Сhаpter 56: Thе Rеason fоr False Dеаth
Shеn Du, whо hаd bеen drinking neаrby, also set down his wine сuр, seеmingly tаking Zhu Yаn's wоrds tо heаrt, his gаzе сlоselу following Chеn Wеn's movеments.
Chen Wеn first went to thе yard аnd саught а сhiсkеn. After drаining its blоod frоm thе nеck, hе threw it оn thе ground and wаlkеd out.
Тhe chickеn flappеd а сouрle of times оn thе grоund befоrе lоsing its brеаth, аpреaring thоroughlу dead.
Вut the mаstеr wаlked оut thе dооr, leaving Zhu Yan рuzzled.
Not long after, Сhen Wen returnеd leading а goаt.
А bizarrе scene unfolded: the goat slowly approached the already dead chicken. Goats typically show no interest in chickens, but just as the goat passed by the chicken, the thoroughly dead bird suddenly twitched as if by reflex.
"What... what is this situation?" Zhu Yan was so shocked her jaw nearly dropped. "Wasn't that chicken dead?"
"It was indeed dead, but not completely lifeless. All living creatures possess a special energy—invisible and intangible to us. When it encounters an Energy Conflict, it can create what you call a False Death."
"So that's how it is," Zhu Yan said, half-convinced and half-doubting. "In that case, I thank you for your guidance, Master. I have important matters to attend to and will visit you again when I have time. Farewell."
Seeing Zhu Yan prepare to leave, Chen Wen seemed somewhat weary. He stretched lazily and looked at Shen Du, saying, "That's enough for today. If you have no other business, Lord Shen, you may follow your wife back."
Shen Du also appeared drunk, his fair face tinged with a faint blush. "Very well, that's enough for today. Shen Du bids farewell."
Shen Du rose unsteadily, his eyes hazy with intoxication. Teasing Zhu Yan as she prepared to leave, he said, "Why must you be in such a hurry, my wife? Where are you going? Your husband will accompany you."
Zhu Yan's eye twitched. Before she could speak, Chen Wen continued, "It seems my little disciple has found a husband who knows how to care for her. Seeing the deep affection between you two puts my mind at ease."
Shen Du, emboldened by the wine, bowed respectfully to Chen Wen. "Thank you for your praise, Master."
Zhu Yan couldn't bear to watch. Both men were drunk and might not even realize what they were saying.
But the master's praise for Shen Du was likely just an attempt to curry favor with him for her own future prospects.
Her heart ached with bitterness, and she grew even more furious at Shen Du's visit today. Zhu Yan turned and walked away.
Seeing Zhu Yan leave, Shen Du hurried to catch up. The two of them walked one after the other along the mountain path.
On the way, Shen Du couldn't resist teasing Zhu Yan again, his words slurred with drunkenness. "Slow down, my wife. Your husband can't keep up from behind."
Hearing this, Zhu Yan finally snapped. She turned around and glared angrily at Shen Du. "What exactly do you mean by this?"
Startled by Zhu Yan's sudden outburst, Shen Du sobered up slightly. "What do I mean? What are you talking about, my wife?"
Seeing Shen Du still playing dumb at this moment, Zhu Yan felt a surge of frustration. She pushed him against a tree, stood on her tiptoes, and gripped the tree trunk behind him tightly with both hands, trapping Shen Du's head between them. Tears welled in her eyes, filled with grievance.
"Do you really not trust me? Since I married you, haven't I been busy investigating cases every day? You only gave me three months to live—I don't have much time left to waste. Yet at a time like this, you still have the mood to investigate a case involving my master. What exactly are you thinking? If you can't even trust your own people, who can you trust?""I..." Hearing Zhu Yan speak such words, Shen Du felt a faint unease in his heart, or perhaps pity.
Zhu Yan smiled bitterly, "After all this time, I just wanted to uncover the truth and bring justice to the deceased. Yet in the end, even the person closest to me doesn't trust me. This situation is far too complicated—I'm really struggling to handle it."
Zhu Yan didn't expect any answers from Shen Du. After venting her grievances, she turned and left.
Watching that lonely and powerless figure recede, Shen Du couldn't bear it in his heart.
In truth, his purpose in coming to see Chen Wen today wasn't to investigate the case. It was just that the pressure from the court was too great, and he wanted to come here for a few casual drinks.
Zhu Yan had misunderstood him, and for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to blame her. Perhaps he really had hurt this woman?
At the entrance of West Cold Temple.
Lu Chuichui paced back and forth, anxiously waiting, all the while complaining, "Why bring it up now, of all times? What's the point anyway?"
Jiang Langxing approached quickly, holding a black cat in his arms. Seeing Lu Chuichui's anxious state, he couldn't resist a sarcastic remark, "I wonder who was angry with me over a cat earlier today. And now, here you are, asking for help so soon."
Hearing Jiang Langxing's mocking tone, Lu Chuichui glared at him fiercely, "Why are you talking so strangely? If you'd just given me that cat this morning, would I be borrowing one from you now?"
Jiang Langxing pursed his lips, indicating that he was just doing his duty and wouldn't show any favoritism.
"What do you need the cat for?" Jiang Langxing asked.
Lu Chuichui shook her head, "I don't know. Liu Niang asked me for it, saying she needed it for some kind of experiment. I have no idea what it's for."
Taking the cat from Jiang Langxing's arms, Lu Chuichui walked toward the temple, saying, "Liu Niang has been acting so strange lately—always gloomy-faced. I haven't seen her smile in a long time. I don't know what's going on. Even the Great Pavilion Commander Shen Du doesn't seem to be taking the investigation seriously anymore."
"Don't talk nonsense," Jiang Langxing quickly followed, "The Great Pavilion Commander is the head of the Inner Guard Bureau, specializing in solving cases. How could he not take it seriously?"
"Hmph," Lu Chuichui let out a light snort, "If not that, then the Great Pavilion Commander must have upset Liu Niang. You men are all the same—when you're happy, you sweet-talk women; when you're not, you just leave them hanging. None of you are any good."
"Now... now, you can't generalize like that," Jiang Langxing hurriedly defended himself, "When men fail to take care of women properly, it's often beyond their control. You can't just lump everyone together, can you?"
"Tsk..." Lu Chuichui pouted exaggeratedly, completely unconvinced by Jiang Langxing's words, "Men, always with the sweet talk. I don't believe a word you say."
Jiang Langxing was utterly helpless. As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the backyard of West Cold Temple.
Zhu Yan was waiting there. Seeing Lu Chuichui arrive with the black cat, she quickly stepped forward to take it, "What took you so long? It's almost dark."
"You're blaming me? If you hadn't told me in advance and suddenly asked for a cat, did you expect me to perform magic for you?"
Lu Chuichui complained with a pitiful tone, then shot another fierce glare at Jiang Langxing, as if blaming him for his incompetence.
Jiang Langxing was completely baffled. This was a case of being caught in the crossfire for no reason. Who had he offended? Why was everything being pinned on him today?Zhu Yan paid no mind to the two of them, carrying the cat as she entered the cottage.
Lu Chuichui and Jiang Langxing quickly followed, curious about what Zhu Yan intended to do.
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