Chapter 086: A Hasty Conclusion

Qian Gui awoke abruptly, unsure whether it was because he had sensed Xue Ze’s intentions or felt some strange, extraordinary force. A peculiar feeling had roused him from his dreams.

He opened his eyes and found himself unable to calm down, replaying the unusual scenes from his dream over and over. Where did those visions come from? They seemed real, as if they had actually happened—had he experienced them before? Why was Xue Ze present as well, and what connection did she have to it all?

After regaining his composure, Qian Gui opened his window to let in the breeze, but was suddenly captivated by the moonlight. He stepped outside, walked into the courtyard, and was delighted by the moon’s brilliance. Moving toward the flower garden, he was startled by what he found.

Three disciples sat before him, all wide awake and gazing at him intently, their eyes shining brightly.

“What are you doing here?”

“Master, can’t you sleep either?”

Qian Gui’s expression grew evasive; he smiled awkwardly, helping Lian Zi up. “You’re still recovering from illness, don’t sit on the ground. And you two, as senior brothers, what’s going on?”

“Master, the stone slabs are quite warm tonight!” Ji Lin replied.

Qian Gui was puzzled. Seeing Lan Shui’s similar expression, he felt a twinge of fear. He crouched down and touched the stone slab, surprised by its warmth. He checked other slabs around the courtyard—they were all warm rather than cool.

“What’s going on? Why are the stones so warm tonight?” Qian Gui pondered this, worried it might be connected to the mortal world, though he hesitated to share his concerns with his disciples.

“Master!” Lan Shui stepped forward, pointing to the night sky. “Look, what do you make of this celestial sign?”

Qian Gui looked up and was shocked—his suspicions confirmed. So, the great demon has returned, and the world is in unrest. Yet it seemed his own disciple surpassed the demon; why did such phenomena appear? Could it be that Tianshan truly faces a great calamity?

“Master, why haven’t you contacted our senior brother? Are you facing a difficult matter?”

Qian Gui smiled, looking at his three gathered disciples. He couldn’t help but laugh.

“Haha, whatever troubles arise, we must face them with optimism. I was just thinking about tomorrow’s breakfast. As for these celestial signs, indeed, too many changes are afoot. Tonight, something momentous has happened—either Tianshan faces disaster, or evil is purged from the mortal world.”

“How so?”

“Are you familiar with the term ‘final radiance’?” Qian Gui smiled, letting slip a hint. “When a cultivator is on the brink of death, their powers soar and their influence spreads far, just as the ground here is burning hot. If they die, they transcend; if they survive...”

“Can one survive even after experiencing this final radiance? Are you referring to the murderer?” Lian Zi asked, puzzled.

“Precisely. The one your senior sister faced is now barely clinging to life. Without intervention, he won’t survive,” Qian Gui sighed. “But his cultivation is deep. If aided at the right moment, the outcome is uncertain!”

“Who would aid the wicked?” Ji Lin lamented, then asked, “If he does survive, what will happen?”

“Surviving disaster brings future blessings,” Qian Gui looked to the sky and murmured, “Tonight, sleep will be elusive! Though fate has its own plans, I hope the divine court will have mercy on the world and not let him return. Tianshan has just weathered a calamity—how can we seek the protection of the celestial maiden again?”

Ji Lin and Lian Zi were stunned, not realizing how serious the situation was.

Lan Shui stopped them, speaking solemnly, “No more questions. We’ve long sensed something was amiss, but weren’t certain—so we didn’t tell you. Now that you know, it’s not too late.”

Lian Zi, startled and anxious, asked, “If the enemy is so powerful, why send our senior sister?”

“He wasn’t powerful before, only after facing a life-and-death trial…” Lan Shui trailed off, gripped by anxiety and regret. If he’d known, he would never have let Xue Ze descend the mountain.

“Will Tianshan truly face disaster? My sister and I just returned, only to encounter this…”

“No need to worry. Calamity brings trial, and experience fosters growth. If you doubt, just wait for Xue Ze’s return and see how she’s changed.”

With that, Lan Shui ignored Ji Lin and Lian Zi, sitting quietly with his master in contemplation.

The silent night appeared gentle and calm, but beneath the surface, waves of turmoil brewed.

Xue Ze slept deeply, while another endured torment. No one knew if he would survive his ordeal, or face another fate.

Through the long night, Liu Li too found no rest. Lying in bed, eyes closed, his mind was filled with her image.

“The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches—Xue Ze, do you know my heart? Do you remember who I am?”

Liu Li smiled, recalling how he’d taken Xue Ze to the prince’s manor today, falling again into bitter reflection.

Gao Hai distracted attention, Feng Xing watched outside, and Liu Li took Xue Ze to the manor.

The prince’s manor, as the scene of the crime, held many secrets—so Liu Li had preserved its ruins.

They walked through, uncovering much and clarifying their thoughts. Xue Ze resolved many of Liu Li’s doubts, inspiring him to visit the imperial garden.

Xue Ze remarked, “This place is strange, not a normal fire—likely the work of sorcery. Coupled with rare poisons, none in the manor survived. The fish pond holds evidence—the fire was sudden, killing in an instant. The ring is a clue left by the prince. The perpetrator captured the prince to use as leverage, but with Liu Qing dead, the threat vanished, so he absorbed vital energy and hung bodies on the city gate—clearly an act of revenge.”

“You’re right, Miss. I also believe this is no simple case. But we have no proof to overturn the verdict, so those in the manor died in vain. Fortunately, Liu Qing merely returned for a visit and left; otherwise, he too would have perished. Of my imperial uncle and brother, I could only save one. This enmity must be settled another day!”

“Evil cannot prevail over good; the wicked will be punished in time. Rest assured!” Xue Ze summoned the restless spirits, granting peace to the manor and tranquility to the people.

“Thankfully you’re here, easing my sorrow,” Liu Li sighed.

When Xue Ze awoke, dawn had already come. Her residence was far from the palace center, closer to the imperial gardens.

For some reason, she heard a clamor outside—many voices chatting, with occasional exclamations and sighs.

She rose from bed, feeling fully recovered and overjoyed. “It seems I only spent too much spiritual energy—rest was all I needed!”

Yet, upon leaving her room and seeing Gao Hai, her mood soured.

Gao Hai, dressed as a guard, was accompanied by a group of attendants, seemingly waiting for her.

Seeing Gao Hai so attired, Xue Ze’s wariness rose. She asked softly, “What is this about?”

“Miss, I am here by order of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, to escort you to the grand hall for an audience.”

Xue Ze was slightly startled, puzzled as she looked at Gao Hai. “Why now? The case isn’t yet resolved.”

“It is resolved,” Gao Hai said, head bowed, his tone firm. “Last night, a major event occurred. The Empress Dowager, concerned for His Majesty’s safety and aware of the case’s details, sent people to retrieve evidence from Bluebird Lake, bringing the matter to a close…”

“What?”

“Miss, everyone knows you fought tirelessly to pursue the culprit and save lives last night. Not wanting you to exhaust yourself further, they chose this expedient. At dawn, many attendants gathered, and two bodies as well as strange evidence were recovered from the lake. The Empress Dowager, the coroner, the chief priest, and legal officials examined everything, confirmed the outcome, announced it to the world, and even wrote the case files!”

Xue Ze, displeased, said bluntly, “I don’t care about the records—where are those things?”

“The Empress Dowager called them ominous, so she had the bodies and evidence burned, then the priests performed rites to hastily close the case…”

Xue Ze’s eyes widened, glancing out the window to see smoke rising.

“This is the final outcome? Why summon us just to end the case so abruptly after all our investigation? Does Bei Hua lack the dignity and courtesy befitting a great nation?”

“Miss, I’m sure the Empress Dowager had her reasons—please forgive her. This morning, she settled the matter before all the officials and especially bestowed upon you the title of Saint Maiden of Bei Hua, granting you free access anywhere in the realm.”

Xue Ze smirked coldly. “I care nothing for titles or rewards! You came to summon me alone—what about my partner?”

Gao Hai swallowed, answering softly, “That gentleman left early when he saw the case was concluded.”

“Oh, I see. Then I needn’t linger here. You’d best pray nothing else happens in the palace—relying solely on ritual won’t suffice!”

As Xue Ze prepared to leave, Gao Hai blocked her path.

“What are you doing, sir?”

Gao Hai blinked and whispered, “Miss, you may refuse to see the Empress Dowager, but you haven’t met everyone yet, have you?”

“Who?” Xue Ze paused, remembering.

She had yet to fulfill her promise to Apricot Blossom Village. Displeased, she wished to avoid further entanglement with the palace.

“Miss, please accept this jade token,” Gao Hai said, dismissing the others and speaking quietly, “Don’t be angry—this is the Empress Dowager’s order, and we…”

“I want nothing to do with this!” Xue Ze calmed herself and glanced at Gao Hai. “Take back the token—cultivators do not require thanks!”

Gao Hai did not take it back, instead urging, “It might be useful in the future. It’s a pass token, saving you trouble—for example, you can freely seek people, ask questions, enter official areas…”

Xue Ze hesitated. “Where is Feng Xing?”