99: Chapter 99 How did he manage to learn such a profound and unique skill?

Deng Baichuan then reported the matters to Murong Fu: "The second matter is that due to the impact of the floods, many fields in various manors have been submerged. The tenant farmers all hope for a reduction in their rent this year."

Murong Fu's brow furrowed immediately, and he responded at once, "Now is precisely the time to show favor to the people. Just reduce or waive the rents and taxes according to the previous rules."

“The third matter is that rumors have been spreading everywhere in the Jianghu recently, saying that Ma Dayuan, Wang Jiantong, Great Master Xuanbei of Shaolin, and others,”

“All died under your Stars Shifting Technique, Young Master. Now the Beggars Clan and Shaolin Temple have already sent people to investigate and hold us accountable.”

Six months ago, Ma Dayuan, the Vice Sect Leader of the Beggars Clan, was murdered with his own famous technique, the Throat-Locking Seizing Hand;

Not long after, the former Sect Leader, Wang Jiantong, also passed away in an accident;

Great Master Xuanbei of Shaolin, meanwhile, lost his life in a temple in Suzhou to his own sect's ultimate technique, the Great Weituo Pestle.

In this series of murder cases, all clues pointed toward Murong Fu's Stars Shifting Technique.

Murong Fu's brow was tightly furrowed; both the Beggars Clan and Shaolin Temple were difficult powers to deal with in the Jianghu. The key was that he hadn't done any of these things at all. To bear such a stigma for no reason would make anyone feel uncomfortable.

“Humph, I will certainly investigate this thoroughly. If someone is intentionally framing me, I will surely demand justice.”

“Young Master, could it have been done by Zhao Tianhao? He also knows the Stars Shifting Technique!” Feng Boe asked.

Murong Fu immediately retorted, “Impossible! How could he learn such a profound ultimate technique?”

“Hmm?”

Bao Butong was full of doubt: “Why is the Young Master so certain?” He did not know that the Stars Shifting Technique Murong Fu had originally passed to Zhao Tianhao was missing key formulas; what Zhao Tianhao had learned was a version that was neither fish nor fowl and completely lacking in structure.

Since speaking of such a thing would damage his image, Murong Fu explained, “The Stars Shifting Technique is extremely subtle and profound; there is no reason he could have mastered it.”

“That's not right. Martial arts cultivation relies both on Secret Manuals and one's own comprehension. Even without a master's guidance, one can study and learn on their own!” Gongye Qian chimed in.

“It's not like that! His Highness Zhao is an extraordinary person. Kou Cangshi and Yuan Thirteen Limits both died at his hands,”

“It's not impossible that he could learn the Stars Shifting Technique in just a few days!” Bao Butong began to argue with the others again.

Murong Fu gave a cold laugh: “How can rumors in the Jianghu be taken seriously?”

“Who has seen him kill anyone with the Stars Shifting Technique with their own eyes? Zhao Tianhao only promoted to the Innate Realm after the war,”

“And he slew a Grandmaster in just one short month? How can that be possible? In my view, there must be a hidden story behind this!”

Deng Baichuan stroked his beard and nodded, saying, “The Young Master is right; what is heard may not be true, but what is seen is real.” ... Murong Fu himself did not quite believe it, feeling the matter was too exaggerated.

Murong Fu smiled confidently and asked again, “By the way, is there any news of AZhu and ABi?”

“No, they are likely being monitored too strictly to find a way to escape and return,” Gongye Qian replied.

Murong Fu gave a light huff, feeling quite dissatisfied: “Those two wouldn't really be considering themselves as mistresses and forgetting their place, would they?”

During this outing, they seemed to have developed feelings for Zhao Tianhao, which made Murong Fu increasingly unhappy.

However, this was the arrangement he had initially agreed to; even if he regretted it now, he had to see it through.

“What do a few women matter to someone destined for great achievements?” Murong Fu comforted himself, suppressing the irritation in his heart, and asked again, “Is there anything else?”

Deng Baichuan thought for a moment and said, “I heard that Miss Wang has returned from the branch of the Jing State Dukes Residence.”

“Cousin went to the Jing State Dukes Residence again?” Murong Fu's expression darkened, his brow furrowing with deep displeasure.

“Yes, the Old Madam of the Jing State Dukes Residence sent someone to invite her,” Deng Baichuan replied.

“Hmm? What's going on with that?” Bao Butong pressed further; he had also heard some rumors these past few days.

Gongye Qian gave a light cough and explained, “During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Old Madam invited the various young ladies of Suzhou to the residence to admire the moon. She said Miss Wang's talent is outstanding and grew very fond of her, so she has often invited her over since then.”

“Rumors are now spreading throughout Suzhou City that Miss Wang is about to marry into the Jing State Dukes Residence.”

“Ah? Hasn't the Cousin always had deep feelings for the Young Master?” Feng Boe said in surprise.

Murong Fu's expression became even more unsightly, and he said with a cold laugh, “It seems I need to make some preparations!”

“No, no! Young Master, we must go to Hulong Villa to clarify this matter.”

Bao Butong said, “If Miss Wang is being coerced, the impact would be massive!”

Murong Fu said in a heavy voice, “Indeed! It must be clarified!”

In a courtyard of Hulong Villa, AZhu, disguised as Wang Yuyan, was muttering to herself in distress, “What should I do, Cousin? If you don't come back soon, I'll end up marrying in your stead.”

“Marrying? Marrying whom?” AZhu turned her head blankly, only to see two figures drifting in like wisps of smoke.

AZhu immediately cried out in surprise and joy, “Cousin, you're back!”

After listening to AZhu's account, Wang Yuyan's face instantly turned crimson. She pursed her small lips and let out a startled cry, “Ah?”

“My mother wants to marry me into the Jing State Dukes Residence?”

AZhu nodded and explained: It turned out that after Zhao Fangcai left to travel, the Old Madam felt the residence was quite lonely, so under the guise of a visit, she summoned a maidservant from the residence.

She saw that “Wang Yuyan” was very beautiful and spoke a few words with her.

AZhu was clever and quick-witted; knowing the relationship between Wang Yuyan and Zhao Fangcai, she thought to leave a good impression on the Old Madam and found ways to make her happy.

As for Madam Wang, she also harbored some intentions of forming a marriage alliance, hoping to further strengthen their ties in the future. In this way, while the real Wang Yuyan had not yet returned, AZhu, the impostor, had instead become known throughout the Jing State Dukes Residence as the future Young Madam. Especially after the news of the Battle of Xiangyang reached Jiangnan, Madam Wang was both surprised and delighted; she felt gratified that her daughter had such an opportunity, yet she was also filled with profound emotion.

Zhao Fangcai said with a smile, “This is perfect; we don't have to worry about your mother not agreeing anymore.”

Hearing this, Wang Yuyan was overjoyed. On her way back, she had been constantly worried that Madam Wang would intervene, never expecting that her mother had already settled her marriage.

For a moment, she was both shy and angry. She was shy because in her muddled state, it seemed as though she were in a hurry to get married;

She was angry because how could Madam Wang take it upon herself to decide?

This trip had given Wang Yuyan some of her own ideas deep down, and she was no longer as obedient to her mother's words as before.

She stomped her foot, gave Zhao Fangcai a sidelong glance, and said with a hint of reproach, “So you've finally got your wish, haven't you?”

“Got my wish? Of course I've got my wish! This is what they call 'all lovers shall eventually be united'!” Zhao Fangcai laughed, pulled her into his arms, kissed her forehead, and said, “Just wait, I will surely marry you with great pomp and ceremony.”

Wang Yuyan's eyes curved into smiles as she leaned into his embrace and nodded, “Mhm! I'll wait for you!”