Sword from the Immortal Mountain

Chapter 116: Suppression (two in one)

"stop!"

A majestic shout was heard.

Another group of people came, with a huge force.

The leader was over forty years old, with a broad back and strong waist, and wore a dark blue hat. He had a dignified appearance and was intimidating even without anger.

"Big brother is here."

Chen Shizhen was overjoyed and hurried forward to greet him.

This "big brother" is none other than Chen Shizhi, the head of the eldest of the twelve families.

The so-called "first wife" can also be called "legitimate daughter", with a good family background, the strongest strength and foundation, and an even greater reputation.

In Bojiji Lane, he has the status of being the "master".

Since Chen Shizhi took over as the head of the first house, his reputation has always been fair and good. His two sons, Chen Guiwu and Chen Guiwen, are even more amazing, known as "both civil and military, two heroes of Changle". They are regarded as the future of the clan, and can revitalize the Boji Lane Chen family for a hundred years. If they develop well, they may even lead the clan to go further and become a thousand-year-old family...

Chen Shizhen was delighted by Chen Shizhi's arrival. His presence could calm the situation and avoid an unnecessary fight, which would have prevented blood from spilling all over the abbot's road.

Just a quick glance and I saw that the person standing next to Chen Shizhi was the Taoist boy Mingfeng.

I couldn't help but feel stunned.

In the huge Bojiji Lane, there is actually not only Changsheng Temple that worships here, but there are several other sects of cultivation.

However, among them, Changsheng Temple has an extraordinary status due to its expertise in refining elixirs.

Now that Taoist Priest Song has been assassinated, this matter is bound to cause a big stir. It will also alert the Changsheng Temple headquarters, who will send people to investigate and hold them accountable.

Chen Shizhi brought the Taoist boy Mingfeng with him. Could it be that he is also here to investigate the case?

If that's the case, the momentum is not good.

The joy on Chen Shizhen's face suddenly disappeared.

The dispute between Taoist Song and his family is nothing new, and many people know about it.

Of course, this is not a mortal feud.

It's just that at this critical moment, Song Daoren was killed and Chen Shicheng suffered another misfortune, so it's inevitable that people will make a fuss about it.
Moreover, Chen Jin and Ye Yanke are outsiders.

The biggest characteristic of a clan is that they stick together, burn the same incense together, and worship the same ancestors. Their cohesion is extraordinary.

There may be internal friction and infighting within the clan, but they will also be very united and act in unison against external foes.

This is a natural attitude.

Seeing Chen Shizhi coming, Chen Guizhong sheathed his sword, strode forward, fell to his knees, and cried, "Uncle, you have to take charge of this for me and avenge my father."

Chen Shizhi reached out his hand and helped him up: "Ah Chong, please accept my condolences. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give your family justice."

He turned around and nodded to Chen Shizhen first, then looked at Chen Jin and Ye Yanke and said loudly: "So many people are blocking here, making so much noise, how can it be disgraceful? Let's go first... Third Brother, Ah Zhong, and this Mr. Chen, let's go inside and talk."

After he spoke, Chen Guizhong dared not disobey. He waved his hand and asked his retainers and guards to disperse and wait somewhere else.

Soon, everyone entered the main hall of Chen Shizhen's house and took their seats.

The old butler Chen Bo hurriedly served tea.

Chen Shizhi sat at the head of the group and said in a deep voice, "Overnight, Taoist Priest Song was murdered, and the second brother was attacked by the family spirit and died on the spot. Such a thing has never been heard of in Boji Alley. It is really shocking."

He stated directly, his face solemn: "I have asked Mingfeng, the Taoist boy from Changsheng Temple, and he said that he was watching the fire all night and didn't hear any movement. When daybreak came, he found that the master had been killed. After hearing the news, I immediately led people to investigate the murder scene. Unfortunately, no clues were found. I only know that the murderer's body movements were very good and his swordsmanship was very fast, so that Taoist Song didn't even have a chance to resist before he was stabbed in the heart."

At this point, his eyes swept across the place, finally landing on Chen Jin: "We can't say that Boji Alley is impregnable, but it has always been a well-ordered and stable place. The sudden appearance of a swordsman assassin like this is very disturbing."

Chen Shizhen coughed dryly, "Brother, the murderer killed Taoist Song with one blow. There must be some deep hatred between the two, which may involve a dispute over the cultivation of Taoism. In any case, this matter has nothing to do with my family. You also know that I don't have that ability."

Chen Guizhong said in a hateful voice: "Uncle San, you have no ability, but what about your guests?"

Chen Shizhen said dissatisfiedly, "Ah Chong, what you said is totally unfounded. Did I hire someone to kill Taoist Song and then go and harm your father? This is just nonsense. Besides, Master Chen is a well-mannered scholar and an upright candidate for the examination. He and Taoist Song and your father only met once, and there is no hatred between them at all. What motive do you have?"

"that is because……"

Chen Guizhong was highly regarded by his father, so he knew some of the inside story. He knew about the affair between his father and Taoist Song, and that he had sent his followers to plot against Chen Jin, but failed.

But how can I say such a thing in public?

Isn't that exposing one's own ugliness and losing one's reason?

Chen Shizhi waved his hand and said, "First of all, whether there is any connection between the death of Taoist Song and the death of the second brother is questionable. After all, one was a sword assassination, and the other was a family god transformed into an evil spirit. It is difficult to link the methods and means together."

Chen Shizhen quickly agreed: "Brother, what you said makes sense."

Chen Guizhong said anxiously, "We have nurtured and worshipped our family god for more than 20 years. How could it suddenly turn against us? Someone must be causing trouble."

Chen Shizhen said slowly and logically, "The matter of household gods involves Taoism and incense, which is inherently mysterious and full of variables. I remember that the year before last, there was a problem with the household god invited by the Eighth Family. Fortunately, it was discovered early and the hidden danger was eliminated in time, right? Therefore, Ah Zhong, how can others know what the situation of your household god is? Besides, being able to use magic to make a household god that has been worshipped for twenty years rebel and turn against its master, what kind of magical means is this? Do you think that I, your third uncle, have this magical ability, or do you think that Master Chen has this magical ability?"

These words were well-reasoned and left Chen Guizhong speechless.

Although he was certain that his father and Taoist Song had both had grudges with Chen Jin, the question was, what was the basis on which Chen Jin killed those people?

Could it be that Chen Jin is a god?
How can it be?

Chen Guizhong himself didn't believe it and could only suspect Ye Yanke.

However, if Ye Yanke was so powerful, it was even more ridiculous that he came to work as a bodyguard and coachman for a mere scholar.

In fact, Chen Guizhong was not sure what happened to his father's death. He just came to block people with emotion, took advantage of the issue to get angry, and was unwilling to let Chen Jin take the exam.

Chen Shizhi nodded slightly: "What the third brother said is exactly what puzzles me. In short, this matter is full of doubts. I think that for the death of the second brother, we must first find the escaped family god, capture him and interrogate him, and then the truth will be revealed."

Chen Guizhong replied: "Uncle, I have sent all the people out, but the problem is that I can't find it. I don't know where the evildoer has gone."

Chen Shizhi said: "I will send someone to assist you, and other departments will also help."

Chen Jin, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly stood up and said calmly, "It's getting late. If there's nothing else, I should go out."

Chen Guizhong wanted to stop him, but Chen Shizhi looked at him and he had to hold back his anger and watch Chen Jinyang leave.

Chen Jin and others were relieved to see Chen Jin come out safe and sound.

Chen Jin didn't say much and got into the carriage. Ye Yanke waved the whip and drove away.

……

In the hall, Chen Guizhong felt more and more aggrieved the more he thought about it, and couldn't help shouting, "Uncle, why don't you arrest him? Interrogate him carefully?"

Chen Shizhi asked back: "How can you detain someone without any evidence?"

"In Boji Alley, as long as there is suspicion, it is evidence."

Chen Guizhong was very unconvinced. Chen Shizhi didn't want to debate with a junior, so he waved his hand and said, "If this matter is really related to Chen Jin, where can he go as a candidate? Uncle knows how to handle this matter. You should go out and take people to find the family god. Watch the house carefully and don't let any more trouble happen."

Hearing this, Chen Guizhong was startled and had to say goodbye and leave.

Chen Shizhi had no intention of leaving. He took a sip of tea from his cup and sighed, "This is a troubled time, and it makes me upset."

Chen Shizhen bowed and said, "Thank you, big brother, for handling this matter impartially."

Chen Shizhi looked at him with a half-smile: "Third brother, you have made great progress."

Chen Shizhen was startled: "Why do you say that, brother?"

Chen Shizhi lowered his eyes and said, "When I saw you a while ago, you were still pale and thin, and in a trance. But now, you look radiant and very different."

Chen Shizhen explained: "I used to believe what others said and even sought the elixir of immortality, which caused my family to suffer and almost went bankrupt. Fortunately, someone enlightened me and I was able to turn back to the right path and return to normal."

"Is this person Chen Jin?"

"Yes, Master Chen is very knowledgeable and erudite. After talking with him, I suddenly understood everything."

Chen Shizhen did not deny it. If he did, it would arouse suspicion.

But he only said half of what he wanted to say and kept the other half, including the crucial slap in the face.

Chen Shizhi smiled and said, "From what you said, you are very optimistic about it."

"Well, don't look at his young age. He has just passed the imperial examination. He should have a place in this provincial examination."

"Haha, if that's the case, then isn't he a strong rival of my Guiwen?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shizhen hurriedly said, "Guiwen is the seed of Chen's studies. He is the best candidate for this year's title. How can we compare?"

Chen Shizhi felt very comfortable with this flattering remark. In fact, he did not think that Chen Jin, who came from a rural area, could compete directly with his son.

In each provincial examination, the prefecture and county would admit as many as a hundred people, but there was only one top prize.

So he said, "This is how I handle today's matter. On the one hand, it is indeed a strange thing, and we cannot wrongly accuse a good person; on the other hand, Chen Jin is your guest. I cannot be partial to one side and only care about the second brother and ignore your feelings."

Chen Shizhen bowed again: "Thank you, big brother."

In fact, some words and some things are understood by both parties and there is no need to make them too clear.

The deaths of Taoist Priest Song and Chen Shicheng are not over yet.

If Chen Guizhong found any clues, or if someone from the Changsheng Temple headquarters came and found out something, it would be different.

Chen Shizhi was not afraid that Chen Jin would run away. After all, he was a scholar with a clean background and a reputation. Where could he run away?

What's more, there is the guarantee relationship of Chen Shizhen.

So there is no problem in showing some mercy.

If you think more deeply, if this was really done by Chen Jin, it would be extremely terrifying.

This is incredible.

Chen Jin can kill Taoist Priest Song and Chen Shicheng, so why can’t he kill others?
No matter what, Chen Shizhi never wants to be that "someone else". The dead are dead, and the living should live.

From his point of view, there is really no need to make enemies randomly.

If there is anything, wait until I have passed the provincial examination and someone from Changsheng Temple comes.

After seeing Chen Shizhi off, Chen Shizhen told Awu to close the door, and called his daughter over to ask them to be careful and go out less during this period.

Chen Jin asked: "Father, what happened to the deaths of Taoist Priest Song and Second Uncle?"

Chen Shizhen spread his hands and said, "Who knows? Maybe it's the karma of the enemies they provoked outside. You don't have to think too much about it. It's useless to think about it."

The father and daughter were in sync and neither wanted to involve Chen Jin in this matter.

……

The carriage rumbled out of Fangzhang Road and out of Boji Lane.

During the journey, Ye Yanke was alert while driving the car. He saw a lot of suspicious people following him.

Those were all the retainers in Chen Guizhong's household.

The class of retainers was of mixed origin, including thieves and thieves as well as those who practiced unorthodox methods.

From this we can see that Chen Guizhong was not willing to let Chen Jin go out to take the exam, and even wanted to do something along the way.

However, Chen Shicheng died miserably, and his followers were terrified. However, they were not death warriors and had no intention of dying together with him.

So they followed all the way, but when they couldn't find an opportunity to attack, they stopped, watched the carriage go away, and then turned back.

After leaving Bojiji Lane and arriving at the bustling street, Ye Yanke breathed a sigh of relief.

In the prefectures and counties, even the wealthy and powerful families did not dare to kill people in the streets.

But he did not take it lightly and continued to do his job well.

This time, Chen Jin did not sit on the shaft of the carriage, but sat inside the carriage.

The curtains were drawn and the light inside was dim.

He took the bookcase, stretched out his hand, and took something in his hand. It was a statue of a god.

The one with a human body and a wolf head is none other than the second family god.

At this moment, there is a piece of paper pasted on the head of the statue, with the word "Zhen" written on it.

After all, it was a household god that had been worshipped and nurtured for more than 20 years, and its divine aura had already gained some momentum. It was not easy to make it rebel and turn against its master.

To this end, Chen Jin used the secret method of divine consciousness last night and succeeded.

But after the deity is done, something strange happens to the statue, which becomes haunted by bad luck and may turn into a completely evil spirit.

Therefore, it is necessary to handwrite the character "镇" to suppress it.

Of course, Chen Jin could also destroy it directly, but that would be a pity.

A household god that has been worshipped by a wealthy family for more than 20 years. Both the statue itself and the spirit of the household god are rare items and can be used to refine weapons, command gods, and possess spirits.

But I don’t have time to spare at the moment, so I’ll seal it up for now and put it in my study. I’ll make plans after I pass the provincial examination.

It’s a long way from Boji Lane to the Examination Hall. Since it’s my first time there, I don’t know the way. But there is a map to guide me, and I can ask people if I’m in trouble.

After walking for more than an hour, we finally arrived at Qingyun Inn near the examination hall.

(End of this chapter)