Fairy, please don't do this!

"Now that the heretical cultivator has been executed, the rest is up to me to handle."

As he spoke, he reached out to take the Blood Spirit Contract.

This item must not fall into the hands of the Demon Suppression Division, otherwise, if the investigation traces back to the Zhao family, he will also be implicated.

A subtle smile suddenly appeared on Gu Jinzhao's lips. With a flick of his wrist, he put the Blood Spirit Contract back into his sleeve.

"Before that, there is one more thing I need to do."

Zhao Jinbei frowned and subconsciously asked, "What is it?"

"I'll take your life—"

Gu Jinzhao grinned, and before he could finish speaking, the Crimson Sky Sword was already drawn from his waist!

The sword light erupted like a blood-red rainbow, piercing straight for Zhao Jinbei's throat!

"You little beast, hand over the stuff!"

Almost simultaneously, the other officers in the duty room clearly heard a stern shout belonging to "Zhao Jinbei".

Before everyone could react, a loud bang was heard, and the wall of the duty room where Zhao Jinbei was located suddenly exploded!

A figure flew out like a ripped sack, crashing heavily onto the bluestone ground in the courtyard, spitting out blood.

"Gu Jinzhao! You...you actually dared to attack Shangguan?"

Zhao Jinbei clutched his blood-soaked chest, his face ashen, his eyes filled with shock, anger, and disbelief.

He never expected that Gu Jinzhao would suddenly launch an attack like a madman without any warning.

If he hadn't dodged that sword strike in time, he would probably be a corpse by now.

Chapter 103, "The one making false accusations is probably Commander Zhao himself!" (3K)

Whoosh!Whoosh!Whoosh!

The sound of air being torn apart rang out one after another, and dozens of figures dressed in white tiger robes rushed out from all directions, instantly surrounding the courtyard.

Leading the group was a middle-aged man with a square face and a sinister expression; he was none other than Li Lu, the deputy head of the Military Supervisory Office.

His gaze was like a knife, sweeping across the scene, and a heavy, mountain-like pressure suddenly descended: "What's all this commotion?"

Despite the excruciating pain, Zhao Jinbei swallowed a pill and struggled to his feet. His chest wound was a bloody mess, but the bleeding quickly stopped.

He pointed at Gu Jinzhao, who stood with his sword, his face filled with anger: "Reporting to Lord Li, this boy, Gu Jinzhao, is a newly recruited disciple of the Qingyun Sect. He has attacked and killed this humble servant without cause. I beg you, sir, to do justice!"

Although it is unclear why Gu Jinchao would do such a crazy thing, it is tantamount to cutting off his own path to survival.

This saves the Zhao family the trouble of taking action themselves.

Li Lu's gaze shifted and landed on the calm-looking young man: "Gu Jinzhao, I know you are the rising star of the Qingyun Sect's Little Sword Immortal!"

"But attacking and killing an official without cause is a violation of the Cangyue Law and an even more serious breach of the Demon Suppression Division's ironclad rules..."

Gu Jinzhao remained calm and composed, bowing respectfully with his hands clasped: "Your Excellency, please allow me to report!"

“Previously, I and four colleagues from the Gengjin Group went to Minghe Charity Estate, 300 miles away, and killed all three demonic cultivators.”

He recounted his journey from his initial entry into the military command, receiving the mission, to his successful return.

Then, changing the subject, he said, "Just now, when I took out the Blood Spirit Contract, Commander Zhao was eager to take it directly."

"As a sword cultivator, I have always been very perceptive. I noticed that Commander Zhao's expression was unusual and his tone was urgent, so I became suspicious and did not hand it over."

"Unexpectedly, at this moment, Commander Zhao suddenly attacked me!"

"The incident was sudden. Although I was shocked, I instinctively dodged and was forced to offer my sword in self-defense."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinbei's pale face instantly turned purple, and his eyes almost spit fire: "You...you're slandering me!"

Before he could finish speaking, the injury that had just been barely suppressed suddenly relapsed, and he spat out another mouthful of blood.

Gu Jinzhao, standing in front of him, slightly turned his body to avoid the mouthful of blood and said calmly, "The one who is spouting nonsense is probably Commander Zhao himself."

"If you have any doubts, you may ask the other officers who were on duty at the time."

Li Lu's gaze swept across the three captains standing solemnly to the side: "Captain Yang, Captain Xue, Captain Liang, what exactly happened inside the room at that time?"

The three bowed in unison, and Yang Zongqi, the most senior among them, stepped forward and replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Deputy Prefect, we did not witness the specific situation inside the room at that time."

"But all three of my subordinates clearly heard Commander Zhao shout sternly, 'You little beast, hand over the things to me!'"

Upon hearing this, and considering what Gu Jinzhao had just said, everyone in the room immediately understood.

Zhao Jinbei's eagerness to obtain the [Blood Spirit Contract] likely stems from something he's hiding.

Li Lu also sensed something amiss and asked in a deep voice, "Where is the Blood Spirit Contract now?"

"Here."

Gu Jinzhao stepped forward and presented the crimson contract with both hands.

Li Lu took it and examined it closely.

The runes and blood imprints on the paper were clearly visible, and their contents matched exactly what Gu Jinzhao had said.

His expression grew cold as he handed the Blood Spirit Contract to a trusted White Tiger Guard beside him: "Send it to the Imperial Observatory immediately and have the on-duty sorcerer use the [Aura Observation] technique to determine the origin of these two drops of essence blood!"

"As ordered!"

The White Tiger Guard accepted the gift with both hands, bowed respectfully, and then turned and strode away.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Jinbei's heart sank.

With the essence and blood still present, it's only a matter of time before the astronomers of the Imperial Observatory trace the Zhao family's origins.

When that time comes, the fact that Chen Qiqiao and others dared to recklessly attack and kill the White Tiger Guards, and that the Zhao family was behind it, will be exposed!

He was eager to retrieve the Blood Spirit Contract, both to destroy evidence against the Zhao family and to protect himself.

Now, I'm afraid it's all too late!

“Gu… Jin… Chao…”

Upon thinking of this, Zhao Jinbei's eyes widened in fury as he stared intently at Gu Jinzhao.

If he hadn't been severely injured and unable to move, he would have already rushed forward and perished together with the enemy.

Gu Jinchao ignored his resentful gaze, closed her eyes, and quietly awaited the outcome.

From the moment Zhao Jinbei plotted against him, this man was destined to be dead.

That last sword strike was merely a preemptive strike.

As for the stern shout of "Zhao Jinbei" from the duty room just now, it was naturally a mimicry of the ghost wife's [ugliness] power, which only reached the ears of the three captains.

At this moment, the area outside the training ground was densely packed with White Tiger Guards who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

The four members of the Gengjin group, Wang Han, Ma Xu, Shao Baxing, and Jiang Tinglan, have also arrived.

Wang Han and Ma Xu exchanged bewildered glances and muttered to themselves, "What... what's going on here?"

"Why did Team Leader Gu get into a fight with Commander Zhao?"

Shao Baxing looked worried: "Team Leader Gu... will he be alright?"

Jiang Tinglan's gaze fell on Gu Jinzhao, who remained calm and composed with his hands behind his back in the arena, and her expression was extremely heavy.

After waiting quietly for about two hours, night had fallen.

The White Tiger Guard who had been ordered to go to the Imperial Observatory hurriedly returned, went to Li Lu's side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

The next instant, Li Lu's gaze shifted sharply, piercing Zhao Jinbei like a sword, and he shouted sternly:

"Take down Zhao Jinbei!"

Several fierce-looking White Tiger Guards stepped forward and, without saying a word, bound his arms behind his back and held him down tightly.

"Lord Li, this little beast framed me, he..."

Zhao Jinbei struggled to argue, but Li Lu had already waved his hand impatiently and ignored him completely.

The astronomer from the Imperial Observatory has just sent back a message.

Two drops of essence blood and one drop of aura remained in the Supervisory Bureau on the Blood Spirit Pact, matching the deceased Chen Qiqiao.

The other drop, its source clearly pointed to the area of ​​the Zhao family mansion!

At this point, the matter couldn't be clearer.

The three evil cultivators who ambushed and killed the White Tiger Guards must have been instructed by the Zhao family.

As a member of the Zhao family, Zhao Jinbei's eagerness to destroy the Blood Spirit Contract reveals his motives.

"Gu Jinchao, come inside with me for questioning."

"The rest of you, disperse!"

Li Lu's gaze swept across the entire room, and he gave Gu Jinzhao a deep look before turning and entering the inner hall.

Gu Jinzhao knew that the other party would definitely want to know the details of the matter, especially the course of the fight in the duty room.

He had already prepared his explanation and had no worries.

As for Zhao Jinbei's fate, once the interrogation yields results, he will likely face death according to the law.

As for the Zhao family, as long as the one who offered the service "timely" commits suicide out of fear of punishment, with no one to testify, even if there is suspicion, it will be difficult to be directly implicated.

……

Night fell, and the storm subsided.

After exchanging brief pleasantries with his four colleagues from the Gengjin group, Gu Jinchao left the duty room.

As he reached the entrance of Qingyue Alley, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw that Jiang Tinglan had followed him.

"Does Miss Jiang also live in this area?"

"I've rented this small courtyard to stay temporarily. Is Team Leader Gu also staying here?"

Jiang Tinglan looked slightly surprised.

Gu Jinzhao nodded slightly and pointed to the lintel not far away: "This 'Gu Residence' is my home."

His gaze shifted slightly, landing on the door next door with the wooden sign that read "Jiang Residence": "Miss Jiang, do you perhaps live next door?"

Jiang Tinglan nodded slightly, took out the key, and pushed open the courtyard gate: "Team Leader Gu, you are welcome to come and have tea anytime if you are interested."

Watching her figure disappear into the courtyard, Gu Jinzhao narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

The ghostly wife emerged gracefully from his shadow, landing lightly beside him, her eyes sparkling: "My little husband has feelings for this Miss Jiang?"

Fortunately, the calico cat had already eaten and drunk its fill and was sleeping soundly in Gu Jinzhao's arms; otherwise, it would probably have bristled on the spot upon seeing her.

Gu Jinzhao pushed open the gate of his house and slowly walked in: "Do I look like the kind of person who would be lustful at first sight?"

An Wanxi smiled and said, "They do look a little alike."

Gu Jinzhao shook his head helplessly, stopped talking, and went straight into the main house.

He gently placed the sleeping calico cat in his arms on the soft couch, then turned and went into the adjacent warm chamber.

Inside the warm pavilion is a bathtub made of bluestone, perfect for soaking in after a long day of work to relieve fatigue.

At this moment, the twelve lotus-shaped bronze lamps by the pool have been lit, their warm yellow light reflecting off the milky white hot spring water. The steam rises like mist, enveloping the entire warm pavilion in a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere.

Gu Jinzhao took out a pill from the [Earthly Branches Mirror] to nourish his qi and blood and temper his body, and threw it into the pool.

Before long, the pool water began to boil slightly, the medicinal properties dissipated, and the water gradually turned a pale golden color.

He removed his outer robe and slowly immersed himself in the pool.

The intense medicinal power, like countless fine needles, pierced into the limbs and bones, bringing waves of sharp pain, but also causing blood and qi to surge and muscles and bones to emit a faint hum.

To cultivate one's spirit and soul, one must sit quietly and contemplate daily.

To temper one's physique through martial arts, one must use elixirs to refine one's muscles and bones.

From the ninth rank to the seventh rank, it is a process of tempering the skin, muscles, bones, and internal organs one by one from the outside in until they are perfected. The amount of tempering pills consumed in this process is by no means small.

"My little husband's martial arts realm is currently stuck at the early stage of the eighth rank."

"We need to find more demonic body cultivators to work with."

A pair of soft hands suddenly reached out from behind and gently pressed against his shoulders and neck.