Chapter 171 was overlooked.
Chapter 171 was overlooked
He Zhen put down his burden; if he wasn't mistaken, he probably wouldn't be able to leave today either...
Although he also wanted to know that he had guessed wrong.
A moment later, the fellow disciples returned: "Senior Brother He Zhen, the eldest young master is meeting with the stewards. Please ask him to wait a moment; he has something to discuss with you at noon."
He Zhenwen said gently, "Okay, I'll go for a walk in the mountains."
Well, the fellow students on duty have gone to do other things.
He Zhen put down the bundle and glanced out the window; indeed, someone was watching him.
A dangerous thought arose in He Zhen's mind.
There are still two hours until noon.
He Zhen not only put down his burdens but also his sword, and with his water bag in hand, he climbed Qingyun Peak with a light heart.
Qingyun Mountain is quiet and peaceful, so it's easy to be spotted if you follow it like this.
He Zhen, on the contrary, managed to shake off the others.
Qingyun Mountain is very large, with a front mountain and a back mountain.
Most of the disciples in Qingyun Mountain prefer to climb the back mountain, but He Zhen went to the front mountain.
There is a small shed in the mountains in front of the mountain.
The person who looked after the small shed was a "fool" who was responsible for giving the fellow disciples traveling to and from Qingyun Peak a bowl of water to quench their thirst.
He Zhen stepped forward, "Senior Brother Qidong."
The man named Qidong was delighted to see him: "He, He Zhen, Master, Junior Brother... Hello, it's been a long time."
People who have been mentally impaired for a long time will actually have facial changes that indicate mental impairment.
But within that idiocy lies a simple and honest nature.
"You, you sit down... I'll pour you some water." Qidong busied himself.
"Master He Zhen, junior brother... drink, drink some water." Qi Dong handed him the bowl of water.
Actually, Qi Dong wasn't a fool. He was a senior disciple who had entered the sect earlier than Qi Dong and was a disciple who entered the sect in the same batch as Senior Brother He Ping.
Later, in an accident, Qidong injured his head and became mentally challenged, and his speech became slurred.
Qi Dong is an orphan, and Qingyun Manor is his home.
After the accident, he saw many doctors, but none of them helped. Later, the owner of the estate let him look after the small shed here.
Actually, there are very few fellow disciples coming and going from the front mountain. The master of the manor is just giving him tasks, so he won't be upset.
Qidong was also very happy.
Few people come from the front of the mountain, so Qidong always greets his fellow apprentices warmly whenever he sees them.
Gradually, Qidong faded from the sight of most of his fellow apprentices, and they would only meet him when he asked for a bowl of water at the small shed.
When he was a child, the senior brother who took him under his wing was Qidong.
Therefore, He Zhen was close to him.
Qi Dong brought him here then, pointing down the mountain and telling him, "Hey, junior brother, let me tell you a secret, this is my secret base. Look, from these big trees, you can see the dock and the road to Qingyun Manor, there's nothing obstructing the view..."
He had just arrived at Qingyun Manor and was very curious about everything there.
He remembered everything Qidong said.
Later, Qidong became mentally challenged. When the owner of the estate asked him where he wanted to set up a small pergola, he said this place.
The manor owner agreed.
He once visited Qidong and saw Qidong sitting in a tree just like when he was a child, staring intently at the dock and the road leading to and from Qingyun Villa.
Therefore, he knows things that others don't—Qidong can see many things.
Qingyun Mountain Villa is located by the water.
If the head of the household needs to travel, he will definitely take the waterway; otherwise, it will be a long detour that takes at least ten days.
Anyone who doesn't have a guilty conscience wouldn't avoid taking the long way around by water, and the manor owner certainly wouldn't.
He Zhen took the bowl of water, took a big gulp, and then asked, "Senior Brother Qidong, do you remember when the Master of the Manor went out?"
Qidong would never lie.
Qi Dong replied, "The master of the manor has not gone out!"
He Zhen was stunned.
He had indeed inquired about it these past few days, but his fellow disciples all said that after the lord saw off the second young master, he left together and never returned to the mountain.
But Qi Dong said that the owner of the manor did not go out.
He Zhenxin's heart was pounding as she became increasingly lost in unthinkable speculations.
He Zhen continued, "Senior brother, do you remember the day the manor lord sent the second young master away?"
Qi Dong nodded: "I remember, I saw it."
"That's good," He Zhen asked. "After seeing the Second Young Master off that day, did the Master of the Manor return?"
Qi Dong nodded: "I'm back! But, no, I'm not happy."
He Zhen frowned: "Do you know what's bothering him?"
Qi Dong shook his head: "No, I don't know."
Wait a minute, He Zhen suddenly realized something: "Senior brother, you mean that the day you sent the Second Young Master away, the Manor Lord returned to Qingyun Manor, and after that, the Manor Lord never came again?"
Qidong nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
He Zhen was horrified. Countless thoughts and images flashed through his mind, including the eldest young master telling him that the lord of the manor had gone out and wouldn't be returning for a while...
"Senior brother, are you sure? This is very important." He Zhen said earnestly.
Qi Dong was unhappy: "I, I saw it, no, there can be no mistake, I, I will stay here and watch tomorrow. The master of the manor has returned, with the eldest young master, and they have not left."
Perhaps he was in a hurry, because even his speech became slurred.
That's right, the manor lord is still in the manor, but all the fellow disciples say he's not here...
Naturally, the entire Qingyun Manor wouldn't cover up for the eldest young master; that would be like being blinded by a single leaf.
He Zhen swallowed hard, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Soon, he remembered the letter, the one Fang Rushi insisted he deliver to the manor lord personally, which later ended up in the hands of the eldest son.
He Zhen looked at Qi Dong: "Senior brother, do you remember the village we went to when we played house before?"
"I remember, I remember!" Qidong really enjoys playing house.
But only He Zhen and a few others would play with him.
He Zhen patted his shoulder and said gently, "Senior brother, I know you can find the way from the front mountain to Zhao Village. After I leave, remember to leave quietly tonight. Go to Zhao Village and wait for me. If I don't come back in three days, remember, don't come back. Go find Qin Feng from the Lingxiao Sect next door."
Qi Dong frowned: "I can't remember."
He Zhen said gently, "Senior brother, let's do it one more time..."
Qi Dong nodded.
After watching Qi Dong leave via the side path, He Zhen turned and returned to the villa.
If he leaves, the eldest young master will definitely have someone investigate who he met, and Senior Brother Qidong is not safe.
If he can find any clues within three days, he will definitely be able to find out.
If it's about right, Qin Feng will definitely take him in once he hears that it was he who sent Qidong.
When it was almost time, He Zhen returned to Qingyun Manor.
The person who had been following him from a distance reappeared, but he didn't show much unusual behavior.
He Zhen only needed to ask Qi Dong for a bowl of water.
Qi Dong and He Zhen were close friends, as all their previous disciples knew.
A fool from Qidong...
He Zhen returned to the manor, and everything was as usual, nothing special. He would still go to the medicine room to ask about medicinal herbs.
I met He Huai'an at noon and told him that I was a little worried about the medicinal herbs, but it was true that we couldn't get them from the manor or from outside.
He Huai'an reassured him.
He knew the other person was testing him.
He said gently, "I'll go to the library these next two days and get a few books for the young master to read."
"Go," He Huai'an instructed his men as soon as possible.
He Huai'an looked at his back, and He Zhen knew that he must not show any different expression.
For example, if someone suddenly wields a sword and charges at him, if he is even slightly wary, he will draw his sword before the other person's sword knocks him down.
But He Zhen supported the other person, saying, "Be careful, are you not controlling your strength?"
He Huai'an looked from afar and said calmly, "Let's take another look."
His trusted confidant bowed.
He Huai'an's mind was filled with He Zhen's actions just now.
In the library, He Zhen took out several books, all of which Huo Ling might be able to read.
The person watching him followed from a distance.
You need to register to borrow books.
From a distance, He Zhen was chatting and laughing with his fellow apprentices who were in charge of registration; there was nothing particularly unusual about it.
But in reality, He Zhen lowered his voice and said, "Find out if anyone has been to the dungeon these past few days."
The other person happily replied, "Okay!"
He Zhen carried the book away.
The next day, He Zhen came to the library again.
I was hesitant when choosing books this time.
Just then, the junior student who was in charge of registration came to organize the books.
"Brother He Zhen, could you please help me put the books away?" This means asking him to help put the books away.
He was tall, while his junior brother was short.
He Zhen did as instructed.
The junior brother thanked him, saying, "Yu Hong carried in a black bag to the bottom of the dungeon."
"When did this happen?" He Zhen risked asking another question.
The book in the junior brother's hand fell and hit his foot. He cried out in pain, then bent down to pick it up: "The day the Second Young Master left."
He Zhen's expression changed slightly.
"Everyone who has inquired about this route, find an excuse to leave and go down the mountain, the sooner the better." He Zhen put the book down for him: "Leave tonight."
The other party sighed inwardly.
*
Back inside, after closing the door, He Zhen had basically guessed what had happened.
But if you've guessed it, you need to remain calm.
The old master of the manor is not here; Miss Wang means she left with her old friends.
It must have been instructed by the old master of the manor.
But if you ask, Miss Wang will definitely know.
The second son went to Meizhou; the eldest son should go as well.
Right now, the young master is with Miss Wang.
He needed to find Uncle Ding first, and then find the old manor lord through Miss Wang.
Apart from his most trusted fellow disciples, no one in Qingyun Manor was absolutely safe; not a single word could be leaked.
As night fell, he took his wine jug and went to the front of the mountain.
"Senior brother, where are you going so late?" The surrounding disciples were all greeted.
He Zhen smiled and said, "I'm sending some wine to Senior Brother Qidong. I'll be back later."
He brought nothing—no baggage, no sword.
Once they reached the small pavilion on the front hill, He Zhen quickly left via that path.
Senior Brother Qidong arrived at the mountain gate early, and over the years, the other disciples had long forgotten this path. But the Second Young Master always managed to slip out because he knew to ask Senior Brother Qidong what other paths led down the mountain from Qingyun Manor.
He Zhen didn't dare to stop for even a moment.
Although I still can't believe it, when Miss Wang and the young master were doing Sudoku that day, Miss Wang told the young master - after eliminating all the ones you think are possible, the last one left, even if you think it's the least likely, can only be the answer.
He Zhen moved with lightning speed, and several arrows were already whistling past him from behind.
"stop!"
How could he possibly stand still?
In November, without a second thought, he jumped into the river.
*
"He Zhen jumped into the river, and we've searched everywhere but haven't found her," Yu Hong said in a low voice.
He Huai'an listened while looking at the booklet, offering no comment.
Yu Hong knew that the eldest son was angry, but he didn't say anything. Yu Hong swallowed hard and lowered his head.
"What about Qidong?" He Huai'an asked.
"It's gone."
He Huai'an's fingertips paused slightly, and when he looked up at him, his eyes flashed with cold light.
"Who else has he been in contact with?" He Huai'an asked.
Yu Hong forced himself to say, "The library, He Miao."
"Who has He Miao been in contact with, and what has he inquired about?" He Huai'an knew better than anyone else.
Yu Hong lowered his head: "He Miao asked He Yun about... the dungeon. He Yun is on duty there..."
He Huai'an glared at him: "Where are they?"
Yu Hong took a deep breath: "They've all run away."
For the first time, He Huai'an angrily threw down the booklet: "Are you out of your mind! I asked you to look at He Zhen and you couldn't even figure it out!"
Yu Hong bowed his head: "Please forgive me, young master."
Everyone at Qingyun Manor knows that He Zhen is not easy to deal with; otherwise, the manor lord wouldn't have let him follow the young master...
"Let the Netherworld search, and leave no one alive. If they can't find them, bring your own head to me." He Huai'an turned and left the room.
Yu Hong dared to utter a word only after he had a great breath.
I was careless; He Zhen didn't seem to be trying to run away at all.
He even brought some, well, unspeakable storybooks from down the mountain to his other fellow disciples. Who would think he was about to run away?
Yu Hong was also annoyed.
*
On the riverbank, He Zhen, frozen solid, crawled out of the water onto the shore, his entire body almost numb.
With his last bit of strength, he put his hand to his lips and whistled.
Soon, a horse galloped towards him and stopped in front of him.
He Zhen gritted his teeth, mounted his horse, patted the horse's neck, and whispered, "Fifteen, to Zhao Village, and be quick."
Perhaps afraid of falling off, he tied himself to the horse's back with a rope.
The river water was freezing cold. Before he lost consciousness, he could feel the fifteen-year-old carrying him away at breakneck speed.
*
Weizhou, Meng Prefecture.
Bai Cen knocked on the door: "It's me, Uncle-Master."
Meng Huizhou opened the door, still wearing his clothes: "What is it?"
It's so late.
Bai Cen smiled "politely," and then Wang Sumo stepped out from behind him, also "politely" saying, "Layman Meng."
Meng Huizhou looked at Bai Cen: →_→
Bai Cen: ←_←
[Author's Note]
2026~
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