Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 42: The Master is Missing, How Could It Be?
After their private conversation, the crow "Xiao Ci" walked out the door step by step. Once outside, it flapped its wings and flew away, quickly becoming a black dot.

Chen Jin leaned against the window and looked out, thinking to himself that the bird was quite interesting.

It was born a demon, and its lineage must have been extraordinary. I wonder why it ended up in the hands of a mere woodcutter.

In a sense, the woodcutter catching the red-eyed crow was a stroke of good fortune.

However, he didn't use it for good; instead, he cleverly became a charlatan.

In contrast, the red-eyed crow was quite intelligent, gradually awakening its self-awareness and even learning to listen in on classes and study on its own, thus developing its own values. Now, recognizing Chen Jin as a wise man, it came to pledge its allegiance.

Chen Jin did not fully believe this and kept his attitude reserved, which was probably a test.

He did indeed need such an informant skilled at gathering intelligence, and also to expose and bring down Qingsong Daoren, so that Wang Fu would not be deceived, thus repaying a favor.

……

three days later.

Wang family.

Wang Yuanshan strode into the courtyard, heading to find his son who was confined to the house.

If he doesn't stay at home, he'll run away from home if he's not careful.

According to the immortal, from the moment the altar was set up and the ritual was performed until the imperial examination in the spring of the following year, Wang Fu had to stay at home diligently studying poetry and writing essays.

In this way, I will be able to pass the provincial examination next year.

It must be said that Qingsong Daoren is a talented charlatan; he not only deceives people but also has a knack for manipulating their hearts.

It's mid-July now, and there are still more than six months until next year's college entrance exam, which is not a short time.

Given this timeline, it would be difficult for Wang Fu to remain indoors. If he went out, it would be tantamount to "breaking the law," and if he failed the exam, he couldn't blame the Taoist priest.
If Wang Fu had persevered and studied diligently from morning till night, his chances of passing the exam would have naturally increased many times over.

Of course, if he still fails to pass the exam, Qingsong Daoren can still find other excuses.

After all, the so-called feng shui of one's home and the so-called fortune and destiny can be made into a great deal of discussion, even with just a stone or a piece of clothing. There's no shortage of things to say.

Inside the study, Wang Fu, who was wiping the Qingyun Sword and admiring the precious sword, heard hurried footsteps and immediately hid the sword, pretending to pick up a book to read.

Turning around, she saw her father push the door open and asked, "Dad, what's wrong?"

Wang Yuanshan, ignoring the sweat on his forehead, said breathlessly, "Fu'er, I heard that Chief Clerk Zhao has gone missing."

"What?"

Wang Fu was stunned.

Wang Yuanshan said in a deep voice, "Zhao Zhubu has disappeared. Not only him, but also the steward and others who accompanied him have all vanished."

Wang Fu suddenly stood up, exclaiming, "This, how is this possible?"

Wang Yuanshan stared at him: "Fu'er, do you know something?"

Wang Fu cried out in protest, "I stayed home the whole time after I came back that day and didn't go out at all. How would I know anything?"

Wang Yuanshan's face was grave: "This is a case of utter magnitude. No matter what, our family must not get involved. Otherwise, the annihilation of our entire family is not far off."

Wang Fu asked, "Father, do you suspect that this matter is related to Chen Jin? Don't joke around. You said he's just a weak scholar with no ability. How could he possibly do anything to Magistrate Zhao?"

Wang Yuanshan's expression softened slightly: "But his family has had conflicts with the Zhao family before, so it's inevitable that they'll be suspected... My main concern is that you were previously closely associated with him, and you might be implicated."

Wang Fu said loudly, "The Zhao family is large and powerful, and they are domineering. Over the years, they have had conflicts with countless families. In comparison, Chen Jin's side is not even in the running."

Wang Yuanshan, who knew a lot about the situation, wholeheartedly agreed. Officials, in order to keep their official hats, would inevitably have their hands dirty and corrupt, so they would keep a group of people under their command who would do dirty and shady work, such as stewards, doormen, guards, and thugs, each with a clear division of labor.

Needless to say, there were others like Zhao Zhubu. He served in Maoxian County for many years, and his main rivals were all in the officialdom.

The officialdom is treacherous, with factional struggles and power struggles making it a place where every step is fraught with danger.

Leaving aside distant examples, let's return to the case of Zhao Zhubu. It is said that in order to obtain the position of magistrate of Yi County, he clashed with many competitors, engaging in open and covert struggles for a long time before finally winning.

This is the real contradiction and conflict.

In comparison, swallowing the Chen family's money and breaking Chen Yuan's leg are nothing.

However, power struggles in officialdom mainly involve cunning and maneuvering, and rarely involve direct violence.

The disappearance of officials such as Zhao Zhubu and his entourage on their way to take office is simply shocking and unbelievable.

Wang Fuzhen argued, "Father, you have a narrow perspective. In the wilderness, there are too many variables; it could be bandits committing crimes..."

Wang Yuanshan interrupted directly, "Which bandit group would dare to lay a hand on officials?"

"It could also be caused by evil spirits."

"Hmph, in broad daylight on the official road, talk of demons and monsters is far-fetched and impossible."

Wang Fu blinked: "How do you know they did it during the day? Couldn't it have been at night?"

Wang Yuanshan was taken aback and had no reply.

It is important to know that the disappearance of Zhao Zhubu and his party is shrouded in mystery, and it is still impossible to determine when or where it happened.

Although there were eyewitnesses along the way, the border area between Maoxian and Yixian is quite desolate, and if an accident happened in that area, many details would be unknown.

Wang Fu then brought up another possibility: "One possibility is that when Zhao Zhubu arrived in Yi County, he didn't go to the yamen to take up his post first, but instead went on an incognito visit to experience the local conditions."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanshan was both amused and exasperated, waving his hand and saying, "Zhao Zhubu is too eager for officialdom. Since he's in such a hurry to take up his post, why would he be running around like that? Absolutely not."

Wang Fu lowered his voice: "Father, I heard that things are quite chaotic in Yi County. Could it be that someone doesn't want to see Magistrate Zhao take office, so they've intervened halfway and killed him..."

He made a "click" gesture.

Wang Yuanshan pondered for a moment: "That's possible... No, Father came to you to discuss something, to determine if our family is involved. As for the case deduction, that's the business of the constables, it has nothing to do with us."

Wang Fu hurriedly said, "Father, you know me. How could I get involved in such a thing? Besides, I don't have that kind of ability. And Chen Jin, do you remember the day Zhao Zhubu left the city? He came to our house to borrow books."

Wang Yuanshan nodded slightly.

The main reason he rushed over to find out the details was because it was a very important matter, so he could feel more at ease.

Thinking about it carefully, Zhao Zhubu and his entourage had bodyguards who were skilled in martial arts, and ordinary people could not get close to them at all.

Moreover, killing an official is tantamount to rebellion; who would dare to do such a thing?
He immediately said, "In short, with something like this happening, it's bound to cause a huge uproar. The authorities will be conducting arrests and searches, and the Zhao family will also be involved. Fu'er, you must stay home quietly during this time and are not allowed to go anywhere."

Wang Fu quickly replied, "I understand."

Wang Yuanshan sighed: "The world is getting more and more turbulent."

He went out with his hands behind his back.

In the study, Wang Fu slumped back into his chair, his expression shifting between surprise, bewilderment, excitement, and disbelief…

As he thought about it, his body began to tremble involuntarily.

(End of this chapter)