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ONE
“Gold Dragon Sword” Zhao Jian, famed throughout the jianghu and one of the three bigwigs of Gale Lodge, mysteriously lost his head on the day of his only son’s wedding.
Naturally this was a huge event that caused a big stir. Even those who had never seen Zhao Jian had at least heard of him.
He had friends, of course he also had enemies. Friend or foe, everyone was shocked by and curious about the incident.
Some of those who knew more about the incident became the subject of questioning wherever they went. The question everyone wanted to know most the answer to was: “Who was the murderer?”
No one knew the answer to that question, and no one dared make a wild guess. Because if someone should be wrong, that person might just lose his head in the middle of the night. So there was a lot of discussion throughout the jianghu——”Zhao Jian really died, he really had his head cut off?”
“It’s absolutely true.”
“When did he die?”
“It was on his son’s wedding day, the twenty-seventh of the third month.”
“I heard that was a very auspicious day or great fortune and prosperity, suitable for all activities.”
“It was indeed an auspicious day.”
“Of course you have to pick an auspicious day to take a daughter-in-law. Don’t tell me a murderer has to pick an auspicious day too?”
“That day was suitable for all activities. Suitable for marriage, and suitable for killing.”
“So it’s still not been found out who killed him.”
“It won’t be easy to find out who the killer was.”
“But the Zhao family more or less ought to have some clue.”
“Seems so.”
× × ×
And so some zealous people began thinking about finding clues for the Zhao family:
“Where did Zhao Jian die?”
“He died at Gentle Breeze Villa.”
“There must have been a lot of wedding guests at Gentle Breeze Villa that day, how did no one see it?”
“Because he died in his secret chamber.”
“His secret chamber was really secret?”
“Absolutely secret. Even his own daughter didn’t know about it.”
“Who did know about it?”
“I heard there are only three people, aside from himself, who had been to his secret chamber.”
“Which three?”
“Sikong Xiaofeng, Shangguan Ren, and his son.”
“So then, only one of those three people could have killed him?”
“I really can’t think of a fourth.”
“Why not?”
“Zhao Jian wasn’t an ordinary man. He began roaming the jianghu, sword in hand, when he was not yet twenty years old.”
“I heard too that when he was seventeen, in Chang’an, he drew his sword and killed ‘The Chang’an Tiger.'”
“In the three years following that incident, he killed the ‘Three Heroes of Guanzhong’, the ‘Four Yellow River Flood Dragons’, and defeated the most famous swordsman in Guanzhong, the affable, friendly Tao Zhongxiong.”
“So, before he was famous before he reached twenty.”
“He helped Yun Feiyang establish Gale Lodge before he was thirty. Think about it, could a man like that get his head cut off randomly like that?”
“I simply don’t get it.”
“You ought to be able to assume that whoever cut his head off was someone he knew well, so that’s why he wouldn’t be on guard around that person at all.”
“And he would have to be a really good martial artist, someone who could strike fast.”
“The Retired Doctor of Mt. Hua, Lu Tong, was there at the time. Later he examined Second Uncle Zhao’s body.”
“What did he say?”
“He determined that the murder weapon was without a doubt a sword, and that Second Uncle Zhao’s head was cut off by a single sword stroke.”
“Sikong Xiaofeng and Shangguan Ren just happen to be sword masters.”
“They’re both first-rate sword masters.”
Is Second Uncle Zhao’s son that Zhao Wuji who would take a blade for his friends at any time?”
“That’s him!”
“He’s certainly not the murderer.”
“No way.”
“So what do you think, the murderer was Shangguan Ren? Or Sikong Xiaofeng?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you think?”
“I dare not take a guess.”
× × ×
These were some of the discussions overheard at various public places.
Late at night, at the third watch, in a private room under a gourd trellis in the small compound, at a little table laid out with wine cups, some people were having a conversation that was not overheard.
“I hear the most likely suspect is Sikong Xiaofeng.”
“Why?”
“Because he was the last person to arrive at Gentle Breeze Villa. He got there the evening of the twenty-seventh day of the third month.”
“The last person to arrive ought not to be a suspect.”
“But it was found out later that he left Baoding on the twenty-fifth.”
“Then he ought to have reached Gentle Breeze Villa on the twenty-sixth.”
“In the afternoon at the latest.”
“That’s more than a day’s time between afternoon on the twenty-sixth and the twenty-seventh in the evening. Where did he go during that time?”
“No one knows.”
“So some believe he’s the most likely suspect.”
“Right.”
“But I heard that Shangguan Ren was with Second Uncle Zhao alone the whole afternoon of the twenty-seventh.”
“So Shangguan Ren is a likely suspect as well.”
“Where are they?”
“They’re both still at Gentle Breeze Villa.”
“Whoever leaves will be the most suspect, so of course neither of them will leave.”
“Actually it doesn’t matter if they leave or not.”
“Why is that?”
“Because they are Second Uncle Zhao’s sworn friends. They had absolutely no reason to kill to kill him. Unless some reliable evidence is found, no one would dare suspect them.”
“Has any evidence been found?”
“No.”
TWO
It was the fourth day of the fourth month. The “first seven” days after his death had passed.
Night.
It had now been seven full days since Zhao Wuji had found his father’s body.
× × ×
Seven days, Zhao Wuji had not shed a tear, not a single drop.
He had not had a drop of water, and of course had taken no food either.
His lips were parched, even the skin had cracked.
His eyes were sunken, his healthy, ruddy face now was like a white sheet of paper.
His whole body felt stiff and numb.
Everyone was worried, seeing him like this. Even Qianqian was worried.
But no one could tell him anything.
He heard nothing, saw nothing.
The one who had it the worst was of course, Wei Fengniang. She cried nonstop, though now even her tears had dried up.
During those seven days, no one spoke much. Everyone was searching, searching for a clue to ferret out who was the killer.
But they had found nothing.
They searched every inch of Gentle Breeze Villa, but could not find a single clue that could lead them to the killer.
No one wanted to suspect Shangguan Ren, much less Sikong Xiaofeng, but aside from them, there was no one else even remotely suspect.
If the killer was someone else, then the killer must be an evil spirit that could come and go without a trace.
× × ×
Although no one spoke much, there was always going to be some talk.
Shangguan Ren, though, did not say a single word.
——Where was he when Zhao Jian was killed?
He didn’t explain, and no one dared try to force him to.
Later, it was learned that at that time, he was already drunk, and Steward Jiang had arranged a guest room for him to sleep it off in.
It was a side wing with five rooms. He and his entourage were all set up there.
The one responsible for waiting on the, was Zhao Biao.
Zhao Biao was not only an old retainer in the Zhao family, he was Second Uncle Zhao’s distant relative.
Zhao Biao confirmed that on the twenty-seventh day of the third month, Third Uncle Shangguan had been in his room sleeping from since dusk.
Though he didn’t make much noise when he was awake, he snored when he slept after getting drunk. His snoring was heard by many people.
Many in the jianghu believed that the reason Sikong Xiaofeng could make it to today was not because of his martial arts, but because of his self-restraint.
His internal arts Brocade Fist and his Cross Sword of Wisdom had not truly reached the peak of perfection, but his skill in self-restraint was without a doubt the best in the world.
There was some sarcasm attached to that, but it was a fact.
It’s just that everyone seemed to forget, how could someone who had not reached the peak of perfection in qigong have such good self-restraint?
He knew those at Gentle Breeze Villa somewhat suspected him, because he was for sure arrived there on the twenty-sixth day of the third month.
But he never showed any unease in his attitude, and he did not plead innocence.
He came a day early for something else.
This was a secret to be sure, he would never let anyone know about it.
The past few days he had been calm and collected as usual, because he knew in a situation like this there had to be those who kept their calm in order to prevent the situation from escalating out of control.
No matter the situation, he never forgot what his duty was.
He did his best arranging Zhao Jian’s burial, and he assured the disciples of Gale Lodge that the truth of the matter would come out sooner or later.
No matter what anyone said, no one could deny that he was able to keep people calm and maintain stability.
So Gale Lodge could never do without him.
× × ×
After the “first seven” passed, the last bunch of disciples of Gale Lodge attending the wake returned to their original posts.
Although Zhao Jian was a pillar of Gale Lodge, they couldn’t let the whole thing collapse just because one of the pillars had crumbled.
It was like a sturdy, meticulously designed building. Even if you removed one of its pillars it would still stand rock-steady. It could still endure the battering wind and rain.
Sikong Xiaofeng had let his disciples understand this point. He hoped everyone could find turn their grief and indignation into power!
Aside from some members of the Zhao family, there were few people remaining in the mourning hall erected in the main hall.
Shangguan Ren suddenly stood up. “Ouyang is waiting for me.”
With that, he strode out.
That sentence contained only five words, but no one knew what it meant except for Sikong Xiaofeng.
But one person was enough.
If Shangguan Ren could get his meaning across in five words, he would never utter a sixth.
Qianqian watched him leave and couldn’t help but ask, “He’s just going to leave like that?”
Sikong Xiaofeng said, “He must leave.”
“Why?”
“Because he has an appointment with Ouyang.”
“Who is Ouyang?” Qianqian said.
“Ouyang Ping’an,” Sikong Xiaofeng said.
Ouyang Ping’an was the head of the 18-Family Joint Armed Escort Agency of the Central Plains. They had planned earlier to form an alliance with Gale Lodge.
Ouyang Ping’an and Shangguan Ren must be meeting to talk about that.
Qianqian didn’t ask any further. She had heard something about that. Gale Lodge certainly needed a strong ally.
Ever since they had learned that Thunderbolt Lodge had formed a marriage alliance with the Tang Sect of Shu1, they had hoped to form this alliance as early as possible.
Thunderbolt Lodge’s special explosive weapons were frightful enough. Now add the poisonous concealed weapons and special concealed weapons skills of the Tang Sect of Shu, that had awed the world for 160 years, and they were even more formidable.
This was always Sikong Xiaofeng’s secret worry. He just hoped Ouyang Ping’an didn’t decide to alter their arrangement due to this incident.
THREE
Faint sound of hoofsteps outside, Shangguan Ren and his entourage leaving Gentle Breeze Villa.
Once the sound had died away, the mourning hall descended into silence.
Zhao Wuji was still kneeling before his father’s memorial tablet, his cracked lips oozing blood.
Sikong Xiaofeng said slowly, “Things here have been more or less arranged for. In another day or two I will leave as well.”
Of course he had to leave sooner or later.
Yun Feiyang was still in closed door cultivation. With Zhao Jian’s sudden death, Gale Lodge really couldn’t stand to be without him.
Qianqian hung her head, wanting to say something, but she held back.
She wasn’t about to speak carelessly. One wrong word and their family could be destroyed.
But she was really afraid. Her father was dead, her big brother had changed, but Gentle Breeze Villa still must go on.
This crushing burden had undoubtedly fallen on her.
What was she going to do?
Sikong Xiaofeng looked at her. As if he could tell what was on her mind, he said gently, “I know you’re trying to be brave, but we really are a bit worried about him.”
The one he was worried about, of course, was Zhao Wuji.
Everyone was worried about Zhao Wuji. They hoped he would stand up, stand up with his back straight and shoulders squared.
But no one knew how long they would have to wait before he stood.
× × ×
The quiet mourning hall was interrupted by the sudden sound of heavy, clunky fotsteps. Qianqian didn’t need to look to know it was Old Jiang.
His breathing was rapid, and his face was red and agitated. He held a wine cup as he hurried in.
Was he drunk?
No.
It wasn’t wine in his cup, but dirt.
Panting, Old Jiang said, “I found this in Third Uncle Shangguan’s guest room.”
He explained, “Once Third Uncle Shangguan left, I took some people to go clean up his room.”
“Cleaning” of course was just a pretext.
Shangguan Ren was suspect, but no one dared search his room while he was still here.
Sikong Xiaofeng said, “What is it you found?”
Old Jiang said, “I was hoping to ask you to identify it.”
× × ×
There was just under half a cup of brownish-yellow powder in his cup, presumably dirt scooped up from the ground.
But this half a cup of dirt had a peculiar smell to it.
Sikong Xiaofeng took a pinch of it between two fingers and put it in his palm and rubbed it around with his finger, then brought it to his nose and sniffed it.
A weird look suddenly appeared on his face.
Old Jiang said, “Old Xhen, the attendant in charge of the banquet, has the best nose. I had him smell it and he said there was not only lime in there, but also musk and dragon horn.”
Sikong Xiaofeng nodded slowly.
He couldn’t but admit that Old Chen’s nose was really something. This dirt really did contain musk, dragon horn, and lime.
Old Jiang said, “It was under the table in Third Uncle Shangguan’s room. I scooped it up with a knife.”
The corners of his eyes seemed to jump and his hands were shaking! “Not only on the ground, it was in the cracks of the table as well, I——I don’t understand what Third Uncle Shangguan wanted with this stuff?”
Even his voice was quivering, because he knew what this stuff was used for.
Musk and dragon horn were both rare, precious spices that could not only be used in medicine, but also as an antiseptic.
Lime was a common desiccant.
What was there in Shangguan Ren’s room that needed to be kept from decomposing and needed to be kept dry?
Those three things were also in Zhao Jian’s coffin in order to preserve the body and keep it dry.
But his head wasn’t in the coffin.
Who had his head?
And did that person also use those same three things to preserve his head?
Those questions, once raised, led to a terrible question.
Were those things in Shangguan Ren’s room in order to preserve Zhao Jian’s head?
Was he the one who killed Zhao Jian?
× × ×
Up to now, no one had been able to determine anything, no one even dared say anything!
But all the color drained from Qianqian’s face and she began shivering all over.
Even Sikong Xiaofeng’s face sank.
He forced himself to remain calm and asked, “Who saw Third Uncle Shangguan in his room sleeping that day?”
Old Jiang said, “That would be Zhao Biao.”
“Get him in here!” Sikong Xiaofeng said.
“I’ve already sent for him,” Old Jiang said.
× × ×
He had sent twelve people, twelve of the top retainers in the Zhao manor!
Now they returned to report back.
“Zhao Biao?”
“He’s outside!”
“Call him in!”
“He’s not able to walk in himself.”
“Then carry him in.”
Four people took a board and lifted Zhao Biao up. Even though Old Jiang had worked with him for years, he could barely recognize him now.
His whole body was black and swollen, his face was even more black and swollen, distorting his features.
He was still breathing when they carried him in, but he took his last breath once Sikong Xiaofeng got a look at him.
“Who killed him?”
“I don’t know. He was hit by a concealed weapon in the chest. He was fine just a minute ago, I don’t know what happened to cause him to get like this all of a sudden!”
There was extreme fear in the eyes of the men who had carried him in!
Such a terrible transformation was hard to believe even though they had witnessed it themselves.
Sikong Xiaofeng said calmly, “Get a knife.”
One of the men had a dagger in his boot.
Sikong Xiaofeng took the knife and cut open Zhao Biao’s clothes at the chest. There was a small, thorn-like object stuck in his left breast. There was no blood, but the wound was already black and putrid.
Old Jiang gasped and croaked, “What a cruel weapon.”
Sikong Xiaofeng looked at the knife in his hand. The blade had merely touched the poisonous pus on the wound but it had already turned black.
His expression became even more grave.
There was only one concealed weapon in the world that carried such a horrible poison.
Qianqian bit her lip, drawing blood. “Is… Is that the Tang Sect of Shu’s Poison Caltrop?”
Sikong Xiaofeng nodded slowly. He said pointedly, “Yes, this is Tang Sect’s special concealed weapon, the highly poisonous, instantly fatal Poison Caltrop.”
Everyone’s face fell.
The Tang Sect of Shu had formed a marriage alliance with Thunderbolt Lodge, how could one of them have gotten into Gentle Breeze Villa?”
This was really too frightening.
One of the young retainers who had helped carry the board in seemed to want to say something, but didn’t dare speak out of turn?
Sikong Xiaofeng noticed the look on his face and said, “You want to say something?”
The young retainer hesitated. “There’s something I don’t know if I should say or not.”
“Speak,” Sikong Xiaofeng said.
The young retrainer hesitated again for a time, then finally plucked up the nerve to say, “There was someone in Third Uncle Shangguan’s entourage who seemed to have come from Sichuan!”
Sikong Xiaofeng was visibly moved. “How do you know?”
The young retainer said, “Because my mom is from Shu, so I can speak a little Sichuanese. Yesterday I overheard a person in Third Uncle Shangguan’s entourage speak Sichuanese.”
He thought for a moment, then said, “Also, people in Sichuan, to commemorate the Marquis of Wu Zhuge Liang, often like to wrap a white cloth around their head. That person that night had a white cloth around his head. I was going to speak some Sichuanese with him, but to my surprise he absolutely refused to acknowledge that he was Sichuanese. He almost wanted to fight me over it.”
Old Jiang said, “There was a person in Third Uncle Shangguan’s retinue that I had not seen before. I wanted to ask when he had joined Third Uncle Shangguan, but I know Third Uncle Shangguan’s temper, so I didn’t ask.”
There was definitely no need to ask now.
All the evidence pretty much pointed to who the murderer was.
Shangguan Ren bribed Zhao Biao to give false testimony on his behalf, but he was afraid that Zhao Biao wouldn’t keep it secret, so he had his Sichuanese retainer kill Zhao Biao to do away with the witness.
But Tang Sect disciples were proud as hell, why would one be willing to be Shangguan Ren’s retainer?
There must be some larger plot at work.
“You don’t mean that Shangguan Ren was in cahoots with the Tang Sect and Thunderbolt Lodge?”
“He killed Zhao Jian just to toady up to them?”
× × ×
No one dared voice these questions. They didn’t even dare imagine them.
Sikong Xiaofeng clenched his fists, his palms sweating.
Just then, Zhao Wuji. who had been kneeling all this time, suddenly leapt up and rushed out.