Chapter 114: The Sudden Attack (Please Vote)

Ning Zhiheng studied Zuo Rou’s expression and her eyes carefully, sensing that this woman was likely telling the truth. Could it be that the homeowner, Guo Ruxue, was really still alive? Ning Zhiheng asked again, “If she’s not dead, then where is she now?”

But this question went unanswered. The Zuo siblings remained silent, resisting with silence.

Ning Zhiheng pondered deeply. If the female murderer’s words were true and Guo Ruxue was alive, then she was very likely connected to these three criminals. Perhaps this was a breakthrough in the case.

He called Wen Xingsheng over and instructed, “Take some men and go question the neighbors and nearby residents. Find out everything you can about the homeowner Guo Ruxue — the more detailed, the better.”

Wen Xingsheng nodded and was about to leave when Chen Yanqing, anxious about Guo Ruxue’s safety, couldn’t hold back and said quickly, “I want to come with you!”

Ning Zhiheng looked at Chen Yanqing’s worried face and nodded. “You should go too. Like I said, worry only clouds the mind. Things aren’t always as simple as they seem. It’s better to get the facts straight, and that way you can rest easier. Report back to me immediately once you’ve finished.”

“Yes, sir!” Chen Yanqing was frazzled and failed to catch the deeper meaning in Ning Zhiheng’s words. He hurried off with Wen Xingsheng.

Ning Zhiheng didn’t dwell too much on the question of whether Guo Ruxue was alive or dead. He didn’t need to worry about that. No matter what kind of criminals they were, once brought in, under the authority of the Three Trees, they would obediently reveal everything he wanted to know — it was only a matter of time.

What he needed to confirm now was whether these three killers had come looking for the seal and the jade pendant. Until now it was just his speculation, but now that they had been caught, it needed to be verified. Then, he had to investigate who had ordered them to do this.

He looked at Zuo Gang and Zuo Qiang, who were both robustly built, and stepped forward to examine their palms. Their knuckles were thick, veins prominent on the backs of their hands. He nodded to himself.

Then he looked at Zuo Rou — her features were delicate, her figure graceful and well-proportioned, giving no hint that she had ever practiced martial arts.

He reached out and grasped her hand to inspect it closely.

Seeing Ning Zhiheng’s actions, Zuo Gang and Zuo Qiang thought the young man was trying to molest Zuo Rou. They immediately shouted angrily, “What do you think you’re doing?”

But restrained by numerous squad members, they couldn’t move an inch. Ning Zhiheng ignored them and continued his examination.

Zuo Rou secretly felt a flicker of delight. Her delicate appearance was highly deceptive. Her gentle exterior easily lowered people’s guard. When the squad handcuffed her, her hands were cuffed in front rather than behind her back like her brothers. This gave her much more freedom of movement.

She saw the young man’s hands tightly clasping hers and flipping them over repeatedly. She knew her chance had come.

It was clear this young man was their leader. If she could seize the opportunity to take him hostage, then by threatening his life, she could force his subordinates to release her brothers. This way, the three siblings could have a chance to escape and survive this ordeal.

Thinking this, Zuo Rou couldn’t let this escape opportunity slip away. She coquettishly said, “Ouch! That hurts!” Then, letting her body go limp, she lowered her head, raised her hands forward, and forcibly broke free from Ning Zhiheng’s grip.

With lightning speed, she drew a slender willow-leaf blade from the long hair coiled above her head. Her body surged upward, holding the knife with both hands as she aimed for Ning Zhiheng’s throat.

Ning Zhiheng had been studying her palms and noticed hardened calluses on her middle knuckles and agile, muscular wrists — all consistent with the characteristics of the thin-blade knife wielder.

It seemed the person who had tried to slit throats was this seemingly delicate woman before him.

As he pondered this, he suddenly felt his grip loosen — she had broken free like a magician, producing a short blade from nowhere and lunging at him.

But Ning Zhiheng, already suspicious of her identity, was naturally on guard.

As she stabbed at him, Ning Zhiheng reacted instantly. With his left hand, he forcefully struck her wrist, using great strength to twist her hands aside. Since her hands were cuffed together, her balance was compromised, and her body swayed off to the side.

At the same time, his right fist shot out like a lightning strike, hitting her hard on the right cheek. It was like being struck with a heavy hammer. Her head snapped back, and her body went limp, collapsing to the ground unconscious.

The entire sequence was so rapid it was almost impossible to follow: Zuo Rou’s sudden attack and Ning Zhiheng’s swift counterstrike. Before anyone could react — even Sun Jiacheng standing nearby behind Ning Zhiheng — it was over.

Zuo Gang and Zuo Qiang muttered “What a pity!” Their glimmer of hope from Zuo Rou’s sudden move was quickly dashed by the young man’s faster reflexes and harsher blow, which knocked her down again.

In truth, Zuo Rou was skilled, but today misfortune plagued her. First, she was caught off guard and knocked down by Sun Jiacheng; now, her hands cuffed together limited her movements, and Ning Zhiheng’s fighting ability exceeded even Sun Jiacheng’s. The result was another defeat — today was simply an unlucky day for her.

Ning Zhiheng bent down, took the slender willow-leaf blade from Zuo Rou’s hand, examined it carefully, then, as if nothing had happened, calmly said to Sun Jiacheng, “Take these people to the police station’s detention center to await interrogation.”

Everyone quickly agreed and roughly dragged the Zuo siblings away.

After this brief interruption, Ning Zhiheng’s expression remained calm and unruffled, unaffected. Those nearby whispered to each other, amazed by his deep reserve — unshaken even in the face of an earthquake, his composure was inscrutable.

Soon, Liu Datong hurried over. Seeing Ning Zhiheng casually twirling a finely crafted, sharp short knife in his hands, he paused briefly, then composed himself and reported, “The preliminary search is complete. Nothing was found inside the house, but in the yard, we unearthed two male bodies. They were freshly buried; the disturbed soil is still loose.”

“Have their identities been confirmed?” Ning Zhiheng asked.

“Yes. My men recognize these two bodies. Like the two found yesterday, they are local petty criminals involved in theft and mischief — likely recently killed,” Liu Datong explained.

Remembering Ning Zhiheng’s instructions, he added, “No female bodies have been found yet. The search is ongoing. We will report immediately if anything comes up.”

Ning Zhiheng nodded. “I don’t think the female murderer is lying. It seems the identity of the homeowner Guo Ruxue isn’t so simple. There must be some connection between the two.”

At that moment, Wen Xingsheng also hurried back and urgently reported to Ning Zhiheng, “Sir, there’s new information!”

“What is it?” Ning Zhiheng’s spirit lifted immediately.

Wen Xingsheng quickly explained, “While questioning neighbors about Guo Ruxue, one neighbor said she saw Guo Ruxue yesterday at the jewelry store on South Street. She was chatting and laughing with a man, and nothing seemed amiss.”

“Yesterday? Are you sure?” Ning Zhiheng asked again, seeking confirmation.

“Absolutely. I’ve brought the witness here for you to question personally,” Wen Xingsheng affirmed.

Soon, Chen Yanqing led a middle-aged woman over. The woman was dressed elegantly, clearly from a well-to-do background.

As she approached, she chatted easily with Chen Yanqing, who looked less cheerful in comparison.

Standing before Ning Zhiheng, Chen Yanqing introduced the woman, “This is our officer Ning. Please tell him everything you know carefully.”

The woman glanced at Ning Zhiheng and saw a young man with a tall, imposing frame. Though young, he seemed naturally authoritative, his cold gaze intimidating.

Ning Zhiheng softened his expression and asked, “You said you saw Guo Ruxue yesterday. Where was this? Who was she with?”

“Just yesterday morning, I was strolling along South Street and saw Miss Guo shopping for jewelry, accompanied by a man. He had several bodyguards following him — looked really fierce!” the woman replied cheerfully. “I even chatted with her for a bit. We’re on good terms. Such a beautiful girl, it’s such a pity! Tsk tsk!”

Her effortless talk saved Ning Zhiheng the trouble of questioning further.

“You said she had a man with her. But wasn’t she supposed to be living alone?” Ning Zhiheng asked, suspecting something.

The woman raised an eyebrow and sneered slightly. “Officer, you don’t know. Miss Guo is young, pretty, and has a good temper. Unfortunately, the man she’s with is a big, rough guy — looks old enough to be her father. The worst part? He’s just her kept lover. I’ve seen plenty of these stories!”

“How do you know he’s a kept lover?” Ning Zhiheng inquired.

“Of course I know. Miss Guo’s lived here alone for two years. That man only shows up occasionally. I’ve seen him twice. You can fool others, but not me!” the woman boasted confidently.