“Hongchen, what exactly are you suspicious of?” Xie Lingbi’s voice carried the earnest and well-meaning tone of a teacher and elder.

He patiently said: “Although these four thieves’ identities are unknown, thinking about it, one can roughly guess who they are. If Si Tianjian wasn’t backing them, who would be so bold? As for what the other party intends, that is also something this master has been unable to comprehend.”

Xie Hongchen withdrew his thoughts. Facing his master’s explanation, he always felt guilty. He said: “This disciple has already identified one person’s weapon based on traces left by the thieves. It should be He Xijin from Shu.”

“He Xijin…” Xie Lingbi frowned, pondering for a long time, then said: “That old fellow. What did he come for?”

Xie Hongchen said: “Currently investigating.”

Xie Lingbi made a sound of acknowledgment and said: “Regardless, Si Tianjian publicly beating our sect’s outer gate disciple with the rod—this matter absolutely cannot be let go.”

Xie Hongchen’s gaze dropped to the ground: “This disciple understands.”

“What do you plan to do?” Xie Lingbi was unrelenting. With his temperament, he would never allow being bullied like this.

Xie Hongchen’s tone remained calm as ever: “To seek longevity, Emperor Shi Wenyu has been taking longevity pills for many years. These pills are expensive to make.”

“This is no secret.” Xie Lingbi said, “That old fellow has been doing this for a hundred years.”

Xie Hongchen said: “This year, the longevity pills Si Tianjian plans to present are fake.”

“Si Tianjian is forging longevity pills?” Xie Lingbi’s heart tightened. He pressed: “How did you learn of this?”

Xie Hongchen didn’t explain his information source, only saying: “In the court, Shi Wenyu has many confidants. As long as we leak this news, Shi Wenyu is already suspicious by nature—he won’t let Di Yiqiu off.”

Xie Lingbi nodded and said: “Very good. Do it quickly, lest people think Yuhu Xuanzong truly fears these court lackeys.”

Xie Hongchen acknowledged, saluted, and left. Xie Lingbi watched his retreating back, thoughtful.

Young people truly grew quickly. In just over a hundred years, his wings had gradually grown full, his claws and fangs complete.

Capital, inner city.

When Di Yiqiu and Li Lu returned to Xuanwu Si, it was already lunchtime.

In the classroom, the teacher hadn’t dismissed class yet—Di Yiqiu had left Huang Rang here, so he didn’t dare leave.

He had to watch carefully. He knew all too well how mischievous half-grown children could be. This magical instrument resembled a woman, shockingly beautiful, simply lifelike and difficult to distinguish from real—clearly very expensive.

If some naughty one couldn’t control their hands and damaged or bumped something for the Jianzheng, what would they do?

He was a cautious teacher, hmph.

Huang Rang had listened to a morning’s worth of lessons and also generally understood the current situation of improved variety cultivation. After all, she had been imprisoned for ten years, and the world always changed quickly. New variants she’d never heard of had already appeared on the market.

Familiar footsteps sounded outside the door. Huang Rang knew—Di Yiqiu had come.

After only one day together, she could already recognize his footsteps. Then she suddenly realized—this entire morning had passed so quickly. Like it disappeared in the blink of an eye.

For ten years, her days had felt like years. Suddenly at this moment, she was quite surprised in her heart.

Di Yiqiu pushed her out. Li Lu carried that pile of bottles and jars, silently following behind.

—He’d always known women spent money fiercely. Who knew even a fake doll spent money like water! Just these things cost half his monthly salary!

Baihu Si.

As soon as Li Lu entered, he heard someone muttering: “Strange, our Jianzheng should have returned by now.” Li Lu, carrying large and small packages, sighed inwardly—if he hadn’t browsed the rouge shop for half the day, wouldn’t he have returned earlier?

Di Yiqiu pushed Huang Rang inside. At a glance, Huang Rang saw a tall, burly man. He wore sheepskin fur with a large saber at his waist. At this moment, he held a large sea bowl in his hands, shoveling rice into his mouth.

“Jianzheng!” Catching sight of Di Yiqiu, he immediately stood up, choking until his eyes rolled back.

Di Yiqiu seemed accustomed to this and waved his hand: “Eat first.”

“Oh.” So Baowu squatted in front of the flower hall and continued shoveling rice.

Di Yiqiu pushed Huang Rang to his conference room and moved the warming brazier over, placing it by her feet. Huang Rang’s sightline from this position was very good—she could survey the entire room.

In the corner was a potted flower. In this kind of season, this flower was actually still blooming. Its vines climbed the flower stand at the pot’s edge, leaves green, flowers pink, shaped like trumpets.

It looked quite like a variant of morning glories.

Right beside it was a window, yet it didn’t prefer light.

Huang Rang was examining that flower when Di Yiqiu squatted down, arranged her skirt properly, and held her hand, saying: “I’m going out for a bit. I’ll come back shortly.”

“Ah?” Baowu eating outside responded, turned his head to look into the room, and only then discovered his Jianzheng was talking to that fake doll. He looked at Li Lu inexplicably. Li Lu shot him a look, signaling him not to speak!

Baowu immediately understood and asked: “Who’s this girl? Haven’t seen her before. New arrival?”

Li Lu gave him an eye roll and didn’t want to deal with him—only your eyes are sharp.

Di Yiqiu also ignored him and instructed: “Watch this place until I return.”

Having said that, he turned and left.

Only after he’d gone far did Li Lu put those rouges and powders inside. Baowu also entered the room. Outside was cold after all—how could it compare to inside the room, sheltered from wind and warm?

Baowu walked before Huang Rang, examined her for a long time, then suddenly reached out and poked her face!

Li Lu flew over like a shot and knocked away his hand: “Jianfu Bao!” Do you want to die?!

Baowu clicked his tongue in wonder: “Soft, and still warm. A new magical treasure the Jianzheng made? He’s finally starting to make human figures?”

“What kind of talk is that?!” Li Lu still had some sense of collegiality and advised: “In front of the Jianzheng from now on, speak less.”

Baowu rolled his eyes but was still curious about Huang Rang and asked: “Can you hear this Jianfu speaking? If you can hear, just blink your eyes.”

Huang Rang stared at the robust man before her, unable to respond to him promptly. Her body was beyond her control. Only her eyes could move slightly, but closing her eyes—even such an action was extremely difficult. By the time she blinked, Baowu had already looked elsewhere.

Baowu also wanted to pull Huang Rang’s hair. Li Lu quickly shooed him away like a dog, not allowing him to get close to Huang Rang again.

The two waited together for Di Yiqiu when suddenly, footsteps came from outside.

Li Lu and Baowu tensed. Huang Rang had also discerned that these weren’t Di Yiqiu’s footsteps. Sure enough, a man walked in.

“Fifth Master.” Li Lu greeted him with a smile, stepping forward to salute.

Baowu was much colder, only performing a salute. He clearly didn’t regard this person well.

That man saw into the room and asked: “Where’s your Jianzheng?”

His tone carried arrogance. Clearly, this person’s status was not ordinary. Or rather, his position was even higher than Di Yiqiu’s. Huang Rang secretly speculated.

“The Jianzheng left for a moment and will return shortly. Fifth Master, please wait a bit.” Li Lu spoke to him very carefully and apologetically.

So that man walked around behind the desk, just preparing to sit down, when unexpectedly his gaze swept across and saw Huang Rang in the wheelchair. He walked over. Li Lu’s heart immediately jumped.

He stayed by the man’s side, explaining: “This is a small trinket the Jianzheng recently forged.”

That man reached out and abruptly lifted Huang Rang’s chin, raising it upward.

Only then did Huang Rang see his appearance clearly. He didn’t wear official robes, only gold and red everyday clothes, jade crown binding his hair, silk sash at his waist. This outfit should have been wealthy and romantic, but he was really too thin—so thin he had almost lost human form.

So these clothes on him looked like a skeleton draped with cloth.

His fingers were long and thin like withered claws. His entire person had a feeling like dead wood.

Good heavens. Huang Rang couldn’t help but secretly complain—I suffered the Soul-Binding Bone-Fixing Needles and didn’t become this thin. What Fifth Master is this? He looks more like a ghost than a person.

He stared at Huang Rang, examining her closely, and sneered: “This face… Haha, back then he proposed marriage to this woman and was refused. Who would have thought after over a hundred years, he still can’t forget her. Such deep affection is truly pitiable.”

His voice was full of mockery. Huang Rang’s chin was pinched painfully, but there was nothing she could do.

And this Fifth Master also prepared to study Huang Rang more carefully. Just as he wanted to pry open Huang Rang’s mouth to look closely, Baowu said angrily: “The Jianzheng isn’t here. Fifth Master had better not carelessly touch his magical instruments!”

As soon as he said this, Li Lu knew it was bad.

Sure enough, this Fifth Master kicked out, cursing angrily: “What are you, daring to stop me?!”

Baowu took this kick and was even more indignant. His hand moved toward the large saber at his waist, but ultimately didn’t dare act. That Fifth Master sneered: “Dog thing, you actually want to draw your blade on me?”

Li Lu hurriedly said: “How would he dare? He’s used to being crude and rude. Fifth Master is magnanimous and doesn’t calculate with petty people. Li Lu apologizes to Fifth Master on his behalf.” As he spoke, he was about to kneel, but how could this Fifth Master let it go?

He pointed at Baowu and said: “Kneel!”

Baowu was filled with fury, his hand gripping the blade trembling. Li Lu repeatedly signaled him with his eyes. Both sides were at an impasse when someone outside said: “It seems Fifth Brother is quite leisurely today, actually coming to Baihu Si to discipline subordinates for me.”

Di Yiqiu had returned. He held a roll of snow-white fur in his hands. Entering the room, he casually set the fur on the table.

Li Lu’s suspended heart immediately dropped back to his stomach. He let out a long breath of relief and knelt on the ground. This time, without needing to be pulled, Baowu also knelt and said: “Jianzheng.”

Di Yiqiu had already seen the mark on Huang Rang’s face at a glance. She hadn’t seen sunlight for ten years—her skin was more delicate than ordinary people. And this Fifth Brother of Di Yiqiu’s—his hand strength was truly great. So this red mark was especially conspicuous.

Di Yiqiu’s gaze turned cold, but the smile on his face grew broader: “Fifth Brother came today—does His Majesty have some instructions?”

Fifth Brother, His Majesty…

A flash like lightning crossed Huang Rang’s mind. She suddenly remembered—this Di Yiqiu’s background was not low. He was the son of the current emperor Shi Wenyu, speaking of which, also a genuine imperial prince.

It was just that Shi Wenyu had too many children. Imperial princes were as common as dogs, so naturally they weren’t worth much.

Even more bizarre, Shi Wenyu pursued longevity arts and hadn’t established an heir for a long time. He even worried his sons harbored ulterior motives, so he forced these princes to change their names and surnames, expelling his own sons from the imperial family one by one.

So Di Yiqiu’s status as an imperial prince wasn’t really worth mentioning.

Beside her, Di Yiqiu’s Fifth Brother snorted coldly and said: “I heard you beat Yuhu Xuanzong’s people with the rod at the vegetable market today and even had a conflict with them. His Majesty naturally had to send me to see how imposing and impressive you, Lord Jianzheng, have become.”

“So it’s this matter.” Di Yiqiu was unconcerned and smiled: “I only followed His Majesty’s edict and executed court law.”

“Hmph. If you provoke them, you must think about how to resolve the troubles they’ll bring. The presentation of longevity pills is imminent. His Majesty doesn’t want extra complications arising from this.” As he spoke, he reached out to touch Huang Rang’s face.

“You made this thing quite exquisitely.” Though he praised, his tone was full of disdain. “Xie Hongchen embraces a real person, while you hold a dead object here—truly excellent.”

Huang Rang wanted to avoid his hand but couldn’t. She hated this person, both his tone and appearance.

Di Yiqiu’s Fifth Brother clearly intended to humiliate. His fingertip slid downward past Huang Rang’s neck, wanting to open her collar. Di Yiqiu slowly walked over, his voice like spring breeze: “Since Fifth Brother likes it, I’ll have someone send it to your residence shortly.”

…You kneel too quickly… Huang Rang couldn’t describe it. Sure enough, he still wants to take revenge on me. She thought silently.

“Haha. You’re quite sensible and tactful. Fine.” That man readily agreed and said: “Then have Baowu personally deliver it to me.”

He clearly still resented Baowu’s earlier actions. Fortunately, Di Yiqiu’s gesture appeased his anger—although this doll was fake, it was too exquisite and lifelike.

Its skin so delicate, its features so alluring—it truly aroused his curiosity and anticipation. His footsteps headed out. As he walked, he said: “How is the longevity pill refinement going?”

Di Yiqiu casually turned the wheelchair. Huang Rang’s line of sight also turned with it. Soon, she was sitting facing the wall, only able to stare at it.

Li Lu and Baowu knelt at the doorway. Di Yiqiu accompanied his Fifth Brother toward the door.

He flexed his right hand, his voice gentle: “The longevity pill refinement is going very smoothly. I’ll take Fifth Brother to see right now.” Speaking to here, his voice paused. Then his right hand struck like lightning, directly attacking the man’s heart.

His Fifth Brother reacted with an angry shout. Simultaneously, a layer of snake scales grew on his body. He blocked with both hands, but it was completely too late! Only a crisp sound of shattering bones was heard—both his hands were already broken. He could only retreat until his back pressed against the wall.

Di Yiqiu’s hands moved like wind. With two fingers, he broke through the protective scales and swiftly struck at his heart. The force triggered a series of explosive sounds inside his body.

Blood surged at his throat, dripping drop by drop to the ground along his mouth corner. Di Yiqiu withdrew his right hand. His entire right hand had also somehow been covered with green snake scales!

At this time, the snake scales on Di Yiqiu’s hand gradually faded. He smiled lightly: “Excellence comes from diligence, degradation from play. Fifth Brother should practice his skills well.”

“Di Yiqiu, you! You actually dare… Aren’t you afraid His Majesty will…” His Fifth Brother still couldn’t believe it. But his words stopped here, ending abruptly. He collapsed softly to the ground, both legs gradually transforming into a snake’s tail.

He had become a half-human, half-snake monster.

“Jianzheng…” Baowu seemed only now to react. Even someone like him, a warrior, couldn’t help but lower his voice. Clearly the matter was extremely serious.

Di Yiqiu drew out a silk handkerchief, wiping his hands. On the ground, his Fifth Brother’s corpse lay limp, a spot of blood red gradually seeping from his chest—Di Yiqiu’s fingertip strike had seemed light, yet those indestructible snake scales had already shattered.

Li Lu seemed only now to react. He hurriedly got up to close the door, saying: “Jianzheng, Fifth Master died here. His Majesty will certainly investigate!”

His words carried considerable anxiety.

Di Yiqiu carefully wiped both hands clean before saying: “This seat didn’t want to see off guests like this. Helplessly, my Fifth Brother has an impatient temperament and couldn’t wait even a moment.”

As he spoke, he pointed at a potted flower in the corner. That flower’s thick vine coiled around a support stick, the flower like morning glories, blooming very brilliantly.

Li Lu understood and exchanged glances with Baowu. Baowu was still in a daze but now reacted. He and Li Lu together lifted the corpse from the ground and dragged it before that flower.

That flower was initially quiet and still, like an ordinary flowering vine. Now that it touched this corpse, the entire flower opened up. It extended its vine and slowly wrapped around the corpse. Between sucking and binding, it quickly dragged this monster-like corpse into the flower pot.

Only then did Di Yiqiu sit behind the desk and ask Baowu: “How is public sentiment outside?”

“Ah?” Baowu quickly said: “This subordinate has been outside for over a month, traveling through three prefectures. Currently, Yuhu Xuanzong vigorously promotes cultivation methods, causing common people not to farm, everyone deluding themselves about becoming immortal. Moreover, folk sorcerers refine fake pills. Poisoning incidents continue despite repeated prohibitions. The court should severely punish this.”

Having finished, he presented various case files.

Di Yiqiu indicated for him to set them on the table and said: “Yuhu Xuanzong’s roots run deep and wide. It’s difficult to shake them ordinarily. We can only first collect evidence of crimes and wait for the right moment.”

Baowu naturally also knew—that was an orthodox immortal sect. The old immortals in the sect living seven or eight hundred years could be called perfectly ordinary. Si Tianjian was established only about a hundred years ago. Though it had also attracted some talent, how could it directly oppose them?

He could only say: “This subordinate understands. Oh yes, along the way, this subordinate encountered Yuhu Xuanzong’s spies again. They’re privately inquiring about a woman, saying the sect master’s wife has a sister who went missing. Her features resemble the wife, and she’s also skilled at cultivating improved varieties. Yuhu Xuanzong has been searching for many years. Speaking of it, Xie Hongchen is quite attentive to this wife. Just a wife’s sister, yet he still spares no effort sending spies to inquire.”

Di Yiqiu made a sound of acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping toward Huang Rang in the corner, but he didn’t say anything else. He opened the fur on the desk. Baowu couldn’t help but look closely and discovered those were several well-tanned rabbit pelts. The rabbit pelts were snow white with smooth fur. These things were pelts the Jianzheng had brought back from the last imperial garden hunt.

Baowu paid it no mind and continued recounting what he’d seen and heard along the way.

Li Lu brewed tea for the two. The three rarely sat leisurely in the room.

“Recently, when this subordinate passed through Sihe Prefecture, over ten households reported missing children. This subordinate led people to inquire carefully and discovered someone was impersonating Yuhu Xuanzong disciples, using entry to the immortal sect as bait to lure these children away. When parents at home rushed to Yuhu Xuanzong wanting to see their children, only then did they discover no such thing existed.” Baowu’s tone was heavy.

Di Yiqiu threaded a needle, then took out a bag of pearls and began sewing several rabbit pelts together. His pair of hands was one of Si Tianjian’s and even the entire court’s greatest treasures. Especially skilled at making various precise and ingenious magical instruments—usually drawing magical instrument diagrams or doing embroidery work was simply a piece of cake.

Now he used ice silk as thread, stringing pearls, embroidering between two rabbit pelts to create snowflakes—beautiful and intricate.

He bowed his head sewing rabbit pelts. Li Lu could only ask Baowu: “You didn’t pursue the fraudsters’ trail?”

Baowu clicked his tongue, puffed out his chest, and said: “Nonsense! Am I, Old Bao, the kind of person who sits idly by?! I immediately dispatched people to investigate, but these fraudsters didn’t leave even the slightest trace.”

Li Lu turned to look at Di Yiqiu, his expression grave: “Recently, many other places have also had the same thing happen. Initially, county offices listed them as ordinary missing person cases, only sending constables to investigate, not reporting to Si Tianjian.”

Di Yiqiu said nothing for a long time. Baowu couldn’t hold back and said: “Jianzheng, this subordinate will immediately go to various places, retrieve case files, consolidate several cases together, and investigate again in detail. I refuse to believe this fraudster can ascend to heaven or burrow into earth!”

Yet Di Yiqiu still bowed his head sewing rabbit pelts. After a long while, he suddenly asked: “Recently, what movements at Yuanrong Tower?”

—He always liked to think while making magical instruments, multitasking without any effect.

“Yuanrong Tower?” Li Lu frowned. The current emperor Shi Wenyu, seeking longevity, hadn’t attended court for many years. Now he lived in Yuanrong Tower. His heart jumped, and he said quietly: “Does the Jianzheng suspect this matter relates to His Majesty?”

Di Yiqiu didn’t answer, only saying: “Currently, Si Tianjian and Yuhu Xuanzong have many eyes and ears. Since the perpetrators dare impersonate Yuhu Xuanzong’s identity and can leave no trace, they must have backing. Don’t alert them. Retrieve case files and investigate secretly.”

Li Lu responded affirmatively and withdrew with Baowu.

Only after leaving the door did Baowu say: “Fifth Master really profited today. Speaking of which, it’s strange—this bastard has always been arrogant, running wild at Si Tianjian for more than a day or two. The Jianzheng ordinarily didn’t argue with him. Why today did he suddenly…” He made a throat-slitting gesture.

“Shh.” Li Lu made a silencing gesture, indicating he shouldn’t mention it again.

Baowu thought of Fifth Master’s death just now and chuckled: “Never mind why—this bastard should have died long ago. Usually barking wildly, but in our Jianzheng’s hands, he couldn’t last one round. Hey now, speaking of today, our Jianzheng really showed this old Bao a thing or two—like wiping your butt with a fishing net!”

“Jianfu Bao.” Li Lu looked helpless. “Your language is too crude!”