Unparalleled Evildoer

Chapter 147: Fast Horses in Ba County Seeking the Source

After discussion, Fusu chose to go to the Bushan Mountain north of the Xianbei to look for the thousand-year-old snow ginseng. He left the palace secretly. The journey was long, time was tight, and there were many difficulties and obstacles. It showed his true feelings. He went to Bashu without any obstacles to look for the fairy tears. They would set out separately early the next morning.

After Wuzhan sent Fusu back to the palace, he and Miaoxin rode on horseback on the already quiet streets. The sound of horse hooves and dim lights made Wuzhan feel confused.

Miaoxin had been listening attentively to the conversation between Fusu and Wuzhan in the carriage. Now, looking at Wuzhan's expression, although she was a little confused about matters of love, she could guess roughly what he meant and asked softly, "Sir, do you know what Miss Yu feels?"

Wuzhe was silent for a moment, then pointed to a willow tree on the roadside in the distance and said, "I wonder how Miss Miao will use the divine fire after obtaining it. Can she chop off the branches of the tree ahead?"

Miao Xin smiled and said, "How difficult is that!" She flicked her jade finger lightly, and with a 'whoosh' sound, a light blue flame flew out from her fingertips, leaving a streak of lightning, and with a 'swish', a branch as thick as her wrist broke and slowly fell to the ground.

At the same time, a black shadow suddenly flew out from the tree and into the wall silently.

Miao Xin was surprised and asked, "There is someone hiding in the tree. Should we chase him?"

"He said he was sleeping in a tree and was scared by you. What can you do to him?"

Miao Xin frowned and said, "That's true!" Then he realized, "Your Excellency has no cultivation, but you were able to discover such a hidden person. Your perception is even sharper than Miao Xin's!"

"He concealed his aura and figure. It is difficult for you to detect him through perception. But if you have foresight, the unusual movements around you will naturally not escape your eyes."

Miaoxin didn't know why, but she was always absent-minded when she was around Wuzhan, so she didn't notice it just now. "Miaoxin has learned something again. No wonder Jin Xingzi follows you. And the tone of your voice sounds very similar to that of Master Miaoxin. How did you and Master know each other?" Miaoxin asked curiously.

"You need to go back to the mountain and ask your master. Even if I tell you, you may not believe it!"

Wuzhan naturally refused to answer this question. After hearing this, Miaoxin was about to ask further questions, but she heard a "whoosh" and an arrow flew from the front. Miaoxin had already noticed it this time, and she quickly flicked her fingers and a flash of lightning met it. With a crisp "pop" sound, it shattered the arrow, and blue light splashed everywhere, like brilliant fireworks.

Miao Xin's graceful figure flew up from the horse, spun in the air, and her right palm created a foot-long half-moon-shaped blue light, which broke through the air with a buzzing sound and swept towards the person who suddenly shot the arrow.

As the man was being astonished, a man flashed out from behind him, swung a long sword that flashed with silver light, and blocked in front of him. When the two swords collided, blue light flew, illuminating the surroundings.

There were six people blocking the way ahead, the leader was Zhang Liang, the one shooting arrows from the side was Guo Zijing, and the one who blocked Miaoxin's 'Sea Heart Burial Fire' was a middle-aged man with snow-white hair, whose cultivation was comparable to Miaoxin's.

"Sea Heart Burial Fire!" the silver-haired man said in surprise.

Zhang Liang scolded him, "How dare you shoot arrows at Brother Li? Apologize now!"

Guo Zijing hesitated and said, "I just don't like him and want to teach him a lesson. I don't mean to kill him. I won't apologize."

Wuzhan said to Miaoxin, "We are not far from the mansion. Miss Miao, go back first and I will talk to them."

Miao Xin said: "They don't seem like good people. They actually shot a cold arrow. I should be by your side to protect your safety!"

"It's okay, they are my brothers, I was just joking!" He got off the horse, came to Guo Zijing, bowed and said: "Brother Guo, Brother Yi, long time no see!"

Yi Shuihan returned the greeting, but Guo Zijing ignored him and was still angry.

Zhang Liang said, "It's not convenient to talk here. Brother Li, come with me!" As he said that, he took Wuzhan and turned into an alley and entered the house. The other five people followed them in, leaving Miaoxin alone waiting anxiously, refusing to go back home.

After entering the house, Zhang Liang asked, "Brother Li, why did you help the tyrannical Qin to defeat the Xiongnu and become an official in the Qin court? Are you greedy for power and wealth?"

Wuzhan looked at the other three and said, "Brother Zhang, can you introduce these three brothers to me?"

Zhang Liang said hurriedly, "I forgot to introduce you. This is Brother Yi's senior brother, Yin Lingchong, who is a disciple of Master Zhuoshi of Fuyun Mountain!" Wuzhan saw this man with white eyebrows, bright eyes, rosy face, and extraordinary bearing, and he bowed and said, "I have heard of your name for a long time!"

Yin Lingchong returned the greeting and said, "I have heard of Brother Li's name for a long time!"

Zhang Liang went on to introduce the other two people, Fan Kuai and Peng Yue, both of whom were righteous men from Pei County. They were as strong as Guo Zijing and they greeted them without any obstacles.

Zhang Liang said: "We are all family, Brother Li, don't worry!"

After Wuzhan sat down, he slowly recounted why he came to the court. Zhang Liang thought for a long time after listening, and said excitedly: "Brother Li went into the tiger's den alone. If he succeeds, he will be a hero of the six countries!" Suddenly he knelt down and said: "We misunderstood Brother Li before, and we offended him a lot. Please forgive us!"

Wuzhan quickly helped Zhang Liang up and said, "Brother Zhang, please get up quickly. I can't bear this!"

Guo Zijing knelt down with a thump and said, "I insulted Brother Li earlier and then suddenly shot him a cold arrow. Please punish me, brother!"

Wuzhan helped Guo Zijing up and said, "Brother Guo saved my life. I will never forget it. How can I hold a grudge against you?"

Zhang Liang said: "Zi Jing, you really need to change your temper, otherwise you will make mistakes!"

"Change it, we must change it!" Guo Zijing said with a smile, making everyone laugh.

Wuzhan said: "Although I am the Censor, Ying Zheng is still testing me, and all the ministers in the court are also staring at me. If I reveal a flaw, all my previous efforts will be wasted. If I want to dominate the court, I still have a long way to go. This time I have encountered a tricky thing." So he told him about the Lantian incident.

Zhang Liang heard this and said, "We know nothing about this matter. It must not be the work of the heroes of the six kingdoms. It should be a conspiracy within Qin. Brother Li, you have to be careful. We have nothing to do in Xianyang, so we will stay for a few more days and help you investigate secretly." Wuzhan said, "Then I'll have to trouble you brothers!"

At this time, Miaoxin heard someone outside the house shouting, "Is the master here?"

Yin Lingchong asked: "Her cultivation is so high, where did she come from?"

"The favorite disciple of Taishan Bixia Yuanjun."

"No wonder!" Yin Lingchong sighed.

"Wait a moment, I'll be out right away!" Wuzhan said, bowing to Zhang Liang and the others and saying, "Brothers, I'm leaving now, please stay!"

Wuzhan walked out of the house and saw the anxious Miaoxin. He smiled and said, "Why don't you go back to your house and rest?"

Miaoxin smiled and said, "If the master is not returning home, how can Miaoxin go back alone!" She jumped to Wuzhan's side and walked with him.

……

After Wuzhan left, Zhang Liang whispered, "Should we stop the assassination as he said?"

Yi Shuihan said: "It is too difficult for him to overthrow the Qin State by his own strength, not to mention that his body may not be able to support that time. If Ying Zheng dies, the world will be in chaos!"

……

The sky is blue, white clouds are floating, two silhouettes are riding horses, passing through the green mountains and green waters, the autumn wind blows on the face, the clothes are fluttering, Miaoxin is wearing pink and blue clothes, just like a colorful butterfly flying in the sky, looking sideways without any obstacles, secretly happy, "The two flying cranes that the piano music yearns for, aren't they the scenery before my eyes!"

……

The sun in Ba County was scorching, but Zhenfu Mansion was located in a cool valley, surrounded by towering mountains on three sides and dense ancient trees. The valley was vast, with flowing springs and wooden houses scattered everywhere. It was even more prosperous than Jiangzhou City, with pedestrians, able-bodied men, merchants, and escort soldiers coming and going in an endless stream.

The gate of Zhenfu Mansion was magnificent and the golden plaque bestowed by Ying Zheng could be seen at a glance. The two men dismounted and came to the gate guard. Wuzhan bowed and said, "Please inform Madam Qing that the Great Qin Censor Wuzhan wants to see you!" and handed over the official document.

When the guard saw the official document, he did not dare to be negligent and bowed quickly, saying, "Please come in, sir. I will go and inform the lady right away!" After that, he quickly went to report first. Another guard stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Please follow me, sir!" and led Wuzhan and Miaoxin inside.

There were numerous pavilions in the mansion, with shady green trees, blooming flowers, fragrant air, turquoise ponds, elegant pavilions, secluded corridors, and groups of maids. It was the most luxurious mansion Wuzhan had ever seen.

Before they even reached the hall, they saw a beautiful woman in dark red clothes coming out with four maids. This woman was graceful and elegant, with a beauty whose age could not be determined. She must be Madam Qing without a doubt.

"I am here to greet you, Your Excellency!" Madam Qing said as she slowly knelt down and bowed.

"Madam, please get up quickly!" Wuzhan said hurriedly.

Madam Qing was helped up by her maid and said with a smile, "Please take a seat in the hall, sir!" She walked into the hall with Wuzhe.

The furnishings in the hall were all rare and magnificent. After Wuzhai took the main seat, Madam Qing said, "Your Excellency resisted the Xiongnu with brilliant strategies and used military tactics like a god. I admire you very much. I am here today to bring honor to my humble residence!"

Wuzhan said: "Madam, you are too kind. Madam, you have contributed a huge fortune to the country. You are truly a heroine and a pillar of the country. There are only a few people in the world who can do this. I have admired you for a long time!"

"Thank you for the compliment, sir. I wonder what brings you here?" Madam Qing asked straight to the point.

Wuzhan looked at Madam Qing and said, "A few days ago, the 10,000 kilograms of mercury transported by Jiang Xin and Dong Zhong was destroyed on the road. The surviving soldiers died suddenly and Jiang Xin and Dong Zhong were assassinated."

Madam Qing's face froze slightly, and she asked, "Who dares to do this?"

"I have many doubts, so I have come here to investigate from the beginning."

"Does Your Excellency suspect that it was us who did it?" Madam Qing said unhappily.

"Madam, you have misunderstood. This has nothing to do with you. How could I suspect you? It's just that this incident is too strange. Jiang Xin and others described it before they died, confirming that it was caused by the undead. This is naturally unlikely, but we searched the surrounding checkpoints and found no trace. So I came to ask, has there been similar strange deaths in your mine?"

"This has never happened in my mine!" Mrs. Qing confirmed.

Wuzhan said calmly, "Madam, your answer is a little too certain. Mercury is refined from cinnabar. Not to mention accidentally ingesting it, even if you smell it for a long time, the colorless and odorless gas it emits will cause death. I am still clear about this principle."

Madam Qing said coldly: "Since you know, why do you still ask me?"

"I just want to confirm whether what Madam said is true."

"What do you want, my Lord?"

“I want to go to the mine myself to check out how so much mercury is refined and whether there are really undead causing trouble.” Wuzhan said in a deep voice.

(End of this chapter)