Chapter 198: 191 Thief

At night, there was a commotion on the sea surface. Several ships surrounded the area, and several lamps swept back and forth. People gathered in increasing numbers on the shore, all watching the place where the lights converged in the vast night.

Amidst the chaos, Tang Zhao and the others saw with their own eyes at the seaside as two bloody people were carried up; their state of death was unclear, but one could vaguely see white slips of paper nailed into their bodies.

As for what was written on the slips, Tang Zhao and the others were too far away, and the night was too dark, so they truly could not see.

Before long, people from Longyuan rushed over and began to maintain order, dispersing the crowd and demanding that everyone return to their own rooms.

Because Tang Zhao and the others were not residents of the Human District, they were given special attention by the Disciple of Longyuan. Fortunately, Wusun Tong and Che Sha testified that they were friends who had come to chat with them at night, so there was a valid reason. Furthermore, as the top-ranked person in the Heaven District, Tang Zhao seemed to have enough face to be recognized by the Disciple of Longyuan, and after some negotiation, they were able to get away for the time being.

Having been almost driven back to the Heaven District Reception Hall by the Disciple of Longyuan, Tang Zhao and Jiang Shenyi looked at each other in dismay.

When no one else was around, Jiang Shenyi said incredulously, "The people from Iron Furnace Castle are dead? They actually just died like that?"

Tang Zhao said, "Yes. There might be trouble later."

The scene just now clearly showed it wasn't an accident caused by the people from Iron Furnace Castle going out to play at night; they must have been murdered.

A Talisman Sword Master was murdered before the Talisman Assembly; should they investigate the killer?

How to investigate? First, witness testimony, checking suspicious personnel present, and then screening... motive?

Who has a motive?

Zhuoyu Villa has one.

The entanglement from four years ago might not be a matter known to everyone, but it is not necessarily unknown to everyone. At least Bixi Villa probably still remembers it; who is to say they wouldn't take the initiative to report it? Not to mention framing them, perhaps the other party truly believes they did it themselves?

Of course, the innocent are self-clearing; this matter truly has nothing to do with them, and there are witnesses to prove it. However, the various troubles of the investigation in between will likely all have to be gone through.

Tang Zhao thought more of the matter of Jiu Yuan, which also seemed to be unresolved, and even the Spirit Envoy he had encountered along the way had hidden agendas; the people of Longyuan were not of one mind, and this Talisman Assembly was surging with undercurrents.

It was an undercurrent before, but after tonight, it is likely to be a raging storm in the open.

Jiang Shenyi suddenly thought, "Do you think Xiao Guangwang is also dead? Just like those two people from Iron Furnace Castle?"

Tang Zhao pondered, recalling the stories he had heard, and said, "Are you talking about a serial killer? I don't think so. If it were the same killer, there should be the same style and the same method. For example, these two were placed on the sea with great fanfare this time, and a slip of paper was nailed to them, for fear that people wouldn't know. Then he shouldn't have been secretive about killing Xiao Guangwang; he should have made the corpse public long ago. Furthermore, the motives for serial murders should be similar or identical, and there should be commonalities among the victims. Does Xiao Guangwang have any historical entanglement with Iron Furnace Castle?"

Xiao Guangwang comes from the Northern Sea, tens of thousands of miles away, and can no longer even be said to be on the land of Shenzhou. Iron Furnace Castle, on the other hand, is a wandering sect, and it is hard to say where it belongs. It is said that the castle of Iron Furnace Castle is like a huge iron carriage, patrolling the land of the Nine Provinces and rarely stopping in one place. It cannot be said that the two sides definitely have no intersection, but there has been no word of any friendship between Iron Furnace Castle and Yuanji Palace. Just by empty speculation, it is hard to think of anyone who would specifically single out these two parties to kill in succession.

Of course, if it is random killing, that is another matter.

Jiang Shenyi thought of another thing and said, "Could it be that Xiao Guangwang killed them? Now that Xiao Guangwang is missing, who is to say he isn't hiding in the dark and killing people?"

That also makes sense.

However, Tang Zhao has heard too many mystery stories and always feels that someone who goes missing at the very beginning and is identified as a candidate for the killer is unlikely to be the real killer; they should have been truly dead from the start.

Of course, stories are stories, and facts are facts. Facts do not follow the rules in stories.

Tang Zhao thought of one thing: "It seems there was a slip of paper nailed to the people from Iron Furnace Castle? If only I knew what was written on it. It should have something to do with the motive."

Jiang Shenyi said indifferently, "We'll know tomorrow; such things will definitely be known to everyone. At that time, with many people and many eyes, someone will definitely see it and then be unable to help telling others. Longyuan can't suppress it at all. Everyone will know when they wake up tomorrow morning. By the way, let you guess, what do you think is written on that slip of paper?"

Tang Zhao said, "Thinking of the most terrifying possibility, it is 'Those who leave the island die'."

Jiang Shenyi got goosebumps.

Fortunately, Tang Zhao's speculation derived from knowledge in novels did not come true.

Early the next morning, the events of last night indeed caused a stir throughout the city, and the words on the slip of paper were known to everyone.

There was only one character: "Thief".

The character "Thief" triggered many associations. But at least it showed that this was a private grudge killing, not a random, indiscriminate killing, so others were not as afraid. Some people speculated that the people from Iron Furnace Castle must have taken something from someone else and were taught a lesson by others. It can only be said that they had no eye for the situation, and the killer was also daring; even if they were thieves, this is Jianzhou, Longyuan's territory, how could they kill people directly?

Tang Zhao also met others who were discussing this matter and chatted a few words with them. Some straightforward people like Yun Xiyan said this was not strange; there were similar bastards in Maze City who would casually pull the bones out of their peers, which was terrifying. It shows that there are still daring people who just want to run rampant, and no one can do anything about it.

There were conspiracy theorists like Chu Shanxia of Mogan Peak, who, although he didn't say it directly, suspected in his words that Longyuan did it themselves. The basis was that character "Thief", saying, "Don't you all know the history of Iron Furnace Castle? Just check it and you'll know who is qualified to call Iron Furnace Castle a thief."

The most surprising thing was that after he finished speaking, Wu Yunfei nodded, and even the usually calm and detached Zhuge Yudan was lost in thought. It made Tang Zhao really want to check the history of Iron Furnace Castle.

Should I go to the library of Longyuan to check?

But regardless, Tang Zhao still didn't believe that Longyuan would publicly kill people from small factions on its own territory. If they wanted to kill, where couldn't they do it? Why did they have to make people panic here? It also didn't look like a pure madman like Yi Zhixin; there was an element of intimidation, and the possibility of a mastermind behind the scenes was greater.

Longyuan probably thought the same; they imposed martial law and restricted everyone to their respective districts, not allowing them to walk around randomly. The Human District was the strictest because there were many people and little space, and it was particularly complicated; everyone was only allowed to stay in their rooms and not step out. The Heaven District could at least still move around within the district.

Although they added manpower and strictly investigated, Longyuan could not go too far. Because they were only the Host, not the government, and not even the only major power; many major powers and even medium powers might not obey them. Even if it were a small power, if you offend too many, they will slander you when they go out, and this Talisman Assembly will have been held in vain.

Even now, Longyuan was still preparing to hold a victorious and successful Talisman Assembly; this original intention had never changed.

Therefore, while Longyuan stepped up the investigation, they also hurriedly arranged for everyone to pick up souvenirs. However, for safety, most people first received a list, and only after selecting could they go to the designated place to pick them up.

The reason it is said "most" is that the winners of the Heaven District would have preferential treatment; they could go to the warehouse to see souvenirs that were not convenient to be written on paper.

At noon that day, Qi Yuheng came to Tang Zhao's place to take him to the warehouse of Jianzhou.

"I wonder how Brother Tang is prepared?"

Qi Yuheng asked with a smile as soon as they met.

For some reason, Tang Zhao always felt that his attitude was much better than yesterday, and his smile was very kind.

Tang Zhao said with a bit of a guilty conscience, "I was just about to explain to the Chief; I was halfway through my dream last night when I heard the Senior Brother say the Talisman Assembly was postponed by one day, so I couldn't help but feel lazy. I didn't finish it in one night and plan to finish the article today. I wonder if it will delay things?"

Qi Yuheng laughed and said, "No matter—this is only natural. More time and more preparation is a good thing. As long as Brother Tang gives me a word, can you finish it tomorrow?"

Tang Zhao said decisively, "Of course I can."

Qi Yuheng breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Since that is the case, I will trouble Brother Tang. We are short of manpower now, and we can't even spare anyone to check the drafts, let alone revise them. I can only ask Brother Tang to do his best to improvise."

The two arrived one after the other at the Souvenir Building. This place was a dragon-shaped long corridor, from head to tail, with scales and claws complete, truly lifelike, like a dragon lying in the field. Tang Zhao exclaimed in admiration, and Qi Yuheng led him in from the tail and headed straight for the head.

"From outside to inside, the souvenirs get better and better. The goods on the tail side are very ordinary, all prepared for those who didn't even get on the Sword Province Road. You can take whatever you want if you like. But the good things are all at the head, and you can choose three items."

As the top-ranked person, Tang Zhao could take three souvenirs. These three refer to the highest-class gifts. As for those worthless ordinary souvenirs behind, he could take them as extras if he wanted.

There are three ordinary souvenirs: Dragon Might, Dragon Chant, and Dragon Scale.

Yes, these are the three materials produced by Longyuan itself. Considering that they have sealed their gates for a hundred years, these things have not leaked out at all, so they are truly piled up like a mountain. Isn't it easy to give one to each of the hundreds of people attending?

Seeing this, Tang Zhao remembered that he still had a Dharma Artifact sword in his hand. It was the one he pulled down in Jiu Yuan. That was a Dharma Artifact that released Dragon Might, which could be considered a control type and was also useful. But Tang Zhao was not satisfied; he planned to find an opportunity to visit Longyuan and then collect a Sword Manual, so he could use the Simulated Holding.

Dragon Tooth Sword, the sword that suppresses the abyss, it should be very strong, right?

Skipping over those negligible souvenirs, the treasures ahead had some value, and further ahead they were even more precious, all the way to the very front where the most valuable treasures were displayed.

Qi Yuheng stopped in the latter section; he was not responsible for guiding or introducing materials, and the Talisman Sword Master had to rely on his own discernment to choose. Even if he quite wanted to curry favor with Tang Zhao, he could not take the initiative to speak. If Tang Zhao hesitated, he would not mind dropping a hint, but it was impossible for him to act like a tour guide or a sales clerk, introducing cabinet by cabinet and asking, "Would you like to buy this?"

Tang Zhao put on his Glasses and walked down the long corridor; although he did not need to look left and right intentionally, every souvenir was recorded clearly. He knew what he wanted.

Sword body materials, and also...

Tang Zhao paused; in front of him lay a piece of soil.