Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 42 The Final Mystery (A Congratulations to Alliance Leader "Jiang Qingfeng")

"A Buddhist identity is surprisingly useful!"

As the evening drum and morning bell rang, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility, the sharp glint in Madam Gu's eyes gradually faded, and her expression returned to its usual calm and composed state.

Zhan Zhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

From a martial artist's perspective, he actually quite wanted to spar with this swordsman.

We probably can't win in a fight.

But how can you know your limits without actually engaging in combat?

However, the case is currently under investigation.

And there are three cases.

First, Jiang Heming went missing; second, Gu Lin died; and third, Tang Lei died.

If a fight really breaks out with Madam Gu, then the channels of normal communication will be basically blocked.

That's why Zhan Zhao used the Six Minds Clarity Technique and emphasized his identity as a monk.

Revealing unpleasant past events to worldly people feels like an unspeakable secret.

It's much easier to accept emotionally if you can confide in someone outside the secular world.

Foreign religions even specialize in this kind of business!

Madam Gu was indeed calmed down and did not really have a fit.

Lian Caiyun was shielded behind her, her eyes blinking rapidly.

Why did my older brother suddenly become a monk?

Hmm, it seems like it always was, but it didn't look like it at all before!
I never expected that his dignified appearance just a moment ago would be like that of a great and virtuous monk!
I don't really like it...

Zhan Zhao maintained his dignified demeanor and asked the crucial question: "May I ask, Madam, how many people in the manor know about this secret?"

Madam Gu said, "I haven't told anyone else."

"What about the rumors about Gu Lin's background?"

Madam Gu said calmly, "We'll have to ask Jiang Heming."

"Jiang Heming?"

Zhan Zhao frowned.

Jiang Heming was originally a servant. He married the daughter of Xin Jianke and became the nephew of Xian Jianke, a famous figure in the martial arts world, and the "Great Hero of Jiangnan" who was respected by everyone. He was too busy to hide his past experiences, so how could he reveal them?
However, judging from Madam Gu's words, this secret is only known between husband and wife, so if she doesn't say it herself, then we should suspect Jiang Heming.

Zhan Zhao recalled how Granny Jiang had interrupted his conversation with Lin Yuxian earlier, and then asked, "Does Granny Jiang know anything about this?"

Madam Gu said, "I know, but I won't reveal it."

Zhan Zhao, however, was still worried: "Could we ask Granny Jiang to come here?"

"Madam!"

Half an hour later, Granny Jiang went into the house.

It was late at night, and a hint of fatigue showed on her face. There was also a faint smell of blood on her body, probably from handling the corpses. But her tone still conveyed a deep respect and concern.

"Young Master Zhan already knows about the manor's past..."

However, the first words from Madam Gu caused a sharp glint to appear in Granny Jiang's eyes, and a murderous aura emanated from her.

Zhan Zhao remained unmoved, simply clasping his hands together again and chanting Amitabha Buddha.

Grandma Jiang was also taken aback for a moment.

Oh right, this person is a monk...

That's alright, that's alright.

Madam Gu said, "Go ahead and ask."

Zhan Zhao voiced his earlier doubts.

How could I possibly gossip like that?

Upon hearing this, Granny Jiang flew into a rage: "It was clearly the eldest daughter who was harmed, but if this matter were to spread, not only would it make us a laughingstock in the martial arts world, but it would also damage the master's reputation for life! Even if you kill me, I will never reveal a single word!"

Zhan Zhao believed this man was a loyal servant, but a new question arose: "Then why does the old man live in a large mansion in the capital?"

Granny Jiang snorted: "Because I disagreed with this marriage back then, Jiang Heming is no good person. He was willing to marry Madam not out of love, but because he coveted Master's martial arts and status, and wanted to use it to get ahead!"

"But the master wouldn't listen and even sent me to the capital. Clearly, he didn't want me to be with Jiang Heming; we just couldn't stand each other..."

"However, I was worried about the eldest young lady, so I went to Jiangnan several times over the years." "At first, Jiang Heming was very honest and caring towards the eldest young lady, and he treated the eldest young master as his own son. Although I did not believe that it was his true intention, I was relieved. In any case, as long as the eldest young lady is happy, that's all that matters."

"But ever since the battle at Broken Soul Cliff, when Master disappeared, Jiang Heming has changed..."

"No! He hasn't changed, he's reverted to his old ways! He no longer respects Madam, treats her coldly, and thinks he's the master of Yunqi Manor now. He's started to squander money, associating with all sorts of people, just to make a name for himself. Later, he rarely returned to the manor, spending all his time indulging in pleasure and debauchery!"

Grandma Jiang spoke through gritted teeth, filled with extreme hatred.

Madam Gu sat quietly, her expression showing no sadness whatsoever, as if the words were not directed at her husband.

Zhan Zhao clasped his hands together.

Jiang Heming's methods of rising to power are truly despicable.

But Madam Gu's state of mind does indeed make her quite difficult to get along with.

It's hard to imagine what it would feel like to be at home with a wife who has no emotions or desires.

Therefore, he declined to comment on the private matters between husband and wife.

But the same question remains: who leaked the secret from back then?

If it weren't for the rumors that had already spread and Qi Yun had heard about them, Tang Lei, based on the conversation that day and the circumstances around him, probably wouldn't have been able to guess the truth of what happened back then.

As things stand, there's no answer to this question for now. Zhan Zhao further revealed, "It seems Tang Lei knows too?"

"What!!"

Granny Jiang took the letter, glanced at it, and her expression initially turned ferocious, but after thinking for a moment, she breathed a sigh of relief: "Luckily it's the Six Doors, the Six Doors won't spread it..."

Zhan Zhao observed her carefully: "Why?"

"Sir, you worked in the Six Doors and served as a constable for ten years."

Granny Jiang said, "Back then, the Six Doors didn't have the concept of the Four Great Constables. If they did, the master would definitely have been the leader!"

"I see."

Zhan Zhao nodded slightly.

Gu Menglai, the "Heart Swordsman," has such a close relationship with the Six Doors. No wonder Su Wuqing was so respectful to Madam Gu before, even when she led a group of disciples to block the entrance of the main government office, he was still very polite.

This is why Grandma Jiang breathed a sigh of relief.

In her view, given their past friendship, at least the Six Doors wouldn't reveal this secret.

Even so, she was still furious at Tang Lei's act of informing on her: "He deserves to die! He deserves to die! It's good that such an ungrateful beast is dead. What's the point of investigating him now!"

Upon hearing this, even Caiyun fell silent, though she clearly agreed with it deep down.

There's a saying in the martial arts world: "Clean up the sect." It's something the government can't control, nor does it want to.

This is because, in a sense, disciples are like children. The sect raises them and provides for their needs, including food, clothing, and shelter. If a disciple betrays the sect, it is equivalent to a child violating filial piety.

Disobedience and unfilial piety were the most serious crimes in ancient times. Not only was social death a crime, but parents who beat their unfilial children to death were also protected by law.

A country has its laws, a family has its rules, and each has its own rights and responsibilities; this is the way society operates.

Zhan Zhao didn't object to cleaning up the house either, but he had already silently raised the suspicion of Granny Jiang as the prime suspect in his mind, and directly asked, "But is this kind of murder normal?"

Grandma Jiang frowned and said, "Murder is murder. What's normal or abnormal about it? At most, the person who did it just doesn't want us to know their identity!"

"By dismembering Tang Lei at the waist and leaving sharp marks on the door frame, pointing to Su Wuqing's coiled dragon silk, this is to further escalate the conflict between your manor and the Six Doors..."

Zhan Zhao said in a deep voice, "Is this also considered cleaning up one's own house?"

Grandma Jiang's expression changed slightly.

Even Caiyun recovered from her hostility and quickly said, "Brother Zhan is right, we must investigate the truth!"

Granny Jiang was silent for a moment, then frowned and said, "But putting everything else aside, how exactly did the person who killed Tang Lei leave the house?"

"Yes!"

Zhan Zhao withdrew his gaze and said in a deep voice, "Now only this mystery of the locked room remains!"

Following this investigation.

The motive for the crime has been largely determined.

The range of suspects has been largely narrowed down.

What remains is the unbelievable locked-room murder method.

To unravel this final mystery, Zhan Zhao stopped his clasped hands, switched identities once more, and stepped forward: "Let's go! Let's go back to the scene!"

(End of this chapter)