Li Shiyan was shocked by Jingrong’s amnesia while simultaneously speculating that there must be a story behind this.

Ji Yinshu wasted no more time and got to the point: “Right now, the most critical thing is to find a way to rescue Mr. Su. The Court of Judicial Review has now found arsenic at Saixian Tower, and everything points to Mr. Su. All of this is very unfavorable for him.”

Li Shiyan immediately perked up: “Have you thought of a solution?”

“It’s not that there’s no solution, but we need someone to help us.”

“Who?”

“Old General Wen!”

Uh? Hearing these words, Luo Yang immediately spoke up: “Are you joking? The reason Mr. Su was arrested and taken to the Court of Judicial Review was because he poisoned him. How could he possibly let bygones be bygones and turn around to help? Moreover…” He looked Jingrong up and down several times. “Back in the Nansai desert… this noble prince of yours pursued and attacked someone named Wen. If they find out you’re in league with that General Su fellow, they definitely won’t help. Not only won’t they help, they’ll kick you while you’re down.”

“Wait…” Li Shiyan interjected. “Pursued and attacked? Who pursued whom?”

Still completely in the dark!

Luo Yang then explained bits and pieces.

Li Shiyan was skeptical—how could Su Ziluo send people to pursue and kill the Wen family brothers?

Moreover—

He asked: “Prince Rong, why would you obey orders from Ziluo?”

The waters here ran truly deep!

Jingrong avoided this question and said: “My purpose in going to the Nansai desert initially wasn’t to kill! It was to prevent Wen Yu from going to Lingtang Commandery to receive Prince Jing’an’s remains, so that the Emperor would punish the Wen family! At that time in Nansai, there was another group of assassins, including those who pursued and attacked the Wen family brothers on the boat—they weren’t my people either.”

Luo Yang pressed: “If not you, then who?”

“People from Zhan Jiu Si!”

Li Shiyan was startled: “Zhan Jiu Si? That’s a martial world sect.”

“Exactly!”

“But Zhan Jiu Si has no grudge against the Wen family. They handle martial world affairs.”

Jingrong’s brow tightened: “If I’m not mistaken, this incident at Saixian Tower was also secretly orchestrated by people from Zhan Jiu Si.”

Li Shiyan was completely confused: “Then what’s their reason for doing this?”

“To provoke conflict between the Wen and Su families!” Ji Yinshu took over, continuing: “So we need to find out who exactly is directing them to kill. Once we find that out, we can identify the person who truly poisoned this time. Then we tell Old General Wen the truth. Once the misunderstanding is cleared up, he’ll help rescue Mr. Su.”

Li Shiyan roughly understood: “So you’re saying, from Nansai to Yanjing, someone has been trying to target both the Wen and Su families all along, to provoke war between them.”

“Exactly.”

“But without a single clue, where do we start investigating?”

Jingrong said: “The person in charge of Zhan Jiu Si is called Zuo Tu. To investigate, we must lure the snake out of its hole, and this snake needs you two to lure it out.”

“Us?” Li Shiyan and Luo Yang exchanged glances, their faces full of confusion.

…

The next day—

Li Shiyan and Luo Yang went to Zhan Jiu Si.

All along the way, someone led them to the reception hall.

The person who came to meet them wasn’t Zuo Tu but the third-in-command, Old Tang!

Old Tang was over fifty years old, with a hideous knife scar across his face and his head tied with small braids. At first glance, one might think he was a barbarian. Combined with the outfit hung with various strange objects, it was clear he was a rough and wild fellow.

He looked the visitors up and down and asked: “Who are you? What are you doing at my Zhan Jiu Si?”

Li Shiyan plopped down in the chair on the right, assuming an affected posture as if negotiating with someone, and asked in return: “Are you the person in charge here?”

“I’m the third-in-command here. You can tell me anything.”

“Can you make decisions?”

“Young man, what kind of place do you think this is? If you have business, speak. If not, leave quickly.” Old Tang showed a fierce and menacing appearance.

He clearly meant to drive them away.

After all, those who came to Zhan Jiu Si to do business were all famous people in the martial world. These two wet-behind-the-ears boys before him—where was their attitude of doing business?

So Old Tang had no patience.

He brushed them off perfunctorily.

Li Shiyan wasn’t bothered by his words. He cleared his throat, chest out and head held high, saying: “I’m here to do big business. Have your number one come out to talk with me.”

“Ha!” Old Tang laughed scornfully. “Young man, you’d better leave quickly. Our number one isn’t someone just anyone can see.”

“The heir of the Kangding Marquis Manor—can he see him?”

Uh?

Old Tang was stunned: “The heir?”

“That’s right. I’m the Marquis Manor’s heir, Li Shiyan. I now want to see your number one!”

Old Tang narrowed his eyes and carefully scrutinized Li Shiyan. This person looked frivolous and careless, but his clothing was no simple matter—a luxurious outfit, wearing expensive jade pendants, and his appearance and bearing were imposing and extraordinary. He truly didn’t seem like an ordinary person.

So Old Tang brought them to the back hall.

They met Zhan Jiu Si’s number one—Zuo Tu!

Zuo Tu was only in his early thirties, dressed elegantly and quite young. He didn’t at all resemble the fierce and menacing, aged appearance of martial world rumors. Instead, he seemed like a refined and cultured scholar.

Zuo Tu invited them to sit, ordered tea to be served, and asked: “What business do you two gentlemen have with me?”

Luo Yang shrugged and didn’t continue the conversation, then started wandering around the room on his own, appreciating the famous paintings hanging throughout and the antiques displayed around.

After all, he was a rough person. Such matters were more secure left to Li Shiyan to handle.

To avoid saying the wrong thing!

But if it came to fighting, he’d definitely charge first!

Li Shiyan also didn’t want to beat around the bush. He got straight to the point: “I’m the Marquis Manor’s heir, Li Shiyan. I’ve come to your Zhan Jiu Si this time not to drink tea and chat, but to trouble you to handle some matters.”

“Please speak plainly, Young Master.”

“You know about General Wen’s Manor, right?”

“I do.”

“Both young masters of the Wen Manor are good friends of mine. Several months ago, Second Young Master Wen, Wen Yu, encountered a group of assassins in the Nansai desert and nearly lost his life! Later, on the way back to Yanjing, the two young masters of the Wen family were attacked again! If their luck hadn’t been good, they would have died long ago. Since your Zhan Jiu Si handles martial world affairs, you should be able to investigate who exactly is secretly trying to kill them, right?”

Hearing this, Zuo Tu showed no surprise.

Li Shiyan continued: “You don’t need to worry about money. As long as you name your price, this young master won’t be short a single coin. But this matter concerns the Wen family’s reputation and absolutely cannot be publicized.”

After listening, Zuo Tu leisurely took a sip of tea, set down the teacup, and said: “Martial world affairs, naturally my Zhan Jiu Si must handle. But Young Master, with just a few words, you want me to send people to investigate—isn’t that like a headless fly bumping around randomly?”

At least give some clues!

Hearing this, Luo Yang coldly interjected: “If we had clues, why would we come looking for you? We originally thought your Zhan Jiu Si was so capable! Saying things like Zhan Jiu Si is omnipotent, that apart from things flying in the sky and swimming in the sea, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. Looks like this time you’ve bragged too big—nothing special after all!”

Naked contempt!