5, on the pagoda top, beneath the ancient tomb

Shen Bisha gathered her hair in front of her forehead, her gaze unobstructed as it fell upon Gu Qiuhan's face, and said: "At first, I truly believed that you were the murderer, so I tracked you to Nanyang. Later, I heard that you had fallen into a deep valley, so I took a detour into the mountains, thinking that if I found your body, it would serve as an explanation to my sister. Little did I know, I fell into the ambush of the Imperial Guard and mistakenly entered the 'Red Plum Ambush'"

Gu Qiuhan knew that he had mistaken Shen Bisha for Shen Bitao, and he smiled, saying: "She is Shen Bitao's younger sister, Shen Bisha. We have taken the liberty to come here precisely to inquire about some old matters regarding Miss Shen Bitao from your esteemed household. I hope Brother Liu will be so kind as to enlighten us."

Gu Qiuhan took a moment to collect herself and couldn't help but chuckle softly. From the person's attire, wasn't it Shen Bisha? It was just that her originally styled topknot was now let down, cascading like a waterfall and covering half of her back, which is why Gu Qiuhan did not recognize her at first glance. At this moment, the fear in Gu Qiuhan's heart transformed into surprise, and without having time to ponder why she was kneeling there, she exclaimed, "Miss Shen." She quickly took large strides towards her.

Gu Qiuhan had made many acquaintances in his early years, including several friends from the underworld who made a living by tomb raiding, and he had some basic knowledge about it. He first lowered the candle, paused for a moment, and seeing that the flame had not extinguished, he leaped down. The wind created by his clothing extinguished the candle flame. As Gu Qiuhan's feet touched the ground, he found himself enveloped in darkness. In such an unknown place, facing the dark was undoubtedly terrifying. He hurriedly took out a lamp, relit the candle, and raised it to illuminate his surroundings. Indeed, this was a subterranean palace, but it was much larger than Gu Qiuhan had imagined. Built by an emperor, it was truly unique.

Shen Bisha chuckled and said, "You mustn't say that I am bullying you; if Miss Thirteen hears about it, I would be in trouble." Gu Qiuhan was taken aback, thinking of Miss Thirteen's mysterious disappearance and uncertain fate, and thus lost the spirit to joke with Shen Bisha. In a place no larger than a child's palm, the two quickly searched but found nothing. Shen Bisha pushed open a window to look at the moon in the sky, truly unable to believe that any miracle could occur at this hour.

Gu Qiuhan laughed and said, "I have known her for only two days longer than Miss Shen, and no more than ten days longer than you. How could it be possible to become a couple so quickly?"

For a moment, Gu Qiuhan's heart was in turmoil. Shisan was still unaware of the situation, and Shen Bisha had mysteriously disappeared right under his nose. However, in comparison, it was not surprising that Shisan, being alone and unskilled in martial arts, could fall into the hands of the enemy. On the other hand, Shen Bisha was quite skilled; who could possibly subdue her without a sound? He glanced again at the ancient tower behind him. When he was at the top of the tower, he could see everything in all directions. If Shen Bisha had been taken out of the tower by someone, it would have been impossible for her to escape his notice. This was indeed strange; could it be that the ancient tower devours people?

After waiting for a while, Gu Qiuhan said: "Let’s go in first, don’t bolt the door. She is a smart person and will come in by herself once she arrives." While speaking, his eyes were fixed on the depths of the street. Although he still had concerns about Shisan, he was clear about what was more important.

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As soon as the words left his mouth, Shen Bisha sprang up as if startled, and with a swift movement, dashed into the stone door ahead. Gu Qiuhan was greatly astonished and quickly followed her inside. In such rapid motion, the candle was extinguished once more, leaving him practically blind, unable to see anything outside. Just as he reached into his bosom to retrieve the lamp, he suddenly caught a whiff of a peculiar fragrance, which he assumed to be some kind of embalming spice, and paid it no mind. ... After lighting the candle, he felt his head grow heavier, and his vision became increasingly blurred. In the haze, he saw a myriad of radiant lights, and upon a fully bloomed lotus flower sat an old monk, with kind brows and gentle eyes, smiling warmly at him ... Just as he reached into his bosom to retrieve the lamp, he suddenly caught a whiff of a peculiar fragrance, which he assumed to be some kind of embalming spice, and paid it no mind. ... After lighting the candle, he felt his head grow heavier, and his vision became increasingly blurred. In the haze, he saw a myriad of radiant lights, and upon a fully bloomed lotus flower sat an old monk, with kind brows and gentle eyes, smiling warmly at him ...

After he finished speaking, Gu Qiuhan and Shen Bisha exchanged glances, both feeling bewildered. Did Liu Jing really believe that his father commissioning a painting from a courtesan would tarnish his reputation, hence his refusal to acknowledge it? Shen Bisha exclaimed angrily, "Because of this portrait, my sister has already met her demise, yet you still conceal the truth to protect your father's name." Liu Jing waved his sleeve and replied, "Although I have no fondness for Shen Bitao, when it comes to my late father, how could I dare to speak carelessly? Whether you believe it or not, this is all I know." Shen Bisha exclaimed angrily, "Because of this portrait, my sister has already met her demise, yet you still conceal the truth to protect your father's name." Liu Jing waved his sleeve and replied, "Although I have no fondness for Shen Bitao, when it comes to my late father, how could I dare to speak carelessly? Whether you believe it or not, this is all I know."

Gu Qiuhan found himself at the entrance of the underground palace, with a passageway beneath his feet, less than one zhang long. Ahead stood a stone door, only half ajar, flanked by two Buddhist murals. Steeling his courage, Gu Qiuhan approached the stone door step by step. His excessive tension made his neck stiff and his eyes wide, and he could hardly imagine what kind of scene would unfold when the stone door was fully opened. He steadied himself against the stone door and pulled it open with all his might. With a creak, the entire stone door swung wide, and in a flicker of candlelight, Gu Qiuhan glanced inside, immediately letting out a startled cry. The sight before him made the hair on the back of his head stand on end, his forehead felt icy, and his eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. About two zhang away from the stone door, there was actually a person kneeling!

Shen Bisha smiled and said, "There are many paintings on the pillar, take a closer look, which one are you looking for?" Gu Qiuhan sighed and said, "Everyone is in the same boat, yet you all can only mock and undermine me. This is truly the case of the kind being bullied and the good being ridden upon, alas." He reached out and tapped on the pillar, the sound was dull, clearly not hollow.

In front of the inn stood a person, hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the increasingly dilapidated Yun Jin Inn, letting out a soft sigh before turning around. Gu Qiuhan was momentarily taken aback, realizing that the person was none other than Zhang Minzhong, the Deputy Minister of Justice. Due to their differing ranks, the two had not developed a deep friendship, but having worked together for many years, they still had a certain understanding of each other. Gu Qiuhan knew that Zhang Minzhong was a man of integrity and meticulousness, thus at this moment, he had no intention of avoiding him. Zhang Minzhong also noticed Gu Qiuhan at this time, and seeing that there was no one around, he hurriedly approached and said, "You are quite bold to still dare to come to this place!"

Gu Qiuhan looked at the sky; there was still an hour until the appointed time, so he went to the tavern to buy some wine and meat to eat. This chance encounter with Zhang Minzhong greatly boosted Gu Qiuhan's confidence. After all, Zhang Minzhong held an important position, and as long as he was willing to believe and assist in secret, the hope of success would increase significantly.

From Dagongfang to Yunjin Inn, there is still a long way to go. Gu Qiuhan wandered aimlessly, and by the time he reached the small parade ground, the red sun had already set in the west. The afterglow enveloped the lifeless Yunjin Inn, which was much quieter compared to previous days. The main gate was locked, and the window that Gu Qiuhan had once kicked in remained the same, rattling and swaying in the wind.

Gu Qiuhan stopped Shen Bisha with a glance and said: "The entire sequence of events, I believe Young Master Liu is still unaware of. It is said that the late master had authored a will, which was hidden within the portrait of Shen Bitao. Consequently, Hu Weiyong hired someone to kill Shen Bitao. Do you know what was written in the master's will, Young Master Liu?"

Gu Qiuhan took the opportunity to say, "Such an important item is too dangerous to carry around. The portrait must have been hidden by Shen Bitiao in some place. Therefore, if we can find the portrait and retrieve the will, we can put Hu Weiyong to death and avenge the respected house and your brother's grievances." Liu Jing wiped her tears and said, "How could I not want revenge? However, I have truly never heard of the matter regarding the will. The residence where Shen Bitiao previously lived has not yet been sold. If you three go there to search, I can help you." Gu Qiuhan smiled bitterly and said, "Hu Weiyong is cunning and resourceful; how could he not have thought of that place? I fear he has already sent someone to search it thoroughly."

Zhang Min listened attentively and was quite surprised. He sighed deeply and said: "However, apart from me, no one will believe your words. Nowadays, Hu Weiyong is immensely powerful, and the Emperor himself probably does not believe that he harbors any treasonous intentions. It seems that seeking to overturn the case will be quite difficult."

The person knelt straight on the ground with their back to the stone door, showing no reaction to the opening of the door or Gu Qiuhan's exclamation. This was a spacious main burial chamber, where some Buddhist items were scattered about. On the front wall, there was another door, which should lead to the place where the remains of Master Baozhi were kept.

Three people rushed in, and Liu Jing lit the candles on the candlestick. What appeared before the three was indeed a chaotic scene. Liu Jing gritted his teeth and cursed, "As an official of the court, you are no different from a bandit!" Gu Qiuhan smiled wryly and said, "They haven't torn the house apart, which is already showing some mercy. Why don't you take another look to see if there are any hidden places?"

Gu Qiuhan took a moment to rest and said, "I will go check the top of the tower." Shen Bitiao did not possess lightness skills, and it was already quite difficult for her to enter the Baofang Tower. If it were said that she had hidden something at the top of the tower, only a fool would believe it. However, Gu Qiuhan was in a state of desperation and was willing to try anything; if he did not go up to take a look, he would never be satisfied. He grasped the window frame with both hands, flipped himself up, hooked his feet onto the eaves, and with a push, he reached the top of the tower. The peak of the tower was very steep and difficult to stand on. As soon as Gu Qiuhan steadied himself, he grabbed the tower spire to prevent himself from slipping down. He grasped the window frame with both hands, flipped himself up, hooked his feet onto the eaves, and with a push, he reached the top of the tower. The peak of the tower was very steep and difficult to stand on. As soon as Gu Qiuhan steadied himself, he grabbed the tower spire to prevent himself from slipping down.

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An overwhelming sense of desolation surged within Gu Qiuhan's heart. Facing such misfortune, one could only attribute it to bad luck. However, compared to Shen Bitiao and the innkeeper of Yun Jin Inn, he was far more fortunate. As long as he was still alive, there remained a hope for vindication, whereas they would never have that opportunity again

In this moment and place, the former superior and subordinate meet, both feeling deeply moved. Gu Qiuhan gives a strained smile and says, "Lord Zhang, I..." Zhang Min interrupts, saying, "No need to say more, I know you have been wronged." "Oh?" Gu Qiuhan looks at him with a mix of confusion and relief.

Liu Jing held the candlestick in his hand and pushed open the door to the eastern room. Since Shen Bitiao moved out, the house had become empty, with almost no furnishings left. However, the only remaining wardrobe had now fallen to the ground, and an object rolled out, immediately capturing Liu Jing's attention

Gu Qiuhan examined the jade carving closely and discerned that it depicted a woman, vividly lifelike and remarkably expressive, yet no matter how he looked at it, it did not resemble Shen Bitiao. This jade statue was quite valuable, but it was not what they were searching for, and Gu Qiuhan let out a slight sigh of disappointment. Suddenly, he heard Shen Bisha ask, "Did you not recognize who this jade statue is?" Gu Qiuhan was taken aback by her unexpected question and retorted, "Who is it?" Shen Bisha took a deep breath and, with a serious expression, uttered two words, "Thirteen."

Gu Qiuhan pulled a candle from the candlestick, extinguished it with a breath, and hid it in his bosom. He left the courtyard with Shen Bisha and hurried westward, arriving at the Dulong Hill on the southwest slope of Shenlie Mountain, where he beheld the Baofang Gong Tower standing quietly in the night like an old monk in the twilight. After the Southern Dynasties high monk Baozhi passed away, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty built this five-tiered wooden pagoda at his burial site and gradually expanded it into a temple named Kaishan Jing She. At that time, Buddhism was flourishing, and there were over seventy Buddhist temples in the vicinity of Shenlie Mountain, but Kaishan Jing She was the most grand, known as the first Zen forest of Shenlie Mountain. After the Southern Dynasties high monk Baozhi passed away, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty built this five-tiered wooden pagoda at his burial site and gradually expanded it into a temple named Kaishan Jing She. At that time, Buddhism was flourishing, and there were over seventy Buddhist temples in the vicinity of Shenlie Mountain, but Kaishan Jing She was the most grand, known as the first Zen forest of Shenlie Mountain. After Zhu Yuanzhang established the capital in Yingtian, he designated this place as a royal cemetery, and all the temples were relocated, leaving only the tomb tower of this high monk preserved in its original location.

The three fell into a temporary silence, and the room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. After a long while, Gu Qiuhan finally spoke: "If her purpose is merely to take revenge for Shen Bitiao, why would she need to conceal it from us? Moreover, she knows much more than we do, and my impression is that she is inscrutable and profound. Her true identity must not be easy to guess." As she spoke, she took the jade statue from Liu Jing's hands, examined it closely, and suddenly noticed a line of small characters engraved on the base. Because this jade statue closely resembled Shisan, everyone was greatly astonished and thus failed to notice it. Furthermore, she knows much more than we do, and my impression is that she is inscrutable and profound. Her true identity must not be easy to guess." As she spoke, she took the jade statue from Liu Jing's hands, examined it closely, and suddenly noticed a line of small characters engraved on the base. Because this jade statue closely resembled Shisan, everyone was greatly astonished and thus failed to notice it.

The carriage is spacious and comfortable, allowing three people to stretch their legs and backs; although it is a long journey, it is not particularly arduous. Shisan has been much quieter than usual, appearing to be deep in thought, while Shen Bisha remains as taciturn as ever. Only Gu Qiuhan cannot bear the silence, looking at this and then at that, and asks Shen Bisha: "Miss Shen, after your sister's incident, you secretly pursued the murderer, but how did you end up in Nanyang?"

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"Is he dead?" Liu Jing said with emotion, "Did my late father have any paintings to gift her?"

Gu Qiuhan lowered his head and saw the nine characters "Midnight at the Zishi Hour, Baofang Gong Tower Top" engraved with shallow and fine strokes. If it were not for Gu Qiuhan's exceptional eyesight, it would indeed be difficult to notice their existence. "What does the Baofang Gong Tower of Shenlie Mountain mean?" Gu Qiuhan furrowed his brows tightly, falling into deep contemplation. After reading it, Liu Jing and Shen Bisha also shook their heads in confusion.

Liu Jing said in confusion: "I have never heard of either the portrait or the will."

Gu Qiuhan said: "While Hu Weiyong is gathering forces from the rivers and lakes to hunt me down, he is also instructing the imperial guards to kill without question. If we do not come up with a solution soon, I fear it will be very difficult to survive until the truth is revealed. Along this journey, we should spread rumors, making Hu Weiyong believe that we know the location where my sister is hiding the portrait. Only in this way will he leave us alive."

Gu Qiuhan nodded and said, "What the second young master said is not without reason, but we have no calculations to make, and we do not care about the hardships of this trip. Later, the second young master can stay behind to continue searching for clues, while Miss Shen and I will go to the Baofang Tower. We will act separately, which will not hinder our progress; we can just consider it a stroke of luck. " Liu Jing noticed the flicker in his eyes and understood his true intention for wanting to stay behind. It was likely because Thirteen had yet to appear, and it was necessary to leave someone to wait for her. Since he could not perform lightness skills, going with them would only add to the trouble. Thus, he said, "Alright, you all be careful and return quickly."

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Liu Jing exclaimed, "Ah! That scoundrel Hu Weiyong actually harbors malicious intent?" Gu Qiuhan replied, "Your esteemed house sees through it all, clearly understanding Hu Weiyong's ambitions. The death of your esteemed house is likely related to this matter." Upon mentioning the death of Liu Bowen, Liu Jing's face instantly turned furious, his fists clenched tightly, making cracking sounds, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "That scoundrel instructed the imperial physician to poison the medicine. My late father had reported this to the Emperor, but the Emperor remained indifferent, leaving my father deeply disheartened, which led him to resign and return home. After my father's death, my elder brother sought out Hu Weiyong for an explanation, but he was also forced to death by Hu's cronies." As he spoke, his teeth clenched in anger, he continued, "That scoundrel instructed the imperial physician to poison the medicine. My late father had reported this to the Emperor, but the Emperor remained indifferent, leaving my father deeply disheartened, which led him to resign and return home. After my father's death, my elder brother sought out Hu Weiyong for an explanation, but he was also forced to death by Hu's cronies." At this point, tears streamed down his face.

The prosperity of Yingtianfu remains unchanged. After so many days, people seem to have gradually forgotten the series of bloody incidents that occurred around them. They work at sunrise and rest at sunset; nothing can permanently alter the normal course of life. Only during tea breaks or after meals do people occasionally discuss the Yun Jin Inn and Shen Bitiao.

Gu Qiuhan said, "I am currently doing my utmost to search for the memorial of Cheng Yibo. If the accusations against Hu Weiyong regarding treason listed in the memorial are true, would the Emperor still condone him?" Zhang Minzhong's eyes lit up as he replied, "Indeed, that memorial is the key to success or failure. As long as it has not been destroyed by Hu Weiyong, we must spare no effort to find it. This not only concerns your innocence but also the stability of the nation. If you need my assistance, do not hesitate to ask." Gu Qiuhan responded, "I am in a position of guilt; even if I find the memorial, it would be difficult for me to present it to the Emperor. At that time, I would have to trouble you, my lord." Zhang Minzhong said, "This is simple. You just need to find the memorial, and I will take care of the rest." Gu Qiuhan repeatedly expressed his gratitude, and after Zhang Minzhong gave a few more reminders, he went home.

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After entering the city, the four individuals dispersed, vanishing into the bustling streets filled with crowds. Along the way, they had made arrangements, choosing to scatter in the most densely populated areas, causing their pursuers to be unable to keep track of them. After successfully evading capture, they planned to reconvene at Shen Bitiao's former residence at Xiao Fen Bridge at the second watch of the night

Gu Qiuhan knocked on the courtyard door, and after the old family member reported, he led the three into the living room to take their seats. Before long, a young man in his twenties came out and cupped his hands towards the three, saying: "I am Liu Jing, may I ask what brings you here?" Upon seeing Shen Bisha, his expression changed immediately, and he exclaimed: "Miss Shen!"

Gu Qiuhan said with a wry smile: "I do not know her identity either, only that she shares our common goal of finding evidence of Hu Weiyong's rebellion, but the reason for her actions remains unknown."

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Gu Qiuhan said: "It is indeed your esteemed residence that invited Ma Wenbi to create a portrait for Shen Bitiao." Liu Jing furrowed his brows tightly, pondering for a while, then shook his head and said: "Back in the day, when Mr. Ma visited my home, my late father did express a desire to invite him to paint, but it was merely a casual mention. The next day, Mr. Ma hurriedly left and did not present any artwork. Furthermore, my late father appreciated Mr. Ma's artistic skills and sought a painting from him; what does that have to do with Shen Bitiao? When did my late father ever request a painting for her?"

Gu Qiuhan said, "Every time they find me, it doesn't take much effort; there's no escaping it. The urgent matter is how to preserve our lives." Shen Bisha replied, "He is right; the Imperial Guard is all-pervasive, especially those from the martial world, who always have many ways to track us down." Shisan scoffed, "Do you enjoy flattering him so much? You agree with whatever he proposes." Shen Bisha's face turned cold as she said, "What do you mean by that?" Gu Qiuhan frowned and said, "Stop arguing. The three of us are in the same predicament now; if we don't unite and work together, it will truly be beyond saving." The two women exchanged a glare and fell silent.

If these words were left by Shen Bitiao, could it be that she is intentionally hinting at some secret? If she hid the portrait at the top of the Baofang Tower, why would she also include the time? Gu Qiuhan pondered, "Strange, since Hu Weiyong has already sent someone to visit here, even if they did not see these words, how could they possibly overlook such a exquisite treasure?"

As the sounds of people gradually faded, Gu Qiuhan left the tavern, chose a path, and arrived near the Little Pink Bridge. In the distance, he spotted a horse-head wall inscribed with "Five Mountains Facing the Sky," characterized by its white walls and black ridge tiles, standing slightly taller than the surrounding buildings. According to Liu Jing's description, this should be the place. Gu Qiuhan quickened his pace, and as he approached, he saw a figure quietly standing on the stone steps—it was Shen Bisha.

Everyone thought it was not a good idea, and they couldn't help but feel lazy, realizing that this trip to Wuyang might be in vain. However, Liu Jing disagreed and said: "Is it easier to find something in someone else's house compared to finding something in your own house?" Gu Qiuhan immediately understood and praised: "Indeed, if the second young master is willing to make a trip himself, he might discover clues that others find difficult to locate"

Gu Qiuhan's leg injury has healed, and as he walks, his speed is like the wind. He strides down Huashi Street and enters a bustling tavern at Dagongfang. After days of running around without significant gains, Gu Qiuhan inevitably feels physically and mentally exhausted. However, he is not the type to lose his appetite when in a bad mood. Taking a moment to relax amidst his busy schedule, he orders food and drinks, enjoying them by himself. Of course, he is still a wanted murderer and does not dare to indulge too much. After quenching his thirst for alcohol, he hurriedly leaves the tavern. It is still early, and he plans to visit the Yunjin Inn. After several days, he is eager to see what the place that unjustly caused him so much suffering has become.

Shen Bisha looked at Gu Qiuhan and teased, "Then you should ask him."

Zhang Minzhong said: "At that time, I saw Shen Bitiao was stabbed five times, each wound fatal, and I felt that such a cruel murder should not have been committed by you. Later, both the innkeeper and Lu Lishuang died, and I thought you had no reason to kill the innkeeper, while Lu Li was a well-known assassin. The fact that he died alongside the innkeeper also seemed suspicious. Unfortunately, Hu Weiyong ordered the Imperial Guard to take full responsibility for this case, prohibiting the Ministry of Justice from intervening. I wanted to seek justice for you, but I felt powerless."

Ascending to the fifth level, one could see a towering pillar reaching up to the dome at the center. The pillar was adorned with numerous depictions of deities, its colors aged, with some areas of the paint having already chipped away. The top level was originally much narrower than the ones below, and with the presence of this towering pillar, it further intensified the feeling of oppression. Gu Qiuhan inserted a candle into the gaps of the floor and said, "The treasure-seeking tower's summit refers to this place; let us see if there are any suspicious aspects."

If it is said that the spire can conceal something, it can only be this tower's finial. However, the finial is made of cast copper, and unless there was a mechanism set up when the tower was built, Shen Bitiao could never have hidden the portrait within it. Gu Qiuhan began his meticulous search from the base of the tower, inch by inch, moving up to the lotus pedestal, the inverted bowl, and the wheel of law, yet he found not a single flaw. He could not help but feel greatly disappointed, letting out a long sigh and looking around in confusion. Standing atop the tall tower, his view suddenly opened up, revealing the mountains and the night merging into one. In the space between heaven and earth, everything felt so ethereal and insubstantial, and at this moment, was his own mood not equally empty?

Then wouldn't we also be exposed?" Thirteen widened his eyes

Along the way, Gu Qiuhan spread rumors, and by the seventh day, he arrived at Wuyang Village in Wencheng County. Liu Ji was a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, renowned in his hometown, and his former residence was well-known locally. Gu Qiuhan settled the fare and inquired about the specific location of Liu's residence, then walked there with his two daughters. Traditionally, officials returning to their hometowns after achieving success would often buy property and enjoy their remaining years. However, Liu Ji merely renovated his old home, which was a modest five-room courtyard that appeared quite simple, hardly matching his status and position. The three of them stood in front of the door, all expressing their astonishment, for Liu Ji had claimed the "Red Plum Formation" as his own. Gu Qiuhan's respect for him diminished significantly, but upon seeing his residence, which was no different from that of an ordinary person, he could not help but feel a surge of emotions. He realized that no one is perfect and that it is indeed unwise to draw conclusions based on a single matter. Liu Ji's character is undoubtedly a model for all officials in the world.

Shen Bitiao was a renowned courtesan, and Liu Ji cherished her greatly, which caused deep shame for his two sons. It was precisely due to the sons' obstruction that Liu Ji did not marry Shen Bitiao. After Liu Ji's death, his eldest son Liu Lian could not wait to return to Yingtian, expelling Shen Bitiao and reclaiming the residence, clearly demonstrating the brothers' disdain for her. Upon hearing about his late father and Shen Bitiao, Liu Jing was slightly taken aback and said displeasedly, "My father had little interaction with Shen Bitiao, there is nothing much to discuss." Gu Qiuhan sighed and said, "Miss Shen has already passed away; it was because of a painting gifted by your esteemed family that she was killed by someone sent by Hu Weiyong." After Liu Ji's death, his eldest son Liu Lian could not wait to return to Yingtian, expelling Shen Bitiao and reclaiming the residence, clearly demonstrating the brothers' disdain for her. Upon hearing about his late father and Shen Bitiao, Liu Jing was slightly taken aback and said displeasedly, "My father had little interaction with Shen Bitiao, there is nothing much to discuss." Gu Qiuhan sighed and said, "Miss Shen has already passed away; it was because of a painting gifted by your esteemed family that she was killed by someone sent by Hu Weiyong."

Liu Jing pondered, "So, it can be said that the identity of Shisan is originally a mystery? The fact that her statue can appear here clearly indicates that her relationship with Shen Bitiao is extraordinary"

Gu Qiuhan exclaimed, "You are indeed a meticulous young lady. If you hadn't mentioned it, I truly wouldn't have noticed. But how could there be a statue of thirteen here? This... this is simply unbelievable"

Gu Qiuhan felt increasingly puzzled, so he simply returned to the tower. Recently, he had endured too many grievances, and his mood was particularly oppressive. Encountering such a bizarre incident, he couldn't help but become furious, vowing not to rest until he found the answer. The only thing he needed to investigate was the ground of the lower level, as beneath the tower lay the tomb of Master Baozhi, the only place capable of hiding a person. Upon closer inspection, he indeed discovered something suspicious. The ground of the lower level was paved with stone slabs, each measuring two feet square. Gu Qiuhan held up a candle and examined them, finding that the slabs were covered with over an inch of dust, except for one slab that was completely clean, only covered with a slight layer of dust. Looking at the gaps around this slab, he found signs of looseness. At that moment, Gu Qiuhan could no longer care about anything else. He used his fingertips to pry at the seams of the slab, exerting force to lift it, and was suddenly met with a gust of cold wind, revealing a pitch-black opening.

Liu Jing asked: "Who exactly is the Thirteenth Young Lady?"

Thirteen: "Perhaps your esteemed father intends to keep this from you, after all, it is something that could bring about great trouble. The list contains the charges against Hu Weiyong for treason!"

Both men were taken aback and examined the jade statue again. After being reminded by Shen Bisha, they indeed found it increasingly reminiscent of the Thirteenth, even the playful smile at the corner of the lips was strikingly similar

The two exchanged greetings, and not long after, Liu Jing also arrived. However, even when the second drum sounded, there was still no sign of Shisan. The crowd inevitably grew anxious. Gu Qiuhan craned his neck to look around, thinking to himself: "This girl is usually the most impatient; why is she so calm today, arriving so late? Could it be that something unexpected has happened?" As this thought crossed his mind, he felt a tightening in his chest, secretly regretting not having brought her along. A girl who does not know martial arts, if she were to encounter the minions of Hu Weiyong, the consequences could be imagined.

Liu Jing took out the key, unlocked the door, and entered the courtyard. Next was Shen Bisha, while Gu Qiuhan reluctantly withdrew her gaze, shook her head, and sighed. Only then did she step over the threshold and close the door properly. This was a well-organized small courtyard, with a courtyard not large, approximately two zhang square, with eaves corridors on both sides, and no side rooms. Liu Jing quickly walked to the front door of the main house and exclaimed: "The lock has been broken!" Gu Qiuhan had already anticipated that Hu Weiyong would be the first to act, so she was not surprised and smiled, saying: "If it were intact, that would be unusual."

At this moment, it was not yet midnight; a full moon hung in the sky, and moonlight poured down from the tower's peak, illuminating the nearby area in a hazy glow. The enormous shadow of the tower lay sprawled on the ground, resembling a woman's coiled hair bun atop her head. Shen Bisha said, "The time has not yet come; shall we wait a bit longer before going up?" Gu Qiuhan replied, "Let's go up and take a look first." The two of them went straight to the base of the tower, soaring through the air like two delicate butterflies, landing on the first layer of the eaves. Gu Qiuhan forcefully pushed open the window, and a wave of the scent of decayed wood rushed towards him. He first leaned in to look inside, confirming there was no danger, then pressed with both hands and floated into the tower, with Shen Bisha following closely behind.

Shen Bisha said softly, "No matter what, we should go to the Baofang Gong Tower at midnight to investigate the matter." Liu Jing replied, "The Baofang Gong Tower is a five-story wooden pagoda, with the remains of the monk Baozhi buried below. Although the tower is hollow, it has windows but no doors. How could Shen Bitao, a frail woman, hide a portrait at the top of the tower? Moreover, the so-called 'midnight hour' clearly does not refer to tonight's midnight hour. I believe these few words are mostly unrelated to Shen Bitao's portrait."

"What is this?" He bent down to pick up the object, and the three of them gathered together to take a look. They discovered that it was a small jade statue, less than half a foot tall, entirely pure white, and under the illumination of the candlelight, it emitted a faint, clear radiance. Liu Jingqi said in wonder, "This is not something from our Liu family; could it be that Shen Bitiao left it here?"

Having narrowly escaped a great disaster this time, the three of them each had their own reflections. The next step was to find Liu Bowen's will and bring down Hu Weiyong. Shisan believed that Shen Bitiao had hidden the portrait and that they should respond to the heavens by searching for clues. However, Gu Qiuhan felt that this would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, extremely difficult. It would be better to first visit Liu Bowen's hometown and inquire with his son, Liu Jing, about the situation back then, as it might yield unexpected results. Thus, the three of them rested for a night, and the next day at dawn, they entrusted the innkeeper's assistant to hire a horse-drawn carriage and set off for Wuyang Village in Wencheng County, Wenzhou.

Liu Jing smiled and said, "Forgive my frankness, but the two of you have been inseparable along the way, looking out for each other. Moreover, she often seems to be jealous of Miss Shen, whether intentionally or not. I thought you two were a couple."

Liu Jing was also eager for revenge, so he quickly made arrangements and had his servants prepare the carriage and horses, setting off immediately. Gu Qiuhan and the others took half a month for their round trip. Perhaps his strategy was effective, as there had been peace and quiet for several consecutive days. However, the group noticed that it seemed as if there were always some eyes watching them, suspecting that Hu Weiyong had believed the rumors and instructed his subordinates to monitor their movements, following them closely in order to find that portrait

In the air, a mixture of dampness, mold, and various other odors lingered. It is likely that the first visitors to this tower after its completion were the two of them. Except for the window that Gu Qiuhan had pushed open, all the others were tightly shut, and the moonlight could not penetrate, leaving the tower in complete darkness. Gu Qiuhan took out a candle and lit it, revealing a layer of dust covering the ground and cobwebs crisscrossing the space. Near the opposite wall, there was a wooden staircase. The two walked over, and due to years of neglect, the floor had developed many cracks. Stepping on it produced creaking sounds, as if it would collapse with the slightest pressure. Gu Qiuhan reminded Shen Bisha, "When we go upstairs later, try to use lightness skill and avoid stepping heavily on the stairs." Although his voice was low, it still echoed in the empty tower.

Gu Qiuhan returned to the tower in a huff, expecting Shen Bisha to immediately inquire about the results. However, within the tower, not even a shadow of Shen Bisha could be seen. He called out a couple of times, but aside from the echo, there was no response. "Strange, where could she have gone?" Gu Qiuhan muttered as he searched below, calling out as he walked, but even after reaching the ground floor, he still did not see her. It was then that Gu Qiuhan realized something was amiss. He broke a window and jumped outside, but all he could see was the vast night and the undulating mountains; Shen Bisha had vanished without a trace!

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Gu Qiuhan said tearfully, "Thank you, my lord, for your trust in me. This case is highly complex and involves many parties. Let us find another place where I can report everything to you in detail." Zhang Minzhong nodded. The two of them ventured deeper into the alley and stopped in a secluded spot. Gu Qiuhan recounted how, after returning home drunk one night, he encountered Shen Bitiao and how he was wrongfully accused in a muddled situation. He explained how Lu Li mistakenly killed the innkeeper and was subsequently killed by him, including the legacy of Liu Bowen and the malicious intentions of Hu Weiyong, recounting everything in full.