Transmigration with Cheat Codes Chapter 49.2: Blood Exchange Technique

When intentional, even separated by multiple walls, sound could hardly be muffled. It explained why various martial sects often constructed special buildings like stone rooms or secret chambers to ensure privacy.

Zhou Chen informed Yao Niang of the information gathered during the questioning. He expressed that since the incident occurred on the grounds of Nanjia Fort, regardless of whether the perpetrator was a disciple of the fort or not, they would provide an explanation to the guests.

On the other hand, Yao Niang politely offered the common martial world phrase, "The disciples of Green Moth Palace failed to manage properly, causing trouble for Nanjia Fort."

While speaking, Zhou Chen couldn't help but cast several glances at the girl in the plain fur coat with the corner of his eye.

‘Nanjia Fort and Green Moth Palace both have a direct connection to the current situation. However, why did the girl, fully aware of the danger, not urgently seek a way out?’

Meng Jintang smiled and replied, "People in the martial world, when they see injustice, should draw their swords to help."

Zhou Chen responded, "Miss, your sense of justice is admirable."

He thought for a moment and realized that she probably believed she was already involved in the matter. Trying to leave now might not necessarily free her from it. Therefore, she decided to get involved thoroughly.

Rather than passively waiting for the trouble to find them, taking the initiative at least gave her control. Besides, Zhou Chen observed the harmonious interaction between Meng Jintang and the disciples of Green Moth Palace, which made him suspect that there might be some deeper relationship between the two sides that he wasn't aware of.

Meng Jintang said, “Mr. Zhou, you flatter me unnecessarily.” She then casually remarked, “With such a significant event within the fort, why has the leader of Nanjia Fort not appeared throughout?”

Zhou Chen paused, then smiled, "How could a subordinate question the lord’s action? However, no matter what, the lord will definitely appear during the birthday ceremony. Please rest assured, Miss."

Meng Jintang smiled. "Since Mr. Zhou is overseeing the overall situation, what is there to worry about?"

Accompanied by a smile, Zhou Chen said humbly, "I dare not assume such a role."

Meng Jintang cleared her throat twice. She was still young, with a petite stature, and her pale complexion gave her a delicate appearance.

However, her clear eyes resembled a cold river under the moonlight, indicating to perceptive individuals that her internal skill was quite profound. Zhou Chen did not dare to underestimate her. As he spoke, there was a subtle courtesy, even he himself was unaware of.

Since this young lady expressed her intention to right wrongs on the road, and the people of the Green Moth Palace had no objections, Zhou Chen thought for a moment and added her to the list of those who would be working together in the future.

Through a thorough interrogation into Lin Zhiqi, although it was not yet certain about the identity of the well-intentioned senior martial artist who sympathized with his situation, the overall context finally began to take shape.

After obtaining partial information, the disciples of the Green Moth Palace expressed the need for further verification of its accuracy. However, the verification method was a secret of the Flower Butterfly Valley.

While learning it wouldn't pose a threat to confidentiality, considering the psychological well-being of unrelated individuals, Zhou Chen, as a temporary measure, was kindly requested to step aside for now.

As Zhou Chen stepped aside, various terrifying legends related to the Yi people echoed in his mind. In the end, even with thick clothing, he couldn't help but imagine a chilling scenario, breaking into a cold sweat.

Zhou Chen expressed his intention to thoroughly investigate the personnel within the fortress from three angles: poison/drug buried under the cypress tree, sudden fire in the abandoned house and the guards who should have been stationed at the Plum Blossom Courtyard were exceptionally well lured away.

Before leaving, Zhou Chen politely asked if there were any further instructions for the two individuals—referring to Yao Niang and Meng Jintang. Although he was not yet clear about this young lady's identity, he had unknowingly started to pay more attention to her.

Meng Jintang asked, "May I inquire, Mr. Zhou, why did the abandoned house catch fire?"

Zhou Chen replied, "Someone secretly brought some charcoal over and lit it quietly." He added, "According to the investigation by the disciples in the fortress, this charcoal seems to originate from the charcoal storage in the courtyard."

Meng Jintang nodded slightly, feeling that she truly lived up to being a player.

Even casually collecting some snow outside could lead to important clues. "Speaking of which, when I passed by the courtyard charcoal storage in the early morning, I noticed the door was unlocked, so I went in to take a look."

Zhou Chen responded, "Unlocked?"

Meng Jintang nodded and continued, "There were no footprints in the surrounding snow. I took the opportunity to check, and in terms of quantity, it seems that there were indeed fewer charcoal basins in the innermost part of the charcoal storage."

Zhou Chen responded, "I see."

‘Why is this young lady so skilled? Normally, when people sense something is wrong, wouldn't they quickly leave to avoid getting involved in any unexpected events?’

The NPCs couldn't comprehend Meng Jintang's player's heart, which was always busy, unreserved, and unbothered by the outside.

After a brief thought, Zhou Chen felt that this young lady might indeed be the heroic type who couldn't stand injustice and would help whenever she saw wrongdoing.

Zhou Chen suddenly realized. "The innermost part?"

He clearly thought of the same thing as Meng Jintang— the absence of charcoal basins in the innermost part was likely to prevent anyone discovering something amiss when fetching charcoal.

Meng Jintang asked, "May I inquire, at what times does Nanjia Fort usually deliver charcoal to guest rooms?"

Zhou Chen replied, "Most likely in the evening, at the earliest in the afternoon, and no later than bedtime."

Actually, delivering charcoal to various courtyards was mainly because on extremely cold days, they're afraid that some non-jianghu guests or younger individuals with less profound martial skills might catch a chill.

However, accomplished martial artists generally didn't have such a strong need for charcoal—except for individuals like Meng Jintang who were frail and unwell.

Meng Jintang pondered for a moment and smiled, "That's strange. The fire occurred in the early morning of the second day, and there was no one around the charcoal storage, and the door was unlocked. If someone stole the charcoal after the snowfall, why would they insist on taking it from the innermost part?"

Chapter 49.2: Blood Exchange Technique

Even if no one initially noticed the shortage of charcoal, once smoke emerged from the abandoned house in the southwest, it would inevitably draw attention and lead to discovery.

Meng Jintang added, "But if the charcoal was stolen before the snowfall, why didn't they just lock the door behind them?"

—Not locking it was obviously to leave it open for others.

—Who did it, and for whom did they leave the door open?

Zhou Chen hesitated. "So, according to your interpretation..."

Meng Jintang calmly said, "Since the two incidents conflict with each other, either one is a cover-up for the other, aiming to conceal the true time of the charcoal theft. But what is there to hide in this case?"

Zhou Chen nodded slightly. As long as something happened to Ah Zhuo in Nanjia Fort, the exact time when the charcoal went missing was of little importance.

Meng Jintang smiled. "Or it's also possible that the two incidents are unrelated, and there's more than one group secretly stealing charcoal."