Lingxi Village was not large, and the group soon arrived outside Chen Li’s courtyard.

The courtyard gate was open.

Chen Li was squatting in the courtyard, holding a winnowing basket and carefully sifting grain seeds. His movements were slow and deliberate.

Seeing them enter, Chen Li scrambled to his feet, a perfectly-timed look of astonishment on his face. The winnowing basket nearly slipped from his grasp, spilling a few seeds.

"Milords? What... what brings you here?" Chen Li hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

"This is Standard Bearer Gu from the Commandery City’s Jingwu Bureau. He’s here to investigate a case and has a few questions for you," Chief He introduced, clearing his throat from the side.

"This humble commoner, Chen Li, greets Lord Standard Bearer Gu! I was not aware of your visit, milord. Please forgive me, please forgive me!"

Chen Li’s face immediately showed a mix of dawning realization and utter terror as he bowed hastily.

"Tu Sandao. Do you know him?"

Gu Qianzhang’s sharp gaze fell upon Chen Li like a physical weight, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

The man before him was of medium build, dressed in coarse clothes faded from washing. His skin was rough, and his hands were calloused with large knuckles, bearing the marks of years of manual labor.

His aura was faint, and his build was on the pudgy side. He lacked the robust physique of a martial artist and couldn’t be further from the image of an "expert."

"I do," Chen Li answered truthfully.

"Why was Tu Sandao forcing you to hand over the deeds to your land?" Gu Qianzhang asked bluntly.

Chen Li paused for a moment, then recounted everything in detail: the duel between his eldest son and Chen Zhengtong during last year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, Chen Yongquan’s subsequent extortion, and Tu Sandao’s appearance to pressure him.

"Chen Zhengtong?"

Gu Qianzhang frowned. He recalled the young man at Chen Yongquan’s home earlier; he hadn’t seemed injured at all.

"Your sons... they practice at a martial arts hall?" Gu Qianzhang asked suddenly.

Chen Li nodded, a trace of pride on his face. "Yes, milord. Both of my boys have been active since they were little. I sent them to a martial arts hall to learn some skills, build their bodies, and hopefully secure a better future for themselves."

He paused, then asked cautiously, "Milord... what has happened?"

"Routine questioning." Gu Qianzhang tossed out the words and, without lingering, turned and left with his men.

Chen Li watched their retreating figures until they were completely out of sight. His eyes grew placid again, now tinged with an icy coldness.

He knew very well that in this world, when the people in power wanted to investigate something, they would get results quickly.

But if they didn’t want to investigate, years could pass—or forever—and there would be no result.

’If Tu Sandao had a powerful backer, these people will keep coming back relentlessly.’

’But if he didn’t, this storm will blow over soon.’

The key was the attitude of those in charge.

He bent down, picked up the winnowing basket, and resumed sifting his grain seeds as if nothing had just happened.

Gu Qianzhang walked out of Lingxi Village and swung himself onto his horse.

He pulled on the reins, glancing back at the peaceful village with a deep frown.

"Chief, that Chen Li..." Zhao Hu asked in a low voice.

"Doesn’t seem like him." Gu Qianzhang slowly uttered the four words, his tone unreadable. "But don’t forget, he has two sons who practice at martial arts halls. And... there are the halls themselves."

"You mean..." Sun Ming said thoughtfully.

"Let’s go. Back to the county seat." Gu Qianzhang spurred his horse. "To the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts Hall and the Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall."

...

「Two days later.」

In the back hall of the Jingshan County Magistrate’s Office.

Gu Qianzhang sat alone at a desk, his brow furrowed. His fingers tapped unconsciously on the tabletop, the dull TUK TUK TUK sound echoing clearly in the silent room.

On the desk before him lay all the records from the past few days of interviews and investigations, as well as the case file materials for the Tu Sandao case.

In addition, there were the paper slips he liked to use for deductions while working on a case.

Forensic doctor’s report: five major organs shattered. The killer is a Qi Realm expert.

San Dao Bang: no motive to kill. Vice Gang Leader He Tieshou: Marrow Refining Cultivation Great Success. Doesn’t match.

Liu Family Vineyard shopkeeper: not a martial artist, a victim of bullying, deeply in debt. Hiring a killer can be ruled out.

Chen Li: not a martial artist, a victim of bullying, has a motive to kill, suspected of hiring a killer, but no concrete evidence.

Chen Shouheng: Minor Achievement in Bone Marrow Cultivation. Has an alibi from the martial arts hall.

Chen Shouye: Huajin level. Has an alibi from the martial arts hall.

Chen Yongquan: not a martial artist, suspected of colluding with Tu Sandao, hiding something, but refuses to talk.

Chen Zhengtong: Entry-level Marrow Refining. Has an alibi from the martial arts hall.

Chen Zhengping: under investigation...

Gu Qianzhang closed the file, shut his eyes, and leaned back in his chair.

The entire case was a tangled mess.

It seemed to point somewhere, yet there was no corroborating evidence.

’Could Tu Sandao really have been killed by some unknown expert who was just passing through?’

The lamp flame flickered, making one feel drowsy.

"Chief," Sun Ming yawned. "All the leads are dead ends. Should we... widen the search? We could go through the recent Tooth Token entry logs to check for outsiders."

"Let’s wait."

Gu Qianzhang shook his head. Although Jingshan County wasn’t a major waterway hub, thousands of people entered the city every day.

The workload would be immense.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.

Zhao Hu rushed in from outside, an excited look on his face. "Chief, I found the information on Chen Zhengping that you asked me to look into."

"Oh?"

Gu Qianzhang’s spirits lifted. He instantly sat up straight and asked, "Anything useful?"

Zhao Hu lowered his voice. "Four years ago, Chen Zhengping went to the Commandery City. By some stroke of luck, he caught the eye of the Jiang Family’s young master and was taken in as a Guest."

"The Songjiang Jiang Family?" Gu Qianzhang’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of realization in his eyes. ’So that’s how it is!’

"Yes." Zhao Hu nodded. "Not long ago, the Jiang Family’s young master visited Lingxi and was in contact with Tu Sandao. It’s suspected he was preparing to open a Drunken Creek Pavilion in Mirror Mountain. After that, Chen Zhengping met with Tu Sandao several times."

Gu Qianzhang was slightly displeased. "I’ve told you many times: it is or it isn’t. The word ’suspected’ is not for us investigators to use."

"Yes." Zhao Hu gave a sheepish smile and continued, "Chief, I’ve also got a piece of street gossip. Want to hear it?"

Gu Qianzhang said irritably, "Speak."

"I heard that... Miss Jing Hong has come to Jingshan County," Zhao Hu stammered.

Gu Qianzhang’s expression changed dramatically, an incredulous, cold glint shooting from his eyes. "What is she doing here?"

Zhao Hu gave a bitter smile. "I deduce it’s likely related to the Jiang Family’s plan to open the Drunken Creek Pavilion."

Gu Qianzhang’s face darkened, but inside, his mind was in turmoil.

Drunken Creek Pavilion, Jing Hong.

In the Jingwu Bureau’s internal secret files, this woman was labeled "Extremely Dangerous."

Although there was no conclusive evidence, she was suspected of being a demoness from the Xiang Sect.

The Jingwu Bureau had investigated for years without success.

And now, she had actually come to Mirror Mountain and was colluding with the Jiang Family’s young master.

This was no coincidence, nor was it a simple business of the flesh.

"A brothel..."

The cold light in Gu Qianzhang’s eyes intensified. ’For someone of her status and methods to deign to come to Jingshan County... claiming she’s here to be a Courtesan is the biggest joke in the world!’

’Her goal is most likely... to establish a Xiang Sect stronghold!’

"Sun Ming, Zhao Hu, regarding Tu Sandao’s case, has anyone from the county or the commandery come to ask about it or put in a word these past few days?"

The two looked at each other and both shook their heads. "No one."

"The case of Tu Sandao’s murder will be classified as a Jianghu vendetta, perpetrator unknown. Close the case and file it away for future reference. Sun Ming, you go inform the County Magistrate."

Gu Qianzhang took a deep breath, all hesitation gone from his eyes. "Zhao Hu, pass down the order. We return to the Commandery City’s Jingwu Bureau immediately tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." The two replied with solemn acceptance.