Longevity from Liao Zhai

Chapter 111 Taking the blame
Song Tianhu, dead?

Although the bailiff spoke in a low voice, Zhou Ping heard what he said.

An eighth-grade person died just like that?

Wang Cheng's expression kept changing, and then he looked at Zhou Ping with a complicated expression: "Zhou Ping, you didn't kill this man, did you?"

Song Tianhu had only been in Qinghe County for one day. Although he was arrogant, he had not offended anyone. If he had offended anyone, it would be Zhou Ping.

Moreover, Zhou Ping is of the eighth rank, and he also has the ability to kill Song Tianhu.

Zhou Ping knew what Wang Cheng meant by asking this question. Of course he would not admit it. Even if Zhou Ping killed him, he would not admit it.

"I was playing cards with Master Fan Shiyi last night. We played all night long." Zhou Ping directly presented his alibi.

Song Tianhu has a gang above him, and also has a brother who is a seventh-rank official.

Zhou Ping doesn't want to take the blame for others.

Wang Cheng heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this. He also didn't want Zhou Ping to kill anyone.

I chose Zhou Ping not only because of his past accomplishments, but also because of his cautious character.

Zhou Ping would not take the initiative to cause trouble for himself.

What I want is an ally who doesn't cause trouble.

"People will definitely suspect you in this matter, but you have Master Fan Shiyi as a guarantee, so it should be fine." Wang Cheng said.

Fan Shiyi is a Confucian scholar of the third rank. If such a person gives an alibi, others will definitely believe it!

Zhou Ping originally wanted to move Liu Ruyan and He Yunqing out, but thinking that He Yunqing was still single, he decided not to affect her.

The girl's reputation is more important. Fan Shiyi's evidence alone is enough.

"Zhou Ping, you should be careful recently."

"Firstly, Qinghe County is not peaceful. Many outsiders have come here, and they are all very powerful."

"Song Tianhu was killed, which means there are people higher than the eighth rank in Chengli."

"Besides, if Song Tianhu dies, his brother will definitely come to cause trouble."

"His brother Song Tianlong is not someone you can easily mess with."

Wang Cheng briefly explained a few things to Zhou Ping, and then left in a hurry. He also wanted to see Song Tianhu's body.

After Wang Cheng left, Zhou Ping felt something was wrong. Song Tianhu had just clashed with him and died. Anyone would suspect him.

It is true that the tree wants to be still, but the wind does not stop.

Zhou Ping felt a growing sense of urgency.

Zhou Ping had always wanted to earn a living as a escort in peace, but he was still being targeted.

Although he was targeted because of the vajra this time, one could never be sure if he would be targeted because of something else next time.

"I must improve my strength quickly." Zhou Ping thought that he should not only improve his cultivation, but also improve all kinds of strengths.

Zhou Ping touched the magic knife Qianren on his waist. Fortunately, he had the magic knife Qianren, which made Zhou Ping feel a little more at ease.

With this knife, dealing with the seventh rank shouldn't be a problem.

Qinghe County.

Chen Li was cracking melon seeds, with two pieces of melon seed shells on the corners of her mouth. As she spoke, the melon seed shells flew everywhere, and several pieces of melon seed shells fell on her face.

However, the crowd was not angry. Instead, they listened to her bragging seriously.

"Hey, you don't know that we already have two eighth-grade masters in Qinghe County!"

"One of them is Captain Leng, and the other is Zhou Ping."

The crowd of onlookers was suddenly in an uproar.

In recent times, many foreign cultivators have come here to hunt for treasures.

These cultivators are very powerful, some even surpass the eighth rank.

The officials in Qinghe County were very low-key and did not dare to patrol at night. They allowed these cultivators to fight each other.

Ordinary people don't dare to speak harshly in front of foreign cultivators.

It’s because Qinghe County doesn’t have any experts.

But Chen Li told the crowd that Qinghe County not only had masters, but also two of them.

"Captain Leng is an eighth-rank official. We already know when Zhou Ping reached the eighth-rank official. What eighth-rank official is he?"

"Yes, yes, I heard that Zhou Ping's eighth rank was not obtained legitimately, but with the help of external forces."

Some onlookers also know that Zhou Ping is an eighth-grade cultivator.

Chen Li cleared his throat. He was very clear about this matter.

"Zhou Ping obtained the Tenth Level of Buddhism with my son Erdan at Jinhua Temple. Both of us received the Tenth Level of Initiation."

"As for the ninth rank, it was when Fan Shiyi used the relic to help him deal with the rat demon that Zhou Ping absorbed some of the Buddha's power, so he entered the ninth rank."

"As for the eighth rank, it was Jinhua Temple that helped. Zhou Ping was indebted to Jinhua Temple, so Jinhua Temple helped him reach the eighth rank."

Chen Li listened to Chen Erdan talk about the origin of Zhou Ping's cultivation, especially the eighth level of cultivation.

However, there was a lie in these words, that is, Chen Erdan's tenth-grade cultivation was not obtained from Jinhua Temple, but another monk helped Chen Erdan break through.

However, in order not to make her son appear inferior to Zhou Ping, Chen Li said that they both entered the tenth rank at the Jinhua Temple at the same time.

The crowd immediately understood. They were still a little in awe of Zhou Ping at first, after all, Zhou Ping was already an eighth-rank master.

But after hearing what Chen Li said, it seems that Zhou Ping's cultivation was all achieved with the help of external forces.

The eighth level obtained by spending money!
This made the onlookers feel that Zhou Ping was one level lower than Captain Leng. After all, Captain Leng's cultivation was all acquired through his own practice.

"Hey, don't take the cultivation gained through initiation as not being cultivation. This is the eighth rank!" Chen Li said proudly. Her son Erdan had a very good relationship with Zhou Ping.

As Zhou Ping's status rose, her son's status also rose.

What Chen Li said was right. Even if it was the eighth level of cultivation gained through initiation, it was still the eighth level!
Ordinary people are no match for Zhou Ping.

The spectators nodded. They put Zhou Ping after Captain Leng and before the others.

"Hey, you know, an eighth-rank person died in Qinghe County last night."

"I heard about it, too. Not only one eighth-rank, but also several other tenth-rank. They died in the mass grave outside the city."

"That's right, that's right. I heard from the people in the government that there is only one killer."

"Yes, I heard that too. This dead eighth-rank master had a grudge against Zhou Ping."

"Yes, some people say that Zhou Ping killed him."

The onlookers heard the news that Song Tianhu was dead, and the rumor spread that Zhou Ping killed him.

Because this person had just arrived in Qinghe County not long ago, and he only made an enemy of Zhou Ping.

"Hey, you are wrong." Chen Li explained, "This man was definitely not killed by Zhou Ping!"

The onlookers immediately became interested.

"You said Zhou Ping didn't kill him. What evidence do you have?"

"That's right, show me the evidence."

Chen Li was not in a hurry. She cracked a few melon seeds in her mouth. She didn't say until the crowd couldn't wait any longer. "Last night, Zhou Ping played bridge with Madam Liu and Miss He all night."

"You said the fight lasted all night?"

"Yes, did you see it with your own eyes?"

The crowd was unconvinced, and they preferred to believe that it was Zhou Ping who killed Song Tianhu. "Hey, this is what Miss He said herself! Miss He said in the pharmacy that they played cards all night."

"Ms. He, a virgin, would she joke about her own innocence?"

Chen Li said immediately.

After this was said, the onlookers believed it.

He Yunqing had not yet married, and she played cards with others all night long, which was a very damaging thing to her reputation.

But since He Yunqing said so, it is probably true.

“Since it’s not Zhou Ping, I don’t know who can kill the eighth rank.”

"Hey, there are so many outsiders coming to the city recently. Who knows, one of them might kill him if he doesn't like him."

"I think so. There have been a lot of new faces coming to the city recently. These people may be murderers."

"Yeah, I don't think Zhou Ping is someone who can kill more than a dozen people."

"After all, Zhou Ping's cultivation was achieved with the help of external forces, so it's not that powerful."

Everyone talked about it and gradually cleared Zhou Ping of suspicion.

"Captain Leng, I didn't expect Qinghe County to have another eighth-rank official."

Zhang Sheng and Captain Leng were walking on the street, one on each side. Zhang Sheng had become an accountant in Qinghe County on Captain Leng's recommendation.

Zhang Sheng is the former Magistrate Mao, and his current body is of the tenth rank of Confucianism.

In order to investigate the anomalies in Qinghe County with Captain Leng, he sought a job in the government office.

The head constable snorted coldly: "He is just a small escort who has reached the level of Buddhist cultivation with the help of external forces."

There is some conflict between Captain Leng and Zhou Ping.

During the tunnel trip, Zhou Ping stole all the limelight.

In the tunnel, Fan Shiyi ignored Captain Leng and was very interested in Zhou Ping instead.

Because Fan Shiyi was interested in Zhou Ping, he always followed the people from the escort agency instead of the people from the government office.

It was precisely this point that caused heavy losses to the people led by Captain Leng.

"I didn't expect that this kid could reach the ninth rank with the power of the relic." Captain Leng hated himself.

He felt that if Fan Shiyi had bestowed the power of the relic on himself at that time, he would have been able to deal with the rat demon, and maybe even reach a higher level of Buddhist cultivation.

"Rumor has it that this kid did a favor to Jinhua Temple, so Jinhua Temple helped him to reach the eighth level. I don't know what kind of favor could make Jinhua Temple help him." Zhang Sheng couldn't figure it out.

The head constable snorted coldly: "You don't know this, right? It's because Zhou Ping has grasped the weak spot of Jinhua Temple."

Zhang Sheng didn't understand.

It turned out that it was Captain Leng who had arranged for Master He to ask Junior Brothers Fayuan and Puming from Jinhua Temple to deal with Zhou Ping.

However, later on, Mr. He died, and Pu Ming also died.

In addition, Zhou Ping said that he had done a favor to Jinhua Temple.

Captain Leng speculated that Zhou Ping must have discovered the identities of his two junior apprentice brothers, so Pu Ming helped Zhou Ping to reach the eighth level.

"So it's quite a feat for Zhou Ping to survive under the control of Pu Ming and Fa Yuan." Zhang Sheng discovered the problem.

Captain Leng was even more disdainful. He asked Fa Yuan about this matter.

Although Fa Yuan's explanation was vague, Captain Leng guessed that it was Fa Yuan who took the initiative to expose his identity, which was why Zhou Ping caught him.

"An eighth-grade warrior who came here with the help of external forces is nothing to be afraid of." Captain Leng didn't take Zhou Ping seriously at all. What he was worried about now was who killed Song Tianhu.

Captain Leng has already visited the scene and found that there was only one murderer.

Except for Song Tianhu, the other tenth-grade masters were killed by the murderer with a single blow.

Even I can't do this.

This means that the person in the dark is at least an eighth-rank official, and most likely a seventh-rank official. With such a person in Qinghe County, Captain Leng feels very uncomfortable.

Qinghe County.

County Magistrate Lu had a worried look on his face.

"Song Tianhu could have died anywhere else, but he had to die here." County Magistrate Lu had a worried look on his face.

He knew the identity of Song Tianhu.

County Magistrate Lu was also from Qianzhou City and had also heard of the Dragon and Tiger List.

However, with his status, he is unable to make friends with those on the Dragon and Tiger List.

County Magistrate Lu’s father did have some connections with Song Tianlong.

Song Tianlong is a very cruel person, and anyone who offends him will have a bad ending.

If the other party is not an official, Song Tianhu will choose to kill him to silence him.

If the other party is an official, Song Tianhu will collect all kinds of evidence of this person's crimes and then report him.

It was precisely because of this brutality that Song Tianhu quickly established his foothold in Qianzhou City. No one in the underworld or the underworld dared to mess with Song Tianhu.

In addition to his cultivation, Song Tianhu's greatest reliance is the prefect of Qianzhou County.

Song Tianhu once saved the county magistrate's life, so the county magistrate treated this man with courtesy.

With the support of the top leader of Qianzhou County and his own cultivation, Song Tianhu thrived in Qianzhou City.

Wang Cheng said on the side: "Sir, according to Captain Leng's investigation, the murderer is at least an eighth-rank, or even a seventh-rank."

"Could it be that Zhou Ping? Didn't you say that Song Tianhu has only been here for one day and he has some hatred towards him?" asked County Magistrate Lu.

Wang Cheng hurriedly explained, "Impossible! Captain Leng said that Zhou Ping's cultivation was all obtained with the help of external forces. It is impossible for him to kill Song Tianhu."

County Magistrate Lu became even more resentful and wanted to find a scapegoat.

Wang Cheng saw through Magistrate Lu's thoughts, so he said, "Sir, there are many outsiders in the city, just put the blame on them."

Wang Cheng didn't want Zhou Ping to be involved in this matter, so he wanted to speak up for Zhou Ping.

County Magistrate Lu knew the relationship between Wang Cheng and Zhou Ping, and Wang Cheng had already told County Magistrate Lu about this matter.

"I know you want to protect Zhou Ping, but I think Zhou Ping is in danger." County Magistrate Lu shook his head and said.

Wang Cheng was shocked and asked hurriedly, "Sir, what do you mean by that?"

County Magistrate Lu explained: "Even if Zhou Ping didn't kill Song Tianhu, Song Tianhu and Zhou Ping have a grudge. Just for this matter, Song Tianlong will not let Zhou Ping go."

"Song Tianlong is a very protective person, and he is vindictive."

"It would be fine if we can find the person who killed Song Tianhu, but if we can't find him, Song Tianlong will definitely put his anger on Zhou Ping."

County Magistrate Lu knew Song Tianlong's character, so he explained.

Wang Cheng's heart sank after hearing this. He had just established a good relationship with Zhou Ping, and Zhou Ping also promised to help Wang Cheng.

Is Zhou Ping going to die?

"After Zhou Ping's death, the He family's money should be collected. Do you understand?" County Magistrate Lu said. He already regarded Zhou Ping as a dead man.

If it weren't for this incident, County Magistrate Lu would be very willing to let Zhou Ping protect the He family.

As the saying goes, if you have done nothing wrong, you won’t be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door. County Magistrate Lu had done many things that were wrong, and he was afraid of ghosts, so he also wanted to make friends with Zhou Ping.

Wang Cheng felt mixed emotions when he heard what County Magistrate Lu said. If Zhou Ping was really killed by Song Tianlong, that would be the only way.

After all, the other party is of the seventh rank!

(End of this chapter)