Chapter 512

Duan Rongshi, with a reverse swing, snapped the sword pointing at himself into two halves.

He wore a contemptuous expression: "You officials, are the people around you all so arbitrary and foolish?"

A susu sound.

Zhui Yu and the others had silently slipped around, completely surrounding Zongzheng Langri's party.

As soon as Duan Rongshi gives a command.

Zongzheng Langri cannot escape death today.

Both sides' formations were tense, ready to snap at any moment.

But dying that way would be far too simple for Zongzheng Langri.

For Duan Rongshi to kill him effortlessly would be even easier.

So Duan Rongshi suppressed his murderous intent, then coldly, with his hands behind his back, said: "The coincidence I mentioned is because we discovered a man‑made trap near the Beast Forest."

Zongzheng Langri stared at Duan Rongshi.

He sensed a deep, hidden gloom in this person.

Moreover, the murderous intent he had just released was certainly not accidental.

However, before Emperor Chu could fully see through this person, Duan Rongshi had already thrown some poisonous insects and a piece of waste cloth inscribed with witchcraft that had not been completely burned.

Emperor Chu: "What is this?"

Duan Rongshi: "Your Excellency, aren't you aware? This is MiaoJiang Witchcraft Technique. Someone deliberately lured all these beasts here."

"Clearly someone knew Your Excellency would appear today for another hunt, so they set a trap of ten thousand beasts for you."

After speaking, Duan Rongshi said no more, bowed to Emperor Chu, and then, leading his men, quickly withdrew.

He didn't even leave his own name behind.

Let alone seeking credit or reward.

After he left, Emperor Chu coldly looked at the guard: "Seize that Taoist for me!"

Li Qingluo, after hearing, still felt a surge of danger in her heart.

"What about Qingyangzi now?"

Although she knew he had surely already arranged everything, Li Qingluo also wanted to know the aftermath.

Moreover, these past days Duan Rongshi has been busy in and out every day, evidently something major had occurred.

Duan Rongshi reached out and brushed the bridge of her nose: "You're still worrying about him?"

"Don't worry, with his three‑inch indestructible tongue, he won't lose his life."

"All he needs to do when that person personally interrogates him is to say that he had already calculated that His Majesty would face this calamity, and that he did not intervene because he had also calculated that they would turn misfortune into fortune and would successfully hunt the desired King of a hundred beasts."

"As for the Witchcraft Technique and the hundred‑beast trap, he will deny everything, and Emperor Chu will naturally cast suspicion onto others."

Li Qingluo: "That 'other' is Jin Hua?"

Only Jin Hua could have the ability to lure so many beasts into the forest.

Li Qingluo did not guess wrong; indeed, Jin Hua was behind this.

"Rest assured, she has already diverted the disaster waters east to the Fourth Prince's residence."

Jin Hua and A Duo now both reside at Sixth Prince Zongzheng Wuheng's residence.

Jin Hua's true enemy to deal with is the Fourth Prince Zongzheng Wuyou, who secretly leads the attempt to seize the Witch Moon Sect's rumored treasure.

Thus this move can be called a win‑win.

However, when the Fourth Prince was mentioned, Li Qingluo recalled something.

"Ashi, do you still remember the words that Ji Jinxue, head of Union Harmony Sect, once said?"

"That Zongzheng Wuyou has long been in close contact with Cloud Valley, and back then used poisonous gu to kill a loyal family of seventy‑six members."

"And Zuli Ya, when alive, besides having an old lover who was a Qin King in this Great Chu, also constantly assisted this Fourth Prince."

"She went to DaLiang and completely ruined Lord Pei, leaving him neither man nor ghost, and even sought military texts… Was it for that Qin King or the Fourth Prince?"

"Or perhaps… actually for both of them?"

"I recall Ji Jinxue also said that back then it was rumored Zuli Ya gave birth to a daughter, but she personally witnessed Zuli Ya drown that daughter in a river."

"Although rumors say she hid the daughter, what if Ji Jinxue's words are true?"

"Was the drowned infant truly her child?"

"Could it be, like my own origin, that she was abandoned and the child she gave birth to was not a daughter but… a son?"

Thus, if Ji Jinxue's words are true, then Zuli Ya actually drowned a princess back then!

And this Fourth Prince Zongzheng Wuyou may not even be a genuine prince!

Duan Rongshi: "With Zuli Ya's methods, those who knew the truth back then must have been eliminated early."

"Therefore, to uncover the factual truth, one must determine whether the Qin King and the Fourth Prince are truly father and son; then everything will become clear."

Three days later.

Duan Rongshi, accompanied by Li Qingluo, the two rode in a very plain carriage, holding a notice, and quietly arrived at the Jiang family.

Li Qingluo only learned on the way there that she had met the Jiang family's seventh son‑in‑law, Yang Zhonglangjiang, at the suburban trial ground.

Duan Rongshi's martial prowess was outstanding, his skill remarkable; his mere appearance attracted everyone's attention.

"Which family is he from?"

"With such superb skill and bearing, why have we never seen him before?"

"Could it be that he's here to compete for this year's Martial Champion?"

"Very likely; otherwise such a person wouldn't have become famous in Nan'an already."

The trial ground in Nan'an City can only be freely used by the children of high officials and nobles.

Therefore, if a commoner's gentleman wishes to use a fully equipped trial ground, he can only go to a martial hall outside the outskirts of Nan'an City.

Just pay fifty wen a day and you can spend the whole day here.

Moreover, the training grounds outside the city are several times larger than those inside, making this place even livelier than the city's.

It's also where officials and nobles come to look for a skilled guard.

That day, Colonel Yang instantly noticed Duan Rongshi's outstanding martial skill.

As he was about to approach, two guards rushed forward to hand Duan Rongshi a waterskin and dry rations.

Sir, drink water quickly.

Sir, wipe your sweat.

Colonel Yang: "…"

I'm afraid inviting him to serve as a guard at Yang Manor is out of the question.

Although Colonel Yang felt a bit disappointed, he also wanted to meet this young man who bore an impressive and extraordinary presence.

He grabbed a knife at his side and shouted, "Watch this move—"

Then he lunged at him.

Duan Rongshi handled the junior colonel with ease.

After just a dozen moves, Colonel Yang was soundly defeated and acknowledged his loss.

Who are you, really?

I've never heard of anyone like you in Great Chu.

That's somewhat interesting.

Duan Rongshi said, "I'm Li Wu, the live‑in son‑in‑law of Nan Gong Fu. Sorry for the rudeness."

Nan Gong Fu? A live‑in son‑in‑law?

Those nearby couldn't help but lean in to listen.

Who would expect a healthy, skilled, handsome young man of extraordinary bearing to become a live‑in son‑in‑law?

Who would boast about being a live‑in son‑in‑law and treat it as a blessing, making a happy fuss.

Does this person still have any man's dignity and face?

But wait!

Nan Gong Fu?

Could this be the Nan Gong Fu of the Nangong young lady who suddenly opened a prominent women's tavern in Nan An?

Who would have thought this live‑in son‑in‑law is actually such an outstanding young man!