Chapter 986: Unexpectedly Shot

The two were startled and quickly followed his gaze, only then noticing a crowd gathered around the delegation's ship at the dock. The person leading them was none other than Sun Xun, who had left earlier.

"Is he trying to cause trouble within the delegation again?" Pei You sneered. They hadn't been afraid at Carefree Pavilion, let alone now that they were back on their home turf.

Hailing from influential aristocratic families in the capital, they naturally viewed provincial folk with a certain disdain. Moreover, carrying the emperor's mandate as imperial envoys, they felt even more entitled to act with impunity.

Gao Ying was more composed. He said in a deep voice, "Let's board the ship from another direction first and see what's going on."

Going to a place like Carefree Pavilion was, after all, not a respectable matter. They worried Sun Xun might use it against them. Since they hadn't shown their faces inside the establishment, they could simply deny everything if truly questioned.

The group quietly boarded the large ship. After changing their clothes, they finally emerged.

Sang Hong was already receiving the visitor. Although Sang Hong's official rank and cultivation were lower than Sun Xun's, his current status as an imperial envoy forced Sun Xun to deal with him cautiously.

"Minister Sang, what's happening?" The group walked over and inquired.

Sang Hong said, "Allow me to introduce you. This is Minister Sun, the Prime Minister of Yan. And these gentlemen are Zu An, the Crown Prince's Household Administrator, and the Feathered Forest Imperial Guard Lieutenant-General..."

After the introductions, the group formally bowed and greeted Sun Xun. Sun Xun glanced at them and said with a half-smile, "Ah, so it's Minister Zu. Your reputation precedes you. I have come specifically for you, Minister Zu."

Gao Ying and Pei You's hearts skipped a beat, wondering if he had discerned their identities.

Only Zu An remained perfectly calm. "Oh, I didn't expect to have this honor. May I ask what matter brings you here, Prime Minister Sun?"

Sun Xun replied, "I've long heard of Minister Zu's repeated successes in solving difficult cases in the capital. This time, there happens to be a thorny case that requires Minister Zu's assistance."

At this, Sang Hong frowned. "I ask for your understanding, Prime Minister Sun, but we are here on an imperial mission and are only making a brief stop. I'm afraid we won't have time to help solve local cases."

He even felt a flicker of anger, thinking, *This Sun Xun is utterly clueless about proper conduct. Are we here specifically to solve cases for you?*

To his surprise, Sun Xun calmly stated, "Originally, I wouldn't have troubled the imperial envoys. However, we were on the verge of apprehending the suspects when we encountered several individuals who claimed to be Feathered Forest Imperial Guards. They released some of the suspects, making it impossible for us to continue our investigation. That's why we had no choice but to seek assistance from the imperial envoys."

Zu An and the other two exchanged glances, thinking, *As expected, here it comes.*

Sang Hong had already largely guessed that Zu An and the others were responsible, as they had just been out. However, being extremely shrewd, he didn't even glance at the three of them. Instead, he said calmly, "Oh, such a thing happened? Did Minister Sun verify their identities? You know, these days there are many audacious individuals who dare to impersonate anyone."

Having been in officialdom for a long time, he was already an old hand. He simply deflected the matter without further ado.

Sun Xun sighed. "We provincials are shortsighted and don't know how to discern whether someone is a genuine Feathered Forest Imperial Guard. Moreover, impersonating an imperial envoy also seems to be a very serious crime. I imagine Minister Sang would have an obligation to assist in clarifying this, wouldn't he?"

"This..." Sang Hong was momentarily stumped. If such a thing had occurred, he indeed had an obligation to cooperate with the investigation, as the first step would be to determine if it truly involved members of the delegation.

Just as he was in a dilemma, Zu An said, "It's just an investigation, it shouldn't take much effort. Just leave it to me."

He naturally didn't want the matter to escalate, as it would be quite troublesome. As for solving the case, he already knew who the culprit was, so it would require no effort at all.

Sang Hong had always trusted his abilities. Seeing him agree, and knowing he had a plan, he nodded. "Very well, Ah Zu, you go and assist Minister Sun with the investigation. However, our mission is urgent; we can only stay here for one more day at most. Regardless of whether the case is solved by then, we will need to depart. Understood?"

"Understood!" Zu An secretly gave a thumbs-up. *Indeed, old ginger is spicier.*

Sun Xun secretly cursed him as an old fox. That fellow had spoken directly to Zu An without consulting him, clearly leaving him an escape route.

But it didn't matter. As long as they were involved, his objective would be met.

"Then I shall trouble Minister Zu." Sun Xun cupped his hands toward him.

"You're too kind, Minister Sun." Zu An's brows subtly furrowed. He felt there was something else in Sun Xun's eyes, so he secretly reminded himself to be extremely careful. "What kind of case is it, may I ask?"

"Let's go take a look at the crime scene. We can discuss the details of the case on the way?" Sun Xun stood up and suggested.

"Alright." Zu An wasn't worried that the other party would dare to do anything. With so many people watching Sun Xun invite him to handle the case, if anything happened, Sun Xun would certainly not escape responsibility.

Sang Hong frowned and signaled for Gao Ying and Pei You, who were nearby, to take a few guards and accompany Zu An. Zu An was now his ally, and due to his daughter's relationship, Sang Hong currently viewed him as a junior, so he naturally didn't want anything to happen to him.

Gao Ying and Pei You were already thinking the same thing, so they immediately led some men to follow.

Zu An also didn't refuse. If one could enjoy the privileges of power, why would they insist on risking danger through individual heroism?

Sun Xun didn't say anything, leading the group toward the city outskirts.

In truth, he had already recognized Gao Ying and Pei You from the qi fluctuations around their bodies. As for Zu An, he was somewhat uncertain. Despite appearing to be only a sixth-rank cultivator, the qi fluctuations around him gave Sun Xun an inscrutable feeling, quite different from the "No. 333" from before.

However, judging by Gao Ying's and Pei You's reactions, he surmised that Zu An was indeed that person.

Although he knew the three of them were aware of what had happened, Sun Xun patiently explained the murder of Sun Ji: "My son was brutally murdered. I hope Minister Zu can help me find the killer!"

Gao Ying and Pei You looked worried. The death of the other man's son signified significant trouble, but why was Brother Zu involved?

Zu An replied calmly, "I will do my best."

"*He's putting on quite an act,*" Sun Xun thought, sneering inwardly.Anger from Sun Xun +444444444...

Before long, the group arrived at a patch of woods. Sun Xun said with a sorrowful expression, "This is where my son was murdered. I've had men guarding it, and nothing has been touched. I wonder if Minister Zu can find anything."

As he spoke, he watched Zu An intently, as if hoping to see panic or guilt in his eyes.

To his great disappointment, Zu An's eyes remained perfectly calm. He surveyed the terrain as if visiting for the first time, then meticulously examined the bodies of Sun Ji and the others.

Sun Xun's expression was blank, but he continued to stare fixedly at him, waiting to see what tricks he might pull.

After a moment of examination, Zu An asked, "Did your son have any enemies in his daily life?"