Forced Hua Manlou, Unworthy Lu Xiaofeng

"This... Brother Lu, I was forced into it."

"Forced? How were you forced?"

"I wanted to see how you dig for earthworms, Brother Lu. Once the thought arose in my mind, I couldn't suppress it any longer. I was truly forced!"

"Fine, fine, fine. That's your excuse for being forced?" Lu Xiaofeng was exasperated.

He couldn't help but reflect on why he had befriended these two fellows.

One wanted to trick him.

The other was an accomplice in tricking him.

Zhou Ming chuckled, "Since that's the case, are you in or out?"

"Out!"

Lu Xiaofeng stated decisively, "Old Hua might help this guy trick me, but he'd never harm me. The poison you used can't be anything dangerous! So, I'm not participating."

Zhou Ming smiled, "That's right, it's not a dangerous poison. This poison is called 'Red Fur Monster Poison.' Once poisoned, you can do anything except drink alcohol!

If you drink alcohol, the poison will activate, and your body will turn red. The more you drink, the wider it spreads. Even your hair will turn red, and it will also promote the growth of body hair, eventually turning you into a monster covered in red fur!"

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"Once poisoned, if there's no antidote, it can last for half a year!"

"So what?" Lu Xiaofeng said defiantly, "I can just not drink for half a year!"

Zhou Ming chuckled, "Then do you know that on April 19th this year, there's a major event? True Man Zhang of Wudang Mountain will be celebrating his hundredth birthday. The court has already coordinated with Wudang Mountain to invite heroes from all sects and factions to celebrate together. It will be a grand affair!

At that time, all the heroes of the world will raise their glasses together, but there will be one person who cannot touch a drop of alcohol. Who do you think that person is? Lu Xiaofeng?"

Lu Xiaofeng gritted his teeth.

Zhou Ming continued, "Of course, you can choose not to go. But True Man Zhang's hundredth birthday is a once-in-a-lifetime grand event. Given True Man Zhang's prestige, all the nations and factions in the world will send representatives to congratulate him. When all the heroes gather, but one person cannot attend, who do you think that would be? Lu Xiaofeng?"

"You! You are so malicious!"

Lu Xiaofeng's face contorted, "In my life, I, Lu Xiaofeng, have never met anyone so... malicious!"

"Hey! Today you have!"

"In that case... I'll participate!"

"Good! Once this case is concluded, regardless of the outcome, the antidote will be delivered."

The three of them settled the matter.

Suddenly, a servant arrived, announcing that the Six Doors' Gold-Clad Constable Jiang Long and Luo Ma were here to pay their respects.

Zhou Ming and the other two went to the front hall and met them.

"Are you two here because you need our cooperation on the previous case?"

"This..."

Jiang Long glanced around, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Young Master Zhou, Young Master Hua, to be frank, the only clue in this case is Zhu Ting. However, Zhu Ting refuses to speak, and insists on seeing Lu Xiaofeng before he will reveal any clues.

We heard that Lu Xiaofeng is here right now, which is why we've come."

"So that's how it is."

Zhou Ming said, "It seems we're on the same page. This case doesn't have much to do with me, but it's deeply connected to Hua Manlou, which is why I specifically asked Lu Xiaofeng for help in finding clues from the martial arts world. I didn't expect something like this to happen."

Jiang Long chuckled, "What a coincidence. May I ask if Young Master Lu agrees to help?"

Lu Xiaofeng nodded, "This matter is of great importance, so I am naturally willing to do my part."

"In that case, please accompany us to the prison to see Zhu Ting, Young Master Lu."

"Alright." Lu Xiaofeng nodded.

But Zhou Ming said, "Constable Jiang, Constable Luo, Young Master Hua and I would also like to come along. Is that permissible?"

"This..." Jiang Long didn't dare to refuse. His eyes darted around, and he came up with an excuse, "You are both involved in this case, so of course you can. Please!"

Everyone then proceeded to the Six Doors and entered the prison.

Although Zhu Ting was a suspect, thanks to Zhou Ming's protection, he wasn't suffering any hardship in the prison.

"Zhu Ting, we've found Lu Xiaofeng, the person you wanted to see!"

Jiang Long said, "If you have any clues, speak."

"Lu Xiaofeng!"

Zhu Ting exclaimed happily, "You're finally here! You must help me this time!"

Lu Xiaofeng replied, "Don't worry, I definitely will!"

The two had grown up together since childhood, and their friendship was deep, needless to say.

Zhu Ting also greeted Zhou Ming and Hua Manlou, then began to speak, "In fact, although our Luban Divine Axe Sect has few members, besides me, there is another disciple, my senior brother, Yue Qing!

My senior brother's skills are on par with mine, and he is also very familiar with the sect's secret language and techniques."

Lu Xiaofeng said, "So, does that make your senior brother suspicious?"

Jiang Long turned to look at Luo Ma, "Yue Qing... I remember..."

Luo Ma nodded, "This person died of plague seven years ago. All those who died of plague were cremated, and their ashes are now enshrined at Yunjian Temple outside the city. I was involved in this case and I also remember this person."

A dead person naturally could not have done such a thing.

Was Zhu Ting bringing up this person now to confuse things?

Zhu Ting said, "I know about this matter, but my senior brother also has a daughter who inherited his craft."

"What? Where is this person?" Jiang Long asked urgently.

"This... please, everyone, leave. I will only speak with Lu Xiaofeng about this matter."

"You!" Luo Ma's face showed anger, "What do you mean by this?"

"Hmph!"

Zhu Ting turned his back.

Luo Ma became even angrier. Jiang Long quickly restrained Luo Ma and said, "Alright, we'll do as you say."

The group left the prison, leaving only the two of them.

After a while, Lu Xiaofeng casually walked out.

Jiang Long and Luo Ma surrounded him, asking, "What? Did Zhu Ting say where that woman is?"

Lu Xiaofeng said indifferently, "He and his senior brother were separated for many years, and Yue Qing died seven years ago. How would he know where Yue Qing's daughter is now? However, he did tell me how to find her."

"How do we find her?"

"People from the Luban Divine Axe Sect all have a divine axe tattoo. Yue Qing's daughter also has one, but it's more hidden... on her chest."

"On her chest? How do we find it then?"

Hearing this, Jiang Long's brow immediately furrowed.

The separation between men and women was not just a saying. Let alone the chest, even the arm, unless in certain specific places or on one's own wife or concubine, could not be seen at all.

If it couldn't be seen, how could they find it?

Lu Xiaofeng said flippantly, "For the two of you, it's naturally impossible to find her, but if you were as handsome, dashing, and romantic as I, Lu Xiaofeng, it would be easy to find her... hehe!"

Jiang Long and Luo Ma couldn't help but darken their expressions.

"By the way, do you have any counterfeit banknotes? Give me some, I need them for the investigation!"

Jiang Long hesitated, but still had his subordinate constables bring over the confiscated counterfeit banknotes.

Lu Xiaofeng grabbed a handful and strode away.

Zhou Ming and Hua Manlou also left Six Doors together.

"This..."

Jiang Long said, "Old friend, did we find the wrong person this time?"

Luo Ma nodded, "Lu Xiaofeng's name is so famous, I didn't expect that seeing is not believing. In reality, this Lu Xiaofeng is so frivolous and dissolute... alas!"

As he spoke, a hint of joy appeared in his eyes. As the mastermind behind these counterfeit banknotes, he naturally hoped that the investigators would be as foolish as possible, preferably being led around by the nose completely.

Lu Xiaofeng had recently become famous throughout the land. When it was suggested to invite him to help with the investigation, Luo Ma was very unwilling.

But unfortunately, Zhu Ting only recognized Lu Xiaofeng, and Bushi had set a deadline, forcing Jiang Long to resort to desperate measures. In such a situation, Luo Ma could only agree. He did not expect Lu Xiaofeng to be so unworthy of his reputation.

That being said, Luo Ma also knew that banknotes were related to the nation's economy and foundation, and the court would absolutely not tolerate it. If they didn't investigate clearly, then later there would naturally be Chief Constable Jin Jiuling, the Four Great Constables, the Grand Court of Judicial Review, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Eastern Depot, Dragon Guard Manor... countless experts who might be sent to investigate. Therefore, his plan still had to proceed, and he had to resolve this matter as quickly as possible according to his own intentions!