Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 408 - 383: The Pain of Mr. Shen the Second

Chapter 408: Chapter 383: The Pain of Mr. Shen the Second

At the instant Shen Qi heard these words, his face changed drastically.

What a joke!

Under the leadership of Pharaoh, Legalism’s greatest enemy was the Heavenly Punishment Sect.

Pharaoh had four disciples.

The second disciple had committed wrongdoings. The eldest disciple pleaded for mercy on his behalf and traded his own life to save the life of the second disciple, who was then imprisoned in the deepest part of the Ministry of Punishment’s dungeon.

The reason the second disciple’s misdeeds were exposed was due to the handiwork of the Heavenly Punishment Sect.

The third disciple infiltrated the Heavenly Punishment Sect and, upon being discovered, met a gruesome death.

It was said that the fourth disciple was involved in disgraceful acts and then left the Great Sui, disappearing without a trace.

Out of the four disciples, three suffered death or imprisonment because of the Heavenly Punishment Sect.

Since then, although Legalism did not partake in the suppression of the Heavenly Punishment Sect, it remained very cautious of its infiltration.

Especially since some teachings of the Heavenly Punishment Sect somewhat aligned with Legalism’s ideas, this infuriated Pharaoh even more, leading him to repeatedly issue orders prohibiting any contact between members of Legalism and the Heavenly Punishment Sect.

And now his little sister had joined the Heavenly Punishment Sect?

"Second Brother, are you sure?"

"I saw it with my own eyes—grey hair, blue eyes. Even though she was veiled, we are siblings! Could I possibly be mistaken?"

Shen Qi inhaled sharply at these words, silent for a long while.

"Did anyone else see our little sister?"

"Zhang San saw her. Just now in Jude Fang in the west of the city, another floating corpse case occurred—this time a family of three was struck down by thunder. It looks like our little sister’s doing. That’s why Zhang San was chasing her. But he didn’t catch up; she escaped."

Shen Qi nodded and steadied his mind, saying, "No matter, Zhang San might not necessarily know who she is. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be asking around. If anyone asks you about this matter, just say you only saw Zhang San when you gave chase. You attacked Zhang San but he escaped."

Shen Erxian nodded and said, "That’s what I plan on doing."

"Alright then. Recently, the capital has been uneasy, even Shen Wei is on sick leave. It’s normal for you to request leave due to an injury. But... are you injured?"

Shen Qi looked sceptically at Shen Erxian, who grimaced and said, "I’m definitely not injured! Could Zhang San of True Core Realm Qi Flow Transformation possibly hurt me?"

Shen Qi nodded slightly and said, "That’s true, after all, Zhang San doesn’t have my tricks."

As he spoke, Shen Qi glanced at Shen Erxian.

Realizing something was amiss, Shen Erxian just thought of running away when Shen Qi rushed forward with a palm strike.

Boom Boom Boom—

The walls of the study, the walls of the courtyard of the study, and the blue stones along the outside pathway... all shattered.

Lying on the ground spitting blood, Shen Erxian began to wonder if seeing his little sister today meant that he was already doomed to face retribution.

Spitting blood, Shen Erxian returned to his room and lay down on his bed directly.

A servant came to ask, "Second Master, do you need any medicine or food prepared?"

"No need. I’ve been seriously injured by the bandit Zhang San and need to rest. Everyone, please leave. Just prepare some hot water and pastries for the room."

Due to the matter of his little sister, Shen Erxian had lost his appetite.

However, just as Shen Erxian lay down for a moment, he began to hear the sounds of someone eating and drinking in the room.

Guessing it was Shen Bao coming to check on him and not wanting to wake him, but tempted by the pastries.

"Can’t you eat a little quieter..."

With a face full of anger, Shen Erxian turned his head and saw Zhang San, who was feasting voraciously.

His expression immediately shifted to a smile, and he asked, "You’re here? Is there enough to eat?"

Zhang San shook his head and said, "How come there isn’t even a drop of alcohol in your room. Shen Bao’s room has more hidden booze than yours!"

"What! The little rascal is hiding alcohol in his room to drink!?"

Second Master Shen jumped out of bed in a rage.

"Don’t be angry, Second Master. His room just has some hidden alcohol and some unsightly paintings, that’s all. It’s not like he’s hiding any criminals wanted by the decree of the Emperor. Why the panic?"

Looking at the very criminal wanted by the decree of the Emperor, who was right in his room, Second Master Shen had no choice but to sit down.

"Oh dear—"

Second Master Shen forgot that he had just hurt his bottom and, upon sitting down, immediately jumped up again.

"Second Master, that’s enough. You don’t need to act like this in front of me! And to be honest, the timing and expression of your reaction to the pain were spot on."

"I really am hurt!" Second Master Shen felt so wronged!

"Yes, yes, you are hurt."

After finishing the last piece of pastry and taking a sip of water, Zhang San asked, "Did you find out the identities of the family of three who died today?"

Second Master Shen huffed angrily, "Am I, the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture, working for you, Zhang San?"

"See! I am investigating the Floating Corpse Case on the Emperor’s orders. Helping me is like alleviating the Emperor’s troubles."

Second Master Shen shook his head. "I don’t know."

"Well, the identities of the four young men who died in the great wind before, you must have found those, right?"

"The dossier is in Shen Bao’s room. I didn’t expect you to come to me for it."

Zhang San nodded and asked, "Can you tell me generally what their identities are?"

"Heh, heh... Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence. These four individuals are all illegitimate sons, each with a wealthy grandfather. Originally, their grandfathers were serving King Dai, but after getting caught embezzling silver, they were expelled from King Dai’s Mansion. Luckily, they kept their lives."

"King Dai?"

"Before the Emperor ascended the throne, he eliminated the Five Kings of the Yuwen Imperial Clan of Northern Zhou, one of whom was King Dai."

King Dai?

Yuwen Imperial Clan?

Zhang San couldn’t help but think, those who died in the Ba River on the east were once guards of the Emperor.

Those who died above the Qu Pond Fang in the southeast were officials whom the Emperor of the Northern Zhou wished to bestow a family name.

The eight who died on Shouyang Mountain to the southwest were a family given the surname Yuwen.

Now, the four young men who died in the northwest were all illegitimate children, all born to men who once served in King Dai’s Mansion, but somehow, they all ended up together?

"These Five Kings have been dead for over twenty years? Did they have any descendants?"

Second Master Shen moved closer to Zhang San, leaning over because of the pain in his bottom, and whispered in his ear, "The Emperor even had his own maternal grandson killed back then. The former Empress, now the Chamber Head of Changle, supposedly doesn’t recognize the Emperor as her grandfather even now! Do you think the Emperor would allow the Five Kings to leave descendants?"

Zhang San nodded and then shook his head.

"The Emperor obviously wouldn’t leave any, but the Five Kings were Imperial Clan, wealthy, powerful, and prestigious, with many wives and concubines. It wouldn’t be impossible for one or two to slip through... Wait! Did you say the Chamber Head of Changle?"

In that moment, Zhang San suddenly thought of Lady Yu, the sister he recognized.

"Second Master, I need a favor. There was a fire in the Imperial Palace up north recently, and nine people died, right? I need all the identity information and data on their relationships that you can provide."

Second Master Shen finally saw Zhang San asking for his help and immediately responded, "Then leave at once! Leave at once, and I will find a way to get you the information on those nine people. Since it involves people from the Imperial Palace, the Town Martial Office can hardly cope, so it’s up to me."

"Of course, that’s why I didn’t go to anyone else’s home but came here to the Shen Family. Who else has your capabilities, Second Master Shen?"

"Get out, get out! You’re still wanted by others, stop visiting my house so frequently!"

"Got it! Next time I need something, I’ll go straight to the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s Government Office to find you!"

Saying that, Zhang San stood up, climbed out the back window, and left Second Master Shen’s room.

Second Master Shen pondered over Zhang San’s last words, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Damn it, how did he get mixed up with such a disaster!