An Old Case from Twenty Years Ago
Uncle Huang had everyone but Boss and I stay. He gazed off into the distance without any visible emotions and, in a low voice, recounted, “One night twenty years ago, by the sides of Eastern China Sea, my teacher, Yu Sihe, was summoned to Principle of Six Hall. That was the same night he met his unjust demise. To this day, nobody knows who the culprit is.”
In spite of how many years had gone by, Uncle Huang’s voice still turned raspy when he recalled the experience.
“This old one’s teacher was the erstwhile leader of Confucianism and one of the greatest martial artists under heaven; he surpasses this old one far more than one could imagine. Therefore, he would not have been easy to harm. He was a man who was scrupulously honest even when there was nobody around to judge him. He was not the type of person to meet another late at night. As such, there is no doubt that the person who called for him must be close to him, shrewd and strong. It is regrettable that he put his trust in the wrong person.”
“I do believe I know of this case.” Boss lowered her chin in between her thumb and index finger to have a think. “Among the cases Shifu Shisan talked about, he classified it as one of the eighteen most mysterious homicide cases. As you said, nobody knows the truth to this day.”
Boss’ remarks provided Uncle Huang with a respite from his agony. “This old one consulted Constable Yan on the case previously. He said…”
“There is insufficient evidence, and there are not many suspects.”
Uncle Huang nodded. “Even if we account for underhanded tactics used, it is a fact that they killed the leader of Confucianism, which is not a feat many in the world could accomplish. In regards to the evidence…”
Uncle Huang took a while to prop himself up, then passed over two identical letters. One of them had turned yellow, while the other was visibly new despite the few wrinkles. “This old one only had this old letter to show Constable Yan, which is the letter that summoned Shifu to the hall. This one is a new one this old one received twenty years later.”
Boss accepted the letters passed over and juxtaposed them against the flame. “Is this new one the one that Jiang Chen used to draw you out?”
“That is correct.” Uncle Huang, following a sigh, informed, “They are identical in every way, leading me to believe that Gongsun Chu was the one who killed my teacher. That was what he wanted me to believe.”
“And now you believe that is not the case?”
“It’s not him.” Uncle Huang shook his head gently but with absolute confidence.
“It’s not him,” I confirmed.
Boss looked up at me and blinked. “You’re speaking up for Jiang Chen?”
I was going to shake my head, but I nodded on second thought. “I don’t think there are many people who can say they know Gongsun Chu better than I do. He might’ve been more dangerous twenty years ago and be dangerous enough to convince Uncle Huang, but he couldn’t have killed Elder Yu if Elder Yu was as skilled as the legends say, let alone assassinate him without alerting anyone.”
“Gongsun Chu’s Principle of Six Swordplay is not enough for him to defeat this old one’s teacher. He abandoned his principles; no matter how skilled he is with a sword, he could not have defeated this old one’s just principles. Due to his rage, this old one assumed his teacher would meet with Gongsun Chu on account of them being from the same school. Even if Gongsun Chu was inferior, it was possible for him to win if he worked with Fiends’ Genesis’ leader. Howbeit, upon further evaluation, it would not make sense for this old one’s teacher to not be vigilant if Gongsun Chu had joined Fiends’ Genesis. Therefore, it would be impossible for him to have committed the deed without anyone finding out until day. Gongsun Chu wanted this old one to believe he was responsible so that he could catch this old one with ‘love is pain’ and then take the Nine Dragons Fire Jade.”
Uncle Huang and I deployed nods in unison, only for Boss to say, “Please let me cut you two off for a moment.” Boss held up the two letters. “The content and even the handwriting is identical.”
Boss had used her special inquisition skill on the letters, but she didn’t find anything suspicious. “I am not saying that experts in forgery do not exist, but the writer of the old letter was an elite martial artist. To imitate their style with this level of precision is nigh impossible. It’s like…”
When Boss looked to me, I bobbed my head.
“?”
“It’s possible,” I stated. “No matter whose handwriting it is, I can name one person who can copy it exactly. Gongsun Chu sent the letter to Uncle Huang precisely because he, too, can.”
“How are you so certain?” inquired Boss.
Uncle Huang chuckled. “Because nobody has seen Gongsun Chu’s abilities up closer than him.”
I gave Uncle Huang a smile.
The only person confused was Boss.
“His shifu, Ming Huayu,” Uncle Huang crossed his arms as he recalled memories he didn’t want to admit to, “was able to write with both hands simultaneously. He once forged the last Emperor’s responses to the council reports; the twenty-two forged memorials that he finished within two hours are still stored in the imperial court, and nobody has ever found out.”
Once he finished speaking, Uncle Huang let his arms down and heaved a breath. “Had this old one recalled Ming Huayu sooner, he would not have been fooled by Gongsun Chu.”
Boss spent a moment processing what she just heard and then turned to me. “Your shifu modif-, forged the former Emperor’s correspondences?!”
I held my index finger over my lips. “Sh, don’t tell anyone.”
Boss blinked rapidly, still unable to believe her ears.
If Boss and Shifu were to meet one day, will he anger her to death?
Uncle Huang muttered, “This old one used to be obsessed with personally avenging his teacher. Now… From now on, this old one will never regain his strength. It is unlikely he will ever achieve his goal…”
“Uh, there is actually hope,” said. “As long as you t-”
“This will have to be entrusted to the next generation!” Uncle Huang energetically interrupted.
Uncle Huang… does unknown pill scare you that much?
“This old one originally suspected Gongsun Chu. Now that Gongsun Chu is no longer a suspect, the list of suspects has narrowed significantly.”
“Because of his connection with the Seven Champion White Princes.”
“Indeed.” For the first time since he woke up, Uncle Huang looked ready to cause damage. “If he’s not the culprit, then he and the culprit are in close contact. Else, he couldn’t have known the truth and even have been able to forge an identical letter. Based on the existing evidence, his conspirator is one of the Seven Champion White Princes. The one who killed my teacher is also one of the Seven Champion White Princes!”
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