Chapter 231: The Murderer Is Chen Mu?

The Fierce Sun Gang leader, Yang Qin, borrowed men from Prince Jing'an to kill the vice gang leader, Zhang Tieli?

If the gang leader wanted to kill the vice gang leader, was there any need to go through all that trouble?

Especially since Yang Qin is a Earth Altar realm expert!

Or did Yang Qin offend Prince Jing'an? Leading Prince Jing'an to make an example of Zhang Tieli?

Chen Mu could not help it; his true Qi surged as he sent a message to Zhao Fuzhou.

Not a moment later.

The linked-heart bamboo slip shimmered with flowing light—a reply had arrived.

【Prince Jing'an has three sons and has not yet named a heir. Fierce Sun Gang leader Yang Qin is suspected of having thrown in with the Second Young Master. The one who killed Zhang Tieli may be connected to the Eldest Young Master.】

So that's how it is!

Chen Mu suddenly understood.

The identity of a Wang Jue among the Great Zhou imperial clan was not fixed in place forever.

The founding emperor of Great Zhou had laid down a policy from the very start, which became an ancestral rule.

Later generations of descendants kept only the most basic imperial-clan status, enjoying an empty title.

If you wanted real power, wanted to eat well, wanted to eat plenty, you had to rely on yourself.

Either study and become an official, or train in martial arts and make something of yourself.

Even the status of an empty-title Wang Jue was kept for at most three generations.

Take Prince Jing'an's title, for instance—it could only be passed down to Prince Jing'an's grandson.

One generation further, and the Wang Jue was gone, reduced to an ordinary imperial-clan disciple who could at most eat his fill and stay warm.

For imperial-clan children long accustomed to a life of luxury, which of them could accept that?

Therefore, even if only to preserve one more generation of prince status for their own descendants.

Prince Jing'an's three sons would still compete, would still fight it out.

Brothers killing each other would make for too ugly a scandal.

But going after a brother's subordinates, followers, or those who had thrown in with him—that was fair game.

According to Zhao Fuzhou's message, Zhang Tieli had not died from a feud, but from the struggle over the status of "Prince Jing'an's heir."

A case of being struck by stray disaster!

Thinking of this, Chen Mu shook his head and put away the linked-heart bamboo slip.

This matter could only be chalked up to Zhang Tieli's bad luck.

Chen Mu sighed for a while, then tossed it from his mind.

However.

The next morning, when he stepped out and walked down the main street, Chen Mu's face suddenly changed.

"Hear about it? Fierce Sun Gang Vice Gang Leader Zhang was killed by Inspector Chen!"

"What? That can't be right? Why would my lord want to kill him?"

"Heh, you don't know, do you? They say Zhang Tieli was desperately trying to cozy up to Chen Mu a few days ago, but the gifts didn't land right, or he offended Chen Mu somehow, and the whole family was wiped out!"

"My heavens, that's way too vicious! Just because the flattery didn't suit his taste?"

"Can a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Ranking really act so wantonly? He's simply above the law!"

"I'm not so sure. Although my lord's style is… a bit flashy, he doesn't really seem like the type to kill for pleasure, does he? Could there be some misunderstanding here?"

"You can never know a man's heart! The moment he arrived he demanded congratulatory gifts—so greedy. If Zhang Tieli's gifts didn't suit him and he killed in a fit of rage, that's not impossible…"

"……"

Whether in the noisy teahouses, the bustling taverns, or the ordinary eateries by the street—anywhere martial artists gathered, almost everyone was discussing "Chen Mu killed Zhang Tieli"!

Some lamented that Zhang Tieli's flattery had landed on the wrong leg and he had died an unjust death.

Some grew even more disgusted with Chen Mu's "arrogance and tyranny."

Others were half in doubt, feeling something was off about the affair.

Chen Mu walked along the road toward the Zhenwu Division office, his "Wind-Listening" skill catching every one of those discussions along the way.

His expression settled into a perfectly measured gloom, his pace quickened, and a low-pressure aura radiated from his entire body.

When he arrived at the Zhenwu Division office.

The instant he stepped through the main gate, he stopped short, "blazed with fury," pointed at every guard he saw in the yard, and let loose a torrent of abuse without preamble.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"

"The whole world outside is saying this official killed Zhang Tieli! What have you all been doing? Huh!?"

"Are the ears and eyes of the Zhenwu Division all deaf and blind? Letting such slanderous rumors about this official spread everywhere!"

"What are you all standing around for? Get out there and investigate for this official! Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but drag out the one behind the scenes spreading these rumors!"

"Otherwise, every last one of you can pack up and get out!"

The guards were cursed within an inch of their lives, too terrified to make a sound. Seeing Chen Mu in such a rage, how would they dare dawdle? They hurriedly answered in unison.

"Yes, my lord!"

Then, like startled rabbits, they scrambled out of the office one after another to go gather information.

Only then did Chen Mu, bristling with anger, stride toward the main hall.

Wherever he passed, everyone stepped aside.

The moment he entered the main hall, the fury on his face vanished in an instant, his eyes cleared, and his heart was utterly calm.

He swept his sleeve and sat in the seat of honor, his fingers tapping lightly on the table as he thought to himself.

'Who's pulling the strings behind the scenes? Framing me for murder—what's the goal? Trying to use a borrowed knife, to provoke a conflict between me and the Fierce Sun Gang… no, between me and Prince Jing'an's Wang Fu? Or simply to ruin my reputation?'

The rumors had come too fast, and the purpose was even less clear.

By normal reasoning, whoever benefits is the one behind it all.

The problem is Chen Mu's reputation is ruined—who exactly stands to gain?

At most he knocked off a bit of "gifts."

That little bit wouldn't even count as a hair on a bull to the various major powers.

Lost in thought, Yu Shoujiang hurried in with quick steps, a look of astonishment on his face.

"Inspector, please calm yourself! This subordinate failed in his duty, failed to detect the rumors in time…"

"Enough."

Chen Mu raised a hand to cut off his apology, asking with an "impatient" look, "Lord Yu, you've spent no short time in Zhenzhou. In your view, who is most likely spreading such rumors behind the scenes to frame this official?"

"Well…"

Hearing this, Yu Shoujiang's mind raced, and after deliberation he reported several names and factions.

"To answer my lord, it could be Black Water Sect. They have old grudges with Blazing Sun Gang and want to use this to stir up conflict between you and Blazing Sun Gang."

"It could also be the Xu family. They have always been displeased with the Martial Guard Office meddling in local affairs."

"It could also be… Elder Gao of the Mandarin Ducks Sect. At the banquet that day, he seemed… rather displeased with you, my lord."

"Of course, these are only this subordinate's guesses, with no hard evidence."

Chen Mu listened, his face growing angrier. He slammed the table and barked, "Investigate! All of you, go investigate! I don't care what method you use—before nightfall, you must give me an answer! If you can't find the person, I'll hold you responsible!"

Throughout the whole process, he played the part of a man falsely accused, furious and desperate to find the true culprit to clear his name, to the hilt.

"Yes!"

Yu Shoujiang dared not say more, hastily accepted the order, and personally led men out to investigate.

After Yu Shoujiang left, Chen Mu once again pretended to be furious in the main hall, smashing a few teacups and cursing a few times with things like "despicable wretch" and "hiding one's head but showing one's tail." After making enough of a ruckus, he silently took out the linked bamboo slips he used to contact Zhao Fuzhou.

【Brother Zhao, rumors have suddenly sprung up in the city, accusing me of killing Zhang Tieli. Do you know which faction is behind it?】

Soon, the bamboo slip flickered with a flash of light, and a reply came.

【Not yet known. This matter is quite suspicious. I've already sent people to investigate in secret. I'll notify you the moment I have news. Be extra careful yourself.】

【Thanks, Brother Zhao】

Putting away the bamboo slips, Chen Mu deliberated for a moment, then decided to go out for a walk himself.

The instant he stepped out of the main hall, he once again put on a face of "fury." Others who saw him from afar hurriedly dodged out of his way.

Chen Mu looked straight ahead, strode out of the Martial Guard Office, and headed straight for Hero Tower, where the news flowed fastest…