A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 148 - 124: The Turmoil Settles, Thoughts on a Silent Night

Zhu Shourang's corpse was carried into the hall, neatly placed on that long table originally for food and drink, covered by a layer of coarse white cloth.

At this time, it was already past 9 p.m., the night darkened further, and the chill grew heavier.

The inn's hall, previously somewhat deserted, saw a surge in people, becoming increasingly lively.

Lu Shiping, the Cyan Flower Kiln Head, and Chao Sanjing, the Cunjing Kiln Head, arrived in time; torches shot up into the sky, breaking the tranquility of Wagang Village.

The newly appointed Armor Captain, Li Chief, and Village Chief seemed to have just crawled out from their warm beds, wearing jackets and dragging cloth shoes, shivering in the corner.

Partly out of fear, and partly from cold.

The esteemed Yihai Prefecture's Zhu Family's First Son, Fifth Young Master, how did he die here?

When the authorities hold us accountable, who can bear that responsibility?

Chao Sanjing lifted the coarse white cloth to look, gently pressed his fingers on the collapsed and shattered chest, then lightly probed the nose, confirming no sign of breath, immediately exclaimed in righteous indignation:

"The bandits were rampant! How dare they kill Zhu Wulang right under the master's nose! My disciples will organize the kiln workers; even if we have to turn the five hundred mile mountain path upside down, we must catch the culprit!"

Lu Shiping glanced at the corpse, seeing the limbs were broken from captures executed to break bones, large areas of muscle and skin showed marks from tearing and blood.

The most lethal injury was still the internal organs being utterly ruined by fierce punches, looking only like a few bruises but in fact devoid of any good meat.

As for the long knife piercing the chest, it seemed more like unnecessary detail.

"The fight was nearly one-sided! The 'bandit' had long breath, great strength, a more ruthless and higher level fighting style; within just ten moves, Zhu Shourang was beaten to death."

Lu Shiping felt a chill inside, who could have guessed that during the day Zhu Family's Fifth Young Master, arrogant and assertive about being Master Li's chosen closed-door disciple, wouldn't last tonight and died completely!

He glanced at the silent master again, recalling the embossed invitation he had passed on, seemingly grasping some meaning, tightly shutting his mouth, fearing saying anything wrong.

The hall's atmosphere was eerie.

Loyal servant Lao Ou slumped on the ground, eyes empty and losing spirit, as if losing all thoughts.

Zhu Ling'Er also didn't get up; seeing the surrounding commotion seemed inconvenient for her to speak up, hesitating multiple times.

He Jingfeng stood beside, instructing the present Armor Captain, Li Chief, Village Chief to keep the steel knife as evidence against the murderer.

"Should we request the county's forensic doctor for an autopsy?"

The Village Chief, lacking insight, actively asked.

"It's unnecessary."

Chao Sanjing sternly said:

"According to Bai Qilang's detailed account, Zhu Wulang was ambushed by the Red Eyebrow bandits during his relief, stabbed to death.

By the time Bai Qilang arrived, Zhu Wulang had already fallen… the sequence of events is obvious."

The nearly sixty-year-old Li Chief, becoming wiser with age, knew Wagang Village survived on the kiln, relying on it for food.

No matter how powerful the county city's officials are, they may not reach this impoverished countryside.

His teeth chattered from the cold, looking up he said:

"Chao Kiln Head is correct! I heard from villagers recently that there is possibly a group of Red Eyebrow Bandits in the mountains, village's chickens and ducks have gone missing for several days!"

The Armor Captain froze for a moment, then immediately agreed:

"Indeed, the bandits attacking the county city have scattered, we've long been hoping for Master Bai to eradicate the bandits!

Master Bai will bring justice, and Wagang Village will also be peaceful!"

Under Bai Qi's Deputy Commander title, quite effective in reorganizing Black River County's guard unit, showing initial results.

It was led by direct disciples from several Inner Sect Martial Arts Hall, sweeping away bandits scattered within a hundred miles.

That tall figure sitting on a stool slowly stood up, gaze sweeping across everyone, voice still calm and powerful:

"This matter is settled thusly, Zhu Wulang's death is blamed on Red Eyebrow bandits.

I will have He Qilang send a letter back to the county, then gather three hundred people, along with the kiln, to enter the mountains to eradicate the bandits.

Additionally…"

Bai Qi's gaze paused, lightly falling on Zhu Ling'Er, who was barely maintaining composure but showed some panic in her eyes.

"Red Eyebrow bandits haven't been apprehended, they might strike again. Miss Zhu, should we send someone to escort you back to the county?"

Zhu Ling'Er paused, feeling slightly cold, unexpectedly sensing some bitterness.

Is Bai Qilang warning me?

If you make trouble, unwilling to return, you could meet the same fate as Xiaowu, dying at the hands of the 'Red Eyebrow Bandits'?

She lowered her head, biting her lips, deeply inhaling, about to respond when Bai Qi's voice sounded again beside her ear:

"Of course, if Miss Zhu plans to stay a few more days, that's no problem. As Deputy Commander I, Bai Mou, have the duty to guarantee Miss Zhu's safety."

Zhu Ling'Er was stunned again, suddenly raising her head to meet those cold and stern eyes, the latter's expression calm, nodding in response:

"Next to me, Bai Mou also has a clean wing room; it will be cleaned out later, but apologies to Miss Zhu."

He Jingfeng slightly frowned, Brother Bai, isn't your place next to mine?

Giving it to her?

So I leave?

The Seventh Young Master He felt somewhat displeased, but glanced at Zhu Shourang laying on the long table, eyes wide open, dead unwillingly, he swallowed the words.

Since Brother Bai spoke, sure these will be followed.

Anyway, in a rural place like Wagang Village, there's no comfort in sleeping anywhere, nothing much different.

"It's late, whatever the matter, let's discuss it in the morning."

Li Yuan supported his knees with his hands, a large stature like a mountain, exuding a great sense of pressure.

This spectacle tonight, this banquet, he found satisfying and enjoyable.

Master Ning's disciple handles things clean and decisively, quite delightful!

"Thanks to Brother Bai's help, though he didn't save my disciple Zhu Wulang, he let us know it was the Red Eyebrow Bandits who harmed him.

In future, feel free to visit the kiln, I respect the martial arts and conduct of your master, fortunate to have crafted a weapon for him once…"

After saying this, the Master of the Kiln didn't even glance at the corpse of Zhu Shou Rang lying dead, and left the inn straight away with his two apprentices.

Outside, the crowd of torches swarmed like a long snake, climbing along the mountainside and disappearing into the ink-like dense darkness of the night.

"Miss Zhu, I'm sorry to have frightened you. You should rest early. As for Zhu Wulang's body... I will ask Brother He to handle it."

Bai Qi seemed like the host here, instructing the little maid beside Zhu Ling'Er:

"Go back to your room with your lady. If you need hot water, food, or anything, just call. I'll have Brother He send someone to deliver it."

Am I, the grand seventh young master of the He family, to be your servant?

He Jingfeng's eye twitched as he looked down at the steel knife left by the "Red Eyebrow Bandits" and consoled himself, saying that helping Ninghai Zen's apprentice was nothing to be ashamed of.

When Zhu Ling'Er gracefully went upstairs and the door to the wing room closed, Bai Qi walked over to Lao Ou, who was sitting in the corner with blood at the corner of his mouth.

"Take Zhu Shou Rang's body back to Yihai Prefecture, let him return to his roots. Tongwen Hall has too many debts, this one won't make a difference. Explain to the Zhu Family patriarch: the one who killed Zhu Wulang was Bai Qi of Black River County."

"As for grudges in the future, I can take them. I'm sure the rules set by my master do not need to be repeated."

Lao Ou's lips trembled slightly, turning bluish:

"The fifth young master clearly said he wouldn't take revenge... Why won't you... let him go?"

Bai Qi grinned, returning to the friendly Fisherman Bai Ahqi he seemed to be to everyone:

"My master once said, since coming out of the cave undefeated, where one should forgive... do not forgive!

This matter is just like what happened with his father on the arena back then. If a Zhu can't beat a Ning, he must die.

In the entanglement of resentments and grudges, who could argue whose reasoning is greater?

He wanted to kill me, and I wanted to kill him. In life and death, the one standing is the only one who is right.

Isn't that the truth?"

Lao Ou's cracked eyes opened wide, like two crimson pearls, seeping traces of blood, his throat convulsing dryly without making a sound.

This loyal servant of the Zhu family felt deeply powerless, even if he risked his life, what could he do?

With Elder He's steward and Li Yuan from the Kiln vouched for Bai Qilang, it was fundamentally impossible to do anything about Bai Qi.

Worst-case scenario, even avenging the fifth young master would merely bring disaster upon the Zhu family.

By then, of the thirteen industries in Yihai Prefecture, one would be gone.

"Keep staring, and you might end up being left in Wagang Village by the Red Eyebrow Bandits."

Bai Qi tossed out this remark and casually turned to head back upstairs to the wing room.

In the blink of an eye, only He Jingfeng, Uncle Yang, and assorted others remained in the hall.

"Seventh young master, where are we staying tonight?"

Uncle Yang glanced at the two adjoining top-class superior rooms, thinking:

"A man and a woman both having mutual feelings, having the seventh young master involved might indeed spoil the mood."

He Jingfeng puffed his chest and stomped loudly up the stairs, a creak with every step:

"The ground-level room!"

Uncle Yang promptly asked again:

"And I…"

"The hall!"

Uncle Yang looked at the cold corpse on the long table and felt a chill, hastily calling out to Lao Ou:

"Quickly move your young master's body. This is where we're sleeping tonight!"

...

...

Zhu Ling'Er entered the top-class wing room where nothing had been used, and the little maid swiftly lit the brazier, later fetching a pot of hot tea downstairs.

"Miss, do you think... what actually happened to the fifth young master?"

"Since Bai Qilang said it was done by the Red Eyebrow Bandits, then so be it."

Zhu Ling'Er supported her sharp chin with her delicate hand, recalling the events of that day, from He Jingfeng and Zhu Shou Rang's discord, to the secret rivalry between the Zhu family and the Kiln, seemingly piecing together a clear thread.

The He family and the Kiln were in cahoots, the former wanting to recruit Master Li, the latter unwilling to accept Zhu family members as closed-door disciples. The two groups conspired to provoke Bai Qilang into killing in a fit of anger!

"Master Li remained silent at the feast, only He Jingfeng offered drinks. Clearly, they'd colluded long ago. It's also partly fault of Xiaowu, who was usually so reckless..."

Zhu Ling'Er sighed lightly, recalling what Bai Qilang said in the hall below about protecting her completely, which instantly calmed her initially anxious mind.

"He certainly knows the inside story and is worried about the He family and the Kiln's madness harming me, which is why he suggested sending me back to the county city. Later he thought it wasn't secure, so he wanted me to stay nearby for better protection."

The little maid looked amazed, her face puzzled, her head seeming about to smoke from thought.

...

...

"Taking Zhu Wulang's life has increased my progress in Silk Binding Hand and White Ape Skill quite a bit. Indeed, I must seek some tough opponents to break through faster."

Bai Qi sat cross-legged on the bed, with only two accomplished skills at the moment: the Golden Core Great Strength Skill and Literacy.

If he ascends to perfection sooner, he can condense a Dao Seed.

"I don't know what the seed's effect would be. I currently master four out of five Grand Captures, all superior martial arts, able to hone dragon, horse, python, and ape forms. These four forces refine tendons and muscles, temper qi and blood, giving me combat power far superior to those of the same level.

Compared to my master who kills at a higher level as easily as eating or drinking, I am still far behind! I need to work harder…"

Bai Qi closed his eyes, breathing rhythmically while mentally dissecting secret scripts, using this way to hammer his spirit.

"It's almost a month since Master went to Fulong Mountain. Such a long time, could he not find the way to Black River County?"

...

...

The night was tranquil, and the high-hanging lanterns of the inn swayed, being extinguished by the cold wind.

In the brightly lit wing rooms, each person harbored their own thoughts.