Gong Tao smiled helplessly, shook his head and sighed, "I was so shocked at the time that I couldn't express it, but the corpses all over the ground ruthlessly reminded me that this was all a cruel reality."
"I calmed down and counted the bodies one by one. There were thirteen in total. One of them was dressed in rich clothes and was about fifty years old. He looked quite similar to the wealthy merchant the old man had described. But there was no trace of any woman in the entire courtyard."
“I knew there must be something fishy about such a large number of casualties, so I decided to go to the government to report the case. However, the old man who had led me here earlier arrived first with a group of officials and insisted that I was responsible for the deaths.”
“I was furious and wanted to defend myself, to point out that what happened in the villa had nothing to do with me. But when I stormed into the villa with my sword, many people witnessed it, and the old man brought these people to testify. I was caught in a situation where I could not defend myself.”
“I was unwilling to bear the blood debt of these thirteen lives, so I fought hard and injured two officers, and took the opportunity to escape.”
His words revealed an undisguised anger.
"A few days later, I learned that the person who was brutally murdered in the villa that day was not a wealthy merchant at all, but the magistrate of Anfu County." "As a result, I became a wanted murderer by the imperial court. My portrait was posted everywhere. I could not enter the city and had nowhere to go. I could only hide in the deep mountains and spent two long months there."
Gong Tao gently stroked the prominent scar on his chin.
“This scar has been with me like an old friend for decades, becoming the most prominent mark on my body. In those days when I kept it hidden, I let my beard grow wildly to cover the scar, so that I was completely different from the person in the portrait.”
"One day, I mustered up the courage to step into the county town and was not stopped at all. I felt relieved."
"Since no one in Anfu County recognizes me, it might be safer for me to leave Jiangnan and set foot on unknown lands. However, I am unwilling to accept this. I, Gong Tao, have lived an upright life. How can I bear this fabricated crime and spend my days in hiding?"
"I will never accept such an injustice!" Gong Tao clenched his fists, his eyes shining with determination. "Since then, I have been plotting how to clear my name."
"Shortly after the death of the original magistrate of Anfu County, a new magistrate was appointed."
“But it was precisely Anfu County that became the stage for me to be framed. Before the situation became clear, I naturally would not easily walk into the trap.”
"So I left Anfu County. Along the way, people talked about the incorruptibility and impartiality of the prefect of Wusu. This official was upright and honest and was deeply loved by the people. When the people of Wusu mentioned him, their faces were always filled with admiration."
“An official who can win such love from the people must be a virtuous and capable person. Therefore, I secretly infiltrated Wusu City several months ago.”
Jiang Huaiyu suddenly realized, "So, you came to Wusu hoping to get a fair judgment from the prefect."
“That’s right, exactly.” Gong Tao’s tone was firm, his eyes revealing his yearning for and belief in justice.
Gong Tao nodded slightly, then calmly explained, "Indeed, I did not rush to show myself when I set foot in Wusu. As a fugitive wanted by the government, once caught, I would not be able to escape the long arm of the law. If I cannot convince the government to believe my statement, the injustice I have been accused of will be difficult to clear."
"While my life is insignificant in the world of martial arts, I am unwilling to bear the blame for others' crimes and let the real culprits go unpunished. Therefore, after entering the city, I first visited various places and found that the people inside and outside the city praised the prefect in the same way, all saying that he was a benevolent and people-loving official."
"However, I still had doubts, so I secretly followed the prefect for several days to observe his every move. Sure enough, he acted with integrity and was indeed a good official who cared about the people."
"So I made up my mind and chose a day when the government office was closed. When he went to the bookstore to select books by himself, I appeared in front of him quietly. When he learned my true identity, he did not show any panic. Instead, he invited me to go to the backyard of the bookstore to talk privately."
"He asked me how I could prove my innocence. After a moment's thought, I replied that time was of the essence; from entering the villa to leaving, it was only a mere fifteen minutes. In such a short time, even someone as skilled in martial arts as myself could not easily slaughter thirteen adults." "Moreover, not a single drop of blood was on my blade. Unfortunately, when I explained myself to the officials and soldiers of Anfu County, they only believed witnesses and ignored my explanation."
"However, the prefect was quite different. After listening, he nodded slightly and commented, 'Indeed, it is full of loopholes. Then, he pointed out that I not only did not have the time to commit the crime, but also lacked the motive.'"
"Tell me, who would kill innocent people without reason? Especially when the perpetrator is an official. Although the magistrate of Anfu County is not as famous as the prefect, he is quite diligent in governing the country. I have no connection with him, so why would I do such a thing to his family of thirteen?"
"Why do you say that?" Jiang Huaiyu asked curiously.
Ling Mo remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Have you ever heard of the art of disguise?"
"The art of disguise?"
A glint flashed in Jiang Huaiyu's eyes. "Now that you mention it, I suddenly remembered. When I was reading miscellaneous articles in the past, I glimpsed this kind of strange art in a book. It is said that those who are proficient in this art can only change their appearance. Those who are more advanced can even modify their bones and body shape to hide their true age."
"This mysterious and unpredictable method is simply flawless. I once thought it was just fiction in a book. Could it be that such a wonderful thing really exists in the world?"
Ling Mo nodded. "In the martial arts world, there are many hidden talents and masters of disguise, but the skill you mentioned that alters bone structure and body shape, known as the Bone Shrinking Divine Skill, has not appeared in the world for decades."
"So that's how it is."
Jiang Huaiyu sighed: "If someone could combine the art of disguise with the art of bone shrinking, then that person could move freely and unhindered in this chaotic world."
"I've heard some senior figures say that decades ago, the struggle for the secret manual of the Bone Shrinking Divine Skill sparked countless battles in the martial arts world, with bloodshed and turmoil lasting for many years. Unexpectedly, this divine skill eventually disappeared without a trace."
Jiang Huaiyu looked nostalgic. "Such a precious skill, once mastered, allows one to change appearance and form, transforming into others. For people in the martial arts world, whether for revenge or refuge, it is a priceless treasure, naturally making it an object of everyone's scramble."
After she finished speaking, she continued, "Young Master Ling, is the method you mentioned the art of disguise?"
Ling Mo nodded slightly, "That's right. I have a close friend who is skilled in disguise. If we can ask him to help Gong Tao change his appearance, we will surely be able to deceive the guards guarding the city."
Jiang Huaiyu was overjoyed: "This is truly a wonderful thing! May I ask where Young Master Ling's close friend is right now?"
(End of this chapter)
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