Chapter 32 Leave It for the King of Hell to Hear

Chapter 32 Leave It for the King of Hell to Hear

There was a handwritten journal in this house, documenting every time the Governor passed through Lishan.

Each time, the bandits would block off the road ahead and behind, then descend the mountain to meet him. Sometimes it lasted a quarter of an hour, sometimes longer.

That skeleton belonged to the owner of the journal, whose signature read Wu Hongtao, the forest guardian.

He guarded this mountain until it was occupied by the bandits.

Using his knowledge of Lishan, he built a cabin deep in the mountains and began recording the Governor Zhang's collusion with the bandits.

Perhaps he intended to submit this journal to the imperial court, but he never lived to see that day, dying alone here.

Then Gao Wenyan personally killed Governor Zhang in this very house.

She tore out a page from the journal and nailed it to a tree. Sure enough, the bandits saw it and panicked, rushing to inform Governor Zhang.

Gao Wenyan did not know that Zhang had been urgently summoned; she thought he was coming to meet the bandits.

On the day Governor Zhang passed through Lishan, Gao Wenyan caused a great commotion. The bandits were busy chasing her, while Governor Zhang was busy fleeing.

It took her considerable effort to capture Governor Zhang and use him to coerce the bandits into waiting at the foot of the mountain.

When Governor Zhang entered the house, he shuddered at the sight of the skeleton.

"Lady... Lady, let's talk this out."

Gao Wenyan bound his hands and kicked him squarely, sending Governor Zhang tumbling onto the skeleton.

Governor Zhang found it revolting, his face turning several shades of color.

"There is indeed one matter I need to ask the Governor about. Do you remember a cook named Zhou Yong?"

"Lady, you must have misunderstood! I don't know any Zhou Yong!"

This house indeed attracted snakes; Gao Wenyan had caught one yesterday and put it in a cage.

She lifted the cage and threw it at the Governor. The cage opened upon impact, and the black snake slithered out, poised to strike on his body.

Zhang Xinhong's legs trembled uncontrollably, yet he persisted, "Lady, spare my life!"

"I really don't know who Zhou Yong is."

"Someone who signed a contract of servitude and managed to leave your restaurant unscathed—how could that be possible without the Governor's permission?"

The snake crawled up to his chest, staring at him intently.

Zhang Xinhong's voice quivered, tinged with sobs.

"I really don't know. With so many restaurants, how could I remember?"

"The Magistrate should think carefully."

Gao Wenyan wasn't in a hurry. She sat down on the ground and slowly enjoyed the changes in his expression.

"I remembered. Someone was indeed redeemed, but I can't recall who it was!"

"It seems the Magistrate hasn't thought it through yet."

"Don't worry, let's think about it some more."

As he saw the black snake retreat from his chest, Zhang Xinhong hadn't even had time to breathe a sigh of relief when the snake wrapped around his calf, making his hair stand on end.

Zhang Xinhong also grew angry.

He shouted, "Lady! Are you trying to assassinate an official of the court? Do you know what crime this is? Even General Gao cannot bear this responsibility!"

"When you were trying to kill me, did you ever think about who my father is?"

"Nonsense! Don't make false accusations! When have I ever tried to kill you!"

Gao Wenyan stood up, looking at him coldly, gradually losing her patience.

"Magistrate Zhang is stubborn and unwilling to admit it. Then he can go down and explain it to King Yan."

"Gao Wenyan! You dare!"

He widened his eyes, ready to confront Gao Wenyan head-on.

"Shh."

Gao Wenyan drew Chengshuang and lifted the black snake, placing it on his neck.

Zhang Xinhong immediately dared not speak.

"When the Gao family needed a chef, Zhou Yong was redeemed. Such a coincidence, how does the Magistrate see it?"

Zhang Xinhong nodded slightly, seemingly understanding, and Gao Wenyan moved the snake away again.

"Wenyan is all ears. Hopefully, this time we'll hear something useful."

General Gao is a straightforward person; even if displeased, he would express it immediately.

Zhang Xinhong didn't expect his daughter to be so brutal.

"A guest at one of the restaurants said that Zhou Yong's dishes suited their taste and gave me a lot of silver."

"Lady... I had no reason to refuse."

"What guest?"

"Just an ordinary guest. How would I remember?"

Seeing his evasive eyes, Gao Wenyan already had her answer from experience.

"Lying."

Zhang Xinhong, seeing that Gao Wenyan was unmoved by threats or pleas, grew anxious.

Having tried intimidation, he now resorted to bribery.

"Miss, anything can be discussed. Whatever you want, as long as I can provide it."

Gao Wenyan pieced together the events and had a few guesses.

Zhang Xinhong could fabricate a story so quickly even in such panic, indicating a mix of truth and lies.

Someone wanting to release Zhou Yong was true, but Zhang Xinhong was far from innocent.

His reluctance to reveal the person's identity suggested that this person held a higher status than him, someone Zhang Xinhong dared not offend.

Zhou Yong being placed into the Gao family involved Zhang Xinhong.

She swung her sword, and the snake's head flew off, latching onto Zhang Xinhong's calf with a vicious bite.

He let out a wail, and beads of sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.

Wiping the blood off her blade on his clothes, Gao Wenyan placed the sword at his neck.

"Then I'll take your life."

Gao Wenyan's face remained expressionless, her eyes cold, like a grim reaper come to claim a soul.

Knowing there was no escape, Zhang Xinhong closed his eyes, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.

A dripping sound echoed, and Gao Wenyan looked down to see that he had urinated himself out of fear.

Thus, Gao Wenyan knew that, like Zhang Hai and Zhou Yong, Zhang Xinhong's family was also under threat.

But Zhang Xinhong differed from Zhang Hai; his desire to harm the Gao family was not forced.

"Still unwilling to reveal who that person is?"

"If you speak, I will overlook the past and ensure your family's safety."

Zhang Xinhong opened his eyes, hesitating.

Thinking she had a chance, Gao Wenyan saw Zhang Xinhong suddenly recall something, his face turning resolute after a moment of terror.

"There's no need for your efforts, Miss."

"In that case..."

With a swift movement, the sword fell.

Gao Wenyan watched coldly as blood gushed from his neck, a cruel smile slowly forming on her lips.

"Go in peace."

She cleaned her hands and hid Zhang Xinhong's body.

To avoid suspicion, she needed to maintain her "missing" status, making it more believable.

She couldn't stay in the mountain bandit's lair in Lishan; otherwise, rumors might spread, potentially harming the Gao family.

The bandits, not seeing Zhang Xinhong for a long time, would surely search the mountain, making it difficult for her to escape.

Calculating that her family must have learned of her situation, Gao Wenyan decided to wait here until they found her.

Unexpectedly, after waiting, she finally saw Chu Xu instead.

From the rooftop, she observed Chu Xu's shadow guards below.

Their weapons were peculiar, immediately catching her attention.

A sense of familiarity washed over her.

She searched her memory and matched the weapon to the marks left at the foot of Wula Mountain!

According to known information, Chu Xu had limited shadow guards that day, leading to his disadvantage.

Gao Wenyan had carefully analyzed those marks; the wielder of the strange weapon came from the opposing side.

Her heart sank, but her blood boiled.

How dare you, Chu Xu!