Chapter 1423: Key Suspects

King Yao changed his posture, leaning sideways with his chin propped in his hand. You Rongzhi knew this was his way of suppressing emotions and preparing for a serious, in-depth discussion.

As expected, King Yao's next question was: "Tell me, is it possible that someone from Qingyang did this?"

You Rongzhi had harbored this very question since he first heard of Xue Zongwu's death.

"That... it's truly hard to say."

"Even if it's hard to say, you must speak," King Yao urged him. "I want the truth; do not be evasive!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, yes," You Rongzhi said, steadying himself. "If the murderer is someone else, then whoever benefits the most has the greatest suspicion. However, General Xue had so many enemies that it's difficult to list all those who would gain from his death."

King Yao's gaze flickered slightly, but he did not nod.

Xue Zongwu was infamous, with enemies as numerous as clouds, each wishing him dead. If "benefiting" included successful revenge, then the list of suspects would be endless.

"If the killer is truly the leader of the Black Armored Army," You Rongzhi continued, "I believe this person might not act out of clear self-interest, which makes it even harder to speculate. When searching for a killer, one typically starts with the motive."

If no motive can be found, how can one analyze the situation?

"On the Shanjin Plains, is there anyone who truly disregards self-interest?" King Yao scoffed. "You simply haven't perceived it, but their ambitions are profound, and they conceal them expertly!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, you are absolutely correct," You Rongzhi replied. "Therefore, the true identity of the Black Armored Army leader is both the key focus and the main mystery of this investigation." Knowing what King Yao was about to ask, he quickly added, "Recalling General Xue's immense strength and abundant vital energy, it's almost unbelievable that the Black Armored Army leader could kill him in direct combat. Such formidable power is truly astonishing."

Xue Zongwu must have fully utilized his vital energy before his death. If the Great Emperor Jiuyou was only marginally stronger than Xue Zongwu, how could he possibly have defeated him?

And how could a powerful individual capable of easily defeating Xue Zongwu possibly be an obscure, unknown figure?

"Reflecting on the sudden appearance of this individual and this army, there was no warning," You Rongzhi continued. "Yet their combat skills are highly proficient, and they move like the wind, indicating they are backed by at least several thousand regular troops. I've heard discussions within the military that there are actually very few forces on the Shanjin Plains capable of maintaining such an army."

"Not many, you say?" King Yao slowly intoned. "What if we consider forces from beyond the Shanjin Plains? Don't be too narrow-minded."

After all, isn't the Supervisor of Qingyang from beyond the Shanjin Plains?

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the imperial study, and Bai Tan, another of King Yao's trusted ministers, sought an audience.

He too had received an urgent summons and had rushed to attend.

This stout man, in his fifties, had once been a leading general for the State of Yao and now served in the Ministry of Justice, giving him considerable insight into both civil and military affairs. King Yao had summoned him, eager to hear his perspective.

Bai Tan had clearly already heard of Xue Zongwu's death. After bowing, he immediately declared, "Your Majesty, I have received word that the tribal chief of Mubang claims to be Jiuyou... that is, the leader of the Black Armored Army!"

King Yao was somewhat surprised. "The Black Armored Army is from the Mubang tribe?" he questioned.

He then casually asked You Rongzhi, "Minister You, what do you make of the Mubang tribe's claim?"

You Rongzhi candidly replied, "The Mubang tribe is known for its bravery and has accompanied our country on two military campaigns. However, I find it hard to believe that the Mubang chief could have penetrated deep into Mangzhou to assassinate Grand Marshal Xue."

He then turned to Bai Tan and asked, "When did they make this announcement?"

"I heard it was over half a month ago," Bai Tan replied.

At that time, the Black Armored Army had just completed dozens of consecutive kills, and their reputation was spreading, but Xue Zongwu was still very much alive. You Rongzhi gave a sarcastic smile. "If they had known General Xue would be assassinated and killed, would they still have dared to claim that title?"

"If there's absolutely no connection, then why would they impersonate them?" King Yao said sternly. "Regardless, it's a lead; investigate! I want to know the true extent of the connection between the Mubang tribe and the Black Armored Army!"

Bai Tan immediately assented.

King Yao then asked him the same question: who was the prime suspect in Xue Zongwu's death?

This was a closed-door meeting, with a sound-insulating barrier in place.

Unlike You Rongzhi, Bai Tan did not deliberate and immediately replied, "The Supervisor of Qingyang!"

"Explain yourself."

"General Xue's death benefits only the Supervisor of Qingyang." Everyone present, including King Yao, was keenly aware of this fact.

"If the Supervisor of Qingyang wanted to deal with General Xue, why wouldn't he attack through legal or moral means, but instead resort to assassination?" You Rongzhi shook his head. "The Supervisor of Qingyang has always relied on public exposure and denunciation."

The Supervisor of Qingyang consistently operated with fairness, striking at the opponent's most vulnerable point. This approach was executed with extreme proficiency, leaving King Yao both furious and utterly helpless.

What long-established nation doesn't accumulate deep-seated problems over time? Without an external force like Qingyang, it would be extremely difficult for the Yao Royal Court to reform itself from within.

Bai Tan retorted, "Qingyang is nearly two hundred years old and has been navigating officialdom for over a century; his methods are naturally diverse, not limited to just one or two. While exposure and denunciation might work against others, they wouldn't be sufficient against General Xue."

The implication was that merely exposing and denouncing Xue Zongwu would not be enough; it might wound him, but it certainly wouldn't kill him outright.

As for the reason, everyone present understood.

Being from a military background, he spoke more directly, causing King Yao to purse his lips.

"The Supervisor of Qingyang is ruthless," Bai Tan stated gravely. "Looking at her previous inspections, she either doesn't act at all, or when she does, she aims for complete annihilation. Perhaps she felt that a different approach was needed to deal with General Xue. If a quick result was desired, direct assassination would be the most efficient method. In the State of Beijia, when the Supervisor of Qingyang was still the Imperial Advisor, such incidents were not uncommon. I heard that during the Elixir of Immortality case, the temple that sold the elixir on her behalf was burned to the ground before the investigation could even begin, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Your Majesty, the Supervisor of Qingyang is not above killing; it's merely a matter of necessity!"

"The so-called Black Armored Army's mysterious movements surely point to robust and flexible logistical support. The Black Armored Army leader is incomparably powerful, and it just so happens that the Supervisor of Qingyang brought many formidable individuals from Beijia. Perhaps this leader is one of them."

"What do you make of that black dragon mark?" King Yao asked.

"It's either a divine ability or divine power," Bai Tan stated bluntly. "The Supervisor of Qingyang has been in Lingxu City for so long; he must know many deities!"

You Rongzhi also suggested, "Perhaps we should investigate the recent whereabouts of the Supervisor of Qingyang's subordinates."

"Those people are constantly on the move," Bai Tan said deeply. "For example, He Yang, whom she relies heavily upon, has recently been repeatedly leaving the State of Yao to go to central Shanjin. Their secretive behavior suggests they might be forming the Black Armored Army and engaging in those ridiculous acts of 'delivering justice on behalf of Heaven.'"

King Yao frowned. "Why would she form the Black Armored Army?" he asked.

"Perhaps, in addition to her personal guards, the Supervisor of Qingyang requires another formidable force," Bai Tan mused. "Perhaps she intends to eliminate dissidents under the guise of 'delivering justice on behalf of Heaven,' similar to General Xue's assassination. Or perhaps, this is merely a task assigned to her by Beijia."

When great nations formulate strategies, they only reveal a partial view; without considering the full picture, it's difficult to grasp their true, deeper intentions.

For many years, Beijia had attempted to directly infiltrate Shanjin, but with consistently minimal success, thus having to rely on the State of Yao out of necessity.