The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Huang Shuo stretched out his hand and pointed at the words "Former Dean" on the paper, looking at Guo Da eagerly.

"What's the story behind this former dean? Old Guo, tell us more about it."

"Yes, Uncle Guo, drink some tea to moisten your throat first."

Zhao Xuan poured tea for Guo Da in a servile manner, and even helped blow it before handing it to Guo Da with a smile.

Guo Da was very satisfied with the father and daughter's humble attitude of seeking advice. He took the teacup and took a sip, showing the demeanor of a teacher.

"Okay, now we can confirm that Qian Bin was involved in the Flame Organization's robbery of the caravan, right?"

Seeing the two figures, one big and one small, nodding their heads like chicks pecking at rice in front of him, Guo Da was very pleased and continued his analysis.

"Look again, the previous dean was in the second year of Xuanhe, succeeding Elder Xuanji as dean. In the third year of Xuanhe, Qian Bin was selected as an outstanding seed player and was admitted to the Liyang branch for further study.

Qian Bin committed suicide by taking poison on the third day of the ninth month of the ninth year of Xuanhe. In the early tenth month of the ninth year of Xuanhe, this mysterious former dean left his post.

When Guo Da said this, he looked at Zhao Xuan and Huang Shuo respectively, and persuaded them step by step.

"Think about it carefully, what does this mean?"

"Does this mean that Qian Bin was under the former dean's supervision during his tenure?"

Huang Shuo was still confused, but Zhao Xuan had already given the answer.

"That's right!"

Guo Da felt a sense of accomplishment as a teacher, as he thought the naughty kid had finally gotten his bearings, and nodded to Zhao Xuan with satisfaction.

"Before the former dean left office, the Liyang branch was closed, and the diplomatic mission was attacked!"

This time, Guo Da didn't even look at Huang Shuo and asked Zhao Xuan directly.

"Xuan'er, think about it, what does this mean?"

Zhao Xuan lowered her head and thought for a while, then suddenly looked up at Guo Da, surprised and confused.

"Could it be that this former dean not only orchestrated the Flame Organization's looting of the caravan, but was also possibly involved in the attack on the delegation?"

Guo Da leaned back in his chair with his arms folded and sighed deeply.

"I don't want to think the worst of people, but the Fuze Orphanage provides relief to orphans, those without parents and helpless. Many of them have been in the orphanage since they were young and are still young.

The orphanage has given them a way to live, and it's no exaggeration to say it's a great favor. It's only natural that some of these orphans are misled and exploited by those with ulterior motives to do evil."

Zhao Xuan was furious, gritting her teeth and saying, "How can this be normal? Those who exploit orphans deserve to die!"

Guo Da touched the top of Zhao Xuan's head soothingly.

"You, kid, are right to hate evil, but you shouldn't act impulsively. This matter is very complicated, and so many years have passed. We need to investigate it slowly."

"Old Guo, you're worthy of being called the Golden Abacus by Xiaoman! You're such a smart person!"

Huang Shuo's eyes were full of admiration. He reached out and patted Guo Da on the shoulder, not hesitating to belittle himself and praise Guo Da.

"These numbers were almost a mess in my head. After your analysis, I feel that there really is a lot of mystery here!"

"I'm just speculating. When you return to Liyang, check that branch. Maybe there will be more clues. Come on, let's eat first."

Guo Da was praised a little too highly by Huang Shuo. He was afraid that he would lose his arms and legs if he fell, so he quickly behaved modestly.

The three of them stopped talking for a while and concentrated on eating.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the waiter cleared the table and brewed a new pot of tea. The three of them then turned their conversation back to the clues of their secret investigation.

Huang Shuo held the teacup and looked at Guo Da with a bitter and resentful look on his face.

"Old Guo, the former dean was the apprentice of Elder Xuanji, meaning Xiaoman's senior or junior brother. Li Chongxi told me that she hasn't seen Elder Xuanji since the former dean took over.

When we were in Mingshan Village, the village chief also said that he hadn't heard from Old Man Xuanji in over ten years, as if he had suddenly disappeared. But more than ten years ago, Old Man Xuanji was very active in the martial arts world!

Zhao Xuan also looked confused, holding her chin and looking at Guo Da.

"Yes, that's true. Uncle Guo, where do you think Old Man Xuanji went? Is it really like the village chief said, that he retired on some immortal mountain?"

"Let me think about it."

Guo Da tapped the table lightly with his fingers, picked up the chart and looked at it carefully. After thinking for a moment, he slowly said:

"Xiao Man once told me that after the caravan was robbed, she had been trying to contact her master but couldn't. Before that, she hadn't heard from her master for seven or eight years.

It was estimated that it was around the second year of Xuanhe that Old Man Xuanji disappeared from the world.

Then, the tragedy of the diplomatic mission and the wanted cases of Xiaoman and Xuan'er were ignored by Old Man Xuanji.

Now, His Majesty has cleared Xiao Man's name and announced it to the world, and everyone knows about it, but there is still no news from Elder Xuan Ji. Don't you think this is strange?"

The sky was gradually getting dark. Seeing that both of them were lost in thought, Guo Da did not urge them. He took a candlestick from the table next to them and took out a tinder to light it.

He also knew that it would be very difficult to thoroughly investigate an old case from more than ten years ago. He could not accompany them to investigate the case, so he could only help them analyze it more.

At this time, Zhao Xuan thought of the worst possible scenario.

"Uncle Guo, could it be that Elder Xuanji is no longer in this world?"

"I'm just guessing, there's no evidence yet."

Guo Da nodded and said in a deep voice.

After hearing what Zhao Xuan said, Huang Shuo also felt the seriousness of the matter.

"This former dean was quite something. Li Chongxi even mentioned to me that he always wore a mask. Why was that?"

"Of course he doesn't want anyone to know who he is."

Zhao Xuan said immediately.

At this time, Guo Da also felt that the truth of the matter was probably more complicated and terrifying than they thought.

“Suppose that the former director is me, and I am the disciple of Elder Xuan Ji, why wouldn’t I want the teachers and children in the orphanage to know who I am?

Put yourself in his shoes, would you hide your identity like him?"

Huang Shuo shook his head first.

"Of course not, I haven't done anything shameful."

After hearing what Huang Shuo said, Guo Da's eyes suddenly became deep and his expression became extremely serious.

"Old Huang, what you said is just one possibility. There is another possibility. Maybe he is a big shot!"

"Big shot?!"

Zhao Xuan screamed in shock, and became even more confused. Her hair was all over her eyes, and she felt like she had reached a dead end.

"Even if you're a prominent figure, opening a relief home is a great deed. I've heard from Xiaowu that the Empress Dowager is very kind and generous, and she often donates money and supplies to temples and relief homes. She's never been secretive about it."

Guo Da also felt that if he kept thinking about it, he would soon become bald. The two people in front of him, one big and one small, the big one was pulling his hair hard and mumbling something in his mouth.

The little one hung its head, looking wilted and lifeless like an eggplant hit by frost.

Guo Da knew that this matter could not be rushed and more evidence was needed, so he began to persuade:

"Forget about it, both of you. Get a good night's rest. We'll leave for Liyang tomorrow morning and start investigating the Liyang branch. The government should have records."

Guo Da paused here, looking very serious, and reminded the two again.

"Whether it was the caravan being robbed or the delegation being attacked, or the most important moments in Qian Bin's life, all occurred during the tenure of this mysterious former dean. You must be careful, this person is very dangerous!"

(Note: Guo Da’s summary is the key point. Please see the chart in the author’s comments for the timeline marked with colored pens.)

Former dean wearing a mask, who are you?!