Chapter 140: Chapter 139: The Twins’ Conspiracy!
Black mist swirled together, forming a humanoid shape in mid-air.
But its appearance was identical to Zhang Hao. If it weren’t for those fierce and ruthless eyes, anyone might have thought Zhang Hao’s soul had been pulled out.
The nearly torn apart Zhang Hao, now without the support of the malevolent ghost, slumped weakly to the ground, barely clinging to life.
"This Zhang Hao was captured months ago, and only after that did the murder case begin."
Xie Jiuxiao squinted, already pondering, "So it’s this malevolent ghost causing the murders behind the scenes? No wonder we’ve never found the mastermind before; it turns out this guy was right beside us, and as a ghost, his methods are truly advanced."
Mr. Zhao widened his eyes, "What? Is it Zhang Hao and this ghost orchestrating the murders from behind? My God, if not for the princess discovering it, we’d never find the murderer."
"But... isn’t Zhang Hao supposed to be executed after spring? After his execution, how can he harm people?" Mr. Zhao immediately had doubts.
"The ghost just needs another body to possess." Yu Nianzhao’s light remark eased Mr. Zhao’s doubts.
Mr. Zhao gritted his teeth, "It’s truly hateful; why on earth would this guy do such a thing?"
"Because... he is the real Zhang Hao." Yu Nianzhao spoke lightly, leaving Mr. Zhao in confusion.
"Princess, I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying," Mr. Zhao looked puzzled.
Xie Jiuxiao had a sudden realization, "Zhaozhao, are you suggesting this ghost is the real Zhang Hao, and this timid person is the imposter?"
Yu Nianzhao gave him an approving glance, "That’s right, that’s exactly it."
"Are there truly identical people in the world?" Mr. Zhao wondered.
"Twins!" Xie Jiuxiao stated calmly, "If they’re twin brothers, there’s no surprise they look identical."
"But why exactly is this?"
"Ask him then."
Yu Nianzhao raised her gaze toward the ghost, "Are you the older brother or the younger one?"
Zhang Hao pulled off a wicked grin, "You really are clever; since you understand the mystical arts, I guess I can’t fool you. Yes, we are twins; I am the younger brother, he is the older one. But he is naturally timid, so cowardly he’s not fit to be my substitute. Hmph, he deserves to die. It’s just a pity that my greatest work hasn’t succeeded but was discovered by you. I am unwilling to accept this."
Mr. Zhao gasped, "Twins impersonating officials? That’s truly forbidden; how dare you do such a thing?"
Zhang Hao sneered, "I’ve been an official for so many years, yet no one has noticed."
Yu Nianzhao calculated and raised an eyebrow at him, "Oh, you’re quite proud, aren’t you? Indeed, you passed the imperial examinations and were placed in the position of a document keeper at Hanlin Academy. You do have a bit of talent, but unfortunately, you have a mental illness. According to the laws of the Great Chao Country, one cannot serve as an official with severe illness. You concealed your condition for your career, having your older brother take your place in examinations, and as your illness worsened, your brother had to fill in for you more and more often..."
Zhang Hao’s face darkened, "You even managed to figure this out? You are truly formidable. Yes, you’re correct; my health has always been poor. Not only do I suffer hysteria, but I’m also born with premature organ failure due to being born later. However, I am unwilling to accept that my mediocre brother can enjoy life while I, with intelligence, must die young. I am unwilling; it should all belong to me."
"So after you died, you stayed attached to him, committing evil deeds?"
"Haha, my foolish brother never knew I was with him after death. He’s naive enough to think he could kill those two colleagues who bullied him for a long time? Hahaha, dream on. A cowardly, useless wretch—only I can truly accomplish something."
Zhang Hao snorted, full of disdain and scorn for his brother.
"But you’re wrong; your brother always knew you were there." Yu Nianzhao calmly shattered his delusion.
Zhang Hao was stunned, then shook his head, "Impossible. If he knew..."
He trailed off, losing his voice halfway through.
"Yes, if he didn’t know, do you really think possession would be so easy? To put it bluntly, he felt indebted to you, so he let you manipulate him. But he is quite foolish; you hate him to the core, yet he naively thought you would protect him? You even planned to find another body for resurrection after the sacrificial ritual, not caring at all about your brother, even if he were executed."
The person lying on the ground trembled, quietly sobbing.
Yu Nianzhao’s words clearly deeply wounded his heart.
"You, do you think saying these words would awaken the goodness within me? I’ve done so much; I can only choose myself. His life and death... mean nothing to me!"
Zhang Hao’s eyes turned increasingly red, screaming hysterically, "After all, his existence is merely that of a bullied coward—what’s the point of living? At least in death, he can reincarnate!"
"Tsk, what makes you believe your sacrificial ritual can resurrect you?"
Yu Nianzhao shattered his hope, speaking each word firmly, "Do you really think those behind you are helping? Will the organs you took really bring you back? Stop dreaming—they’re just using you. Even the sacrificial ritual isn’t meant for your resurrection; you are just a part of the sacrifice, the pitiful buried offering."
"Impossible! You must be lying to me. Are you trying to deceive me? I won’t believe it!"
Zhang Hao’s pupils shrank under Yu Nianzhao’s words, instantly enraged, "They told me these were means for resurrection. I gave them all my Silver Coin; they wouldn’t deceive me."
"Silver Coin?"
Mr. Zhao slapped his forehead, exclaiming, "No wonder, when we seized your mansion, there was nothing inside—just some scrap metal. And after you were imprisoned, many people came to Hanlin Academy claiming they gave you money for Academy positions. Turns out, it all went into your pocket to buy such nefarious methods?"
Xie Jiuxiao pursed his lips, "You spent money at the Black Market Netherworld?"
Despite the question, Xie Jiuxiao knew this guy surely frequented the Black Market.
Zhang Hao kept a cold face, silent.
Out of nowhere, Yu Nianzhao chuckled, "The butcher taught you how to remove organs, right? That guy was killed by me; you should have seen it earlier when a batch of people were caught in the Imperial prison, most are minions of the Netherworld, including a Messenger Netherworld Envoy, somewhat of a mid-level position."