Jin Ruo lay sprawled across the daybed, rubbing his round, bloated belly, belching repeatedly from being so stuffed.

These past few days, with Master and that Hua fellow both away, life had been absolutely delightful. Before Mu Xia left, he had given Ita two pouches of gold leaf for pocket money, and thanks to Ita’s generosity, they had been eating and drinking lavishly every single day. Never mind Jin Ruo — even the Four Saints had each put on a full ring of extra weight.

The only problem was that they had eaten their way through nearly all one hundred and eight wards of Andu City, hitting the East Market and West Market at least three times over, yet had not found a single clue about Andu’s Jing Sect branch at any food stall.

It seemed as though the Jing Sect simply did not exist in Andu.

But it was not a completely fruitless endeavor either. Unlike Yidu, which was a tangled mix of all manner of people, Andu had almost no small or mid-sized jianghu sects. All jianghu forces in the city fell under a single organization called the “Fusheng Sect,” which held an absolute monopoly on power.

And this was where things started to get rather peculiar.

Generally speaking, running a jianghu sect was much like running a business — the two decisive factors were people and money. The top-tier sects relied on their ancestors’ accumulated reputation and martial arts to open schools, take on disciples, teach combat, and collect tuition fees, which formed their primary source of income.

Once apprentices completed their training, they either sat the imperial examinations to serve the state, became escorts to earn a comfortable living, or went to work as bodyguards, personal guards, or martial arts instructors for great noble families. If they were lucky, they might even be recommended for official positions. Jiang Chen of the Jin Yu Guard of the Taiyuan Jiang Family was exactly this type.

Second-tier sects had mediocre martial arts and unremarkable reputations. They could only attract fourth or fifth-rate jianghu figures, banding together for survival. At best, they might attach themselves to a noble family and engage in grey-area dealings, scraping by for a decent livelihood. Examples included the Ascending Immortals Cult and the Five Mounds Alliance of Yidu.

The lowest tier were bandits and highway robbers — these could hardly be called sects at all.

The Jing Sect belonged to none of the above categories. It was a uniquely unconventional existence.

First, the Jing Sect’s three major pillars of industry were Hundred Blossoms Tea, food stalls, and the sale of information — not only self-sufficient, but highly profitable. Second, although most Jing Sect disciples came from commoner backgrounds with weak martial foundations, they made up for it in sheer numbers, extensive connections, and a tight organizational structure with efficient information-relay channels. Four of the five great city branches had already been reunited, and with the entire membership united as one — plus the terrifyingly formidable combat ability of Qian Jing’s master — the Jing Sect had become the most untouchable sect in the entire jianghu, bar none.

As for this Fusheng Sect, it bullied merchants and dominated the market in ordinary times, surviving mainly by extorting protection fees, with virtually no industrial backing and rather disreputable methods of generating income — at best, a third-rate outfit. Yet somehow it had an enormous reputation. Every citizen of Andu turned pale at the mere mention of it. People said the Fusheng Sect’s disciples were formidably skilled, came and went without a trace, and were everywhere yet nowhere at once. One absolutely could not afford to offend them — say a single ill word about the Fusheng Sect, and within the time it took an incense stick to burn, punishment would arrive. Light offenses earned a badly bruised face; severe ones cost a life.

“Everywhere yet nowhere at once…” Jin Ruo mused. “Don’t you all think this description sounds a lot like our Jing Sect?”

Ita: “Jing Sect doesn’t hurt people! Doesn’t sound like it!”

The Four Saints shook their heads in unison: “Doesn’t sound like it.”

Jin Ruo was quite heartened. He nodded, sat up straight. “What say we go investigate this Fusheng Sect tomorrow?”

Ita’s head shook like a rattle drum. “Mu Xia said, Fourth Young Master not here, we be good!”

Zhu Que: “Lin Niangzi said, she not here, don’t cause trouble. Can’t win, lose face.”

“Ahhh,” Jin Ruo flopped back down again, “why aren’t Master and that Hua fellow back yet? I should have gone up the mountain to play with Master — I’m so bored, ahhhhh—ah?”

A white carrier pigeon came fluttering through the window and landed with a smack on Jin Ruo’s belly. Jin Ruo snatched it up, pulled out the slip of paper tied to its leg, and shot to his feet. “Brothers, we’ve got work!”

Everyone: “Oh?”

“That Hua fellow wants us to investigate someone,” Jin Ruo’s eyes lit up with excitement. “The Sanhé Academy’s Supervisor, Qi Mu.”

He Sishan’s physical constitution was quite strong, and his wounds were healing at an ideal pace. After a few days, he could already get out of bed. On days with good weather, he could sit in a wheelchair and go sunbathe in the garden.

The wheelchair had been crafted by Mu Xia’s own hands, with Lin Sui’an contributing quite a few design ideas. Bai Ruyi often held academic sessions in the East Garden pavilion during afternoons to answer questions for the students. On those occasions, Hua Yifeng would push He Sishan to the pavilion to join the students in scholarly discussions.

Both Bai Ruyi and Hua Yifeng’s academic caliber could be considered among the finest in the Tang Kingdom. Add He Sishan and Bai Wen to that, and this teaching lineup would rank first even in the Eastern Capital.

Lin Sui’an had observed from the rooftop for several days. Every time such a session took place, Qi Mu nearly ceased to exist — he would stand at the outer perimeter, quietly watching the three figures at the center of the crowd: He Sishan, Bai Ruyi, and Hua Yifeng. His expression was blank.

Honestly, the look in those eyes was genuinely unsettling.

On this particular day, the weather was beautiful again — skies a vivid blue, air crisp and fresh, sunlight warm and pleasant on the skin.

Lin Sui’an had sat on the rooftop ridge listening to the scholarly debate for half an hour — not understanding a single word — stifled a yawn, and, judging the time to be about right, took advantage of Bai Ruyi pausing for a drink of water to call out her approval.

Everyone in the pavilion looked over at once. Lin Sui’an executed a dashing spin and leaped down from the eaves — black robes, black hair, her silhouette perfectly straight, bathed in a faint golden glow, like a deity descending to the mortal realm.

Bai Ruyi’s eyes glazed over. He Sishan froze. Hua Yifeng let out a soft gasp of admiration. The assembled students were utterly dumbstruck.

This was precisely the entrance effect Lin Sui’an had been going for — she had even practiced the pose several times specifically to capture everyone’s attention in an instant. She walked directly to Bai Ruyi and said, “Does Scholar Bai still recall what he said a few days ago?”

Bai Ruyi’s face instantly flushed scarlet. “I — I remember…”

One glance at Bai Ruyi’s expression told Lin Sui’an something was wrong — Bai Ruyi had almost certainly misunderstood again. She quickly clarified: “What Lin was referring to is the matter of Scholar Bai inviting Fourth Young Master Hua to give a lecture to the Sanhé Academy students.”

Bai Ruyi’s face drained to white just as quickly. “I — I remember.”

“Hua Yitang says today’s weather is clear, the breeze is gentle and pleasant, and it is an auspicious day for giving a lecture. He has prepared a classroom at the Stargazing Terrace and invites all of you to attend.”

At this announcement, everyone was stunned.

Hua Family’s Fourth Young Master — Yangdu’s number one good-for-nothing, the very embodiment of “laziness, frivolity, and utter lack of seriousness” for more than a decade — was actually going to give a lecture? No matter how you heard it, it sounded absurd.

Hua Yifeng was torn between laughing and exasperation. “My family’s Fourth Young Master? Give a lecture? Has the sun risen from the west?”

Bai Wen snorted disdainfully. “We are all men of great learning. How could we possibly go listen to a wastrel lecture?”

The other students said nothing outright, but their expressions of contempt were utterly impossible to conceal.

Lin Sui’an ignored everyone’s reactions and looked toward He Sishan. “It would be inconvenient for Academy Head He to take the wheelchair up the mountain, so let Lin carry you.”

He Sishan’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. “Ah?! That — that — that wouldn’t be appropriate!”

“You’re right — after all, men and women should maintain proper boundaries. I’ll carry you on my back instead.” Lin Sui’an turned her back to He Sishan and crouched down. “Yuan Hua, help steady him.”

Yuan Hua swiftly and deftly lifted He Sishan and draped him over Lin Sui’an’s back. Lin Sui’an hooked both hands under He Sishan’s legs for support, rose to her feet, and strode forward at a light, swift pace — a few steps and she was already several meters away.

The students finally snapped back to their senses. They thought: Lin Niangzi really does come from the jianghu. She carries people without so much as a word. They hurried to follow. Bai Ruyi ran the fastest of all. “Lin Niangzi, slow down, slow down.”

Hua Yifeng sighed helplessly. “What is that Fourth Brother up to this time?”

Grumbling under his breath, he followed along all the same.

He Sishan was utterly bewildered. His entire body had gone stiff with nerves, like a block of stone. He clenched both hands into fists and didn’t dare so much as touch Lin Sui’an’s shoulders. “Lin — Lin Niangzi, this — this — this really isn’t proper, is it?”

“Is Academy Head He uncomfortable? Would you prefer I carry you in my arms instead?” Lin Sui’an asked.

“No — no — no — no — on your back is fine…”

Lin Sui’an smiled and swept a glance behind her from the corner of her eye. Sure enough, everyone — including Qi Mu — had followed up the mountain.

As expected, Hua Yitang’s method was effective, saving a great deal of troublesome persuasion.

Lin Sui’an walked with even more of a spring in her step.

He Sishan knew he was quite heavy — at least one hundred and eighty catties — yet Lin Sui’an’s stride was steady and swift. She carried him and moved briskly along the rugged mountain path for a good while without so much as a disrupted breath. Such astonishing strength and lower-body stability were the rarest of rarities in the entire jianghu.

Thinking this, He Sishan’s eyes grew inexplicably damp.

When he was young, there had been someone else who had once carried him on their back, sprinting across a vast wilderness…

Today’s Stargazing Terrace had been completely transformed. On the side facing the mountain, neat meditation cushions had been arranged, with burning charcoal braziers surrounding them. The cliff-side edge had been deliberately left open as a space for lecturing. Hua Yitang stood beneath the vivid blue sky, wrapped in a snowy white fox-fur cloak, wearing a jade hairpin the color of clear green water. Behind him stretched the undulating distant mountains fading to blue-grey. The wind blew through, making the fragrant sachet balls chime and tinkle, filling the air with sweet fragrance — as though a white peony was blooming in full glory between heaven and earth.

For a moment, everyone was bewitched by the scene before them, and only snapped out of it when Mu Xia invited them to take their seats.

Lin Sui’an set He Sishan down in the front row. He Sishan and Hua Yifeng’s seats were custom-made low couches, draped with Persian wool rugs, complete with armrests and small lap blankets — unambiguously VIP treatment. Although Bai Ruyi, Bai Wen, and Qi Mu were also in the front row, they could only sit on meditation cushions — though at least there were charcoal braziers to keep them warm.

Once the students had settled in, another group arrived — it was Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei leading a team of craftsmen, who took seats on the far left.

Bai Wen: “What does Military Adviser Hua mean by this?”

Hua Yitang struck an extravagant pose. “I, Hua Family’s Fourth Young Master, holding an open lecture — this is a once-in-a-century spectacle. Not only must I invite every single person on Sanhé Peak, but even the birds and beasts, flowers and fish crawling and flying across the entire mountain are welcome to come witness Hua’s — matchless — magnificent — splendor!”

Everyone: “……”

What shameless, brazen nonsense. They all wanted very much to give him a beating.

Lin Sui’an pressed a hand to her forehead. Fang Ke coughed heavily once.

Even the profoundly socially-anxious Bai Ruyi could not bear to listen, and stepped forward to smooth things over. “What does Military Adviser Hua plan to lecture on today?”

Hua Yitang smiled brilliantly. “I am Yangdu’s eccentric, Hua the Fourth. I have seen three mountains and five peaks, traveled five lakes and four seas, penetrated the six realms of reincarnation and all four directions of the eight wastelands. The Four Books and Five Classics I have never read; the Three Graves and Five Canons I know nothing of — ah, please don’t rush to boo me, there’s more — the one thing Hua has to show for himself, the one thing worth lecturing about on this Stargazing Terrace, is the cases I have encountered.”

At this, everyone’s interest was piqued.

He Sishan: “It is widely said that Fourth Young Master Hua bears the title of Tang Kingdom’s foremost divine detective, and that every case he has adjudicated is brilliantly executed without exception. I wonder which one you intend to speak of today?”

“Academy Head He is quite right. Hua has indeed handled quite a few cases,” Hua Yitang said. “Such as the serial murder case in Yangdu, the Feng Family imperial examination fraud case, the poisoning case in Heyue City, the supernatural violation case in the Eastern Capital, the Dragon God case in Qingzhou County, the Peach Blossom Demon murder case in Yidu — each and every one a shocking case that shook the entire nation —”

Hua Yitang’s introduction brought everyone’s expectations to a peak. All present had bright eyes and pricked-up ears.

“What I intend to speak of today is the most extraordinary case Hua has ever encountered — a nearly perfect crime.”

Bai Ruyi: “What constitutes a perfect crime?”

“In every case I have previously encountered, no matter how cunning the killer, how careful and cautious, how meticulous the plan — so long as they went to the scene of the crime, they inevitably took something away and left something behind. A teacup they had touched, a fingerprint lingering on a window frame, a footprint, a strand of hair, a loose thread from clothing — all could serve as evidence and clues. Following these threads, unraveling them one by one, tracing them step by step, one could ultimately catch the culprit.”

“But this perfect crime is different. The perpetrator did not even appear at the scene during the time of the crime, and therefore left behind no evidence whatsoever.”

Bai Wen was aghast. “How is that even possible?!”

“Of course it is possible! And what’s more, this case occurred right here on Sanhé Peak, within this very Sanhé Academy!” Hua Yitang suddenly raised his voice. “What Hua intends to reveal today is the identity of the true culprit behind the attempt on He Sishan’s life!”

Dead silence.

The mountain wind lifted Hua Yitang’s cloak, whipping it back and forth, dazzlingly white.

Lin Sui’an quietly glanced at Qi Mu. Qi Mu’s expression did not change in the slightest — only silently tucked his hands into his sleeves, and his back, impossibly, straightened just a fraction more.

Everyone exchanged glances. After a long moment, He Sishan finally spoke: “Military Adviser Hua, are you not mistaken? The incident in which I fell off the cliff was truly nothing but an accident —”

“Sishan,” Hua Yifeng interrupted He Sishan. “Let Fourth Brother explain in detail first.”

“The circumstances of Academy Head He’s fall from the cliff that day should have gone like this,” Hua Yitang walked to the very front of the Stargazing Terrace. “After nightfall, Academy Head He ascended the Stargazing Terrace, alone, his head tilted back to observe and calculate the star formations, slowly pacing back and forth.” As he said this, Hua Yitang too tilted his head back and began taking small, measured steps. “Walking along, when suddenly his foot caught, he lost his balance —”

At this point, Hua Yitang let out a “oh no!” and flopped limply to the ground, rolled over twice dramatically, then assumed an exaggeratedly theatrical pose and pointed ahead: “After falling, he was just about to scramble back up, when unexpectedly his body lost its balance again, rolling out of his control, off the Stargazing Terrace, through the undergrowth, and plummeting down the cliff.”

Everyone: “……”

Such a harrowing scene, re-enacted in this manner, looked thoroughly absurd no matter how you watched it.

Only He Sishan looked on in astonishment. “It did happen exactly as Military Adviser Hua described. Not a single detail is off.”

Hua Yitang rose unhurriedly to his feet, spread his arms wide. Mu Xia immediately stepped forward, produced a small broom, and swept the dust off Hua Yitang in a circle before respectfully stepping back.

Everyone: “……”

“Then the question is,” Hua Yitang clasped both hands in his sleeves and continued to pace, “many people come to the Stargazing Terrace to enjoy the view — why was it specifically Academy Head He who happened to lose his footing, happened again to roll off the Stargazing Terrace, and happened yet again to tumble down the cliff?”

The students looked at one another:

“At the time, there was no one else there but Academy Head He. Surely it was just an accident.”

“Accidents happen — you can never be too careful.”

“Well said! You can never be too careful!” Hua Yitang raised an eyebrow. “But then how does anyone know whether this was one-in-ten-thousand, or one-in-ten-thousand — the common case, or the rare exception?”

Everyone was bewildered. Bai Ruyi said: “Hua the Fourth, stop speaking in riddles! What exactly are you trying to say?”

Hua Yitang smiled. “The key to this case lies in a single word: probability. An accident is called an accident precisely because it can happen, yet the probability is low. But consider it from another angle — if certain measures are taken to continuously increase that probability, the likelihood of the accident occurring rises accordingly. When the probability rises to a sufficient degree, what was once an accident becomes inevitable.”

Lin Sui’an watched clearly — the moment Hua Yitang delivered this tongue-twisting reasoning, everyone simultaneously made a “what on earth are you saying” face, except for Qi Mu, whose gaze shifted.

“There are three reasons why Academy Head He’s probability of falling from the cliff was higher than that of anyone else present,” Hua Yitang raised a finger. “First: Academy Head He has a habit of patrolling the mountain and observing the stars, and often spends several hours at a time on the Stargazing Terrace — always at night. In other words, He Sishan spent extended periods on the Stargazing Terrace, and with visibility reduced after dark, the probability of a fall increased.”

“Second: Academy Head He has an old injury to his right leg. In everyday walking, he relies solely on his left leg for balance, and lifts his feet lower than the average person, making him prone to catching his feet on things.”

“Third: everyone please feel the ground beneath your feet.”

Everyone reached down and touched it, expressions puzzled.

Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei exchanged a glance, and clicked their tongues. “Could it be because of the Red Mountain stone?”

“Correct — the paving material of the Stargazing Terrace is Red Mountain stone,” Hua Yitang said. “Red Mountain stone has one particular characteristic: when laid outdoors over a long period, it becomes brittle and begins to crumble, causing slight surface irregularities. These changes are nearly impossible for an ordinary person to detect unless walking on it barefoot. But for someone with movement difficulties like Academy Head He, even the smallest unevenness dramatically increases the probability of a fall.”

At this point, everyone finally began to understand, and was left utterly wide-eyed.

Qi Mu rose to his feet. The tendons at his neck pulsed faintly, and his voice was pressed to an extremely low and deep register. “Military Adviser Hua, everything you have said is pure speculation — no proof, no evidence. It is simply all coincidence.”

Bai Ruyi frowned. “Fourth Brother, do you have evidence?”

Hua Yitang slanted a gaze at Qi Mu. “Hua prides himself on evidence above all else when examining a case. So, after discovering suspicious points in Academy Head He’s fall from the cliff, Hua personally collected evidence, deliberately walking the path of Academy Head He’s mountain patrol route — and unexpectedly found that Hua himself nearly fell three times in a row: the first time here at the Stargazing Terrace, the second time at the Snow-Viewing Terrace, and the third time at the Apricot-Viewing Terrace.”

“The Snow-Viewing Terrace was the most dangerous — Hua nearly collided with a rotted railing and plummeted off the cliff. And Hua thought: even if it were all coincidence, this is far too much of a coincidence. Why did it only happen to Hua, while everyone else was perfectly fine?”

“The reason is actually quite simple. Hua was born in Yangdu and is accustomed to warm weather — I dislike the cold, and a cold wind makes me drowsy. My Mu Xia, fearing I would freeze, piled extra clothing on me,” Hua Yitang spread his arms wide and flapped them, displaying his attire to everyone. “This outfit is exactly what I wore when I was investigating the clues that day —”

Mu Xia immediately stepped forward to narrate: “This is the brocade robe ‘One Belt of Splendid Rivers and Mountains,’ the cloak ‘Autumn Brings Graceful Ease to the Landscape,’ and the cotton boots ‘Misty Blue Skies and Floral Islet.’ The fragrant sachet balls at the waist, from left to right, are: ‘Faint Pure Fragrance Rustling Softly,’ ‘Feelings Follow the Xiang River Far Away,’ ‘Dreams Wind Around the Emerald Wu Peak,’ and ‘A Single New Moon, Sky Like Water.'”

Everyone: “……”

The brocade robe, boots, and cloak were excessive enough — but four sachet balls? Was he intending to carry an entire perfume shop on his person? Even bragging has its limits!

Mu Xia: “Fourth Young Master’s outfit alone weighs at least fifteen or sixteen catties.”

Everyone: “……”

It seems showing off does indeed come at a price.

“This outfit of mine is exceptionally heavy, with thick and cumbersome soles. Combined with a lifetime of pampered idleness and lack of exercise, plus the drowsiness brought on by the cold —” Hua Yitang lowered his voice. “Hua’s condition was most closely approximating that of Academy Head He, who has difficulty walking, which is precisely why Hua nearly fell three times in a row.”

A collective sharp intake of breath.

“Not only that,” Hua Yitang’s piercing gaze swept across everyone’s faces, “six of the seven celebrated scenic spots of Sanhé Academy — all but the Stone Bridge by Moonlight — have platforms paved with Red Mountain stone. All of the viewing platforms use wooden railings, all of which are in a state of long-term neglect, the railings rotting and unable to withstand the impact of a heavy collision. The seven scenic spots are all built in geographically treacherous locations, and all lie along Academy Head He’s mandatory patrol route —”

“With each of these conditions satisfied, the probability of Academy Head He falling off the cliff increases by one degree more. When these probabilities accumulate to a sufficient degree over years and years, even without the perpetrator doing anything at all, the accident was bound to happen sooner or later.”

“In fact, this perpetrator did indeed succeed! That night, if not for Hua and Lin Niangzi happening to pass by, and Lin Niangzi happening to catch Academy Head He — he would certainly have died!”

Hua Yitang took a deep breath, stepped to stand directly opposite Qi Mu, and stared straight into Qi Mu’s face. “This is the simplest, most intelligent, most perfect, and most terrifying method of murder Hua has ever encountered.”

Qi Mu looked back calmly. “The perpetrator in Military Adviser Hua’s words — could he be referring to me?”

“Yes,” Hua Yitang answered casually. “You.”

Everyone’s expressions changed with shock. Without exception, they all rose to their feet, all turning to look at Qi Mu.

He Sishan struggled up, supported by Hua Yifeng and Yuan Hua, his face utterly disbelieving.

Qi Mu let out a contemptuous laugh. “I do not know in what way I have offended Military Adviser Hua, to have warranted such painstaking effort to slander and frame me. Truly baffling!”

Hua Yitang nodded, his tone full of apparent admiration. “You are not only intelligent, but also extremely patient. This murder plan required time above all else — the longer the time, the higher the probability of success. In order to carry out this plan, you invested nearly ten years, front to back. Truly admirable!”

Qi Mu: “If one wishes to condemn another, there will always be a pretext!”

“Hua said just now that this was a nearly perfect crime, but no matter how perfect a plan, there will always be imperfections in its execution.” Hua Yitang curled the corner of his mouth. “In fact, you left behind quite a few flaws.”

Qi Mu’s eye corner twitched involuntarily.

“The first flaw is the Meridian-Activating Blood-Vitalizing Pill. After the onset of winter, the old injury to Academy Head He’s leg worsened and became unbearably painful, so he relied on this medicine to invigorate the blood and alleviate the pain.” Hua Yitang glanced at Fang Ke.

Fang Ke stepped forward, producing the porcelain vial that Qi Mu had given him. “The Meridian-Activating Blood-Vitalizing Pill was personally decocted and prepared by Qi Mu. One of its ingredients is an imported medicine from Tianzhu called Ganjika. Long-term consumption causes side effects, producing mild physical paralysis.”

Bai Ruyi: “Specifically — what are the manifestations?”

“Similar to the effects of aging — mild rigidity in the upper and lower limbs, especially a dulling of the knee’s reaction, slowing of motor function, and increased susceptibility to falls. After falling, getting back up becomes difficult, and there is a high probability of losing balance again, causing rolling and secondary injury.”

“Preposterous!” Qi Mu shouted furiously. “I used Ganjika because it has an extraordinary effect on pain relief!”

“Preposterous,” Fang Ke replied with equal measure. “Based on the pharmacological principles of this formula, there are at least ten or more substitute ingredients, all of which are free of side effects.”

“More importantly, all of these are far cheaper than imported Ganjika from Tianzhu.” Hua Yitang produced a ledger from his sleeve. “Based on what Hua has seen, Sanhé Academy’s financial situation appears rather… unfavorable.”

Qi Mu’s gaze flashed. He raised his hand to snatch the ledger from Hua Yitang’s grasp, only to have his wrist seized by Lin Sui’an, who gripped it until his face went white with pain.

Hua Yitang flipped open the ledger. “This secret ledger contains records of quite a few interesting matters — for instance, the renovation funds disbursed annually by the Andu Prefecture to Sanhé Academy would inexplicably be short by a portion.”

Qi Mu’s facial muscles twitched. “Military Adviser Hua, please do not feign ignorance. From the time the renovation funds are approved to when they are received and recorded, how many stages does the process pass through? At every stage, a layer is skimmed off the top. By the time the funds reach the Academy, naturally only this much remains!”

“This is a deep-seated corrupt practice of officialdom — disgraceful, certainly — but even more disgraceful is you, Supervisor Qi, isn’t it?” Hua Yitang produced another scroll. “This is the client registry of Huitong Money Exchange in Andu City. Inside is one valued customer who deposits a large sum four times per year — approximately once per season — and the amounts are nearly identical each time.”

“More interesting still, every month there also appears a disbursement. Hua dispatched people to investigate the flow of funds, and the recipient happened to be a pharmacy. The pharmacy proprietor has a very strong impression of this esteemed customer — says that every month he sells this person only the finest imported Ganjika from Tianzhu. My oh my, wouldn’t you say — what a coincidence?”

This time, not only Qi Mu — Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei, who had been watching the spectacle, simultaneously changed expression drastically, turned on their heels, and bolted. Lin Sui’an launched herself through the air, instantly appearing before them both, spun and delivered two sweeping kicks. The two men skidded along the ground and slid laterally to land at Hua Yitang’s feet, clutching their heads and rolling about with cries of pain.

Lin Sui’an blinked: well now, these two had rather practiced self-protective reflexes.

Hua Yitang crouched down, smiling pleasantly. “The customer name in Huitong Exchange’s ledger is Hao Dali. Since Brother Hao is this wealthy, why bother being a craftsman?”

Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei scrambled up and kowtowed repeatedly.

“It’s not our money, it’s Qi Mu’s money!”

“Qi Mu embezzled the Sanhé Academy renovation funds and forced us to deposit them at the money exchange in his name!”

“That scoundrel Qi Mu — if we refused to help him, he would never let us take on any more work at Sanhé Academy!”

“We are honest craftsmen through and through — our whole livelihood depends on this work! We had no choice!”

Hua Yitang: “Since the money was deposited under your names, why not simply take the money and run, rather than suffer his threats again and again?”

Hao Dali: “How would we dare! Qi Mu has connections inside the Andu Prefecture!”

Ba Yunfei: “Sanhé Academy is Andu City’s foremost great academy. Never mind anything else — just the annual renovation funds alone have lined the pockets of how many people in the Prefecture, every single one of them in cahoots with Qi Mu!”

“The portion deposited at the money exchange is what trickled down to Qi Mu after all the skimming — we didn’t dare touch even a single coin!”

“Military Adviser Hua, please take pity — we were truly forced into this! We are honest craftsmen!”

“Supervisor Qi is quite the talent!” Hua Yitang gave a thumbs up. “First: he embezzled the Academy’s renovation funds to secure a nest egg for himself. Second: because of the insufficient funds, he could rightfully and legitimately delay the renovation of the various viewing platforms. Third: he obtained the funds needed to purchase premium Ganjika. Each link connects to the next, three birds with one stone — truly ingenious.”

Everyone stared at Qi Mu in unison. He Sishan struggled to stand, his whole body shaking violently, eyes rimmed red.

Qi Mu clenched both fists and slowly narrowed his eyes.

“There is also one decisive piece of evidence.” Hua Yitang produced a third scroll. “This is the design blueprint for the seven celebrated scenic spots’ viewing platforms, drawn by Qi Mu’s own hand ten years ago. It clearly and explicitly notes therein that the paving material for all viewing platforms is Red Mountain stone.”

He pulled out a fourth scroll. “This is the response from the Andu Prefecture’s Department of Works, also written with perfect clarity: the viewing platforms are situated in treacherous locations; Red Mountain stone cannot withstand rain, snow, and sun exposure, becoming brittle and fragile, posing serious safety concerns; Blue Mountain stone must be used instead. Separate funds were specifically allocated for the paving material. Yet Qi Mu still insisted on using Red Mountain stone — demonstrating that from the very beginning, he had planned everything!”

Suddenly, Qi Mu fell to his knees with a thud, bowing his head deeply three times before He Sishan as tears streamed from his eyes. “The matter of the embezzlement — I was blinded by greed for a moment, and I admit it! I have committed a grave and unforgivable error today, and I am willing to accept punishment! But I had absolutely no intention of harming the Academy Head — my reverence for the Academy Head is witnessed by heaven and earth!”

He Sishan’s throat constricted. He was just about to speak when Hua Yitang cut him off.

“Qi Mu — original name unknown, parents unknown, born a beggar. Seventeen years ago, adopted by Sanhé Academy Head He Sishan, who taught him to read and write and took every care of him. When Qi Mu was fifteen, he sat for the imperial examinations, and sat for ten consecutive years — failing every single year, ultimately having no path into officialdom.” Hua Yitang shook the slip of paper in his hand with a smile. “It seems Supervisor Qi was quite dense after all —”

The moment Lin Sui’an heard Hua Yitang’s infuriating tone, she understood — this scoundrel had run out of cards to play and was resorting to psychological warfare.

Fang Ke lowered his voice. “Qi Mu’s mind is deep and calculating. Provocation tactics probably won’t work on him.”

Lin Sui’an sighed. “At this point, we have no choice but to try everything.”

Hua Yitang: “Oh my, not even a match for Hua, a mere wastrel — Hua, though of modest ability, did at least place third among the first tier in the imperial special examination —”

“Shut your mouth!” Qi Mu shouted. “How much of your first-tier placement was watered down? Who in the world doesn’t know?!”

Hua Yitang slanted his eyes, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. “Qi Mu, could it be you imagined that with He Sishan dead, Sanhé Academy would belong to you? Setting aside your vicious heart and improper character — on the matter of learning alone, you don’t even measure up to a single toe of Bai the Thirteenth —”

“Military Adviser Hua!” someone called out sharply to stop him — and it was not Qi Mu, but He Sishan.

Everyone was stunned.

A glimmer of keen light passed through Hua Yitang’s eyes.

He Sishan drew a deep breath. “The matter of Qi Mu’s embezzlement, when all is said and done, is due to He’s own failure in teaching. He will personally take Qi Mu to the Prefecture to turn himself in!”

The assembled students immediately became agitated the moment they heard this. “Academy Head! What are you saying?!”

Bai Wen: “Academy Head, why must you take the burden for this ungrateful, treacherous —”

“Do not speak such things!” He Sishan barked sharply. “He’s fall from the cliff was a thorough and complete accident with no connection to any person whatsoever! Let this matter never be raised again!”

Everyone’s eyes reddened at once, and the gazes directed at Qi Mu nearly blazed with fire.

Qi Mu stared fixedly at He Sishan, as though trying to bore two holes through his face.

He Sishan drew out a fragile smile. “Get up. I know it wasn’t your fault. You are a good child…”

Qi Mu slowly blinked, then turned his head. His gaze moved frame by frame across the faces of those around him — all filled with contempt and hatred — and then, he let out a soft, sudden laugh.

At the same moment, Hua Yitang curled the corner of his mouth.

Lin Sui’an was struck by sudden understanding: the person Hua Yitang had been provoking all along was not Qi Mu — it was He Sishan.

Qi Mu rose slowly to his feet, brushed off his robe, stepped back half a pace, straightened his spine, and said: “He Sishan, do you know what is most revolting about you?”

He Sishan shuddered violently. “What…”

“It is this hypocritically righteous, two-faced look of yours! Who do you think you are? A sage whose name shall endure through the ages? Is it that you alone in all the world are the most selfless, the most noble, the most magnificent?!” Qi Mu’s speech grew faster and faster, his expression more and more twisted. “Why are you entitled to be the Academy Head of Sanhé Academy? Why do all the students respect you? Why does even the Imperial Book Office regard you with such favor? Because they have all been deceived by you! You are nothing but an ugly cripple! A despicable man who stepped on everyone to reach your position!”

“I, Qi Mu, am vastly talented and widely learned! How could I possibly fail the examinations year after year?!” Qi Mu pounded his chest again and again. “It must be that you, jealous of the able and fearing talent, feared I would rise above you, feared I would outshine you, feared I would steal your glory, and so you sabotaged me from within, causing me to fail, forcing me to serve only you, to wait on you hand and foot — shoveling filth and carrying chamber pots — to be your subordinate for the rest of my life, forever unable to escape your control!”

Hua Yifeng was incensed beyond measure. “Qi Mu, what nonsense are you spouting?!”

Qi Mu burst out laughing. “You see — even Tang Kingdom’s foremost talented lady, Second Miss Hua, has been deceived by you! None of you know your true face! He Sishan, you are nothing but a lowly-born warrior! You are not worthy of possessing everything you have now!”

“Qi Mu!” He Sishan’s complexion had gone iron-grey, tears in his eyes. “How — how have you come to be like this?!”

Qi Mu sneered, spreading both hands wide. “This is the real me! Had those two meddlesome persons not interfered, you would have died within my plan long ago! And not a single person would ever have discovered it was my plan! Because I have always been more clever than you — more clever than all of you! So you could never, never see through the true me! I have always, always been one step above you, one cut ahead!”

Dead silence across the entire mountain. Everyone was stunned by Qi Mu’s declaration.

Fang Ke clicked his tongue. Lin Sui’an gave a silent “wow” — good heavens, Hua Yitang had gotten it right again.

In truth, this nearly perfect crime had no real evidence in any meaningful sense. The only flaw was the motive.

What could make a person lie dormant for ten years, scheming so painstakingly to devise such a terrifying plan, had to be a hatred embedded in the bone — or rather, perhaps more accurately, a malice.

The exaggerated performance Hua Yitang had staged today, step by step exposing Qi Mu’s plan, step by step tearing away his disguise, was ultimately aimed at exposing the malice inside Qi Mu to all present. Qi Mu as he stood now had become the object of everyone’s revulsion, no longer capable of causing any harm to He Sishan. Ten years of painstaking scheming had come to ruin. At a moment like this, if one final straw were added, Qi Mu’s psychological defenses would crumble entirely.

That final straw was He Sishan.

He Sishan was a man of rough exterior and gentle interior. Watching the child he had raised with his own hands be cornered by Hua Yitang, he was undoubtedly filled with great reluctance to watch, and would inevitably speak up to defend Qi Mu. His intention may have been to give Qi Mu a way out — but in Qi Mu’s eyes, He Sishan’s words were a condescending insult, a triumphant taunt, grinding him completely into the dust.

Adding oil to fire ignites fury, fury burns through reason, and reason burning through becomes self-detonation.

Still too young, Lin Sui’an thought. Completely played by that seasoned schemer Hua Yitang like a puppet in the palm of his hand.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,” Hua Yitang laughed heartily. “Hua thought there would be some earth-shattering motive, yet it turns out to be nothing more than a lowly, ignoble maggot who consumed filth, spawning a petty jealousy — truly how — utterly — dull —”

Qi Mu snapped his gaze to Hua Yitang. “What did you say?!”

“I have seen plenty of your kind,” Hua Yitang clasped his arms across his chest. “Every day, blaming the heavens, blaming the earth, blaming the wind — resenting men, resenting women, resenting the very air. No matter what wrong they commit, someone else is always at fault. They are forever spotless and pristine in their own minds — when in truth, they are smeared from head to toe in filth, completely unaware.”

At this, Hua Yitang’s gaze sharpened abruptly. “You have no one to blame for what you are today but yourself! Because you are, to your very core, an ungrateful beast — a white-eyed wolf that no amount of feeding can tame! Your fate today is entirely of your own making!”

“Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!” Qi Mu’s temples erupted with blue veins, and he suddenly lunged with a Black Tiger Heart Strike toward Hua Yitang. Everyone was dumbstruck — no one had imagined Qi Mu knew martial arts. In an instant, before anyone could react, Lin Sui’an flung out Qian Jing to block in front of Hua Yitang. Qi Mu’s palm struck the scabbard with a ringing clang — as if striking metal.

Whoa! What technique was that? Iron Sand Palm?

Lin Sui’an’s fighting spirit surged at once. She unleashed three consecutive moves of the Scabbard-Cleaving technique, the scabbard slashing through the air with a piercing shriek. Qi Mu could still defend against the first, but was spitting blood by the second. As the third swing came down, He Sishan cried out, “Lin Niangzi, show mercy!”

Lin Sui’an flicked her wrist and instantly changed technique, switching to a flying kick. But at precisely that moment, Qi Mu gave a savage laugh: “He Sishan, I will make certain you cannot sleep or eat in peace for the rest of your days!” — and hurled himself off the cliff.

Lin Sui’an’s scalp went numb. Without a moment’s thought, she leaped off after him.

Hua Yitang’s guts nearly exploded with terror, and he lunged frantically toward the cliff’s edge. “Lin Sui’an—!”

Fang Ke went pale with shock and threw his arms around Hua Yitang’s waist. Mu Xia seized Hua Yitang’s arms in a death grip. Everyone else snapped back to their senses, screaming as they surged forward and pressed him down — seven or eight people barely managing to hold Hua Yitang in check.

At that very moment, a dark shadow flipped and rose from below the cliff. Lin Sui’an soared back up like a great roc spreading its wings — right hand on the scabbard smeared with half a smear of mud, left hand holding an unconscious Qi Mu by his collar. She gave him a shake and tossed him onto the ground. “Phew, that was close. Lucky I react fast.”

Everyone nearly collapsed with exhaustion, one by one going weak in the knees. Fang Ke clutched his chest and could not catch his breath for quite some time.

Hua Yifeng almost fainted into He Sishan’s arms in tears. He Sishan gently patted Hua Yifeng’s back, drenched in a cold sweat, gazing at Lin Sui’an with an expression of ever-deepening awe.

Hua Yitang scrambled to his feet and grabbed Lin Sui’an, looking her up and down, the blood vessels in his pupils bursting red. “Are you insane?!”

Lin Sui’an: “Well… I saw someone jump off a cliff and reacted by reflex…”

Hua Yitang ground his teeth and glared at Lin Sui’an, unblinking.

Lin Sui’an felt a guilty pang. “I’m sorry.”

Hua Yitang closed his eyes, took several deep breaths, then gently enveloped Lin Sui’an in his cloak, arching his body over her and burying his face in her shoulder. “You scared me to death…”

“…I’m sorry.”

“There must be no next time!”

“…Alright.”

“If there is a next time, I will jump off too!”

“I mean it!”

“…There will be no next time.”

“Liars are little dogs!”

“Woof.”

Epilogue Skit:

Mu Xia: Heavens above and earth below! Fourth Young Master nearly died for love!

Fang Ke: Are you all fools? Lin Sui’an isn’t foolish! Her martial arts are so formidable, she definitely had a way to protect herself! Why did every single one of you follow along and cause a scene? Absolute nuisances!