NOVEL NEXT Chapter 132: Cooperation
Chen Ku had almost forgotten that the range of his Transformation Diagram's ability to sense Evil Qi had increased. He frowned immediately.
Who is this Zhao Yuyan? Why does she suspect me? Have I ever had any involvement with her... Hmm?... Her surname is Zhao?
Chen Ku seemed to vaguely understand something.
「Meanwhile.」
Inside the Twin Rivers Guild, Zhao Yuyan, who had just emerged with several Zhao Family experts, walked into an inn.
"Miss, what Huang Muxia said isn't trustworthy. What kind of person is Third Young Master? Would he borrow money from him?" Yan Longhao, an expert from the Zhao Family, said coldly.
"Moreover, Miss, you also recognized that the IOU for 100,000 taels of silver doesn't bear Third Young Master's handwriting at all. Only the seal is genuine."
"Do you suspect Huang Muxia of harming Chuanzu? That he used Chuanzu's seal to create that IOU?" Zhao Yuyan pondered, her brows knitted.
"There are many local powers in Baojiao County, and the Twin Rivers Guild is one of them. Third Young Master came here unfamiliar with the place or its people. It's not impossible that Huang Muxia deceived him, then murdered him for his wealth," Yan Longhao stated coldly. "Miss, let's just summon the Sect Leader here directly and make Huang Muxia explain himself clearly."
"Suspecting Huang Muxia is fine, but we shouldn't limit our suspicions to him alone," Zhao Yuyan said coolly.
"At first glance, Huang Muxia indeed seems the most suspicious. But if it really were him, he wouldn't be so foolish as to murder Chuanzu and then deliberately leave an IOU."
"Who else does Miss suspect?" Yan Longhao asked.
Zhao Yuyan replied, "Based on Huang Muxia's account, combined with our investigations over the past two days, it's true that Chuanzu made a bet with those young men from Medicine King Hall and the Firewood Iron Shop. Therefore... Xie Qingfeng from the Firewood Iron Shop and his Disciple Qu Feng... as well as Yang Luochen from Medicine King Hall and his Disciple Chen Ku, are also suspects."
Yan Longhao nodded. "Indeed. With Uncle Liang by Third Young Master's side, those two Disciples couldn't have accomplished such a thing on their own. Someone must have been helping them from behind the scenes."
Zhao Yuyan mused, "Actually, the ones I suspect most are not these two groups, but another faction."
Yan Longhao frowned. "Another faction?"
"Yes. Assuming everything Huang Muxia said is true—that Chuanzu met him that night, told him it was the Demon People of Peace Path who attacked, borrowed money from him, and then disappeared the next day..." Zhao Yuyan considered.
Could it be that the people of Peace Path killed Uncle Liang first, then lured Chuanzu away, leading to his disappearance to this day?
"Peace Path! Those Demon People! If it's really them, I'll kill every single one I see!" Yan Longhao gritted his teeth.
"Let's investigate step by step," Zhao Yuyan instructed. "This time, we brought five Master Uncles from the sect. Uncle Master Yan, each of you dispatch one person to keep an eye on those two Disciples from the Firewood Iron Shop and Medicine King Hall. The other three are to investigate Peace Path."
"Especially Peace Path. What I fear most now isn't that Chuanzu is dead, but that he might be swayed by the cultist ideology of Peace Path, join them in their mountain retreats, and leak our Ancient Elephant Sect's fundamental Nine Dragons Union technique. That would be an unending catastrophe."
"Peace Path! Rest assured! We will investigate immediately. As soon as we find any clues, we'll have the Sect Leader rush here from Qiu Dragon Mansion, coordinate with the Baojiao County Magistrate, and annihilate this band of Demon People!"
***
"Damn it! They blame Peace Path for everything!"
In Snake Fish Town, within a Peace Path Incense Altar on a certain mountain, Incense Master Yao Wensu gazed at a government notice posted before him and cursed loudly.
"The City God Golden Body was stolen from the City God Temple! What has that got to do with Peace Path? Shangguan Yun, and those incompetent, do-nothing officials! This is outright slander!"
But he knew one thing very well: those who falsely accused him were more aware of his innocence than anyone.
The reason was simple.
A bunch of incapable fools couldn't uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the City God Golden Body. However, to maintain the dignity and face of the Imperial Court, they had to find a scapegoat, a target for the public to vent their anger and hatred upon.
"Incense Master, rest assured," said a leader beside Yao Wensu. "Our base of operations has now been moved to the countryside. Every month, villagers follow us into the mountains to cultivate. We've already gathered nearly 5,000 Believers. The rumors in the city won't affect us."
"I'm not afraid of the rumors' impact; rumors can't shake our foundation. We still have many Believers in Baojiao City, some even from prominent families."
Yao Wensu's expression darkened.
"What I'm worried about is that with this notice posted, they'll likely put on another show for the common people by sending troops into the mountains to 'suppress' us. That will be very troublesome!"
***
Zhao Yuyan, sounds like a woman... I wonder what her strength is, and how many experts she has with her? Chen Ku mused on his way back to Medicine King Hall.
She only suspects me? That's somewhat understandable. But if she dares to suspect me today, she'll investigate me tomorrow, and the day after, she might just assume I'm the murderer. I need to find a way to deal with this woman.
He decided to go out that night and gather some information.
He returned to Medicine King Hall.
Just as he stepped into the main hall, an indifferent voice drifted out:
"Junior Brother Chen, I heard that ever since you became a Disciple, you're always late or leaving early, creating many special privileges for yourself. I initially thought they were just rumors, but it seems they're true."
This was the first time Chen Ku had heard such a barbed comment in Medicine King Hall.
After all, ever since he had shown promise during his Apprentice period, the Senior and Junior Brothers around him had all been supportive. It was just as the saying goes: after becoming famous, you're surrounded by good people. Moreover, his Masters also particularly valued him. Even on that day, Senior Brother Lan Fuxi, Third Shopkeeper's disciple, had also spoken up for him when Miss Mingsheng Nan of the Ming Family was compiling her list.
Chen Ku immediately looked over.
Standing in the hall with his hands clasped behind his back was a young man. He was sturdily built, with a slightly dark complexion and sharp, piercing eyes that were fixed on Chen Ku with a challenging gaze.
"And who might this be?" Chen Ku raised an eyebrow.
An attendant from the hall quickly hurried to his side and whispered, "Senior Brother Chen, that's Senior Brother Zhang from the Second Shopkeeper's section."
The Second Shopkeeper's section, Senior Brother Zhang.
Chen Ku had a sudden realization.
He must be a disciple of Second Shopkeeper Zhang Yuanhai.
He had heard that this Senior Brother Zhang was from the Prefecture City, not a local of Baojiao County, and like the Second Shopkeeper, seemed to have connections with the Owner.
"So it is Senior Brother Zhang Renfeng," Chen Ku said, a smile on his face as he clasped his fists in a salute. "Chen Ku pays his respects. Senior Brother's admonishment is correct. I will certainly be more mindful in the future."
"You? Hmm?"
Zhang Renfeng was slightly taken aback. He had been fully prepared for Chen Ku to flare up, especially since the young man had been in the limelight recently.
He hadn't expected Chen Ku to actually smile after being reprimanded.
Zhang Renfeng's facial muscles twitched. He wanted to say more, but it's hard to strike a smiling face, and he wasn't willing to swallow his pride to smooth things over. So, with a cold snort, he turned his head and left arrogantly.
Watching him go, Chen Ku thought to himself with a slight smile,
This kind of person is easy to deal with.
The ones I really fear are like Zhao Chuanzu, who smile to your face while secretly plotting to kill you.
At least this Zhang Renfeng hasn't yet triggered the Evil Qi warning from my Transformation Diagram. That means he's probably just all talk for now, only indulging in a few harsh words.
But Chen Ku still didn't understand.
What's with this guy? Picking a fight with me for no reason?
"Is Senior Brother Zhang always like this?" Chen Ku turned and asked an old attendant in the hall.
"Not really. Senior Brother Zhang is usually quite amiable. It's just... the timing isn't right..." the old attendant whispered to Chen Ku. "Junior Brother, how come you seem completely unprepared?"
"Prepared? Prepared for what?" Chen Ku asked, puzzled.
"The New Year has passed, and the Lantern Festival is approaching. That means it's time for Baojiao County's quadrennial 'Guild Negotiation Grand Assembly.' The hall will select three young representatives to attend and devise solutions for the various issues and conflicts that have arisen among the major guilds over the past four years."
The old attendant explained, "These three representatives are often chosen from the hall's Disciples, with the aim of cultivating future successors to the three Shopkeepers. They are expected to participate in advance and handle the competitive issues among the guilds. Four years ago, it was the three disciples of the current Shopkeepers who went. Four years later... well, now there are six of you, including yourself, Senior Brother Yang, and Senior Sister Huo. And you, especially... you're the most likely to replace one of the previous representatives."
I see.
Chen Ku murmured to himself, He's afraid I'll take his 'Young Shopkeeper' position.
"Exactly! This isn't without precedent. Thirty years ago, Third Shopkeeper Cao Shouxiong participated as one of the representatives in the 'Guild Negotiation Grand Assembly.' He managed to oust a young master from the Prefecture City who had connections to the Owner. Then, he performed exceptionally well at the assembly, securing many benefits for Medicine King Hall within the county. After that, he attended every four years..."
The old attendant said softly, "And eventually, didn't he become the Third Shopkeeper?"
Chen Ku nodded.
So that's how it is.
"Then what exactly is this 'Guild Negotiation Grand Assembly'?" Chen Ku asked, his curiosity piqued.
The old attendant hunched his shoulders and shook his head. "That... that level of meeting involves the allocation of resources behind the Fish and Dragon Association, the Firewood Iron Shop, the Twin Rivers Guild, and all the major guilds, as well as the resolution of their conflicts. The number of people qualified to attend in the entire Baojiao City, counting everyone, doesn't exceed fifty. How... how could I possibly know what kind of meeting it is?"
"Alright, I understand." Chen Ku smiled and handed the old attendant some Small Change of Silver. "Happy New Year, Senior Brother."
Then, he headed to the Butcher Court.
"Someone told me you had a disagreement with Zhang Renfeng, the Second Shopkeeper's disciple?" Shang Yunfang asked as soon as Chen Ku entered. "I also heard about how you handled it. Not bad; you left him with no grounds for complaint."
Chen Ku said, "Master, do you know why he's targeting me?"
Shang Yunfang replied, "The Guild Assembly, of course. You have a very good chance of replacing one of the existing representatives and becoming Medicine King Hall's delegate this year. He feels threatened."
After getting confirmation from his Master, Chen Ku took the opportunity to ask, "So, what exactly is this 'Guild Negotiation Grand Assembly'?"
Does it mean what the name implies—that when issues arise, everyone discusses them collaboratively? Is Jianghu not just about fighting and killing, but also about navigating complex human relationships?