Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 45 The Power of the Heart Sword Divine Technique
"So, through the screen, I... saw that enormous figure..."

When the truth was revealed, not only did everyone around gasp in shock and the temperature plummet, but even the usually robust and healthy Granny Jiang stared wide-eyed, her words even becoming somewhat stammering.

"It's a combination of the murderer and the victim!"

Zhan Zhao bluntly stated: "The murderer killed Tang Lei, cut him in half at the waist, emptied his internal organs, then pressed his own legs tightly against the lower half of Tang Lei's body to block the doorway, while simultaneously putting the upper half of the body over himself."

"Because he was carrying the upper half of a corpse on his head at the time, even if he was short, he would still be taller than the normal Tang Lei."

"However, there is a limitation: one must wear a winter robe to conceal the difference in waist size through the loose outer garment."

"So this is why Tang Lei, who was clearly cut in half at the waist, did not have his wide robe torn."

"In this technique, clothing is also one of the key elements."

"Since Tang Lei is a giant with a strong physique, and what is seen through the screen is inevitably distorted, the height difference is actually hard to notice unless you make a special comparison."

After explaining the strange sights that Granny Jiang had witnessed, Zhan Zhao continued, "On the other hand, for the person who pushed open the door, it was a nightmare."

"A piercing scream, coupled with the impact of the body being torn apart, and the grief of losing a fellow disciple—I doubt many could calmly consider a single flaw—"

Why did Tang Lei's upper body fall to the ground but end up facing the door?

"Because the murderer who put the bag under the body deliberately adjusted the direction."

"He used his contortionist body and outer robe to conceal his figure, but he could not fall backward in the end."

"The parts of the body that are separated will be visible to anyone entering the room, revealing the method of concealment. So even if he knows this is a flaw, he must turn the body around and fall outwards."

"Once you examine the scene and find no trace of the murderer, and then go to Madam Yun's room to report the news, he can crawl out of the body and leave safely."

"But at this moment, the murderer made a mistake. Instead of turning the body back over, he placed it on the ground with the head facing outwards."

"I'm afraid it's because he was worried that other witnesses might pass by, so he had to leave immediately and couldn't care less about such details."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lan, having experienced it firsthand, felt her stomach churn and could no longer bear it, so she ran to the side and cried out, "Ugh—!"

Those who hadn't witnessed the scene were equally astonished and all turned to look.

Li Kong lowered his head, his face hidden in the shadows.

"Bloody mouth!"

Chu Zhirou gritted her teeth and said, "What you said is all conjecture. Just because Sixth Junior Brother knows the Bone Shrinking Technique, you can't accuse him of being a murderer. Besides, even if Tang Lei is a traitor, we can just kill him. Why go through all this trouble?"

"Regarding motives, I have no empirical evidence, but I have speculations."

Zhan Zhao said, "Actually, this secret room puzzle was not prepared for me, nor for the people of Yunqi Manor, but for the Six Doors."

Chu Zhirou's expression changed again.

Zhan Zhao said, "Your original plan was to carry Tang Lei's mangled body to the Six Doors tomorrow morning to demand justice!"

"By then, the scene will be cleaned up and all traces destroyed. Even if the Four Great Constables came, they would have a hard time cracking this incredible locked-room mystery by relying solely on testimonies."

“Once they can’t solve the mystery of how the killer disappeared, they will be unable to clear their names. Based on the previous conflict, the two sides will be completely irreconcilable.”

At this point, Zhan Zhao raised his voice slightly: "Was this case committed by you alone, or was it instigated by someone?"

Li Kong's body trembled almost imperceptibly, while Chu Zhirou said decisively, "Nonsense! You've said everything, but there's absolutely no evidence..."

Do you think this is a government office handling cases?

Granny Jiang said coldly, "Sixth Young Master, if you really are hiding inside the corpse, not to mention the bloodstains on your clothes, just cleaning up the smell alone will take some effort. No matter what you've prepared, this house has always been managed by me, and I don't believe you can clean up all the traces completely..."

Chu Zhirou was about to argue further when Li Kong finally spoke up: "Master's wife! We're just cleaning up the house!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's bodies trembled.

Shen Lan, Lin Yuxian, and Lian Caiyun, in particular, looked at their two fellow disciples with the most complicated expressions.

Madam Gu then asked, "Do you think I won't handle this impartially?"

Li Kong exclaimed in surprise, "No! That's not it!"

Madam Gu asked, "Then why did you act on your own?"

Granny Jiang also said, "Since you have discovered Tang Lei's shameful deeds, you should report to Madam. Madam will naturally deal with Tang Lei. Now you have killed someone without permission and even painstakingly arranged the scene. Is it as Young Master Zhan said, that you have been instigated by outsiders to make us fight to the death with the Six Doors?"

"Do not!!"

Li Kong knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly: "The manor has nurtured us, and we would never dare to be instigated by others to collude with outsiders!"

'what? '

Zhan Zhao's eyes flickered.

Because the Six Doors had recently been embroiled in various controversies, and after Yunqi Manor arrived in the capital, he "accidentally" overheard a scandal in an inn, so after seeing through the truth, he made a judgment.

The perpetrator in this case may have been misled by outsiders, just like Dingjue.

But at this moment, Li Kong's resolute attitude seemed to suggest otherwise...

"Master's wife, please forgive your disrespect today. In any case, we will clean up the mess and have a clear conscience!" Seeing that Li Kong had given up, Chu Zhirou stopped arguing. She gritted her teeth, suddenly rose up, but not to attack. Instead, she retreated.

The lightness skill displayed by this "Xingyun" truly lived up to the description of "flowing clouds and flowing water," far surpassing that of his fellow disciples. No wonder he dared to disguise himself as a man in black and lure Zhan Zhao away.

At the same time, Li Kong kowtowed heavily, and as he retreated, he drew the sword from his waist and pointed it sharply.

hum!
A peculiar sword chant spread out, aimed directly at Zhan Zhao, but all who passed by were affected.

Not to mention that Granny Jiang, who was already short-tempered, had her eyes turn red instantly, even the other three Yuns, whose expressions were complicated, felt a surge of anger rising to their heads.

'The Sword of Wrath - Wildfire Burns the Heart?'

'It really is the Heart Sword Divine Technique!'

Zhan Zhao, who was the first to be affected, was not surprised but rather delighted.

Heavenly Immortal Soars to the Heavens, Unparalleled in Swordsmanship.

When Zhan Zhao learned that the "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi" he had learned was the ultimate skill of "Immortal Swordsman" Yun Qingxiao, he couldn't help but wonder what the ultimate skills of the other three sword masters were.

The Taoist priest did not answer at first, but after Zhan Zhao finally began to understand the basics, he told him about the other three methods.

The evaluation of "Heart Sword Divine Technique" is as follows:

"A sword is made of ordinary iron, but it becomes divine through emotion. The seven emotions flow through the pulse, and the six desires question the heart. However, the swordsman must be like the bright moon in the sky, illuminating the vast mortal world, while remaining untainted by the dust of the world."

"This sword technique uses the seven emotions as fire to temper the sword intent, but one must also maintain a pure heart in order not to be devoured by the backlash."

"With each emotion cultivated, the sword intent deepens. When the seven emotions are perfected, the sword heart becomes clear and can fight against gods and men."

There is no specific order in which the Seven Sword Intents are practiced, but the first sword that most people practice is the Sword of Wrath - Wildfire!

Because anger is often an essential element of battle.

The sword ignites with soul-stirring fire, its momentum like a raging torrent. Wherever the sword's edge passes, it spreads like wildfire, making the opponent feel the same way and burning with rage.

When practiced to a high level, it can cause the enemy to feel as if their internal organs are burning, as if a flame of passion is igniting from their heart, causing their blood to boil and their nerves to burst, their mind to collapse, and them to die in madness.

Li Kong, known as "Hidden Cloud," has clearly mastered this technique. Once unleashed, it can influence the emotions of those around him, causing them to become enraged, lose their reason, and become unable to cope.

Tang Lei was probably ambushed and killed with a single sword strike.

'pity! '

'It's still a bit too weak for me.'

But when Zhan Zhao sensed this sword intent, he didn't even draw his sword to counter it. He simply turned the Six Hearts Clarity Technique, and the rapidly rising anger subsided.

"So you secretly learned the Heart Sword Divine Technique..."

Compared to Zhan Zhao's easy response, Madam Gu made her move for the first time.

Her hands were empty; she simply extended two slender fingers and gently flicked them.

Zheng——!
A sword rang out suddenly, and an invisible true force burst forth with the sword energy, piercing straight into the heart.

Zhan Zhao's expression changed accordingly.

It wasn't a resurgence of anger.

It was precisely then that the anger suddenly disappeared.

Not only were the newly aroused emotions quickly dissipated, but even one of the seven emotions that should have been present also vanished.

The person becomes less angry and more lethargic.

There was no anger, nor the slightest will to fight.

'With a clear and pure mind, inherently without defilement, one responds to circumstances with ease and freedom!'

Zhan Zhao immediately began to circulate his internal energy, this time at full power, and analyzed the incoming true energy. His expression gradually became more lively again.

Compared to him, everyone around him had a numb expression, their calm and indifferent demeanor remarkably similar to that of Madam Gu.

Only Chu Zhirou and Li Kong, who were about to flee, felt as if struck by lightning.

"Boom!"

My heart tightened suddenly.

"Dong dong!"

Blood vessels surged backward.

"Dong dong dong——!"

The two men suddenly knelt on the ground, their fingers clutching their chests as if trying to tear out their hearts, making gurgling sounds in their throats, but unable to utter a single sound.

In a moment, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground like a rag doll, unconscious.

(End of this chapter)