Lu Ling Feng was on his own side.
Guo Zhuang’s street interviews in Guo Village had yielded a new clue:
“General, we found a witness! An elderly man nearby got up to close the window at night and happened to see Sun Wang being killed.”
“Could he make out the killer’s face?”
“He could, but…” Guo Zhuang hesitated, “It wasn’t a person!”
Lu Ling Feng was startled: “What?!”
Next.
Lu Ling Feng immediately took Pei Xi Jun to find the witness and have him sketch the killer.
He wasn’t idle himself.
He went to the Xiao Yue Tower to look for new clues.
Through the owner, he learned that the previous night, Sun Wang, the Music Officer, had a verbal altercation with Qin Xiao Bai.
However, while investigating Sun Wang’s identity.
He finally discovered a lead:
“One year ago, Sun Wang went to General Ma’s mansion to treat a horse, and he repeatedly harassed Mrs. Ma, after which he was disciplined by a mysterious person and had his leg broken.”
“General Ma’s mansion is the home of General Ma Xiong, a military leader of the Anxi Army!”
“And General Ma uses a broadsword! Guo Zhuang, Xi Jun said that the lip rouge was made of a kind of black ink, and it’s very expensive, do you think… Mrs. Ma’s family might have some?”
They exchanged a glance.
A new lead had emerged!
So.
Without a moment’s delay.
The two went to General Ma’s mansion.
After knocking on the door for a long time.
As they wondered if anyone was home.
Finally.
The door of the mansion opened.
A beautiful woman with a charming and captivating face, her features delicate and alluring, half-leaned against the red wooden door, smiling slightly.
Just this sight alone.
Made Guo Zhuang’s eyes widen.
Lu Ling Feng was also slightly stunned.
It was hard to believe that there was such a stunningly alluring, voluptuous beauty in the world.
Seeing Mrs. Ma caress the door frame with her slender hand, her voice was even more captivating: “Gentlemen, what brings you here?”
Guo Zhuang’s anger subsided, and his face flushed.
Lu Ling Feng was true to his nature. He frowned: “Is this General Ma’s residence? We are here for official inquiries!”
Hearing this.
Mrs. Ma’s eyebrows rose, and she looked serious.
But she only glanced at Lu Ling Feng for a moment before losing interest.
Logically, Lu Ling Feng was also a handsome man, but compared to Wang Lang, he was far inferior!
She dared not be negligent.
She hastily invited them into the mansion.
Facing their questioning.
She answered calmly: “Doctor Sun Wang? He did treat the horse in our family… but… that was a year ago, what’s the matter?”
“A year ago? I heard that Doctor Sun harassed you at the time and was beaten, breaking his leg. Do you know who it was? I want his full details.” Lu Ling Feng asked again.
“I think there was such a person… but… I can’t really remember!”
Seeing that Mrs. Ma wasn’t cooperating.
Guo Zhuang was about to scold her.
But Lu Ling Feng interrupted him.
Lu Ling Feng smiled: “To be honest, I’m a lover of horses, I see that you have many fine steeds in your courtyard, may I have a look at them?”
Mrs. Ma raised her eyebrows and laughed: “Alright.”
Soon.
They came to the backyard stable.
Looking at the dozens of horses basking in the sun and grazing.
Lu Ling Feng couldn’t help but exclaim: “To be able to keep so many horses at home, it’s truly enviable.”
“These horses are all from my husband. He obtained them during his military campaigns. His war achievements are outstanding. During the expedition to the Bohai country, he obtained three Akhal-Teke horses, all of which were presented to the Emperor Zhongzong. The Emperor was very pleased and bestowed a horse in return, and granted permission for our family to raise horses. That’s how the number has grown over time.”
“Akhal-Teke?”
Hearing this, Lu Ling Feng stared intently at an exceptionally tall and robust black horse: “Is it that horse? It’s truly extraordinary! Can I have a ride?”
Mrs. Ma giggled and covered her mouth: “But there is no saddle~”
Lu Ling Feng had entered the mode of a reckless young man: “It doesn’t matter, to be able to ride an Akhal-Teke once in my life would be a dream come true!”
With that.
He jumped onto the Akhal-Teke amidst Mrs. Ma’s exclamation.
Seeing that she couldn’t stop him.
She quickly reminded him: “That horse has a fiery temper, be careful!”
But in her heart, she rolled her eyes.
An Akhal-Teke recognizes only one master in its lifetime.
After last night’s events.
The horse had completely submitted to Wang Lin, even Ma Xiong might not be able to control it, so what are you, Lu Ling Feng, doing?!
Sure enough.
After only one round.
Lu Ling Feng was thrown hard from the horse.
Before he could get back on his feet.
The stallion charged towards him, intent on crushing him.
At the critical moment.
Lu Ling Feng used his light skills again, jumping onto another horse, and using the momentum of the two horses running side by side, he leaped back onto the Akhal-Teke.
However.
He was thrown off the horse’s back again after less than half a round.
This time, he landed hard.
He was lying on the ground, almost unable to get up.
And the Akhal-Teke, now very smug, began to strut around.
Mrs. Ma shook her head, clicking her tongue.
Is that all?
She thought you, Lu Ling Feng, were a man of substance, but compared to Wang Lang, you are simply a far cry!
But she quickly rushed forward: “Sir, are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Lu Ling Feng took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the horse’s tail: “Does General Ma ride this horse?”
“It’s his horse, of course he does.”
“Has General Ma returned recently?”
“He’s in the Anxi Army, how can he just come back when he wants? His last visit to Chang’an was three years ago.”
“What kind of weapon does he use when he fights?”
“He’s a broadsword general.” Mrs. Ma’s eyes flickered.
…………
Soon.
The two came out of the mansion.
Lu Ling Feng immediately asked Guo Zhuang:
“While I was riding the horse to distract Mrs. Ma, did you find any black ink in the house?”
“I searched carefully, but I didn’t find any black ink.” Guo Zhuang truthfully reported.
“No black ink? Are you sure you searched carefully?” Lu Ling Feng questioned.
“I’m sure! General, I’ve been investigating with you for a month, and I’ve made some progress. I searched the dressing table thoroughly, there were many rouge and powders, but I really didn’t find any, not even a similar scent.”
Lu Ling Feng fell into thought, he turned back and gazed deeply at the mansion: “No black ink, then my deduction doesn’t hold up… Alright, you go and investigate the source of the black ink, check all the shops selling cosmetics in the East and West Markets!”
“Yes, sir!”
However.
Only half a day later.
Guo Zhuang had a lead.
The Dali Temple.
Lu Ling Feng looked at the drawing of the demon king Po Xun, which Pei Xi Jun had made, and his brows furrowed.
The demon king Po Xun killing people?
Are you kidding me?
Just then.
Guo Zhuang came to report: “I found several shops selling black ink, but none with that fragrance, none in the East or West Markets.”
Hearing that he had come back empty-handed.
Lu Ling Feng, who was already in a frenzy, shook his head: “Are you really trying to make me starve?”
“Not eating is fine.” Guo Zhuang smiled, “Just treat me to a drink!”
“You still have the audacity to drink?!”
Faced with the scolding.
Guo Zhuang was unfazed, he said confidently: “According to reliable sources, someone bought a black ink with a strong and lasting fragrance at the Ghost Market.”
Lu Ling Feng immediately stood up, his face filled with hope.
“But it’s not easy to buy, there’s a place called ‘Free and Easy Wall’ in the Ghost Market, you have to finish an entire pot of wine before the proprietress will bring it out.”
Lu Ling Feng looked at him like he understood: “Good for you, Guo Zhuang, you’re just making up an excuse to drink your fill!”
Guo Zhuang scratched his head and asked: “The Ghost Market is dangerous, how many people should we bring?”
“You and I are enough. If you bring so many people, you’ll be paying for the wine?” Lu Ling Feng confidently replied.
However, Lu Ling Feng never imagined.
That in order to save money on wine.
This operation would directly cost his good brother, Guo Zhuang, his life at the Free and Easy Wall in the Ghost Market.
And almost cost him his own life!
But.
All of this, was about to change drastically, due to the arrival of someone.
PS:
Does anyone like this kind of story?
Weakly asking for some flowers to support…