Countless eyes locked onto Lü Tengkong.
Suppressing his fury and anxiety, Lü Tengkong told the truth with a shout: "A zither."
The crowd of martial artists erupted in excitement—a zither meant it could very well be the Heavenly Demon Zither.
"A zither?" Han Xun was enraged, his eyes bloodshot and filled with murderous intent. "That's my son's head."
Instantly, many were shocked, their gazes shifting to Han Xun.
Lü Tengkong was no exception. His face changed as he denied in shock: "Impossible. What we escorted was clearly a zither."
"Heh." Han Xun gritted his teeth, holding back the urge to strike immediately, and said coldly, "Bring the box."
As his words fell, a man stepped forward carrying a box.
Han Xun opened the box with trembling hands, showing it to everyone.
At once, even those who had doubted were convinced.
Han Xun's son was somewhat well-known.
His head was now well-preserved, fixed inside the box without any odor.
His eyes were wide open in death.
With Han Xun's son dead, it was impossible that he had obtained the Heavenly Demon Zither and then framed Lü Tengkong.
All eyes turned back to Lü Tengkong.
Lü Tengkong was stunned, unable to believe it.
But looking at the head and recalling that his son had escorted the shipment alone midway before reuniting with them, he couldn't refute it.
Still, he gritted his teeth and said, "I knew nothing of this. When I accepted the shipment, it was a zither. Now it's turned into this—I don't know how. Besides, if I wanted to harm your son, why would I deliver myself to you?"
As he spoke, his heart burned with anger, anxiety, and worry.
He kept channeling his true energy into Ximen Yiniang.
"Still trying to argue? My son's head was delivered by you. No matter what, you can't escape blame. Today, I'll make you both pay for Ping'er's life." Han Xun's murderous intent didn't waver as he shouted.
With that, he moved to strike.
"Hey, what's that six-fingered handprint inside the shipment box?" someone suddenly exclaimed.
Immediately, cries of surprise arose.
"Yeah, there is a six-fingered handprint!"
"Is it left by the killer? It clearly wasn't Lü Tengkong and his wife."
"I think so too. It must be from the killer."
"Could it be related to Six-Finger Manor's Six-Finger Master?"
......
Murmurs spread, and all eyes turned to the inside of the shipment box.
Han Xun frowned as he looked, immediately thinking of Six-Finger.
His heart trembled with doubt.
What was going on?
But the pain of losing his son still fueled his killing intent as he glared at Lü Tengkong.
No matter what, killing Lü Tengkong first was definitely right.
Just as he was about to act, a figure suddenly appeared between him and Lü Tengkong in a blur of afterimages.
It instantly drew everyone's attention.
Han Xun's eyes narrowed, and he suppressed his urge to strike again.
"It's Zhui Ming, one of the Four Great Constables of the Divine Marquis Manor!"
"Really Zhui Ming! The Divine Marquis Manor is stepping in. With the Heavenly Demon Zither possibly appearing, it's only natural."
"That's Zhui Ming! So young, already a Grandmaster. And there are three more in the manor—truly terrifying."
"This storm might calm down. Although the Diancang Sect has great influence, this clearly isn't Lü Tengkong's doing. Han Xun will have to show face to the Divine Marquis Manor."
......
Exclamations rang out as many eyes—curious, respectful, friendly, or hostile—fixed on the sudden arrival.
From all directions, gazes also stirred.
Because a Grandmaster had officially intervened.
"I am Zhui Ming of the Divine Marquis Manor. Greetings to all."
The young figure in blue robes clasped his hands, a warm smile on his face as he addressed the crowd.
Then, looking at Han Xun, he said seriously, "Senior Han, and all seniors of the Diancang Sect, I apologize for my uninvited presence."
"Constable Zhui Ming, you're too polite." Han Xun and the others returned the gesture.
Regardless of whether they welcomed him, they couldn't be discourteous to a Grandmaster.
"Senior Han, this matter is surely full of irregularities. It's likely the work of someone behind the scenes, trying to provoke you into fighting Senior Lü, so they can reap the benefits. Please think twice, Senior." Zhui Ming spoke earnestly, his words and demeanor respectful.
He showed none of the arrogance typical of a Grandmaster.
So, though Han Xun didn't want to listen, he still gave face and said gruffly, "Constable Zhui Ming, this isn't simple, but Lü Tengkong escorted the shipment—how could he not notice something off? This is definitely connected to him. Today, I'll fight him to the death, and he'll pay for Ping'er's life."
With that, he glared murderously at Lü Tengkong.
Lü Tengkong, however, had no mind for anything else, desperately channeling his true energy to keep Ximen Yiniang alive.
Zhui Ming was troubled. Why couldn't he get through to him?
Suppressing some agitation, he maintained a warm, polite demeanor and said, "Senior Han, how about we investigate this first? I think you wouldn't want your son to die without knowing the truth, would you?"
Han Xun's brow twitched, and he was about to speak when someone beside him secretly transmitted a message: "Brother, let's wait and see. There are too many people; it's not a good time to act."
Han Xun gritted his teeth and reluctantly held back his anger.
He nodded and said coldly, "Fine, I'll give Constable Zhui Ming this face. Let's get to the bottom of it first."
"Thank you, Senior Han." Zhui Ming breathed a sigh of relief, then thought for a moment and said loudly, "This whole affair stems from the possible appearance of the Heavenly Demon Zither. My master sent me here to see if someone is deliberately stirring up conflict in the martial world. By now, I believe everyone can see that from start to finish, this has been a setup."
He glanced at the surrounding martial artists, and seeing many nod, felt a bit lighter. Turning to Lü Tengkong, he clasped his hands and said, "Senior Lü, when you accepted the shipment that day, was it the Heavenly Demon Zither?"
Lü Tengkong, while channeling his true energy, didn't hide anything. Suppressing his urgency, he said gravely, "I don't know. That day, it was just a zither. The client finally said it was the Heavenly Demon Zither. But whether it really was? I don't know. Then, somehow, word spread that what I was escorting was the real Heavenly Demon Zither."
Hearing this, many martial artists grew restless.
This was the closest they'd come to news of the Heavenly Demon Zither.
Zhui Ming's brow furrowed deeper, his heart sinking. This was clearly the schemer's plot.
Seeing Lü Tengkong's anxiety and Ximen Yiniang's pallor, he sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and channeled his own true energy into her.
Lü Tengkong was overjoyed and said gratefully, "Thank you, Constable."
But Zhui Ming's heart grew heavier—she might be beyond saving.
Yet, seeing Lü Tengkong's face, he couldn't bear to say it. He could only do his best, pouring out his true energy while asking, "Senior Lü, did the shipment box ever leave your possession?"
Lü Tengkong hesitated. He didn't want to drag his son into this, but he told the truth: "Yes. I knew this journey would be dangerous, so my wife and I acted as the decoy escort, while my son secretly guarded the box. We only reunited two days ago and retrieved it. My son would never kill Han Ping or have any designs on the zither."
Many martial artists perked up.
Han Xun and his group did too.
So that was the inside story. As for the last part, some believed it, but others didn't. For the Heavenly Demon Zither, even framing one's parents wasn't impossible.
"And where is your son now?" Zhui Ming asked gravely.
"Fearing danger on this trip, I sent him away first," Lü Tengkong said.
Zhui Ming understood. Lü Tengkong's actions were reasonable.
He pondered. He believed Lü Tengkong, but Lü Lin was still somewhat suspect.
If nothing went wrong, the box was tampered with during Lü Lin's watch. It was unlikely Lü Lin did it; it was probably swapped.
With that thought, he declared loudly, "I see. The box must have been swapped while your son was guarding it."
"What if Lü Lin did it? I think we should find Lü Lin and confront him!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"Right, bring him for a confrontation!"
"Yes, bring him!"
......
Calls grew louder. Lü Tengkong's face darkened as he roared, "My son would never do such a thing!"
Zhui Ming thought for a moment, sighed inwardly, and made a decision. He shouted, "There's a six-fingered handprint in the box. I believe the culprit left it to convey something. It likely involves Six-Finger Master."
At this, many nodded in agreement.
Han Xun frowned, still unwilling to let go, and said coldly, "Constable Zhui Ming, this is all Lü Tengkong's word. My Ping'er's death is definitely tied to him."
Zhui Ming's brow twitched. His priority now was to defuse the conflict and investigate further.
As for shifting the blame to Six-Finger Master, he'd deal with that later. At least it bought time, and many things might take a turn.
But Han Xun clearly wasn't ready to let it go.
Just as he was thinking of a solution, his expression stiffened. He couldn't hesitate.
He poured even more true energy into Ximen Yiniang.
Lü Tengkong's face twisted in anguish and fury.
"Yiniang! Yiniang!"
"Wake up! Wake up!"
Seeing this, everyone understood. Even Han Xun fell silent.
"Can anyone save Yiniang? Fellow martial artists, can anyone save my wife? If you can, I, Lü Tengkong, will repay you as a servant!"
Lü Tengkong, as if struck by an idea, desperately pleaded to the crowd.
The martial artists exchanged glances. A few stepped forward, examined her, then shook their heads and retreated.
Lü Tengkong's face grew more desperate. He couldn't hold back his tears, pouring his true energy recklessly, muttering "Yiniang" over and over.
"Would you do anything to save your wife?"
Suddenly, a calm voice rang out from afar, clear and distinct.
(Thank you for your support. Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and family reunion.)