Chapter 844
Poison Master
Having an ally is definitely a good thing.
But he also had concerns.
Guo Tianyou's words sounded sincere, but he was a complete stranger to him and didn't know if this person was trustworthy. What if Guo Tianyou was a fraudster, using him against his brothers and then abandoning him afterward? Wouldn't he have worked for nothing?
“I need to think about what you’ve said,” Zheng Yi said. “You should stay at the City Lord’s Mansion for now, and we’ll discuss it further after I make a decision.”
"Thank you, sir," Guo Tianyou said, bowing slightly. "I await your good news."
Zheng Yi called Feng Ling and asked her to arrange accommodation for Guo Tianyou.
After Guo Tianyou left, he sat alone in his room, lost in thought.
Night had fallen outside the window, and moonlight streamed in through the windowpanes, casting a silvery-white shadow on the floor. A few distant barks broke the silence of the night.
"Guo Tianyou," Zheng Yi murmured, "is this person genuinely seeking help, or does he have ulterior motives?"
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the night sky.
The stars in the sky twinkled, as if countless eyes were watching over the world.
“Wind chimes,” he said.
The wind chimes emerged from the shadows.
"What are your orders, sir?"
"Go and investigate Guo Tianyou," Zheng Yi said. "Find out everything you can about him: his character, his background, his position in the Guo family."
"Yes," Fengling replied.
"Also, send someone to Hongyun City to investigate," Zheng Yi continued. "I need to know everything: the cause of Guo Chongshan's death, the power struggle among the three Guo brothers, and the involvement of outside forces."
“Yes,” the wind chime replied again.
"Go."
With a swift movement, Feng Ling disappeared into the night.
Zheng Yi continued to stand by the window, gazing at the night sky in a daze.
The next morning, after learning of Guo Tianyou's visit, Wang Tianhai rushed to Zheng Yi's room.
"Sir, I heard that the eldest son of the Guo family has arrived?" he asked.
“Yes,” Zheng Yi nodded. “He came to me for help, saying he wanted to form an alliance with me.”
"An alliance?" Wang Tianhai's eyes lit up. "That's great! Although the Guo family can't compare to the nine great families, they are still a well-known clan in the Tianyuan Domain, and their power shouldn't be underestimated. If we can form an alliance with the Guo family, it will be very beneficial to our Qingyun City."
“It’s not that simple,” Zheng Yi shook his head. “The Guo family is currently in turmoil, and Guo Tianyou’s position is unstable. He came to me for help because he wants to use my power to deal with his brother. If I help him, I will be drawn into the Guo family’s internal strife and offend other factions within the Guo family.”
"What are you worried about, sir?"
“I’m worried that Guo Tianyou isn’t trustworthy,” Zheng Yi said. “His words sound sincere, but I’m a complete stranger to him, and I don’t know if he’s trustworthy. What if he’s a scoundrel who uses me and then abandons me? Wouldn’t I have wasted all my time?”
“Sir, your considerations are very thorough.” Wang Tianhai nodded. “So, what does sir intend to do?”
“Let’s investigate first,” Zheng Yi said. “I’ve already sent Feng Ling to gather information. I’ll make a decision after she returns.”
“Alright,” Wang Tianhai said. “I’ll also send someone to inquire and see if we can find any useful information.”
"Thank you for your trouble, Master Wang."
After Wang Tianhai left, Zheng Yi went to the guest room in the city lord's mansion to see Guo Tianyou.
Guo Tianyou was sitting in his room drinking tea when he saw Zheng Yi come in, and he quickly stood up to greet him.
"Good morning, sir," he said, bowing slightly.
"Young Master Guo, did you sleep well last night?" Zheng Yi asked.
“Thank you for your concern, sir. I rested very well,” Guo Tianyou said. “What has your decision been? Are you willing to help me?”
Zheng Yi sat down in the chair and gestured for Guo Tianyou to sit down as well.
“Young Master Guo, I have a few questions I would like to ask you,” he said.
"Sir, may I ask?"
"You say you suspect your second brother killed your father, what's your basis for that?"
Guo Tianyou pondered for a moment, then said, "Sir, on the night my father died, my second brother did indeed appear near my father's bedroom. A servant named Li Fu saw him."
Where is that servant now?
“He’s disappeared,” Guo Tianyou said. “Li Fu vanished the day after my father’s death. I sent people everywhere to search for him, but we haven’t found any trace of him. I suspect my second brother silenced him.”
"Have you ever considered that maybe your third brother did it?" Zheng Yi asked.
"Third brother?" Guo Tianyou was taken aback. "Why do you ask that, sir?"
"Your third brother is currently neutral, watching from the sidelines as you two fight," Zheng Yi said. "If you and your second brother both suffer heavy losses, your third brother will be the biggest beneficiary. Have you ever considered that perhaps the person who killed your father wasn't your second brother, but your third brother?"
Guo Tianyou remained silent.
A complex expression appeared on his face, as if he had never considered this possibility.
“What you say makes sense, sir,” he said slowly. “I always believed it was my second brother who did it, and I never suspected my third brother. But now that you say it, I think my third brother is indeed a suspect.”
"My third brother has always been a man of few words, keeping his true intentions hidden from a young age. On the surface, he seems indifferent to worldly affairs, but in reality, he is very shrewd. When my father was alive, he always behaved very obediently, never competing with me or my second brother for anything. But I know that his ambition is no less than my second brother's; he's just better at hiding it."
“If my third brother really was the one who killed my father, then his plan is terrifying.” Guo Tianyou’s expression turned grave. “He killed my father first, then hid and watched my second brother and I fight. After we were both severely injured, he would then emerge and reap the benefits. In this way, he could become the head of the Guo family without lifting a finger.”
"So, can you still be sure who killed your father?" Zheng Yi asked.
Guo Tianyou remained silent for a long time before finally shaking his head.
“I’m not sure anymore,” he said. “I originally thought it was my second brother, but now I think my third brother is also a suspect. I really don’t know who to suspect.”
“That’s the problem,” Zheng Yi said. “You don’t even know who the enemy is, yet you come to me for help. Who do you expect me to help you deal with?”
Guo Tianyou was speechless.
He lowered his head, a look of frustration on his face.
“The sir is right,” he murmured. “I was too impulsive. I was only thinking about finding someone to help me, without thinking clearly about who the enemy was.”
"Sir, I truly don't know what to do." He looked up at Zheng Yi, his eyes filled with confusion and helplessness. "My father suddenly died, my second and third brothers are suspects, and outside forces are eyeing us covetously. I can't handle this alone; I really don't know what to do."
Zheng Yi looked at Guo Tianyou, a pang of sympathy flashing through his heart. Although this young man was the eldest son of the Guo family, his current situation was indeed very difficult. His father had suddenly died, his brothers were suspicious of each other, and there were outsiders trying to seize the Guo family's assets. Anyone in his shoes would probably feel despair.
“Young Master Guo, I have a question for you,” Zheng Yi said.
"Sir, may I ask?"
"If I help you through this crisis and you become the head of the Guo family, what do you plan to do?"
Guo Tianyou was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Zheng Yi to ask this question.
He pondered for a moment, then said, "My intention is to make the Guo family stronger."
How can I become stronger?
"I intend to form an alliance with other small and medium-sized forces to jointly confront the Nine Great Families," Guo Tianyou said. "The Nine Great Families are far too powerful. Small and medium-sized forces like the Guo family are no match for them in a one-on-one fight. Only by uniting can we have the resources to contend with them."
"Do you think this approach will succeed?" Zheng Yi asked.
"I don't know," Guo Tianyou shook his head, "but I feel that you'll never know if you can succeed if you don't try. Rather than waiting to die, it's better to take a gamble."
Zheng Yi nodded, a look of approval on his face.
“Young Master Guo, your idea is good,” he said, “but you must understand that uniting smaller forces against the nine great families is an extremely difficult task. The nine great families have deeply entrenched power and complex relationships; they will not stand idly by and allow smaller forces to unite and threaten their position.”
“I know it will be difficult,” Guo Tianyou said, “but I am willing to try. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will not give up.”
Looking into Guo Tianyou's determined eyes, Zheng Yi made his decision.
“Okay,” he said, “I’ve decided to help you.”
"Sir...sir, are you willing to help me?" Guo Tianyou's eyes lit up, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
“But there are conditions,” Zheng Yi said.
"Sir, please speak."
"First, I'll help you find out the cause of your father's death and find the real culprit," Zheng Yi said. "Until the truth is revealed, I won't help you deal with anyone."
"Secondly, if the truth is revealed and the real culprit is indeed one of your brothers, I will help you eliminate him. But afterwards, you must treat your other brothers well and not kill them all."
"Third, I don't need the rewards you mentioned before. But I do need your promise: that the Guo family and Qingyun City will be allies from now on, helping each other."
“I accept all of your conditions, sir,” Guo Tianyou said without hesitation. “As long as you are willing to help me, I am willing to abide by all your conditions.”
“Okay.” Zheng Yi nodded. “Then it’s settled.”
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside.
"Young Master Guo, why don't you stay in Qingyun City for a few days?" he said. "I'll send someone to Hongyun City to gather information. Once we have that news, we'll discuss our next steps."
"Thank you very much, sir." Guo Tianyou stood up and bowed deeply to Zheng Yi. "I will never forget your great kindness."
Three days later, Wind Chime returned with the message.
“Sir, I’ve found out.” she said.
“Speak.” Zheng Yi sat in the chair, his expression serious.
"Guo Tianyou has a good reputation in Hongyun City," Feng Ling said. "He's upright and kind, and the servants and merchants of the Guo family all respect him. He's also very capable; he's been helping Guo Chongshan manage the Guo family's businesses for years, and he's done a remarkable job."
"What about his two younger brothers?"
"Guo Tianci is treacherous and cunning, ambitious and fond of using underhanded tactics against his rivals. Many of the servants in the Guo family dislike him, but dare not offend him because he is very vengeful."
"Guo Tianen is a man of few words, rarely revealing his thoughts in public. He has a very low profile within the Guo family, but it is said that he has cultivated many connections with figures in the underworld, and his influence should not be underestimated."
"What was the cause of Guo Chongshan's death?" Zheng Yi asked. "Has it been determined?"
"The investigation is complete." Feng Ling's expression turned grave. "Guo Chongshan was indeed poisoned. The poison was a rare one called 'Silent Dew,' colorless and odorless. It doesn't take effect immediately after ingestion, but rather slowly erodes the heart over several days, eventually causing cardiac arrest."
"This poison is extremely rare; ordinary people simply cannot obtain it. Those who can acquire it are either highly skilled experts in poisons or individuals connected to certain special forces."
"What special force?"
“The Poison Sect,” Feng Ling said. “The Poison Sect is a mysterious organization in the Tianyuan Domain that specializes in researching various poisons and venoms. 'Silent Dew' is a unique poison of the Poison Sect, and outsiders simply cannot obtain it.”
"The Poison Sect." Zheng Yi pondered for a moment. "What is the relationship between the Guo family and the Poison Sect?"
“From what I’ve gathered, the Guo family has no connection whatsoever with the Poison Sect,” Feng Ling said. “But Guo Tianen seems to have some dealings with the Poison Sect.”
"Guo Tianen?" Zheng Yi narrowed his eyes.
“Yes,” Feng Ling nodded. “My informant told me that Guo Tianen secretly met with members of the Poison Sect a year ago. What they discussed is unknown. But since then, Guo Tianen has become much more secretive.”
"It seems," Zheng Yi said slowly, "that Guo Chongshan's death is inextricably linked to Guo Tianen."
"What does the gentleman intend to do?" Wind Chime asked.
“Go and call Guo Tianyou here,” Zheng Yi said. “I have something to discuss with him.”
"Yes."
A short while later, Guo Tianyou arrived at Zheng Yi's room.
“Sir, are you looking for me?” he asked.
"Sit down." Zheng Yi pointed to the chair opposite him.
Guo Tianyou sat down in the chair, looked at Zheng Yi, and waited for him to speak.
“Young Master Guo, I have investigated some matters thoroughly,” Zheng Yi said. “Your father was indeed poisoned. The poison was a rare one called ‘Silent Dew,’ a unique poison of the Poison Sect.”
"The Poison Sect?" Guo Tianyou was taken aback. "My father has no connection with the Poison Sect whatsoever."
"Your father didn't, but your third brother did," Zheng Yi said, looking at Guo Tianyou. "According to my men's investigation, your third brother, Guo Tianen, secretly met with members of the Poison Sect a year ago."
Guo Tianyou's face immediately turned pale.
"Third brother... Third brother is actually connected to the Poison Sect?" he murmured. "I... I had absolutely no idea."
“It seems you don’t know much about your third brother,” Zheng Yi said.
"It was my oversight," Guo Tianyou said, bowing his head with regret. "My third brother has always kept a low profile, and I never considered him a threat. I never imagined he would secretly collude with the Poison Sect and poison my father." (End of Chapter)