Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 27 Zhong Kui Appears Four Times, One of the Five Ghosts is Missing (Bonus Chapter, Please Support)

When Guo Huaiji came to the Great Xiangguo Temple for the fourth time, bringing a thick stack of documents, Zhan Zhao finally stopped sweeping the floor.

A separate meditation room was specially arranged by the temple, where they began to organize the information on this major case that had shaken the martial arts world.

"A total of four disappearances occurred within a year."

Date: The eighth day of the twelfth month of the third year of the Shenghe era.

Location: Tianshi Cave, Qingcheng Mountain, Sichuan.

"Missing Person: Qingcheng Sect Elder Yu Xuzi"

"The circumstances of his disappearance: On the occasion of Yu Xuzi's birthday, he was performing a ritual when he suddenly let out a mournful cry. He then used his precious sword to split open the alchemy furnace. According to the young Taoist, there was a wisp of green smoke in the furnace that 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 a scroll of Zhong Kui catching ghosts."

"The painting depicts Zhong Kui, with a bristling beard, piercing eyes, and a crimson robe fluttering in the wind."

"There was another ghost, with a pointed cheek and a monkey-like appearance, a shrunken neck and hunched shoulders, and ten fingers hooked like eagle claws."

"This is a clever devil, a clever devil is cunning."

Zhan Zhao's eyes showed deep thought.

The "Qingcheng Sect" of this world is not the villain in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, but rather the lineage passed down by the Celestial Master Zhang Daoling.

It is said that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Taoist Zhang Ling entered Qingcheng Mountain in Sichuan to cultivate Taoism. He later left behind the "Male and Female Dragon and Tiger Swords" and the "Nine Heavens Subduing Demon True Skill", which gave rise to the long-standing Qingcheng martial arts.

During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, Taoism flourished. Even though the Qingcheng Sect was located in Shu and was in a remote corner, its status and prestige were second only to the Laozi Temple, which was supported by the court. The "Nine Heavens Demon Subduing True Skill" was ranked fifth on the list of mental cultivation techniques, surpassing the "Bodhidharma Martial Arts" of Shaolin Temple.

In the long run, the relationship between the Taoist "Laojun Temple" and the "Qingcheng School" is somewhat similar to that between the Buddhist "Daxiangguo Temple" and the "Shaolin Temple".

The former may be extremely popular now, but with the change of dynasties, it will probably fade into obscurity. The latter, on the other hand, has a long and rich tradition. Even if it lies dormant for a time, in the long run, it will stand firm and have a deeper foundation.

"The first missing person case was actually an elder of the Qingcheng Sect."

"However, it didn't cause much of a stir at the time, until another disappearance occurred—"

Date: The third day of the third month of the fourth year of the Shenghe era.

Location: Canglangbao Beacon Tower, Shaanxi Province.

"Missing Person: Helian Jue, the Third Lord of Canglang Fortress".

"The circumstances of the disappearance: Helian Jue followed the customs of the barbarians and went up to the beacon tower to worship the wolf god on the night of his birthday. After the worship, he got drunk on the beacon tower and began to utter foul language, cursing the officials of the Song and Xia border regions. Just then, he suddenly heard the cry of an eagle in the sky. His attendants looked up and saw his figure shrouded in the black shadow of a giant bird. After the torches were all extinguished, only a wolf skin cloak remained on the platform."

"The cloak was intact, and there were no signs of a struggle around it. When it was lifted, the second volume of the Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts picture was underneath."

"The picture depicts Zhong Kui and two demons."

"Besides the clever ghost, there was another ghost with withered fingers twirling his beard, slanted eyes, and high cheekbones as if carved by a knife."

"This is a false ghost, a ghost that puts on a show of strength."

Zhan Zhao was completely unfamiliar with Canglang Fortress.

It was only according to the information in the dossier that I learned that this place was located in the northwest, right between the war between the Song and Xia states, and was a sect composed of barbarians.

There are many sects of all sizes along the Shaanxi border. Many of them are mountain strongholds built according to the terrain. They are nominally under the jurisdiction of the Song court, but in reality they are in cahoots with the Western Xia. However, they are not really acquiescing to the Western Xia. They are playing both sides.

In this sensitive situation, Helian Jue's disappearance caused great turmoil in Shaanxi, leading to several bloody conflicts, which finally brought Da Shou's disappearance into the public eye.

Then came the third incident this year—

Date: June 15th, 4th year of Saint Harmony.

Location: Shandong Iron Sword Sect Headquarters.

"Missing Person: Vice Sect Master Ye Canglang".

"The circumstances of the disappearance: During the birthday banquet, Ye Canglang was drunk and singing loudly. In the midst of his laughter, he held the Xuan Tie sword and circled the bronze cauldron in front of the hall, unleashing the 'Iron Chain Across the River Sword Technique'. Unexpectedly, black mist suddenly surged from the cauldron. After the mist dissipated, the sword was stuck in the ground, but he had vanished without a trace."

"Afterwards, the disciples of the Iron Sword Sect examined the bronze cauldron and discovered the third volume of the Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts illustration."

"The picture depicts Zhong Kui and three demons."

"Besides the clever ghost and the elusive ghost, the third ghost has big ears, rat-like whiskers, and a tongue that constantly licks its thin lips."

"This is a gossipmonger, a gossipmonger who stirs up trouble."

Zhan Zhao knew nothing about the Iron Sword Sect; he simply looked at it carefully once before turning to the last case.

This refers to the Yunqi Grand Birthday celebration that he personally participated in.

Date: September 15th, 4th year of Saint Harmony.

Location: Yunqi Mountain Villa in Jiangnan.

"Missing Person: Manor Lord Yun Heming".

"The circumstances of his disappearance: On the day of the birthday banquet, Yun Heming drank the 'Pine and Crane Longevity Wine' specially prepared by the manor. Afterwards, he practiced his self-created 'Yunhe Ascending to Immortality Sword Stance'. His figure was ethereal, as if he were flying immortals. When he reached the highest point, smoke suddenly dissipated. When the smoke cleared, he was gone without a trace. Only the fourth volume of Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts Picture floated down."

"The painting depicts Zhong Kui and four demons. The fourth demon has droopy eyes, oily lips, and a deathly pale face covered in lead powder." "This is the frivolous demon, who is lustful."

thus.

Within a year.

Sichuan, Northwest China, Shandong, and Jiangnan.

The leaders of four martial arts sects and local forces all mysteriously disappeared during the birthday banquet, without any signs of fighting or screams, as if they had vanished into thin air.

Combined with the bizarre prophecy announced by "Baiyulou", rumors spread throughout the martial arts world. It is said that many families who originally planned to celebrate their birthdays canceled their banquets in order to avoid suffering undeserved disasters.

While other families may not celebrate their birthdays, if the Empress Dowager, as the mother of the nation, cancels her birthday banquet out of fear of unforeseen circumstances, she will become a laughing stock.

After reading the dossier, Zhan Zhao understood Guo Huai's concerns. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Are these four scrolls of Zhong Kui paintings definitely from the same person?"

"Yes!"

Guo Huaiji stood quietly to the side, his breathing almost imperceptible, but upon hearing this, he immediately replied: "The painters of the Hanlin Painting Academy have all confirmed that the four scrolls were all done by one person. The painting skills are not particularly outstanding, but the Zhong Kui he painted is quite lifelike, and there seems to be a strong sense of resentment in the brushstrokes!"

Zhan Zhao nodded slightly: "What about the paper and paint? Where did they come from? Can you find out who bought them?"

"Those things can't be investigated..."

Guo Huaiji sighed: "It came from Nanjing Xijin Prefecture of the Liao Kingdom, so it was obviously done intentionally by the murderer."

"Xijin Mansion."

Zhan Zhao frowned.

The Liao Dynasty had five capitals, and Nanjing Xijin Prefecture was actually the location of the later Beijing. It was the most prosperous of the five capitals and the place closest to the Song Dynasty.

With the speed and agility of martial arts practitioners, it would take less than a day to travel from Hebei to Xijin Prefecture to buy paper and ink, but to investigate in detail would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

Zhan Zhao thought for a moment and then asked, "Has the Imperial City Guard already investigated the connection between these four missing persons?"

"Of course!"

Guo Huaiji hurriedly said, "Yu Xuzi of Qingcheng Sect and Helian Jue of Canglang Fortress have both lived in their respective areas for a long time and have never left their hometowns. They have never had any contact with each other. The two with extensive social connections are Ye Canglang of Iron Sword Sect and Yun Heming, the great hero of Jiangnan. However, these two may have heard of each other's names, but they do not have any private interactions."

Zhan Zhao wasn't surprised; if there were an obvious connection, this wouldn't have become a strange case that has troubled people in the martial arts world.

And now, this has stumped him as well.

The case is spread too far. To find out the truth, we would have to go to all four places where the crimes occurred, which would take at least half a year.

The key issue is that people in ancient times didn't have the mindset of preserving the scene, so there's probably no trace left. We can only ask the local sect members.

Judging from the records in the case file, this step was clearly not very smooth.

Seeing that Zhan Zhao remained silent, Guo Huaiji remembered the care his godfather Guo Huai had given him on the way here, and hurriedly said, "Master... Master..."

Zhan Zhao casually said, "Don't call me that. You're a year or two younger than me, so just call me Big Brother."

"what?"

Guo Huaiji was stunned.

He was a castrated eunuch...

But business was of the essence, and after a moment's hesitation, he quickly continued, "The Imperial City Guard has reported that the entire Yunqi Manor is about to enter the capital!"

"Oh?"

Zhan Zhao's spirits lifted: "When will we arrive?"

Guo Huaiji said, "Judging by the time, it should be within the next few days."

"it is good!"

Zhan Zhao said, "The disappearance of Master Yun is the most recent case. I was there myself and have connections with everyone in the manor. It's the easiest place to find a breakthrough."

Thinking of this, Zhan Zhao instructed, "It would be best if the Imperial City Guard sent someone to secretly protect them on their way there, to prevent the murderers from attacking the manor, and to ensure their safe arrival in the capital."

"Yes!"

Although Guo Huaiji was mild-mannered, he was very capable in his work. Otherwise, he would not have served the princess and been adopted by Guo Huai as her godson. Upon hearing this, he immediately set off to do so.

Zhan Zhao, however, thought of one last question: "Zhong Kui captures five ghosts, but what is the name of the fifth ghost?"

"The clever ghost is cunning, the frivolous ghost is lustful, the flirtatious ghost is mischievous, the pretentious ghost is boastful, and the cunning ghost stirs up trouble."

Guo Huaiji replied, "Now that the four ghosts have appeared on the scroll, only the last ghost, Liao Qiao, remains."

"Teasing Qiao the devil and causing trouble..."

Zhan Zhao slowly said, "Then where should this last missing person case be located?"

(End of this chapter)