Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 71: We now know who "Zhong Kui" is.
"Dong dong!"

Lian Caiyun carried two bowls of noodle soup to the front of the house, knocked gently, and then pushed the door open to enter.

Inside the room, Zhan Zhao and Pei Handeng were sitting opposite each other, looking quite amicable.

"Thank you, sister."

Seeing Lian Caiyun bring over dinner, Zhan Zhao got up to take it and thanked her with a smile.

In such an environment, he was very cautious about what he ate.

Only those that come from the clouds dare to be used.

If it were any other member of the Six Doors, we would really have to be on guard.

"This was cooked by me personally, please enjoy!"

Even Caiyun was on guard, keeping a close eye on him, and gave Zhan Zhao a bright smile.

Then he turned around, his expression instantly changing, and said stiffly, "Here you go!"

Seeing the hot noodle soup handed to him, Pei Handeng was somewhat surprised: "I have some too?"

Lian Caiyun's tone was sharp: "Or will you starve to death?"

"Ha! Then this old man will not stand on ceremony!"

Pei Handeng wasn't annoyed. He took the bowl, warmed his hands with it, and took a sip of soup. He said sincerely, "The most comforting thing in winter is a bowl of five-flavor meat porridge or a bowl of hot noodle soup! Thank you so much, Miss Lian!"

Lian Caiyun snorted again.

Soon, only the sound of two people eating noodles could be heard in the room.

After finishing a large bowl of hot noodle soup, Zhan Zhao breathed a comfortable sigh of relief. Seeing that Pei Handeng had also finished eating, he reached out and took the bowl from him: "Senior Pei, how about we talk about the past?"

"He who eats another's food is bound to him," Pei Handeng said, "and no one is exempt." He then asked, "What do you want to know?"

"Since Miss Lian is here, how about we talk about her grandmaster, Senior Gu Menglai, the 'Heart Swordsman'?"

Zhan Zhao asked, "Does Elder Pei recognize him?"

Lian Caiyun couldn't help but prick up her ears.

In the Gu family mansion, she did tell Zhan Zhao that her master had once been a member of the Six Doors and was a very powerful detective.

Given Pei Handeng's age, it's impossible that he didn't know Xin Jianke; he must have worked with him.

As expected, Pei Handeng said nostalgically, "Of course I recognize him. In terms of swordsmanship, ten of me combined wouldn't be a match for him. But when he first joined the Six Doors, it was I who personally taught him!"

This is truly a veteran.

Zhan Zhao asked curiously, "Senior Gu, with such swordsmanship, why did you join the Six Doors?"

Pei Handeng said, "I asked him as well. He said that he came to become a constable to practice swordsmanship and to experience the various aspects of life."

That was exactly what Zhan Zhao had guessed.

The Heart Sword Divine Technique cultivates a spiritual realm, allowing the seven emotions to flow through the meridians and the six desires to be questioned in the heart, while the self must be like the bright moon in the sky, illuminating the mortal world, untouched by any dust.

Is this easier said than done?
It is fair to say that if a swordsman practices in isolation, it is absolutely impossible to reach this level.

We must engage with the world.

The cases handled by the Six Doors constables often involve extreme emotional fluctuations, reflecting the myriad aspects of human life, including joys and sorrows.

This insight can indeed aid in the cultivation of the Heart Sword Divine Technique.

"I detest this condescending attitude the most!"

However, Pei Handeng's voice turned cold: "I taught him a lesson back then. Every case is a great tragedy for the person involved, or even the most irreparable regret in their life, full of blood and tears. How can he be allowed to use it for sword practice? Does such behavior deserve to be called a constable?"

"At first, the kid tried to argue, saying, 'The case was going to happen anyway, so what's wrong with using it as a way to practice my sword?'"

"Hmph! Stubborn to the end!"

Hearing this, Lian Caiyun couldn't hold back any longer: "If that was the case at first, what happened later?"

Pei Handeng said, "Later, as he handled more cases, his arrogance faded, and he became more impulsive than ordinary constables... Once, if I hadn't stopped him, he almost killed that heinous murderer on the spot!"

Lian Caiyun pouted and spoke up for her master: "Since they are so wicked, they should be killed. What's wrong with that?"

"Big mistake!"

Pei Handeng raised his voice and said resolutely, "Only by escorting him to the execution ground and punishing him in a public and just manner can we deter evildoers! If we condone private punishment, the law will inevitably collapse—at that time, villains will run rampant, and the people will suffer. The first to suffer will be innocent civilians!" Pei Handeng did not just speak slogans; he also gave a direct example: "Do you know Wang Qingshan's youngest son from the Golden Saber Sect? This scoundrel tested his sword on living people, and his blood debts are numerous. After his failure, there were still people pleading for him, saying that this child has amazing talent and will one day become a martial arts master for our Central Plains martial arts world. It is a pity to kill him, and we hope that the Six Doors will show mercy!"

"Hmph! Let's not even talk about how a cowardly swordsman who only dares to practice on ordinary people and doesn't dare to challenge famous swordsmen can become a grandmaster. If such a beast really becomes a grandmaster, he will be the greatest scourge of the martial arts world!"

"If this person were taken to the execution ground and beheaded, the various sects would have behaved much better in recent years. How could this be accomplished through private execution?"

Zhan Zhao agreed with these words, but looking at Pei Handeng, his heart couldn't help but stir.

If that's the case, why do you condone "Zhong Kui" carrying out vigilante justice?
Lian Caiyun's body stiffened, and she immediately stood up, apologizing, "It was my mistake..."

"You're still young. Young people all think about seeking revenge and quick justice, and they draw their swords when they see injustice. That's how we all grow up."

Pei Handeng didn't take it seriously and continued, "Later, Gu Menglai finally became a real constable! By then, his sword was a nightmare for the petty thieves of the martial world. Countless people in the Six Doors had been saved by him. If anyone could surpass him in prestige, it was only Lu Jiuyuan."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Lu Jiuyuan?"

"Su Wuqing and Zhou Wuxin's master."

Pei Handeng said, "Although our Six Doors is led by the 'Divine Marquis,' the 'Divine Marquis' does not actually intervene in specific affairs. Lu Jiuyuan was in charge of the affairs of the Six Doors back then, just like Su Wuqing is today."

Zhan Zhao recognized him immediately; that was the leader of the older generation of the Four Great Constables. He then asked, "May I ask who the other two constables are from?"

Pei Handeng said, "That kid Li Wuxing had a strange encounter, but I don't know the specifics. Zhao Wujiu's father, Zhao Lingyue, was also a divine constable who sacrificed himself in the Song-Liao war, which is why he hates the Liao people the most."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Who is the last of the Four Great Constables of the older generation?"

"The title 'Four Great Constables' didn't actually exist back then."

Pei Handeng said, "But if we really count it that way, after Gu Menglai, Lu Jiuyuan, and Zhao Lingyue, the fourth person would be Duanwu."

Zhan Zhao asked, "And who is this senior?"

"Skilling in martial arts is pure talent."

Pei Handeng organized his thoughts for a moment, but still didn't know how to describe it: "Anyway, he's the only one I didn't teach at all. He solves cases entirely by intuition, and he's always right. It makes everyone nervous and both amused and exasperated."

Lian Caiyun found it quite interesting: "Does the Six Doors have such a brilliant detective?"

"Yes...yes..."

Pei Handeng gazed into the distance and slowly said, "Back then, the Six Doors did not have a clear division into four halls. There were many experts there, but overall, their deterrent effect on the Jianghu sects was not as great as it is now. After the Song-Liao War, the various places were in chaos again. The late emperor was only concerned with cultivating the Heavenly Book, but there were still many people who did everything they could to investigate the truth, even at the cost of their lives!"

Zhan Zhao continued, "That's precisely why we've been able to forge the Four Great Constables of today, four elite units with clearly defined roles."

"Not bad!"

Pei Handeng nodded emphatically: "Therefore, I will not tolerate the Six Doors harboring filth and corruption!"

Lian Caiyun blinked and reminded her, "But so many constables have been found to have accepted bribes before..."

"That's different."

Pei Handeng said, "I have never been so naive as to believe that there is not a single villain in the Six Doors and that I am not easily misled by anyone. However, minor evils are like scabies, while major evils are like carbuncles. I can tolerate a few parasites, but I will never allow anyone to shake the foundation of the Six Doors!"

Zhan Zhao remained silent.

Lian Caiyun's opinion of the old man had indeed changed somewhat, but she had no good impression of "Zhong Kui" who had killed her senior brother. She muttered under her breath, "Elder Pei, why do you trust 'Zhong Kui' so much? What if he's lying to you?"

This question hits the nail on the head.

For the Six Doors, Pei Handeng is the most respected senior, because he personally mentored many newcomers, and others have also received his guidance and instruction to varying degrees.

But to outsiders, this old constable was both unpleasant and stubborn, and not easy to deal with at all.

Imagine if Zhan Zhao had told the other party that there was a "ghost" hidden among the higher-ups of the Six Doors, who was related to the "Ten Directions Ghost Clan" from back then and had committed a great evil. How would Pei Handeng have reacted?

Oh, the conflict in front of Yunqi Mountain Villa is proof of that.

The other party didn't believe it.

So what kind of person is "Zhong Kui" that he could make Pei Handeng believe what he said and firmly cooperate with him in carrying out the ghost-catching plan, even at the cost of bearing infamy and guilt?
'I see!'

While Lian Caiyun was still talking to Pei Handeng, Zhan Zhao got up and went to the window to look at the bright moon in the sky.

All the clues and fragments of information from each case to the present swirled in my mind, like a thunderbolt splitting through the fog, revealing a single thread running through the entire process!

He already knew who "Zhong Kui" was.

(End of this chapter)