Zhao Rang's thoughts were blown away by a breeze, and he shook his head, forcing himself to withdraw from the memory of "half of his face".

Looking around, the hall was in shambles, and it was clear that the murderer did not deliberately cover up his actions after the murder.

Going around and around, Zhao Rang still returned to Boss Hu's body, squatted down, and carefully examined the wound.

The blood had congealed around the wound from the long cleft that ran from the top of the sternum to the abdomen, forming a dark red mark.

This is by no means a wound that an ordinary person can inflict!

The murderer is not only superb in martial arts, but also extremely ruthless!

Zhao Rang stretched out his fingers and gently touched the edge of the wound, the wound was neat and smooth, without the slightest mud and water, which showed that the weapon used by the murderer was extremely sharp, and the power was controlled just right when he shot.

Judging from the depth of the wound, the murderer's weapon pierced Boss Hu's body for at least half a foot.

Such a depth is enough to kill.

The shape of the wound showed an eerie bend, as if the killer had deliberately changed the direction of the weapon when he struck.

Zhao Rang's heart moved: The murderer used a weapon such as a soft sword or whip sword!

Such a weapon can be bent at will, changing the direction of attack, making it difficult to defend against, and the use of such a weapon requires extremely high martial arts attainments and exquisite techniques.

At this time, he noticed some tiny marks around the wound.

The traces took on a pale blue, emitting a strange scent that couldn't be concealed by blood, almost exactly what he smelled in the dark shadow man and the flower pots!

Zhao Rang took a deep breath, turned around and walked out of the door, there was no point in staying here, the confined space would increase the probability of him being poisoned.

But at the moment when he was about to push open the door, a strong murderous aura rushed to his face!

"Whoosh-"

A sharp arrow glittering with a faint blue light flew over Zhao Rang's shoulder, like a meteor piercing the night sky, nailed to the door with a cold and piercing killing intent.

The blue light circulating on the arrows is anything but ordinary.

Zhao Rang's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he held the knife tightly, his body blended with the night, ready to attack.

Outside the door.

A dark shadow slowly appeared.

He was tall, like a mountain.

There was a layer of black mist around his body, as if it came from the Nine Demon Gods.

His gaze was as cold as ice, and he held a long knife in his hand.

The black shadow man did not make a move immediately, but looked at Zhao Rang with a playful look, as if a cat was playing with the mouse in his palm.

The two had already met once, in the previous alley.

Once raw and twice cooked.

Now the two of them are not strangers by any means.

But no matter how big Zhao Rang's heart is, he can't really get acquainted with this group of people......

With a slight wave of the knife in the black shadow man's hand, a terrible scream suddenly sounded in the air, as if an invisible ghost was crying.

His figure flashed, turning into a black streamer and attacking Zhao Rang!

The long sword stabbed Zhao Rang's heart with a sharp sword aura, and the speed was so fast that it was almost impossible to catch!

Zhao Rang is not slow at all!

The long knife in his hand slashed at the dark shadow man's neck with the sound of whistling wind, trying to slash him with a single sword.

The shadow man sneered, his figure shook again, and he turned into an afterimage and disappeared in place.

Zhao Rang only felt a chill coming from behind, and he turned around sharply and swung his sword towards the sneak attack of the sword qi.

The black shadow man had long known that Zhao Rang was difficult, and the knife became more and more powerful.

The sword qi crisscrossed and weaved into an impermeable sword net, enveloping Zhao Rang in it.

Zhao Rang let out a loud shout and swung his knife at the black shadow man.

A jet-black and golden sword qi burst out of the air, as if tearing through space, slashing towards the black shadow man with unparalleled might.

The black shadow man's pupils shrank, and he hurriedly waved his long knife to resist, but it was too late......

The blade slashed at his shoulder in an instant, blood staining his shirt red.

The black shadow figure retreated violently, and his eyes looked at the knife in Zhao Rang's hand in horror.

Zhao Rang did not give the other party a chance to breathe.

The figure flashed, turned into a streamer and chased after it.

With the sound of the wind whistling on the blade, it slashed at the neck of the shadow man again.

The black shadow man was in his heart, and he tried his best to pull it into the same fate with Zhao's knife!

The double knives, the knife qi criss-crossed, and the entire space was about to be torn apart.

However, Zhao Rang saw through his intentions!

The figure suddenly fluttered like the wind, and skillfully dodged the blow, while the blade slashed at the black shadow man's neck with a fierce momentum.

"Poof!"

Blood splattered out, and the shadow man's head rolled to the ground.

Zhao Rang looked at the headless corpse lying on the ground and was speechless for a long time......

He wasn't even in the mood to lift the man's mask.

Because after the second knife, Zhao Rang found out that this person was definitely not the person in the alley before!

However, the posture of the two before and after is very similar......

Leaving the bloody and chaotic hall, Zhao Rang returned to the street, the silence of the night compared to the previous hustle and bustle, like a desert of death, swallowing all his senses.

In the silence, his heart seemed to be torn apart, and the pain was like a dark tide, hitting his soul wave after wave.

He felt like he had woken up from a nightmare, but the nightmarish shadow was with him, and he couldn't really shake it off.

Walking on the deserted streets, the echoing footsteps were like a lonely drumbeat, beating his tired and heavy heart.

Every step is like groping in endless darkness, looking for a glimmer of light that doesn't exist.

Zhao Rang knew very well that alcohol was only a temporary safe haven, but it couldn't really dispel the storm in his heart, but he couldn't resist the craving that surged into his heart......

When you close your eyes at this moment, you can smell the rich aroma of wine and feel the pleasure of burning alcohol on the tip of your tongue.

It was the only straw he could grasp at the moment, even if it was only a moment of illusion.

The shops on both sides of the street have long since closed, and only a few dim street lamps swaying in the wind, casting dappled lights and shadows.

After walking a few streets, I finally found a tavern with the lights on.

The tavern was filled with smoke, and Zhao Rang pushed the door in, a strong smell of wine mixed with various complex flavors came to his face, and this familiar environment and smell gave him some comfort.

However, when the alcohol flowed into his throat, bringing temporary numbness and pleasure, the pain in his heart burned more and more violently like a lit flame.

The alcohol didn't make him forget the gore and the chaos, but made them come to life more clearly in his mind.

It was as if he saw those frightened eyes again, and heard those desperate screams.

After two battles, his hands trembled involuntarily, as if he could still feel the sticky blood and cold corpses.

He tried to numb his nerves with alcohol, but it was a futile struggle......

No matter how much he drank, the pain and fear would follow him, as if he was bound by an invisible shackle, unable to break free and unable to move forward.

Just then, a crisp voice broke the noise of the tavern:

"Yo, this guest officer, seeing that your face is not very good, is there something bothering?"

Zhao Rang raised his head and saw a young girl standing in front of him, looking at him with a smile.

The girl looked to be in her early twenties, dressed in a strange dress, with two playful pigtails on her head, and her eyes were clear and bright, as if she could read people's hearts.

Zhao Rang was slightly stunned, he didn't expect to meet such a fresh and refined girl in this kind of place.

He shook his head and said with a wry smile:

"Girl, I'm just a little tired."

But the girl relentlessly asked:

"Tired? That's not going to work! Come to our tavern just to relax! Come, come, let me introduce you to a few of our specialty wines, which are guaranteed to make you feel good after drinking! ”

As she spoke, she turned around and took out a few bottles of wine of different colors from the wine cabinet and introduced them to Zhao Rang one by one.

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, as if there was a kind of magic, which made Zhao Rang's mood gradually relax.

Looking at the girl's quirky appearance and clear eyes, Zhao Rang couldn't help but feel good.

On such a night, in such a tavern, meeting such a girl seems to be a predestined salvation.

"Girl, can your wine here really relieve a thousand sorrows?"

Zhao Rang tried to ask in a relaxed tone, but there was still a hint of exhaustion and heaviness in his voice.

The girl blinked and smiled playfully:

"I can't guarantee that you will be relieved, but at least it will make you forget your troubles for a while and be happy for a while."

Zhao Rang smiled slightly, thinking that this girl was interesting.

He picked up a bottle of wine and looked at it carefully:

"What's the name of this bottle?"

"This bottle is called 'Forget Worries' and is one of our signature wines."

The girl enthusiastically introduced:

"It is made with a variety of rare medicinal herbs and fine wines, and has a rich taste and a long aftertaste. You try it and you are guaranteed not to be disappointed. ”

Zhao Rang nodded lightly, opened the cap, and a rich aroma of wine came to his nose.

I tasted it, and sure enough, as the girl said, the taste was mellow and the aftertaste was long.

The stimulation of the alcohol made him feel a brief numbness and pleasure, as if all the pain and fear had been temporarily left behind.

"Good wine!"

Zhao Rang couldn't help but admire.

"This wine is so good!"

When the girl heard Zhao Rang's praise, a smug smile appeared on her face:

"That's nature! The wines in our tavern are all unique, and each bottle has its own unique flavor and story. ”

Zhao Rang became interested, put down the wine bottle in his hand, and asked curiously:

"And the story?"

The girl cleared her throat and changed her tone to a more eloquent tone:

"For example, this bottle of 'Forget Worries' takes its name from an old legend. Legend has it that once upon a time, there was a place called the Valley of Forgotten Worries, where people lived carefree and happy. Later, someone went to look for it, but they didn't find it, but by mistake, this wine was brewed, and it was named 'forget worries'. ”

Zhao Rang couldn't help but take another sip of wine when he heard it, feeling the rich aroma of wine spreading in his mouth.

"Do you believe that there really is a place like the Valley of Forgotten Sorrows in this world?"

Zhao Rang asked suddenly.

The girl was stunned for a moment, then thought seriously:

"Actually, I don't know. But I feel like it can be there if you want to. ”

The girl's words made Zhao Rang fall into deep thought, and he silently savored the "forget worries" in his hand.

The mellow aroma of wine seems to be able to penetrate the haze of the soul and bring a trace of long-lost tranquility.

"Well, you're right."

After a long time, Zhao Rangcai said faintly.

When the girl heard Zhao Rang's words, a relieved smile appeared on her face:

"It's great that you can think so, guest officer!"

Zhao Rang nodded, deeply convinced.

He suddenly felt that this seemingly eccentric girl actually had good insight and wisdom.

"What's your name, girl?" Zhao Rang asked curiously.

"Haha, breadwinner, no name. Open a tavern, and the guests here call me a wine lady. ”

When the girl finished speaking, she winked playfully and asked rhetorically:

"What about you?"

"My name is Zhao Rang."

Zhao Rang replied with a smile.

Such a girl makes people unguarded.

"Brother Zhao, look at your dress and temperament......"

Xiao Ling looked at Zhao Rang curiously, with a curious glint in his eyes.

Zhao Rang shook his head:

"It's just an ordinary person. It's just that I've experienced some things tonight and I'm a little bored, so I came here to borrow wine to kill my sorrows. ”

Xiao Ling smiled disappreciatively:

"Brother Zhao, you are too modest! I think you must be a person with a story! ”

Zhao Rang was amused by Xiao Ling's words.

Under the influence of the strength of the wine, his mood became relaxed.

"You don't know, most of the people who usually come here to drink are vulgar people, and they rarely have the opportunity to meet someone as cultured as you."

Zhao Rang smiled slightly, didn't say anything more, and drank cup by cup.

There are things that can be said but not done.

There are some things that can be done but cannot be explained.

So Zhao Rang knew that it was already deep at night, and it was time for him to leave.

stood up, gently put down the wine glass in his hand, and said goodbye to Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling looked at him with some surprise, as if he didn't expect him to leave so soon.

"Brother Zhao, are you leaving?"

A hint of loss flashed in Xiao Ling's eyes.

Zhao Rang said lightly: "Yes"

Xiao Ling pursed her lips, seemingly a little reluctant, but still forced a smile and said:

"Okay, Brother Zhao, you go slowly. If you have the opportunity in the future, you are welcome to come back to our tavern for a drink. ”

The girl who met in Pingshui would be so enthusiastic about herself, and Zhao Rang would also have a warm current in her heart:

"Okay, I'll definitely come back when I have the chance."

With that, he turned and walked towards the door of the tavern.

Xiao Ling watched him leave until his figure disappeared into the night.

Walking on the empty streets, Zhao Rang's mood was much lighter than before.

Although those worries and pains didn't really go away, at least in this moment, he felt a moment of peace and warmth.

No one knows if there is a valley of forgetfulness in this world, after all, no one can completely escape the chaos and pain of reality.

But at least somewhere, somewhere, there will always be a place where one can find a little solace and peace.

As he walked, Zhao Rang suddenly felt a burst of alcohol rushing into his heart, his head was dizzy, and his steps became staggering.

He realized that he might have drunk a little too much, and the alcohol began to wreak havoc inside him, causing him to feel a flurry of discomfort......

Zhao Rang hurriedly looked around, trying to find a place to rest.

Luckily, there was a wall not far away, and he staggered over to it and sat down with his back against it.

However, the effects of alcohol made him feel more and more uncomfortable. His stomach was churning, and a strong feeling of nausea welled up in his heart.

The cold wind of the night was cold, and Zhao Rang felt a trace of coolness invade his body through his clothes

But he couldn't care about it anymore, and the strength of the wine made him feel sick for a while...... A sour smell gushed out of his mouth, and he vomited all over the place.

After vomiting, Zhao Rang felt as if his body had been emptied, leaning weakly on the pavilion pillar, panting.

However, the effects of alcohol do not fade so easily.

The more Zhao Rang tried to stay awake, the more dizziness worsened.

In the end, Zhao Rang still couldn't resist the invasion of alcohol, his breathing gradually became stable, his body relaxed, and he fell asleep against the wall.

At the same time, inside the city lord's mansion.

Di Tian sat in his study.

Completely different from the past, he is no longer the personable, literati-like city lord.

His hair was disheveled over his shoulders, his face was haggard, his eyes had lost their former brilliance, and his shirt was stained in several places.

The study room was even more in shambles.

Books and manuscripts were scattered all over the place, and the ink in the inkstone had long since dried up.

But Di Tian seems to be completely immersed in his own world, ignoring everything in the outside world.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of the desk, as if searching for some kind of support

His mind drifted back to many years ago, when he was a young and vigorous teenager......

A sharp knock on the door broke the silence of the study.

Di Tian raised his head slowly, his eyes revealing a trace of confusion and exhaustion.

He steadied himself and tried to calm himself before he went to open the door.

Standing outside the door was his steward, his face solemn and his eyes revealing a hint of anxiety.

"City Lord, there's news."

The guard whispered, a tremor in his tone.

Di Tian's eyes widened instantly, staring at the guards tightly, and asked in a trembling voice:

"What's the news?"

Di Tian's voice revealed eagerness and anticipation, as if grasping a life-saving straw.

The guard took a deep breath, tried to calm his emotions, and whispered:

"We found the murderer."

Di Tian's heart trembled suddenly, and he grabbed the guard's shoulder violently, so strong that the guard couldn't help frowning.

"Seriously?"

Di Tian's voice revealed disbelief and ecstasy.

"Who's the murderer?"

The guard endured the pain in his shoulder and said quickly:

"It's Zhao Rang."

When Di Tian heard the name "Zhao Rang", his pupils suddenly contracted, and the expression on his face became complicated and difficult to distinguish. He let go of his grip on the guard's shoulder and took a few steps back.

"How could it be his ......"

Di Tian muttered to himself, his eyes full of shock and incomprehension.

Are you sure it's Zhao Rang? ”

Di Tian asked in a deep voice, with a hint of undoubted majesty in his tone.

Without hesitation, the guard replied, "Yes, my lord! Some of us witnessed the murder with our own eyes, and judging from the traces left at the scene, it is completely consistent with the weapon he used. ”

Di Tian was silent for a moment, then waved his hand and motioned for the guards to stand back.

He needs to be alone and calm his thoughts.

The guard saluted respectfully, then exited the study, closing the door gently.