Xiao and Wu exchanged a glance. They probably both guessed, but still shook their heads.
Xiao Changdao replied on their behalf, “We do not know. May I ask who you are?”
Qin Fujun gestured at her Kunling Mountain disciple robes. “Who else could I be?”
Wu Ronggui spoke up, “What do you want with us?”
Qin Fujun said, “I will not speak in riddles before an honest person. Why did you two give them that nickname behind their backs?”
No explanation was needed. She believed her earlier actions had already given them sufficient psychological pressure.
Wu Ronggui laughed lightly. “We do not understand what you are saying. We are here to attend the Chaoyang Assembly. We have not done anything against the rules. On what grounds does Kunling Mountain treat us like criminals under interrogation?”
The two had already discussed how to respond to certain questions.
Qin Fujun ignored this. “Then let me ask another way. Why did you two target Zhang Zhichen and the others behind their backs?”
Xiao Changdao simply admitted it. “We were happy to. We can give nicknames to whoever we please. Is that not allowed?”
Qin Fujun said, “Of course you may. Forget nicknames. Even if you secretly used Chan Shaoting’s authority, like a fox borrowing a tiger’s might, to force some people to other peaks, I could not touch you. At most, I would tell Chan Shaoting and have him find those people to clarify that driving them away was not his own intention, to avoid any misunderstanding.”
After finding out these two were behind the nicknames, she asked Wu Tian about them and learned of the shady things they had done in secret.
Those who were forced away had to find Wu Tian when requesting to change locations. Some could not help but make sarcastic remarks or complain a few times. But such matters, if the people do not report them, the officials do not investigate. Kunling Mountain could not easily intervene.
But this matter could not withstand scrutiny. Once Qin Fujun took it seriously, combined with her understanding of Chan Shaoting, she found the relevant people to verify and immediately knew what had happened.
Actually, similar things were not new in previous Chaoyang Assemblies. Struggling for fame and profit, using some small tricks was normal. As long as it did not affect the assembly, the organisers would not mind.
But when Xiao and Wu heard these words, their expressions changed drastically.
If Chan Shaoting truly found out, if he knew they had ruined his reputation like this behind his back, even the best rankings would be useless. Even if the two could leave Kunling Mountain alive, they might not make it home alive.
With the strength of Guijian Villa, killing them would be as easy as crushing two ants.
But unexpectedly, Qin Fujun said lightly, “Of course, you are right too. This kind of thing does not really violate any rules. My Kunling Mountain does not wish to make trouble either. The reason I invited you here is that I have something else to ask you two.”
The two were thrown up and down by her words. Xiao Changdao asked carefully, “What is it?”
Qin Fujun said, “Over twenty nights ago, an abnormal disturbance suddenly occurred within Kunling Mountain. It was quite significant. There were also personnel movements on this side of the Dingyin District. You live on the mountain peak. You could not have missed it, could you?”
The two naturally remembered this well. Afterwards, they had also been curious about what happened that night.
They exchanged a glance, then nodded together. Wu Ronggui asked doubtfully, “We saw it. What about it?”
Qin Fujun said, “You have been targeting Zhang Zhichen and the others before. Presumably, you paid them some attention. Added to that, you are next door neighbours. You should be quite familiar with their every move. I want to know, when that incident happened that night, was Zhang Zhichen in his residence building or not?”
At these words, both their eyes widened. Xiao Changdao was even somewhat expectant, and asked directly, “Does that night’s matter have some connection to Zhang Zhichen? What happened that night?”
Qin Fujun cut him off at once. “You are overthinking. I am merely giving you a memorable point in time, to help you recall.”
Was that so? The two stared at her blankly for a while.
The two were not stupid. This whole business of digging them out, yet focusing on asking about Zhang Zhichen, clearly meant they were investigating that Zhang Zhichen. It would be strange if nothing was wrong.
But since she had spoken like that, they could not say much more.
After pondering, Xiao Changdao asked Wu Ronggui, “That night, can you remember anything?”
Wu Ronggui had a thoughtful expression, and slowly shook his head. “I only remember the mountain had quite a commotion. The rest, I truly cannot recall clearly.”
Xiao Changdao nodded, and said to Qin Fujun, “In the middle of the night, we could hardly run into someone’s building. How would we know whether he was in his room or not?”
Qin Fujun, who had been observing their reactions, said, “It does not matter. There is still plenty of time before the Chaoyang Assembly ends. I hope you can give me a definite answer before leaving Kunling Mountain. When you have a result, contact Wu Tian and he can find me.”
Wu Ronggui said in a deep voice, “Are you not making things difficult for us? We truly cannot remember clearly. How can we give you a definite answer?”
Qin Fujun said, “You are not the only ones living on the mountain. You not remembering clearly does not mean everyone does not remember. In any case, that is your matter. I do not care about the process. I only want the final, confirmed result. Of course, I will not force you. It will not affect your continued participation. Whether you give me an explanation or not, that is up to you.”
She finished speaking, tilted her head to signal, “See the guests out.”
Xiao and Wu were immediately struck dumb. They thought, this was no “not forcing” at all. Though not a single word of coercion had been spoken, in reality, this was coercion.
Whether to tell Chan Shaoting about them using him, the choice was in her hands. She first mentioned that, then asked them to do something. Was that not coercion?
If the two did not understand this meaning, they would truly be fools.
A nearby Kunling Mountain disciple immediately gestured to see them out. “Please!”
The two wanted to speak but stopped. What could they do? They could only leave submissively.
Qin Fujun also slowly walked to the door. After watching them leave briefly, she turned back, her expression uncertain, gazing at the scattered lights in the mountain.
After a moment, the disciple who saw them out returned, and said hesitantly at her side, “The Elder asked you to be responsible for investigating the nickname matter, yet you are digging into old business. The Elder will probably be unhappy if he finds out.”
Qin Fujun said, “Has the nickname matter not already been resolved? This is just something on the side. I have not delayed the proper business. My master will not be unhappy.”
The disciple was slightly stunned. “Has that night’s matter not already passed?”
“Passed?” Qin Fujun gave a self-mocking cold laugh. “The guardian spirit beast of Meteor Hall was killed. Night Spirit and Earth Spirit died tragically. Especially Earth Spirit. The murderer committed the crime right under my nose. How do you expect me to let this pass? The Sect Leader and my master, though looking at the bigger picture, both said that covert investigation is permitted to continue!”
The disciple asked suspiciously, “Do you suspect that night’s matter is connected to this Zhang Zhichen who keeps getting drawn by lot? Why do you suspect him? Do you have evidence?”
Qin Fujun’s lips tightened. “No evidence for now. Just a feeling. Am I not looking for evidence?”
“This…” The disciple was somewhat speechless, then said worriedly, “Investigating someone without basis, once it affects the competition, the sect’s fury is probably not something we can bear. Executor, you should understand that ensuring the smooth holding of the Chaoyang Assembly is currently the sect’s top priority. That is why even that night’s matter could be suppressed. If you act like this, once punishment descends, not even the Elder can protect you.”
Qin Fujun said, “That is why we cannot directly intervene. That is why I had those two investigate. Finding evidence would be best. If no evidence is found… then let us try beating the grass to startle the snake! If that Zhang Zhichen has a guilty conscience, once he mistakenly believes those two know something, do you think he will do something to them?”
She believed, if that little-bearded man was the person from that night, he would certainly recognise her. Seeing her arrive, and discovering that Xiao and Wu might know he sneaked out that night, he would certainly do something to those two. And what she needed to do was wait for him to do something.
“Beating the grass to startle the snake,” the disciple muttered thoughtfully, then suddenly sighed, “Executor, all of this is built on the premise that the other party is that night’s murderer.”
Qin Fujun said, “If the other party is not the murderer, doing this will not have any effect, nor will it cause any impact on the assembly. So, you only need to arrange for people to secretly keep a close watch on that side. We are also following the Sect Leader’s and my master’s words, covert investigation!”
“Alas!” The disciple sighed and nodded.
The next day, the second round of competition in the Dingyin District continued. Qin Fujun’s figure also appeared in the viewing stands. She did not seem very interested in the matches in the arena. Her gaze frequently and deliberately looked towards Yu Qing.
Yu Qing also saw her unintentionally, and happened to discover she was staring at him. He was unintentional, but found that she did not seem unintentional. She was staring straight at him. Their gazes even met.
At this moment, Yu Qing began to feel somewhat frightened inside. It was hard not to suspect whether this woman had recognised him.
Having obtained the scene she wanted, Qin Fujun smiled faintly and nodded slightly at him in greeting. Only then did she focus her attention on the arena, occasionally looking at him again.
Yu Qing appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was already unsettled. One must know, what he had done in Kunling Mountain was no small matter. If caught, he would lose his life. He had originally wanted to observe whether other competitors had any hidden moves. Yet the whole day passed, and he did not know what he had watched.
The fighting on the field was fierce and spectacular, yet he was like a blind man with open eyes. He took nothing in, and muddled through until evening when it ended.
When leaving, he suddenly stood up, ignoring his companions, and quickly walked towards Qin Fujun.
He did not avoid her. He suddenly made a decision. Rather than having a guilty thief’s heart, rather than being anxious in a fog, it was better to directly confront her face on. Only by clarifying the situation could he respond properly, could he not?
Qin Fujun, who was getting up to leave, subconsciously glanced in his direction, and was also stunned. She had not expected the other party to actively approach. What did this wretched little-bearded man want to do?
She immediately became vigilant inside.
If her judgment was not wrong, if the other party truly was the murderer, she had faced him directly. Whether he had violated her or not was secondary. She had experienced how formidable he was. In terms of boldness and carefulness, probably no one could surpass him. And it was not merely boldness and carefulness. Daring to mix into their crowd alone and openly kill someone, the prowess of such a person was imaginable.
Seeing him approach, even though this was Kunling Mountain, her own territory, she herself became somewhat nervous. She was highly vigilant inside, with all sorts of thoughts pondering what he wanted to do, and how she should respond.
For a moment, she did not know whether to move or not. So she stood there waiting, on the surface trying her best to appear calm.
To be accepted as a closed-door disciple by the Law Enforcement Elder, and a female closed-door disciple at that, she must have outstanding qualities. But after all, she was young. Dealing with internal sect disciples in her capacity as an enforcer, she could be composed. Facing an outsider’s counterattack, she was somewhat unaccustomed.
Nan Zhu and the others in the stands were somewhat stunned, not knowing where Yu Qing, who had been unaccounted for, was going.
After confirming he was heading towards Qin Fujun, Nan Zhu was amused, and chuckled, “I said that woman was good-looking. Could Old Fifteen have taken a fancy to her?”
Mu Aotie and Bai Lixin watched closely, and also walked over together.
Yu Qing had already walked up to Qin Fujun, and asked with a smile, “Miss, do we know each other?”