Chapter 318: Catching Spies (9)

Martial Cultivator

Scholar Xie had many friends, as long as this matter spread, those who knew about it would come as well. However, why had not they come yet?

Naturally, that was because even though news of the incident had spread, it had not reached the ears of those people.

In other words, Teacher Zhang had come here too early. He should not have received the news so soon.

Since that was the case, why was it Teacher Zhang?

Why did Teacher Zhang receive the news first?

Chen Chao looked at Teacher Zhang and said, "Have you ever thought about this question?"

Teacher Zhang was known for his bad temper in the academy, and everyone knew he was a very impulsive person. Being close friends with Scholar Xie, upon learning of Scholar Xie's death, he would likely explode in anger and rush over without thinking. This was also why he was the first person to receive the news.

Because as long as someone was willing to tell him the news, after he got the news, he would rush here without thinking and get into a confrontation with the Left Guard.

Getting into a physical fight was possible too.

Teacher Zhang had not considered this aspect before. Now, being prompted by Chen Chao, he finally came to his senses and began to think about it.

"May I ask, Teacher, who informed you of this news?"

Chen Chao suddenly spoke, snapping Teacher Zhang out of his thoughts. He furrowed his brows slightly, but his gaze landed on Huang Zhi in the crowd.

Following Teacher Zhang's gaze, Chen Chao also looked at Huang Zhi.

Being locked on by these two gazes, Huang Zhi became somewhat uneasy but did his best to remain composed as he said, "I also heard it from a fellow student. But since it's such an important matter, why not inform Teacher Zhang?"

Hearing this, Chen Chao withdrew his gaze. He knew that Huang Zhi had a grudge against him. Presumably, the person behind the scenes knew about this too, which was why they leaked the information to Huang Zhi. Once Huang Zhi knew about it, he naturally saw it as an excellent opportunity for revenge. Given the circumstances, the actions taken and the ensuing events were somewhat understandable.

Therefore, Chen Chao did not dwell on it and continued to look at Teacher Zhang, saying calmly, "The situation is far from as simple as Teacher might think. Scholar Xie died for no apparent reason, and the timing of this incident is suspicious."

Teacher Zhang remained silent for a moment but shook his head, saying, "Regardless, this old man is certain he's not a spy!"

He looked at that woman, his eyes showing some affection. He had always felt compassion for this close friend's daughter.

Chen Chao frowned, somewhat displeased. He had presented logical arguments, expecting that since Teacher Zhang was an educated person, he should be reasonable too. However, he did not expect Teacher Zhang to be so stubborn. To Chen Chao, this kind of behavior was more detestable than those who were initially deceived and never understood the truth.

“Since Teacher Zhang doesn't believe, then don't believe it.”

Chen Chao looked at the students from the academy and said calmly, “The Left Guard is investigating a case, all miscellaneous people are to leave!"

He waved his hand and started chasing people away.

But no one left.

Teacher Zhang stared at Chen Chao, unable to suppress his anger any longer. It seemed he was preparing to attack again.

Chen Chao looked at him without saying a word.

He had already said it once before.

Could it be that you, Teacher Zhang, were going to attack and kill me, the commander of the Left Guard?

Chen Chao sensed the faintly discernible killing intent and lamented, “Does Teacher Zhang truly intend to kill this official in front of so many people? Do you really think the warden faction is easy to bully? Or perhaps Teacher doesn't have any reverence for the laws of Great Liang, or any reverence for His Majesty?”

"Bring out the evidence. Otherwise, this old man will stand right here and none of you can do anything."

Teacher Zhang stared at Chen Chao. He had long decided not to back down.

Chen Chao said calmly, “Even if Teacher wants to kill me, I'm afraid you might not necessarily be able to kill me!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire courtyard fell silent, and everyone became quiet.

Then, it was unclear who, someone suddenly burst into laughter.

It was the students from the academy. They looked at Chen Chao with a hint of mockery in their eyes.

They definitely knew that Chen Chao's cultivation had already reached the Bitter Sea Realm. But there was still an insurmountable gap to the Great Beyond. They did not believe that Chen Chao could win Teacher Zhang. Teacher Zhang suddenly became somewhat curious, looking at Chen Chao. This was actually his first time meeting this youth who had already gained great fame in the Great Liang Dynasty. In fact, he did not have any strong negative feelings toward Chen Chao before this. It was just that, standing from different perspectives, he felt a bit angered seeing Chen Chao's current attitude, thinking that the other party was looking down on him.

However, unless absolutely necessary, he had no intention of taking action.

No matter what he did, under the watchful gazes of the people, it would be violating the Great Liang's laws.

Although he had already violated the Great Liang's laws at this moment.

……

……

Chen Chao gripped the hilt of his saber, and there was no sign of nervousness on his face. This young commander, facing a cultivator one realm above him, was not his first time engaging in combat. He did not need to be scared. In fact, he had fought a cultivator in the Nepenthe Realm before, and even managed to retreat unscathed.

But soon, he released the saber hilt, and took a long breath.

Teacher Zhang looked at Chen Chao curiously, not understanding why this young man would choose to disperse his qi in an instant after accumulating it.

"Does Teacher want to make your move first?"

Chen Chao rubbed his head, but his gaze fell on that woman and said smilingly, "Or, would you like to make the first move?"

……

……

Far away from the residence of Scholar Xie, there was a small alley at the end of a long street. In that alley was a very remote tavern.

In the tavern at this moment, the man in blue robes was sitting at a long table.

As the alcohol poured into the cup, the man in blue robes lowered his head and glanced at it, his expression not looking too good.

The tavern owner was an ordinary middle-aged woman. Whether it was because the taste of the alcohol was not good or because the tavern was too remote, there was not a single customer in the tavern at the moment.

Except for this man in blue robes.

The woman looked at the blue-robed man with great curiosity, as if trying to see through everything about him.

But after some time, she sighed and said softly, "Is there anything that can't be let go of?"