Online: I Can See Health Bars Chapter 1309 - 583: Spring

Tai Xuelin!

Was he not the hall master who was on duty and responsible for guarding Ding Hui today!

Could it be?!

Upon hearing the news and recovering from his shock, Fa Hongbao had yet to fully process the situation when Fang Yu swiftly dashed past him and rushed towards the exit.

"Young Master Diao?!"

Qiu Xiaoping appeared stunned.

Prior to arriving at the Forest Snake Gang, she had conducted some preliminary research. While she might be unfamiliar with the names of the lesser figures within the gang, she had made it a point to learn about the hall masters. Therefore, she found it inexplicable why the demise of a mere hall master from the Forest Snake Gang would provoke such an intense reaction from Fang Yu.

According to the intelligence gathered, Tai Xuelin had entered the city only a few days prior and joined the Forest Snake Gang shortly after settling in. Given such a brief period, she questioned the origin of such a deep connection.

As Qiu Xiaoping mulled this over, she observed Fa Hongbao's face contorted with fear, as if he had grasped a dreadful realization. She quickly caught on and, with a smile, stated.

"Gang Leader Fa, please remain calm. With Young Master Diao's formidable strength, he far surpasses the caliber of your gang's hall masters. His presence alone ensures your safety. Furthermore..."

Qiu Xiaoping paused briefly before continuing with a smile, "I also happen to know Young Master Diao. His friends are my friends. If you place your trust in me, and remain within my sight, I can guarantee your security."

Fa Hongbao was taken aback by her declaration.

What could she possibly mean?

Could this young lady's capabilities truly rival Mr. Diao's?

The mere thought sent Fa Hongbao into a state of breathlessness. He acknowledged with a shudder the lewd thoughts he had harbored towards her earlier, thanking his luck for not having voiced them, lest he be crushed into a pulp.

Indeed, his heart truly belonged only to his lady!

Witnessing Qiu Xiaoping's unwavering confidence, Fa Hongbao couldn't help but be swayed.

"With Lord Qiu's assurance, I am reassured. However, concerning Master Tai's death, I must personally inspect the scene and investigate further. Would... would Lord Qiu accompany me on this endeavor?"

He harbored a deep worry about the possibility of an ambush along the way.

Such timidity?

Qiu Xiaoping found his request slightly peculiar but didn't dwell on it, reasoning that smaller gangs inherently possessed limited influence.

They, along with the reporting servant, hurried towards the site of the incident. Qin Er, uncertain of her role, quickly bit her lip and followed close behind. Only the unconscious scarred man remained in the hall, subsequently carried by the gang's servants to a guest room.

The trio proceeded to the scene of the crime, guided by the servant who had made the report.

After a brief examination of the corpse lying on the ground, Qiu Xiaoping raised her gaze, her eyes suspiciously sweeping across the surrounding area.

She observed Tai Xuelin's lifeless body positioned at the entrance of his courtyard. He had been slain by an unknown assailant, a dagger plunged deep into his chest, presumably the cause of death.

However... Diao Deyi, who had been the first to rush out demonstrating evident concern, was nowhere to be found at the scene!

What... kind of situation was this?

Qiu Xiaoping felt utterly bewildered.

"Lord Qiu, what are your thoughts? Who do you believe might be responsible for this tragedy?"

Fa Hongbao's question had barely been voiced...

"Gang Leader!"

Lady Tai, now a grieving widow, suddenly appeared, her body collapsing against Fa Hongbao. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably, her cries punctuated by occasional gasps.

"Gang Leader, my husband, my husband... sob sob sob sob!"

Her heart-wrenching cries echoed, prompting the subordinates responsible for the territory, who had gathered nearby, to display expressions of both intense anger and deep sorrow.

These men were Tai Xuelin's most trusted aides.

Faced with Tai Xuelin's sudden demise, they felt an overwhelming urge to tear the perpetrator limb from limb as an act of vengeance!

Yet, they were all hardened men, possessing virtually no investigative skills when it came to solving crimes; their expertise lay solely in combat, leaving them utterly clueless in tracking down a perpetrator.

Consequently, quite a few redirected their gazes towards the unfamiliar faces of Qiu Xiaoping and Qin Er.

Their Gang Leader's intention seemed to imply that these unfamiliar guests might possess the means to identify the hall master's murderer?

However, confronted with their expectant stares, Qiu Xiaoping found the situation rather challenging.

Despite possessing a sharp intellect and holding a high rank within the Rebel Army, her actual investigative abilities were notably lacking. Moreover, without any pertinent information, how could she possibly pinpoint the culprit?

Their anticipation of her capabilities was thus destined for disappointment.

Fortunately, her primary objective was not to join the Forest Snake Gang but to forge an alliance with Young Master Diao.

The only lingering question was... where had Young Master Diao disappeared to?

While everyone awaited Qiu Xiaoping's assessment, and as she remained in contemplative silence, it was Qin Er, standing beside her, who unexpectedly spoke.

"Considering... considering he was a hall master, it is presumed he possessed significant abilities. This location is situated directly in front of his residence; if any intense confrontation had occurred, it would undoubtedly have been noticed... finding, finding individuals who were on patrol near the courtyard during that time, or any servants within the mansion, might potentially yield some clues..."

With considerable bravery, Qin Er voiced her thoughts.

The grievous error made by the scarred man had inadvertently ensnared her too; it became imperative for her to secure a favorable impression with Minister Qiu if she wished to thrive within the Rebel Army...

Yet, scarcely had the words left her lips when she was assailed by the weight of every gaze turning her way, an oppressive pressure that compelled her to instinctively lower her head. Burying her face in her cloth shoes, she whispered almost inaudibly, like the buzz of a mosquito.

"However, this is merely my humble notion... there is no need for anyone to place excessive importance upon it..."

But save for Qiu Xiaoping, her faint utterance went unheard by all others.

"Patrolling... Hou Mo is the one assigned to patrolling duties today, is he not? Where has that fellow vanished to now?" a retainer mused aloud.

"Who knows? Everyone has been preoccupied with the Hall Master's predicament, paying little heed to the whereabouts of others."

Fa Hongbao, who could convincingly impersonate a gang leader without revealing his true nature, undeniably possessed certain formidable capabilities.

Swiftly grasping the crucial elements of the situation, he issued his directives: "Seek him out! All of you, find that man for me at once! Furthermore, esteemed Lady Tai, I implore you to bear your grief with fortitude and assemble all the mansion's servants for interrogation. I shall dispatch individuals to offer their assistance. Should anyone attempt to flee, apprehend them without delay!"