Chapter 235: Causing Suspicion

"That's impossible," Shi Kun said, shaking his head. "Last night, we received news that Chu Zhongtian left the city in a hurry. Who else in the Chu residence could be a match for Elder Shi?"

"You must understand, Elder Shi is a dignified eighth-rank master. Even if he couldn't defeat Chu Zhongtian, he would certainly have the ability to protect himself. How could he have died silently in the Chu family residence?"

The subordinate named Bian Tai spoke up, "But everything is too coincidental. Elder Shi disappeared yesterday, and as a result, intruders broke into the Chu residence. Furthermore, all the spies we had stationed outside the Chu residence also disappeared yesterday."

This time, the Shi family not only sent Shi Lezhi to protect Shi Kun in Bright Moon City, but also sent the meticulous Bian Tai.

With one strategist and one fighter, the Shi family head felt at ease.

Bian Tai's cultivation was far inferior to Shi Lezhi's, but he was more skilled in strategizing. He had set up the killing formation in the secret realm earlier, which was originally foolproof, but they had unexpectedly encountered a cheat like Zu An.

"The people watching the Chu family also disappeared?" Shi Kun asked, startled.

"Yes," Bian Tai continued to analyze. "Based on a comprehensive review of all intelligence, I speculate that the situation last night was most likely like this."

"Perhaps Qiao Xueying, to evade pursuit, instinctively ran to the Chu residence, her most familiar place, to seek refuge. Elder Shi followed closely, reaching the vicinity of the Chu residence. However, perhaps out of apprehension for Chu Zhongtian, he didn't dare to enter immediately."

"But then, the brothers monitoring the Chu residence told him that Chu Zhongtian had already left. Elder Shi then completely relaxed and decided to pursue her inside, after all, Xue'er is very important to the Young Master."

As Bian Tai spoke, he tentatively glanced at Shi Kun. As a confidant, he naturally knew what the two had planned for last night.

"But unexpectedly, there was a mysterious master in the Chu residence. Whether it was a frontal assault or a sudden sneak attack, in any case, Elder Shi was ultimately killed. Then, after that mysterious expert left the residence, he silenced all our informants stationed in the vicinity."

If Zu An were here, he would surely marvel that this guy seemed to have witnessed it himself, guessing the truth with uncanny accuracy.

"The Chu family has such a mysterious master?" Shi Kun asked, his face filled with disbelief. "How is that possible! Even Chu Zhongtian couldn't easily kill Elder Shi. Are you saying that person's cultivation is even higher than Chu Zhongtian's?"

Bian Tai gave a bitter smile. "I also find it incredible, but if you eliminate all impossibilities, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

Just then, another scout returned to report, "Report! According to information from inside the Chu residence, last night, Madam Chu suddenly summoned the household guards, triggering the highest alert mechanism. It seems she claimed an eighth-rank master had broken in."

"What!" Shi Kun instantly sat up straight. Bian Tai, who was beside him, also looked over curiously.

If it was truly confirmed to be an eighth-rank master, then who else could it be but Shi Lezhi?

How many eighth-rank masters are there in all of Bright Moon City right now?

They can be counted on one hand!

"What happened next?" Bian Tai pressed.

The scout replied, "Later, when Madam Chu arrived with the guards, they discovered that the intruder had already been killed by Zu An."

"Zu An!" Not only Shi Kun, but even Bian Tai was shocked.

How is that possible!

Shi Lezhi is a dignified eighth-rank master, while Zu An is merely a third-rank. He could extinguish him with a single breath. How could he have been killed by Zu An?

"Are you sure it was Elder Shi?" It was Bian Tai who first calmed down.

"According to the information from the Chu residence," the scout replied, trembling, "the intruder was struck in the head by Zu An's 'Six Meridians Divine Sword.' Most of his head was blown apart, making his face unrecognizable, so we cannot confirm if it was Elder Shi."

"'Six Meridians Divine Sword'?" Bian Tai asked, looking confused. "Young Master, I am rather unlearned. Have you heard of this combat skill?"

"He knows no such 'Six Meridians Divine Sword'!" Shi Kun said angrily. "Earlier in the secret realm, I chased him like a dog. Why didn't I see him use it then?"

Half a month ago, he had never paid attention to such a person, even thinking that such a street ruffian was not worthy of being his opponent.

But now, the woman he considered his perfect future wife had been snatched away by Zu An. In the secret realm, he had been humiliated by Zu An multiple times. And now they were saying Zu An had even killed Elder Shi?

How is that possible!

Such a small-time hoodlum, no matter what, could not possibly kill Elder Shi.

Bian Tai, who was standing by, hesitated and said, "But earlier, on the back mountain of the academy, Zu An cut the Young Master's sword in half with one strike. The combat power he displayed then was certainly not merely third-rank. Could it be that he had some lucky encounter in the secret realm and learned that 'Six Meridians Divine Sword'?"

"Absolutely impossible." Shi Kun's face was extremely grim. "Elder Shi also analyzed this before. This guy's strength is indeed a bit strange. He cannot be regarded as a typical third-rank practitioner. But at most, he's equivalent to a fifth-rank master. He still can't control elemental power. If he truly faced a fifth-rank master, he would definitely not be their opponent. Elder Shi's judgment is never wrong."

Bian Tai opened his mouth, then stopped, leaving his words unsaid.

Shi Kun snorted coldly. "Don't mention that good-for-nothing Yuan Wendong! He was distracted talking to the enemy at such a critical moment. What's more, Zu An had prepared a secret weapon in advance to counter his control over flying swords. Otherwise, even if he were distracted again, Zu An would still not be his match."

After thinking for a moment, Bian Tai said gravely, "I also find it too outlandish for Zu An to have killed Elder Shi with his current strength. After much thought, it's more likely that he has a mysterious master behind him."

"A mysterious master?" Shi Kun was taken aback.

"Yes," Bian Tai said, his thoughts racing like lightning as he quickly organized his words. "According to the intelligence Miss Qiao provided earlier..."

Noticing Shi Kun's face had turned as black as charcoal, he quickly added, "Although Qiao Xueying has now betrayed the Young Master, objectively speaking, she was loyal to the Young Master before. Her information from that time should be reliable."

"So, even though Zu An has been a widely known good-for-nothing in Bright Moon City for years, why has he changed so dramatically in such a short time? He can even contend with the Young Master now."

"There must be a mysterious person with extremely profound cultivation secretly guiding him. Only someone with such high cultivation could transform a good-for-nothing in such a short time."

Bian Tai sighed as he spoke, "Looking back now, his becoming the Chu family's son-in-law was no accident. Nor was it the Chu family losing their minds. It was probably out of consideration for the person behind him. This explains all the previously unreasonable events."

"A mysterious master..." Shi Kun's face was filled with shock. He was not foolish; on the contrary, he was very intelligent, otherwise he wouldn't have reached this level of cultivation at such a young age. After hearing the other's analysis, he thought for a moment himself, and was astonished to realize that it was indeed possible.

"Why!" Understanding this, Shi Kun grew even angrier. "Why would such a formidable mysterious person take an interest in a good-for-nothing like Zu An? Wouldn't it be easier to teach someone with better aptitude?"

To be able to easily kill Elder Shi, that person's cultivation must be at least peak eighth-rank, or even ninth-rank, or a Grandmaster.

The thought that he, who had grown up in luxury, was not qualified to receive personal tutelage from such a figure, yet a small-time hoodlum had easily obtained it, drove him mad with jealousy.

Bian Tai was also puzzled. "Perhaps that expert had received a favor from his elder in early years, or perhaps that expert has designs on the Chu family... I will immediately have people investigate these possibilities to see if we can find anything."

"No need." Shi Kun raised a hand to stop him. "Let's return to the capital as soon as possible."

"Return to the capital?" Bian Tai asked, looking surprised. "Just like this?"

Shi Kun instantly flared up in anger. "Do you think I want to? But my life-saving artifact was already used in the secret realm. Now even Elder Shi is dead!"

"And you also said that terrifying mysterious person is likely Zu An's master. That guy Zu An and I have a deep-seated hatred. What if he asks his master to attack me? How could I resist?"

Bian Tai frowned. "How could such an eminent expert attack a junior? Moreover, the Young Master's status is extraordinary. How would the Chu family dare to openly do anything to the Young Master?"

"My life is too precious. I cannot take even the slightest risk. There's no need to discuss this further. Go prepare for our return to the capital. I'll make a trip to the Sang residence." After Shi Kun finished speaking, he summoned the most highly cultivated guards in the residence and left with a solemn expression.

Watching his retreating back, Bian Tai secretly sighed. He knew the Young Master's character all too well. While highly talented, and usually gentle and courteous in his dealings with others, he had hidden flaws in his personality.

Shi Kun had always had things go smoothly since childhood. Everything was too easy for him; he obtained everything with great ease, so much so that he never cherished anything. At the same time, once he experienced a setback, his reaction tended to be overly extreme.

Ever since the Young Master returned from the secret realm, he had seemed off. Now, with Shi Lezhi's accident, it had finally become the last straw.

Shi Kun hurried all the way to the Sang residence. Of course, this Sang residence was not Sang Hong's Prefectural Governor's mansion, but the residence of Sang Qian, commander of the River Defense Anti-Smuggling Camp.

Upon learning of Shi Kun's arrival, Sang Qian, despite his surprise, still came out with a smile to greet him.

"Cut the nonsense, take me to your father." Due to Shi Lezhi's death, Shi Kun was clearly in a foul mood.

Hearing his impolite tone, Sang Qian frowned, secretly angry. However, the Shi family was too powerful, and he couldn't afford to offend them. He could only force down his anger and say, "Young Master Shi, you're joking. My father is naturally in the Prefectural Governor's mansion; how could he be in Bright Moon City?"

The Prefectural Governor's mansion was located in the capital of Linchuan Commandery, not in Bright Moon City. Logically, Sang Hong would normally only be in the Prefectural Governor's mansion, not in Bright Moon City. Otherwise, he would be suspected of dereliction of duty.

"We're all on the same side, there's no point in saying such things," Shi Kun said impatiently. "I have an extremely urgent matter to discuss with your father. Quickly, take me to him."

Seeing him push the matter this far, Sang Qian had no choice. After confirming there was no one else around, he led Shi Kun all the way to a secret room in the back hall.

Sang Hong's current visit to Linchuan Commandery was specifically for the task of dealing with the Chu family. Naturally, he had to stay in Bright Moon City for a long time on weekdays to strategize and make arrangements at the first opportunity.

Of course, his identity made it inconvenient for him to appear openly, so he usually hid in his son's home.

"What could be so urgent as to make Young Master Shi so anxious?" Sang Hong slowly stirred the tea in his cup with the lid, and spoke in a neutral tone.

He also felt some displeasure internally. This guy bursting in so openly, who knew how much attention he would attract.

"Elder Shi died last night," Shi Kun said with a sorrowful expression.

"What?" Sang Qian, who was nearby, exclaimed.

Sang Hong gave his son a displeased look. Placing his teacup on the table, he then spoke, asking, "Shi Lezhi is dead? Who in Bright Moon City could kill him, and who would dare to kill him?"

He was very clear about Shi Lezhi's cultivation. Looking across all of Bright Moon City, even if not among the top five, he was certainly among the top ten.

Among the top ten, only three or four people had the ability to kill him. But these people all had status and influence. Their backing forces were deeply entrenched and intertwined, affecting everything if one hair was pulled. How could they openly offend the Shi family?

Shi Kun's handsome cheek twitched. He gritted his teeth and uttered a name that left Sang Hong utterly surprised.