No one knows what Chen Xiao and Luo Dali are feeling at this moment.
Surprise?
Ecstatic joy?
Anticipation?
None of these words can describe it!
They just want to see Grandpa Huang's knives right now!
Pushing Grandpa Huang's wheelchair, Luo Dali was practically flying.
Luckily, Grandpa Huang's mobility issues had him assigned to the first floor; otherwise, Luo Dali was ready to carry the wheelchair and Uncle Huang up the stairs by himself.
Upon reaching the room, they indeed saw over a dozen knives and swords hanging on the walls of Uncle Huang's dwelling.
"In the past, I was just like you young folks, enjoying wielding swords and blades, with a strong sense of chivalry. Compared to your current methods, back then we fought with real knives and guns."
Listening to Uncle Huang, Chen Xiao nodded and asked, "So, Grandpa Huang, can we take a look at these knives and swords?"
"Sure, take a look."
Though Chen Xiao was talking about the swords, his eyes were fixed on the knives.
Especially the two Ghost Head Sabers hanging on the wall, they were his main focus.
Chen Xiao drew one of the Ghost Head Sabers, observing the thick back and sharp edge, he couldn't help but ask:
"Grandpa Huang, are all these knives and swords sharpened?"
"Yes, the one you're holding and the other Ghost Head Saber on the wall, I crafted them based on those execution blades I saw in the past."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao turned his back to Uncle Huang and asked, "Oh, so you mean this knife can decapitate someone in one go?"
"Almost, but kid, let me tell you, chopping off a head isn't as simple as you think. Back when I fought in wars, you see this knife is thick and fast, but to decapitate in one swoop is not easy; it requires technique!"
Technique?
Chen Xiao's eyelids twitched, while Uncle Huang continued, "Have you seen that old movie 'The Beheaded 1000'? The executioner Yuan Detai wielding the Golden Saber was fast and sharp, right? But it also required technique to decapitate in one go, otherwise, the blade would easily get stuck in the neck."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao couldn't help but glance back at Uncle Huang: "Do you have such a technique?"
"Hmph, back in the war, I could kill a damn enemy with one strike!"
"Have you taught anyone that kind of sword technique?"
As Chen Xiao spoke, he couldn't help but smell the blade.
Uncle Huang frowned at his actions: "What are you smelling the blade for? I treasure these knives, wiping them every ten days or so."
"Have you wiped them recently?"
"Recently not, but… what are you trying to ask, Xiaochen?"
"Just the previous question, Grandpa Huang, have you ever taught anyone the head-falling technique?"
Uncle Huang couldn't figure it out but sternly scolded: "You kid don't play tricks with me now, what era is this? This is a rule of law society, don't think about those crooked ways!"
Chen Xiao immediately smiled bitterly: "Grandpa Huang, you misunderstood me. I'm investigating something recently, and the question I asked was very important."
"Investigating what?"
"My wife is a police officer, a criminal investigator! Recently on a case, someone got decapitated with a knife without any mess."
Chen Xiao knew some things had to be said now.
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Huang's pupils dilated tremendously.
He stared at Chen Xiao, speaking in a deep voice: "The person you're talking about, it's not Xiaohong, is it?"
Chen Xiao nodded without holding back.
Grandpa Huang, sitting in his wheelchair, suddenly became silent, his throat choked but unable to utter a word.
A few seconds later, Grandpa Huang opened his mouth; Chen Xiao could tell he wanted to cry, and that cry would be akin to wailing as if his grandson was gone.
Chen Xiao immediately stepped forward, patting Grandpa Huang on the shoulder, comforting, "Grandpa Huang, only you know about this. I don't know the health condition of the other elders here, but I think the fewer people know, the better."
Uncle Huang forcibly swallowed his grief, asking hoarsely, "What happened, how could Xiaohong…."
"We don't have much information on the case now to tell you, but you must tell me whom you have taught such a sword technique."
"I, I only taught Xiaohong!"
This answer took Chen Xiao completely by surprise.
Could it be that the neat and swift technique, Grandpa Huang had only taught Zhao Xiaohong?
"Did Zhao Xiaohong master it? And did he ever tell you if he taught anyone else?"
"He wouldn't teach others; he knelt before me and swore he would never pass the technique on! You know, old folks like us sometimes want to guard something until death. So when Xiaohong begged so much, I taught him."
Chen Xiao's brows never relaxed, and the image of Zhao Xiaohong kneeling and begging Grandpa Huang to teach him the sword technique surfaced in his mind.
Such an image made Chen Xiao feel there must be some deep meaning in it.
After all, nowadays is not some martial arts world where good knife skills make you a hero or villain.
No matter how good your knife skills are, at best, they'd give you an advantage in disputes.
When facing a gun, even the best sword technique is useless.
So, there must be a reason behind Zhao Xiaohong's plea.
"Grandpa Huang, did Zhao Xiaohong ever tell you why he wanted to learn the technique?"
Grandpa Huang lifted his head to look at Chen Xiao, then said: "He said I was just like his real grandfather; he loved wielding knives and admired my sword technique so he didn't want it to be lost. In truth, I know guys like me have long been abandoned by the era, sometimes boasting about the past is just about face. So when a youngster suddenly says he wants to inherit the legacy, old folks like us can't refuse."
This kind of talk sounds a bit funny in this era.
But if such words come from the mouth of an old man who can really wield a knife, it doesn't sound funny at all.
Chen Xiao drew another knife once more, smelling the clean blade again, but unfortunately, he didn't detect anything different.
Only his keen eyes suddenly discovered a faint red near the junction of the hilt and blade!
That hint of red made Chen Xiao's body tense immediately.
His intuition told him that was blood!
Chen Xiao promptly placed the knife in front of Grandpa Huang, pointing out the faint and hardly noticeable "red" and said:
"Grandpa Huang, what do you think this trace is?"
Grandpa Huang tried hard to discern it, but his old dim eyes couldn't see anything.
At this time, Luo Dali leaned his head closer, and after much effort, he confirmed: "Brother Chen, it looks like faded blood."
After saying this, Luo Dali's expression changed: "Whoa, blood! Could it be…."
Whatever it could be, Luo Dali didn't say, and Chen Xiao didn't wait for him to; he already walked to the side and dialed Lin Xi's number.
"Hello, honey, are you with Sister Liang now?"
"Yes, what's up?"
"Tell Sister Liang, I might have found the murder weapon."
As soon as he said this, Liang Yan exclaimed over the phone: "What? You found the murder weapon!"
"I'm just suspecting, not sure."
"Whether it is or not, tell me the location, I'll bring the team right away!"
Chen Xiao: "Okay, I'm at the Lanting Street Elderly Care Home right now!"