on the skull–the cheekbones and the arch of the eyebrows. This was exactly what I was hoping to find.

”What does this mean?” Xiaotao puzzled.

I pointed to the shaded area and said, ”The victim had her bones cut here and here. She had cosmetic surgery done, and it was a major procedure! She’s not the real Qiu Wanxia, but an imposter!”

Xiaotao’s eyes widened in shock. ”That’s to say we’re now back to square one and we don’t even know the victim’s identity.”

”That’s not entirely true,” I mused. “Assuming Ding Xu is telling the truth and the victim was sent by another to seduce the murderer, then the murderer and Qiu Wanxia must have been close. This means we can start by investigating the real Qiu Wanxia!”

”Qiu Wanxia died ten years ago,” Xiaotao pointed out. “It'll be difficult to find out but I'll do my best!”

I placed the bones into a waterproof bag. ”Let's work separately. Dali and I will find a place to conduct the Thrice Steaming Bone Test while you check for clues.”

I was about to leave when Xiaotao stopped me, ”Where are you going?”

”To find a place where there’s no one so I can work in peace!”

”Didn't I mention last time that the bureau would set up a laboratory just for you? Although it's still under construction, you can use it,” said Xiaotao. “I'll take you there now!”

Xiaotao led us to a warehouse behind the city bureau building. There was a rectangular trench on the floor with three autopsy tables beside it as well as tool stands and shelves made of wood on which materials I often used were placed.

”You’ve certainly gone the extra mile!” I said, touched by the effort.

”I come to supervise the construction every now and then. The room is still empty because I wasn’t sure what sort of furnishings a Traditional Coroner would like,” added Xiaotao. “Would you like to hang a portrait of Song Ci or put up an incense burner?”

In ancient times, the coroner’s workshop was called the ”Necropsy Workshop.” Since autopsies were taboo for ordinary folk, the Necropsy Workshop was usually located facing south, in the opposite direction of residential buildings. Additionally, these huts couldn’t be built facing the street to prevent the Yin energy of the dead bodies from ruining the local feng shui.

I was delighted to have my own Necropsy Workshop in the bureau, so why would I care about feng shui? So I said, ”How can I ever thank you?”