Chapter 11 (2/2)
Fan JiJing shook his head, looking defeated.
Guan Xing glanced at him with implicit meanings.
Wu ChangBo finally found an opportunity to sneer at him: ”The one month limit is not up yet. Why are you in such a hurry?”
Song BoLin said, ”The sooner we find out who the murderer is, the sooner we can decide on the successor for the position of zhangmen.”
”That’s…” Wu ChangBo gave Guan Xing a quick glance. His lips moved without continuing.
Song BoLin's eyes ran through everyone in the hall as he said, ”Despite this great misfortune that has fallen upon our sect, all of you should keep up your spirits.”
”Yes.” Everyone complied.
After Fan JiJing came out from the hall, he immediately saw Hua HuaiXiu leaning against the wall with a roasted chicken in one hand and chopsticks in the other, shredding the chicken into his mouth. The speed he was eating indicated that he was obviously starving, but his movement was as elegant and natural as the floating clouds and flowing waters.
Seeing him staring at his roast chicken, Hua HuaiXiu laughed, ”Grabbing a roast chicken while your s.h.i.+shu wasn't there wouldn't count as stealing, would it?”
Fan JiJing asked, ”Eating chicken on an empty stomach, aren't you afraid of the greasiness?”
”Better than dying from starvation at least.” He threw a quick glance behind him and saw Guan Xing, Zhu LiaoDa, and the others come out one by one.
It was necessary to pa.s.s through here in order to reach Leyi Residence. Although it seemed like Song BoLin wanted to make peace with them, everyone was aware in their hearts that this was merely temporary. If Fan JiJing could not find the murderer, or if the murderer he found belonged to either party, then the flames of war would burn once again.
Zhu LiaoDa came over and patted Fan JiJing a few times on his shoulder. ”As for the investigation, you need to hurry up.”
Fan JiJing nodded: ”Yes, second s.h.i.+xiong.”
Zhu LiaoDa sighed, ”Back then when Master was still alive, I remember how amiable s.h.i.+shu looked.”
What he meant was he looked utterly repulsive right now.
s.h.i.+ JiZhong said, ”s.h.i.+shu just wants to handle it fairly.”
Zhu LiaoDa glanced at him and the corner of his mouth twitched in disdain, with some tacit references under his words: ”That's right, since s.h.i.+shu intends to choose the next successor.”
s.h.i.+ JiZhong's expression changed abruptly. Just as he was about to lose his temper, Guan Xing gave him a light pull, which successfully reminded him to restrain himself.
Zhu LiaoDa was still not satisfied as he continued with Fan JiJing, ”Who was not present on the day of the crime and who was lying are both important clues to solve the case.” He clearly knew already that s.h.i.+ JiZhong and Guan Xing were not in their rooms at that time but the garden instead.
s.h.i.+ JiZhong almost turned crimson.
Guan Xing drily said, ”There could be more than one person who refuses to tell the truth.”
Obviously, he was referring to how Zhu LiaoDa simply would not tell where he was back then.
Zhu LiaoDa courted a rebuff and thus looked a bit resentful.
The sky was getting darker. Even everyone's shadows at the door started to turn vague.
Guan Xing suddenly said, ”Third s.h.i.+di, I need to talk to you about something.”
Fan JiJing turned his head and glanced at Hua HuaiXiu.
Hua HuaiXiu shrugged and said, ”Your Jiuhua Sect is loaded with internal affairs.”
”If Hua Gongzi is interested, you can come together with us,” said Guan Xing. Just as he was about to turn around, he heard Zhu LiaoDa's voice: ”Eldest s.h.i.+xiong, what if I'm also interested?”
Guan Xing said indifferently, ”If you are able to eavesdrop, then go ahead.”
Zhu LiaoDa's face suddenly turned extremely sulky. But since it was too dark at night, no one had noticed other than ShangGuan DingNing who was right next to him.
Fan JiJing and Hua HuaiXiu followed Guan Xing all the way to his room.
”Please have a seat.” Guan Xing lit up the lamp, then gestured for them to sit down.
Fan JiJing and Hua HuaiXiu took their seats.
Guan Xing said, ”I know for sure that there are still doubts in your minds.”
Hua HuaiXiu raised his eyebrows and asked, ”Are you willing to tell us?”
”Since Master is already dead, for some of the things, there was no need to keep them in my mind anymore.” Guan Xing paused for a second, then slowly said, ”You were asking why Master kept the last move of each set of skills from second s.h.i.+di and fifth s.h.i.+di, right?”
Hua HuaiXiu asked, ”Why is it?”
”To prevent them from fighting over the position of zhangmen with me.”
The answer Guan Xing gave was nothing like they had expected.
”In fact, part of what second s.h.i.+di said was right. If you were not traveling outside back then, then you probably would also have taken part in the learning Xianlian Sword.” Guan Xing's expression was always emotionless. Even when he was talking about a news so controversial such as a master victimizing his disciples, he still looked unmoved.
Hua HuaiXiu frowned, ”Bu LouLian was the leader of a sect. He could pa.s.s the position to whoever he wanted. Are you saying that Zhu LiaoDa and s.h.i.+ JiZhong had the ability to change his decision?”
Guan Xing shook his head: ”What he was afraid of was not that second s.h.i.+di and fifth s.h.i.+di could change his decision, but rather they would influence mine.”
Hua HuaiXiu said, ”I don't get it.”
Guan Xing said, ”Second s.h.i.+di has been coveting the position of zhangmen since a long time ago. Master said that he often enumerated my wrongs to him in private.”
Even though Huai HuaiXiu didn't hear what Zhu LiaoDa said himself, from their interactions these past couple days, he could pretty much guess it.
”Then what about fifth s.h.i.+di?” asked Fan JiJing suddenly.
Guan Xing's eyebrows furrowed.
Fan JiJing said, ”Fifth s.h.i.+di has always showed great respects to eldest s.h.i.+xiong.”
”It was not fifth s.h.i.+di's fault. It was mine.” Guan Xing slowly let out a sentence which made Hua HuaiXiu and Fan JiJing stare tongue-tied: ”It was me having improper desires for him.”
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