Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 121 This reasoning test is really "difficult"!

"Young man, what brings you back again?"

On the seventh floor of Tianxiang Tower, Zhan Zhao arrived at the entrance of Xiuge Pavilion. Xuan Yinzi's displeased voice came from inside: "Don't push your luck. Even for the sake of Daxiangguo Temple, this old Taoist's patience has its limits."

This grandmaster was truly getting impatient.

Is he coming back to pick a fight with him again?

Are you using this old Taoist priest as a whetstone?

Zhan Zhao responded calmly: "I have come here mainly to ask you a few questions."

Without waiting for the other party's consent, he said directly, "Luo Shijun had murderous intent before. If he asked you to take action against the Six Doors' Divine Constable, would you help him kill him to silence him?"

After a moment of silence, Xuan Yinzi said coldly, "This old Taoist priest will have that Daqi Sect successor bedridden for a month. Outsiders will only think that the residual poison in his body was not cleared before, which is why he fell ill. They can't see any other clues."

These words not only demonstrated the terrifying power of a grandmaster, but also showcased the abilities of the late emperor's personal alchemist, who was able to discern at a glance that Li Wuxing had previously been poisoned by the Blackwater Palace's Soul-Running Moon-Howling Water.

Zhan Zhao, however, was more concerned with something else: "Senior, do you know that Luo Shijun is from Tongliao?"

"Tongliao?"

Xuan Yinzi's expression immediately changed: "How could Luo Shijun collude with the Liao people? Don't talk nonsense!"

Xuan Yinzi was well aware of Luo Shijun's character, but he didn't have many other options. He had to choose someone who had no taboos and dared to risk public condemnation by taking him in.

However, there are some things that Xuan Yinzi can still make certain predictions about.

For example, why would Luo Shijun need to collude with the Liao people? He had the backing of his brother-in-law Pang Ji, who had connections with the imperial court and could operate in both the legitimate and criminal worlds.

Zhan Zhao explained the Xi Yanhua case in detail: "Strictly speaking, Luo Shijun did not actually work for the Liao people, but for his own selfish reasons, he protected the Liao spy Sun Tao, missed the crucial interrogation time, and finally killed him to silence him. It is no problem to say that he colluded with the Liao people."

"I see!"

Xuan Yinzi roared, "I am mortal enemies with the Liao dogs! If they knew about this, I would be the first to deal with them!"

Zhan Zhao remained noncommittal, then asked, "What did Luo Shijun offer you, senior? Was it something that made you willing to take action for him?"

After a brief silence, Xuan Yinzi's voice came again: "Are you interrogating me?"

If another junior dared to say such things, Xuan Yinzi would definitely slap them and let them taste the power of the Martial Morality Scripture.

But when faced with this person, Xuan Yinzi only retorted: "You junior discovered me early on, which is why Luo Shijun was kept in check and easily captured. It's a pity that he was a famous figure for a long time, and you played him like a puppet. With your intelligence, can't you have guessed it yourself?"

Zhan Zhao was quite blunt: "Then this junior will venture a guess."

"Tianxiang Tower is open all year round, and each time it invites twelve distinguished guests. One of them will be selected by Luo Shijun to go to the Xiuge Pavilion on the top floor."

“This person can make a request, and if it is within Luo Shijun’s power, he will spare no effort to accomplish it.”

"Before I knew where he was, I thought this was just a way for Luo Shijun to win people's hearts."

"Looking at it now, it's different again."

At this point, Zhan Zhao paused slightly: "Is this distinguished guest truly fortunate to have been chosen by Luo Shijun? Or was he chosen by a senior to investigate clues about old cases from these people?"

creak-

The elegant pavilion and vermilion gates open by themselves without any wind.

Xuan Yinzi sat upright on the futon, his double pupils as deep as abyss, gazing steadily at the figure.

After a moment, the old Taoist priest said, "Come in!"

Zhan Zhao entered calmly.

Xuan Yinzi stared at him: "How could you have thought of that?"

Zhan Zhao said, "Because Luo Shijun is very confident in his risky behavior, he thinks he can definitely get you to help deal with a Six Doors constable."

"If he hadn't been deeply involved in his senior's affairs, it would have been clear that some gold and silver items alone wouldn't have been enough to impress him."

Xuan Yinzi frowned: "That's it?"

Zhan Zhao retorted, "Isn't that enough?"

"Enough...enough for people like you..."

Xuan Yinzi fell silent again, and after a moment he sighed softly.

It must be said that some things do indeed depend on talent.

In martial arts and alchemy, his talent is undoubtedly among the best in the world.

But when it comes to investigating cases, I consider myself to be just average, below-average.

Xuan Yinzi sincerely envied the person before him who could immediately connect the dots and deduce the truth from a single, fragmented clue.

After a brief sigh, Xuan Yinzi's tone was no longer condescending, but much more equal: "Talented people emerge in every generation. The Great Xiangguo Temple has been silent for a long time, and it's time for someone like you to appear. Are you a monk of the Jie generation? What is your Dharma name?"

This time, it was Zhan Zhao's turn to remain silent.

After a moment, he put his palms together and said, "My Dharma name is Abstinence from Lust."

"Abstaining from sex?"

Xuan Yinzi was somewhat surprised: "After Jie Kong, has your temple finally been willing to give this Dharma name to someone else?"

"Abstaining from emptiness?"

Zhan Zhao became interested.

This is a good Dharma name. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. If he hadn't been influenced by the precept against killing, he would definitely have asked his fellow disciple Jiewen to change to this Dharma name.

But judging from Xuan Yinzi's words, this Dharma name has already been given to someone else, so why have I never heard of it in the temple? "Where is Brother Jiekong now?"

"You were beaten to death by your temple's abbot, weren't you?"

Xuan Yinzi never rests until his words are startling.

Zhan Zhao raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

Xuan Yinzi said, "Jie Kong failed the test of the precept against killing, and his demonic nature was unleashed. He seized the precept and tried to kill his way out of the temple. The outcome is self-evident."

"It's a pity that this person was exceptionally talented. Not to mention becoming a grandmaster, he was even hailed as someone who could master the mantra of the Great Sun Tathagata, yet he ended up like this."

After listening, Zhan Zhao nodded slightly: "So there is such a past event. Thank you for your guidance, senior."

'This young man's mentality is truly remarkable.'

Xuan Yinzi observed his expression, his heart growing increasingly heavy.

First, they were already at a disadvantage because they couldn't subdue the other side militarily.

Once their cooperative relationship with Luo Shijun was discovered, they were already at a disadvantage.

Therefore, recounting Jie Kong's past was a deliberate act.

Anyone else would be shaken to their core upon hearing that their once incredibly talented senior had met such an end.

As a result, Zhan Zhao listened as if it were just idle gossip, letting it pass without any ripples in his mind.

The two exchanged sharp words, each trying to gain the upper hand in the conversation. Now, Xuan Yinzi, who was sixty years older than him, was unable to gain the upper hand and simply said, "You've come back here not just to show off your skills, but for what purpose?"

Zhan Zhao said, "Senior, would you be willing to share some of the clues you have collected over the years?"

Xuan Yinzi's expression shifted, and he subconsciously leaned forward: "You dare to investigate old cases?"

Zhan Zhao said frankly, "It depends on the situation."

In the case of the Zhong Kui painting, he was entrusted by Guo Huai, partly lured by the two precious books, and partly driven by his own interest.

At that time, the case was still ongoing, and "Zhong Kui" was still committing crimes. Breaking the deadlock depended entirely on his own abilities.

The old case, however, is quite different.

Investigating old cases sometimes really depends on "three parts hard work and seven parts fate".

Because many clues, once broken, are broken forever, like a jigsaw puzzle with one piece missing forever.

If only the corners are missing, that's fine;

If the most crucial piece of the puzzle is missing, then the truth will be lost to the river of time.

So one of Zhan Zhao's purposes in coming back was to see how many clues had been accumulated regarding the old case.

If the number is very small, then even if Guo Huai comes knocking on his door, he won't agree to it.

Making a hasty agreement to something that has absolutely no hope only gives those involved unnecessary hope, which is not good for either party.

"I never expected a junior like you to have such thoughts!"

Xuan Yinzi seemed to have seen through it, and his eyes showed emotion: "Back when the disciples of various sects went missing, many outstanding people also stepped forward, whether for the greater good of the martial world or to make a name for themselves. I am grateful to them all."

"But each hope brings only disappointment."

"Ultimately, despair."

"Even in despair, I will not give up!"

"For us, this is not an old case, but a matter of most of our lives!"

Xuan Yinzi said, word by word, "This old Taoist will never leave. I would rather hide in such a lowly place than give up!"

I wonder what Luo Shijun will think when he hears this.

He has already provided the most honest and reliable servants and the most meticulous care.

He frantically flattered him, only to be met with the word "despicable." From Xuan Yinzi's perspective, this man was not only a martial arts master, but also the emperor's personal alchemist. In those days, countless powerful and wealthy people flocked to him, yet none could even get a glimpse of him.

Now it's hidden away in Tianxianglou, a place that's almost a haven for pleasure.

Given such a stark contrast in circumstances, it's already unbelievable that Xuan Yinzi could endure it; of course, he felt it was degrading.

It was precisely because of his diligence over the years that he had accumulated a lot of clues, which led Zhan Zhao to this trip.

But as he gazed at Zhan Zhao, Xuan Yinzi hesitated, and finally said, "It wasn't just me who collected these clues. If I give them to you, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain it to others..."

"it is good."

Zhan Zhao was neither surprised nor disappointed: "This junior takes his leave."

Since Luo Shijun shouted that out, many people have been involved, including the Daxiangguo Temple and the Pang family.

That's why Zhan Zhao turned back – he hoped to take the initiative and prepare for what was to come.

But since Xuan Yinzi is unwilling, then let's give up.

The next thing to consider is how to stay out of it.

"Wait! Wait a minute!"

Seeing that the other party was about to leave without any hesitation, Xuan Yinzi's expression changed. He had a vague feeling that he would definitely regret it if he missed this opportunity, so he quickly threw something out: "Catch."

Zhan Zhao saw clearly that it was a pill box, but he didn't take it. He simply flicked his sleeve and sent it back, saying calmly, "I didn't come for these things."

If he asked for it, Guo Huai would not be stingy with the various precious medicines from the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Xuan Yinzi may be a master alchemist, but even the most skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice. He was expelled from Lao Jun Temple and lost his status as the imperial alchemist. What he could offer might not be comparable to the supplies provided by the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Even if he could match it, Zhan Zhao really didn't care about the other party's reward.

Xuan Yinzi, somewhat embarrassed by his failed attempt to curry favor, said in a deep voice, "I am grateful for your presence here, not because I am trying to make things difficult for you. It is simply that those things do not belong to me alone."

Zhan Zhao nodded: "I understand."

Xuan Yinzi said, "Then you should at least show some results so that I can give others an explanation. How about I give you a test?"

To put it bluntly, their battle record is unverifiable.

If it were the Zhan Shenbu skin, Xuan Yinzi wouldn't have any doubts based on the Zhong Kui Tu case.

But now that it's about abstaining from pornography, even though Luo Shijun's scheme was exposed and the connection between the two was deduced from a few words, it's still not enough.

Zhan Zhao was inexplicably pleased to be suspected. Zhan Zhao and Jie Se were indeed two different people: "Please speak."

Xuan Yinzi pointed to the ground: "This building originally only had five floors. It was later added by Luo Shijun at the old Taoist's request. The internal structure was also changed by the old Taoist, forming the two elegant pavilions on each floor, facing each other. Do you know why?"

Zhan Zhao's eyes flickered slightly: "Could something have happened in that seven-story building?"

"You're really perceptive!"

Xuan Yinzi said, "In a seven-story tower with the same structure, a horrific murder case once occurred, with a total of six victims. Those who discovered the body later went half-mad."

Zhan Zhao listened.

Xuan Yinzi said in a deep voice, "First of all, there was a fire."

"The entire tower was set on fire, starting from the first floor and burning upwards. The person who discovered it lived on the seventh floor. When he woke up in the middle of the night, he found thick smoke rising outside his window and the lower floors were on fire."

He immediately ran downstairs.

"In a room on the south side of the sixth floor, he found a surviving companion."

"In a room on the north side of the sixth floor, he found the door locked and no one answered when he knocked. Fearing that the person inside was still asleep, he and his surviving companion broke down the door and discovered the first body."

"A headless corpse."

After a pause, Xuan Yinzi said in a deep voice, "It's not just that people have died; there are two truly terrifying aspects:"

"Firstly, this headless corpse originally belonged to a renowned master in the martial arts world, second only to the Grandmaster level. Not only was his head severed, but the mark of the severed head was also from the very technique he himself had used. And this person's weapon was stuck next to the corpse, covered in blood."

"Secondly, the doors and windows in the room were not only tightly closed, but also nailed shut from the back with wooden boards."

Zhan Zhao's eyes flickered slightly: "A murder in a locked room?"

Xuan Yinzi said, "This is just the beginning."

"The fire grew larger and larger, and urged on by their companions, the person who discovered the body was unable to collect it and could only continue running downhill."

He arrived at the fifth floor.

"The door on the north side of the fifth floor was wide open, but this time the door on the south side was closed."

"The person who found it broke down the south door, and another person died inside."

"The lower legs and feet of the corpse were missing, and the ground was covered in blood. There was also a weapon nearby, a blood-stained halberd."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Is it also a secret room?"

Xuan Yinzi nodded: "The doors and windows are nailed shut with wooden boards, making them completely airtight."

Zhan Zhao asked, "What's next?"

"Next is the fourth floor."

Xuan Yinzi said, "The door to the north room on the fourth floor is tightly closed. A third person has died there. He was dismembered. His head is still there, but his shoulders and arms are missing. There are weapons stuck next to him, and the doors and windows are tightly closed."

Zhan Zhao thought for a moment and asked, "How badly has the fire spread?"

Xuan Yinzi recalled: "The fire had already reached the fourth floor. The person who discovered it dared not look any longer and led his companions out of the room to the third floor."

"Upon reaching the third floor, the south-facing door was tightly shut. The fourth body lay on the ground, missing only the thigh. The fire had already spread into the room, and the face was already somewhat unrecognizable due to the burns. Everything else was identical."

"Upon reaching the second floor, the north door was tightly shut. After breaking down the door, it was difficult to even approach the body; all that could be seen was that the abdomen was missing."

"And the last floor."

At this point, Xuan Yinzi's brows clearly showed grief: "The people in the south room were murdered."

His body was completely dismembered—

"Head, shoulders and arms, chest, abdomen, thighs, calves and feet!"

"He had a physical disability, probably missing his chest, but the fire was too intense at the time to tell, so it's just a guess."

"The person who found it watched as the remains were engulfed in flames, and barely managed to lead the survivors out."

"The high-rise building in question was burned down and collapsed at the time of the incident. The killer remains a mystery to this day, with some even suspecting that it was the work of ghosts or spirits that took a part from each of the corpses..."

Xuan Yinzi paused here, then sighed, "I'm not trying to make things difficult for you, but I've been puzzled for many years, which is why I asked this question."

This case was a famous mystery back then, which even Lu Jiuyuan, the previous head of the Six Doors, couldn't solve. It would be beneath my dignity to bring it up now and make things difficult for a junior.

This is so difficult!

Then Xuan Yinzi noticed that the monk who abstained from lust glanced at him after a moment's thought.

There was something strange about that gaze.

Then he said, "I have not personally experienced this case, and what you said has omitted a lot of details, so I dare not say that I have figured out the truth, but I can speculate a bit about the identity of the murderer."

Xuan Yinzi was stunned: "What did you say?"

Zhan Zhao said, "I'll be right back."

"Wait! Wait a minute!"

Xuan Yinzi stood up: "You really know who the murderer is?"

"It's basically confirmed."

Zhan Zhao looked at him: "However, it's not intuitive enough to describe it in words. I'll go find some objects, and you'll understand at a glance."

Xuanyinzi: "???"

What do you mean? You've already figured out the truth?

Is it because you're afraid that after you explain, I won't understand?

Zhan Zhao did not linger and quickly disappeared into the seventh floor.

Xuan Yinzi came to the window, lowered his head, and silently looked down.

Before long, they saw Zhan Zhao leave Tianxiang Tower and head towards the main courtyard of the Luo residence.

What followed was an agonizing wait.

Those who can become martial arts masters are all people who can endure loneliness.

Xuan Yinzi's experiences were even more dramatic. When he was with Luo Shijun, he was always nonchalant and would just laugh it off no matter what.

But at this moment, he couldn't sit still and stood straight by the window, waiting for the younger generation to return.

In the long and agonizing wait.

Just when he thought the young monk from Daxiangguo Temple was bluffing, Zhan Zhao reappeared and headed towards Tianxiang Tower.

Before long, she ascended the steps with light steps and returned to the door of the seventh floor.

"With Luo Shijun arrested, his followers have scattered like leaves in the wind. The servants in the mansion are all packing up their valuables. I'm late."

Zhan Zhao explained briefly, then spread out six clay dolls on the ground, pointing to them and saying, "Senior, please look, this is the answer..."

(End of this chapter)