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Chapter 287: Jin Jiuling
Chapter 287: Jin Jiuling
"I'm not that incredible either. This Embroidered Bandit has left very little clues."
A gentle and cultured voice sounded from outside the door, and Su Shaoying turned to see Jin Jiuling stepping into the room.
He appeared to be only in his early thirties, holding an ivory folding fan and dressed in the finest and latest cloud-patterned silk robe. His handsome face bore a gentle and elegant smile.
He hardly looked like the iron-blooded detective who commanded the Six Gates, striking fear into the hearts of underworld experts. Instead, he resembled a playboy who frequented the red-light districts, always surrounded by beautiful women.
Recalling the original novel's description, Su Shaoying glanced into Jin Jiuling's eyes, meeting his gaze.
Jin Jiuling's eyes held a probing depth as he looked at Su Shaoying, who returned his gaze with a hint of ease and amusement.
Fortunately, neither of them discerned the hidden meanings in each other's eyes. Su Shaoying saw only warmth, and Jin Jiuling detected only curiosity.
"Director Jin, what brings you here?" Peng Zhan quickly greeted with a bow.
"I followed the trail of clues here," Jin Jiuling said as he helped Peng Zhan up and then turned to Su Shaoying.
"I've already heard about how Su Xiong, the second hero, cracked the case of He Xiu. I was looking forward to meeting you one day, sharing a drink, and learning from you. I didn't expect to meet so soon." Jin Jiuling smiled.
Su Shaoying returned the smile, "You're too kind, Director Jin. You've been in charge of the Six Gates for over a decade, solving countless cases. I wouldn't dare to show off in front of you."
Shaking his head, Jin Jiuling laughed, "I left the Six Gates several years ago. My detective skills remained there."
Su Shaoying joined in the laughter, "But now that you're back with the Six Doors, haven't you regained those skills?"
Jin Jiuling burst into hearty laughter, reaching out to pull Su Shaoying closer, "I think you'd fit right in with the Six Harmonies Sect. Your words are just like those of Old Zhu, who invited me out."
Su Shaoying smiled indifferently, "Unfortunately, my master has already appointed me as the heir to the sect. It wouldn't be convenient for me to join the Six Gates Sect."
A fleeting glint flashed in Jin Jiuling's eyes, and he nodded with a smile, "In a few years, I'll have to address you as Sect Master Su."
"Just a few years?" Su Shaoying gave Jin Jiuling a sidelong glance, teasing, "I told my master it would be thirty years, but Director Jin, with your ironclad judgments, perhaps you could accompany me to visit Mount Emei someday?"
Jin Jiuling was taken aback, patting Su Shaoying's shoulder and finding him truly interesting. At the same time, he also lowered his guard.
"Never mind, then. The Dual Sword and Blade Killing technique of seventy-seven styles performed by Sect Master Dugou would probably defeat me in less than three moves." Jin Jiuling smiled.
"Director Jin is too humble. The title of the greatest expert in the Three Hundred Years of the Six Gates didn't come from just one person. There are probably very few people in the world who can defeat you." Su Shaoying smiled.
The two men exchanged a glance and shared a smile.
"This Embroidered Bandit is indeed extraordinary," Jin Jiuling said, turning to the main topic. "Forget about the Pei brothers. Even Chang Mantian couldn't figure out the Embroidered Bandit's pattern."
"Chang Mantian of Zhenyuan, the successor of Iron Sword?" Su Shaoying asked.
In the original novel, the Embroidered Bandit's first appearance was blinding Chang Mantian. In the novel, he was just an extra, but in the real Jianghu, he was an old hand. He was considered a leading figure in the escort business, hence his later appearance with Jiang Zhongwei and Hua Yifan.
Jiang Zhongwei was the manager of Pingnan Wang's mansion, and his Thirteen Bodyguards, trained in Iron Sand Palm, had few rivals in the southern martial arts world.
The other, Hua Yifan, was also a celebrity in the martial arts world, with his Hua Yuxuan and Yan Tieshan's Pearl and Jade Cabinet shining in the north and south.
"Yes, him," Jin Jiuling nodded. "His twenty-seven-catty giant iron sword is a testament to his battles in the green forest. When it comes to insight and experience, few in the martial arts world can match him."
"But he was also embroidered blind?" Su Shaoying asked, feigning ignorance.
"Not just him," Jin Jiuling said. "There were also three escorts and thirty-two escorts present at the time. Including Chang Mantian, he used seventy-two needles and embroidered thirty-six blind men."
Su Shaoying patted his chest as if he had just dodged a bullet, "Luckily I arrived a little later, or else I would have been embroidered blind too?"
"Maybe you would have caught the Embroidered Bandit by chance and saved me some trouble." Jin Jiuling laughed, "You almost met him. Aren't you curious to test his skills?"
Su Shaoying gave Jin Jiuling a curious glance, shaking his head, "I don't have a large sum of silver for him to rob, and I'm not from the Six Gates. This matter has nothing to do with me. You should find someone else for this task."
Jin Jiuling seemed to be trying to rope Su Shaoying into something, but Su Shaoying, unaware of his intentions, instinctively refused the invitation.
"I thought you were interested in the Embroidered Bandit," Jin Jiuling said casually, "I heard that you've been studying the red satin embroidered with a black peony along the way."
"Yes, I am interested," Su Shaoying nodded without hesitation, then looked at Jin Jiuling, "But being interested is one thing, and actually getting involved is another. I'm just curious which great expert is short of money and has to disguise himself to do this kind of business with no capital."
"But he hasn't bothered me, so why should I go after him?" Su Shaoying said, "Now that I've encountered it, I just want to stand by and watch."
Jin Jiuling nodded in understanding, shaking his head with a smile, "To be honest, if I weren't part of the Six Gates, I'd just want to maintain my pure curiosity and watch from the sidelines as well."
"So..." Su Shaoying raised an eyebrow, "Can I be a bystander?"
"Of course," Jin Jiuling nodded with a smile, "You can watch however you like. Because I haven't got a clue yet, and you were able to detect He Xiu's suspicion from the details, maybe you can give me some advice."
Su Shaoying said, "I think you're looking for someone else to help."
Jin Jiuling didn't deny it, "But I haven't heard from him recently."
Su Shaoying implied, "Isn't this the biggest clue?"
Jin Jiuling was puzzled, "What clue?"
Su Shaoying said indifferently, "A famous expert in the martial arts world suddenly disappears, but at the same time, a masked thief appears out of thin air. That expert practiced finger techniques, and the most important skill of this thief is also finger and accuracy with the embroidery needles."
"Does what I say make sense?" Su Shaoying looked at Jin Jiuling with an innocent expression, "With so many similarities, haven't you ever suspected anything?"
Jin Jiuling's steps faltered, his eyes wide with shock.
(End of Chapter)
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