'Grandmaster?'
Han Ming was in a daze, feeling like he was dreaming.
But his robust physique, the explosive power coursing through his muscles, and his hardened bones and skin all told him clearly that this was no dream. It was real.
After practicing martial arts for so many years, his goal had always been to become a first-rate expert. He had never even dreamed of becoming a Grandmaster.
Yet now, he had not only achieved his goal but surpassed it.
He was thrilled, exhilarated, ecstatic, and in utter disbelief. He even felt like crying.
HUFF... HUFF...
After taking several deep breaths to calm himself, Han Ming finally regained his composure. He lowered his fist, turned around, and stared at Gu Zheng without blinking before speaking with the utmost solemnity.
"Boss, marry my sister! She doesn't have to be your main wife; a concubine is fine!"
"...Xiaomei is only twelve," Gu Zheng said, annoyed. "I gave you the Source Fruit so you could secure the position of Chief Constable and look after the Gu Mansion on the side, not so you could marry off your sister."
"I know."
Han Ming's expression was dead serious. "I'm not forcing Xiaomei. She told me a long time ago that she likes you and won't marry anyone else in this lifetime. Look, Boss, if you marry Xiaomei, we'll be family. Wouldn't that give me an even better reason to look out for you?"
"...Get lost." Gu Zheng couldn't be bothered to argue. He pointed to the door. "Get lost now."
"I'm serious!"
As Han Ming walked toward the door, he continued his pitch. "Xiaomei is pretty and capable, smart and virtuous. She has wide hips, too, so she can definitely bear you a son. Pan'Er, Wan'Er, and Xue'Er all like her. Even Master Gu has praised her. If you marry her as a concubine..."
WHOOSH.
Gu Zheng stood up.
SWOOSH!
Han Ming shot forward, yanked the door open, and bolted. As he fled, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Boss, just think about it! My sister really likes you!"
'Think about it, my ass.' Gu Zheng grumbled and went to wash up.
A single Strengthening Source Fruit had allowed Han Ming to reach the Grandmaster Realm overnight. The effect was extraordinary, maximized to its full potential.
Of course, it was his strength and Constitution that had reached their peak. His agility and speed had improved, but not by much.
As for any other effects, Han Ming would have to discover them for himself over time.
'If I give the second one to Dad... I wonder if it can help him break through to the Grandmaster Realm too?'
...
...
After washing up, Gu Zheng went to the dining hall to enjoy the breakfast his servants had prepared.
As he was eating...
"Boss!"
Han Ming rushed in from outside.
Gu Zheng raised an eyebrow. "If you say one more word about marrying Xiaomei..." he began, his voice cold.
"It's not about Xiaomei! It's Lord Zhang! Something's happened—he's been murdered!" Han Ming cut in, speaking rapidly. "I hadn't even made it home when Wang Meng told me. Lord Zhang was found dead in his own front courtyard..."
"Zhang Hucheng is dead?" Gu Zheng dropped his chopsticks. He grabbed two steamed buns, tossed one to Han Ming, and took the other for himself. "Let's go to the scene," he said, already eating as he walked out.
"...Alright."
Han Ming took a bite of his steamed bun and followed close behind. "Wang Meng said Lord Zhang was stabbed through the heart from behind. The killer must have been someone close to him."
'Someone close to him?'
Gu Zheng chewed on his steamed bun, lost in thought.
They left the Gu Mansion.
They moved with incredible speed.
When they reached the Zhang Family estate, they had just stepped through the main gate when they heard the wails of Zhang Hucheng's wife and daughter, punctuated by a man's loud, jeering shouts.
"That's right, I killed him! So what? That bastard Zhang Hucheng deserved to die! He should have died a long time ago!"
"Don't think I don't know you all hated him and wanted him dead, too! I took care of it for you. You should be thanking me! Treat me to a full day of feasting at the Celestial Fragrance Building, a day of fun at the Fan Building, and a whole day and night at the Flowers Courtyard! HAHAHA!"
"Where's Gu Zheng? Why isn't he here yet? I got his revenge for him! This month's cut from the Fan Building had better be at least triple... no, five times bigger!"
...
The booming laughter and curses echoed loudly.
Gu Zheng and Han Ming walked over, one behind the other, and ran right into Wang Meng.
"What's the situation?" Gu Zheng asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Boss, it's Niu Datie," Wang Meng replied. "We were questioning people around the Zhang Family estate and noticed Niu Datie looked panicked. Something felt off, so we gave him a bit of a scare. Next thing you know, he confessed to killing Lord Zhang."
"Huh?" Han Ming was stunned. "You just scared him a little and he confessed?"
"Yeah." Wang Meng threw up his hands, looking equally speechless. "This guy was always so arrogant, walking around with his nose in the air. Who'd have thought he'd be such a coward..."
"Why did he kill Lord Zhang?" Gu Zheng asked.
"He said Lord Zhang was going to escape but wasn't taking him along." Wang Meng shrugged.
'Zhang Hucheng was trying to escape?'
'Why would he suddenly run?'
Gu Zheng was puzzled.
As they spoke, the three of them reached the garden where Niu Datie was being held.
"Gu Zheng! You're finally here!"
Niu Datie, bound in ropes and still in his government constable uniform, was kneeling on the ground. His eyes were bloodshot as he roared with reckless abandon, "Gu Zheng, I got revenge for you! That son of a bitch Zhang Hucheng plotted against you with Pang Qian Ding and even tried to steal the Gu Family's business! A bastard like that deserves a dog's death! I took care of him for you, so you can rest easy and sleep soundly. Don't thank me too much—just make sure my cut from the Fan Building this month is five times bigger! How about it? Aren't I a man of honor? HAHAHA..."
"You have the gall to talk about honor?" Li Yidao, who was restraining him, snapped. "Lord Zhang treated you well, and you just kill him like that..."
"He deserved it!"
Niu Datie's face flushed crimson as he screamed, his eyes bloodshot, "I was Zhang Hucheng's dog! I did all his dirty work, and he was too damn cheap to pay me properly! So stingy he was, telling me to go find my own ways to make money on the side! He..."
"Why was Lord Zhang running away?" Gu Zheng interrupted, asking directly.
"Why else? He was afraid you'd come to settle the score!"
Niu Datie craned his neck, speaking defiantly. "You already dealt with Pang Qian Ding. You were definitely going to get rid of him too before you left. Zhang Hucheng had to escape now or..."
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Han Ming cut him off with an angry shout. "Pang Qian Ding was executed by Mr. Gu because he colluded with Demon Fiends! Lord Zhang didn't collude with Demon Fiends, so why would Mr. Gu go after him? Niu Datie, if you're going to frame someone, at least come up with a better excuse! Stop spouting baseless accusations!"
"Exactly. You were clearly holding a grudge and wanted revenge on Lord Zhang. You ambushed him from behind and now you're trying to pin it on Mr. Gu. How malicious."
"Niu Datie, your scheme is full of holes."
...
Wang Meng, Li Yidao, and the others all spoke up to refute him.
Perhaps Gu Zheng really did intend to get rid of Zhang Hucheng before leaving Qingshi County.
But that was something that could never be said out loud.
After all, there were still two squad leaders from the Demon Slayer Bureau in the city!
Gu Zheng didn't speak.
Instead, he crouched down and stared directly into Niu Datie's eyes.
Niu Datie's desperate expression and reckless cursing, knowing he was about to die, made him look like a man driven to madness.
But Gu Zheng's Spiritual Power was immense. As he focused his senses, he realized something was wrong.
When he met Niu Datie's gaze again, he immediately spotted a hint of dullness, vacancy, and struggle hidden deep within the man's eyes.
'He's... been hypnotized, his mind is being interfered with. He's under someone's control!'
Gu Zheng didn't know this particular method of mental control; his Nether Heart Slave Seal was far more advanced.
In all of Qingshi City, only two people would have had the opportunity to learn such a technique.
The two Demon Slayer Bureau squad leaders stationed in the city: Wu Kun and Chen Zhizhen.
'Between those two, who is the real killer?'