Chapter 101 Zhao Jun Kills Three Ghosts in One Day
"Everyone says Zhao Jisi is fearless, so why is he afraid of a 'little girl' like me and my three or five flying knives?" Haitang said in a teasing tone with a smile on her face.
Zhao Duan sighed softly:
"I once heard an elder say that there are three types of people in the martial arts world you shouldn't mess with: women, children, and monks."
Haitang raised an eyebrow: "That's interesting. I wonder which 'senior' in cultivation this is?"
It seems to be Gu Long, but I'm not sure... Zhao Duan muttered in his heart, but did not respond. He looked around and asked:
"Miss Haitang said she'd been waiting for me for a long time. Did she know I was coming to catch the thief today?"
Haitang put down the wine cup she was holding between two fingers, with a smile on her lips:
"Zhao Jisi, there's no need to act. If my guess is correct, the rebels you claim to be capturing today don't exist. Your real purpose is to defraud us eight hall masters, am I right?"
After he finished speaking, Zhao Duan's expression did not change. The Jinyi people from Lihua Hall around him were stunned and then shocked.
Unexpectedly, the purpose of their visit had already been seen through by the other party.
Seeing this, Zhao Duan finally sighed helplessly and said:
"Miss Haitang, you're trying to trick me with this. Okay, that's true."
When the other Jinyi gave a surprised reaction, his performance became meaningless.
Zhao Duan can ensure the stability of his acting skills, but many of his subordinates cannot.
He asked curiously, "How did you find out?"
Haitang received a positive answer, and the corners of her mouth curled up even higher. Her eyes were filled with the excitement of having her guess confirmed, and even a sense of pride that she had won a small victory over Zhao Gou.
"think."
She pointed to her head and said:
"Yesterday I received news that I was to be confined to my room today, with only Lihua Hall allowed to go out. After returning home, I have been thinking about the Governor's intention.
After much thought, the most likely scenario is that we should avoid suspicion."
"There is a traitor in the imperial court. I don't know if you know this, but the governor knows it, and we know it too.
It is not difficult to guess that the governor has conducted overt and covert investigations on the yamen more than once before.
However, if it is just to avoid suspicion and prevent any of us from leaking the news, then why do we have to confine the eight of us to our homes?
Wouldn't it be safer to gather us together in the government office, or even in one room, so that we can keep an eye on each other?"
Haitang smiled and said:
"After realizing this contradiction, I began to wonder if there was something else going on today.
"You, the inspector appointed by His Majesty himself, are you just trying to gain political achievements? Why did the governor open the door for you?"
"So, I have a bold guess. Perhaps, your real purpose from the beginning to the end is to catch ghosts.
All the previous performances and arrangements were designed to isolate the eight of us from each other today, making us anxious...
I once asked the warden of the imperial prison about the interrogation method, and he told me about an interrogation method that was similar to this one.
But I was still unsure until I saw the changes in the expressions of your subordinates. Then I was convinced of this."
Zhao Duan listened to her calmly without interrupting her.
He clapped his hands softly until the female inspector finished explaining:
“Snap”… “Snap”… “Snap”…
“Very sharp insights and wonderful reasoning.”
Zhao Duan said with admiration:
"I used to wonder how you could lead the mediocre Shuixiantang to the top three and even challenge Zhang Han, but now I'm convinced you have what it takes."
Among the three, Zhang Han is both civil and military, and ranks first overall.
Tiechiguan is governed by military law and has outstanding military power.
The advantage of Begonia lies in its wisdom.
In the chaotic situation, he was able to see through the loopholes in Zhao Duan's plan in a short period of time.
And make assumptions and try them out.
It seems simple, but in fact, only a few people can do it.
"However," he changed the subject and asked:
"Since Miss Haitang has guessed my purpose, shouldn't you pretend not to know? Telling it to me like this may seem like showing off your intelligence, but it actually makes it difficult to clear yourself of suspicion."
Haitang snorted and said disdainfully:
"I can't act, and you're such a scheming person. If I don't act like you, I'll be more likely to be suspected."
She is a woman who knows her own strengths and weaknesses very well...
After a pause, Haitang continued:
"Besides, can suspicion really be cleared? Who can guarantee that someone who is clean today won't surrender to the enemy tomorrow?"
Zhao Duan began to admire her, especially after comparing her with his "confidential secretary".
Well, but a woman who is too smart is troublesome to keep around, but a woman like that with small money is safe to use.
Seeing that he was silent, Haitang asked curiously:
"What about the others? They've been found out, right?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"This kind of question, I know it's not something I can talk about."
Haitang held the wine cup and hummed:
"I could guess it even without you telling me. Haha, when your men came in, they were clearly not nervous at all. That was the kind of relaxation they showed after a successful 'capture'. I'm all too familiar with it.
The one who is qualified to be ranked ahead of me is Zhang Han, a stubborn person with a expressionless face. According to scholars, he is a gentleman who can be bullied.
If they were suspected, they would just foolishly surrender, pretending to be loyal to the emperor and their country. That would surely be the Iron Bar Prison.
Zhao Duan said, "You don't seem surprised."
Haitang said:
"Because he's the one I suspect the most. But I have no evidence.
Oh, don't look at me like that. As a police officer, catching the rebels is my job. I want to surpass Zhang Han and become the best in the Nine Halls, so I'm naturally concerned about the traitors. It's a pity that you took all the credit."
After a pause, the heroic female police officer seemed to wake up and said:
"But with the men you have, they can't capture him. Has the Governor taken action? I wonder if the Governor is hiding in the dark right now."
In the carriage outside the yard, Ma Yan's expression changed.
Tie Chi, who was lying beside him, had his eyes closed and could not hear the conversation in the yard due to his serious injuries.
"..." Zhao Duan remained silent.
"What do you want to say?"
Haitang smiled sweetly:
"It's nothing, but you have to hurry. With such a high-profile arrest, the moment Tie Chiguan was captured, the rebels' eyes must have been on the move. Those related to him might have been implicated and their accomplices might have started to flee.
By the way, let me remind you, if Tiechiguan is scammed and they come out very quickly and admit it directly, then they might be covering up for someone."
Zhao Duan narrowed his eyes: "Explain clearly."
Haitang smiled:
"Like I said, I'm investigating him too. Although I don't have any strong evidence, I did find out something interesting. Privately, he seems to be very close to the Peach Blossom Hall Master."
Taohuatang Police Department... a corresponding image appeared in Zhao Duan's mind.
That was the other of the only two female detectives in the Nine Halls.
He is not outstanding in appearance, is in his thirties and is relatively low-key.
Office romance... No way... Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows.
But if the two really have an affair, then the probability of both sides surrendering to the enemy at the same time is indeed very high.
This also explains why Tie Chiguan jumped so directly just now, and attacked without any nonsense.
After that, he admitted it frankly and then kept silent, and it went unexpectedly smoothly.
If we explain that he knew he was exposed and did so on purpose in order to protect the Taohuatang Police Department, all the doubts would be explained.
Taohuatang is at the back and is the farther one in the fraud route.
Zhao Duan said sternly:
"withdraw!"
A large group of people in brocade clothes retreated with a roar.
Haitang smiled and said:
"Take care and don't say goodbye. Don't worry, I won't leave home. I will wait until the dust settles."
She looks like a female Zhuge Liang who holds all the wisdom in her hands.
However, the next second, Zhao Duan, who had already turned and walked towards the door, was caught off guard when the sleeve of his right hand hanging by his side was suddenly torn with a "swish".
If you slow down the camera countless times.
It can be seen that his slender fingers with well-proportioned joints suddenly turned outward, and he threw out a palm-sized, dark golden flying knife with an ancient and mysterious shape.
The flying knife seemed to have its own spirit, breaking away from the control of its master, and tearing through a turbulent flow in the sultry air.
With an extremely terrifying speed, almost leaving an afterimage, he stabbed towards Haitang who was sitting in the yard drinking.
"rumble--"
Amidst the low sound of explosion, the tip of the flying knife actually supported a conical air shield.
Danger!
The calm and composed "female Zhuge" suddenly changed her expression.
Even when Zhao Duan threw the flying knife, it had already tapped the stone table.
Fine iron flying knives jumped out of the cloth bag and blocked in front of him.
But after all, it could not match the speed of the Golden Crow.
“Bang!”
The wine cup that she was holding between her two fingers instantly shattered into pieces, and the wine splashed everywhere!
Sprinkled on her cheeks, nose, chin, lips, neck, heart...
However, the Golden Crow Flying Knife had already circled and was like a dog called back by its master, and was firmly grasped by Zhao Duan's knife-wielding hand.
All this happened in just a moment.
Zhao Duan didn't even turn back, but continued to walk out, his voice floating over:
"Well said. But I don't like being told what to do."
Having said that, he disappeared outside the courtyard gate.
All that was left in the courtyard were the servants standing there in a daze, the fine iron flying knife suspended in mid-air, and Haitang, who was holding a wine cup, frozen like a stone sculpture, with a drop of wine sliding down her face.
Just now, the female police officer, who was a warrior in the Divine Chapter Realm, seemed to sense the god of death passing by.
…
Inside the car.
Ma Yan stared at Zhao Duan with complicated eyes:
"Your flying knife just now had a chance to kill her."
Zhao Duan leaned back somewhat exhaustedly and helplessly spread out his right hand, only to see blood slowly seeping out of his palm. He laughed at himself and said:
“After passing the Iron Bar Pass, I realized that the gap between the great realms is like a chasm.
I just used all my strength, increased the speed of the flying knife to the extreme, and attacked suddenly, so I was able to achieve this.
If not, even if my knife is ten times better than hers, I still won’t be able to get close to her because of my lack of speed.”
Ma Yan stared at him deeply:
"You used the power-accumulation technique I just taught you."
He was somewhat moved.
I only told it once, but Zhao Duan already understood it.
Although still a bit unfamiliar, this learning speed is amazing enough.
The method of accumulating power, combined with the quality of the Golden Crow Flying Knife, makes Zhao Duan's full-strength strike enough to threaten the Divine Chapter Realm.
And he is just an average mortal.
Zhao Duan was still not satisfied with himself, but he did not continue the topic and said:
"Just testing her one last time."
"Probing?" Ma Yan snorted, but didn't expose him. He said with a half-smile:
"How are my subordinates? Are they as smart as you?"
"He's quite smart, but he's a fool." Zhao Duan commented calmly:
"She has such a strong desire to show off. If she doesn't know how to hide her shortcomings, she won't be as good as Zhang Han."
Ma Yan nodded, agreeing with this judgment.
Then he said seriously:
"Do you think what she just said is credible?"
Zhao Duan thought for a moment and said:
“I want to believe it.
She was right in saying that from the moment I started my fraudulent tactics, the rebels' spies had already begun to act.
But it is no longer possible for me to implement the tactics one by one.
At this moment, the rebels connected to Tiechiguan have probably received the news and started to evacuate."
He calmly judged:
"I'm afraid my speed isn't enough to get to the Taohuatang detective's house in time."
Ma Yan's eyes turned cold and he said:
"But I can."
The leg strength of a warrior in this world is already extremely terrifying. The most important thing is that a person can walk in a straight line and climb over walls and houses, but a horse cannot run.
For now, there is not much point in continuing to commit fraud. The first priority is to seize the time and catch talents.
Zhao Duan bowed and said, "Brother, please catch the ghost."
Ma Yan looked at him and asked, "Aren't you afraid that I'm a ghost too?"
Zhao Duan smiled, suddenly lifted the car curtain, and shouted to the sky:
"Please show yourself and follow the Governor to capture the thief."
The voice was so loud that the people in brocade uniforms around were stunned.
I looked around blankly, not knowing who my boss was talking to.
Ma Yan was also stunned for a moment, and his eyes suddenly looked away.
In an instant, he followed some deliberately revealed fluctuations and looked towards a roof not far away.
I saw that on the roof, a young monk in a white robe appeared at some point, looking quite gentle.
He didn't look like a master at all. At this moment, he put his hands together and said loudly:
"good."
Ma Yan's pupils suddenly contracted!
He seemed to recognize the monk on the distant rooftop, then smiled bitterly and shook his head:
"Leave."
He realized that this was Zhao Duan's backup plan to prevent him from being a ghost.
Ma Yan also knew that he was no match for him.
As he spoke, he picked up the iron ruler with his big hand, jumped out of the carriage, and flew up as if turning into a big bird. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared in the distance.
The white-robed monk on the roof also disappeared at some point.
As the two disappeared, Hou Renmeng, Chen Juan and others looked at Zhao Duan with bewildered eyes:
"Sir, shall we continue?"
Even without bodyguards, what's the point of continuing... Just taking this little salary, what's the point of risking your life... He waved his hand and said:
"Turn around and go back to the Tie family."
The task of capturing the Taohua Hall Master was given to Ma Yan, but he still had things to do.
"The more complex the multi-person intelligence network, the more difficult it is to completely destroy any traces of contact with your comrades. This is true even for a single line of communication."
Zhao Duan thought secretly that with Tiechiguan's official position, he must have a large number of subordinates in the Kuangfu Society.
He would destroy evidence and cover up for the Taohuatang Police Department, but he might not be so attentive in protecting his "downline".
Especially since he was confined to his house today and realized that Lihuatang was catching the rebels, Tiechiguan would definitely find a way to pass this information on.
Perhaps, there will be clues left behind that cannot be dealt with in time.
…
A moment later.
When Zhao Duan led the group back to Tie's house, Qian Kerou and Zheng Laojiu, who were left behind to search, suddenly had their eyes light up and came forward:
"Sir, we found something."
"What?" Zhao Duan was in high spirits, but he saw Qian Kerou handing him a note as if offering a treasure:
"It was found in Tiechiguan's study. Old Zheng examined the dried ink and based on his experience, he determined it was written last night. Someone must have given it to him, but he hasn't destroyed it yet."
Zhao Duan twisted the crumpled note with his fingers. The words on it were very short:
"Today, Zhao Yu returned from the imperial court and wrote an official document to Sun Lianying, requesting protection."
The handwriting is very strange, as if he deliberately changed to writing with his left hand, and the strokes are not natural.
Zhao Duan's expression froze instantly.
(End of this chapter)
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