Chapter 1076: Chapter 309: Vast Cangtian, Who is This Person? (Added more for Alliance Hierarch Guagugu!)

Jiang Wang now certainly knew that the recently deceased "Zhang Song" was definitely not a descendant of the Phoenix Immortal of Clan Zhang.

The Blue-plate Catchers from the Imperial City Inspection Mansion now also had enough means to conclude without any need for clues, demonstrating with ironclad evidence that this "Zhang Song" was not the other "Zhang Song."

But who could believe it?

Before today, Zhang Song had been the only surviving descendant of the Phoenix Immortal of Clan Zhang, who had obtained an opportunity in the Heavenly Abode Secret Land. He worked diligently beside Prince Jiang Wuqi of Daqi, striving hard to restore the glory of his ancestors.

After today, and precisely after such an incident, the Imperial City Inspection Mansion suddenly declared that he was not the real Zhang Song.

Even with ample evidence, it was very difficult to convince people.

Thus, the person who died in the Temple of the Marquis of Bowang, whether he truly was Zhang Song or not, was still Zhang Song.

Before his death, he left a blood-written letter on the statue of the Marquis of Bowang.

It was under the identity of "Zhang Song" that he cried mournfully to the ancestors of Clan Zhang.

This was the descendants of the nation’s meritorious officials’ blood-soaked indictment against Qi Ting!

Oh, vast heavens, who was this man?

This matter was clearly interlinked with Cui Zhu’s assassination attempt on Qi Jun!

Previously, assassins from Summer Country, covered by their influence within the borders of Qi Country, made an attempt on Qi Jun during the "Master’s Ceremony."

Later, there were descendants of a meritorious official, who weepingly cursed at the temple, denouncing Qi Jun for mistreating the descendants of officials, while indulging in the company of women and excessively rewarding the unmeritorious Gao Family.

Viewed with just these two incidents, it seemed like a portrait of Emperor Qi’s moral decay, Qi Ting’s unstable rule, and the country’s precarious situation.

If not handled properly...

People’s hearts would see change!

As Ma Xiong, the Fourth-Rank Green Badge Constable, saw the contents of the blood letter and his face drastically changed, he immediately covered the statue with a purple robe and sharply turned around, "No one is allowed in! Lock down the Guarding the Nation Hall; no one is permitted entry or exit!"

Indeed, this scene had to be sealed off, but it was already too late.

Jiang Wang quietly looked around; those Blue-badge Constables who had already rushed inside and the continuously gathering Guards from The Imperial Ancestral Temple...

They entered and quickly left again.

Today’s incident would inevitably be spread.

Even if everyone present kept silent, the force behind Cui Zhu and "Zhang Song" would definitely make sure the events that occurred today in the Temple of the Marquis of Bowang were known throughout the world.

They wouldn’t let "Zhang Song’s" tragic death be in vain.

However, for Jiang Wang, who happened to be there, it was inevitably a bit troublesome...

Other Blue-badge Catchers had left, but he couldn’t conveniently leave.

As the last person "Zhang Song" had interacted with before his death, many were curious to know what Jiang Wang heard and saw.

Including Ma Xiong.

He looked apprehensively at the statue covered by the purple robe, almost as if he were watching some primordial fierce beast.

Years of case handling experience allowed him to quickly suppress his emotions. His gaze cautiously swept across the incense burner and the offering table, scanning the entire temple, confirming there were no other clues momentarily, before finally turning to Jiang Wang.

"Why is Constable Jiang here?" he asked.

Though they had met and gotten along well previously, at this moment, it was clear Ma Xiong was conducting official business—and it had to be so.

But at this time, Jiang Wang suddenly pondered another issue.

Cui Zhu’s assassination attempt and Zhang Song’s mournful wail at the temple, both attempts by the same covert power were trying to destabilize Emperor Qi’s rule. The magnitude of these moves, indeed, shocked him on the spot.

But actually, there was another very important question.

That was... why did Ma Xiong bring people here?

The answer was clear, he had followed Zhang Song here.

Currently, the main task of the entire Imperial City Inspection Mansion was to investigate Cui Zhu’s assassination case.

With Cui Zhu having been shortlisted for the Yellow River Gathering, from the Political Affairs Hall to the Prisoner Electric Army, there were too many places to investigate. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Countless Blue-plate Catchers had been working tirelessly on cases for the past couple of days.

Now, it was apparent that a connection between Zhang Song and Cui Zhu had been discovered along Ma Xiong’s line. There must have been substantial evidence, otherwise, he wouldn’t have stormed into The Imperial Ancestral Temple with his men.

This could also explain why Zhang Song no longer hid his motives around Jiang Wang; he could no longer keep hidden. As he said, the moment he showed even a strand of hair, he was already caught.

Yet, another critical aspect of this issue was that Zhang Song had previously been one of Jiang Wuqi’s men from the Long Life Palace.

Cui Zhu’s inclusion in the Yellow River Gathering could have been propelled by the power of the Long Life Palace, facilitated by Zhang Song...

Thus, the fire of Cui Zhu’s assassination attempt surprisingly burnt Jiang Wuqi first.

This man, often called "the most like the current emperor," indeed received extraordinary favoritism from Emperor Qi, the Eleventh Prince of Daqi!

Jiang Wuqi was one of the most likely candidates to contend for the throne, holding substantial foundations in Qi Country’s political scene. The power of the Long Life Palace was no less than any prince or princess.

Once he was implicated in Cui Zhu’s assassination case...

What would happen afterward was unimaginable!

It was a terrifying storm where deaths and ruin were unknown!

Jiang Wang steadied himself and answered, "Before going to battle at the Yellow River Gathering, I especially came to The Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship, hoping to inherit the valor of Daqi’s ancestors."

Indeed, there was nothing to hide about this fact.

Ma Xiong then asked, "Did you come here to worship at the Marquis of Returning’s spirit temple?"

Jiang Wang truthfully responded, "I first visited the spirit temple of the original Marquis of Bowang, then that of the original Marquis of Destroying Cities, before coming here. After all, the original Marquis of Returning and the original Marquis of Destroying Cities are heroes of equal renown."

"Did you arrange to meet and worship here with the person who just died?" Ma Xiong asked.

In such a semi-public setting, he refused to acknowledge the person as Zhang Song, starting from now, despite knowing very well that Zhang Song’s identity could not be denied by them, climbing from the bottom to become a Fourth Grade Green Badge.

But the stance of the Imperial City Inspection Mansion had to be displayed.

Jiang Wang, of course, recognized this since he was now part of the Green Plate System.

Thus, he didn’t mention "Zhang Song," merely shaking his head, "We had no prior contact. After the martial competition in front of the palace that day, I didn’t step out of Xia Shan Villa. It was on a whim that I came here to worship today. This can be verified."

"When he died, you were the only one present. What happened between you before we arrived?" Ma Xiong flashed the Imprint Stone in his hand, "Your explanation now will be fully recorded, so don’t worry about me distorting it deliberately."

Jiang Wang shook his head, "I also carry a Green Badge and ought to help Beiyaduwei reveal the truth. However..."

He glanced at Ma Xiong, "Shouldn’t we discuss this in front of our superiors? After all, it’s just you and me here."

His meaning was clear. I’m a Fourth Rank Green Badge Constable just like you! And I haven’t done anything wrong, so it’s not appropriate for you to interrogate me alone.

It’s not that he suspected Ma Xiong of anything, but at such a sensitive time, he had to be cautious and careful.

The incidents of Cui Zhu’s assassination attempt and Zhang Song’s death had already shown the strength of the forces behind the scenes.

There was no issue with Ma Xiong pursuing Zhang Song up to here; and in previous interactions, everything seemed normal.

But who knows?

Cui Zhu, who could attend the "Master’s Ceremony," needed to be a lot cleaner and more innocent!

As for the reliability of the Imprint Stone... just take it with a grain of salt.

If even the Oath of Heart Demon isn’t reliable, how can one rely on an inanimate object?

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(Fell behind by a day, but I managed to catch up with the extra updates scheduled for February.

I will try harder in March!

So, I ask for your monthly votes!)