Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 70 The First Suspect

Is there a ghost inside the door?

Inside the cell, the high-ranking members of the Six Doors gathered. After hearing the progress of the Zhong Kui case, they couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

The four great constables are now all around thirty years old, in the prime of their lives.

The deputy hall masters under them, on the other hand, are much older, generally between forty and fifty years old, which fits the range of suspicion.

However, these deputy hall masters are all chief constables with gold seals. They have served in the Six Doors for two or three decades and are deeply rooted in the system. The previous generation of chief constables all had to rely on them.

Once evil is committed, it can indeed cause extremely bad effects, but finding out the "ghost" is easier said than done.

Of course, being suspected, most people didn't dare to speak rashly. However, Xin Li spoke up quickly: "Did Elder Pei say what that 'ghost' did back then that caused 'Zhong Kui' to commit crimes and arrest people so recklessly more than 20 years later?"

Zhao Wujiu shook his head: "No."

Xin Li spread his hands: "Then we don't even know what this person did, we have no clue whatsoever, how can we investigate?"

Once he took the lead, the others followed suit:
"Even though Zhong Kui's initial purpose of catching ghosts was to capture evildoers, could he still pull back from the brink at this point in the case?"

"Poisoning the Second Master just to kidnap the First Master is despicable. I absolutely do not believe that 'Zhong Kui' will turn himself in!"

"Alas! It seems that Old Master Pei is just wishful thinking!"

Zhan Zhao did not participate in the discussion, but listened silently.

No one agreed.

This is indeed hard for people to agree with.

No matter how high Pei Handeng's prestige was, it could only gain the approval of the Six Doors, but it was not enough for them to believe that "Zhong Kui" was always in opposition and had captured two famous constables.

After some discussion, Zhao Wujiu concluded, "We must at least see 'Zhong Kui' in person and get him to release our eldest and second brothers before discussing anything else! Otherwise, if this person uses Elder Pei's name to sow discord and induce us to panic, wouldn't that be playing right into the hands of a villain?"

After saying that, he asked for instructions: "What does Constable Zhan think?"

Just as Zhan Zhao was about to speak, a person hurriedly walked in, looking solemn; it was Zhou Wuxin.

"what happened?"

"Master Feng has disappeared!"

Everyone was startled and quickly gathered around. They heard Zhou Wuxin say, "When Fourth Brother went to the secret stronghold of Xuanji Hall, he found that the people there were gone. Since the scene was clean and there were no signs of fighting, we don't know if they left temporarily. But as of today, the place is still empty. We can confirm that Hall Master Feng has disappeared."

"Oh?"

Zhan Zhao raised an eyebrow: "You may not know this, but this person is involved in the poisoning case during the morning prayers at the Great Xiangguo Temple..."

He explained the inside story: "If Feng Buyu, the deputy head of Xuanji Hall, hadn't told the spy Dingjue that his family had been killed by the 'karmic monk' Lu Shisi, Dingjue would not have had the evil thought of killing, and would have taken two lives in one fell swoop!"

"Is that so?"

Everyone was shocked.

They all knew that Xuanjitang's spy Dingjue had poisoned the morning prayers at Daxiangguo Temple, but they were unaware of the specific reasons behind it.

Having heard all this and considering the discussion just now, Leng Feng suddenly asked, "That 'ghost,' could it be Old Feng?"

The hall fell silent.

Considering Feng Buyu's usual character, everyone was hesitant to believe it, yet dared not completely disbelieve it either, and their expressions became complicated.

"Further words are useless. Let's go to Xuanji Hall's stronghold and bring Elder Pei with us."

In comparison, Zhan Zhao was very decisive, taking the lead with his gauze hat and silk ribbons flowing like clouds, followed by the entire Six Doors group, marching out in a grand procession.

Bianjing was a magnificent city with a population of one million. Since there were no tall buildings or grand mansions at the time, it was impossible to contain them all within the city walls. Instead, the city walls extended outward from the capital, forming a vast outer city.

Although the streets and alleys of the outer city were not as orderly as those of the inner city, they were no less prosperous. Moreover, due to their chaotic layout, they became a gathering place for all sorts of people.

The Xuanji Hall's stronghold was located here, which also served to facilitate the surveillance of the outer city.

On the surface, it appears to be just an ordinary house deep in an alley, but after Zhan Zhao looked around, he realized that its location was indeed ingenious—

Located near the Bian River, it occupies a strategic position, with convenient access in all directions and ideal for the transmission of information.

"According to the testimonies of the neighbors, the day before my elder brother disappeared, they saw servants coming and going. According to the description, they were constables from Xuanji Hall and subordinates of Feng Buyu. But they stopped talking at night and no one was seen coming or going after that."

"So, Feng Buyu and his subordinates disappeared right after Constable Su?" Zhan Zhao conducted a preliminary examination of the scene and found no signs of a fight. He slowly said, "Is it possible that Constable Su was used to blackmail them?"

Su Wuqing is the head of Xuanji Hall. If Zhong Kui brings Su Wuqing and threatens him with his life, will the deputy head Feng Buyu and his men leave with him?

"This……"

Zhao Wujiu frowned: "But isn't 'Zhong Kui' worried that once Big Brother has subordinates from Xuanji Hall, he might turn around and subdue him?"

Zhou Wuxin said, "This person must have forced them to take poison, rendering them unable to use their internal energy or martial arts. With so many hostages, he took advantage of my brother's compassion and benevolence to subdue them!"

Zhan Zhao asked, "Is this possible?"

Zhou Wuxin smiled bitterly: "To most people in the martial arts world, Big Brother is a distant and unapproachable figure. Because of his reputation as 'Ruthless,' they even think he is cold-blooded and heartless, and that strangers should stay away from him."

"However, Su Wuqing is not truly heartless."

"My brother is actually cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He is a very sentimental person and is extremely kind to both us and the victims of the case."

"yes……"

Zhao Wujiu agreed wholeheartedly, sighing, "His biggest weakness is precisely the people around him. Using hostages as leverage is the most effective way to deal with my elder brother."

'oh? ’

Zhan Zhao found it quite interesting.

Not long ago, someone told him that Su Wuqing was truly heartless.

Now the Six Doors say that Su Wuqing is not truly heartless, but has a compassionate heart and is genuinely kind to people.

Which image truly represents Su Wuqing?
Putting that aside, after observing the scene, Zhan Zhao summarized: "Based on the current situation, there are two basic judgments—"

“Feng Buyu is a ‘ghost’. He discovered that the poisoning incident at Daxiangguo Temple had been exposed, and he also learned that Su Shenbu had been captured by ‘Zhong Kui’. Fearing that his identity would be exposed, he fled in fear of punishment.”

"Feng Buyu has also been kidnapped, and the suspicion against 'Zhong Kui' is increasing."

Everyone nodded after hearing this.

Xin Li said, "Judging from this, 'Zhong Kui' has taken away quite a few people. To keep these hostages in check, does he have accomplices? Should we find a Tibetan stronghold? Why don't we start our investigation from here?"

Leng Feng also said, "I don't believe that 'Zhong Kui' can really appear and disappear without a trace. Everyone should investigate the surrounding area; there will always be clues!"

Zhan Zhao then looked at Pei Handeng: "Elder Pei, Feng Buyu is currently the prime suspect, and his whereabouts are a mystery. Could you arrange a meeting with 'Zhong Kui' so that we can have a preliminary discussion?"

Pei Handeng frowned and pondered for a moment: "I don't quite believe that Feng Buyu is a 'ghost', but he is indeed the most suspicious now. It would be good to meet him."

Zhan Zhao asked, "How do you usually keep in touch?"

Pei Handeng said, "I don't live in the Six Doors headquarters. Even if there's something to discuss, 'Zhong Kui' will come to see me once he finds out."

Zhan Zhao nodded: "Alright! We'll stay here tonight!"

"We'll make the arrangements!"

Seeing the Six Doors members leave, Chen Xiuhan gave Dinghai and Dingyi a look and went to check their belongings. Shen Lan and Lin Yuxian were also on guard and followed him out.

Only Lian Caiyun followed behind Zhan Zhao, and then she heard him say to Pei Handeng, "Let's share a room."

Pei Handeng paused, then suddenly understood: "You're afraid 'Zhong Kui' will silence me?"

Zhan Zhao did not deny it: "Prevention is better than cure."

"No, no."

Pei Handeng shook his head, his expression softening: "This old man has such a bad temper, and he has made things difficult for you many times before. It's rare that you, so young, don't hold it against me... Su Wuqing's judgment is indeed unique; he has chosen a suitable person!"

"You flatter me, Elder Pei."

Zhan Zhao said, “In terms of age, you are old enough to be my grandfather. In terms of perseverance, you are willing to bear the infamy to cleanse the Six Doors of evil influences. You deserve respect. Why bother with such a small conflict? Tonight, let’s have a long talk. I won’t ask about ‘Zhong Kui,’ I just want to hear the story from back then…”

Pei Handeng smiled and asked, "What story would you like to hear?"

Zhan Zhao's eyes flickered slightly: "For example, 'Heart Swordsman' Gu Menglai, and the deeds of the previous Four Great Constables."

(End of this chapter)