Twenty-four
The news of Chai Wenyi's assassination attempt stirred up a storm in Bianjing (Kaifeng) like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. Discussions and rumors abounded throughout the court and the public. The Empress Dowager was furious and ordered a thorough investigation, forcing the previously clandestine investigation to a halt, leaving Kaifeng Prefecture in a precarious position.
Zhan Zhao stood in the courtyard, his gaze towards the palace growing increasingly profound. Bai Yutang appeared beside him unnoticed, holding Hua Ying in his arms, his tone laced with his usual sarcasm: "This Chai Wenyi certainly put on a good show, even resorting to a self-inflicted injury ruse."
"He's buying time," Zhan Zhao said calmly. "There's definitely something happening in Fangzhou."
"So we're just going to wait here like this?" Bai Yutang raised an eyebrow.
Zhan Zhao turned around, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Of course not. While the overt investigation has ceased, the covert operations cannot."
That night, Zhan Zhao slipped away unnoticed and quietly arrived at Xiaoyou's villa.
Xuanyuan Tianyi was playing the zither in the courtyard. Upon seeing him arrive, he continued playing, only glancing up at him: "How are you feeling?"
"She's out of danger." Zhan Zhao sat down opposite her. "You're probably already aware of what's happened recently."
As the music faded, Xuanyuan Tian lightly pressed a fingertip against a string: "Chai Wenyi's move is intended to muddy the waters. The Empress Dowager has always favored her relatives, so her reaction is not surprising."
"Therefore, we need to find another way." Zhan Zhao's gaze was sharp. "I would like to ask you to use your secret guards to secretly monitor several court officials who have close ties with Chai Wenyi. In particular... Zhang Qian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Wang Chongming, the Director of the Ministry of Revenue."
Xuanyuan Tianyi raised an eyebrow: "You suspect them?"
"Zhang Qian is in charge of official performance evaluations, and Wang Chongming is in charge of canal transport and tax collection—both lucrative positions," Zhan Zhao analyzed. "If Chai Wenyi wants to form cliques for personal gain, these two must be key figures. Furthermore, from my observation, their residences have seen unusually frequent visits recently."
"Alright," Xuan Yuantian readily agreed, then added, "But be careful. Since Chai Wenyi dared to use a self-inflicted injury ruse, he must have a backup plan. His next target could very well be you."
Zhan Zhao smiled slightly: "I know what I'm doing."
Three days later, late at night.
Zhan Zhao was meditating in his room when he suddenly heard a very slight noise outside the window. Without making a sound, he gripped the giant sword beside his pillow and held his breath.
A dark figure silently slipped into the room, its cold light flashing as it aimed straight for the bed!
Just as the sharp blade was about to pierce through, Zhan Zhao moved suddenly, drew his sword Juque, and the sword light flashed like lightning!
"clang!"
Weapons clashed, sparks flew. By the moonlight, Zhan Zhao could see that the newcomer was dressed in black, his face covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of fierce eyes.
"Who sent you?" Zhan Zhao asked coldly, his sword still flashing.
The assassin didn't answer, his moves ruthless and clearly well-trained. The two fought fiercely in the room, their swordplay swift and deadly, shattering tables and chairs.
Although Zhan Zhao's internal energy had not fully recovered, his swordsmanship was exquisite, and he gradually gained the upper hand. Just as he was about to subdue the assassin, the other party suddenly raised his hand and scattered a handful of white powder!
Zhan Zhao was prepared and quickly held his breath and retreated. At the same time, he swung his sword, Juque, and the wind from the sword swept away all the powder. In that brief moment of delay, the assassin had already broken through the window and escaped!
Just as Zhan Zhao was about to give chase, he suddenly heard a commotion of footsteps outside the courtyard. His mind raced, and he sheathed his sword and stood still.
The next moment, the door was pushed open, and Bao Zheng, along with Wang Chao, Ma Han, and others, strode in. Upon seeing the scene, they were shocked: "Guard Zhan, what's this?"
"There's an assassin," Zhan Zhao replied briefly, his gaze sweeping over the powder on the ground. "It seems someone doesn't want me to continue my investigation."
Gongsun Ce squatted down to examine the powder, his expression grave: "It's a mind-altering powder, a cheap trick used by everyone in the martial arts world."
Bao Zheng pondered for a moment: "This matter must not be made public. Guard Zhan, from today onwards, increase the number of men protecting your safety."
"My lord, there's no need to worry," Zhan Zhao said calmly. "The more anxious they are, the more it proves we've found the right direction."
The next morning, Zhan Zhao was practicing his sword in the courtyard when Bai Yutang rushed over, his face unusually serious: "Cat, something's happened."
"how?"
"Last night, Zhang Qian's residence caught fire, and his study was completely destroyed," Bai Yutang said in a low voice. "What's more, this morning Wang Chongming claimed illness and took leave, staying indoors."
Zhan Zhao sheathed his sword, his eyes turning cold: "Murder to silence witnesses, destruction of evidence. Such swift action."
"What do we do now?" Bai Yutang asked. "The leads have all gone cold."
"Not necessarily." Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment. "Zhang Qian's residence caught fire, but some things can't be burned."
That night, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang quietly arrived at Zhang Qian's mansion, now reduced to ruins. In the darkness, the charred wood and crumbling walls appeared even more desolate.
"What else can we find here?" Bai Yutang frowned as he looked at the mess on the ground.
Zhan Zhao remained silent, carefully searching through the ruins. Suddenly, he discovered a hidden compartment beneath the charred remains of a bookshelf. The compartment was warped from the heat, but its contents were intact—several secret letters and an account book.
"This is..." Bai Yutang leaned closer to take a look.
Zhan Zhao quickly flipped through the documents, his expression growing increasingly grim: "These are secret letters between Chai Wenyi and Zhang Qian, along with accounts of their embezzlement of military funds. It seems Zhang Qian also had a backup plan."
"Excellent!" Bai Yutang exclaimed joyfully. "With this, let's see how Chai Wenyi tries to argue now!"
"No rush." Zhan Zhao put away the evidence. "Now is not the time. We need to play the long game and catch the big fish."
Just as they were about to leave, Zhan Zhao suddenly looked up alertly: "Someone's coming."
Dozens of dark figures silently surrounded the ruins. The leader sneered, "Zhan Zhao, it really is you. Our master was right; you were bound to come here to investigate."
Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang stood back to back, their expressions unchanged: "Is Chai Wenyi so eager to silence us?"
"The dead don't need to know much." The man in black waved his hand. "Kill!"
The clash of swords instantly enveloped the entire ruins. Although Zhan Zhao's inner strength had not yet recovered, his swordsmanship was exquisite, and his coordination with Bai Yutang was excellent, so for a time they were not at a disadvantage.
However, the enemy outnumbered them and were all elite assassins, each move deadly. Zhan Zhao gradually felt his breathing become unstable, and the remaining poison in his body seemed to be recurring.
Just at the critical moment, a red figure gracefully arrived!
Xuanyuan Tian wielded a long whip, its shadow flashing like a dragon, felling the black-clad men wherever it passed. Leng Moyan followed closely behind, his attacks ruthless, instantly turning the tide of the battle.
"Why are you here?" Zhan Zhao asked in surprise.
"When my guards discovered they were mobilizing their forces, I guessed you were in trouble." Xuan Yuantian flicked his whip, sending a man in black flying, his tone still languid. "Looks like you've arrived just in time."
With the addition of the two, the battle situation quickly became clear. Seeing that the situation was not good, the man in black tried to retreat, but Leng Moyan blocked his way.
"Leave them alive!" Zhan Zhao shouted hurriedly.
Unfortunately, it was too late. The few remaining men in black bit through the poison sacs in their mouths and died instantly.
"Another suicide squad." Bai Yutang kicked at the corpse on the ground. "Chai Wenyi certainly keeps quite a few loyal dogs."
Zhan Zhao frowned: "The more he acts like this, the closer we are to the truth."
Xuanyuan Tianyi walked to his side and noticed his disordered breathing. He frowned slightly and said, "Your poison has not yet been cleared; you should not use force again."
"It's alright." Zhan Zhao smiled slightly. "But what about you? Why did you come in person?"
"If I hadn't come, someone would probably have flared up from the poison again." Xuan Yuantian glanced at him, his tone tinged with reproach.
Bai Yutang, watching from the side, clicked his tongue and said, "Alright, Fifth Master, I'd better go report to Lord Bao, so I don't get in the way here."
After Bai Yutang left, Zhan Zhao whispered, "Thank you very much this time."
Xuanyuan Tianyi didn't reply, but instead took his wrist to check his pulse: "Go back and heal your injuries first."
Back in Kaifeng, Gongsun Ce examined Zhan Zhao's pulse, his expression serious: "Guard Zhan, the remaining poison hasn't been cleared, and you've forced yourself to circulate your internal energy. If you don't rest and recuperate, it might damage your very foundation."
"I understand," Zhan Zhao nodded, "but the situation is critical right now, and we can't worry about that now."
Bao Zheng rushed over upon hearing the news. After examining the evidence Zhan Zhao had found, he pondered and said, "While this evidence proves that Zhang Qian colluded with Chai Wenyi, it is far from sufficient to convict Chai Wenyi of treason."
"At least we have a direction now," Zhan Zhao said. "Next, we can start with Wang Chongming. His claim of illness and refusal to leave his home must be suspicious."
"I've already sent men to monitor the Prince's residence," Bao Zheng said. "However, after this incident, Chai Wenyi will surely be even more vigilant."
As expected, the next few days were uneventful. Wang Chongming remained ill and did not leave his residence, which was under tight security. However, the discussions in the court about the Kaifeng Prefecture's ineffective handling of the case intensified.
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