Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 68 Four Years of Blank Space
It turns out that the past he hadn't forgotten was Zhou Zhao.

That's great, it's Zhou Zhao.

Qianmian felt only sharp cries in his ears, his fingertips trembled with soreness, and Zhou Zhao in front of him was like a warm flame in the cold wind, while he was the long tassel hanging on it. The raging fire made his whole body ache, but he was happy to endure it.

That's great, he is Su Changying.

His fingers, which were resting on Zhou Zhao's arm, trembled slightly: "Zhou Zhao, don't trust me so easily."

Zhou Zhao's gaze was firm. "You are Su Changying. You may not believe in yourself, but you must believe in me."

On the night of the Ghost Night, Su Changying bid farewell to Tianying. On the fifteenth of July, Su Changying came back to life, while she died. They recognized each other for only ten days before never seeing each other again, this time truly separated by life and death.

"After the Shanming Changyang case, you were rescued by Zhang Ran, and then you've been secretly working for him ever since? You didn't know how to disguise yourself before, let alone be a spy."

Zhou Zhao pursed his lips, his rationality returning. Although he wanted to express his feelings, now was not the right time.

"This doesn't make sense. Zhang Ran knows you. If he saved you, he should have sent you back to your residence. Why would he keep you here privately?"

Su Changying rose to fame at a young age and was praised by His Majesty as a future general. In the same circle of nobles, how could Zhang Ran not recognize Su Changying?

After the incident, His Majesty was furious. The Northern Army searched in all directions, and Marquis Lu offered a large reward for the search of the missing Su Changying. What reason did Zhang Ran have to detain him?
Unless that old man is the murderer in the Shanming Changyang case.

But if he were the murderer, knowing that Qianmian was Su Changying, why would he send Zhou Zhao here to be with Su Changying?
As expected, Su Changying shook her head, "I only have memories of the most recent year."

Just as Zhou Zhao was about to ask another question, she heard footsteps at the door. Her eyes flickered, and she spotted the screen in Su Changying's room. She quickly hid behind it.

"Master, I have something to report."

Su Changying lowered her sleeves and looked towards the doorway. "Come in!"

As they were talking, a middle-aged man dressed in a brown robe walked in. He had a pair of judge's pens tucked into his waistband. He looked somewhat sickly, with thinning hair and beard, as if he had been staying up all night year after year...

"Master, Qi Ming, the nephew of Master Qi of Tianji Hall, has come to our door. He says that the 'child gu' left by Master Qi has died, and he is most likely to have met with misfortune. He is going to Bei'an County tonight, and the people from Tianji Hall want to go with him."

Su Changying glanced at the middle-aged man expressionlessly.

The middle-aged man's legs went weak, and he immediately bowed and said, "This subordinate will send him away."

"Chen Yan, you're getting worse and worse, letting in such a vermin. Master Qi is dead, so what is his nephew?"

Just as the man named Chen Yan was nervously preparing to go out and drive the others away, Su Changying said again, "This mission is led by Tianxuan. If he wants to come, why ask me?"

Chen Yan was taken aback. Although he was puzzled, he did not dare to ask any further questions.

He knew that the new leader was capricious and unpredictable, so it was best to just follow orders.

"Yes, sir." Chen Yan said, then hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking, "Master, the chestnut cake is just out of the oven. Shall I bring it to you?"

Su Changying instantly recalled Zhou Zhao's words earlier: it wasn't what he liked, but what she liked.

His ears turned slightly red, and he cleared his throat: "No need, you may leave."

Chen Yan was met with a cold shoulder and was completely baffled. Why didn't the chestnut cake work today?
In the past, if the head of the hall was in a bad mood, he would bring him chestnut cake, and the head of the hall would immediately calm down after eating it. They all said in private that the head of the hall probably had a lover who liked chestnut cake, and that was love for the house because of the person who loved it.

Otherwise, what kind of ruthless, murderous superior would like to eat sweet, cloying chestnut cakes?
He thought about it and silently withdrew.

Once Chen Yan's footsteps had faded into the distance, Zhou Zhao stepped out in a flash. The two exchanged a glance, their previous surging emotions completely cooled down.

Thinking about his original purpose for coming, Zhou Zhao quickened his pace, "Is Tianquan one of your men? Tianxuan is Qin Tianying's confidant, and he's our target tonight?" Su Changying wasn't surprised; Zhou Zhao was always very perceptive.

"Yes, Qin Tianying is a suspicious man by nature. The one he truly trusts is the Grand Hall Master, Tian Shu. Tian Shu has been there since the founding of Tianying City. I have discovered that the two of them may have a closer relationship. Tian Shu has a son who is nine years old this year, and the father is unknown."

Su Changying didn't elaborate, but Zhou Zhao understood what he meant.

The biological father of Tian Shu's son may be Qin Tianying.

"Then there's Tianxuan and Yuheng. Tianxuan was being chased by his enemies and fled to Tianying City. It was Qin Tianying who saved his life and protected him. For this, Qin Tianying was injured and went into seclusion for half a year before he came out. Tianxuan was his most loyal henchman."

"Have you heard of the Yan Family Sword Manor in Nanyang? Yuheng came from there. She killed her grandfather and fiancé to get out. I found out that Qin Tianying is very likely her master. Among the seven hall masters, besides me, she is the most recent to take office."

Zhou Zhao pondered for a moment, "So Tianji is dead. Of the remaining six, three are Qin Tianying's loyal dogs, you turned Tianquan against him, and the remaining one, Kaiyang, is neutral."

Su Changying nodded. "That's right. Since it concerns the tortoise shell, he will definitely send his trusted confidants."

"In his eyes, Tianquan is also one of them, but tonight it's our turn to hunt, and in order not to accidentally hurt our teammates, I specifically asked Tianquan to volunteer. Qin Tianying is already suspicious, and the fact that Tianji didn't report the news about the tortoise shell will only make him more suspicious."

"Under these circumstances, whoever takes the initiative will not be allowed to go. Whoever comes after that will be our target."

“Tianquan is an elder, and he recommended two people. Qin Tianying wouldn’t completely reject them and offend him, so he will definitely send me.”

As Su Changying spoke, a hint of mockery appeared on her face. "Of course, this kind of mission, which requires someone to lure away the enemy soldiers who are about to die, is a choice between me and Kaiyang."

As Zhou Zhao listened, his gaze towards Su Changying became somewhat bittersweet.

She stepped forward and grabbed Su Changying's belt. Su Changying was caught off guard and opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Zhou Zhao!"

Zhou Zhao pursed his lips. "Let me see your injuries."

Su Changying grabbed Zhou Zhao's hand, "There's nothing to see."

Zhou Zhao stared into his eyes, unyielding. "Hmm, if I don't look closely, how can I judge whether my husband is ugly or not, and whether I should kill him?"

Upon hearing the word "husband," Su Changying stood frozen in place.

Zhou Zhao loosened his belt and pulled down his robe, revealing numerous wounds, large and small, all over his body. Some were old wounds from the battlefield, which she had even treated for him, her eyes red as she mocked him relentlessly.

There are also some wounds. Judging from the lightness or lightness of the scars, they must have been there for three or four years. The lighter ones are whip marks, while the deeper ones are from various weapons.

Zhou Zhao watched quietly, clenching his fist.

Su Changying pursed her lips nervously, "It's terrifying."

"It's not scary. I've seen corpses that have been dismembered into eight pieces. This won't frighten me."

Su Changying: ...

I received no comfort whatsoever!

After Zhou Zhao finished speaking, he put his clothes back on.

"Tonight we will kill Tianxuan, and on the fifteenth we will break through Tianying City. Then I will take you home."