I inherited my grandfather's Tang Dynasty assets.

Chapter 20 Ascension Ceremony

"Where exactly did the problem lie?"

Chen Yue was completely baffled.

Seeing this, Liu Boyan wanted to change the subject to ease the tension.

"Brother Fan, sir, let's not talk about this for now. If it really is murder, we can investigate it carefully when we get back and we'll surely find some clues."

The annual Ascension Ceremony is in three days. Would you be interested in attending and joining the festivities, sir?

"An Ascension Ceremony? What does that mean?"

Chen Yue's attention was successfully diverted. Judging from the name, it sounded like some kind of ceremony, but the words "ascension to immortality" were quite interesting.

Liu Boyan smiled and explained it to him in detail.

The so-called Ascension Ceremony began five years ago in Chang'an. In the eighth year of Zhenguan, a Taoist priest who called himself "Yu Ming Zhenren" came to the Immortal Cultivation Hall in Chang'an.

With his extraordinary "magic skills," this man quickly became the most famous mage in the cultivation workshop, gaining many followers. In addition to performing rituals for people, he was also skilled in alchemy, and his elixirs were very popular.

On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month in the ninth year of the Zhenguan era, the Jade Bright Immortal initiated the first Ascension Ceremony at his Jade Bright Pavilion.

It is said that a sacrificial ceremony will be held for all those who have died this year, so that their souls can ascend to the celestial realm, especially those who died violently, so that their homes can be blessed with peace.

Anyone who wants to pray for the deceased family members can participate, but a certain amount of money needs to be paid. There is no limit to the amount; you can give more or less.

When the imperial court learned of this, it praised the act, and from then on, an ascension ceremony was held every year on the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, which was quite a lively event.

Fan Tao looked displeased.

"Boyan, you and I are both scholars who have studied the classics. Do you really believe in such things? It's just a way to make money under that name. That Master Yuming is a fraud."

"Brother Fan, whether it's true or not, his intentions are good. It wouldn't hurt for me to go and see what's going on, and everyone in Chang'an knows the name of Shennong Envoy."

If Your Excellency is truly willing to go, you will surely attract the attention of all of Chang'an.

Chen Shan died in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, which explains why he never mentioned this to me.

Chen Yue really wanted to go and see it, but he could only dream about it.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, as if he had just realized something.

"Liu Boyan, the Ascension Ceremony is so captivating; this Jade Bright Immortal must possess some real skills. Will anything else happen on the day of the ceremony?"

"Forgive my ignorance, but the other matter you are referring to is..."

"For example, he might demonstrate some of his magical abilities; otherwise, why would people believe he can help the dead ascend to immortality and willingly pay him money?"

Liu Boyan smiled.

"Oh, every year at the Ascension Ceremony, True Person Yu Ming holds a sacrificial ceremony. As for immortal arts, I've never heard of them, but many people are willing to spend some money to seek some peace of mind."

After hearing the description, Chen Yue's first impression was that Master Yuming was a charlatan.

"From what you've said, this Ascension Ceremony is nothing special, and True Man Yuming can't demonstrate any immortal techniques, so I guess..."

In the years that followed, fewer and fewer people participated in the Ascension Ceremony.

Fan Tao sneered.

"That's natural. The people of our Great Tang are not uncivilized barbarians. Since the second Ascension Ceremony, the number of participants has gradually decreased."

To be precise, fewer and fewer people are willing to pay money to buy an ascension token; most people are just there to watch the spectacle. The idea of ​​letting the dead ascend to immortality is absurd from the start.

"Lord Fan, judging from what you've said, this Jade Bright Immortal must also be a buyer of the Manjusaka flower."

Fan Tao, who had been completely indifferent, suddenly snapped to attention and looked at Chen Yue.

"My lord, are you saying that Master Yuming is the murderer? That's impossible. As far as I know, he has never had any dealings with the Hu family. Why would he want to take someone's life?"

Chen Yue didn't think that way, but his thoughts were gradually becoming clearer.

I can't recall exactly where I saw the case, but it seemed to be part of a novel.

The murderer was a coffin shop owner who, because his family business was not doing well, had wicked thoughts.

First, they spent a lot of money to hire a shill, saying that as long as you buy his coffin, the deceased can go to the Western Paradise. In particular, those who die violently will have a lingering vengeful spirit that will have a bad influence on the living in their families.

Then, using clandestine methods, he murdered several family members of local wealthy businessmen, forcing them to buy his most expensive coffins.

The protagonist of this novel is a detective who travels through time and becomes the local magistrate, solving the case in just a few days.

Although the two are completely different, they share several striking similarities.

First, they all involve feudal superstition and are used to amass wealth for themselves.

Secondly, both Master Yuming and the coffin shop owner encountered difficulties.

Third, the deceased were all wealthy local businessmen.

Hu Shanren was extremely wealthy and was also a royal merchant. He had a great influence in Chang'an because of his philanthropy.

Therefore, Chen Yue had reason to suspect that Yu Ming Zhenren was unwilling to accept the declining influence of the Ascension Conference and wanted to gain more people's trust and participation.

So he planned this murder, in which Hu Shanren's two sons died tragically in their home. The story of the "blood child" causing harm spread, causing panic among the locals.

If Hu Shanren pays to participate in the Ascension Conference and successfully captures the "Blood Child," the Ascension Conference will surely become famous overnight!

The only thing Chen Yue couldn't understand was how Master Yuming managed to administer hallucinogenic drugs to the Chen brothers over a long period and hypnotize them. It was impossible for someone other than a close relative to do that.

"grown ups?"

Seeing that Chen Yue was lost in thought and remained silent for a long time, Fan Tao waved his hand in front of his eyes, which brought Chen Yue back to his senses.

"Lord Fan, Hu Shanren has just lost two sons and must be in great grief. Even if it's just to seek some psychological comfort, he should still attend this Ascension Ceremony."

Fan Tao shook his head.

"I'm not sure about this either, but it's highly likely."

Chen Yue's thoughts became clearer and clearer, and he squinted his eyes as he spoke.

"With Hu Shanren's wealth, if he were to participate in the Ascension Ceremony, he would definitely contribute a lot of money, and this matter has already caused quite a stir in Chang'an."

If he were to actually participate, he would undoubtedly attract a lot of attention. And if, at that moment, Master Yuming were to announce that he had captured the "Blood Child," what do you think would happen, Lord Fan?

Fan Tao's expression changed drastically, and he suddenly stood up.

"If that's the case, it will definitely make many people in Chang'an believe in Master Yuming again, and the number of participants will increase dramatically in an instant."

But can he really catch the Blood Child?

Chen Yue picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a smile played on his lips.

"No one has ever seen the Blood Child. As long as the Blood Child doesn't come out to harm people in the future, the people will believe it."

Fan Tao's breathing became somewhat rapid; he had fully understood Chen Yue's unspoken meaning.

"Does Your Excellency mean that all of this was done by Master Yuming? He used the pollen of the Manluo flower to cause the Chen brothers to die in a bizarre way."

Then the rumor of the Blood Child seeking revenge spread, making everyone in the people feel insecure. At the height of the incident, he held an ascension ceremony.

His purpose was to get Hu Shanren to participate and use this event to make the Ascension Conference famous. The so-called Blood Child did not exist at all; he only needed to find a "Blood Child" to be a scapegoat.

"Yes, that's certainly a reason to kill, and he just happened to be able to buy datura pollen."

Liu Boyan understood, but there was still one thing he didn't understand, so he immediately asked about it.