Xie Nandu put down the book in her hands, lifted her head to glance at Chen Chao, and did not stand up. She just asked, "Why do you think you can meet Teacher now?"
At this moment, Chen Chao was in the center of the vortex in the Divine Capital. The Dean was determined to stay away from these conflicts, so he did not want to get involved. God knows how many people in the Divine Capital have been probing the Dean these days, trying to drag him into this vortex. But without a doubt, these people have not succeeded.
What made Chen Chao different from them?
Xie Nandu was asking Chen Chao.
Chen Chao said, "I'm not asking the Dean to do anything. I just want to see him and ask some questions."
Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao in silence and did not answer. But from her eyes, Chen Chao could see a lot of things and understood her meaning.
Chen Chao walked slowly toward the eaves, patting off the snowflakes on his head. He then sat across from Xie Nandu and said, "Since I can't meet the Dean, it's reasonable to ask you some questions, right?"
Xie Nandu raised an eyebrow and said confidently, "There are very few things I don't know."
Chen Chao sighed and said, "But I only want to ask the Dean these questions."
"If Teacher doesn't want to answer your questions, even if you find him, he won't tell you what you want to know, so whether you see him or not is meaningless."
Xie Nandu looked at the falling snowflakes and said, "The students of the academy didn't receive the news after the incident happened."
Chen Chao said, "As expected."
From Weng Quan's arrival at Scholar Xie's residence to Scholar Xie's sudden death, and then to the appearance of the students outside Scholar Xie's residence, the time was not too long. However, in this short period, the news had already reached the academy. Logically speaking, this was not very likely, especially when those academy students were already aware of Scholar Xie's death the moment they arrived, making it even more mysterious.
Weng Quan might not be able to understand all these intricacies, but he was well aware that they needed Chen Chao at this moment.
"At this moment, the Left Guard's people should be searching for you everywhere."
Xie Nandu narrowed her eyes and said, "You let Weng Quan and the others handle this matter, but it seems like you haven't done anything. After they find out, they will surely find it strange. Why?"
Facing others, Chen Chao would come up with many reasons to evade. But the one opposite him was Xie Nandu, so Chen Chao quickly said directly, "The Left Guard is just a chess piece. Whether we stir up any waves or not, we are still pawns. The real big players are always behind the scenes, watching us. So, I want to temporarily withdraw, go around and take a look, find out who's watching us from the shadows."
The incident at Scholar Xie's residence was undoubtedly a trap for anyone with discerning eyes.
However, the person who set the trap could not possibly be the Emperor or the Lord Warden Commander, so who could it be?
Chen Chao said with a headache, "I feel a bit tired."
Xie Nandu smiled and said, "Schemes and intrigue have never been easy."
"Who gave you that name list?"
Xie Nandu looked at Chen Chao and smiled, "Have you never considered that the person who gave you the list might be the one setting a trap for you? In other words, even if he is not the ultimate mastermind, he could still be an important figure behind all of this."
Thinking of that Premier, Chen Chao shook his head, "Is it that simple?"
Xie Nandu nodded and said, "Sometimes, things that appear simple on the surface are actually very complicated."
After careful consideration, Chen Chao shook his head and said, "I still find it unlikely."
Xie Nandu did not say anything more. She just picked up the book in her hand, indicating that she did not want to talk about it anymore.
However, Chen Chao asked, "Do you want to eat sweet potatoes?"
Looking at Chen Chao, Xie Nandu said, "The sweet potatoes you roast might not be tasty now."
Hearing this, Chen Chao was somewhat dissatisfied and said, "So, should I go to Scholar Xie's residence now and argue with people?"
Xie Nandu smiled and said, "Aren't you good at that kind of thing?"
This was naturally referring to the previous argument Chen Chao had at the lakeside. At that time, none of the students from the academy were his match. While Chen Chao might not fear arguments, he rarely engaged in them nowadays. Nevertheless, his skill in quarreling had not diminished. But was it just a simple argument this time?
Without waiting for Chen Chao to respond, Xie Nandu continued, "However, Teacher Zhang is over there now. You might not be able to win him in an argument, or best him in a fight."
Teacher Zhang had a considerable reputation in the academy. Of course, putting aside his high prestige, the most important thing was that he had already transcended the Bitter Sea Realm long ago, making him a genuine Great Beyond Realm cultivator.
Chen Chao said, "There are naturally ways of not fighting. I just don't understand whether what I'm doing now has been arranged by everyone, or if someone is simultaneously watching me while I do these things."
Xie Nandu was silent. She naturally understood the implications of his words, but she did not speak.
Leaning against a wooden pillar nearby, Chen Chao subconsciously reached out to touch the lacquer on top. However, before he could exert any force, Xie Nandu frowned and said, "This is not Tianqing County."
Chen Chao snapped out of his thoughts, looked down at his hand, and then slowly retracted it, saying, "This is the Divine Capital."
Right, this was the Divine Capital, a place inherently filled with schemes and intrigues.
Having figured this out, Chen Chao stood up, walked out of the courtyard, and coincidentally encountered the Left Guard official who had come to find him.
He was panting heavily, having covered most of the Divine Capital in this brief period of time. Only then, did he suddenly think about how the commander was not in those important places, so the academy might have traces of the commander. Immediately, he turned back and arrived at the academy, reaching the lakeside courtyard.
Chen Chao said, "Weng Quan still has some intelligence, but it's just a bit."
Knowing to send someone to look for him was already pretty smart for Weng Quan. Chen Chao found it difficult to blame him.
"Your Excellency, why do you say that?"
The official looked up at Chen Chao with some confusion.
"If I were that dumbass, I would have sent at least twenty people to find me. Sending only you, how long will it take to find anything?"
……
……
Teacher Zhang led a group of academy students, blocking the entrance to Scholar Xie's residence. Weng Quan and several Left Guard officials were here, facing off with them. However, Weng Quan clearly lacked confidence.
Except, when faced with Teacher Zhang's question, he had to answer.
But when he was about to speak, a voice suddenly rose from the crowd, "Scholar Xie was killed by them, without a doubt!"
Looking in the direction of the voice, there was a student with an angry expression who was looking over at Weng Quan.
Upon seeing this person, there was a surprised murmur among the students.
Because people quickly recognized who this person was.
Huang Zhi.
Huang Zhi's reputation in the academy was not bad; many people knew him. However, most of his fame came from the heated argument by the lakeside and his long unrequited love for Xie Nandu.
Virtually more than half of the academy students knew about it.
Now that he spoke up, in the eyes of the people, it seemed as a matter of course. Although Weng Quan appeared to be standing there, in reality, he was actually representing the Left Guard, and the commander of the Left Guard was none other than Chen Chao.
Everyone knew that he had a conflict with Chen Chao.
Because of Xie Nandu, and not just because of Xie Nandu.
Weng Quan looked at this student and was somewhat displeased as he said, "Baseless accusations, where is the evidence?"
Facing Teacher Zhang, Weng Quan could still be polite, but facing this guy named Huang Zhi, Weng Quan could not bring himself to be courteous. Huang Zhi said, "Since that's the case, let us in, and see the cause of Scholar Xie's death!"
Weng Quan frowned and said, "The coroner of my Left Guard is conducting a post-mortem examination and cannot be disturbed."
Although it would not be a problem to let them have a look, under this current situation, it would be best not to allow these academy students to enter.
But at this moment, a woman's voice suddenly sounded in the courtyard, "Uncle, they want to carry out an autopsy. My father shouldn't be treated like this!"
Weng Quan's expression suddenly became unpleasant, silently cursing. How could they not even handle a woman?
Hearing this voice, Teacher Zhang suddenly became furious. He looked at Weng Quan, unable to restrain his anger any longer. A surge of qi emanated from his cotton robe, and this formidable cultivator was about to force his way in.
He and Scholar Xie had been good friends for more than a decade. Otherwise, the woman inside would not be calling him Uncle.
But now, his old friend had died for no clear reason and was about to be autopsied, how could he endure it?
Weng Quan extended his hand, blocking Teacher Zhang in front of him, and said solemnly, "Teacher Zhang, without conducting an autopsy, how can we determine the exact cause of death?"
"Get lost!"
Teacher Zhang's temper had never been good, and now he was even more angry. How could he listen to any reasoning? After a wave of his hand, Weng Quan felt a tremendous force striking him, causing him to fly backward and fall heavily in the courtyard.
Weng Quan groaned in pain, attempting to get up but only managing to spit out a large mouthful of blood.
Teacher Zhang glanced inside. Being glanced at by Teacher Zhang at this moment, the coroner who had not taken any action, was startled until he dropped the knife from his hands.
The other Left Guard officials were now exchanging glances.
Teacher Zhang calmly stepped into the courtyard. Looking at the wrecked courtyard, his expression grew uglier.
Taking advantage of the two officials' distraction, the woman broke free from her restraints and ran over. She knelt down, crying, "Uncle, you must seek justice for us!"
Simultaneously, the other students from the academy outside rushed into the courtyard.
In no time, the courtyard was filled with people.
Upon seeing the damaged courtyard, many erupted in anger again, directing their fury toward the remaining Left Guard officials present.
Teacher Zhang glared at Weng Quan and scolded, "Who instructed you all to act like this?!"
Weng Quan could not speak. The other Left Guard officials also did not dare to speak. There was only silence at this moment.
The Left Guard which had always been glorious actually had powerhouses too. Except, Weng Quan thought that Scholar Xie was merely an ordinary scholar and not a cultivator, so he sent the powerhouses elsewhere.
Therefore, among the people present, there was no one who could rival Teacher Zhang.
As Huang Zhi observed the scene before his eyes, about to speak, he suddenly felt a pat on his shoulder. Before he could turn around, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice sounded.
"It was this commander who instructed them to act this way."
A black-clad youth appeared behind the crowd, a saber hanging at his waist, wearing official boots. Standing among the academy students, he was noticeably taller than them.
"Lord Commander!"
The Left Guard officials exclaimed with pleasant surprise. Although they were unsure of how things would unfold later, since Chen Chao came, it naturally reassured them.
Chen Chao glanced at Teacher Zhang, then at Weng Quan, and asked coldly, "Teacher, did you injure my Left Guard's officials?"
Teacher Zhang was currently in a fit of anger. Seeing that a teen actually dared to speak so impolitely, he naturally said coldly, "It was this old man, so what about it?"
Chen Chao chuckled, "Nothing much."
But after saying these two words, his tone changed and he said indifferently, "Guards, seize this teacher and bring him back to the Left Guard first!"
