Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 103: A Meticulously Planned Scheme, A Shocking Conspiracy

"Chen Jieyuan, you!"

When Ma Lao arrived, he saw Chen Jin killing Wei Shen with a knife. He was both anxious and angry, and also felt a kind of indescribable fear.

It should be noted that the Divine Beast is no ordinary beast, but a blood beast, and is closely related to the household gods of Magistrate Zhao, hence the word "god" in its name.

This beast is raised using secret methods and drinks blood and eats meat.

It drinks no ordinary blood, eats no ordinary meat, and grows to be as ferocious as flames, which then feeds back to the household gods and statues.

The two can be described as having a close, mutually reinforcing relationship; they rise and fall together.

Who would have thought that today, for some reason, Wei Shen suddenly ran out like a madman.

It's fine if you come out, but why did you have to offend Chen Jin?
A series of coincidences, once seemingly coincidental, are no longer coincidences.

This was a well-designed trap!

Old Ma stared intently at Chen Jin, suddenly realizing that this seemingly refined and elegant scholar was not as simple as he appeared.

Or perhaps, the Chen family has a connection behind it.

Is Chen planning to harm the adults?

This possibility makes the most logical sense.

The eight most prestigious families in the land each occupy a region. While they may not be considered to be completely independent, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them "local tyrants."

Because of the dynasty's strict decree to "send officials to other places," all the scions of noble families who embarked on their official careers went to serve in other places.

As a result, the situation between them appears to be intertwined and complex.

After all, the relationships between powerful families can be good or bad, and the open and covert struggles have never stopped.

This is precisely the situation that the imperial family in the imperial court likes and hopes to see.

This is called "balance".

The conflict between the Zhao family of Xinzhou and the Chen family of Gaozhou has always been sharp. The arrival of Magistrate Zhao as the chief official of Maoxian County was like driving a nail in, which naturally made the Chen family uncomfortable.

However, for the sake of the overall situation, they will not easily break into conflict.

However, Chen Jin's sudden emergence became the fuse.

When Magistrate Zhao sent Mr. Gu to carry out the assassination, the attempt failed, thus sowing the seeds of future trouble.

Chen Jin not only survived, but also achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination and was recognized as a member of his ancestral clan. With his family as his backer, wouldn't he think of retaliating in kind?
Most definitely.

Moreover, the Chen family might take this opportunity to launch an attack against the Zhao family.

Having figured all this out, Mr. Ma suddenly felt enlightened, as if he had sorted out all his thoughts.

The look in his eyes as he looked at Chen Jin had become serious and earnest.

Chen Jin drew his knife, wiped the blade on the glossy black fur, and asked in surprise, "Old Ma, are you talking to me?"

He raised an eyebrow: "Could it be that this vicious dog belongs to you?"

Old Ma suppressed his anger: "It belongs to an adult."

Chen Jin said "Oh," and asked doubtfully, "How could you be so careless as to let it escape without a leash? Look how strong and fierce it is, charging around and knocking down quite a few people. Look, that little girl almost got bitten by it..."

"what do you want to say?"

“What I’m saying is, as you just saw, and there were so many witnesses around. Everyone clearly saw this beast lunge at me. My guards struck it down in self-defense.”

Old Ma said angrily, "Then you don't need to finish it off, just kill it."

Chen Jin spread his hands: "I was terrified just now. I thought it was a wild wolf or a mad dog. But whether it's a wolf or a mad dog, we can't let it go out and harm the people. We have to kill it to prevent future troubles."

Old Ma's expression was grim: "I will go back and report this to the magistrate."

He ordered his men to lift the dog's carcass.

Chen Jin suddenly said, "Old Ma, why don't you talk to your parents? I can offer to compensate you."

"no need."

Old Ma flicked his sleeves, looking indignant.

The value of Wei Shen cannot be measured by mere silver coins; this feud is one that will last until death.

Chen Jin's face suddenly darkened: "That Magistrate Zhao, as the local official in charge of the county, failed to keep a close eye on his dog, letting it out and frighten the people. How should we account for the injuries, the overturned stalls, and the broken property? Shouldn't he pay for it?"

Old Ma: "..."

He laughed in extreme anger: "Good, very good!"

Looking around at the crowd of people standing on the side, he slowly said, "Anyone who has suffered losses because of this can come with me to the yamen to get evidence and examine their injuries. We can compensate you however much you want."

Intimidated by his gaze, the people quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

As for going to the government office to demand compensation, what a joke!
No need to think about it.

They should scatter like birds and beasts and leave this place of trouble. Otherwise, if Old Ma and the others remember what they look like and come looking for them, it could lead to disaster and break down the door.

Seeing this, Old Ma smiled disdainfully and left with the people and the dog corpse.

Watching them leave, Chen Jin sighed, "What an arrogant official attitude... No, they're not officials at all, just bullies relying on their master's power, foxes borrowing tigers' might."

Su Zhen was not stupid. He gradually realized what was going on and wondered if Chen Jin had planned this.

But what exactly happened?

I couldn't figure it out for a moment.

He could tell that Wei Shen was no ordinary dog, but a well-bred blood beast of exceptional value.

Chen Jin killed it, and this matter is unlikely to end well. It seems we need to arrange for Chen Jin to leave Maoxian as soon as possible.

To prevent the conflict from escalating beyond control.

……

Back at the yamen, Old Ma was filled with anxiety, unsure how to report to the magistrate. But he couldn't leave it unreported, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go see Magistrate Zhao.

Seeing his grim expression, Magistrate Zhao casually asked, "Did Wei Shen go out and bite someone?"

Old Ma shook his head.

Magistrate Zhao raised his eyebrows: "It ate a person? This thing... has anyone seen it?"

Old Ma cried out with a mournful face, "Wei Shen was stabbed to death by Chen Jin!"

"what?"

Magistrate Zhao's expression changed drastically. He strode over and grabbed him by the chest, demanding, "Say that again?"

Old Ma quickly recounted what had happened, without embellishing it; he simply stated the facts directly.

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Zhao was furious. Suddenly, he remembered something, hurried back to his bedroom, and went to the bookshelf.

The dog-headed, human-bodied statue inside the shrine had become dull and lifeless, its surface cracked in layers, as if it would shatter and crumble at the slightest touch.

He swayed, gritting his teeth, "Chen Jin, you dare to break my divine laws, I will kill you!"

He reached out and took the long sword hanging on the wall, then walked outside.

Old Ma hurriedly stopped him: "Sir, please think twice! That fellow is a newly appointed top scholar. We have no legitimate reason to attack. If we lead men to kill him like this, it will give others ammunition against us. If things get out of hand, the consequences will be unpredictable."

Magistrate Zhao said sternly, "Are you just going to let this matter go like this?"

"Of course not. In my opinion, we should consider this carefully."

“We need to think this through! He might leave the city soon, leave Maoxian, and return to the Chen family’s ancestral home. At that point, there will be even less we can do anything about him.”

Old Ma earnestly advised, "Sir, don't you find this matter quite strange?"

Magistrate Zhao frowned: "What do you mean?"

"Chen Jin was originally a country scholar of humble origins with an unremarkable resume. His sudden emergence was closely related to Chen Shounian's visit. Otherwise, how could Mr. Gu have failed against such an opponent?"

"so what?"

Old Ma said shrewdly, "I think the whole thing is a conspiracy by the Chen family, a shocking conspiracy they set up against you, sir."

Upon hearing the word "conspiracy," Magistrate Zhao felt a chill run down his spine and immediately came to his senses. After thinking for a moment, he asked doubtfully, "But that's not right. According to your analysis, Chen Jin's success in the imperial examination was also arranged? How could that be! Not to mention the Chen family, even the big figures from the four great families wouldn't dare to manipulate the examination hall. Such matters concern the very foundation of the state; if anyone dares to get involved, their entire family will be implicated."

Master Ma continued his analysis: "Chen Jin's success in the imperial examination may have been due to unexpected factors. Perhaps he has some talent and passed by chance."

Magistrate Zhao snorted: "You can become the top scholar by sheer luck?"

Back then, he only ranked twelfth in the provincial examination in Xinzhou.

Without changing his expression, Master Ma said, "Being the top scholar in the imperial examination only proves that he was lucky."

Magistrate Zhao was somewhat accepting of this explanation:
Fortune and destiny are mysterious and difficult to grasp accurately.

Old Ma continued, "I think the Chen family deliberately used Chen Jin as bait to create conflict with the adults, thereby causing the adults to make mistakes."

Magistrate Zhao became anxious upon hearing this and began pacing back and forth.

He was somewhat skeptical of what Old Ma said, but considering all the factors, including the quality of the guards and bodyguards protecting Chen Jin, it was clear that the Chen family had indeed invested heavily in Chen Jin.

Sending out younger generations to compete and fight among themselves was one of the tacit rules among powerful clans.

It is both a test and a trial.

If that's the case, then Magistrate Zhao misjudged Chen Jin from the very beginning.

And this ultimately led to the current situation: WayGold was killed, suffering a great loss.

The fact that Wei Shen was provoked and lured away is highly suspicious, and it's impossible for Chen Jin to have done it alone.

So, if Magistrate Zhao is provoked and blinded by hatred, and directly draws his sword to kill Chen Jin, wouldn't he fall into the trap that the other party has carefully set up?

The obvious thing.

In that case, not only will you fail to kill anyone, but you might also get yourself killed.

After all, Chen Jin's guards were not to be underestimated; there might be other ambushes lurking in the shadows.

so close……

Magistrate Zhao quickly calmed down.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to write a letter home by hand to report the matter.

As for the severely damaged household deity statues, they must be removed and placed in a specially made sandalwood box for preservation.

The night passed.

The next afternoon, Magistrate Zhao received intelligence that the Qingshan Sword Shop had been sold. Chen Jin boarded a carriage, with Shi Qifeng driving, and two guards escorting them out of the city towards Datang Township.

Magistrate Zhao immediately ordered Old Ma to go out of the city to keep watch and follow Chen Jin. If there was an opportunity, he was to strike decisively and kill Chen Jin.

As one of the Zhao family's retainers, Old Ma possesses his own unique skills and methods. He has mastered a strange technique that allows him to conceal his presence, and he is also skilled in using hidden arrows coated with poison. These arrows never miss their mark, and those who are hit by them will die. He is most adept at sneak attacks and assassinations.

That night, Magistrate Zhao was drinking alone in his backyard. Feeling troubled, he drank too much.

When he took office, he did not bring his family or relatives with him; he was only accompanied by a pageboy.

After he undressed and lay down on the bed, his attendants tactfully withdrew and carefully closed the door.

Soon, Magistrate Zhao fell into a deep sleep, emitting soft snores.

After an unknown amount of time, the lights in the room gradually dimmed and flickered.

Whoosh!

A gust of cold wind rose, and the already dim light went out instantly, plunging the room into darkness.

A figure seemed to emerge in the darkness.

Suddenly, the sleeping Magistrate Zhao felt a chill run through his body...

(End of this chapter)