Lu Zheng explained, “It’s a technique from blade forms, disarming an opponent bare-handed. Useless against experts, but easy against an ordinary person.”
He was talking about the past, of course.
Back then, he was skilled in blade techniques but still a regular person. Now, having learned the *Eighteen Forms of Burden Mountain* and cultivated martial vitality, things were different.
“Blade technique?” All three were stunned.
After Lu Zheng came under suspicion, they’d reviewed the footage of him subduing Li Yanjie. They’d speculated endlessly, even having Lin Wan, who was there, demonstrate. But no one had guessed that fluid sequence was a blade technique.
“I thought it was sanda or some grappling move,” Lin Wan said.
“Single blade relies on the hand, double blades on footwork. Single blade techniques use the left hand too, so they include some grappling moves.”
Lu Zheng added, “Grappling’s versatile, fits almost anywhere.”
Professional!
Lin Wan’s eyes sparkled, Lu Zheng was like a hidden master in the city.
In an era where traditional martial arts were mocked as ineffective, he’d subdued a twenty-something with one hand.
“Impressive!” Liu Leng gave a thumbs-up.
“You’re too kind, he was just weak.”
Lu Zheng spoke truthfully, a real expert wouldn’t be pinned like a wooden post.
Liang Yuandong asked, “What school’s blade technique? Wing Chun’s Eight Chopping Knives?”
Thanks to the *Ip Man* films, that style was famous.
“No,” Lu Zheng shook his head, grinning, “Basic blade techniques.”
The joke fell flat.
“If basic blade techniques were that strong, martial arts wouldn’t be called ‘dance arts’,” Liang said.
“They didn’t train properly,” Lu Zheng replied coolly, “No move in a form is wasted, it’s about how you use it.”
Bold words!
“Like military knife techniques?” Liu Leng grew curious.
“Er, I train traditional blade forms, different from military ones. Military knives, though rooted in martial arts, are too simplified, shorter, keeping only the deadliest moves. It’s just… different.”
Tch, professional!
As they spoke, the car pulled into the city bureau’s gates, stopping at the office building.
Under several solemn gazes, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan stepped out, chatting and laughing.
Onlookers: ⚆_⚆?
What’s going on?
…
“Name?”
“Lu Zheng.”
“Age?”
“Twenty-two.”
In the interrogation room, Lu Zheng answered curiously.
“You really ask all this obvious stuff?”
“It’s procedure, for confirmation,” Lin Wan explained, continuing, “Hometown?”
…
After the formalities, they got to the point.
“Between 10 p.m. and midnight the day before yesterday, where were you?”
“At home,” Lu Zheng answered instantly, no hesitation.
“Proof?”
Lu Zheng shrugged, “I live alone, no proof.”
Lin Wan and Liang Yuandong exchanged a glance, then she asked bluntly, “Do you eat fruit?”
What a pivot.
But Lu Zheng nodded, answering honestly, “Yes.”
“Use a fruit knife?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t we find a fruit knife at your place today?”
“Huh?” Lu Zheng was baffled.
Liang Yuandong shifted his gaze from the file to Lu Zheng, “Li Yanjie is dead. The murder weapon was a fruit knife with your fingerprints.”
“What?” Lu Zheng was floored.
Li Yanjie, dead?
Me, the killer?
“Wait, hold on!” Lu Zheng raised a hand, “Let me get this straight!”
“Li Yanjie’s dead, the murder weapon’s my fruit knife, and you didn’t find it at my place today?”
“Correct,” Lin Wan said gravely, “Anything to explain?”
No wonder they were on edge, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
“Er… I’m not the killer?” Lu Zheng said, dazed.
Liang Yuandong’s lips twitched, Lin Wan nearly laughed.
“Despite many doubts, the evidence is clear, so we had to bring you in. Please understand,” Liang said, “We need your cooperation to clear this up and prove your innocence.”
“Absolutely!” Lu Zheng nodded like a pecking hen.
Lin Wan asked, “Since your conflict with Li Yanjie last weekend, please detail your movements over the past few days.”
“I…” Lu Zheng started, then his eyes flashed.
“What did you remember?” Lin Wan pressed.
“My place was broken into!”
Lu Zheng quickly explained, “The morning before last.”
He recounted going to Wanren Ancient Sword Hall and returning at noon to find his slippers misplaced.
“But nothing was stolen, so I didn’t report it.”
“The morning before last?”
“Yes,” Lu Zheng nodded firmly.
“Alright, that’s a lead, we’ll look into it.”
…
After a few more questions, aside from the fruit knife with his fingerprints, no evidence pointed to Lu Zheng.
He’d barely left home these past days, hadn’t investigated Li Yanjie, and lacked a clear motive.
So, Lu Zheng was soon cleared. Lin Wan escorted him to the bureau’s entrance, “Your suspicion’s lifted for now, but keep your phone on and don’t leave the city.”
“Fine,” Lu Zheng nodded helplessly, what a mess…
…
“Captain Li, here’s Lu Zheng’s statement.”
“Preliminary theory: the killer was tailing the victim, saw the conflict with Lu Zheng, followed Lu Zheng to confirm his address, then broke in while he was out, stole the fruit knife, and framed him.”
“At the crime scene, the knife was discarded in bushes less than thirty metres from the body, with fingerprints intact, clearly meant to divert attention.”
“Lu Zheng’s behaviour seems normal. From his complex’s surveillance, he’s just a jobless homebody, barely leaving except that morning.”
Li Jinglin glanced at Liu Leng, “A jobless homebody who shoulder-checked you into a wall?”
Liang Yuandong paused, “You think he’s still a suspect?”
Lin Wan frowned, “Why leave evidence? Wouldn’t it be cleaner without?”
Li Jinglin thought, “Did you get Lu Zheng’s complex surveillance?”
“It’s copied.”
“Check it for suspicious activity during that time,” Li Jinglin closed the statement folder, “Also, dig into Li Yanjie’s grudges over the past six months, anything serious enough to provoke murder.”
“Yes!”
