The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

"Xiao Wu, this is all speculation right now. We don't have any evidence to prove this!"

Zhao Xuan held Gu Zhanghua's hand with a firm look in her eyes.

"So I plan to accompany my father and Uncle Qin to Qingshan Valley to pay homage to Master. I won't return to Liyang for the time being. I want to stay with my father and continue investigating the clues he found!

Even if the Flame Organization and the assassins who killed the envoys are not from the same group, being able to find out the details of the Flame Organization can also fulfill the master's wish.

And there are Uncle Wang Sheng and Grandpa Zhao Ji, they were all killed by the Flame Organization. If we don't find the real culprit, how can we avenge those who died in vain?!"

After listening to this, Gu Zhanghua fell silent and thought. Zhao Xuan felt a little uneasy, thinking, could it be that he blames me for not telling me to take him with me?

Zhao Xuan really didn't want to take Gu Zhanghua with her when she was secretly investigating the Flame Organization this time.

First, unknown dangers are unpredictable, and second, she was worried that Xiao Aiyue would get angry again after she knew about it. The relationship between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law had finally been eased, and she didn't want to be scolded by Xiao Aiyue again.

What? You're taking Xiaowu on another adventure? What if something happens to Xiaowu, how am I going to live? And so on!

Zhao Xuan could guess without even thinking how Xiao Aiyue would question her, and she might even cry endlessly.

She really didn't have the energy to deal with Xiao Aiyue, so the easiest way was to let Gu Zhanghua stay in the mansion.

"Xiao Wu, don't worry, I can take care of myself. I have my reasons for not bringing you along..."

Zhao Xuan secretly glanced at Gu Zhanghua's expression and spoke cautiously.

Unexpectedly, Gu Zhanghua suddenly raised his head, smiled at Zhao Xuan, and interrupted Zhao Xuan.

"I won't go with you this time. I have more important things to do."

"what?!"

Zhao Xuan's eyes suddenly widened and she blurted out in disbelief.

"I'm really not used to you suddenly not being a follower anymore!"

Gu Zhanghua was amused by Zhao Xuan's words. He reached out and pinched the tip of Zhao Xuan's nose, then shook his head helplessly.

"You, you! You're with Dad, why should I worry? I'm worried about something else!"

"Tell me what's going on?"

Zhao Xuan asked curiously.

"Where's your crossbow? Where did you put it? Take it out and show it to me first!"

Gu Zhanghua kept the question in suspense.

"Oh."

Zhao Xuan agreed, stood up and walked to a row of boxes against the wall, opened one of the boxes, took out her specially made small crossbow, walked back and put it on the table.

"My father just helped me adjust it," Zhao Xuan said with a smile as she suddenly thought of something. "My father is really a simple-minded person. He ran from Heyan Village to Chuyang and then back to our Xianwang Mansion, always carrying this crossbow with him."

Gu Zhanghua picked up the crossbow and looked at it carefully, then put it on the table and said seriously:

"The more important thing I'm talking about is related to this crossbow. I've always been worried that once King Rongdi knew it was you who shot him, he would spare no effort to retaliate against you.

I decided to mass-produce this special crossbow and use it on a large scale in the Northern Border Army led by Uncle Qin to deal with the Rongdi cavalry!

Who can the King of Rongdi turn to for revenge then? Would he dare to become an enemy of my entire Northern Army? Or even my Xia Nation? This would both strengthen the Northern Army and resolve your predicament, achieving the best of both worlds!

Zhao Xuan was surprised and delighted when she heard this, and slapped Gu Zhanghua hard on the shoulder. Gu Zhanghua grimaced in pain.

"Sister Xuan, please be gentle! Although I have been practicing martial arts with you for some time, my body really can't withstand a slap from you!"

Zhao Xuan hurriedly and gently rubbed Gu Zhanghua's shoulders and said happily:

"I was just too excited! Xiaowu, you're awesome! I'm telling you, this crossbow of mine is unique in the entire Qiankun Continent! It has a long range! It's accurate! It's powerful! It's perfect for the Northern Border Army! But..."

A trace of worry appeared on Zhao Xuan's face.

"Mass production is difficult. Whether it's materials or labor, it's too much for you alone!"

Gu Zhanghua laughed heartily, looking very pleased with himself.

"Who said I have to do this by myself? At this critical moment, you forgot about your father?

Tomorrow we will go to the palace to get the Emperor's consent. Then, ideally, we can get my second brother's help to search for casting masters throughout the Xia Kingdom and build a large workshop so that I can show my skills!"

Zhao Xuan slammed the table and stood up when she heard that, with stars in her eyes.

"You're right!"

As she spoke, she handed the crossbow on the table to Gu Zhanghua.

"Take this as a model! He'll be yours from now on. Consider it my wedding present to you!"

Gu Zhanghua was suddenly at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

"Sister Xuan, when I was little, you jumped onto my bed and insisted on giving me a dagger as a gift. Now that I've grown up and sat in this cozy bedroom, you gave me a bow and a crossbow as a wedding gift. All sharp weapons! You're truly unique!"

Zhao Xuan pinched Gu Zhanghua's face.

"Who says I'm not? I also think I'm incredibly handsome. Otherwise, how could my little Wu still be obsessed with me all these years?"

"You're too narcissistic... Fine, I admit defeat!"

"What? You're so good at admitting defeat? Hurry up and put away your crossbow and go to bed!"

After the two discussed their respective division of labor in the future, they had new hope for the future and naturally slept very soundly.

If the two knew that Tian Shang and Wang Huai had long been targeting Hao Xiong and had already implemented a plan to use Hao Xiong to track down the enemies of King Rongdi, they would not be so at ease.

?

Yue State, Chuyang City.

Qin's Blacksmith Shop.

Qin Xiaoming swung the hammer and knocked twice on the prototype of a long sword in his hand, then put it into the cold water beside him to temper it. When he raised his eyes, he saw Qin Tietie sitting on the stool beside the door, looking out the door in a daze.

It was already the fifth day since the boy named Hao Xiong had gone to pick up the goods. His daughter would often stare blankly outside the door, making Qin Xiaoming anxious and uneasy.

Qin Xiaoming sighed and walked up to Qin Tietie. He saw that Qin Tietie didn't notice him at all. Instead, he took out a piece of paper folded into the shape of a bird from his arms and slowly unfolded it.

Qin Xiaoming reached out and snatched the note. He saw a very simple picture on it, with street signs and building names.

"Dad! Why did you steal my things without making any noise?"

Qin Tietie was distracted for a moment before she saw that the note was already in her father's hand, and she immediately reached out to grab it.

Qin Xiaoming hid the note behind his back, pulled Qin Tietie over, and took him directly to the deserted backyard.

"Tell me, was this note given to you by that kid called Hao Xiong?"

Qin Xiaoming asked sternly. He had figured it out. He couldn't go on like this. He had to explain the interests involved to Qin Tietie.

"He gave me a rough outline of the Xia Kingdom's capital, Liyang City, with the location of Prince Xian's Palace marked on it. He told me to go visit him when I have the chance."

Qin Tietie rarely saw her father lose his temper, so she answered with some fear.

Qin Xiaoming tore the note into pieces in a few seconds, his face turned ashen, and what he said really scared Qin Tietie.

"Tietie, Daddy is telling you the truth. Hao Xiong has messed with someone we wouldn't dare mess with in our lifetime. He might even lose his life! You absolutely must not have anything to do with him. Do you hear me?"

When Qin Tietie heard this, his originally dark and rosy face turned pale in an instant and his lips trembled.

"What bad things did he do? Did he kill someone? Or set a fire?"

"That's not necessarily the case..."

Seeing that his daughter was frightened, Qin Xiaoming quickly spoke to comfort her.

"Dad thinks it has something to do with the batch of crossbows he ordered. Some government officials are secretly investigating the owner of those crossbows. Isn't that Hao Xiong?"

"I don't think Brother Xiong is a bad guy. It's just a crossbow incident. What's the big deal?"

Qin Tietie immediately breathed a sigh of relief and didn't take her father's words seriously.

"Silly girl!"

Qin Xiaoming saw that Qin Tietie was heartless and didn't listen to his words at all, so he slapped Qin Tietie on the arm and said sternly:

"From now on, forget this person, otherwise Dad will sever the father-daughter relationship with you!"

Qin Tietie originally wanted to argue with her father a few more words, but when she saw her father's harsh words, she had to shut up. However, she kept complaining in her heart, "Brother Xiong and I are friends. We are friends only if we share happiness and hardship. Shouldn't I remind my friend when he is in trouble?"

Qin Tietie was worried.

Fortunately, although her father tore up the picture that Brother Xiong drew for her, she had already memorized it clearly.