"Couldn't he?"
Elder Master Xiao countered with a half-smile, "Couldn't Zhao Wenjing have deliberately framed Dragon Tiger before he died?"
"Given his character, I believe it's possible."
Li Huaigu gave a wry smile at that, not daring to argue.
Only Elder Master Xiao could say such a thing. Had it been anyone else, never mind believing him-not rebuking him on the spot for being brainless would have been kindness enough.
Elder Master Xiao seemed to know what he was thinking. Wiping his mouth, he said with a smile, "That lad Chen Yunfan put it well."
"Shuzhou is full of damned rotten business these days. Every manner of demon and ghost has come, turning this place upside down."
"Today Zhao Wenjing died, the other day Ma Shuhan died, and before that, Liu Hong-"
"Yes, Liu Hong."
Elder Master Xiao's smile faded. Looking at Li Huaigu, he asked seriously, "You were there when he died. Do you think his death was a good thing or a bad thing?"
Li Huaigu pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Whatever he said now would seem inappropriate.
To say his death was a good thing would be perfectly reasonable.
Liu Hong had secretly colluded with the Barbarian Tribe and the Poshushuo Kingdom, and had even wanted to plunge the people of Shuzhou into deep water and scorching fire. He had deserved his death.
But if Li Huaigu said so, certain people might take it as a sign of flaws in his character.
After all, he served in the Provincial Administration, and Liu Hong had been his superior. He had to preserve some measure of respect.
After a brief silence.
Li Huaigu forced a smile. "I know how to report this to Lord Yang now."
Elder Master Xiao nodded. "Tell him Shuzhou is still Shuzhou. With