Chapter 1003 - 850: Spoilsport
Shi Chun didn't know if he had another senior brother with the surname Ming, so he directly asked, "Ming Chaofeng?"
Li Hongjiu nodded.
Shi Chun was quite surprised, "He didn't win the championship, even if he was demoted, it wouldn't warrant death. Are the rules of the Nanshan Royal Court so harsh?"
Li Hongjiu said solemnly, "It wasn't punishment; he was poisoned and killed. Not long ago, he died in a venue in the Royal Capital. People in the venue said it seemed he was meeting someone secretly, but didn't know who. It's estimated to be someone familiar because there was no sound of a fight, probably ambushed while unguarded. As the news spread, the Sect was furious and won't wait for the Royal Court's conclusion. They're sending people to conduct their own investigation and are convening the elders to discuss who to send."
Shi Chun could understand this. A direct disciple of the Yanbao Sect Leader, with a considerable rank, was killed just like that. The Yanbao Sect would be furious. Not only the Yanbao Sect, but the Nanshan Royal Court also wouldn't easily let the murderer go, just because it broke the rules.
The saying goes, even someone as high-ranking as Ming Chaofeng could be killed under the noses in the Royal Capital—how could they let the murderer go without being brought to justice?
He was curious, who would be so bold?
Although he wasn't acquainted with Ming Chaofeng, since the latter was Li Hongjiu's senior brother, Shi Chun couldn't help but express, "We just mentioned your senior brother, and now for this... I also feel quite sad about your senior brother's death."
Li Hongjiu glanced at him and said irately, "If you can't speak appropriately, say less. You don't even know what my senior brother looks like, what's the point of pretending?"
Shi Chun: "No, I genuinely feel sad. With him dead, the mastermind who wanted to kill me is now unreachable, the clues are severed and I..."
He suddenly paused, showing a hint of disbelief.
Li Hongjiu was also drawn to his halted tone, quickly aligning his thoughts with Shi Chun's.
After a moment's reflection, Shi Chun posed a question, "It's been some time since the Battle of Great Pardon ended, why would he die early or late? When I seek him to inquire about the mastermind, he's poisoned. Is it a coincidence?"
Thinking about it, he shook his head, finding it a bit far-fetched. Compared to Ming Chaofeng, what was he worth? The idea that someone would silence Ming Chaofeng because they feared him knowing the truth was absurd. If they had such capability, why bother with Ming Chaofeng, just kill him directly, wouldn't it be more straightforward?
However, Li Hongjiu was subtly moved by his remark, and asked, "Does anyone know about your investigation into the mastermind?"
"No one..." Shi Chun replied offhandedly, then paused, remembering the dinner at the Miao family.
His reaction was obvious, allowing Li Hongjiu to discern the underlying issue. He promptly asked, "Who knows about this?"
Shi Chun said slowly, "Before coming to Nanshan, aside from initially asking you to help inquire, I really hadn't mentioned it to others. Before coming, it was part of my travel plan kept in my mind."
Li Hongjiu pressed again, "So, you mentioned it after coming to Nanshan?"
Shi Chun smiled bitterly, "After arriving in the Nanshan Royal Capital, I visited the Miao family's pivotal figure in the Bowan Building, Miao Dingyi. He asked about the ordeal where I was pursued in the Demon Realm during the Battle of Great Pardon, and I mentioned my intention to ask you. Logically, the Miao family had plenty of chances to kill me, no need for such roundabout means. If they wanted to kill me, there was no reason to help me before. Present were only Miao Dingyi's family and the Nanshan Right Minister's grandson, Gong Shaoci. Although Gong was the sort of person who was two-faced, he wouldn't be that reckless, right?"
The reason he was critical of Gong Shaoci was because he had witnessed Gong Shaoci shed his cultured facade. After the Divine Fire Covenant conference, a conflict occurred in an inn on Li Huo Island, where Gong Shaoci bullied under the influence. If not for the Miao family's face, things probably wouldn't have ended.
He didn't notice Li Hongjiu's pupils constrict at the mention of Gong Shaoci.
Li Hongjiu's heart was tumultuous, but upon consideration, it seemed unreasonable. Thus, he said solemnly, "Stay here and wait before leaving. I'll first go to my master to find out the details."
Shi Chun also wanted to know the truth and nodded, "Alright, I'll wait for you."
Li Hongjiu immediately dashed away, directly flying toward the sect's main hall.
The hall's majestic and imposing structure prevented him from approaching; the high-ranking sect members were discussing important matters inside, and no unauthorized interruptions were allowed—not even for Li Hongjiu.
Fortunately, matters were handled swiftly, and soon, a group of elders came out one after another. Someone glanced at Li Hongjiu standing below the high steps, but no one acknowledged him, as they all flew away from the steps.
Afterward, the guard on duty entered the hall to report.
The guard returned quickly with a simple message, "The Sect Master wants you to come in."
Li Hongjiu swiftly ascended the steps and hurried into the hall, approaching Sect Master Qu Wuming to bow slightly, "Master, I heard Senior Brother Ming is in trouble?"
Qu Wuming's expression was grave as he paced with hands behind his back, "The incident is suspicious; the real culprit mustn't be spared. It's decided Elder Shan will personally lead a team to intervene in the Royal Court's investigation."
Li Hongjiu said, "Perhaps the disciple can be of help. Why not let me accompany Elder Shan on this journey?"
Qu Wuming abruptly stopped and turned back, scolding him fiercely, "Isn't there already enough chaos? You're so grown up, yet you can't even take care of yourself, and you have the face to say you can help? I think it'd be enough if you just don't add to the trouble. Why did you attack your senior brother? The reason is still unclear, isn't it possible that they were coming for me? Anyone who dares to be a killer in the Royal Capital cannot be simple. Do you think your head is tougher?"
Usually, when the master starts his criticism, Li Hongjiu would immediately stay quietly on the side, head down and silent. But today, he quickly retorted, "Master, senior brother's death might be related to Shi Chun's arrival..."
He relayed what Shi Chun had just said.
After listening, Qu Wuming responded irritably, "That Gong Shaoci might not be very accomplished, but he's not a fool. Killing your senior brother to silence him? Is this how one silences someone? Can you silence him this way? Should they climb the mountain and kill us all for it to be enough? I told you long ago, Shi Chun is not a good person, and advised you to stay away from him, yet you wouldn't listen."
Li Hongjiu's head drooped immediately, knowing that whatever he said would be wrong.
Of course, the master wasn't completely unreasonable. He had suspicions along these lines before coming; he just wasn't sure if there was other specific information here and came to offer a reminder for reference.
After venting for a while, Qu Wuming suddenly stroked his beard and said, "But there's no absolutes. I'll inform Elder Shan to include this in the investigation direction as well. If Gong Shaoci is truly suspicious and dares to cause such trouble, regardless of whose grandson he is, I'd still kill him!"
Then he turned back and advised, "Shi Chun has also become quite different from before. The sect is somewhat interested in the current Heavenly Domain. If our disciples in the Heavenly Court can become City Lords in two or three places in the Heavenly Domain, it will definitely benefit the sect in the future. Most of the Heavenly Domain's territory is in Shi Chun's hands, so engage more with him and see if you can gather some inside information that could provide assistance."
"..." Li Hongjiu was utterly shocked. He was just scolding me for associating with Shi Chun, now he wants me to connect with Shi Chun. He doesn't know where he can reason out the scolding he received.
However, he has grown accustomed to similar situations. Just accept it, because as long as he disagrees, whatever he says is wrong.
He could only honestly bow and cup his hands, saying, "Yes, disciple understands."
After leaving, as soon as he stepped out of the main hall, he immediately put his master's words aside. Unless necessary, he wouldn't meddle in such troublesome affairs.
Therefore, when he met Shi Chun again, he didn't keep him as a guest, and after dismissing Shi Chun, he didn't ask even half a word about the situation over there in the Heavenly Domain. So who else would be scolded if not this rebellious disciple?
In the Western Ox King City, amidst exotic flowers and plants, deep within cloud and mist illusions, within the splendid palace, a fair-skinned, beautiful woman in black cloth palace dress with a graceful figure lay sideways on a jade couch, with two smudges of purple eyeshadow. Her chilly demeanor is laced with charm, giving an impression of noble detachment that makes her seem uninterested in everything, exuding a distant oppressive aura from above.
A pair of nearly nude men and women were dancing enchantingly, occasionally entwining, occasionally separating, extremely alluring.
The man had muscle lines perfect like a stone sculpture, with an elegant appearance, and the woman had a seductive and graceful figure, barely covered.
Beside them, an elderly woman playing the zither and an old man beating the drum knelt. The elderly woman's eyes were empty, as if they had been gouged out, while the old man's mouth revealed an empty hole, missing lips, teeth, and tongue.
Both figures were thin, dressed in tattered, old clothes. The elderly woman played the zither skillfully, and the drumming old man occasionally struck a drum that perfectly aided the dancers' excitement.
Seeing her interest rise, the black-clothed palace woman, with her head resting on one hand, reached out and beckoned, prompting the dancing handsome man to spin gracefully over, kneeling beside the couch and undulating his body.
Her hand caressed his chest, sliding onto his abdomen, feeling the lines of his muscles, as desire gradually kindled in her eyes. Her fingers hooked at the fabric covering the dancer's private area, teasingly rubbing the edges, while her red lips parted slightly.
The lone, enchanting dancer swayed solo in the field.
Just then, an old man with jet-black, shiny hair, habitually tilting his head, arrived. His arms crossed over his stomach as he walked, scrutinizing every person present with a watchful eye, radiating an aura of pressure.
He stood silently beside the couch.
The woman in palace attire uttered softly, "What a mood-killer."
Then her fingers rose, flicking against the dancer's solid muscle chest, gently pushing, causing the dancer to flip and tumble back across the floor, smoothly rolling back to the dance beside the dance goddess.
At this moment, the black-clothed old man leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Madam, Shi Chun's party left Nanshan and arrived at my Western Ox King City, then headed to Juku State, in casual clothes, moving toward Dazhi City."
The beauty in palace dress fluttered her beautiful eyes, raising a hand to pat her mouth, letting a yawn escape as she closed her eyes, seemingly resting.
The old man in black immediately rose and waved his hand, "Everyone retreat."
The dance and music abruptly stopped, and the dancing couple withdrew in tandem, with the drumming old man escorting the zither-playing old woman away.
When the palace woman opened her eyes again, she stood and swept her sleeve, separating a void fissure. She stepped lightly inside, vanishing with the old man in black...