Chapter 236: Masked Man

"Zu An?"

Sang Qian's voice rose sharply when he heard the name. Sang Hong, usually composed, couldn't scold his son this time. Instead, he was equally surprised, as the news was completely unexpected. He found it difficult to associate Zu An with an 8th-rank master like Shi Lezhi, let alone believe that Zu An had killed him.

"Brother Shi, you're not mistaken, are you?" Sang Qian asked suspiciously, wondering if Shi Kun, rumored to have his sword broken by Zu An in the academy's backyard, had been so terrified that he exaggerated Zu An's strength to save face. But killing an 8th-rank master was too preposterous.

Sang Hong also disbelieved it, but unlike his son, he remained calm, quietly watching Shi Kun, knowing there had to be more to the story.

Indeed, Shi Kun gave a bitter laugh and said, "I wish I were mistaken..." He then recounted what happened last night and Bian Tai's deductions, naturally omitting unnecessary details like them drugging Qiao Xueying, framing it as a standard capture of a traitor.

"A 9th-rank..." Sang Hong fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Sang Qian then said, "Brother Shi, there's no 9th-rank master in the entire Brightmoon City. Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Knowing they didn't believe him, Shi Kun scoffed, "I've told you what needed to be said. As for believing it or not, that's up to you. Anyway, I'm returning to the capital soon, so whatever happens here will have nothing to do with me."

"Young Master Shi is returning to the capital?" Sang Hong asked, surprised.

"Yes, my family sent word, calling me back for something." Shi Kun was too embarrassed to admit he was scared, so he naturally found an excuse. After saying this, he exchanged a few more pleasantries and then hastily departed.

After he left, Sang Qian wondered, "Father, why would the Shi family recall Shi Kun to the capital at this time?"

Sang Hong replied calmly, "Shi Kun's plans have all failed; there's no point in him staying here. Moreover, Shi Lezhi is dead, so he's probably terrified and naturally took the opportunity to leave."

"What do you think about what he just said? Is there really a mysterious 9th-rank master?" Sang Qian asked curiously.

"We'll know if there is or isn't by asking." Sang Hong got up and turned a porcelain vase on the bookshelf behind him. The bookshelf slid open, revealing a secret room.

Then, a masked man emerged from inside. Sang Qian couldn't help but stare, wondering why his father kept him in the dark, even making him wear a mask at this point.

Sang Hong said gravely, "You heard Shi Kun's words just now. What's your take on it?"

"A 9th-rank? The Chu family shouldn't have such an existence," the man shook his head, somewhat mockingly. "If there truly were a 9th-rank, the patriarch wouldn't be Chu Zhongtian."

Sang Hong hummed, "That's my assessment too. But Shi Lezhi's death in the Chu family doesn't seem fake. What exactly happened?"

"Oh, I remember now," the masked man tapped his forehead. "Last time, Zu An astonished everyone at the family competition. Afterwards, the Chu couple questioned him. He mentioned then that he had received training from an extraordinary individual, but that person left after teaching him."

"What if he was lying, and that extraordinary person never left, remaining by his side!"

Sang Hong nodded, "Highly possible. This also explains why Shi Lezhi died silently inside. He must have learned that Chu Zhongtian left the city, became overconfident, and tried to seize the opportunity to capture Zu An. After all, Shi Kun was severely humiliated by him and surely wanted revenge."

"Unfortunately, he didn't expect a mysterious master hidden behind Zu An. If that person, prepared and taking the other by surprise, launched a sneak attack, they could likely kill Shi Lezhi even if their cultivation was similar."

After roughly deducing this, Sang Hong looked at the masked man, "The problem now is, who exactly is that mysterious master?"

A hint of doubt appeared in the masked man's eyes. "I've been in the Chu family for so many years, and I haven't detected the presence of such a person. Could it be related to Zu An's parents, not someone actually living in the Chu residence?"

Sang Qian interjected, "After the Chu family chose Zu An as a son-in-law, we sent people to investigate his background. We thought he might have some special identity, but according to our findings, he's an orphan raised by his uncle, who also died not long ago."

"We investigated his uncle, but he was just an ordinary person, nothing special."

"An orphan..." Sang Hong fell into thought. "Can't any information about his parents be found?"

"No, we haven't found anything," Sang Qian shook his head, then suddenly felt a jolt of realization. "Could there truly be some secret about his background?"

"Most likely," a glint flashed in Sang Hong's eyes. "There's no unprovoked kindness in this world. I don't believe a good-for-nothing is worth so much effort from a mysterious master. Qian'er, go investigate his background further. See if you can find any clues about his parents."

"Understood!" Sang Qian agreed, though with a hint of difficulty on his face, "But it might not turn up anything. We already investigated very thoroughly before."

"Before, it was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Now, it's a targeted search, so there might be unexpected gains," Sang Hong, experienced in this area, then turned to the masked man, "Of course, besides Qian'er's line of inquiry, I'll also trouble you to investigate within the Chu family and see if you can find that mysterious person."

"No matter how mysterious a person is, as long as they exist in this world, they will leave traces. With careful observation, clues should be found."

The masked man's expression was grave, "Alright, I want to see who this master hidden in the residence truly is. With such a top master hiding there, how could I feel at ease?"

"Then I'll trouble you, Sir," Sang Hong then asked, "By the way, regarding the Chu family and Wang family caravan incident we just discussed, how many people know about it? Will it lead to suspicion on you afterwards?"

"Thank you for your concern, Governor," the masked man cupped his hands. "Don't worry, I wasn't involved in that matter. I learned about it through other channels, so tracing it back won't implicate me."

Sang Hong smiled slightly, "Sir is indeed a seasoned veteran."

"When serving the Governor, one must be careful," the masked man hesitated, then finally spoke, "However, what the Governor promised me before, I wonder..."

"Rest assured, Sang has always been a man of his word," Sang Hong replied. "Chu Zhongtian is ignorant of the times and is destined to be eliminated. When the time comes, the Chu family will be yours, along with the person you long for."

The masked man's eyes showed a hint of embarrassment, "You flatter me, Governor."

"A fair maiden is a good match for a gentleman; it's perfectly normal. There's nothing to laugh about." Sang Hong smiled slightly, "Why did Chu Zhongtian suddenly leave the city last night? Was Miss Chu sick? Did she need to find Divine Doctor Ji overnight?"

"Yes, something was indeed wrong with Chu Chuyan's health," the masked man replied. "Unfortunately, the Chu couple kept her condition strictly confidential; even I don't know the exact situation."

"Could it be a side effect of consuming the Vanishing Illusory Lotus?" Sang Hong fell into thought. Chu Chuyan's strength had greatly increased after returning from the secret realm, and the matter of the Vanishing Illusory Lotus was no longer a secret.

"I've already sent someone to approach Zu An and inquire about Chu Chuyan's news. Once I have further information, I will inform the Governor immediately," the masked man said.

"Good, then I'll trouble you, Sir." Sang Hong bowed slightly.

"You're too kind, Governor Sang," the masked man quickly rose and returned the bow.

After they chatted for a while longer, the masked man took his leave.

After he was gone, Sang Qian complained somewhat, "Father, who exactly is that person? Why are you even hiding it from me?"

Sang Hong replied, "That's his request. His identity is sensitive, and he only wants me to know. Since I promised him, I can't go back on my word."

Knowing his father was always a man of his word, Sang Qian didn't dare say anything, only mumbling to himself about the mystery of the man's identity. Seeing his reaction, Sang Hong secretly shook his head. His son's temperament was still too impulsive, no wonder that person had such a request.

"By the way," Sang Hong's voice suddenly grew cold as he recalled something else, "I heard you're having Zheng Dan approach Zu An?"