Chapter 436: Chapter 249: Where Are You Going? (2)
Li Junmo spoke while glancing at Lan Shuyi.
On the surface, it seemed casual and relaxed, but inside he was at a loss for words.
According to his understanding, Lan Shuyi was unlikely to bother with this matter.
The reason for calling the two back was just a sign of respect.
Lan Shuyi’s initial reaction was as he anticipated... So the words he was about to say were originally meant for Chu Qing alone.
But now with Lan Shuyi staying, he had to ponder carefully how to speak.
Chu Qing nodded:
"Let’s put other things aside for now, has Zhao the senior ever harbored enmity with anyone?"
"This is precisely what puzzles me deeply."
Li Junmo sighed:
"Senior Brother Zhao was honest, his personality was dull and not good with words, so he was extremely cautious about his actions and speech.
"In speaking and doing things, he was careful and prudent, fearing he’d give others a handle to use against him.
"Therefore, in his lifetime, all who befriended him praised him greatly... never a hint of discord."
Lan Shuyi furrowed his brow:
"I know Zhao Qipeng, he’s indeed a good man. Besides, he’s gone down the mountain only a few times in total in his life, his character ill-suited for venturing in the martial world, easily bought out by others.
"So, it’s impossible that it was external enmity. Of internal collusion leading to his murder.
"And within Taiheng Sect, his social interactions... Though Ding’an Hall doesn’t know much, it is indeed as Sect Leader Li said, he’s always been kind to others, never easily offending anyone."
"So, why did the killer want to kill him?"
Chu Qing glanced at Li Junmo, then at Lan Shuyi.
The two fell silent together.
The murderer, at the very least, must have had a motive.
Even when two groups in the martial world suddenly clashed, there was probably a ’What are you looking at’ ’What are you looking at’ trigger.
There’s no causeless slaughter.
Now the problem is, everyone says Zhao Qipeng is a good man, no one wants to kill him, he’s never held a grudge.
Yet he died.
Killed with one sword through the heart.
Where does the hidden enmity lie within this?
Regarding the clues the corpse left behind, they’re just sword marks and wounds, from which it’s concluded the act was from someone within Taiheng Sect.
But there are too many disciples in Taiheng Sect, assassinating members, even elders, is a heinous crime.
Without solid evidence, who dares to lightly accuse such a severe crime?
It seems before even truly investigating, the matter is already at an impasse.
Fingers gently tapped the tabletop, suddenly Lan Shuyi looked toward Li Junmo:
"If my memory serves me, within Taiheng Sect, there’s a place called Myriad Sword Forest.
"What’s hidden within Myriad Sword Forest isn’t swords..."
Myriad Sword Forest doesn’t hide swords?
Chu Qing was somewhat surprised, then what is it hiding?
"It hides lifetimes."
Li Junmo noticed Chu Qing’s puzzlement and softly began to explain.
Lan Shuyi added:
"Taiheng Sect is reputed for swords across the world, the world believes swordsmen should be centered on swords, but Taiheng Sect believes swords are external, and talent is the key.
"Swordsmen nurture swords, first need the swordsman, then the sword.
"If the swordsman is a waste, the nurtured sword is also a broken one.
"Hence, refining swords begins with refining oneself.
"If a person is lacking, even the number one famed sword in the world is less useful than a firewood stick.
"Hence, the sword is external, the person is the sword’s soul.
"Myriad Sword Forest... is actually a large ancestral hall. It records the history of every Taiheng Sect disciple and every sword from inception to this day."
This notion is indeed quite intriguing.
Refining swords begins with refining oneself.
Chu Qing suddenly felt this explanation made a lot of sense.
The notion that when the sword exists, the person exists, is too extreme.
For an assassin, weapons are merely tools to accomplish a goal. If a tool breaks, does it mean the job is not done?
Just find a different tool in the end.
Swordsmen should be the same, otherwise, when encountering Blood Transformation Divine Palm and similar demon skills, they don’t need to secretly destroy your sword. The opponent might as well commit suicide.
There’s no need to fight.
Li Junmo silently glanced at Lan Shuyi, his first words being:
"Young Master Lan has a deep understanding of my Taiheng Sect."
Lan Shuyi showed no embarrassment, smiling as he said:
"Sect Leader Li need not mind, my family’s Hall Master is ambitious. Naturally, all forces across South Ridge must be known to us.
"After all, the intention to harm should not exist, but vigilance should."
Bah!
One moment it’s your Hall Master is ambitious, the next it’s self-protection?
You can’t trust a thing this guy says.
Chu Qing silently ridiculed, deciding to keep his distance from Lan Shuyi in the future. Someone known as an executioner is surely no good.
Then he asked:
"But since it’s the disciple’s lifetime record, is there one for Zhao the senior?
"Naturally, there is."
Li Junmo stated:
"Not only him, even a newly admitted disciple has their lifetime recorded within.
"However, these records may not be completely accurate..."
Chu Qing understood his meaning, as some matters, if the person involved doesn’t want them known, can naturally avoid being recorded.
For example, the one who killed Zhao Qipeng acted secretly, unnoticed.
If the one keeping records could note this down, there’d be no need for investigation.
"But ultimately, it’s a clue."
Lan Shuyi smiled and said:
"Sect Leader Li, why not open Myriad Sword Forest and let the two of us go in for a look? Perhaps we might find clues."
Li Junmo said nothing.
Myriad Sword Forest contains records of Taiheng Sect disciples’ lifetimes, so it hides many Taiheng Sect secrets, even many martial arts not shared externally.
Chu Qing has a slight connection with Ling Beichen, so entry can barely be justified.
But Lan Shuyi... this guy harbors ill intentions, how can he be let into Myriad Sword Forest?
Lan Shuyi also said nothing, just smiled and watched Li Junmo.
Chu Qing’s gaze wandered between the two, then softly suggested:
"How about this, Sect Leader Li. You retrieve this senior Zhao’s lifetime record and let us see?"
"The lifetimes and swords in Myriad Sword Forest are worshiped with incense.
"They can’t be easily moved."
Li Junmo sighed:
"Enough. This matter, I shall permit, however, you cannot go in alone.
"Tomorrow morning, you will enter Myriad Sword Forest with Changying."
As he spoke, he pulled out a token and handed it to Chu Qing:
"Third Young Master, the difficulty of this investigation remains uncertain. This token allows you free access through my Taiheng Sect, except for certain prohibited areas like Myriad Sword Forest."
"Thank you."
Chu Qing carefully pocketed the token:
"When this matter is resolved, I will return this token."
Li Junmo pondered a moment without answering, then said:
"The night is dark now, you two should return and rest."
"Farewell."
"Please."
As the two left the courtyard, the soldiers from the Break Army unit immediately approached.
Chu Qing and Lan Shuyi exchanged a glance, hearing Lan Shuyi chuckle softly and say:
"Sect Leader Li is wary of me."
Chu Qing didn’t engage, only asking:
"Why did you agree? From the stance of Ding’an Hall, there’s no reason to meddle in Taiheng Sect’s affairs."
"And you? Why did you agree?"
Lan Shuyi stared into Chu Qing’s eyes.
"Naturally for justice and righteousness!"
Chu Qing spoke with righteous conviction, certainly not telling him he agreed because once he killed Enlightenment and Xingzhi, he could logically take over the investigation.
Yet... letting the murderer investigate who killed them.
Isn’t that a ridiculous thing?
The final result would naturally amount to nothing!
This excellent opportunity to eliminate future troubles, why not accept?
Lan Shuyi couldn’t detect a hint of guilt from Chu Qing’s face.
After pondering briefly, Lan Shuyi softly said:
"Third Young Master, see you tomorrow morning."
Then, he waved and prepared to depart with the Break Army people first.
But the next moment, he was grabbed by the shoulder by Chu Qing:
"I haven’t answered you yet, where do you think you’re going?"
Comments