David Brooks asked intently, “It’s said that the True Heart Sutra of Longqi Temple is unrivaled in the martial world. When His Majesty the Emperor’s power was still weak, Reverend Mason alone guarded the pass with the True Heart Sutra and saved His Majesty from peril. Once the True Heart Sutra is activated, the eyes become exceptionally bright, like pearls in the night. Little Reverend has practiced for several years and should have made some progress. Could you show us?”

Second Senior Brother Charles Foster smiled and said, “This junior of mine is exceptionally gifted. His internal skills have certainly begun to develop, perhaps even reached minor achievement. William, show them.”

William Carter felt awkward.

He hadn’t practiced the True Heart Sutra at all—after all, Reverend Mason never checked on the disciples’ training progress.

The True Heart Sutra even has special effects?

How come I didn’t know that?

William Carter began brainstorming.

Hearing Charles Foster’s words, the disciples outside the hall started whispering among themselves. To receive such praise from the Second Senior Brother—could it be that William Carter truly is a martial arts prodigy?

With all eyes on him, William Carter could only confess, “Sorry, I haven’t been practicing the True Heart Sutra. I prefer to create my own martial arts. My internal skills are still in the exploratory stage. As for martial arts…”

David Brooks interrupted, “You happen to be practicing footwork, right?”

William Carter was stunned, looking at David Brooks in surprise.

David Brooks bent down and lifted the covering. The deceased was a young, strong man, with a jade ring on his finger, indicating it wasn’t a robbery but a vendetta.

David Brooks opened his chest—his breastbone was caved in, the wound long and narrow, as if someone had stomped on him with great force.

What a coincidence?

William Carter finally realized he was in trouble. After six years of peace, misfortune had come at last.

The deceased was connected to officials. If he was taken away, even Reverend Mason couldn’t protect him, and that would be a huge problem.

Back when Reverend Mason saved him, those villains had seen Reverend Mason’s face, meaning they knew where he was staying.

During the time William Carter was kidnapped by those villains, he’d also learned their identities—there were both civil and military officials involved, even founding ministers of the dynasty. This was a deep and shocking conspiracy, and they were surely waiting for William Carter to leave the temple.

Because Reverend Mason had once saved Emperor Jiang Yuan, the emperor remembered the favor and rewarded him, so Longqi Temple was the only martial arts sect in the capital. The authorities were not allowed to investigate without cause, and the military could not enter without permission.

“Little Daoist, why are you silent? Could it be that you’re the murderer?” David Brooks stared intently at William Carter.

Chapter 2: Infinite Lifespan, The Unpredictability of Life

Facing the unfriendly gazes of David Brooks and the others, as well as the suspicious looks from his fellow disciples, William Carter did not panic.

Instead, he asked, “That’s right, I do practice footwork. But may I ask, Benefactor Brooks, how did you know? There are over a hundred disciples in the temple—how can you be sure it’s me? Have you already checked every disciple?”

To check the martial arts of over a hundred disciples in less than an hour was too rushed—unless they were already convinced the murderer was from Longqi Temple.

David Brooks shook his head. “Of course not. It’s just that it rained last night and only stopped an hour ago. Though it wasn’t heavy, the whole mountain is muddy. If the disciples hadn’t gone out last night, the mud on their boots should still be wet when they came today. That’s true for everyone—except you. Even your pant legs have dried mud, which means your legs made large movements last night.”

William Carter looked down. Sure enough, there were many mud stains of various sizes on his pant legs.

The disciples outside the hall began to stir, whispering among themselves.

He still didn’t panic. Looking at David Brooks, he asked, “The footwork deduction makes sense, but what about my motive? I’ve lived in Longqi Temple since childhood and never left. I haven’t had any contact with you these past few days either. Why would I kill him?”

Reverend Mason’s face was expressionless, while the three senior disciples seemed deep in thought.

Even the five guests behind David Brooks began discussing in low voices.

Indeed.

Why would he kill?

A wealthy young lady spoke up, “That’s right, he died in his own room. If this little Daoist killed him, he would have had to sneak in at night to do it. How deep must the hatred be?”

In Jing Dynasty society, women could go out freely. This young lady was not traveling with David Brooks; she just happened to be at Longqi Temple for spiritual cultivation during this period. Her servants were all waiting outside the hall.

William Carter began to size up David Brooks and the others, suspecting the murderer was most likely among them.

Huh!

This guy has true qi in his body!

William Carter keenly sensed a thin, inconspicuous man. The Daoist Natural Arts was an immortal cultivation technique. Though he hadn’t cultivated spiritual power, his senses were extremely sharp—far beyond ordinary people.

The thin man was dressed like a merchant, his body frail, making it hard to imagine he practiced martial arts. Moreover, his true qi was very faint and hard to detect, but it couldn’t escape William Carter’s senses.

These faint traces of true qi leaked from certain acupoints, meaning this man had sealed his true qi in his acupoints to create the illusion that he didn’t know martial arts.

David Brooks frowned. “Indeed, there’s no motive. But just because we don’t know the motive doesn’t mean there isn’t one. To investigate past relationships and evidence, we can’t rely solely on words. The authorities need to investigate. Little Daoist, are you willing…”

William Carter suddenly interrupted, “Benefactor Brooks, you said earlier that none of the people behind you know martial arts, correct?”

David Brooks nodded. “That’s right. Your three senior brothers and sister have all checked.”