Chapter 210: 203 The Rough Man

"Are you... Wei Se?" Tang Zhao looked at the other person in surprise.

The person before him was in his twenties, short and sturdy, with sharp, angular features—also looking like a martial arts hero. But regardless of age, appearance, or build, he was vastly different from the Wei Se of yesterday; how could they be the same person?

Yet, if one were to say they were not, the refined, rhythmic cadence in the other person's voice and tone was exactly the same, even to the point of being difficult to imitate easily.

That man bowed slightly and said, "It is indeed this humble one. I had intended to come see you in yesterday's guise, but circumstances were inconvenient. I hope you will forgive me, sir."

Tang Zhao's gaze flickered, and he said, "So, yesterday was real, and today is fake?"

Wei Se said gently, "When the fake is treated as real, the real also becomes fake. With your discerning eyes, sir, I trust you will not be deceived by mere appearances."

So that means... both are fake?

Tang Zhao's heart stirred as he looked up and down at this "sturdy-looking" martial arts hero.

Last time, he had felt that the man's appearance was rough while his speech was refined, showing quite a contrast between his exterior and interior. Now it seemed that, indeed, his exterior did not match his interior.

He said slowly, "Everyone has dispersed, yet you remain alone. Could it be you still have something to say?"

Tang Zhao's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Since you've come, it surely isn't just to show your face. What is it you want to do?"

That Wei Se said, "The scenery by the sea is nice; why don't we go for a walk over there?"

Beyond the flower fence of the venue was the coastline, which was indeed quieter than inside the grounds.

Tang Zhao said, "The sea is currently full of Longyuan ships coming and going. If people see the two of us, it might instead arouse suspicion." He then turned and walked back to Yun Xiyan's lecture platform. He saw that Yun Xiyan had sent off the previous batch of listeners and was tidying up the venue, waiting for a new group.

Tang Zhao entered and said with a smile, "Sister, I've come again. May I borrow your space to sit for a while?"

Yun Xiyan was startled. She looked at the person behind him and laughed heartily, "What's the problem with that? My next session starts in a quarter of an hour, is that alright?"

Tang Zhao said, "That's enough. Thank you, Sister."

Tang Zhao took a seat in the last row, and Wei Se sat beside him. Tang Zhao took some tea from the side to drink and used Sound Transmission to say, "What is going on? Is there some trouble following you?"

Using Internal Energy for sound transmission was simple and convenient, especially when the distance was close, ensuring no one could eavesdrop. And Wei Se surely knew how; as long as one's Internal Energy had reached a certain level, one would know a trick or two.

Wei Se also took some tea, gently pushed aside the tea leaves with the lid of his cup, and transmitted back, "If it were my own affair, I would never dare to trouble you, sir. It is just that the matter involves you, so I must disturb you. Do you still remember Li Qiongsheng, sir?"

Tang Zhao said, "I remember... is he the Knight-Errant who praised me so excessively to you?"

Wei Se nodded slightly and said, "Yes. It was he who recommended you to me, Tang Xiansheng. He is dead." Having said this, he gently handed over an object—it was a bag embroidered with Seven Stars, most likely the Space Bag Gui Ye had given him.

Tang Zhao felt a chill and said, "What is this?"

Wei Se said, "A corpse."

Tang Zhao's hand stiffened. He had already taken the bag, and it felt strangely hot to the touch. He said, "For me?"

Could it be that Wei Se had sought him out in the middle of the night for a Space Bag just to collect a corpse for a friend?

That would count as him being loyal, but why give it to Tang Zhao? Tang Zhao didn't even know Li Qiongsheng; what was he supposed to do with his corpse?

If a friend died an unnatural death and one wanted to track down the murderer, shouldn't one go to Longyuan? Longyuan had many personnel specifically tasked with handling accidents at the venue.

Wei Se said, "There are three corpses inside. I wanted to ask you, sir, how to dispose of them?"

Tang Zhao was stunned for a moment and said, "Wait... three?"

Wei Se said, "Yes, including the murderer who killed him."

Tang Zhao was dumbfounded. After a while, he said, "I'm a bit confused... could you tell me from the beginning?"

Wei Se nodded, his demeanor still gentle, possessing the air of a refined gentleman, and said, "Last night, I was having a pleasant conversation with you, sir, and was planning to return temporarily to prepare a gift. While passing a flower bed, I heard someone calling my name. I followed the sound and found it was Li Qiongsheng, Brother Li. He was already lying under the flower bed, covered in blood. I asked him about the situation, and he grabbed my hand, unable to say a word, only stuffing something into my hand. Seeing that he was on the verge of death and knowing nothing of medicine, I pressed his acupoints and went out to call for help. But I hadn't gone far when I suddenly heard a disturbance behind me. I quickly turned back, but the space under the flower fence was already empty."

Tang Zhao listened quietly, pondering in his heart, and said, "Perhaps someone else rescued him?"

Wei Se nodded steadily and said, "I naturally hoped so. But I always felt the scene was strange, without head or tail, so I had to take precautions. Fortunately, he was bleeding, making it easy to track. I followed the trail and ended up right in front of your guest quarters, sir."

Tang Zhao was confused. How did it involve him again? It had reached his own doorstep, so how did he have no memory of it at all?

Oh, it seemed he had blacked out from drinking yesterday.

Wei Se said, "I chased to the outside of your quarters, sir, and happened to see two people carrying a bloody body, intending to throw it into your room."

Tang Zhao was horrified and almost stood up, saying, "They wanted to..."

Wei Se continued, unhurriedly, "They probably wanted to make him die in your room, sir. After all, he had once submitted a visiting card to you, so it wouldn't be entirely without connection."

Tang Zhao had thought of this explanation too, but it felt inconceivable. Framing someone was indeed despicable, but why? Had he offended someone? He didn't even know this Li Qiongsheng.

Wei Se continued, "Thinking you would not like this, sir, I killed them both. I then went in to discuss it with you, but you were still sleeping off your hangover, sir, so I had to first request a Space Bag, pack the three corpses, and bring them to you today."

Tang Zhao was silent. Wei Se spoke so calmly, as if it were as mundane as eating or drinking, but listening closely, there were many points of contention. He said, "You killed both of those people? You killed two people alone, and Gui Ye didn't mention hearing any sounds of fighting. Did you kill them instantly, and they didn't resist?"

Wei Se said, "Instantly? You mean a fatal blow? Indeed, they didn't resist when I killed them. I suppose it was because they were focused on their evil deed and were caught off guard by the sneak attack. Oh, right, they had this on them." He reached out and took out an object—it was actually a Reporting Firework. "I suppose they intended to set off the signal after putting the body inside to attract a crowd, leaving you with no way to defend yourself, sir."

Tang Zhao silently took the firework and examined it carefully. He couldn't see anything special about it for a moment. He paused and said, "Besides these two dead men, were there any other accomplices?"

Wei Se said, "I suppose not. I packed up the three of them and waited for a while in front of your door, sir. When dawn broke and the sounds of people began to rise, I figured no one could commit evil under the cover of night anymore, so I withdrew. I've thought about this all day today and can't make heads or tails of it. But I thought, firstly, I am a rough man and cannot conceive of such clever schemes. Secondly, there must be some hidden story I don't know. Since the matter involves you, Tang Xiansheng, perhaps you know the reason, so it is better to leave it for you to handle."

Tang Zhao wanted to speak but stopped. He couldn't help but feel shaken: what did he mean by waiting for a while at the door? It was clearly waiting for the whole night. Finally, he said, "I... I can't figure it out either. I do have an enemy, but this matter..."

His enemy went without saying: the Libationer, Zhu Yang. But this matter was very different from Zhu Yang's style and methods. He always felt that Zhu Yang preferred direct attacks and wasn't the type to be a mastermind behind conspiracies.

Could it be that Zhu Yang not only brought crocodiles to act brazenly but also led his subordinates to frame people?

However... if Zhu Yang were the one behind it, how could Longyuan not have found out?

He thought through it from the beginning and said, "The night before last, Li Qiongsheng gave you an object. What was it?"

Wei Se took out an object and said, "It is this."

It was a plaque, smooth and white. Tang Zhao initially thought it was jade, but upon touching it carefully, it was merely marble, with four large characters engraved on it: "Kun Yu Lower Court".

A feeling of familiarity.

He frowned and said, "Isn't Li Qiongsheng from the Kun Yu Lower Court? This should be his Identity Plate, right?"

Wei Se replied, "I suppose so."

Tang Zhao said, "What did he mean by handing his Identity Plate to you as he was dying?"

Wei Se shook his head and said, "I am a rough man; I've thought about it all day and have no leads. What do you think, sir?"

Tang Zhao rubbed the stone plaque with his hand and said, "Could it be that the people who killed him have the characters 'Kun' or 'Yu' in their names?"

Wei Se shook his head and said, "Hard to say. But there were two murderers who brought his body to frame you. Could they all have the character 'Kun'? Could it be referring to... infighting within their sect?"

Tang Zhao slowly pinched the stone tablet and said, "I understand. That should be the meaning. I will pass this tablet to the person who should receive it. Thank you, Knight-Errant. If not for you, I would have nearly been splashed with dirty water." After speaking, he stood up and cupped his hands in thanks. Wei Se stood up to return the salute, which caused Yun Xiyan on the platform to look over curiously.

Tang Zhao smiled and waved his hand at Yun Xiyan, then stood up to take his leave and walked out of the small venue with Wei Se. Tang Zhao suddenly said, "Knight-Errant Wei, you remind me of someone."

Wei Se asked with his eyes, and Tang Zhao shook his head with a smile, then added, "Your disguise technique is very beautiful. I observed for a long time and found no flaws. A person's appearance can be changed, but can their voice and physique also be changed so easily?"

Wei Se said, "It is somewhat difficult. It is easier for a short person to pretend to be tall. It is harder for a tall person to pretend to be short, but one can cope if they have practiced Bone-shrinking Art. As for being fat or thin, one can only rely on padding with external objects to pretend."

Tang Zhao pondered and said, "Generally, no one practices Bone-shrinking Art, right? I didn't expect you to have such an obscure skill, and you can even Listen for blood to track, as well as have methods to kill without a sound... This reminds me of an elder."

Wei Se was startled and said, "Who is the gentleman referring to..."

Tang Zhao said, "Do you know Lady Hua Rong?"

Wei Se was silent, and after a while, he smiled and said, "The number one female assassin in the pugilistic world, known as the Thousand-Change Hua Rong with ten thousand methods, how could I not know her? Are you acquainted with her, sir?"

Tang Zhao said, "She is the mother of my junior martial sister, so naturally she is my elder. Disguise, tracking, and assassination are the specialties of the Yama Shop. To call her a female assassin, I feel, is to belittle her. As the head manager of the Yama Shop, she is not just an assassin, but a powerful figure who commands the winds and clouds in the martial arts world. Yet in my eyes, she appears to be a woman with a motherly heart who never reveals her killing intent, just like a knife hidden in a sleeve."

Wei Se's expression was calm as he said, "Indeed. How can an assassin reveal their killing intent? That is very dangerous."

Tang Zhao did not say more and said, "By the way, Knight-Errant Wei, are you willing to provide evidence with me?"

Wei Se said, "You do not intend to seek private revenge, but want to go to Longyuan to expose the truth and seek justice? Whatever you say, sir, I will naturally do. It is just that my status is humble and my words carry little weight; I am just a Knight-Errant and a rough man, so I fear my words will not have much impact."

Tang Zhao laughed and said, "Where is there a rough man like you? I am not going to Longyuan, but to another friend. He had long said that if I encountered suspicious matters, I could look for him. I thought there would be no chance. I did not expect you to bring me such a great merit. Please do not refuse." After speaking, he naturally took his hand.

Wei Se did not pull away and said, "Since it is your command, sir, I shall naturally obey. May I ask who it is?"

Tang Zhao said, "Him? He is another person who is very much like you."