351: Chapter 131 Rumors Seem True

Before Meng Li could figure out who had exposed Duan Yu's parentage, another piece of shocking news broke:

The Town South King of Dali, Duan Zhengchun, is dead, and the killer is Duan Yanqing!

Duan Yanqing is the missing Crown Prince Yanqing from the lineage of Emperor Shangde, the legitimate ruler of Dali back then!

When these two pieces of news were combined with Duan Yu's parentage, somehow a conspiracy theory emerged that seemed absurd yet sounded reasonable.

In this version of the story, Duan Yanqing and Dao Baifeng had known each other for a long time and were mutually in love.

Unexpectedly, the lecherous Duan Zhengchun took a fancy to Dao Baifeng's beauty and, in order to steal her away, plotted and orchestrated the rebellion of that year.

After the rebellion broke out, Duan Yanqing was secretly saved by Dao Baifeng and survived the disaster, eventually uncovering the truth. To take revenge on the villain Duan Zhengchun and reclaim the throne that originally belonged to him, he and Dao Baifeng conceived Duan Yu, keeping his true parentage hidden.

Later, Dao Baifeng often went to Qingxu Temple for quiet cultivation; on the surface, she was having a falling out with Duan Zhengchun, but in reality, she was having private trysts with her old lover, Duan Yanqing.

Many years later, Duan Zhengchun accidentally discovered Duan Yu's true parentage. This was noticed by Duan Yanqing, Dao Baifeng, and Duan Yu. To prevent Duan Zhengchun from exposing Duan Yu's parentage and causing a negative impact on him, Duan Yu and Duan Yanqing conspired to silence Duan Zhengchun.

At first glance, this theory seems far-fetched, but if one looks closely, certain things do align.

For example, Duan Yanqing pursued and hunted Duan Zhengchun; Duan Zhengchun was first paralyzed and then died, clearly indicating a great enmity with the former.

As Duan Zhengchun's son, Duan Yu was uninjured and unharmed.

There is clearly something fishy going on here.

If Duan Yu is Duan Yanqing's son, then the pursuit of Duan Zhengchun was a conspiracy between father and son, and everything makes sense.

Furthermore, Duan Yu recently went to the Shaolin Monastery to participate in the Heroes Assembly.

As the ruler of a country, meddling in Jianghu affairs is already contrary to common sense. Consequently, when he went, he even brought the already paralyzed Duan Zhengchun with him, yet had very few guards by his side.

In the end, Duan Yu himself was unharmed, while Duan Zhengchun died.

This makes it hard not to suspect a hidden conspiracy.

Additionally, the fact that Duan Zhengchun only had one son, Duan Yu, also took on a bit of a conspiracy theory hue.

Duan Zhengchun's philandering was well-known, yet Dao Baifeng, as his princess consort, adamantly refused to let him take concubines or give other women any official status.

Previously, most people just thought Dao Baifeng was jealous, coupled with the monogamy rules of the Baiyi Tribe. But now, many suspect that Dao Baifeng did it to get revenge on Duan Zhengchun for tearing her and Duan Yanqing apart back then.

And the fact that Dao Baifeng and Duan Zhengchun had been married for so many years without any children other than Duan Yu also became a point of suspicion, serving as indirect evidence for the revenge plot.

With busybodies and those with ulterior motives digging deeper and filling in the gaps, the story was told with such vivid detail that it seemed entirely believable.

Even Meng Li, who had seen the original show, almost thought a hidden plot had been unlocked when he heard this version, let alone others.

For a time, this theory spread far and wide.

The blame for Duan Zhengchun's death was pinned on Duan Yanqing, Dao Baifeng, and Duan Yu, and at the same time, it was seen as Karma.

Duan Zhengchun was lecherous and left a trail of broken hearts everywhere; in the end, not only was he cuckolded, but he also raised someone else's son for so many years—truly a case of what goes around comes around.

However, some also believed that the actions of Duan Yu, Dao Baifeng, and Duan Zhengchun were too despicable and shameful. Especially Duan Yu, because no matter what, Duan Zhengchun had raised him for so many years, yet he showed no mercy in conspiring against his adoptive father, which was truly disheartening.

Amidst the conflicting opinions, the news reached Tianlong Temple.

Duan Zhengming, who had been in secluded cultivation, came out because of the news of Duan Zhengchun's death. Upon hearing this rumor, he couldn't help but want to find Duan Yu to ask for the truth.

Duan Zhengchun was his younger brother.

Now that he was dead, to have him suffer such slander was truly unacceptable.

However, just as he reached the main hall, he encountered Ku Rong Monk.

“Amitabha.” Upon learning of Duan Zhengming's purpose, Ku Rong Monk softly chanted a Buddhist invocation and then said leisurely, “Since there is a karmic cause, there is a karmic effect. Everything is a cycle of Karma, like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow; like dew and like lightning; one should contemplate it as such.”

Duan Zhengming pondered for a long while, felt it made sense, so he abandoned the idea and went back to continue his Zen meditation.

...

Wanjian Valley.

Gan Baobao looked at the obvious traces of someone having been there, her heart filled with uncertainty.

She, Zhong Ling, and Fu Sigui had recently returned Duan Zhengchun's remains to the Town South Kings Manor.

The news of Duan Zhengchun's death was also spread by Duan Yu and Dao Baifeng after they saw his remains.

Afterward, Gan Baobao did not stay long at the Town South Kings Manor.

Because she had no official status, and also because of Duan Yu's parentage and those vivid rumors.

Whether these two matters were true or false, Gan Baobao found it hard to confirm for the time being, but in her heart, she leaned toward them being true.

Firstly, she felt that since the matter was being discussed so fervently, it didn't seem like baseless rumors.

Secondly, from the perspective of a love rival, out of jealousy and resentment, she subconsciously hoped it was true. This way, Dao Baifeng would have a stain on her reputation. She could then stand on the moral high ground and criticize her to vent her own resentment and hatred for not having an official status with Duan Zhengchun.

But regardless, with Duan Zhengchun's death, Gan Baobao had neither the heart nor the reason to stay in the capital of Dali.

Not only that, she also brought Zhong Ling back with her.

She intended to continue living in Wanjian Valley with her daughter, just like before.

But now it seemed that Wanjian Valley was not safe.

At the same time, regarding Duan Zhengchun's matter, Gan Baobao hoped to get to the bottom of it and seek an explanation.

However, this was difficult to achieve with just her and Zhong Ling.

After thinking for a while, Gan Baobao said to Zhong Ling, “Ling'er, let's go.”

Zhong Ling asked in confusion, “Go where?”

“To Yougu Valley, to find your Senior Martial Uncle Qin.”

Wanjian Valley and Yougu Valley were not far apart; before long, the two reached the place and successfully found Qin Hongmian.

Qin Hongmian was practicing her skills; seeing the two arrive, she was somewhat surprised but did not stop.

After finishing a set of Moves, she retracted her power and walked over, asking in confusion, “Why have you come?”

Gan Baobao answered with a question: “Senior Sister, have you heard about Brother Chun?”

Hearing the words “Brother Chun,” Qin Hongmian's face turned cold, and she snorted, “His affairs have nothing to do with me. Even if he died, there's no need to tell me.”

Gan Baobao immediately understood that Qin Hongmian was unaware of the recent news.

And indeed, that was the case.

Last time, Qin Hongmian had left the Town South Kings Manor in a fit of pique and returned to Yougu Valley. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and the more disappointed she grew with Duan Zhengchun. So she made up her mind that she would rather grow old alone in this Yougu Valley than ever concern herself with Duan Zhengchun's affairs again.

Therefore, since she returned last time until now, she had been staying in Yougu Valley without going out, and was completely ignorant of recent events.

Gan Baobao sighed softly and said, “Brother Chun is dead.”

“Oh.”

Qin Hongmian responded casually, clearly not believing it.

Gan Baobao had to emphasize, “I'm not joking with you, it's true.”

Zhong Ling followed up, “Senior Martial Uncle, my royal father really is dead.”

Qin Hongmian's expression froze, her gaze shifting back and forth between their faces.

Confirming that they didn't seem to be faking, her face turned pale, and she murmured, “Impossible! I saw him just a while ago and he was fine. How could he have died in such a short time?”

Gan Baobao sighed, “It's a long story...”

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qin Hongmian's eyes were rimmed with red, and her gaze was fierce.

“That bitch Dao Baifeng, I want her to be buried with Brother Chun!”

...