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“Zu An?”
When he heard this name, Sang Qian’s voice was raised an octave from the side.
Usually, it was extremely difficult to associate Zu An with an eight rank expert like Shi Lezhi, let alone Shi Lezhi being killed by the former.
“Brother Shi, could there have been some mistake?” Sang Qian asked with doubt. He inwardly wondered if this fella ended up getting scared badly after receiving Zu An’s sword in front of the dungeon entrance back then, thus portraying Zu An as this powerful to make it not as embarrassing for himself.
However, killing an eight rank expert was just too ridiculous.
Sang Hong similarly didn’t believe this. However, he wasn’t didn’t lose his cool like his son, instead calmly looked at Shi Kun. He knew that there was more to this.
Sure enough, Shi Kun said bitterly, “I really wish I am wrong too…”
Then, he repeated the events of last night and what Bian Tai deduced. Of course, they got rid of some details these two didn’t need to hear, such as poisoning Qiao Xueying. He only said that they were catching a traitor.
“Ninth rank…” Sang Hong remained silent for a long time, as if he was thinking over something.
Sang Qian thus said, “Brother Shi, there isn’t a single ninth level existence in all of Brightmoon City. Could there be some type of misunderstanding on your side?”
Knowing that the other party didn’t believe him, Shi Kun laughed coldly and said, “I’ve already told you everything I should. As for whether you believe or not, that’ll be up to you two. Either way, I am about to return to the capital. If something wrong happens on your side, it’ll have nothing to do with me.”
“Young master Shi is returning to the capital?” asked Sang Hong.
“Correct. The clan has contacted me telling me to return first.” There was no way Shi Kun would say that he was scared badly, he naturally had to look for a reason.
After saying this, he exchanged a few more pleasantries before hurriedly leaving.
When Shi Kun left, Sang Qian said in puzzlement, “Father, why would Shi clan ask him to return at this type of time?”
Sang Hong said indifferently, “Shi Kun’s plans have all been completely ruined, continuing to remain here is also meaningless. Moreover, Shi Lezhi has already died, so he should be horrified. He’ll obviously want to borrow this as an opportunity to leave.”
“What do you think about the words he just said? Could there really be a ninth rank mysterious expert?” asked Sang Hong in a curious manner.
“Whether or not it’s true, we can just ask and we’ll know.” Sang Hong rose up from his seat. He turned a porcelain bottle on the shelf, and then the shelf opened up, revealing a private room.
A masked man immediately walked out from within. Sang Qian couldn’t help but look him up and down. He just couldn’t understand why his own father would hide anything. They were already at this point, yet he still had this fella wear a mask.
Sang Hong said with a sunken voice. “You should’ve heard Shi Kun’s words just now too. What do you think?”
“Ninth rank? Chu clan shouldn’t have this type of existence.” This person shook his head, saying with a bit of mockery. “If they really did have a ninth rank ally, the one in the clan seat wouldn’t be Chu Zhongtian.”
Sang Hong expressed his agreement. “This is my judgment as well. However, Shi Lezhi’s death in Chu clan doesn’t seem to be fake. Just what is going on here?”
“I’ve recalled something.” This masked man patted his headache. “During the great clan clash last time, Zu An became an overnight celebrity. Later on, Chu clan’s Madam even interrogated him, finding out that he seemed to have received some techniques from an eccentric, just that this strange person left after teaching him.”
“Could it be that he wasn’t telling the truth, that this strange person actually didn’t leave and was always by his side?!”
Sang Hong nodded. “This is a big possibility. This can also explain why Shi Lezhi would die without any news. I believe that after he found out Chu Zhongtian left the city, he decided to just go straight in to quickly capture Zu An. After all, Shi Kun really has been left in a rather sorry state by the other party, so he definitely wants revenge.”
“However, who would have expected that Zu An had a mysterious expert behind him. Regardless of whether that mysterious individual planned to or not, if Shi Lezhi was ambushed, even if his cultivation was around Shi Lezhi’s level, then there is a chance of him being killed.”
After getting a rough idea of the situation, Sang Hong looked towards that masked individual. “The issue now is, just who exactly is that mysterious expert?”
The masked individual also revealed a bit of puzzlement in his eyes. “I’ve already been in Chu clan for so many years, yet I’ve never noticed anyone like this… Could it be that Zu An’s father had some connections, and that this person isn’t from Chu clan?”
Sang Qian spoke up from the side, “Back then when Chu clan chose Zu An as their son-in-law, we already sent people to check his background. We thought that he might have some type of special background, yet the report that came back stated that he was an orphan raised by his uncle. His uncle also passed away not long ago.”
“We looked into his uncle as well. He is only an ordinary person without anything special about him.
“Orphan…” Sang Hong began to think. “We weren’t able to find out anything about his parents?”
“There was nothing.” Sang Qian shook his head. Suddenly, he was alarmed. “Could it be that he really does have some type of mysterious background?”
“This is most likely the case.” Sang Hong’s eyes flickered. “There is no kindness without cause or reason in this world. I refuse to believe that a piece of trash deserves the earnest fostering of a mysterious expert. Qian’er, investigate deeper into his background, see if you can find any clues regarding his parents.”
“Understood!” Sang Qian agreed, but his expression instead seemed a bit troubled. “I just fear that we might not find anything, since the previous investigations had already been extremely detailed.
“We were only looking for a needle in a haystack before. Now, we can carry out a targeted investigation, so who knows, we might unexpectedly find something.” Sang Hong had a considerable amount of experience in this fiend. He then turned around to look at that masked individual. “Of course, apart from Qian’er’s side, I must trouble your distinguished self to investigate within Chu clan as well, see if you can learn anything about that mysterious figure.”
“No matter how mysterious one is, if he exists in this world, then he will definitely have left behind some traces. If we examine everything carefully, we should be able to find some clues.”
That masked individual’s expression was grave. “Alright. I really want to find out just what kind of expert is hiding in the estate.”
If there was this type of top level expert hidden in the estate, how could he possibly feel at ease?
“Then we’ll have to trouble you sir.” Sang Hong immediately continued to ask, “By the way, how many people know about the matters regarding Chu clan and Wang clan’s merchant caravans just now? Would they end up suspecting you?”
“Many thanks for respected governor’s care,” That masked individual cupped his hands, “but there is no need for worry. I did not participate in that matter, it is something I heard through a different channel. That is why even if they start tracing the clues, they won’t be able to link me with it.”
Sang Hong smiled. “Sir is a much-travelled person as expected.”
“Since I am taking care of matters for respected governor, it is only natural that I am a bit more careful.” After saying this, the masked individual revealed an expression of hesitation, in the end still adding, “However, I wonder regarding the things that sir governor previously promised me…”
“Don’t worry. Sang Mou has always been a man of his word,” answered Sang Mong. “Chu Zhongtian shows no understanding of the times, so he is destined to be eliminated. At that time, Chu clan will be yours, as well as the one you yearn for.”
The masked man revealed a blushing expression. “I’ve made respected governor see a shameful side of me.”
“Fair, graceful, and virtuous women belong to those of noble character, this is something that can’t be more normal. What is there to mock?” Sang Hong revealed a faint smile. “Why did Chu Zhongtian suddenly leave the city? It seems like young miss Chu fell ill? He actually had to find Divine Physician Ji through the night?”
“Indeed, something happened to Chu Chuyan’s health.” That masked man replied, “It is a pity that Chu clan’s Madam kept her condition an absolute secret, not even I understand the exact situation.”
“It might be the Evanescent Lotus having some side effects.” Sang Hong entered a state of thought. After returning from the dungeon, Chu Chuyan’s strength increased sharply. Ingesting the Evanescent Lotus was already not a secret.
“I’ve already sent out some people to approach Zu An and inquire about Chu Chuyan. I will immediately contact respected governor when there is a follow-up.” The masked man said.
“Alright, then I must trouble sir with this.” Sang Hong bowed slightly.
“Sir Sang is too polite.” The masked man hurriedly got up to return the greeting.
After chatting for a bit longer, the masked man bid his farewell and left.
When he left, Sang Qian said with a bit of dissatisfaction, “Father, just who is that person? Why do you have to hide his identity even from me?”
Sang Hong answered, “This is by his request. His identity is sensitive, he is only willing to let me know. Since I agreed to his request, it isn’t proper for me to renege on my promise.”
Knowing that his father had always been one whose words carried enormous weight, Sang Qian didn’t dare say anything more about this. Only, he began to mutter to himself, wondering just what kind of identity it was that was this mysterious.
Sang Hong who saw his reaction inwardly shook his head. His son’s temperament was a bit too impatient and reckless. No wonder the other party had this type of request.
“Right, I heard that you had Zheng Dan approach Zu An again?” When he thought of another matter, Sang Qian’s voice immediately became cold.