Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 174 Lightning Manifests
However, it was too late at this moment. Ji Yun, who was holding the golden ball, had already spotted Zhou Zhao in red among a group of people dressed in white.

He jogged over, taking two steps at a time, his face beaming with delight.

"Zhou Zhao! Do you want to play Cuju? Come join our team, and I'll have everyone pass the ball to you!"

Before Zhou Zhao could speak, Li Youdao sneered, "Zhou Zhao is from our Court of Justice, why would he go to your side? Don't get carried away just because you have a few coins jingling in your pocket! Young man, you should be diligent, didn't your master teach you that?"

As Li Youdao spoke, he glared fiercely at an old man behind Ji Yun.

The old man was chubby, and his head looked like it had been soaked in an oil vat, with every strand of hair sticking to his scalp, making him look like a shiny mink.

He wore rings on all ten of his fingers, clearly indicating that he was a wealthy man like Ji Yun.

Upon hearing this, the fat old man immediately objected, "You, surnamed Li, have the nerve to say that? The word 'diligence' isn't even in your family genealogy. Enough nonsense, just wait and see if we don't kick you so hard you'll be running away with your tail between your legs this time!"

Li Youdao clicked his tongue twice, "Oh dear, among the six clerks of the Court of Justice, who has read the most case files and solved the most cases? Why don't you get out of your money-grubbing ways and see who the ringleader is?"

"Ouch!" Li Youdao exclaimed, slapping his thigh. "I almost forgot, this little thing of yours got stuck in my eye, and I couldn't pull it out!"

As he spoke, he gave the fat old man's greasy hair a smug look and said, "Dai Changsheng, I'm not trying to be mean, but even if you put oil on your head, you still can't pull it out!"

Not a single person from the Court of Justice could laugh as they listened.

Zhou Zhao's hand had already quietly touched the coffin nails.

Li Youdao's enemies must be all over Chang'an!

As expected, Dai Changsheng's face flushed red, he rolled up his sleeves and jumped up and down, "You're all talk, I'll make you lose your fourth match today. Ji Yun, come here! Let the people of Chang'an see just how weak the people from the Court of Justice really are!"

As Dai Changsheng spoke, his gaze fell on Wu Qingshan. He clicked his tongue twice and stroked his beard.

"Let everyone see how this useless member of the Wu family cries and begs for his brother!"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Court of Justice were instantly enraged. Zhou Zhao, watching from the side, frowned. This didn't seem like a threat made on the battlefield; it seemed more like a personal grudge.

Zhou Zhao glanced at Wu Qingshan, then at the group from the Shaofu. Of the six people playing football, besides Ji Yuntong, the old man surnamed Dai, there was Han Ze, who was hiding shyly at the back. Of the other three, one looked somewhat similar to Han Ze; it was probably his elder brother, Han Run.

Beside Han Run was a slender young man who looked almost exactly like him. He was handsome with delicate features and looked almost identical to Wu Qingshan, except that he appeared much more mature than Wu Qingshan. He looked at Wu Qingshan with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

The remaining man, with a bandit-like air about him, grinned and nodded slightly when Zhou Zhao looked at him.

Zhou Zhao recognized him; he was Huo Ting, the nephew of Grand Commandant Huo, whom he had met before during Zhang Ruoqing's case.

He was Han Ze's close friend and had once been a guest of honor with Zhang Ruoqing.

Wu Qingshan pursed his lips and remained silent.

Li Youdao spat, then pulled out a bundle from somewhere and tossed it to Zhou Zhao, saying, "Go change your clothes, we're starting right away."

Zhou Zhao silently accepted the clothes and walked towards the room under the gate tower. She quickly changed into the white clothes, combed her hair into a high bun, tied the red ribbon on her forehead, shook her hands and feet, and walked towards the center of the room.

By this time, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered around the gate tower and the football field. Zhou Zhao spotted Su Changying standing in the crowd at a glance. She waved to Su Changying, smiled, and then walked into the field.

Zhou Zhao looked at his five teammates: Li Youdao, Chen Jiyuan, Qin Lang, Wu Qingshan, and Jing Yi.

She thought for a moment and then stood next to Li Youdao.

Li Youdao reached out and patted Zhou Zhao on the shoulder, "If we win today, I will take you to every Court of Justice assembly in the future."

Zhou Zhao, who had been listless, suddenly brightened up. She adjusted her hairband and said, "It's a deal."

Li Youdao gave Zhou Zhao a disdainful look. "That's more like it. When you're working like a dog, you should lie down and relax. You should be full of energy on your days off!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but mutter a few words under his breath: How could anyone in this world like to listen to old bastards chanting scriptures? How young and reckless!
The six opponents were Dai Changsheng, Ji Yun, Han Ze, Huo Ting, and Han Ze's brothers, including Wu Qingshan.

There are two referees when playing football in the Great Qi Dynasty.

Zhou Zhao glanced at them; both were familiar faces. One was named Kong Zuo, and the other Kong You.

These two old men live nearby and usually referee at this stadium. They are neither officials nor from prominent families. Even though the new government has replaced the old one, these two brothers are still respected and fair referees.

Just then, the sound of drums rang out.

A small golden ball flew into the air, and the two brothers in green robes jumped up at the same time and kicked the ball.

Wu Qingshan executed a bicycle kick, and the instant his toes touched the ball, a leg swept across. Wu Qingshan hesitated for a moment, and the ball was instantly hooked away by the opponent. The drumbeats grew more intense, and the football match began.

As Zhou Zhao watched, he couldn't help but recall what the flower-selling old woman had said earlier. Wu Qingshan was indeed quite skilled at playing football, but it was clear that there was something going on between him and his brother.

She composed herself, her eyes fixed on the golden ball.

The Court of Justice may lose, but Zhou Zhao has no concept of losing!

As she was thinking, she suddenly moved, like a gust of wind, heading straight for her cold-faced brother in the green robe.

Li Youdao, who was closest to her, felt a gust of wind blow past, making his nose itch. He looked back and found that Zhou Zhao, who had been slacking off, had already disappeared. He quickly turned his head and saw a white figure standing in front of the man in green robes.

What a great speed!

Not only was Li Youdao surprised, but the Wu brothers, who were also fighting for the ball, were also surprised.

Three feet simultaneously lashed out at the ball. Wu Qingshan hesitated for a moment, worried about hitting Zhou Zhao, and pulled back slightly. "Zhou Zhao, watch out! His leg..."

Before Wu Qingshan could finish his warning, Zhou Zhao had already charged headlong towards the ball, showing no sign of retreat. In the blink of an eye, the golden ball was at Zhou Zhao's feet. Like a gust of wind, she passed Wu Qingshan's brother and flew straight towards the goal.

Dai Changsheng snapped out of his daze and shouted, "Stop her! Losing to a woman, aren't you ashamed!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhao scoffed, "Since you're prepared to embarrass yourself, Senior Dai, then I won't hold back!"

These people really don't understand why she was punished by Zhou Buhai every time after playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football)...