Shi Hao said slowly:
"Based on these doubts alone, we cannot be sure that it was the Hongwu Gang. This matter needs to be carefully verified."
Wang Qian nodded and said:
"Since there are no other clues, why don't we go to the Hongwu Gang to find out what's going on."
Shi Hao's bronze face showed a solemn look and said:
"The Hongwu Gang is not comparable to Qinglong Village. Putting aside Peng Tianba, his two heroes, Wen Ji and Chen Baoer, are local tycoons who stand alone and are not easy to deal with."
Chao Ping agreed:
"Brother Shi is right. I have met these two people, and they are both top-notch masters.
Wen Ji was good at using a snake spear. Because he was as long and thin as a snake, and his face was covered with round spots that looked like copper coins, everyone gave him the nickname Money Snake.
Chen Baoer, this person's face is black, but his teeth are white and shiny when he speaks.
The name sounds like a graceful beauty, but in fact she is a ruthless nine-foot-tall man who is very strong and can lift a three-hundred-jin cauldron.
That time at the Juying Tower in the city, this black guy knocked a hall leader of the Huoyun Gang downstairs with one palm. "
Shi Hao continued:
"Chen Bao'er was originally the evil star of Ludong's domination, known as the Black-faced God in the world. He only came to join Peng Tianba because he offended the Yishan Sword Sect, one of the five Baidao sects."
Wang Qi'an picked up the broken robe that he took out from Uncle Li's hand on the table and said thoughtfully:
"According to what you said, these three people are not cultivators, so maybe there is someone else who owns the broken robe?"
Chao Ping muttered:
"Whether it could be another master that Peng Tianba recently recruited, we don't know."
Wang Qian stood up, patted his clothes, and said:
"Instead of thinking about it secretly here, it is better to go to the Hongwu Gang to see if there are any new discoveries.
Anyway, I just want to see someone who can escape from Dugu Kasyapa's magic sword. "
Chao Ping jumped up and shouted:
"This is exactly what I want. Prince Wang is not familiar with this place, so I will let my younger brother lead the way."
Shi Hao shouted:
"Brother Wang, stay here. My brother already owes you a favor tonight, how can I drag you into the dangerous place of Hongwu Hall again?"
Wang Qi'an had already stepped out of the door. Hearing this, he did not look back, but said calmly:
“It is our duty to eliminate demons, defend the law, punish traitors and eradicate evil.
Although the injured are your relatives, they are also innocent people.
I admire Brother Shi as a heroic person. If you keep nagging about this matter, Wang Qi’an will look down on you. "
Chao Ping clapped his hands and said:
"No wonder the young master and I hit it off as soon as we met. Chao Ping knew that you must be a heroic and courageous person.
Brother Shi, don't worry, we are just going to inquire, there is no danger. "
Shi Hao stood up and stepped forward, bowed to Wang Qi'an and saluted:
"Shi has accepted Brother Wang's kindness today. If so, let's go together."
Hongwu Hall, the headquarters of the Hongwu Gang, was originally a garden owned by a local wealthy gentry, but for some unknown reason, it fell into the hands of Peng Tianba.
He ordered the surrounding walls to be reinforced and raised, and watchtowers and arrow stacks were set up at the four corners.
After some renovation, it became a strong castle.
This garden was originally built on Longtan Mountain, with mountains on its back and a lake on its side. The green trees and red flowers on the lakeside complement each other.
Within the walls of the courtyard and above the attic, you can have a panoramic view of the water, light and mountains.
Wang Qi'an and the others came to a big tree by the lake and looked around. They saw two large mahogany doors tightly closed on the steps of the main entrance.
Shi Guang said in surprise:
"The Hongwu Gang usually has a great show, and there are two rows of gang guards at the entrance. I wonder why there are no soldiers or guards today?"
Shi Hao pointed to the courtyard wall and said:
"Not only that, there are no people in the watchtowers on both sides, and there are no guards watching."
Chao Ping said:
"You guys wait for me here, I'll go see what's going on."
After he finished speaking, he rushed forward in a flash of smoke. After a few ups and downs, he was already like a roc flying up the side of the courtyard wall, lurking towards the watchtower on the right.
After a while, I saw him sticking his head out from the watchtower and waving to everyone.
Wang Qi'an and the others were surprised when they followed the same example and climbed up to the watchtower.
It turned out that two Hongwu Gang guards were lying at Chao Ping's feet.
Chao Ping explained:
"I didn't touch them. They were like this when we came up."
Wang Qi'an stepped forward to check and found that the two of them were dead.
After careful inspection, he said in a deep voice:
"He died because his throat bones were crushed. The other party had profound internal skills and was a first-rate master.
It seems that the Hongwu Gang has encountered a strong enemy.
Come on, let's go take a look inside the house. "
The four of them clicked on the eaves and stepped on the tiles, and jumped onto the roof of the front hall.
Looking down, he couldn't help but be horrified. In the square in front of the main hall, he saw dozens of corpses of men and women, with broken limbs and broken bodies, scattered in various places.
Judging from their clothing, most of these people should be members of the Hongwu Gang.
Looking at the houses in the courtyard, they are all brightly lit, but no one is moving around and there is no sound.
The hall had a weird atmosphere, which made people feel tingly.
Wang Qian said:
"It seems something happened to the Hongwu Gang. I wonder if Peng Tianba is among the corpses below?"
Shi Guangdao:
"I've seen him, let me go down and identify him."
Wang Qian quickly stretched out his hand to stop him and said:
"Wait a minute, the murderer dared to pick on the Hongwu Gang, his strength is extraordinary.
If even Peng Tianba died in the fight, then the martial arts of this person might not be inferior to that of the 'Sword Demon' Dugu Kasyapa.
The situation is still unclear, so we can't show up rashly yet. "
Shi Hao said:
"Brother Wang's words make sense. Let's go to other courtyards first and then meet back here later."
The four people divided themselves into two sides and quickly circled half a circle of the entire mansion. After meeting, they then swept back to the main hall square from the central axis.
Chao Ping said:
"There are also corpses in other courtyards to the west, and the entire mansion is as quiet as a ghost land."
Shi Guang took the words and said:
"The situation is the same in the east. It seems that the murderer should have left. There are no survivors in the entire Hongwu Hall."
The four of them approached the body lying on the ground and carefully identified it.
Wang Qi'an had already taken the lead to catch a glimpse of a giant man with a black face, his head tilted to one side, and the beach was soft to the ground, like a hill.
Chao Ping exclaimed from the side:
"This is the black-faced god Chen Baoer. I didn't expect that he would also die here."
He turned his head and exclaimed: "Hey!"
"The money snake Wen Ji is also dead."
Wang Qi'an looked toward his hand, and sure enough he saw a lanky man with round spots on his face lying on the ground.
After the four people made a tour, they returned to the front of the hall.
Shi Guangqi said:
"If you don't see Peng Tianba, it's time for him to escape."
Shi Hao looked up at the sky, his face full of sorrow and silent.
Wang Qian approached him and said:
"Brother Shi Hao also thinks that the ones who attacked the Hongwu Gang and those who brutalized Qinglong Village are the same gang."
Shi Hao looked at Wang Qi'an, his face brightened slightly, and he said with admiration:
"Brother Wang's guess is correct. Most of the wounds on these people are similar to those of my relatives in the village.
Especially Zhu Yilue and Money Snake Wen Ji, the fatal injuries on their necks were the same as those of my father and Uncle Li. "
While the two were talking, there was suddenly a fierce banging sound on the door.
Chao Ping jumped back from the courtyard wall to the square and said in a panic:
"No, there are a lot of officers and soldiers outside. It's time for someone to report the news."
