Within her line of sight, Mu Mu and Xing Zizhou, along with Shan Yidao and Xiao Yingtao, were each earnestly inspecting the black-clad figures’ bodies.

They had stood united against a common enemy. They had worked hard together. They had endured hardship side by side.

Jiu’er was not ignorant of the meaning behind the phrase “the human heart is difficult to fathom,” yet how could she suspect these people who had once shared both the sweet and the bitter with her?

And yet — a person who knows death is near speaks only truth. When Zeng Lanyue had known she could not survive, those words she spoke would never have been uttered carelessly.

Those close to her… Among these four people standing before her — could it truly be that one of them was a spy?

Or perhaps, the “close ones” Zeng Lanyue had spoken of were not these four at all?

Jiu’er truly did not want to believe that among the five of them, who had gotten along so well, there was still a spy hidden.

Could they not all simply get along — united in heart, decent in character, facing outward threats together as one?

Maybe Zeng Lanyue had meant someone else. Not them…

“Jiu’er, look at this!” Xiao Yingtao suddenly called out.

Feng Jiu’er had not moved an inch, only staring at them, her gaze somewhat vacant.

“Jiu’er, what is wrong?” Xiao Yingtao stood up and walked over to her, waving her fingers in front of her face.

“What is it?” Feng Jiu’er snapped back to attention and asked.

“This is the person — the black-clad figure we saw that day. It was him!”

Xiao Yingtao led her over, and they all gathered around to examine the body once more.

It was indeed this black-clad figure — but where they had come from, and where they had been concealed, no one had any idea.

This Imperial Academy, which appeared so solemn and tranquil on the surface, was in truth seething beneath — laden with lurking dangers and lethal traps at every turn.

How many more crises still lay waiting for them ahead, no one could say.

After the inspection of the black-clad figures, the routine questioning followed.

Jiu’er said nothing of substance. Mu Mu offered the explanation that today was a day off and that they had simply wanted to familiarize themselves with the surrounding terrain in preparation for future assessments.

Huo Yan raised no objection to this. The matter of the black-clad figures would continue to be investigated by personnel from the Longqi Academy.

As for the five of them — they were, after all, only newly arrived students. Such matters were not theirs to involve themselves in.

As they emerged from the martial arts building, Xiao Yingtao bounded up to Mu Mu with a bright grin. “Mu Mu, today is a day off — why don’t we all go out and have a feast together?”

“I still have something to attend to. I would like to go home for a bit.” Seeing that the sky was still early, Feng Jiu’er cupped her hands toward the group. “I’ll take my leave first.”

She left, without leaving any room for discussion.

“Jiu’er’s mood looks really terrible today. Did something else happen between the two of you over in the forest?” Xiao Yingtao watched Feng Jiu’er’s retreating figure, thoroughly puzzled.

Shan Yidao and Xing Zizhou’s gazes shifted to Mu Mu. He had been the only one with Feng Jiu’er at the time — if something else had happened, only he would know.

Mu Mu gave no response, only saying, “I also have matters to attend to. Farewell.”

“Mu Mu, hey, you—” Xiao Yingtao’s call did nothing to make him turn back.

She stamped her foot, pouting her lips. “What is with everyone today? They all seem a little off.”

“Mu Mu doesn’t have a place to stay in the capital city, does he? If he’s heading out, where is he going?” Shan Yidao was equally baffled.

“Why do you care where he goes?” Xing Zizhou rapped him on the head. “It is a day off — if he doesn’t go out to enjoy himself, would he rather stay cooped up in his room reading military texts?”

Giving up on Shan Yidao, he turned to Xiao Yingtao with a cheerful look. “You want to go out for a feast — shall I accompany you?”

Xiao Yingtao only pursed her lips. “Since Mu Mu and Jiu’er are both not going, I am not going either. I will go back and read military texts. Farewell!”