Zhuang Xun pulled a slip of paper from his breast pocket and flicked it with two fingers, sending it flying like a dart to strike Shen Zhi in the face.
“You have two days. I want all the information on the Zhong family.”
With that, he walked out of the study, closed the door behind him, and squatted down outside.
Inside the study, Shen Zhi assumed the Debt-Lending Bladesman had gone far. Looking down at the slip of paper on the floor, his cheeks twitched, and a terrifying murderous intent seeped through his gritted teeth.
“Debt-Lending Bladesman, if I ever find out who you are...”
Bang!
The door was suddenly kicked open.
Under Shen Zhi's panicked gaze, Zhuang Xun strode back in.
“Who am I?”
Zhuang Xun reached out, grabbed Shen Zhi by the chin, and brought his face incredibly close, the rim of his bamboo hat almost touching Shen Zhi's forehead.
“Have you gotten a good look at who I am?”
Crack! Crack!
His jawbone groaned under the intense pressure, sounding as if it would snap at any moment.
Shen Zhi endured the agonizing pain and stammered out, “The Zhong family... is it the Zhong family in the Wanxing Market? I understand! Three days—no! Two days! In two days, I will present all the intelligence on the Zhong family to you!”
“Hmph.” Zhuang Xun sneered, released his grip, and strode out.
Shen Zhi clutched his aching chin, gasping for air as if he had just escaped death.
Fearing that the Debt-Lending Bladesman was still watching from somewhere, he did not dare to delay. Without even tending to his injury, he immediately set out to accomplish the task.
...
Two days later, Zhuang Xun received the intelligence from Shen Zhi.
It had to be said that Shen Zhi was highly capable; in just two days, he had thoroughly investigated the Zhong family inside and out.
The only reason Zhuang Xun had kept him alive all this time was because of his usefulness.
However, this time, Zhuang Xun did not dare to use this intelligence directly.
He had not forgotten how Shen Zhi had muttered threats behind his back, thinking he had already left.
A dog with a rebellious bone could no longer be trusted.
Since they had both once served Qushe Valley, there was a chance Shen Zhi and the Zhong family already knew each other and had collaborated on a trap.
“It's better to let the authorities handle this kind of pest control.” Zhuang Xun decided to hand this intelligence over to the martial academy's Law Enforcement Hall.
The Zhong family was located in the market under the academy's jurisdiction, and the evidence of their collusion with the bandits was laid out clearly on the paper.
Once the academy found out, they would naturally send people to handle it. Why should he do the dirty work himself? He would just be a concerned, helpful citizen.
Handling personal grudges through official channels—he couldn't help but smirk.
“And while I'm at it, I'll deal with that disobedient dog.” Zhuang Xun flashed a sinister smile.
At the cost of a single candied hawthorn, he hired a literate child to write down the name “Shen Zhi” and the address of the Cao Manor on the intelligence report. Then, he created a new clone to quietly slip the documents into a prominent spot within the Law Enforcement Hall.
“All done~” With the task complete, Zhuang Xun stretched his arms.
Now, he just had to sit back and enjoy the show.
...
“My lords! Great lords! I have been framed!”
“I have always been an honest businessman in the city, and I have a stellar reputation in my neighborhood! How could I possibly be involved with bandits?”
“Please, my lords, see through this falsehood!”
“Shut up!”
The disciple escorting Shen Zhi to the Law Enforcement Hall pushed his head down, forcing him to kneel. Then, the disciple stepped forward, cupped his fists toward Yang Ling, and said:
“Senior Brother Yang, the prisoner has arrived.”
“Understood.”
Yang Ling picked up the intelligence report sent by Zhuang Xun, unrolled it in front of Shen Zhi, and stared down at him.
“Did you send this?”
Looking at the familiar handwriting on the paper, Shen Zhi's heart skipped a beat.
“Senior Brother Yang is asking you a question! Answer him!” bellowed a burly, dark-skinned man standing to the left behind Yang Ling.
“This is...? My lord, I have no idea! I've been staying inside Zechuan City these past few days. My neighbors can all testify to that!”
Shen Zhi explained in a panic, cursing the Debt-Lending Bladesman in his heart.
Yang Ling rolled up the paper and said, “Indeed, you didn't deliver this. You don't have the capability. But this paper is related to you. You wrote this, didn't you?”
“Ah? My lord... why would I write such a thing for no reason?”
“Who is Shen Zhi?” Yang Ling asked abruptly.
Shen Zhi's heart leaped, but he immediately furrowed his brows and feigned deep thought. “Shen Zhi? My lord, I do not know anyone by that name. Could it be a regular customer who frequents my restaurant? My lord, let me think carefully... Shen Zhi...”
“My lord, what does this Shen Zhi look like?” he asked.
“He has a fat, flabby face, a large nose, a wide mouth, and looks utterly dim-witted.” To Yang Ling's right, a pale-faced, effeminate man sneered as he described Shen Zhi's current appearance.
“Do you take us for those useless fools in the City Lord's Manor's Crimson Robes? Heh, faking your death to slip away like a cicada shedding its skin—you certainly are creative.”
Shen Zhi swallowed hard. “My lord, why... why do you mock me? My name is Cao Wan. I have been running a restaurant in Zechuan City for who knows how many years...”
“Still refusing to confess?”
The pale, effeminate man said grimly, “Don't worry. Soon enough, you'll be begging me to treat you as Shen Zhi.”
Shen Zhi gasped in horror, “You are going to use torture? This... this is against the rules!”
The burly, dark-skinned man burst into laughter. “Heh! In this place, we are the rules. Even the City Lord's Manor has no say here.”
“My lord! I truly do not know any Shen Zhi!”
The pale, effeminate man sneered, “Quite stubborn, aren't we? Fine, I'll see later if anyone else in your family is as tight-lipped as you.”
Shen Zhi's face instantly turned pale. He slammed his forehead hard against the floor in front of Yang Ling. “My lord! I confess! I confess to everything! I only beg you to spare the lives of my family! They are innocent!”
The burly, dark-skinned man chuckled again. “Heh, you're taking the fall for a crime that warrants the execution of your entire family? In that case, we might as well chop your head into minced meat.”
Yang Ling said, “If you cooperate, though they cannot escape punishment, they will be spared from death.”
“I will cooperate!” Shen Zhi blurted out.
Yang Ling asked, “Is the information in this report true?”
“It is true. However, the Zhong family is also aware of this leak. This was a trap that the Zhong family and I set for the Debt-Lending Bladesman. The head of the Zhong family is a favorite of Qushe Ridge's third leader. Given his nature, he has likely requested quite a few men from the third leader and set up an inescapable dragnet all over the Zhong estate.”
“The Debt-Lending Bladesman?” Yang Ling furrowed his brows.
“Yes!”
Noticing Yang Ling's reaction, Shen Zhi asked tentatively, “My lord, do you require a portrait of the Debt-Lending Bladesman? I am skilled in painting and know his appearance.”
“Bring him paper and brush,” Yang Ling commanded the law enforcement disciple beside him.
Hearing this, a wave of vindictive satisfaction washed over Shen Zhi.
Debt-Lending Bladesman, if you want me dead, I won't let you have it easy either!
He took the paper and brush, lying flat on the floor to focus on drawing. He repeatedly modified every single detail, striving to perfectly replicate the Debt-Lending Bladesman's appearance.
...
The Seventh Courtyard's martial arts field.
Zhuang Xun sat under the shade of a tree, modifying the character model of the Debt-Lending Bladesman on the Character Creation Panel.
“Remove the stubble to differentiate him from the previous image of the Debt-Lending Bladesman.”
“The eye shape... let's make it a bit flatter, not too sharp. Yes, exactly this kind of indifferent gaze, looking at everyone as if they're already dead.”
“Hmm—let's also smooth out these rugged facial contours. No need for a weathered look. Let's focus on making him look like an emotionless killing machine.”
“Lower his age by a few years, and make his physique a bit leaner... Good, good. Just like this.”
—— Character Creation Panel ——
[Character 3 under creation]
[Name: Debt-Lending Bladesman]
[Age: 20]
[Realm: One Stone of strength / Seventh Rank (+)]
[Skeletal Structure: 50/100 (+)]
[Comprehension: 50/100 (+)]
[Charm: 80 (Outstanding)]
【Current Points: 43】
Zhuang Xun closed the Character Creation Panel, controlled Yan Pingsheng to pat the dust off his buttocks, stood up, and continued to temper his strength.
Rate on N.U.
