blueteamnovel Chapter 42 Shangguan's Investigation, The Overlord's Legacy!
Chapter 42 Shangguan's Investigation, The Overlord's Legacy!
Time flies, and a month and a half has passed in the blink of an eye.
The midday sun in March hung warmly in the sky, making the bluestone pavement slightly hot.
The willow trees along the street have sprouted new buds, lush and green, swaying gently in the slightly dry spring breeze.
Zhou Tong stood at the entrance of Wenchang Street, dressed in an indigo police uniform, his gaze calm under the brim of his hat as he watched a small group of people slowly passing by in the distance.
There were about twenty or thirty people, men and women, young and old, dressed in different clothes, with a strange calmness, or perhaps a numb solemnity.
They carried long banners, on which were painted the so-called Madonna of Sorrow.
Unlike before, there were no shouts or chants; they simply walked silently through the somewhat noisy marketplace.
Chang Xuan stood to Zhou Tong's left, arms crossed. He stared at the group's retreating figures, his brows furrowed. After a long while, he finally let out a snort and said in a low voice:
"See? This world changes damn fast. Just a while ago, people were shouting to kill and tear these charlatans apart, and now they can walk around the streets without a care in the world."
He curled his lip, his tone full of sarcasm, "He acts sneakily and plays tricks. I think he'll cause trouble sooner or later."
Zhao Han, on the right, merely shook his head slightly upon hearing this, his gaze following the group of Worry-Free Cult members, his voice steady:
"Whether they are good or bad is not for us to judge. The higher-ups have given the order to 'closely monitor the situation and not directly intervene in non-violent disturbances,' so we can only follow the rules."
He paused, lowering his voice:
"I've heard some rumors... The Worry-Free Sect has already established itself in several southern provinces, as well as neighboring Shandong. It has gained open recognition from the local authorities and can openly set up altars to preach."
In Cangzhou, after several skirmishes a few days ago, I heard that... their mysterious leader has arranged a date to sit down and have a detailed talk with our bureau chief and several other bigwigs in the city who really have the final say.
I think the outcome of this detailed discussion is pretty much set. From now on, it seems we'll really have to coexist with these mystical fellows in our Cangzhou region.”
Zhao Han sighed softly, "Fine, let them coexist then. It saves us the trouble of constantly keeping an eye on them."
That's what he said, but there was little sign of relief on his face.
"coexist?"
Chang Xuan scoffed, "Coexistence is real, but convenience is not necessarily the case. These things are eerie. Once they take root, who knows what trouble will arise? In the end, it will be us, the errand runners, who will be the ones having the headaches."
Zhou Tong listened silently, his gaze shifting from the departing Worry-Free Cult members to the ordinary people peeking out from under the eaves across the street, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and fear. His eyes darkened slightly.
He clearly remembers that at first, the Cangzhou Daily published numerous articles denouncing the Wuyou Sect as a cult that "spreads heresies, deceives the public, and extorts money and harms lives," with a resolute determination to eradicate it.
The government also posted notices all over the streets and alleys, offering rewards for the capture of its leaders.
In the blink of an eye, the winds of change shifted.
However, he was not surprised.
In chaotic times, right and wrong have long been blurred into a murky soup.
A strong fist can buy you space to survive, and even the right to engage in dialogue.
Senior Brother Ji Chang had already pointed out this principle with the word "co-governance," and the argument between his father and grandfather about "national righteousness" and "dancing with the strong" was a vivid illustration of this.
"This world..."
Zhou Tong's hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, clenched silently: "The strength is still insufficient."
It is conceivable that once the Worry-Free Sect truly establishes itself in Cangzhou and reaches some kind of tacit understanding or even collusion with local forces, the situation in this city will only become more murky and unpredictable.
To protect your family in this vortex, there are only two paths: personal strength as a ballast and a network of connections as a protective sail.
In the blink of an eye, Zhou Tong had already reviewed the plans he had made over the past month.
Ever since that day when Manager Hu pointed out the way to manage medicinal materials: meritorious service and having someone help you claim credit, both are indispensable.
He began to have more thoughts in his mind. Although he had obtained a position in the police station and had the support of his third senior brother, he was still worried about the consequences.
But if one truly wants to gain shelter and reap the fruits of the tree, the reputation of a martial arts prodigy and the good impression he made before are far from enough.
The third senior brother held a high position and had many responsibilities, so he, a mere squad leader, could hardly get close to him on ordinary days.
If someone really needs his help, or if the third senior brother wants to assess whether he is worth cultivating, the most direct and reliable way to ask, besides asking the eldest senior brother Chen Zong who is in charge of the martial arts school's disciples, is to ask his trusted subordinate, Qin Lie.
Perhaps, they might also inadvertently listen to the opinions of other elderly members of the squadron.
Preparation is key to success; lack of preparation leads to failure.
Opportunities always favor those who are prepared, and relationships need to be built up little by little every day.
Therefore, over the past month and a half, Zhou Tong has become increasingly attentive to his duties at the police station.
They patrolled and investigated meticulously.
In addition to working together on official business, Captains Chang Xuan and Zhao Han have also been seeing each other more often in their private lives. They occasionally go to a small restaurant for a couple of drinks after work, and their relationship has become much more familiar and closer than when they first met.
I went to Qin Lie's office to report on my work more often, and I kept the balance just right, showing respect and diligence without being annoying.
Although he did these things with a clear purpose, it was not entirely out of utilitarian calculation.
Interpersonal relationships require nurturing.
There are unprovoked hatreds in this world, but there are no unprovoked affections.
"Let's go, it's annoying to watch."
Chang Xuan waved his hand, as if to dispel the invisible oppressive feeling in the air:
"Back at the station, the sun is so hot it's making you dizzy."
The three men, along with their patrol officers, turned and left the street corner.
……
Back at the North City Police Station, I had barely sat down in my squad office, and before I could even taste the tea, I heard steady footsteps at the door.
Qin Lie's tall figure appeared in the doorway, his gaze falling directly on Zhou Tong: "Zhou Tong, come with me."
Zhou Tong immediately stood up and quickly followed Qin Lie out of the office, asking in a low voice, "Captain, is something wrong?"
Without stopping or turning his head, Qin Lie said, "Deputy Director Bai from the bureau is here. He has some questions for you."
"Deputy Director Bai?"
Zhou Tong paused for a moment, his mind racing.
Behind each of the four deputy directors of the police station stood one of the four major martial arts schools in Cangzhou City.
This Deputy Director Bai is the son of the owner of Baihe Martial Arts School. Why is he looking for me?
"Don't worry,"
Qin Lie noticed Zhou Tong's momentary pause and gave him a slightly relieved look:
"It's not just you we're asking. Chang Xuan and Zhao Han also want to ask. All three of you were involved in the capture of the Flying Fox more than a month ago."
Deputy Director Bai would like to know more details about the situation at the time; just tell him the truth.
As he spoke, he casually knocked on the doors of the two adjacent team offices and called Chang Xuan and Zhao Han out as well.
The four met up. Chang Xuan and Zhao Han exchanged a puzzled look, but seeing that Qin Lie's expression was normal and Zhou Tong's expression was also calm, they suppressed their doubts and silently followed Qin Lie to his squadron leader's office.
The office door was ajar.
Qin Lie stepped forward and gently pushed them aside, then stepped aside to let Zhou Tong and the other two go first.
Inside the room, behind the large desk that originally belonged to Qin Lie, sat a man who looked to be in his early thirties.
He was wearing a well-fitting light gray Zhongshan suit, without a hat, his hair was neatly combed, his face was fair, and his features were regular, except that his lips were slightly thin, which made him look somewhat serious when he pursed them.
Almost the instant the door opened, he raised his head and calmly swept his gaze over the three of them, lingering on each of their faces for a moment without revealing any particular emotion.
"Deputy Director Bai," Qin Lie said first, followed by Zhou Tong and the other two bowing respectfully.
Deputy Director Bai casually waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities, and got straight to the point, his voice not loud but clear:
"Are you the ones involved in the capture of Flying Fox last month? Sit down. Tell me the details of what happened then."
From the initial discovery of the clues to the confrontation and his eventual escape, the more detailed the better.
His tone wasn't exactly stern, but it carried a seriousness that demanded no perfunctory attitude.
As the main planners and executors of that operation, Zhao Han and Chang Xuan immediately took turns recounting the whole story from the beginning.
When it came to meeting Zhou Tong at the alley entrance, Zhou Tong interjected, adding his own observations and experiences from the encounter.
Deputy Director Bai listened intently, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop, occasionally interrupting to ask a question or two about a detail:
"He was shot in the left shoulder. In your opinion, how serious is the injury? Does he need immediate medical attention or medication?"
"During the fight, did you notice any unusual odor on him? The smell of medicine, cigarettes, or the musty, damp smell of his hiding place?"
Are there any noticeable features such as scars, birthmarks, or tattoos on exposed areas such as the neck and hands?
The questions were so detailed they were almost trivial, yet they were clearly organized, leaving no stone unturned in their examination of any possible connections.
The questioning lasted for about half an hour.
Deputy Director Bai leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the three of them again:
"Think one last time, are there any special features on Flying Fox that could help identify his identity or origin? Clothing, accessories, habitual small gestures?"
Anything unusual, even if it seemed insignificant at the time, should be mentioned now.
Zhou Tong's mind stirred slightly, but his expression remained calm as he shook his head.
Zhao Han and Chang Xuan pondered for a moment and then said that they had not found anything further.
"Um."
Seeing that he couldn't get much information out of him, Deputy Director Bai stood up abruptly.
After I finished asking him the questions, he didn't offer a single explanation and walked straight towards the door.
As he passed by Zhou Tong, he suddenly paused slightly, turned his head, and looked at Zhou Tong's face.
"From the second branch of the Zhou family."
His voice remained calm: "With his Stone Skin Realm cultivation, to be able to put up a fight against the Flying Fox and hold out until Zhao Han and Chang Xuan arrived... the title of 'martial arts prodigy' is indeed well-deserved. It's a pity..."
He shook his head slightly, pushed open the door, and stepped out. His footsteps quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Zhou Tong remained expressionless; he understood what the other party meant.
There are rules about which martial arts school a large family should attend. My cousin trains at the White Crane Martial Arts School because the Zhou family and the White Crane Martial Arts School are allies. If the family hadn't separated...
As soon as Deputy Director Bai left, Zhao Han immediately looked at Qin Lie, her face full of puzzlement:
"Boss, what's going on here? He's just a 'Flying Fox,' a notorious thief. Even if he's got some skills, why would the deputy director personally come to investigate? And ask such detailed questions!"
Chang Xuan stroked his chin, speculating, "Could it be that this fellow has recently committed another heinous crime elsewhere, harming some powerful family's core member? Is that why the higher-ups are so concerned and determined to find him?"
The questions they asked were exactly what Zhou Tong was thinking.
He also turned his inquiring gaze toward Qin Lie.
Qin Lie took out his cigarette case, lit one, took a deep drag, and chuckled:
"I've heard some rumors that the Flying Fox stole something from the Zhou family's caravan more than two months ago."
He paused, then looked at Zhou Tong.
Zhou Tong remained calm and replied, "Captain, please speak freely. Our family has already split up; these matters are none of my concern."
He smiled and took the initiative to ask:
"Captain, if it's an important item, why didn't the Zhou family launch a major investigation back then? Why did they only react now? If it's not important, why would it have alarmed someone at Deputy Director Bai's level?"
Qin Lie flicked his cigarette ash and said, "This matter has recently spread in small circles among the upper echelons. I visited your third senior brother a couple of days ago, and he mentioned it casually."
He lowered his voice:
"It is said that when the Zhou family caravan returned from the north, they were carrying a batch of goods, including several antiques."
The Flying Fox sneaked in and stole several items. At first, the Zhou family didn't think much of it, but recently…
They somehow obtained concrete information that among the stolen items was one that appeared to be a relic of Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, and that it was recently unearthed, making it highly likely to be genuine.
Qin Lie continued, "That's why the Zhou family is anxious. These days, they've been secretly casting a net, searching for the Flying Fox's whereabouts."
That guy suffered a loss at your hands last time, and he's probably scared. He's likely already fled Cangzhou and gone into hiding somewhere else.
Unable to catch him immediately, the Zhou family turned to Deputy Director Bai, hoping to extract clues from those of you who had dealt with him, that might point to his hiding place or habits.
The man is completely dead. You want to catch him? Go to the underworld to get him... Zhou Tong thought indifferently.
He knew in his heart that what the Zhou family was looking for was most likely that dark bronze piece that had been dug out from the scar under the armpit of the flying fox, engraved with "strength to uproot mountains and spirit to cover the world" and the image of the overlord lifting the tripod!
Zhou Tong's mind raced slightly, and he asked curiously, "Even if it's a relic of the Overlord, it's just an antique. Is it worth going to such lengths? Even using connections at the deputy director level for a covert investigation?"
Qin Lie shook his head and stubbed out his cigarette.
"I don't know about that. All I know is that these large families that have been entrenched in the area for many years seem to have a penchant for collecting antiques, especially those that are ancient and have a legendary aura."
Even our government maintains a tomb raiding team, whose work isn't too different from that of the tomb raiders.
Zhou Tong's eyes narrowed slightly.
He instinctively sensed that there was more to this than just a simple collecting hobby; it was much deeper than that.
That copper piece... was probably far more valuable than he had initially imagined.
……
After finishing his shift, Zhou Tong didn't go straight home.
He went around to the cooked food shop, cut half a pound of braised donkey meat, weighed out a bag of fried peanuts, and then went to the tavern to get a pot of the shopkeeper's homemade liquor.
Carrying these things, I turned into Zhengyang Old Street, familiar with the area.
Shopkeeper Hu was still wrapped in his tattered cotton-padded coat, which seemed to have been worn for ages.
Although the weather was already warm, he seemed too lazy to change. He leaned back in the old rattan chair behind the counter, squinting at an account book with its corners rolled up, using the last bit of sunlight streaming in through the skylight.
Hearing the door open, his nostrils twitched slightly, but he didn't look up. "Braised donkey meat, strong liquor... what do you want now, kid?"
Zhou Tong smiled slightly, moved over his own little stool by the wall, and dragged over a small low table, arranging the oil paper package and wine pot one by one.
Instantly, the salty aroma of the braised meat and the pungent smell of the liquor diluted the medicinal odor that filled the room.
"Look at what you're saying, senior. I don't come to visit you often, do I?"
Zhou Tong smiled, first filling the rough porcelain bowl in front of Manager Hu with wine, then pouring one for himself:
"However, I did encounter a strange thing at the bureau today, and I can't figure it out. So I came here to ask for your advice."
Manager Hu picked up a piece of donkey meat and said, "Speak."
Zhou Tong briefly recounted what Deputy Director Bai had said during his questioning, what Qin Lie had revealed about the Flying Fox stealing from the Zhou family's caravan, the suspected theft of Xiang Yu's relics, and the rumors surrounding the official "Searching Team."
Manager Hu listened attentively while slowly eating his meat and drinking his wine. Only after Zhou Tong finished speaking did he put down his wine bowl, wipe his mouth with his sleeve, and chuckle:
"I know the government has tomb raiding teams. What? You want to learn how to rob tombs too?"
Zhou Tong: "..."
He was already used to the old man's sarcastic style of speaking, and laughed:
"How could that be? I just don't understand. Even if it really is a relic of the Overlord, it is still an inanimate object from thousands of years ago. Gold is valued in times of chaos, and antiques are valued in times of prosperity. In today's world, is an antique worth such a great deal of trouble?"
"Even having someone like Deputy Director Bai personally oversee the details?"
Shopkeeper Hu picked up the brass pipe leaning against the table and took two puffs:
"You've misunderstood. When I said you were going to rob tombs, it was a joke, but for people like us who are on the path of martial arts, occasionally playing the role of a tomb raider might not be a bad thing."
He paused, his eyes behind the smoke fixed on Zhou Tong:
"Who knows, some old things buried underground might actually bring you unexpected benefits."
Zhou Tong narrowed his eyes slightly: "What do you mean, senior...?"
Manager Hu took a deep drag on his cigarette, and after a long while, he spoke slowly:
"Most people know Xiang Yu as the tragic hero who committed suicide at the Wujiang River and bid farewell to his beloved concubine, a legendary figure in history that evokes sighs. But..."
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone suddenly becoming low and somber:
"In some extremely secret archives passed down through generations of martial artists, there exists another Xiang Yu. That Xiang Yu was an unparalleled powerhouse in the martial arts world!"
Zhou Tong's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and asked, "How strong is he?"
How strong?
Manager Hu chuckled, seemingly finding the question somewhat ridiculous.
He squinted, gazing at the deepening twilight outside the window, and said slowly:
"Let me put it this way... The 'Grand Martial Masters,' who are unapproachable in the eyes of ordinary martial artists, capable of withstanding firearms and splitting stone tablets, are nothing compared to that one..."
He drew out the words, emphasizing each one:
"Like a mayfly that looks up, vainly hoping to glimpse the boundless blue sky!"
Zhou Tong's pupils suddenly contracted.
Grandmaster...Master Ni Dongting, compared to Xiang Yu...is like a mayfly gazing at the blue sky?
What kind of realm is that? Is that still... human?
Manager Hu seemed quite pleased with Zhou Tong's barely concealed shock, clicking his tongue twice before steer the conversation back to reality:
"So, if that thing really is a relic of the Overlord, and related to martial arts... even if it's only slightly related, it could be an immeasurable treasure for us martial artists! What's a little effort to investigate? But..."
He then changed the subject, adding his usual sarcasm:
"These kinds of rumors about 'the hegemon's legacy' and 'the secret teachings of Lu Zu' resurface every few years. Nine times out of ten, they are just a hoax, and the one time they do appear is just a mirage, something you can see but can't touch."
It's fine as a topic of casual conversation, but don't take it too seriously.
Zhou Tong tried hard not to think about the copper piece, paused, and asked curiously:
"A Grand Martial Master is already so powerful that firearms are difficult to harm him. If Xiang Yu was truly as the senior said, an unparalleled expert, how could he have committed suicide at the Wujiang River?"
"Of course, there are some secret stories that you don't know, stories that only circulate in the martial arts world," Shopkeeper Hu said with a mysterious smile.
Zhou Tong quickly poured wine for the other party: "The night is still long, and I am also eager to hear stories. Please enlighten me, senior."