Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 41 The Secrets of That Year

The Gu family mansion.

Madam Yun nodded indifferently to Zhan Zhao and Lian Caiyun, who had returned safely.

After reading the letters the two men brought back, Madam Yun remained calm and composed, but she did not nod again.

Zhan Zhao spoke first: "I have just compared the traces at the scene with the 'Panlong Silk'. They all seem to be sharp, thin lines, but they don't match."

Madam Yun said, "That person wasn't killed by Su Wuqing."

Lian Caiyun said sadly, "Master's wife, why did Second Senior Brother... why did he do this?"

Madam Yun said, "He's doing treacherous things for his own benefit; he has his own despicable intentions. Why are you asking me?"

Lian Caiyun was speechless.

Zhan Zhao then spoke up, "I have a question. In terms of the order of succession, isn't Tang Lei the most qualified person in your manor?"

"Do not."

Madam Yun shook her head slightly: "Tang Lei will not inherit the estate."

Zhan Zhao asked, "Why is that?"

Madam Yun said, "In terms of martial arts skill, he only possesses three basic hard techniques, which are purely for bluffing."

"As for management skills, he was illiterate and disliked literature; his account books lay gathering dust in the room, never having been turned a single page."

"In terms of character and cultivation, he is even more impetuous and greedy. How can such a person obtain the manor and tarnish the reputation of the Yun family?"

Upon hearing these calm words, Lian Caiyun was taken aback, clearly not expecting that her second senior brother was so unworthy in her master's wife's eyes.

Zhan Zhao then asked, "Does Madam know what she thinks of Tang Lei?"

Madam Yun calmly replied, "I know."

Zhan Zhao understood: "Madam has always disliked Tang Lei. Tang Lei had long seen through it. He coveted the properties of Yunqi Manor and the Gu family mansion, but he knew that under normal circumstances, these properties would not fall into his hands. So after discovering a certain secret, he came up with an idea—to contact the Six Doors!"

"In Tang Lei's view, this is a very ingenious method. The Six Doors can resolve the Yunqi Manor's pursuit of responsibility, while he can represent Yunqi Manor, demonstrate his capabilities, increase his standing in the Madam's eyes, and ultimately become the heir in a natural way."

"In other words, what Tang Lei wants is not to collude with the Six Doors, but to play both sides and achieve two goals at once!"

Hearing this, Lian Caiyun's face flushed red, her fists clenched, and she said angrily, "So you're not going to avenge Senior Brother? If Second Senior Brother really does this for the sake of the foundation, it's simply... simply heartless!"

Madam Yun remained silent.

Zhan Zhao gazed at the woman who seemed devoid of emotion throughout, and slowly asked, "Can we possibly know about that secret?"

Madam Yun was clearly surprised by this question, and a slight change finally appeared in her expression: "You want to know?"

Zhan Zhao solemnly said, "I have no intention of prying into other people's privacy, but this matter involves the case. If Madam is willing to tell me, I will listen attentively and will never spread it to others."

Madam Yun remained silent for a long time before looking at Lian Caiyun: "You want to hear this too?"

Lian Caiyun met her master's wife's gaze and felt a sudden sense of fear. She was a little afraid to listen, but thinking that Brother Zhan was still there, she thought that staying would be a way to share the burden, so she nodded vigorously.

"it is good!"

Therefore, Madam Yun's words were earth-shattering: "Gu Lin is not an orphan I adopted when he was a child, but my biological son."

"what?"

Zhan Zhao had already guessed it, so he was somewhat relieved, only showing shock on the surface.

Lian Caiyun was truly dumbfounded, speechless, and stammered, "That rumor...the rumor is true? Master...Master...does he know?"

"he knows."

Madam Yun slowly closed her eyes, seemingly trying to conceal the emotions within them: "Back then, when I first entered the martial world, my swordsmanship was quite remarkable, and I had many admirers. I became arrogant and ignorant, fell into a trap, and was humiliated by villains..."

This time, Zhan Zhao's expression changed, revealing a murderous intent.

"The most tragic thing is that I still don't know the thief's face. My father went out like a madman and wiped out all the evil gangs and underworld forces in the area. But when he came back, I found out that I was pregnant..."

"That child is Gu Lin."

Madam Yun's voice was slightly somber, revealing a hint of sorrow for the first time. However, it was not for herself, but rather a reminder of the torment her loved ones had suffered in the past.

Such is the nature of human relationships, both warm and cold.

Those who are usually fawned over and obsequious will scatter like birds and beasts when trouble comes;

Ironically, it was the closest people—those family members who had once found them nagging and restrictive—who were truly hurt the most and remained until the very end. Lian Caiyun realized what was happening and gritted her teeth: "So Tang Lei found out about this and came to blackmail Master's wife?"

This time, he didn't even call him "Second Senior Brother."

Is this alone enough to achieve our goal?

Zhan Zhao's eyes flickered slightly.

This incident was indeed a heavy blow to a woman's reputation, but so many years have passed, it is old news from the previous generation, and in addition, Madam Yun lives a secluded life and has long lost her reputation in the martial arts world, so how many people care about her?

Moreover, if the Six Doors were to use this matter to blackmail them, they would be despised by the martial arts world, and it would be more likely that they would lose all their reputation.

"No."

As expected, Madam Yun closed her eyes and shook her head: "The real secret is your master's identity. He doesn't actually have the surname Yun, nor is he the nephew of 'Immortal Swordsman' Yun Qingxiao..."

Lian Caiyun was stunned again, her small mouth slightly open, remaining motionless.

Zhan Zhao instantly understood many things: "Then what is his real name?"

Madam Yun said, "His original surname was Jiang, and his name was Jiang Heming. He was an attendant of my father."

"After the incident came to light, he proposed to my father, expressing his willingness to marry me. My father was deeply moved and not only granted the marriage but also found him an excellent family background..."

"'Heavenly Heart Soars to Immortality, Unparalleled in Sword Dao,' my father had a very close personal relationship with three other uncles, especially with Uncle Yun the Fourth..."

"My father felt indebted to Jiang Heming, and in order to prevent him from marrying into our family and becoming dependent on others, he wanted to ask Uncle Yun to take Jiang Heming as his apprentice."

"As a result, Uncle Yun Si directly recognized his brother as his adopted son, carried on the family line, and handed over Yunqi Manor to him."

"From that day on, to the outside world, he became the nephew of 'Swordsman' Yun Qingxiao."

Zhan Zhao nodded slightly: "So the manual 'Six Lines Formless Sword Qi' in the manor is actually blank?"

Madam Yun, no, she should now be called Madam Gu, closed her eyes and slowly said, "Jiang Heming really wanted to become Uncle Yun's apprentice, but after Uncle Yun tested him, he felt that he would have difficulty learning the 'Six Lines Formless Sword Qi' and refused."

"A mountain villa, a family name—this is already an immense favor that I cannot bear. How could I possibly ask for more swordsmanship?"

Zhan Zhao already had the answer in his mind, but he still confirmed it: "Then what about 'Master Yun's' signature skills, 'Cloud Crane Ascending to Immortality Sword Stance' and 'Cloud Crane Ascending to Immortality Steps'?"

Madam Gu said, "That is a martial art created by my father. He just changed the name to make it look more prestigious."

No wonder Yun Heming's martial arts were not as good as Bai Yulou's. It turned out that he had just put on a different skin, changed the name, and claimed it as his own creation. Of course, Bai Yulou would not admit it.

After listening, Lian Caiyun was somewhat puzzled: "Master's wife, is Tang Lei using this to blackmail me?"

Compared to the hurt his wife suffered in the past, his change of name and surname doesn't seem to matter that much, does it?
'Do not! '

This is a very serious matter!

Zhan Zhao shook his head silently.

Compared to Madam Gu's past, Yun Heming's origins are the truly fatal secret.

Because this man was a "great hero of Jiangnan," he had a wide circle of friends and was very influential. For his birthday banquet, almost all the prominent figures in the Jiangnan region came to the manor to offer their congratulations.

If the secret of how such a renowned martial arts master rose to power is revealed, and it is discovered that he was a son-in-law who had even changed his surname and whose wife had a son early on, then the prestige that Yunqi Manor has accumulated over the years will vanish and he will become a laughing stock.

If Tang Lei were to grasp this secret, he could indeed use it as leverage to gain favor with everyone and acquire the estate.

Upon hearing Lian Caiyun's question, Madam Gu's body trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze piercing straight at her.

'not good! '

Zhan Zhao instantly flashed and stood in front of Lian Caiyun.

In the instant she raised her eyes, she saw that the depths of Madam Gu's eyes were like an ancient, icy pool, where years of emotions and desires had been tempered into a chilling sword intent!
A sudden chill ran down his spine; his martial arts intuition, sharp as needles, sent a frantic warning.

Just now, during his nighttime visit to the Six Doors, Su Wuqing transmitted his voice before leaving: "Madam Gu has been living a secluded life these past few years not because she is seriously ill, but because she has been diligently practicing the 'Heart Sword Divine Technique,' and she is now suspected to have reached the level of a martial arts grandmaster."

This judgment is both right and wrong.

Madam Gu's martial arts level is not yet that of a grandmaster.

But the torrent of emotions surging within her at this moment condensed into a killing intent that surpassed even that of a grandmaster!
At this critical moment, Zhan Zhao did not draw his sword to fight for the first time. Instead, he completely concealed his sword aura and slowly said, "The Pure Tathagatagarbha says, 'Bodhisattvas lower their brows to show compassion to the six realms, and Vajras glare fiercely to subdue the four demons.' I have never understood its meaning until I heard about such evil deeds."

Having said that, he clasped his hands together, and in an instant, his appearance became solemn and dignified, dispelling any murderous intent: "Amitabha! Well done, well done!"

(End of this chapter)