Knife splashing

Chapter 754 The truth comes out
Just as dawn was breaking, the tightly closed doors of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce were suddenly pounded on.

The doorman quickly ran over and said that Lu Xiaowu had come again.

Li Yan and the others were puzzled, but they still went to the front hall to meet.

Lu Xiaowu's face wore an expression that was a mixture of excitement and worry. Upon seeing Li Yan and the others, he cupped his hands and deliberately spoke loudly:

"Brother Li, Lord Wang, everyone, we have urgent news!"

His voice was loud enough that he was clearly making sure that others in the courtyard could hear him.

Having tasted success, this guy wanted to reinforce the illusion that he was a key figure in connecting the Twelve Earthly Branches, so that he could seize more benefits in the future.

Li Yan saw through Lu Xiaowu's little scheme but didn't expose it. He calmly asked, "Second Young Master Lu, what brings you here so early?"

Lu Xiaowu took a deep breath: "I just received news, something terrible has happened! The Duke of Yansheng's mansion is in big trouble!"

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "Kong Zhenyuan, the eldest son of the Kong family who is most likely to succeed the Duke Yansheng, last night..."

He died in his own mansion in Jinan!

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.

Before everyone could process this news, Lu Xiaowu dropped an even more shocking detail:
"Moreover, the manner of his death... was extremely gruesome."

Li Yan's eyes sharpened instantly, and Wang Daoxuan also frowned.

Such a brutal method of killing is clearly not an ordinary revenge killing or political struggle.

Lu Xiaowu's news wasn't over yet: "Misfortune never comes singly! Almost simultaneously, Kong Shang'an, the grandson of the Duke Yansheng—who is also Kong Zhenyuan's son—who was at the ancestral home in Qufu, also fell victim to a vicious attack last night, having his head cut off!"

Kong Shangzhao's face immediately turned ugly. He was at odds with Kong Shang'an and his son, so he naturally didn't care whether they lived or died.

The key point is that with the deaths of Kong Zhenyuan and his son, his father's situation became precarious.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Lu Xiaowu added, "There's even more important news! With this incident, Mingde Academy has also been alerted, and Master Lu Hongyuan has personally come to Jinan Prefecture to oversee the situation!"

"Lu Hongyuan is coming?"

Upon hearing this name, Li Yan's expression became more serious.

Lu Hongyuan was one of the ten grandmasters of China. He combined Xingyi, Bagua, and Taiji boxing into one, using Confucianism to form the way of both literature and martial arts.

Skill level is secondary; the key factor is one's status.

He was a leader-level figure within Confucianism, wielding considerable influence in the imperial court.

The air seemed to freeze, and a heavy pressure enveloped the entire foyer.

Wang Daoxuan seemed to be deep in thought, stroking his beard as he asked, "How did Kong Zhenyuan die?"

Lu Xiaowu said in a low voice, "I heard that the perpetrator dug open his Baihui acupoint, poured mercury into it, and his entire skin was peeled off."

"Mercury pouring over the head." Wang Daoxuan's expression changed slightly. "This torture might be problematic."

Looking at everyone's gaze, he said in a deep voice, "This punishment was used by the founding emperor of our dynasty. He would fill corrupt officials with mercury, peel off their skin, and stuff it into straw as a warning to others. Later, it was abolished. There are also some evil practices in Tantric Buddhism, such as peeling skin to make drums."

"There's another one."

Kuai Dayou crossed his arms and shook his head, saying, "Ancient alchemists used this method to imprison the souls of the living and bury them with the dead to guard the tomb."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan said in a deep voice, "No matter which one it is, it indicates a deep-seated hatred. It seems that the cause and effect of this matter lies with Kong Zhenyuan and his son. Perhaps it is related to the person we captured last night. Have you obtained a confession from him?"

"No."

Lu Xiaowu replied, "Last night, the two factions of the Kong family made a huge scene at the yamen. After they left, that man took advantage of the jailer's inattention and committed suicide by running his head against an iron nail."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. "That person is a master of Chuojiao Anjin (a type of martial arts) and was willing to sacrifice himself. He was probably protecting someone."

Lu Xiaowu shook his head and said, "I don't know. His Highness asked me to remind you all that this matter is too big. It's best to wake up Manager Kong as soon as possible and get his confession. Otherwise, once Master Lu arrives in Jinan, there might be unexpected changes."

"Please thank Your Highness for the reminder on my behalf." Li Yan solemnly clasped his hands in thanks.

After he left, everyone looked at Wang Daoxuan.

"It's not a big problem."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and said, "I estimate he'll wake up around noon."

…………

The atmosphere in the signing room of the government office was frighteningly low.

Master Zhao Tong's face was ashen, and his eyes burned with barely suppressed rage.

He cracked his knuckles as he slammed his palm on the hard wooden table.

"boom!"

The heavy rosewood desk cracked open, causing the teacups to jump and the scalding tea to splash onto the official documents.

"The dignified Duke Yansheng died suddenly in the Confucius Temple! The mastermind and his informant committed suicide right under your noses! Kong Zhenyuan and his son died on their bed! Your Jinan government..." He looked around at the Jinan prefect, the provincial inspector, the military commander and others who dared not breathe, his voice low but each word like a knife.

"Well done!"

The prefect of Jinan was drenched in cold sweat: "Master Zhao, please calm down... This matter is far too bizarre; the villains are ruthless and cunning, far from ordinary..."

Since it involved the Kong family, he originally didn't want to get involved in this case and only wanted to play a supporting role, but he didn't expect the situation to turn out like this.

"Excuse!"

Zhao Tong interrupted angrily, unleashing a surge of powerful energy that extinguished all the candlelight in the hall.

"The deaths of Kong Zhenyuan and his son must be connected to the massacre at the ancestral hall! Is this how you try to fool us?"

Seeing Zhao Tong's anger about to burst forth, the Jinan prefect hurriedly said, "Master, don't be anxious! I have already found Bai Lao Jiu, one of the three great constables of Qilu, known as 'Ghost-Slayer,' who has arrived in Jinan Prefecture at this moment."

……

The coroner's office of the Jinan Prefectural Government.

The atmosphere was colder than the ice cellar where the corpses were kept.

Bai Lao Jiu, the divine constable who was urgently summoned, had white hair and beard, wore a faded coarse cloth outfit, and was thin but as tough as iron.

He was slightly hunched over, his face, covered with age spots and deep wrinkles, was expressionless, except for his eyes, which reflected a chilling light in the dim oil lamp, and his fingertips were twirling a few pieces of dark brown wood.

These are clues and evidence that were just retrieved from the ancestral hall in Qufu.

The Provincial Administration Commissioner of Qilu, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, the Prefect, and Zhao Tong, whose face was ashen, were all present.

Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the renowned old detective.

Everyone has their own area of ​​expertise, and when it comes to investigating cases alone, this person can be considered a master.

A thick stack of files lay on the table, containing not only the details of Li Qi's case before and after it occurred, but also the two cases of the tragic deaths of Kong Zhenyuan and his son.

“This case isn’t difficult.” Bai Laojiu’s voice was dry and hoarse.

He picked up a larger fragment and carefully turned it over under the lamp, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. "Li Qi's place of origin, Pingdu Prefecture, is true. But the root is in Lijia'ao, Laoshan. This is a fragment of ebony. I will restore it completely. It is a wine jar."

"The remaining talismanic markings inside the wine jar are the 'Hidden Trace Talisman' recorded in the 'Seven Tablets of the Cloudy Bookcase'!"

"This talisman is not something a wandering sorcerer could create; it is a profound secret of Taoism, capable of 'concealing one's breath and hiding one's life force like a stubborn rock or rotten wood'! To be able to carve this talisman and place it in a urn in Laoshan, one must also have a past connection with Lijia'ao..."

The voice suddenly turned cold: "Only a top expert from the Xuanmen sect can do this!"

He walked to the picture of the Confucius Temple and continued, "The other party should be using the sacrificial wine as bait to hide their murderous intent."

"There was a sacrificial ceremony before the incident. Someone hid in this urn and infiltrated the important storeroom of the Confucius Temple. On the night of the incident, there was a sudden rainstorm and thunder. The guards heard strange noises in the storeroom but thought it was just the wind and rain. Meanwhile, the murderer was hiding in the urn and using a secret technique such as bone shrinking. He had been lying in ambush for a long time!"

"The wound on the Duke of Yansheng's heart was as narrow as a finger, and his heart vessels were completely shattered, yet there was very little bleeding! This was caused by the extreme Qi flowing into his fingertip, condensing and not dispersing, instantly extinguishing his life force. Its speed was as fast as lightning, which is why the dead died silently."

"Such ruthlessness and efficiency are no ordinary acts of revenge; they are clearly the thunderous methods of revenge meticulously planned by a Taoist master!"

The words fell silent as the coroner's room fell into dead silence.

"Top Master of the Xuanmen", "Secret Talisman of the Seven Signs of the Cloud Book", "Taoist Bone Shrinking Technique", "One Finger of Qi"... each word struck like a heavy hammer.

The matter involves a master of the Xuanmen sect, making the situation increasingly complicated.

Given the status of the Kong family, what force would dare to be so arrogant?
"Has it been investigated?"

Just then, a gentle voice rang out. Everyone was startled and quickly turned their heads.

But then, a figure appeared in the prison cell, dressed in a moon-white scholar's robe and a blue-gray crane cloak.

He was slender and tall, with a graceful and vigorous demeanor. His hair and beard were white with a hint of black, and his eyes were clear and deep.

His temperament was as calm as an abyss, majestic yet otherworldly.

"Master!"

Zhao Tong quickly bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

The visitor was none other than Lu Hongyuan, one of the Ten Great Masters of China.

"Greetings, Master Lu."

The other officials also dared not be negligent and bowed respectfully.

Lu Hongyuan was not only a master, but also a first-rate scholar in the Confucian world.

After listening to Zhao Tong's report, he remained expressionless and said, "Manager Kong's soul was taken away, and he was in the ancestral hall that night, so he should know some inside information. Judging by the time, it's about time."

Zhao Tong quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "This disciple will call them here immediately."

Lu Hongyuan said calmly, "It is 'please,' please don't be rude."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tong's face immediately turned bright red.

…………

"Ladies and gentlemen, this way please!"

Zhao Tong led the way with his hand raised, speaking politely, but his expression was very unpleasant.

He simply couldn't understand why his master was so polite to these younger martial arts practitioners.

Li Yan and the others were too lazy to argue with him, their attention drawn to the figure in the hall.

"Greetings, Senior Lu."

No one dared to be negligent, and they all bowed and greeted each other.

"No need to be polite."

Unexpectedly, Zhao Tong was arrogant, but Master Lu was very amiable.

In the courtroom, Master Lu not only summoned their group, but also Kong Zhenlin and several influential elders of the Kong family, clearly intending to thoroughly investigate the case.

Although Manager Kong still looked haggard after being treated with Wang Daoxuan's medicine and magic, his mind had cleared.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Manager Kong began to recount that nightmarish night.

"That night... the Duke Yansheng summoned me to the ancestral hall. I thought it was about the old grudge between my sons, Shang'an and Shangzhao... I was quite uneasy. But upon meeting him, the Duke Yansheng was exceptionally polite. He first sighed about the recent disputes within the family, then mentioned that the matter was over and told me not to worry anymore, and to just focus on running the shop well..."

No one was surprised to hear this.

They had already found out the reason: Kong Shangzhao had found a powerful backer in the capital.

Luo Mingzi wrote the letter personally, and the Kong family did not want to offend anyone for such a trivial matter.

"Who is the perpetrator?!" Kong Zhenlin asked impatiently.

Kong Zhenyuan is dead. As long as it is found that he has no connection with the matter, then the position of Duke Yansheng is within reach.

"What are you in a hurry for?"

Li Yan glanced at it, showing no respect whatsoever.

Kong Zhenlin was about to get angry, but seeing Lu Hongyuan's expressionless face, she didn't dare to say anything more.

Manager Kong swallowed hard, his eyes filled with fear, and said, "I was just thanking the Duke Yansheng for his kindness... but suddenly, the doors and windows of the ancestral hall moved without any wind, and a strange man wearing an old gray Taoist robe, with a scar on his face and eyes like icicles, appeared behind the Duke Yansheng as if... as if he 'seeped' out of the shadows!"

"The strange man only said, 'Do you remember Caiwei?' and then reached out and poked her."

"The Duke of Yansheng didn't even manage a groan before his body went limp!"

"I was terrified at the time, my mind went blank. The strange man seemed to have just noticed me and turned his head... his eyes... were so cold they could freeze a person's soul."

"Ok?"

Zhao Tong sensed something was wrong. "This person is ruthless, why didn't he kill you?"

Manager Kong sighed, "He explained the reason. Twenty years ago, when I passed through Laoshan, a village was massacred by Japanese pirates, and many people's bodies were left to rot in the wilderness. I couldn't bear it, so I paid someone to bury them."

"Although he didn't kill me, he put a dark, bone-like or pottery-like thing over my head."

"When I wake up again, it will be now..."

After listening to Manager Kong's account, everyone's expressions turned solemn.

Shopkeeper Kong's testimony was exactly the same as the deduction made by Detective Bai Laojiu.

The only question is, who exactly is that person?

Everyone frowned in confusion, but Kong Zhenlin's expression became somewhat unnatural when she heard "Caiwei".

"Zhenlin, do you know anything?"

Lu Hongyuan noticed this keenly and asked directly.

Kong Zhenlin opened his mouth, his expression somewhat unpleasant, "Regarding this matter... Master Lu, could you please have the others leave?"

Lu Hongyuan calmly replied, "It has been over, and everyone has seen it."

This saying comes from the Analects of Confucius, Book 14, Chapter 16, where Zigong says: “The mistakes of a gentleman are like eclipses of the sun and moon. When he makes a mistake, everyone sees it; when he corrects it, everyone looks up to him.”

What I'm saying here is that since the scandal is already widely known, there's no point in hiding it.

Kong Zhenlin felt bitter and could only bite the bullet and say, "I know a little about this matter."

"Twenty years ago, when my brother Zhenyuan was traveling in Jiaodong, he met a woman named Caiwei, and the two fell in love. However, my father believed that marrying a woman from the Jianghu would be a disgrace to the family, so he repeatedly pressured and coerced her. In the end, the woman could not bear the pressure and committed suicide by jumping into the sea. My brother Zhenyuan did not dare to disobey his father and returned home to marry and have children."

It's been twenty years again!

Everyone couldn't help but look at Manager Kong.

It all happened twenty years ago. Could there be some other story behind the robbery at Lijia'ao?

Upon seeing this, Kong Zhenlin's face turned pale, and he hurriedly retorted, "Impossible! Father only forbids Zhenyuan from marrying; he hasn't even seen the woman yet. How could he slaughter the entire village over this..."

He was anxious; if this were true, it would be a major blow to the reputation of the Kong family.

Lu Hongyuan paused for a moment, "That's the Thunder Law Martial Arts. I'll write a letter later and send it to Laoshan to find out who the cultivator from Lijia'ao is who recently broke through the cultivation barrier."

"The murderer will be punished by law, and if the Kong family has made any mistakes, they should also bear the consequences."

"Master Lu is wise."

Many officials present bowed in greeting.

Regardless of the truth of the matter, no one can find fault with Lu Hongyuan's handling of the situation.

With the matter resolved, the officials took their leave, and the Kong family members also departed with grim expressions.

They suddenly realized the consequences.

The position of Duke Yansheng may not necessarily be inherited by the Northern Confucian family.

"Please wait a moment, everyone of the Twelve Earthly Branches."

Just as Li Yan and the others were about to take their leave, Lu Hongyuan called them back.

Li Yan became wary and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "What are your instructions, senior?"

Lu Hongyuan looked at him calmly, then suddenly spoke.

"I would like to ask Young Master Li to help me kill someone!"

(End of this chapter)