Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 72: Zhong Kui Murders?
"That's right."

Zhan Zhao closed the case file.

The case file was provided by Guo Huai.

At that time, Zhong Kui appeared in four places, but one of the Five Ghosts was missing.

The descriptions of the first four matches are very detailed.

"When Yu Xuzi was performing a ritual on his birthday, he suddenly let out a mournful cry and split open the alchemy furnace with his precious sword. According to the Taoist boy, the green smoke in the furnace transformed into a human figure and bowed to him. When the smoke dissipated, his Taoist hat fell to the ground and he flew away into the dark, leaving behind the first volume of Zhong Kui paintings."

"On the night of Helian Jue's birthday, he went up the beacon tower to worship the wolf god. After getting drunk, he uttered foul language and cursed the officials on the border between Song and Xia. Suddenly, he heard the cry of an eagle in the sky. He was enveloped by the black shadow of a giant bird and disappeared without a trace, leaving only a wolf skin cloak and the second volume of Zhong Kui picture under it."

"During the birthday banquet, Ye Canglang got drunk and sang loudly. Amidst his laughter, he held the Xuan Tie sword and circled the bronze cauldron in front of the hall, unleashing the Iron Lock Across the River Sword Technique. Suddenly, black mist surged from the cauldron. After the mist dissipated, the sword was stuck in the ground, and the man disappeared without a trace. The third volume of the Zhong Kui painting appeared inside the bronze cauldron."

"On the day of his birthday banquet, Yun Heming drank the Pine and Crane Longevity Wine and performed the Cloud Crane Ascending to Immortality Sword Technique. His figure was ethereal, as if he were a flying immortal. When he reached the highest point, smoke suddenly dissipated. When the smoke cleared, he had disappeared without a trace. The fourth volume of the Zhong Kui painting floated down."

……

When I saw these four disappearances, I felt that apart from the fact that they all involved magical methods, there were absolutely no clues.

The methods used were so similar that they seemed to be self-directed and self-acted.

But now, looking at the answer with our initial speculation, a clue suddenly appears.

Based on various details and clues, Zhan Zhao was certain of Zhong Kui's identity.

At the same time, regarding the "Ten Directions Ghost Clan," at least one thing is basically clear: what evil deeds did they commit back then?

No wonder Zhong Kui was so determined to find the "ghosts" within the Six Doors, and Pei Handeng was willing to risk his reputation to cooperate with him!
"Who could this 'ghost' be?"

"Is it really Feng Buyu?"

If they can take it down, the "Zhong Kui Picture" will truly be over. Otherwise, not only will Pei Handeng and "Zhong Kui" be unwilling to give up, but Zhan Zhao, considering this person's actions, also feels that he cannot be let go.

In light of this, Zhan Zhao got up and went back to the house where he had been staying for the past few days. He saw Pei Handeng already changing his clothes and asked, "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"

"With the case still unclear, I cannot sleep soundly."

Zhan Zhao thought for a moment and said, "I'm going to the General Headquarters. The case is critical right now, and you'll be here alone, so be careful in everything you do."

They had been staying at this outpost in the outer city for three days, but "Zhong Kui" had not appeared.

It is unclear whether they have not yet discovered Pei Handeng's departure from the General Office, or whether they are worried that the Six Doors have set a trap to lure them in.

The officials of the Six Doors naturally couldn't wait idly and went back to make arrangements.

"You've been guarding me for three days, you can't stay here forever. Go ahead and go ahead, I'll be fine."

Pei Handeng chuckled: "Whenever Su Wuqing investigates a case, he always stays up all night. I warned him that he couldn't keep going like this, but he wouldn't listen. But you're different. You're in better shape than that kid, and you're younger... Don't just take a temporary position. Come to my Six Doors and become a divine constable from now on!"

Jie was furious when he heard this.

They've come to poach our employees, just as I suspected.

In fact, the Chief Constable of the Golden Seal is generally between forty and fifty years old, while the Four Great Constables are around thirty years old. In comparison, Zhan Zhao is only fifteen years old, which is not only young, but also a generation younger.

However, given Zhan Zhao's character and demeanor, and even his current imposing presence in his red robes, no one would treat him as a fifteen-year-old boy.

But when he truly realized this, Pei Handeng was filled with delight: "The younger generation is truly formidable! Our Central Plains has produced heroes in every generation, like the surging waves of the Yangtze River. How can it not prosper?"

Hearing the laughter from inside the room, Zhan Zhao silently bowed before turning to leave.

This is a respectable elder.

In that case, it is even more important to investigate the case as soon as possible.

He left the stronghold and headed straight for the inner city.

The Six Doors headquarters was brightly lit.

Zhou Wuxin and Zhao Wujiu were both awake. When they saw him enter, they stood up to greet him: "'Zhong Kui' has appeared?"

Zhan Zhao said, "No."

Zhao Wujiu snorted: "Elder Pei has misplaced his trust. I don't think this person will dare to come!"

Zhou Wuxin then asked, "Regarding the 'ghost' within our sect, does Constable Zhan have any leads? The missing Feng Buyu is indeed the prime suspect, but what if it's not him? Is the 'ghost' still within the sect, working with us to hunt down the culprit?"

"I do have an idea."

Zhan Zhao asked, "I wonder if the esteemed Detective Lu is still near the capital?"

"My master?"

Zhou Wuxin was taken aback: "He has long since retired from public life and no longer cares about worldly affairs."

Zhan Zhao said, "You're not even going to do anything about Su Shenbu's disappearance?" "Although this is the first time our eldest brother has disappeared, we brothers have actually experienced similar crises before. If Master intervenes every time, it's no different from him not living in seclusion at all..."

After Zhou Wuxin finished explaining, he smiled bitterly and said, "When he left, he repeatedly emphasized that he had worked hard for most of his life and deserved to enjoy himself. Unless the Six Doors really disappeared, he would not show his face."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Do all of your peers understand the true nature of Detective Lu?"

"This……"

Zhou Wuxin said, "Master has a leisurely nature, but he is indeed full of authority in the eyes of others, just like my elder brother is cold and ruthless in the eyes of outsiders."

"That makes things easier."

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly: "If we release the news inside the sect that, due to Su Shenbu's disappearance, Lu Lao Shenbu is going to come out of seclusion to personally investigate the old news from back then, how will that 'ghost' react?"

"Great idea!"

Zhou Wuxin's eyes lit up: "We are too young and inexperienced, but our master is different. When he makes a move, the threat to that 'ghost' is completely different! Once this thief loses his composure, he will have a weakness, and we will be able to expose him in one fell swoop."

"I'll leave this matter to you two to arrange."

After Zhan Zhao finished giving his instructions, he walked out of the house, preparing to return to the Xuanji Hall stronghold. A gust of wind swept by, and Zhao Wujiu chased after him.

He approached, looking somewhat embarrassed, and finally clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Detective Zhan, there were many misunderstandings before. I... I owe you an apology!"

Zhan Zhao reached out to help him up, saying, "Detective Zhao, there's no need for that."

Zhao Wujiu sighed: "A mistake is a mistake. I've been reflecting on it these past few days and realized that I've lost my composure lately, perhaps influenced by those rumors..."

Zhan Zhao recalled that Guo Huaiji had mentioned that the princess disliked Zhao Wujiu because he had sown discord between the Eighth Prince and the Princess, and was even rumored to be the Eighth Prince's illegitimate son: "What's going on?"

"That's the most vicious rumor ever!"

Zhao Wujiu clenched his fists, his eyes filled with grief: "Detective Zhan may not know, but the reason why the Prince took me as his adopted son is because my late father died protecting the Liao bandits during the war between Song and Liao!"

Zhan Zhao suddenly realized.

More than 20 years ago, during the war between the Song and Liao dynasties, the Eighth Prince Zhao Defang was obviously also at the front line, and was probably attacked by Liao experts.

Zhao Lingyue, one of the Four Great Constables of the previous generation, died protecting the Eighth Prince. Later, the Eighth Prince adopted the young Zhao Xingyao as his godson. However, to avoid gossip, this old story is not widely known.

Rumors are now circulating that Zhao Xingyao, nicknamed "Wujiu," was able to rise to a position in the Prince's mansion because he was the illegitimate son of the Eighth Prince. This is undoubtedly a great humiliation for the deceased Zhao Lingyue.

Zhao Wujiu gritted his teeth: "Those rumors suddenly started, and even Xuanji Hall couldn't trace their source. I was wondering why this was happening, but now I realize it's probably the work of 'Ghost'!"

Zhan Zhao frowned: "'Made by a ghost'? That's hard to believe..."

Zhao Wujiu said, "I have no evidence, but after thinking it over, it can't be anyone else. This person must have thought that no one else could find him. After all, Uncle Lu and my elder brother are both recognized as wise men of our time. How powerful must the 'ghost' be to have managed to deceive them both and hide in the door for more than 20 years?"

He paused, then frowned and said, "I'm afraid that our plan to lure the snake out of its hole just now won't work either!"

Zhan Zhao said, "There's no harm in giving it a try."

"Yes! Let's give it a try! A thief is always guilty, I don't believe this person can hide the slightest flaw..."

Zhao Wujiu mustered his spirits, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and transformed into a gentle breeze, returning to the Six Doors headquarters.

Zhan Zhao parted ways with him and headed towards the outer city, a thoughtful look on his face.

Zhao Wujiu's reminder was not without reason.

Lu Jiuyuan and Su Wuqing, the two leaders of the Six Doors, were both exceptionally intelligent. Were they truly unaware that the Six Doors harbored a "Ten Directions Ghost Clan"?

Or……

As I pondered this, the stronghold ahead came into view in the distance, and I could vaguely hear noisy voices.

'not good! '

Zhan Zhao's expression changed instantly. His crimson figure flashed like lightning, piercing through the night fog as he charged straight at them.

They immediately saw Lian Caiyun, her eyes red-rimmed: "Big brother! We couldn't stop him! Elder Pei... Elder Pei, he..."

She was initially very hostile towards Pei Handeng, but after spending more time with him, she couldn't help but change her opinion.

The trembling voice at that moment already said something.

Zhan Zhao flashed to the backyard, where he finally stopped.

Pei Handeng lay on the ground, his hair and clothes stained crimson with blood. His eyes stared straight ahead, an indescribable expression frozen in his turbid pupils.

Zhan Zhao stared intently at the old man's corpse, forcing out a question through gritted teeth: "Who is the murderer?"

“Zhong Kui!”

(End of this chapter)