Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 311 Searching for Childlike Innocence, the Distinguished Guest's Identity

In the morning, after having breakfast.

Yin Zhongyue arranged to meet Zhou Ming in the garden.

"Second Uncle, is there something you need?"

"To be honest, I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"Haha, Second Uncle, with our relationship, there's no need to talk about inviting or not inviting. Just say the word."

"In that case, Uncle won't stand on ceremony..."

Yin Zhong then briefly recounted what he had been busy with over the past few days.

"So, that Tong clansman named Tong Xin disappeared last night, and Second Uncle wants to find him as soon as possible?"

"Yes."

Yin Zhongdao said, “I have a spell that can trace people with blood. Tong Xin has the blood of a blood python on his body. By using this spell, I can find people with blood. However, it is probably impossible for me to find him in a short time by myself. That is why I wanted to ask my nephew for help.”

"I see."

Zhou Ming nodded: "This is such a small matter, I certainly won't refuse."

Yin Zhong then taught the magic to Zhou Ming.

This is indeed a relatively simple spell. With Zhou Ming's current knowledge and understanding of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, learning this spell is incredibly easy.

Without even needing the assistance of perfect energy, he quickly mastered it.

After understanding the situation, Zhou Ming realized why Yin Zhong had asked him for help.

Because this spell is simple, its function is rather crude. Its characteristic is that it can only find people whose blood is compatible within the range of spiritual perception.

Outside of its perception range, however, there is absolutely no reaction.

Yin Zhong's injuries were comprehensive; not only his body, but his soul was also shattered.

In some ways, physical injuries are not as important as injuries to the soul.

Yin Zhong's chest scars could be easily healed, but his soul could never be restored.

The excruciating pain that even this ancient monster could not endure actually came from the depths of his soul.

In this situation, even though Yin Zhong possesses powerful mental strength, he is completely unable to utilize it.

Especially given the recurrence of his old injury during last night's battle with Tong Bo.

The mental power he can currently utilize is probably less than one-tenth of Zhou Ming's.

That's why he specifically came to Zhou Ming for help.

The two then set off to search the area outside the Imperial Sword Manor.

As for the Imperial Sword Manor, there's no need to search; Tong Xin couldn't possibly be there.

This is something the Blood Python has confirmed.

It is important to know that snakes have an extremely keen and powerful sense of blood, especially the rare blood python.

Guess why it's called the Blood Python?
Therefore, the two of them only need to search outside the Imperial Sword Manor.

However, after searching the entire vicinity of Yujian Manor, they still couldn't find Tongxin's whereabouts.

Yin Zhong's face was gloomy, and he asked somewhat unwillingly, "Really, you didn't find it?"

Zhou Ming glanced at Tong Xin, who was fast asleep in his personal space, and said with utmost seriousness, "How could I deceive my second uncle!"

Yin Zhong's eyes flickered, and it was unclear whether he believed it or not.

Zhou Ming said, "Perhaps...perhaps that person has already returned to Shuiyue Cave, which is why we can't find him."

Yin Zhong didn't know how much he believed, but he did say with a hint of regret, "Perhaps..."

If this possibility is true, it means he missed a good opportunity to enter the Water Moon Cave.

In the end, the two returned to Yujian Manor, having wasted most of the day.

Meanwhile, Tong Bo returned to Sanhuafang and told everyone about his discovery last night.

"There's actually a place like that underground at Yujian Manor? Could Tong Xin be imprisoned there?" Tong Zhan asked.

Tong Bo nodded: "Although Yujian Manor is vast and has many gardens, I suspect that Tong Xin is most likely imprisoned in the underground place."

The hermit said, "Huh? You didn't see it with your own eyes, so don't make wild guesses."

Tong Bo said, "According to the information we have been looking up these past few days, the Yin family of Yujian Manor has always been known for its strict family traditions and benevolence towards the people. They were once hailed as a model of righteousness, and the manor lord, Yin Hao, has always been known for his kindness and compassion."

Putting aside other issues, every ordinary person on the street can serve as proof of how the government treats its citizens.

DouDou nodded upon hearing this: "Yes, all the uncles and aunties I've known since I was little have said that Master Yin is a good person."

Tong Bo said, "Although Tong Xin's mind is like a child's, he is not the type to cause trouble recklessly. Han Fangzhu has not given any information about any trouble that has occurred within the Imperial Sword Manor, so I think Tong Xin should not have caused any trouble."

So why would Yujian Manor imprison Tong Xin so casually?

Perhaps only Yin Zhong would have a reason to do this. Therefore, the most likely explanation is that Tong Xin is imprisoned underground.

Tong Zhan looked worried: "Brother, does that mean the only way for us to save Tong Xin is to go to that underground place? But Yin Zhong is so powerful, how can we possibly save her? And you said that Yin Zhong also has a giant snake under his command, I wonder how strong it is..."

He was very conflicted.

On the one hand, Tong Xin must be saved; on the other hand, such a risk might endanger the elder brother's life.

Tong Bo saw through his thoughts and said, "Yin Zhong can't stay underground all the time. Many times, he has to handle affairs in the Imperial Sword Manor. So, as long as we can seize the opportunity, we only need to face that giant python."

However, this timing is probably not easy to grasp.

They don't know Yin Zhong's daily routine, and even if they did, it's impossible for Yin Zhong to maintain his previous routine during this period.

Wasn't that what happened last night?

Normal people would be sleeping in the middle of the night, but Yin Zhong was up underground doing something I don't know.

For a moment, the group fell silent.

My mind is filled with countless thoughts, yet I can't find a starting point.

Dou Dou, being very perceptive, immediately said, "Brother Tong, I have some good news to tell you."

Tong Bo was taken aback: "What good news?"

"Um... Although this is good news I want to tell you, it's actually Sister Yun who should tell you... Oh dear, I can't explain it well, Sister Yun, you tell it."

As DouDou spoke, she pushed Zhao Yun forward.

"You~"

Zhao Yun sighed helplessly, then said seriously, "I can't help you with your brother's matter, but I have a guess about the Blood Ruyi that might be of some help to you."

Tong Bo hurriedly said, "Please speak, Miss Zhao." Zhao Yun said, "We have a distinguished customer in our Sanhua Workshop who frequently issues commissions. She previously commissioned us to steal the Blood Ruyi. During the process, she revealed quite a few clues, which gave me a guess about her identity."

DouDou asked curiously, "Who is it, Sister Yun?"

Zhao Yun said, "The young lady of Yujian Manor, Yin Tianxue!"

"what?"

DouDou was shocked: "How could it be her? I heard she doesn't know any martial arts at all. That distinguished guest was the one who secretly delivered the letter to our house, so she must be a master as well."

Zhao Yun shook his head and said, "The Imperial Sword Manor has always had a bloodline curse, which has caused the number of people to be small in each generation. It is said that hundreds of years ago, the Yin family also had a rule that women were not allowed to practice martial arts, but because the number of people was small and there were strong people all around, so experts were needed to guard the area, this rule was quickly broken."

Yin Tianxue also practiced martial arts from a young age. It is said that her martial arts progress was even faster than that of the current master of the manor, Yin Tianqi. However, she was greedy for quick success and made a mistake, which caused her to suffer from a qi deviation. Not only did she lose her martial arts skills, but she also contracted a strange disease that she has not yet been cured.

This is probably why she wants the Blood Jade Scepter. After all, legend has it that the Blood Jade Scepter has the healing power to bring the dead back to life and heal flesh and bone.

DouDou hurriedly said, "But that rumor is false. The Blood Jade Can't heal any injuries at all!"

Zhao Yun said, "But you don't know, and Yin Tianxue probably doesn't know either. Moreover, you're wrong. Xue Ruyi isn't incurable, but rather requires certain special conditions to be met."

Based on my investigation over the past few days, the Blood Ruyi should consist of two pieces. Only when these two pieces are combined can it produce a healing effect. A single piece is an incredibly powerful weapon!

“No wonder that Blood Ruyi couldn’t cure people, and after I stole it, the Imperial Sword Manor was able to produce a second one to complete the succession ceremony…” Dou Dou nodded.

Suddenly, I felt something was off: "Sister Yun, where did you get all this information from? It's one thing to know about Yin Tianxue, but we didn't even know about the two pieces of blood scepter, yet you managed to find out!"

Zhao Yun said, "Dou Dou, our Sanhua Fang deals in antiques!"

DouDou was taken aback: "Huh? Isn't that just a facade?"

"Even if it was a disguise, I had collected many antiques, including some ancient books from hundreds of years ago. I only discovered this matter after researching it, and it turns out that many people knew about it hundreds of years ago."

But no one knows from which year it started, only one piece of the Blood Ruyi remained, and it has never been able to cure anyone again..."

Tong Bo clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Miss Zhao, thank you so much for your information. It has been a great help to us!"

Zhao Yun fiddled with his hair and said, "No need to apologize yet. This is just my guess. Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe that distinguished guest isn't Yin Tianxue at all?"

Tong Bo said, "Even so, I should still express my gratitude. Moreover, compared to Yin Tianxue's information, the information about the second Blood Ruyi is more important to us. Perhaps, this second Blood Ruyi is the key to breaking the ice seal. In any case, thank you!"

With these two pieces of intelligence in hand, the next steps become clear.

The first thing to do, of course, is to determine whether Yin Tianxue is indeed that distinguished guest.

"If it's confirmed, what are you going to do?" Zhao Yun asked.

Tong Bo pondered for a moment and said, "I'm wondering if we could reach a cooperation agreement with Yin Tianxue."

"what?"

Zhao Yun felt like there was something wrong with his ears: "Although you and she both target the Blood Jade, it is, after all, something belonging to the Imperial Sword Manor. You and the young lady of the Imperial Sword Manor are cooperating to get their things?"

Tong Bo shook his head: "The target of the cooperation is not Xue Ruyi, but Yin Zhong!"

He shared his analysis.

"The Blood Ruyi has the healing power to bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bones. Hundreds of years ago, the news that there was a pair of Blood Ruyi was not a secret. But at some point, only one remained, and the so-called ability to bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bones became a legend."

So, who hid the other blood-stained jade scepter?

Tong Zhan said, "Who else could it be but that old monster Yin Zhong, who happened hundreds of years ago?"

Tong Bo nodded: "Dou Dou stole the Blood Ruyi, but another Blood Ruyi was still brought out during the succession ceremony. It was Yin Zhong who handled this matter at the time. This proves that the other Blood Ruyi has always been in Yin Zhong's hands!"

DouDou asked, confused, "What does this have to do with Yin Tianxue?"

Tong Bo said, "Yin Tianxue suffered a qi deviation during her cultivation and contracted a strange illness that has not yet been cured. If that person really is her, it means that she has been trying to obtain the Blood Ruyi to heal herself, and she does not know that there are two Blood Ruyi, which can only be used to cure her when they are combined."

Zhao Yun nodded: "In that case, Yin Zhong, who has been hiding another Blood Ruyi, is actually the enemy who is preventing her from healing. With this common enemy as the target, there is indeed a possibility of cooperation."

Tong Bo said, "I also saw before that the wife of Yin Zhong, the master of Yujian Villa, also suffered a great loss of vital energy before she died."

Zhao Yun's eyes lit up: "If we add this, it will incite Yin Tianxue's hatred even more!"

While it's still not 100%, the probability is already quite high.

Of course, all of this is based on the premise that Yin Tianxue is indeed that distinguished guest.

The group then discussed it and decided to visit Yin Tianxue that night.

They then began preparations for their nighttime operation.

Zhao Yun was the first to leave.

Tong Bo said, "Miss Zhao!"

"Ok?"

"Thank you so much, no matter what!"

Zhao Yun was startled, nodded hurriedly, and left in a fluster.

In fact, her actions were motivated by ulterior motives.

In any case, stealing the Blood Jade Scepter is a troublesome matter for Sanhuafang.

The speculation about her status as a distinguished guest is another big problem.

After all, they failed in their mission and did not deliver the Blood Jade to the distinguished guest.

Therefore, Zhao Yun was always worried that the other party would retaliate.

Although Tong Bo made a guarantee that they would be protected.

However, Zhao Yun could not completely trust these people he had only known for a few days.

Therefore, today's events were part of her scheme, which was to pit Tong Bo against Yin Tianxue.

If we can really deal with Yin Tianxue, then everything will be fine.

If we can't handle it, we should abandon Sanhuafang and escape as soon as possible.

However, to her surprise, Tong Bo did not choose to oppose Yin Tianxue, but instead proposed to cooperate.

Zhao Yun naturally did not want to see this scenario, but after consideration, she felt that if cooperation could be achieved, it would turn hostility into friendship and eliminate the crisis in the same way, so she did not object anymore.

But what she didn't expect was that Tong Bo... seemed to have seen through her thoughts!
Although Tong Bo didn't point out anything, he thanked her again.

But it was precisely this action that made Zhao Yun appear flustered.

She felt like a rat hiding in a dark corner, assessing the world with her own dark thoughts.

But suddenly a ray of sunlight shone in, shattering the darkness in her heart.

For a moment, they had no idea how to deal with it and could only leave in a panic.

(End of this chapter)