Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 34: What's Often Interrupted is the Truth

'It's actually the Heart Sword Divine Technique!'

This astonishing sword technique ranks sixth on the sword ranking list, closely following the Six Lines Formless Sword Qi.

Zhan Zhao's heart began to itch; he really wanted to see it for himself.

Compared to LGBTQ+ martial arts like the Lotus Treasure Mirror and the Invincible Divine Mirror, sword techniques like the Heart Sword Divine Art are definitely more suitable for learning by analogy and improving one's sword skills.

When he first entered the martial arts world, he also intended to test his skills against famous masters across the land, starting in Jiangnan.

But after witnessing the power of Yunqi Manor, he realized that his martial arts skills were already terrifyingly strong compared to ordinary martial artists.

Finding a worthy opponent is extremely difficult, and finding a suitable master swordsman is even more difficult.

I never imagined that something so far away would be so close at hand.

It turns out that Madam Yun has such a background and origin.

Judging from his previous aura and level of threat, this person's martial arts cultivation level is probably even beyond Tang Lei's imagination.

But this raises another question—

If Lady Yun is so strong, why did Yun Heming still disappear at the birthday banquet? Does this mean that there is always someone stronger, and that Zhong Kui's strength is even greater than hers?

Or perhaps Zhong Kui's methods are so skillful that they are difficult to guard against?
Information gathering shouldn't be done by picking on just one person. Zhan Zhao was satisfied with what he had gotten from Tang Lei. After chatting for a while, Tang Lei took his leave.

After the bed was made, Shen Lan and Lin Yuxian reappeared outside the door.

Zhan Zhao smiled and said, "You two have come at the right time. Please help me deliver a message to the Great Xiangguo Temple. I will be staying at your residence for a few days and will not be returning to the temple for the time being."

Shen Lan immediately replied, "I'll take care of it right away."

This is a great thing.

Because Zhan Zhao not only represents himself, but also the prestige of the Great Xiangguo Temple.

Once the Great Xiangguo Temple and Yunqi Manor stand together, the pressure on the Six Doors will undoubtedly be greater, making Su Wuqing dare not go back on his word and hand over the murderer.

After Shen Lan left, only Lin Yuxian remained. She was not reserved and smiled, saying, "Young Master Zhan's righteousness is something we have no way to repay. My martial arts skills are mediocre and I can't do much, but I do know how to sew. I'll sew a robe for you tomorrow. I hope you won't find it too bad!"

"Your skillful hands, which weave clouds, are renowned throughout Jiangnan. How could I possibly look down on you?"

Zhan Zhao was surprised by the other party's enthusiasm and thanked them for their kindness, saying, "But I am now a monk, so it may not be convenient for me."

"A young hero of your stature, becoming a monk... then I shall sew a monk's robe for you!"

Looking at the handsome face before her, Lin Yuxian felt her mood improve. She winked mischievously and said, "Perhaps it's not appropriate for me to give it to her. How about I teach my junior sister to sew one properly sometime?"

Zhan Zhao didn't refuse in his heart, but he couldn't agree directly, so he coughed lightly: "When your master went missing that day, it was Miss Lin and Young Hero Shen who chased him out of the manor together, right?"

"Yes."

Even though the other party's change of topic was somewhat abrupt, since the master was mentioned, Lin Yuxian said seriously, "My third senior brother and I chased after him because the famous constable Li Wuxing was ahead of us. When our master suddenly disappeared, we were quite at a loss, so we followed behind him to search for our master's whereabouts..."

Zhan Zhao asked, "What did you discover?"

"We've been left behind."

Lin Yuxian said somewhat irritably, "Li Wuxing ran wildly all the way without looking back, without searching the vicinity, and without answering a word. He just disappeared without a trace..."

"That's strange."

Zhan Zhao frowned: "Your master disappeared in the banquet hall. The Six Doors personnel present should have sealed off the scene and investigated the guests. But Li Wuxing ran out of the manor without any destination. Why is that?"

Lin Yuxian frowned slightly: "Could it be that Master's disappearance is related to him?"

"Then he should pretend to investigate carefully and take the opportunity to erase the traces. When law enforcement officers commit crimes, they should naturally make full use of their advantages!"

Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Perhaps we can look at the two things separately..."

Lin Yuxian asked curiously, "What does this mean?"

Zhan Zhao said, "If your master hadn't disappeared, what would Li Wuxing's reaction be like?"

Lin Yuxian recalled, "He just ran wildly all the way, and even after he had shaken us off, we could still hear him howling from afar. He looked like he had gone mad..."

Since the two sides had already become enemies, she naturally wouldn't be polite in her words.

"Running wildly, letting out a long howl?"

However, Zhan Zhao's gaze sharpened: "Could it be poisoning? The 'Soul-Striking Moon-Howling Water' from the 'Blackwater Palace'?"

Lin Yuxian's eyes widened: "'Blackwater Palace'? A sect from the Liao Kingdom?"

Zhan Zhao nodded: "'Blackwater Palace' is skilled in making poisons, and 'Soul-Running Moon Water' is one of the most potent poisons among them."

"Those who drink this poison will feel as if their throat is covered in ice, their tongue will stiffen, and their esophagus will contract. They will be unable to even swallow the antidote, let alone ask for help."

"To detoxify, one must immediately begin running wildly, causing the blood and qi to boil, thus preventing the toxin from seeping into the internal organs. Then, continuously roar wildly to suppress the spread of the cold qi in the throat, and finally, circulate internal energy to expel the poison." "This deadly poison wasn't originally called this. Only after the antidote was discovered did martial artists refer to it as 'Running Soul Howling at the Moon.' But even knowing the antidote, anyone poisoned by this is likely to meet a grim fate..."

Lin Yuxian's face paled: "Young hero, do you mean that Li Wuxing was poisoned by the 'Soul-Running Moon Water' poison, and he ran out to detoxify himself, but since our master happened to be missing, we assumed he went out to look for someone?"

Looking back now, it's no wonder that no matter whether it was himself or his third senior brother Shen Lan shouting, Li Wuxing in front of him didn't answer a single word and just kept running.

Because he was completely unable to speak during that period.

Later, when they were able to roar out loud, the two were left behind again, only able to watch their figures disappear into the horizon.

"It's impossible to confirm at the moment; it's just speculation."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Who provided the last cup of wine that Li Wuxing drank during the birthday banquet?"

"At that time..."

Lin Yuxian thought for a moment, then her expression changed again.

Zhan Zhao looked at her and uttered a name: "Gu Lin?"

The clues about how the Six Doors members harmed Qi Yun's eldest disciple, Gu Lin, make sense, but there's no motive.

As for Tang Lei's claim that he killed people for the sword manual, Zhan Zhao couldn't completely deny it, but he really didn't believe it.

But now, through analysis, a bold idea has emerged—

What if Gu Lin is not only a victim, but also a perpetrator?

"My senior brother would never do such a thing!"

Lin Yuxian suddenly stood up.

You can't slander Senior Brother no matter how handsome he is!

Zhan Zhao also stood up and said calmly, "Does Miss Lin think that your senior brother is the kind of person who would put poison in wine and hand it directly to the victim?"

"of course not!"

Lin Yuxian resolutely said, "Senior Brother's talent and intelligence are astonishing. Everyone says that he has surpassed his predecessors and will bring prosperity to Yunqi Manor in the future. How could he be so stupid?"

Zhan Zhao nodded, surprisingly agreeing: "That's it."

"Therefore, we must unravel the truth impartially and objectively, so that Young Master Gu will not suffer an injustice in the afterlife!"

"If we don't find out the truth now, what will you all do if, seven days later, Su Wuqing claims that Gu Lin poisoned Li Wuxing, and that's when the Six Doors constables took action?"

Lin Yuxian was stunned.

"Sit down."

Lin Yuxian slowly sat back down.

Not only is he handsome, but he also makes such a reasonable point. I'll listen to what he has to say.

After calming him down, Zhan Zhao continued to probe deeper: "What is the personal relationship between Gu Lin and Li Wuxing?"

Lin Yuxian hurriedly said, "Our Seven Clouds took action and wiped out the Blood Dragon Gang, and the Six Doors also helped a lot."

"Therefore, Li Wuxing greatly admired his senior brother, and the two had a mutual respect. Upon learning of his master's fiftieth birthday, Li Wuxing happily led his men to the banquet."

"Given this relationship, why would Senior Brother poison Li Wuxing?"

"Besides, if the Six Doors really believe that Senior Brother poisoned Li Wuxing, they should arrest him. What kind of behavior is this, secretly killing someone?"

Zhan Zhao listened, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the previous points, but he did agree with Lin Yuxian's last question.

The Six Doors is a law enforcement agency. If the motive was knowing that Gu Lin had poisoned the famous constable, they could have simply arrested him. Why would they have secretly killed him?

Zhan Zhao said, "Miss Lin, think carefully, what unusual things have happened between Gu Lin and Li Wuxing? Or have they each been in trouble lately?"

"There's nothing unusual about it."

Lin Yuxian's brows furrowed: "Hmm, it does concern Senior Brother..."

Zhan Zhao deliberately lowered his voice: "What is it?"

Lin Yuxian hesitated for a long time before slowly saying, "There's been a rumor lately... not recently... I've heard it before, but recently someone brought it up again... saying... saying that Senior Brother isn't Master's wife's adopted child, but rather Master's wife..."

"cough!!"

Just then, a loud cough suddenly broke the silence, startling Lin Yuxian so much that she stopped talking abruptly.

Zhan Zhao looked outside.

Good thing you interrupted!
A guilty conscience proves that what he said is true!

(End of this chapter)