Detective Di Renjie: The Luo River Circles the Divine Capital

For seven consecutive days in Chang’an’s Western Market, a wealthy merchant has turned into a charred corpse in his own home on the night of the full moon, the fifteenth of every month. The bodies look untouched on the outside, but their internal organs have been burned to ash, with a faint, exotic fragrance lingering in the ashes.

The Court of Judicial Review has investigated for three months without a clue. Rumor has it that a demon monk from the Western Regions has cast a spell, using people’s bodies to refine souls and prolong his life. Chang’an’s merchants shut themselves indoors, and the night markets grow quiet.

Di Renjie is summoned to the palace by a secret decree from the Empress Dowager.

“Minister Di, I’m giving you only seven days.”

Di Renjie bows and takes his leave. The moment he exits the palace, he heads straight for the coroner’s office with Li Yuanfang. He doesn’t look at the body. Instead, he has someone bring the faint fragrance to his nose and closes his eyes for a long while.

“This isn’t incense.” Di Renjie opens his eyes. “It’s oil. Western Regions hemp oil. It ignites at body temperature, burning the heart without burning the skin.”