Chapter 456: Grotesque and Bizarre Theories

On the mountain peak to the far west, a streak of sunset glow was as crimson as a wound.

Ge Hengtai's figure flickered in the dim, dense forest.

In the dim light, his expression was as gloomy as water; an hour had already passed, and he had led a large group of soldiers to search the dense forest in the vicinity once over.

Yet, he hadn't even seen a shadow of such a massive gray rhinoceros.

"Could it be...!?"

A trace of hesitation rose in Ge Hengtai's eyes, but he immediately dismissed the thought from his mind.

"I have lived for several decades and have never heard of any monsters in the Qingzhou region. For such a grotesque and bizarre thing to happen, if there isn't someone behind it playing tricks, then I've truly seen a ghost."

Ge Hengtai's gaze flickered with ferocity; he was certain of this, and in fact, there was another reason: just half a month ago, he had learned that before Li Shensi took office as the Secretariat Director, he had already defected to their side.

In truth, this news was extremely confidential.

The reason Ge Rusong and the others had notified Ge Hengtai was twofold: first, this man was their most capable person in the secular world; second, as an Advisory Grand Master, Ge Hengtai held great power, and notifying him was to ensure he would cause less trouble for Li Shensi.

But they hadn't expected that only half a month later, Li Shensi would be killed by someone at the Sacrifice to Heaven ceremony. And it was done in such a grotesque and bizarre manner.

If he hadn't already known the information that Li Shensi had defected to them, he wouldn't have been so convinced that Li Shensi's death was the work of someone playing tricks.

At that moment on the Heavenly Altar, even he had been startled.

When that massive gray rhinoceros with blood-red eyes looked at them with an indifferent and calm gaze, at that moment, he could almost be certain that it was definitely not the gaze of a rhinoceros.

Ge Hengtai was searching in the dense forest at this time simply to find evidence to prove that Li Shensi's death was the work of someone, as this point would have a significant impact on public opinion in the marketplace.

In fact, not long after the incident, he had already figured out his opponent's intentions.

They wanted to use this grotesque and bizarre method to guide the common people and dispel some of the unfavorable influences in the marketplace's public opinion.

After all, with two consecutive Secretariat Directors being murdered, and public opinion fermenting, people's words were to be feared; if it were not thoroughly investigated, it would clearly be disadvantageous to the Sect's rule over the secular world.

In this way, the matter would no longer be just a case in the secular world; perhaps even the Ruling Sect's Ruling Sect Justice Division would intervene. Once Yang Sixuan intervened in this matter, the people involved behind the scenes might be exposed.

If he wanted to break that grotesque and bizarre theory, he had to find that gray rhinoceros. Only by letting the common people see that gray rhinoceros could he break the opponent's conspiracy and prevent their own people from dying in vain.

However, at this moment, seeing that the sun was about to set, and they had already searched quite deeply with no gains, Ge Hengtai almost understood that the hope of finding evidence was no longer great.

In another part of the dense forest, a squad of soldiers was searching.

Suddenly, a timid voice called out: "Yang Tou, Yang Tou..."

Not far away, a middle-aged man wearing armor and a helmet turned his head at the sound and cursed: "You brat, what kind of nonsense are you spouting again?"

The small, thin soldier moved closer and whispered: "Yang Tou, the sky is getting darker and darker, shouldn't we stop searching deeper?"

"Oh~" The middle-aged man wearing the helmet drew out his tone, squinted at the thin soldier, and said: "Xiaoshengzi, your ideas are getting bigger and bigger. Master Ge instructed us to search five miles in this direction, and we've only walked halfway. What? Are you listening to Master Ge, or to you, brat?"

Although the thin soldier called Xiaoshengzi had been ridiculed by his superior, he still said quite calmly: "Boss! We brothers all saw the Rhinoceros Immortal on the Heavenly Altar! If Master Li Shensi hadn't offended the Rhinoceros Immortal, he wouldn't have died so miserably!"

"Don't talk nonsense!" The middle-aged man wearing the helmet glared at the thin soldier.

"Boss, haven't you heard?"

"Heard what?"

The thin soldier lowered his voice and said: "When Li Shensi was hunting, he encountered that Rhinoceros Immortal in the dense forest. When he drew his bow to shoot, his stirrup suddenly broke, and Master Li fell off his horse right then and there, losing consciousness. It was because of this encounter that he offended the Rhinoceros Immortal. During the Sacrifice to Heaven, that Rhinoceros Immortal suddenly arrived through the air, causing Master Li to go mad, jump off the cliff, and fall into a pulp of meat."

The middle-aged man wearing the helmet, Mu Sen, stirred; he had also seen that grotesque and terrifying gray rhinoceros on the Heavenly Altar, but he had never heard that Master Li Shensi had offended it while hunting. "Who did you hear that Master Li encountered the Rhinoceros Immortal while hunting and even fell off his horse and lost consciousness?"

"Master, a childhood friend of mine is a soldier in that hunting team; he told me himself, could this be fake?"

The middle-aged man wearing the helmet looked at him with suspicious eyes upon hearing this.

Just then, another soldier who looked honest and sturdy also said: "Boss, it's true! I heard it too."

The middle-aged man wearing the helmet looked at Liu Jieshi; this kid was usually a 'Ge Menthulu' (a silent person), but he didn't lie.

Seeing someone backing him up, the thin soldier became even bolder and said: "Boss, since Master Li offended the Rhinoceros Immortal first and then died miserably in retaliation, it can be considered a tit-for-tat, and he can only blame his own bad luck. If we keep searching like this, and it's getting dark, what if we encounter the Rhinoceros Immortal again in the dense forest..."

As the thin soldier spoke, he actually shivered.

A flash of fear also crossed the eyes of the middle-aged man wearing the helmet; after all, that grotesque and terrifying rhinoceros had disappeared after jumping off the northern cliff, and it might really be in this dense forest. "Then what do you suggest?"

"Boss, why don't we return the way we came? On the way back, while it's not completely dark, we can find a hidden place to hide, and when we estimate the time is about right, we go back to report. It's better for us brothers not to risk our lives for such grotesque and evil things. Boss, what do you say?"

The gaze of the middle-aged man wearing the helmet shifted; he looked up and saw the nearby soldiers all looking at him with expectant eyes, then his expression sank, and he said: "Fine. Let's do that. But I'll say this first: whoever lets word of this leak out, watch out for your own neck."

"Boss, don't worry. The brothers have been with you for many years and know the stakes." Another voice said from not far away.

The middle-aged man wearing the helmet nodded, then waved his hand and said: "Alright then, brothers, let's return the way we came!"

Meanwhile, Duan Rong was lying on the branch of a large tree on a certain mountain peak, looking out at the city gate not far away.

In the twilight, there were sparse pedestrians entering and exiting the city gate. Duan Rong was waiting for the sky to darken before entering the city after nightfall.

At this moment, he saw a fast horse galloping along the Official Road, kicking up a trail of dust.

The place where Duan Rong was located was not very far from the Official Road; his Divine Sense suddenly projected, sweeping over the figure on the fast horse on the Official Road.

"It's Jiang Zhuoyun!"

Duan Rong was not surprised that Jiang Zhuoyun had entered the city first; this matter was already within his expectations.

After Jiang Zhuoyun entered the city, the last bit of dim light in the western sky was also swallowed up. The sky had turned completely dark, and torches had been lit at the city gate.

Duan Rong then moved in the darkness, and soon arrived at a remote and deserted spot on the city wall.

The city wall of Shenyun Prefecture was naturally tall and thick, but with Duan Rong's Qi Refining Realm Lightness Skill and movement technique, such a city wall was as good as non-existent.

Duan Rong's Divine Sense penetrated the thick city wall, confirming there was nothing unusual inside or outside the wall, before he executed his movement technique, rising from the ground like a falcon; with just a tap of his toes on the middle of the city wall, he had already crossed it and landed lightly.

Duan Rong landed lightly in the darkness, and under the detection of his Divine Sense, he chose a direction and dashed out.

He moved through the streets and alleys in the pitch-black night, and before long, he discovered a large number of Heavy Armored Cavalry mobilizing within Shenyun Prefecture. In the darkness, Duan Rong's expression remained unchanged; he had long guessed what Jiang Zhuoyun was going to do by returning to the city early.

Although there were a large number of Heavy Armored Cavalry mobilizing within Shenyun Prefecture, with Duan Rong's movement technique, coupled with the exploration of his Divine Sense Projection, how could these cavalrymen possibly discover him?

Not long after, Duan Rong returned to that Separate Courtyard of Zhu Zhengfu's residence.

Duan Rong didn't go in through the window this time; to be honest, he wasn't a thief, so there was no need to keep coming and going through windows.

What's more, it was only just dark, and Ruyi hadn't gone to sleep yet.

Duan Rong went straight in through the main gate of the Separate Courtyard; Chou Luan was half-lying on that large rock drinking, and Duan Rong suddenly flickered over, ghost-like, and stopped at the entrance.

The dim light from the lantern at the doorway shone upon his face.

Chou Luan started in surprise, only then realizing it was Duan Rong. Duan Rong's speed was too fast; by the time he noticed, the person had already reached the doorway.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Chou Luan sat up abruptly, choked by the wine, and coughed incessantly.

He had been drinking for years, and his lungs were already somewhat uncomfortable; at this moment, the coughing seemed to affect his lungs, and it grew more severe, a flush of deep red rising on his face.

Duan Rong looked at Chou Luan, his gaze sharpening.

He was standing right beside Chou Luan, and suddenly he reached out and tapped several acupoints on Chou Luan's body, one by one.

Duan Rong's movements were extremely fast; he tapped several acupoints as if brushing past, and before Chou Luan could react, Duan Rong had already withdrawn his hand and stood still.

Chou Luan immediately realized that the urge to cough had actually faded away, and he looked at Duan Rong with a gaze of astonishment.

Duan Rong could be said to have inherited the medical and poison arts of Shen Ping and Shang Xiangyu; his attainments in this area were by no means comparable to those of worldly quacks. He stood there, looking at Chou Luan, and said indifferently, "Drink less wine. No matter how good your physical foundation is, it cannot withstand you drinking like this year after year."

Chou Luan said, "Thank you for your concern, my lord. I am but a remnant of a person; living one more day is just one more day." As Chou Luan spoke, he grabbed the wine jar again and poured it down his throat.

Duan Rong shook his head, glanced at Chou Luan, and turned to walk into the room.

When he walked into the room, Ruyi was sitting there, supporting her head with her hand, lost in thought. Seeing a dark shadow flash at the doorway, she lifted her eyes, and upon seeing it was Duan Rong, her expression immediately turned joyful. She stood up abruptly and said happily, "My lord, you have returned!"

Duan Rong did not speak; he walked straight over and picked up the teacup on the side table.

"My lord, that is cold; let me change it for a fresh cup."

Duan Rong waved his hand, poured the cold tea directly down his throat, and only then did he catch his breath. He put down the empty teacup, looked at Ruyi, and said, "Get me something to eat; I am a bit hungry!"

"Yes! Please wait a moment, my lord, this servant will go at once!" Ruyi bowed slightly, then picked up the food box and hurried out.

Ruyi did not mention at all where Duan Rong had gone last night or why he had returned at such an hour; these matters were not things she should be asking about in the first place.

However, she noticed that there were some grass clippings on Duan Rong's hair and clothes, as if he had been to the wilderness.

Ruyi carried the food box out of the Separate Courtyard and headed toward the main kitchen responsible for the dishes within the mansion.

Ruyi had been serving Duan Rong for these few days, and every day she had to go out to get food; those guards patrolling outside already recognized her.

When Ruyi walked past, those guards could not help but take a few extra looks at her full waist. Ruyi naturally noticed the guards' gazes, but not only did she not feel disgusted, she actually enjoyed the feeling of being watched.

Ruyi arrived at the main kitchen and walked straight into the largest room on the east side.

That was the place that supplied meals for Zhu Zhengfu's family; the head chef there had originally been the head chef of Songhe Lou, and was later poached by Zhu Zhengfu.

Once Duan Rong entered the mansion, Zhu Zhengfu treated him like a grandfather, so his meals were naturally supplied here as well.

Ruyi carried the food box inside and saw a middle-aged fat man tossing a scoop, cooking with his large waist and round figure, while a thin, dark young man was helping him.

Ruyi called out in a sweet voice, "Xu Pangzi... is there anything fast? First get a few dishes and heat up two steamed buns."

Ruyi's sweet, coquettish "Xu Pangzi" almost made the guy's bones go soft.

Xu Pangzi shuddered, turned his head to look at Ruyi, and smiled, "Yes, there is steamed pork with rice flour and a bowl of steamed meat in the steamer; I'll just heat up the buns for you."

As Xu Pangzi spoke, he looked at the thin, dark young man while stir-frying, saying, "Xiao Guo, put two buns in the steamer and add some firewood."

Xiao Guo put down the vegetable he was cutting on the chopping board and headed toward the steamer. At this moment, Ruyi suddenly gave a wink to Xu Pangzi.

Xu Pangzi's expression froze, then he understood. He turned to the thin, dark young man who was adding firewood to the steamer stove and instructed, "Xiao Guo, go to Lady Qin's place and ask what kind of soup she said she wanted to drink tonight?"

Xiao Guo was slightly stunned and said, "Didn't she say she wanted to drink snake soup? I've even peeled the snake skin..."

Xu Pangzi's face darkened, and he scolded, "I told you to go ask again, what are you muttering about there!?"

Seeing Xu Pangzi's face change, Xiao Guo had no choice but to agree and left the room.

As soon as he stepped out of the door, he stood there and spat on the ground behind him, then grumbled as he headed toward the Back Courtyard.

After Xiao Guo left, Ruyi looked around at the doorway. At this time, Xu Pangzi suddenly took out paper and a brush; that paper and brush were originally used for them to record grocery accounts.

Ruyi walked over calmly, took the brush, and began writing something on the paper. Moreover, her writing was like dragons flying and phoenixes dancing, extremely skilled and swift.

After Ruyi finished writing, she immediately tore off the paper, blew on it with her small mouth, and after the ink dried slightly, she folded it and tucked it into Xu Pangzi's lapel.

And it was only then that Xu Pangzi took the dish he was stir-frying off the heat.

At this moment, Xiao Guo had already walked back, standing at the doorway with an ugly expression. He had just gone over and been scolded by Lady Qin's maid again. With a mournful face, he said, "I asked, she said snake soup."

Xu Pangzi nodded, pointed to the dish that had just been taken off the heat, and said, "Take this dish over."

After Xiao Guo left, Xu Pangzi prepared two cold dishes for Duan Rong, and together with the steamed pork with rice flour and the bowl of steamed meat, he packed them into Ruyi's food box. Ruyi then carried the food box and returned.

After Xu Pangzi finished preparing dinner for all the rooms, he instructed Xiao Guo to clean up in the kitchen, then untied his apron and went back to his own room to rest.

In his room, Xu Pangzi took out the paper Ruyi had folded and tucked into his lapel, read it roughly by the lamplight, and then sat at the table, spread out a new sheet of paper, and carefully copied it out in small, fly-head regular script.

From a corner, he fished out a tiny Bamboo Tube, put the copied paper inside, then closed the door, left the mansion, and disappeared into the pitch-black night.

(End of this chapter)