Legend of Zhan Zhao

Preview of Chapter 69: Deciphering the Zhong Kui Diagram
"Master Detective Zhan!"

Constable Pang Wen panicked: "This matter...this matter cannot be guessed!"

Zhao Wujiu also said in a deep voice, "Without any evidence, why do you say that?"

This is no longer the time for you to beat us up. Now you are a detective in the Six Doors, and we are all on the same side!

How can we let the filth of the ten directions of ghosts be dumped on our own heads?
"Don't worry."

Zhan Zhao said calmly, "Every judgment I make is based on evidence, and a single piece of evidence is not enough; there is more than one piece of evidence."

Lian Caiyun blinked: "Brother Zhan, we are all ears."

Shen Lan and Lin Yuxian also curled their lips, feeling inexplicably much happier: "Please enlighten us, Brother Zhan."

Zhan Zhao wasn't trying to appease Yunqi Manor's feelings; he had genuinely figured out a crucial point: "First, there's the mystery surrounding Su Shenbu being captured by Zhong Kui as the 'Fifth Ghost.'"

"My initial guess was that 'Zhong Kui' was worried that Su Shenbu would interfere with his crime, so he struck first."

"So this fifth ghost is the Troublemaker Ghost. The Troublemaker Ghost causes trouble and represents the threat to Detective Su."

"But there's something strange about this. If you think about it carefully, Zhong Kui already has the ability to directly capture Su Wuqing, the leader of the Four Great Constables. Why would he worry about the other party hindering his crime?"

"Besides, Su Wuqing is the last of the 'Five Ghosts.' If we were really worried about the other party obstructing us, we should have captured Su Wuqing earlier, such as when we were capturing the first or second ghost, so that the Six Doors would be thrown into chaos."

"Now that 'Zhong Kui' has captured the first four ghosts, wouldn't it be redundant to add Su Wuqing, a potential troublemaker, as the fifth ghost?"

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but nod in agreement.

That makes sense!

Zhan Zhao continued, "Now we have a new lead—"

"The four people who went missing earlier, Yu Xuzi, Helian Jue, Ye Canglang and Yun Heming, may have been former members of the 'Ten Directions Ghost Clan'."

"But given Su Shenbu's age, he was clearly not suited for this role, yet he was still targeted by 'Zhong Kui'."

"There are two possibilities: either the pattern of 'Zhong Kui' capturing people has changed, or the so-called 'teasing ghost' is just a smokescreen!"

"The threatening announcement at Luo Shijun's birthday banquet served as a wake-up call for me."

Pang Wen was puzzled: "The threatening letter is fake. It wasn't written by 'Zhong Kui' at all. It's just a trick Luo Shijun used to make things difficult for our Six Doors!"

"good."

Zhan Zhao nodded: "'Zhong Kui' doesn't write letters. The 'Zhong Kui painting' is this person's identification, but that doesn't mean 'Zhong Kui' won't make a prediction!"

Zhao Wujiu's eyes flickered: "Could it be?"

Zhan Zhao said, "The fifth 'Zhong Kui Picture' appeared at the Six Doors headquarters. At that time, Su Shenbu had disappeared again, so we naturally assumed that Su Shenbu was the last 'fifth ghost,' and Zhong Kui's task of catching the ghost was completed. But what if... that's not the case?"

Zhao Wujiu's expression changed: "The fifth volume, 'Zhong Kui Picture,' is a premonition of the crime. 'Zhong Kui' means that the last ghost to be caught is within the Six Doors?"

Pang Wen groaned, "This...who could have imagined this?"

"Actually, it's possible, and the answer is right there in the riddle!"

Zhan Zhao said, "Everyone might recall the announcement regarding the 'Zhong Kui Painting'—"

"The first line, 'What ghosts are there in the world? Demons and monsters all arise from the heart,' means that once a person has evil thoughts, he is like a demon or monster. This is why there is Zhong Kui who catches ghosts, which points out the core motivation."

"The second line, 'Escaped into the Nine Netherworlds, its form hard to find; fortune and longevity are never mutually exclusive,' isn't the first half of the line just a direct reference to those 'Ten Directions Ghosts' who disappeared without a trace back then? As for the second half, it's because 'Zhong Kui' specifically chose to make his move on his birthday."

"But the last line, 'Zhong Kui draws his sword to frighten away the demons and monsters, and the five ghosts are subdued, revealing the clear sky,' is very strange. What does 'revealing the clear sky' mean? Did even the person solving the case predict this?"

At this point, Zhan Zhao paused and said, "But now, looking at it again, are the 'Upright Officials' really here to solve cases? Or are they simply a target? In the eyes of the people, aren't the Six Doors officials, who uphold justice, praised as upright officials?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.

Lian Caiyun and the other two, who had initially been watching the spectacle with amusement, now groaned and said, "So from the very beginning, 'Zhong Kui' wasn't aiming to capture five people, but six; 'Qing Tian' was the ultimate target?"

Because of the positive image of the judge, everyone who sees the ending assumes that the judge appeared to stop the murderer from committing further crimes.

In reality, Zhong Kui will eventually capture the "Justice"!
The "Upright Official" of the Six Doors!
Zhan Zhao said directly, "Go and bring Pei Handeng over."

Pei Handeng was brought over by two constables.

Compared to the previous courteous treatment, the constables on both sides were much more wary this time, and their brows showed some pain.

It is clearly hard to accept that such an old constable, who made the Six Doors his home and worked diligently all his life, would actually ruin his reputation in his later years and collude with outsiders!
Bringing him before her, Pei Handeng remained silent, his eyes still closed. But then, a question drifted into his ears: "You assisted 'Zhong Kui' in exorcising ghosts, is it because members of the 'Ten Directions Ghost Clan' within the Six Doors were committing evil deeds?"

Pei Handeng's body trembled, and his eyes snapped open: "You! How did you know?"

Zhan Zhao was now completely certain, and immediately asked, "You don't believe that Su Wuqing can be impartial and cleanse the 'ghosts' within the Six Doors? You'd rather believe in 'Zhong Kui'?"

Pei Handeng's expression shifted between light and shadow. After a long silence, he finally said, "I have complete faith in the Grand Master's methods. The Six Doors have indeed taken on a new look under his leadership!"

"Unfortunately, while everything else can be accomplished, self-examination is far from easy. A month ago, the head of the hall said he would purge the evil influences within the Six Doors, but what about now? Everything remains calm!"

"I naturally understand the difficulties involved. Even the leader of the Four Great Constables is powerless in many situations and has no say in the matter."

"But the Six Doors represent the culmination of my life's work, and I will not tolerate any corruption or filth there. No matter the cost, I will never regret it!"

Zhao Wujiu and Pang Wen looked enlightened.

No wonder this old constable believed he had done nothing wrong and had never betrayed the Six Doors...

It turned out to be the case.

There's a ghost in the house!

If self-examination fails, then seek external help!
The three people from Yunqi Manor remained puzzled.

Shen Lan immediately asked, "Then who is 'Zhong Kui'? Where did he take our master?"

"The crane cries out..."

Pei Handeng revealed a look of deep disgust: "He's nothing but a scoundrel! This hypocrite is actually called a great hero of Jiangnan; it's a disgrace to the Jiangnan martial arts world!"

After a pause, Pei Handeng looked at the three of them again: "You don't need to feel ashamed. You are descendants of loyal and virtuous people, but you have been deceived by this villain Yun Heming. When the truth comes out, you will be vindicated."

'what? '

Zhan Zhao's eyes flickered.

Descendants of loyal and virtuous officials?

According to the true origin of Yunqi Manor, it was originally the estate of "Immortal Swordsman" Yun Qingxiao, and was later given to "Heart Swordsman" Gu Menglai as his daughter's dowry. Gu Menglai was also the master's wife of Qi Yun.

According to this lineage, they are indeed descendants of loyal and virtuous officials.

After all, the Four Swordsmen's battle against the Venerable Wan Jue made a great contribution to the martial arts world of the Central Plains.

The problem is that outsiders are unaware of the details and only regard Yun Heming as the leading figure of Yunqi Manor.

Pei Handeng's words could only mean that he also knew Yun Heming's background and the truth about Yunqi Manor in the past.

Shen Lan and Lin Yuxian were unaware of the mystery and found it all inexplicable. Even Caiyun vaguely sensed this and widened her eyes upon hearing this: "Then why did you try to harm our senior brother?"

Pei Handeng said, "I did not kill your senior brother, nor did I instruct anyone else to do so."

"That's 'Zhong Kui'!"

Lian Caiyun was filled with grief and indignation: "Was what 'Zhong Kui' did right or wrong?"

Pei Handeng frowned and fell silent.

Seeing this, Lian Caiyun stepped forward, and Shen Lan and Lin Yuxian also surrounded them. All three of them had red eyes and looked ready to beat the old man: "'Zhong Kui'? Who is he? Tell me! Tell me!"

Pei Handeng closed his eyes and stood up straight.

The Six Doors wouldn't allow this old constable to be beaten, and they surrounded him as well. Fortunately, Zhan Zhao's voice rang out: "'Zhong Kui' hasn't made a move yet, does he not know who the last 'ghost' in the Six Doors really is?"

Pei Handeng's eyebrows twitched, and he answered with his eyes closed, "Yes."

Zhan Zhao continued, "Now, does Hall Master Pei understand why Su Wuqing temporarily appointed me as the Divine Constable?"

Pei Handeng suddenly opened his eyes: "Does he think you can find out about that 'ghost' in the Six Doors?"

Zhan Zhao asked, "If I can find out, what will you do?"

The question isn't just about you, it's about all of you.

Pei Handeng understood this meaning and slowly said, "At that time, there will be no need for 'Zhong Kui' anymore. I will persuade this person to come forward and give an explanation to all parties, and restore peace to the country!"

(End of this chapter)