Chapter 47: Tracking

This wall was specially designed. It looked like an ordinary wall, but it discreetly incorporated a small, unnoticeable section from each of the two adjacent rooms to create a hidden compartment. Simply put, what appeared to be a regular wall was actually very thick, with a small, hollowed-out compartment hidden within.

At that moment, Gu Mo knocked down the wall with a single palm strike.

The compartment was revealed, and the Poison Spider, who had been hiding inside, took Gu Mo's palm strike head-on. He slumped to the ground, his eyes filled with defiance. He pointed at Gu Mo, trying to speak, but a mouthful of blood choked him, preventing him from uttering a word. His lips twitched twice, then he breathed his last.

Successfully killed a three-star wanted criminal.Received a three-star reward: Max-level 'Stellar Transference'.Claim reward?

Gu Mo silently chose to claim the reward, and in that instant, he cultivated 'Stellar Transference' to the mastery level.

This was an extraordinary divine martial art, originating from Yanziwu in Gusu and serving as the Murong clan's unique skill. It was a technique that used an opponent's strength against them; no matter what martial art an adversary employed, its force could be redirected to rebound onto the opponent themselves or a third party. The more skilled the practitioner, the more ingenious the manner of death. The most exquisite aspect of this martial art was its ability to redirect not only internal energy, but also poisons, weapon techniques, moves, and so on, truly embodying the principle of "returning an opponent's tactics upon them."

"Brother, how did you know this was a fake Poison Spider? And how did you know the real one was hiding inside?" Gu Chudong asked, very surprised.

"Train diligently," Gu Mo replied. "When your internal energy reaches a certain level, you'll even be able to hear the sound of ants clearly."

"Really?" Gu Chudong exclaimed in admiration, filled with reverence. "Brother, has your internal energy become that profound?"

Gu Mo smiled slightly.

He was indeed able to pinpoint the Poison Spider's location using his profound internal energy. However, he realized the 'dead' Poison Spider on the ground was fake because he hadn't received a system prompt. He then understood that the Poison Spider was still alive, and the one on the ground was a decoy. And given how little time had passed, the Poison Spider couldn't have escaped, so he had to be hiding somewhere in the room. Therefore, Gu Mo used his powerful perception to pinpoint the Poison Spider crouching in the wall's hidden compartment. If not for the system, the Poison Spider might actually have gotten away.

"Don't move. I'll cut off this head."

Gu Mo quickly swung his blade, severing the Poison Spider's head. He then wrapped it in a blanket he had brought beforehand and held it in his hand. He warned Gu Chudong, "The Poison Spider is covered in poison. Be very careful. Even dead, you must still be cautious."

"I know," Gu Chudong replied. He nodded, then asked, puzzled, "Brother, do you think the Poison Spider knew we were coming to kill him? Why would he have prepared a fake death decoy beforehand? Honestly, if your profound internal energy hadn't detected something amiss, I wouldn't have noticed at all. His physique and clothes were identical to the Poison Spider's, and even the small, unrotted portion of the face we saw when we first came in looked exactly like him. If you hadn't discovered the issue, I probably would have truly believed the Poison Spider was dead!"

"Hmm..." Gu Mo suddenly froze, then said, "Chudong, I think I've figured something out."

"What?" Gu Chudong asked, confused.

"I've been thinking," Gu Mo said, "if Silver Fox's strength wasn't that immense, then that day at the Wang family estate, for him to silently kill over a dozen Six-Fan Gate masters, he must have disguised himself as someone the Six-Fan Gate constables trusted, just like how Zhuo Qingfeng was ambushed by Xiao Xuan. But there was one problem: even if they trusted him, even if they were caught off guard and ambushed, it's impossible for over a dozen Six-Fan Gate masters and Wang Yuanbao to all line up and offer their necks to be cut. How could it be that none of them had a chance to call for help or resist? I couldn't figure it out before, but now I understand."

As Gu Mo spoke, he weighed the severed head in his hand. "An expert in disguise gains trust," he said, "then uses a meticulously prepared poison from a master of poisons. If those Six-Fan Gate constables lost their ability to resist, wouldn't they be easily killed? Then, the master of poisons would use his methods to conceal any traces of the poison. It was night, an emergency situation, and everyone believed in Silver Fox's immense power, assuming his sword was unimaginably fast. Naturally, no one would carefully check for signs of poisoning. Furthermore, the Poison Spider's poison wasn't something ordinary people could detect."

Gu Chudong nodded. "Brother," he said, "I think your speculation is correct."

"Another question," Gu Mo continued, "which was your recent confusion: why would the Poison Spider have prepared a decoy here?"

"Why?" Gu Chudong asked.

"To fake his death and escape," Gu Mo said. "Just like White-haired Elder and The Scholar, in the eyes of the world, they are all dead."

"What's the purpose?" Gu Chudong asked.

"Exactly, what's the purpose?" Gu Mo said. "White-haired Elder, The Scholar, and this Poison Spider, all involved in this matter, faked their deaths and escaped. They are all in hiding, all presumed dead by the world..."

As he spoke, Gu Mo suddenly looked up and murmured, "Chudong, do you think it's possible we've been mistaken from the very beginning? Since some people can fake their deaths, is it possible that those we thought were truly dead also faked their deaths and prepared decoys beforehand?"

Just as the two of them were walking out of the tavern, a large group of black-clad figures suddenly swarmed from all directions. All carrying weapons, they charged forward without a word.

Gu Mo chuckled softly. "Sister," he said, "it seems we have no choice but to wade into this muddy water. And it's perfect, I also want to meet Silver Fox and test if his sword is truly that fast!"

As he spoke, Gu Mo made his move, and fierce combat began.

***

Yong'an County, Wang Family Manor.

After Chu Yuan and Zhuo Qingfeng entered, they began their investigation, which lasted an entire day. By nightfall, the Wang family arranged lodging for Chu Yuan and his group. Late into the night, Zhuo Qingfeng secretly came to Chu Yuan's room.

Chu Yuan sat up from his bed without lighting a lamp. He asked directly, "Did you find anything today?"

"We didn't find anything," Zhuo Qingfeng replied, "but I noticed something very strange."

"What was it?"

"Everyone in the mansion treats Lady Wang with exceptional respect!"

"What's wrong with that? Lady Wang is the matriarch of the household."

"There's a big problem," Zhuo Qingfeng said. "Wang Yuanbao and Lady Wang were a typical old husband, young wife pairing; Lady Wang isn't even as old as Wang Yuanbao's sons. Now that Wang Yuanbao is dead, she has no backing. For her not to be living miserably, it would mean Wang Yuanbao's sons were truly benevolent. How could she still be the matriarch? Isn't that very strange? Their father is dead; who would treat a stepmother as their mother?"

"What do you intend to do?" Chu Yuan asked.

"I'm going to investigate Lady Wang's background," Zhuo Qingfeng said.

"I'll go with you."

Immediately, the two changed into night-infiltration outfits and stealthily made their way towards Lady Wang's residence. However, as soon as they arrived, they discovered Lady Wang stealthily emerging from her courtyard, wearing a cloak and a hat. The two followed her all the way. Lady Wang actually exited the Wang family manor, went to the city outskirts, and entered a secluded, desolate small courtyard.

Lady Wang stood motionless in the small courtyard. After a moment, she suddenly took off her hat and spoke, "Master Zhuo, Master Chu, you've followed me for so long. Aren't you going to show yourselves?"