sinovels Chapter 60 Methods
Chapter 60 Methods
"I'm innocent! It really wasn't me!"
Inside the main hall of the weapon forging workshop, braziers burned all around, illuminating the figures of the four people inside.
Lou Zhenqing sat at the head of the table, examining the dagger in his hand.
Shen Yusheng and Qin Zhiyuan, the two disciples, stood on either side with solemn expressions.
Fan Zhou knelt on the ground and recounted the whole incident.
"The man in black used this leaf to buy the dagger, and then he disappeared."
"On my way home after closing up my stall, a dark figure suddenly darted out of the woods and almost collided with me, but when I turned around to check, I couldn't see a single person."
"I saw bloodstains on the ground and felt something was wrong, so I ran into the woods to check. Then I saw the princess lying there with my dagger sticking out of her abdomen, so I shouted for help."
"The Peak Master knows what happened after that."
Fan Zhou took the jade-like leaf from his chest and handed it to Lou Zhenqing for inspection.
"This is the only clue we have about the man in black. I don't know what he looks like, but I deduce that he might be a young man."
Lou Zhenqing reached out and took the leaf, carefully examining its scent, but it still only contained Fan Zhou's scent.
"These are the leaves of the Chinese tallow tree, a specialty of central Fujian. They can cleanse the eyes and greatly improve eyesight."
Shen Yusheng recognized the origin of the leaves, but her expression remained somber.
Qin Zhiyuan's expression brightened. "So, it really was the Fujian forces behind this?"
Shen Yusheng shook her head. "What can this single leaf prove?"
"No, these leaves can actually prove something," Lou Zhenqing suddenly said.
"I wasn't entirely sure at first, but now I'm certain that the assassin was the black-robed man who bought Fan Zhou's dagger."
"He must have some kind of treasure that can completely conceal his aura, so both the dagger and this Chinese privet leaf only bear Fan Zhou's aura."
Lou Zhenqing, with sharp eyes, continued:
"In fact, his assassination attempt on the princess was a last-minute decision, not a suicide mission sent by anyone."
"That's why he needed to buy a dagger and carry things like fragrant leaves that have nothing to do with assassination." Qin Zhiyuan's expression brightened.
"That man in black robes must know the princess, otherwise he wouldn't know her whereabouts!" Shen Yusheng's eyes also lit up.
Fan Zhou was greatly relieved. Fortunately, none of his division commanders suspected him; otherwise, with that dagger alone, he wouldn't have been able to explain himself even if he had nine mouths.
"There's another possibility: the whole thing was planned by the Gumei tribe themselves from beginning to end!" he offered his opinion.
Lou Zhenqing glanced at him and shook her head:
"The princess's injuries are undeniable, and what good would it do her to do that?"
Shen Yusheng stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then pondered:
"What Fan Zhou said isn't entirely impossible; perhaps the assassin was from the Gumi tribe."
Everyone nodded, thinking that this guess was very likely.
Qin Zhiyuan said, "In my opinion, the key to this matter lies with Princess Changming. When she wakes up, we should ask her. Perhaps she has seen what the assassin looked like."
Lou Zhenqing hesitated, thinking to himself:
"What if the princess insists that Fan Zhou was the assassin? We have no way to prove Fan Zhou's innocence."
"Moreover, that man in black robes possesses a secret treasure that conceals his aura; no matter how I search, I can't find him. How am I going to explain this in three days?"
His heart was filled with sorrow, and he fell silent for a moment.
But just then, a voice entered his ears.
"Lou Zhenqing, I know everything about this matter. Do as I say..."
Lou Zhenqing's pupils contracted slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.
"Should we check everyone in the market?" Fan Zhou asked.
"Neither the Peak Master nor Elder Chen Qing could detect any aura, so it's even less likely that the disciples could find it. There's no point in investigating," Qin Zhiyuan said, shaking his head.
"I should inform the sect leader first. Perhaps he can find a Purple Mansion cultivator skilled in divination to help with the calculations," Shen Yusheng said.
Just as he was about to take out his flying sword to send a message, Lou Zhenqing suddenly spoke:
"There's no need to inform the sect leader; I already have a solution."
Everyone was both surprised and delighted, and hurriedly asked, "What method?"
Lou Zhenqing smiled and said, "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."
The group exchanged glances, none of them knowing what he was up to.
Lou Zhenqing seemed to relax completely. He stood up and said to Fan Zhou and the others:
"Alright, I'll handle this. You can all go back now."
Fan Zhou exclaimed happily, "Then I'm not a suspect anymore?"
"Of course, you should go back and rest."
Lou Zhenqing nodded in agreement. He returned the leaf to Fan Zhou, strode out of the hall, and disappeared in an instant.
Fan Zhou finally felt relieved. He quickly stood up, held the fragrant leaves of the Jade Blood Plum, and asked Shen Yusheng:
"Senior Uncle Shen, is it better to consume these fragrant leaves yourself, or is it more cost-effective to exchange them for spirit stones?"
Shen Yusheng glanced at it and said casually:
"This stuff is good for your eyes. If you have the money, take it."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Uncle," Fan Zhou said, bowing.
Shen Yusheng nodded slightly and followed her away.
Fan Zhou was about to go home when Qin Zhiyuan called him back:
"Ah Zhou, I have some good news for you."
Fan Zhou looked puzzled. He had almost become the assassin of the princess, so what good news could there be?
A smug smile appeared on Qin Zhiyuan's rugged face:
"I have already recommended you to Master Lou. He said that once the affairs of the Gumi tribe are settled, he will accept you as a disciple."
"Oh? Really!"
Fan Zhou was so surprised he almost jumped up, still somewhat in disbelief.
"One can become a disciple without participating in the sword-forging trial or breaking through the Qi Refining stage?"
Qin Zhiyuan stroked his large beard and laughed:
"You forged thirty-six steel in just two months, and you also have talent in swordsmanship. It's clear that you are indeed a talented person. Becoming a disciple is no problem for you."
"Hahaha!"
Fan Zhou couldn't stop smiling for a moment, and said somewhat shyly:
"Wow, I'm already this good?"
Qin Zhiyuan shook his head and said, "This is nothing. There are over a thousand registered disciples in the Sword Furnace. If this is considered outstanding, then there are no mediocre people in the world."
Fan Zhou's smile vanished abruptly.
The disciples of the Sword Furnace are either Qi Refining cultivators, those with mid-grade spiritual roots, or those who have passed the sword-forging trial.
Such a person would be a talent anywhere, so how did he become mediocre?
Qin Zhiyuan saw through his thoughts and explained:
"You're standing too low right now. You think the people above you are incredibly powerful. But when you stand on high ground and witness true heroes, you'll know what a real man is."
Fan Zhou was speechless. "Uncle Qin, aren't heroes and great men too far removed from my reach?"
Qin Zhiyuan strode out and said calmly:
Whether it's near or far is up to you.
Fan Zhou scratched his head, not quite understanding what he meant.
But he was too lazy to think about it too much; after all, one has to eat one bite at a time.
"I'm only at the third level of the embryonic breathing stage; it's already quite impressive that I've become a nominal disciple."
Fan Zhou became happy again upon thinking of this, and left the weapon forging workshop to return to his hut.
It was already late at night.
Although the princess's assassination was a big deal, many people in the market were not aware of the situation, and the Sword Forge did not take any major action, only sealing off the surrounding area, so the disciples were able to sleep peacefully.
Fan Zhou held the fireball and walked quickly towards his hut.
As the market developed, the area where he used to live became very remote, and most of the people who used to live there moved away.
When he got home and was about to open the door, he suddenly heard a soft sound behind him, as if someone was following him.
"Who?"
Fan Zhou turned his head to look, and at that moment, a dark blade of light suddenly slashed out, flashing across his neck like lightning.
A stream of hot blood splattered out, sprinkling onto the ground in tiny specks.