The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 421 - 233 Si Haofeng’s Suspicion

Chapter 421: Chapter 233 Si Haofeng’s Suspicion

"Given that, come with me."

Wu Qu eventually agreed to lead Si Haofeng to see his mentor—Zhuge Longsu.

Despite his suspicions that Si Haofeng harbored ill intentions, Wu Qu had no reason, nor the authority, to prevent him from visiting Zhuge Longsu.

In silence, the two made their way one after the other to the residence of Zhuge Longsu—Wuya Inn.

"Wuya Inn, it has indeed been many years since my last visit," Si Haofeng sighed as he gazed at the building that seemed to never change.

"It’s been ten years, Haofeng."

With temples of frosty white yet a face as youthful as ever, Zhuge Longsu strolled out and greeted the two with a smile.

"Dean."

"Master," Si Haofeng bowed respectfully, "It has been ten years. As your pupil, constrained by selfish thoughts, I neither could nor dared to come visit you."

Si Haofeng’s Si Family was considered the largest family outside of the Imperial Family in Northern Zhou. As the brother of the current Patriarch, it was proper for him to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Moreover, he loathed the way his elder brother, the Patriarch, tried to ingratiate himself with Mountain River Academy using their family connections.

Thus, after graduating from Mountain River Academy, Si Haofeng had only returned four times, with his last visit being ten years prior.

"Haofeng, your ’Vast Righteous Qi’ has not diminished; on the contrary, it has been honed to such a degree. It shows you have not wasted these years, so how can I, as your teacher, blame you?" Zhuge Longsu said warmly with a smile.

Being able to advance the ’Vast Righteous Qi’ to the point just shy of the True Pill Realm proved that Si Haofeng had consistently held a flawless Mental State and adhered to the Righteous path. For Zhuge Longsu, this was the greatest reward.

"Come in. Since you’re here, let us drink some tea together and have a heart-to-heart," Zhuge Longsu invited.

"Yes, Teacher."

"Dean..." Wu Qu looked reluctantly at Si Haofeng.

He often dealt with students, and although he always played the stern figure, he had heard quite a bit of news from them.

One piece of news was that Si Haofeng was now staying at the mansion of the Sixth Prince Feng Chaonan.

Wu Qu found the Sixth Prince particularly detestable and was even more disgusted by the fact that the prince had now usurped Feng Jiu’s position—lacking the title of Imperial Prince, yet acting with all the authority of one.

How could such a turn of events not anger Wu Qu, a lecturer at Mountain River Academy?

It was known that Feng Jiu’s reputation now stood equal to that of Dean Xie’s closed-door disciple, Feng Qiwu, within the Academy, and was even on the verge of surpassing it.

"Wu Qu, you come as well. I see you’re not at ease standing outside," Zhuge Longsu’s voice came from inside, tinged with laughter.

"Thank you, Dean."

Wu Qu entered the house with Si Haofeng, his gaze fixed on Si Haofeng, as if to say, "I’ve got my eyes on you."

After the two entered, they took their seats.

The tea on the small table was already prepared; Zhuge Longsu had been leading a leisurely life of late, drinking tea and reading books every day, for many hours a day.

Si Haofeng gently inhaled the tea’s fragrance and, after savoring a sip, praised, "Teacher’s skill is still so masterful. This tea is something that even ten years apart could not make me forget."

"But I see that today your mind is not on this tea," Zhuge Longsu said with a light laugh, revealing Si Haofeng’s inner thoughts.

He, Zhuge Longsu, was no ordinary man. Although he cultivated "Vast Righteous Qi," that did not mean he had become a fool incapable of adapting to circumstances. In fact, as someone who compromised with the noble families of Northern Zhou and allocated exam-free spots to some of them, Zhuge Longsu could be said to possess the integrity of a gentleman, but he was never lacking in resourceful tactics and great wisdom for social dealings.

As soon as Si Haofeng began to speak, Zhuge Longsu had already sensed what he intended to say.

Hearing this, Si Haofeng could only respond with a helpless and bitter smile, "Teacher, your insight is as sharp as a torch."

"Tell me, what matter has brought you to Wuya Inn after a separation of ten years?" Zhuge Longsu asked gently.

Wu Qu’s gaze on Si Haofeng grew even more intense. He had a premonition that whatever Si Haofeng was about to say was not right.

"Recently, after saving my nephew Chaonan on the official road outside Divine Capital, I have been staying in Chaonan’s mansion..." Si Haofeng paused, his smile even more bitter, "I am aware that my nephew is cunning and fond of power, just like his father. Chaonan’s stealthy acquisition of his brother’s position and his arrogation of the Imperial Prince’s power are simply outrageous..."

"Hmph, so you also know that his actions are disgraceful," Wu Qu snorted.

Si Haofeng did not respond to Wu Qu’s remark and continued, "It’s not just that Chaonan has stolen the Imperial Prince’s power, but in order to truly ascend to the Imperial Prince’s position, he even collaborated with Gong Ziyu of the Azure Dragon Association, slaughtering those opposing officials and families, and even assassinated the Eldest Prince Feng Guanyu. His actions could be described as extremely insane.

But..."

Si Haofeng said this with an uncertain look but pressed on, "After living for a while in Chaonan’s mansion, I discovered that someone might be quietly pushing Chaonan’s actions from behind.

He was always being deliberately assisted, even guided, in his outrageous deeds from behind the scenes."

"What a joke," Wu Qu suddenly shouted, "Are you suggesting that Feng Chaonan is an innocent and harmless person, trying to push all his sins onto a hidden instigator whose existence is even uncertain?"

Wu Qu was thoroughly enraged. He had considered that Si Haofeng might speak for Feng Chaonan, but he had not anticipated that Si Haofeng would harbor such intentions to whitewash Feng Chaonan, to turn black into white.

Wu Qu had spent so many years in Divine Capital, how could he be ignorant of Feng Chaonan’s way of conducting himself?

Whitewash Feng Chaonan? Why doesn’t Si Haofeng go whitewash Feng Tianming!

"Wu Qu," Zhuge Longsu said sternly.

"Dean..." Wu Qu gradually halted his attempt to rise.

"Let Haofeng finish speaking first."

"Yes, Dean." Wu Qu could only continue watching Si Haofeng resentfully.

"I have no intention of absolving Feng Chaonan of his crimes," Si Haofeng went on, "The heinousness of Chaonan’s actions, if not exhaustive, then his act of murdering his brother is indeed outrageous to the heavens.

What I want to do is to bring this hidden instigator out into the light."

"Oh?" Zhuge Longsu asked with curiosity, "From the looks of it, you must have found some clues."

"Not clues, just some suspicions."

"Suspicions? Suspecting whom? Or suspecting what?" Zhuge Longsu inquired.

"I harbor doubts about a person in my heart, someone who has watched Chaonan’s evil deeds unfold without action; his behavior and the impression he gives to others are highly suspicious," Si Haofeng spoke slowly.

"And who might that be?"

"Feng Jiu."