Deng Che, seething, said, “If not for Zhong Xiong’s interference and deliberate inaction, how could the battle at the West Bridge ferry have cost Mo Zhen Ren so many hours, so many casualties, and even nearly claimed Mo Zhen Ren’s life? If this mess reaches the Prince, Zhong Xiong will surely concoct some excuse to shirk all responsibility.”
Shao Ji Zu let out a cold laugh. “Zhong Xiong has always thought highly of himself. Aside from the Prince, he never takes anyone seriously. His Iron Blood Guards of Jun Shan have long been competing in secret with our Jinshitang. Now that he has suffered defeat at Zhan Zhao’s hands and fallen under his control, how could he possibly lend his full support to Mo Zhen Ren? Wouldn’t that make Jinshitang the clear victor, forcing Jun Shan to bow its head forever? If that happened, wouldn’t Jun Shan’s people always feel inferior when facing us in the future?”
Seeing Shao Ji Zu’s expression turn icy, Deng Che dared not press further. Hesitating, he ventured cautiously, “Subordinate has long suspected that Zhong Xiong’s thoughts are hard to fathom. Now that Mo Zhen Ren and the others have searched for so long without finding Zhan Zhao’s supposed companion, could it be that Zhong Xiong is deliberately misleading us, and this Zhan Zhao never had a companion at all?”
Shao Ji Zu gently shook his head and said, “Chief Zhong’s deduction is actually correct. The signal arrows of Jun Shan clearly indicated that there were two individuals. That means when the Iron Blood Guards were killed, Zhan Zhao had someone with him. Since those guards died this morning, it follows that this person was still with Zhan Zhao at least until this morning.”
Deng Che blurted out, “What if this person isn’t his companion but his enemy instead?”
Shao Ji Zu chuckled and said, “I’ve always said you don’t use your brain when thinking, and you’ve proven me right. What a waste of the title ‘Master Thief of Miraculous Hands.’ Look closely at the sword wounds on these men—they were all inflicted by the same blade. However, this blade is not Zhan Zhao’s ‘Zhanlu’ sword. That means someone else killed these men.
“These Iron Blood Guards came here to capture Zhan Zhao. The signal arrow sounded the alarm, clearly indicating they had found his trail. Since they died here, whoever killed them must have done so for Zhan Zhao’s sake. And if someone killed for his sake, they’re most likely his companion.”
His expression turned hazy as he continued, “Chief Zhong was partially correct. If the alliance document wasn’t on Zhan Zhao, it must be with this other person. Unfortunately, they made a mistake about one thing.”
Deng Che asked, “What did they get wrong?”
Shao Ji Zu enunciated slowly, “They misjudged Zhan Zhao.”
Deng Che scratched his head, now thoroughly confused. After a pause, he asked, “Misjudged him? What does Commander Shao mean by that?”
Shao Ji Zu explained, “When they captured Zhan Zhao, they searched him thoroughly but couldn’t find the alliance document. It’s obvious that the document is either hidden somewhere very secret or has been handed over to his companion. Considering the importance of this document, Zhan Zhao wouldn’t risk hiding it elsewhere. He would aim to deliver it to the capital and present it directly to the Emperor. This makes it more likely that the document is with his companion.”
He let out a faint sigh, his tone growing increasingly complex.
“When they found Zhan Zhao, he was already gravely injured. Naturally, they assumed that if Zhan Zhao had drawn them to the West Bridge ferry, his companion must have taken a different route to Kaifeng.”
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