The deflated cultivator refused to give up and vowed to turn the tables.

Zhangding Prefecture.

In September, the sky is filled with the blossoms of the Vitex negundo.

Just three days ago, a bizarre locked-room murder occurred at Green Waves Manor.

No one expected that the outstanding young disciple of the powerful Green Wave Manor would be murdered in his own study.

Zhang Tianchu, the owner of Green Wave Manor, is one of the top martial arts masters in Zhangding Prefecture. He also has a wide circle of friends, is charitable and generous, and has very few enemies.

The one who was killed was Zhang Tianchu's eldest son, Zhang Yuncang, who was outstanding among the younger generation and ranked fourth among the latest "Top Ten Young Cultivators".

Such an outstanding and powerful young man was struck from behind by a burst of true energy in his own study, vomiting blood and dying in a bizarre manner. He was found kneeling on a large mahogany desk, with two lines of blood-red words in front of him: "Heart of a snake and scorpion, repaying kindness with enmity!"

He was the only person in the study, and the doors and windows were closed and locked from the inside. There were no signs of damage, and there was no indication of any fighting inside.

Who has the ability to sneak into the house and kill Zhang Yuncang without damaging the doors and windows? How would they leave the study after the murder? Could it be that a demon or monster knows teleportation or earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic used in Chinese fantasy novels)?

After the incident, the local government's head constable went to the scene to investigate, but found no useful clues.

Zhang Tianchu had a wide circle of friends and was also a master of martial arts. He invited nearby martial arts experts and intelligent people to check the scene, but they found no clues.

This matter was once a mysterious unsolved case.

*** ***

The autumn wind is blowing softly.

Inside the largest teahouse in Zhangding City, the outer hall was bustling and noisy. But inside the private rooms, there was only quiet and tranquility, a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

Two handsome young men were sitting in the side room.

The young man sitting to the left, facing east, was imposing, with striking eyebrows, bright eyes, a full forehead, a tall stature, and an elegant demeanor.

She wore a light blue scented robe with a crystal-clear purple jade pendant tied around her waist.

This person's name is Su Zinong.

The other person was also a handsome young man from a turbid world. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore a brown robe and tall leather boots. He had thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a slightly large mouth. He looked like a talkative and eloquent person.

His name is Huang Chenghe, the second young master of Huanghe Manor, a famous family of cultivators.

Su Zinong was savoring the delicate fragrance of Longjing tea.

Suddenly, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "You brought me here for tea, but you have ulterior motives! This matter is indeed strange and mysterious, but tell me why? I am neither a constable of the yamen nor familiar with the Zhang family of Green Wave Manor, so why should I get involved in this mess for no reason? It would be more comfortable to relax and have tea here."

Huang Chenghe smiled slightly and said, "It's precisely because this matter is so bizarre. Think about it, a locked-room murder! You know I'm the most curious person, but I just can't find out the truth, which makes me so restless. So I naturally thought of you, who are extremely intelligent."

"Pah! You never think of me when there are good things to do, but you always think of me when it comes to doing this thankless and offensive thing. Last time you went out to sea with a bunch of beautiful fairies, did you ever think of your brother me? Did your carrier pigeon break down?" Su Zinong pouted.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Brother Zinong, you've misunderstood. That time, I was also suddenly invited by those fairies, and I didn't have time to prepare at all. I just left without a word. If you like it, I'll definitely invite you next time." Huang Chenghe looked aggrieved.

"That's what you said yourself, I didn't force you. Originally, I didn't want to attend such a noisy gathering of fairies, but since Brother Chenghe invited me, how could I refuse? So I reluctantly agreed to accompany you." Su Zinong said with great enthusiasm, but pretended not to care.

"You clearly like it, but you say you're reluctant! How about it? Come with me to Green Wave Manor." Huang Chenghe poured Su Zinong another cup of tea.

Su Zinong was reluctant to go. To put it bluntly, such matters are very mysterious, and often hide earth-shattering secrets, making it easy to offend those mysterious and powerful people.

Those who can enter Green Wave Manor are not simple people; they can also kill in a secret room and kill with one move.

Zhang Yuncang was already at the mid-stage of the fifth-star realm. He would definitely be able to detect an ordinary person approaching within two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters). This time, someone broke into his house and killed him without any sign of resistance, indicating that the person who killed him was very likely to be more powerful than him.

Moreover, the person who dared to kill Zhang Yuncang likely didn't take the power of his Green Wave Manor seriously, and the murderer was extremely powerful or influential.

Moreover, in a locked-room murder case, the doors and windows are intact and locked from the inside, which is already a strange thing. How easy is it to investigate?

Professional constables and highly skilled, knowledgeable cultivators have searched the area, but haven't found a single clue. What can I do there? Am I supposed to be more powerful than them?

Su Zinong picked up a small steamed bun, put it in his mouth but didn't swallow it. He shook his head and sighed.

Upon seeing this, Huang Chenghe said, "The deceased Zhang Yuncang was my friend. Please help him out. As the saying goes, when you see injustice, you should draw your sword to help. Someone has been killed, and his parents must be heartbroken. There's nothing that can be done now, but we must find the real culprit and bring him to justice."

"How can you make friends with just anyone? How can you manage? There are so many people and things in this world, do you have to deal with everything?" Su Zinong poured Huang Chenghe a cup of tea.

"You know me well. How could I ignore my friends' affairs? If you were ever in trouble, I would definitely rush to your aid without hesitation." Huang Chenghe clenched his fist, making a solemn vow.

"Pah, pah, pah, aren't you cursing me to get into trouble?" Su Zinong muttered.

"No! I'm just expressing my sincerity to my friend!" Huang Chenghe said seriously.

“Zhang Yuncang was a mid-stage five-star cultivator and he could still be killed, so the murderer might be more powerful than him. I’m only at the early stage of the five-star level, not as strong as Zhang Yuncang. Even if the real culprit is found, what can we do? Won’t the real culprit just come and kill me to silence me?” Su Zinong stroked his chin.

"You just need to find out the truth, and someone will naturally seek justice. Even if you can't beat him, there's no escaping reason in this world. Debts must be repaid, and murderers must pay with their lives—it's only right and proper!" Huang Chenghe declared emphatically.

"What's the use of your righteous words? Be more practical, or I'll be hunted down." Su Zinong frowned.

"You'll be hunted down, be realistic... Oh, alright then, I'll teach you three moves of the Yellow River Three-Layer Waves for self-defense. Is that practical enough? These are the closely guarded secrets of my Yellow River Manor. If my father finds out, he'll beat me to a pulp." Huang Chenghe tempted him with the martial arts techniques, knowing that Su Zinong couldn't resist them.

"Wow, you're really willing to give up your family's most treasured martial arts for a friend. Seeing your sincerity towards your friend, I'll reluctantly agree! Plus a pound of top-quality Longjing tea!" Su Zinong bargained.

“Okay, whatever you say goes. We’ll head to Green Waves Manor after we finish eating.” Huang Chenghe grinned.

Su Zinong sighed softly, "I'll be killed by you sooner or later, you brat..."