Chapter 8, Autopsy

Moreover, I just noticed that on the back collar of this cassock, there is a seal embroidered with golden threads, which indicates that this cassock was initially crafted during the Tang Dynasty in the imperial court's knitting workshop

Three individuals turned their heads simultaneously, anxiously looking back, only to see a shadowy figure standing in the darkness behind them

This is indeed a very unreasonable corpse

This person has a head that is unable to be seen clearly, with a slender and elongated figure, twisting a string of prayer beads in the darkness, and wearing a distinct smile on their lips

To this day, the humble monk is filled with doubt and no longer wishes to gaze upon this secret until death

Let me tell you about oranges; do not be deceived by those ancient people who speak of righteousness and morality, for they are actually very hypocritical

I have encountered some Buddhist relics from the Tang Dynasty and have seen quite a few good items, but none of the garments worn by the corpses of the monks in those relics can compare to his

The corpses in this underground palace have always been the greatest secret of Tianfa Temple; apart from the current abbot, no one knows the identity of these corpses

There is only one explanation for this situation: the original generation of the abbot knew who this person was, but there was a reason that prevented him from revealing this person to the public, and he could only allow him to die here in secrecy

The person standing in the darkness is undoubtedly Master Dan Xuan, who took a few steps forward while twisting the prayer beads, his eyes fixed on the dry corpse on the table

Amitabha!

What happens after death? The body is dismembered and directly thrown into the grave, with various tragic ways of dying.

Outside, there is an empty coffin placed in the grave, and this is something that cannot be guaranteed

Suddenly, a chillingly cold laugh echoed from the darkness behind, a laugh so eerie that it sent a shiver through one's bones

The official historical records document

Moreover, this person did not suffer before death, did not experience hunger, and certainly did not endure any poison; in other words, they did not undergo any pain and died a natural death

Hi, have you heard those who write history books rambling on aimlessly

The cause of death is likely due to being confined here without seeing the light of day, leading to a state of depression and ultimately death

However, for the past 1000 years, the successive abbots have seen this corpse hidden in the dark room, yet they have died one generation after another without anyone ever knowing the true identity of this corpse, nor has anyone dared to touch it

The original generation of the abbot must have been aware of this matter, yet he chose to ignore it, allowing it to unfold naturally; this is quite illogical

After Pang Wei finished speaking, he looked at Chen Zhi with a beaming smile.

Got it

Moreover, even if this account is not true, given Xuanzang's status at the time, it would have been impossible for him to have carelessly abandoned himself to die in a cellar like that

After a while, Pang Wei took out the silver needle, examined its quality, and turned back to Chen Zhi to speak

These are all recorded in the official history, and such large-scale events are generally not prone to error. Moreover, Xuanzang was in his sixties at the time of his death, which can be considered a natural death. This matter is well-known throughout the country and is difficult to conceal

Do you suspect that this is the corpse of Xuanzang himself

Pang Wei cautiously flipped through for a while, then examined the corpse from head to toe again

Everyone couldn't help but be startled. This person's voice was so faint, it was almost ghostly, to the extent that even the ghostly blade did not notice it

While alive, he burned incense and worshipped Buddha, indicating that he is indeed a true monk, and it is very likely that he was ordained at a young age

While living here, this humble monk must know who this body, passed down since ancient times, truly belongs to

The person stood straight in the darkness, not knowing how long they had been standing there

This temple has been passed down to me for more than one hundred generations

In the year 669 of the Tang Dynasty, the court arranged for the reburial of General Tang in the Xinjiao Temple, which serves to protect the nation and promote education. Emperor Suzong of Tang personally inscribed the words "Xinjiao" on the stupa.

After Pang Wei opened a certain layer, a set of gleaming silver needles was revealed inside, with the thick ones resembling awls and the thin ones even smaller than embroidery needles

On the ninth day of the first month of the reign of Emperor Taizong, Xuanzang's illness became severe, and he passed away at midnight on the fifth day of the second month. More than one hundred thousand people from all walks of life attended his funeral, and his remains were interred at Bailuyuan.

When the benefactor left, the monk mentioned that the benefactor is a person of great commitment, and we will meet again soon

Pang Wei first took out the thickest one and flipped it over the head of the corpse.

Although his clothes are now in a disheveled state, they are made of high-quality materials from the inside out, especially the inner monk's robe, which is exquisitely crafted and as thin as a dragonfly's wing

A monk, dressed in such expensive garments in the temple, met with such a tragic end

Cut

Upon hearing Chen Zhi's words, Pang Wei did not engage in any further conversation. He directly took out a small pouch from his bosom, which contained a set of tools wrapped in deer skin

If things go awry for Master Xuanzang, he may end up being harmed by one of his disciples, confined here until his death without ever being able to leave

Hehe ~ ~ ~

This person, while alive, undoubtedly had an extraordinary identity, perhaps... heh!

I just saw that this person's ear holes are filled with years of accumulated incense residue, and there is also some beneath the hair crown, with no hair roots attached.

Such things are not easily bestowed upon others; they can only be granted to those who have been seen by the Emperor. It seems that this monk is someone who can freely enter and exit the palace.

Moreover, the string of Buddhist beads on his wrist is made of authentic old amber, which was also worth a fortune in that era

If things go awry, this person might just be the one who is accompanied by the Monkey King, riding a white horse

Fat Wei carefully put away his silver needles and placed them back in his bosom

Certainly, no one forced or tortured him during this process

I must tell you that I have personally witnessed some historical figures of great renown in certain ancient tombs, who are indeed remarkable in the historical records

While poisoning you with toxic wine, they also sing your praises and offer you sweet dates

There is no mistake; this is definitely a corpse from the Tang Dynasty, and it should be from the early Tang period, as all the attire matches perfectly

Chen Zhi listened to Pang Wei's words, his eyes downcast, gazing at the corpse on the table

Finally, a very thin long needle was taken out, and it was inserted along the seam of the corpse's ear.

The age of that mummified corpse is indeed exceedingly long, as the five Buddha crowns have fused with the skull, and the bones are extremely fragile. Whether it is the head or the body, it seems that a mere touch would cause it to disintegrate immediately

Chen Zhi lowered his eyes, gazing at the corpse ahead.

Amitabha, the benefactor has indeed returned