“What? Zheng Zhenwu is dead?!”
Tian Fuliang was extremely surprised upon hearing this news.
He knew Zheng Zhenwu very well. Putting everything else aside, his martial arts strength was exceptionally solid.
He wasn't some flashy martial artist who only had the Realm without practical combat skills; he was a Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level who had truly fought his way out of countless battles.
In the entire Nanquan Lane, besides Shen Squad Leader and him, Zheng Zhenwu was the strongest.
Such a figure was now dead?
“Quick, take me to see!”
......
Compared to Tian Fuliang's surprise, Shen Shikang's expression was calmer when he received the news.
However, he thought more deeply. His first reaction was to wonder if the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had resurfaced and infiltrated secretly.
The matter with Wu Haihua, the Great Deacon of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, hadn't even concluded, and now this incident had occurred?
......
Not only the two Squad Leaders of Nanquan Lane, but also several Chief Constables and many Yamen Runners of the Zhenfu Division learned of Chief Constable Zheng's death. Besides Chief Constable Zheng, another person died: Zheng Shiyong.
The names of these two people together sparked endless speculation among some.
Whether it was Zheng Zhenwu or Zheng Shiyong, they both had a grudge against Chen Ping'an!
Now that both were dead, could it have something to do with Chen Ping'an?
This thought didn't just occur to some low-level Yamen Runners; even several Chief Constables couldn't help but entertain such an idea.
However, given Zheng Zhenwu's martial arts Realm, no one thought it was Chen Ping'an who did it.
The death of a Chief Constable, and such an unclear one at that, was an extremely major event in Nanquan Lane.
Even the Nancheng Suppression Office was alarmed.
The Nancheng Suppression Office even dispatched a special envoy specifically to investigate the matter.
As the investigation progressed, the events leading up to Zheng Zhenwu's death were gradually uncovered.
As the person who had contact with Zheng Zhenwu before his death, Chen Ping'an was naturally listed as a suspect.
The special envoy from the Nancheng Suppression Office was a bearded middle-aged man who looked extremely serious. The special envoy's surname was Han, and by position, he also belonged to the Chief Constable level. However, others called him Han Li.
“So, Chief Constable Zheng invited you for drinks and a meal to apologize?”
Inside the Zhenfu Division's Chief Constable office, Han Li was asking Chen Ping'an about the situation at the time.
“Yes, there had been some unpleasantness between Chief Constable Zheng and Chen previously. So, Chief Constable Zheng specifically invited Chen to dinner to mend relations. During the meal, he even gave Chen thirty taels of gold.”
Chen Ping'an stated calmly.
“Unpleasantness? When did that happen?” Han Li seized the key point of the question.
“Not long ago. At that time, Chen was not yet a Chief Constable, not even a probationary Chief Constable, just an ordinary Yamen Runner. Everyone knows about these matters; Han Li can find out with a little inquiry.”
Han Li nodded slightly. Regarding this matter, he had actually questioned several Yamen Runners earlier and had already understood it.
“Since there was unpleasantness between you, why would Chief Constable Zheng take the initiative to mend relations with you? Logically speaking, you are both Chief Constables, on equal footing; Chief Constable Zheng doesn't necessarily need to mend relations with you. Furthermore, Chief Constable Zheng has deep seniority; even if relations were to be mended, it should be you who takes the initiative!”
Han Li raised a reasonable suspicion.
Chen Ping'an looked at Han Li, spreading his hands helplessly, “You'd have to ask Chief Constable Zheng about that; Chen is also not sure why.”
Upon hearing this, Han Li looked at Chen Ping'an, remaining silent for a long time.
Chen Ping'an smiled in response, showing no discomfort on his face.
“What? Han Li couldn't possibly suspect Chen of killing Chief Constable Zheng, could he?”
Chen Ping'an couldn't help but laugh.
“Chen's martial arts Realm is far inferior to Chief Constable Zheng's!”
Indeed, judging from the wounds on Chief Constable Zheng's body, it seemed he was killed with a single, clean strike. Let alone Chen Ping'an, who was only at the Qi Blood Second Stage Perfection martial arts Realm; even if he had entered the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level, it would be impossible for him to achieve such a clean and decisive kill.
It's just that...
Han Li looked up at the composed young man in front of him. On him, he saw excessive ease and indifference.
Generally speaking, when a normal person is targeted by him and subjected to questioning and scrutiny, even if they truly didn't commit the act, they can't avoid nervousness and unnaturalness. How could one be as relaxed as the other party?
Looking at Chen Ping'an, he always felt something was amiss.
After asking a few more questions and not obtaining any more valuable intelligence, Han Li took his leave.
Before leaving, he harbored several questions in his mind.
For instance, why did Chief Constable Zheng lower his head and soften his stance, taking the initiative to mend relations with Chen Ping'an?
And for another, according to the witness from Spring Rain Pavilion, Chief Constable Zheng should have stayed overnight at Spring Rain Pavilion, but why did he appear in that small alley and die there?
And for yet another, the location where Chief Constable Zheng died, according to his understanding, should have been the path Chen Ping'an needed to take to go home after leaving Spring Rain Pavilion!
All of the above, everywhere, held hidden problems.
He needed to sort them out little by little and clarify everything.
Of course, this was just one Breakthrough point for the investigation; he had other Breakthrough points that he needed to figure out.
For example, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect!
Watching Han Li leave, Chen Ping'an's smile remained unchanged.
As long as no substantial evidence was found, Han Li wouldn't be able to threaten him!
He believed that after Han Li questioned a few more people, he should be able to figure out why Chief Constable Zheng took the initiative to mend his relationship.
At that time, he wondered if Han Li would continue to investigate him.
Thinking of the amusing aspect, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but chuckle.
“Cultivate! Cultivate!”
He had a lot of free time during the day, so he could practice the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training.
Now, his practice was becoming more and more proficient, and his speed could be much faster. If this continued, in a few more days, his Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training would reach Minor Achievement.
......
Over the next two days, Han Li continued to investigate Chief Constable Zheng's case. After two days of investigation, he also understood why Chief Constable Zheng, despite his clearly stronger position in Nanquan Lane, had taken the initiative to mend his relationship with Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an was a subordinate of the Chief Warrant Officer!
Han Li truly hadn't expected Chen Ping'an to have such a connection!
Whether it was due to this factor or genuinely considering the difference in martial arts Realm, Han Li's investigation focus gradually shifted away from Chen Ping'an and onto the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
Chief Constable Zheng was a skilled martial artist who had entered the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level, and he was someone who had emerged from real combat. The one who could kill him so cleanly and decisively must be someone skilled in blade techniques and had at least entered the Qi and Blood Fifth Stage!
No matter how Han Li investigated, Chen Ping'an didn't pay much attention to it.
Early this morning, the familiar experience symbol flashed before his eyes.
“The experience for Gongmen Thirteen Blades has accumulated enough!”
Whoosh~
Starlight entered his body, and countless experiences and insights regarding the Cultivation of Gongmen Thirteen Blades, as well as the Moves and their application, appeared in Chen Ping'an's mind, as if he had diligently practiced them over countless days and nights.
At the same time, his Qi and blood surged, gradually flowing towards his five internal organs.
Without any obstruction, with a bang, he broke through the Qi and blood barrier.
Qi and Blood Fifth Stage, Blood Force Refining Organs!
Name: Chen Ping'an
Realm: Qi and Blood Fifth Stage
Martial Arts: Iron Cloth Perfection, Flying Locust Stone Perfection, Gongmen Thirteen Blades Perfection, Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Entry (25/30)
......
“Qi and Blood Fifth Stage, accomplished!”
Chen Ping'an's face showed joy.