Chapter 18

Lu Mingyi truly couldn’t understand why it had become as difficult as ascending to heaven just to see Jiang Liuzhao now.

Her hands were bound behind her back with an Immortal Binding Rope, and her shoulders were gripped firmly by one disciple each as they forced her to kneel on the ground.

The two disciples escorting her had spiritual energy surging around them, their bodies tense—they were clearly on high alert against her.

Wang Ting, who had been summoned to kneel beside her, didn’t receive such “grand” treatment. Instead, she glared ferociously at Lu Mingyi.

In this situation, Lu Mingyi thought instead: Wang Ting has the spare time to glare at me like this, which means she didn’t run into that Black Flood Dragon either. She’s probably fine.

Thus, she felt perfectly justified in not deigning to spare Wang Ting so much as a glance.

The Enforcement Hall was located atop the Main Peak, its decor solemn and oppressive. Flanking the grand hall were two carved statues resembling qilins, with bulging eyes and a single horn on their foreheads—they were xiezhi, symbols of purity and justice.

Back when Lu Mingyi had taken her rotation as judge in the Enforcement Hall, no one usually showed up at noon, so she’d used those two xiezhi statues as makeshift “beds.”

She never could have imagined that one day, she herself would be pressed down beneath them, facing interrogation.

And the judge on duty today was an acquaintance—He Ming.

But upon seeing her again, He Ming showed none of the friendliness from their previous two encounters. Her expression toward Lu Mingyi was now filled with cold severity and wariness.

If a Taiqing Sect disciple committed a major sect rule violation, the Enforcement Hall would summon them for questioning. But for cases deemed “extremely hazardous,” the Hall would personally escort the suspect.

Clearly, Lu Mingyi now fell into that “extremely hazardous” category.

“Sword Peak’s 172nd generation direct disciple, Lu Mingyi. Talisman Peak’s 163rd generation direct disciple, Wang Ting.” He Ming began the interrogation process.

Lu Mingyi and Wang Ting both responded in affirmation.

“This afternoon at the shen hour, were the two of you near Taiqing Abyss, engaging in a fight?”

Lu Mingyi and Wang Ting affirmed again.

Me and Wang Ting, fighting? Lu Mingyi sneered inwardly. Their mutual animosity was infamous in the sect—how could it possibly be “play-fighting”?

Clearly, the focus of this interrogation wasn’t their unauthorized brawl within the sect. It was most likely about that rampaging Black Flood Dragon.

Sure enough, He Ming’s next words confirmed it: “At the same shen hour today, the Millennium Black Flood Dragon, sealed beneath Taiqing Abyss five days ago, suddenly went berserk and broke through its restraints. Fortunately, the guarding disciples discovered it in time, with no casualties. Do you two have any explanation for this?”

“Judge, Wang Senior Sister and I just happened to pass by there,” Lu Mingyi replied proactively despite her heavy restraints. “Thinking back on it now, we should count ourselves lucky we didn’t encounter that Black Flood Dragon.”

Wang Ting clearly wanted no part in this either. “That’s right, Judge.”

“Maybe I need to be clearer.” He Ming furrowed her brows, the usual gentle and approachable aura of a medical cultivator entirely vanished from her. “Did the two of you tamper with the Black Flood Dragon’s restraints?”

What nonsense!

Lu Mingyi was at a loss for words, baffled at how the Enforcement Hall could even entertain such a thought.

If she and Wang Ting had the ability to breach Beast Peak’s seals designed for high-level spirit beasts, why would they have merely “strolled” around Taiqing Abyss that afternoon?

“Judge, Beast Peak’s restraint array was personally crafted by Peak Master Sanhua True Person herself. With her cultivation at the Cavern Void Late Stage, breaking her seals would require no ordinary person.” Mocking aside, Lu Mingyi remained quite deferential toward He Ming, who had once treated her injuries.

Wang Ting, realizing the Enforcement Hall suspected her too, immediately bristled with dissatisfaction. “Judge, what do you mean by this? Are you saying I could have been the one to release the Black Flood Dragon? Then why am I still stuck here in the Enforcement Hall?”

He Ming remained unmoved. “It might seem impossible, but who really knows? Especially you, Junior Sister Lu. Just recently, rumors of the ‘Child of Prophecy’ have sown panic throughout the sect. You emerged from Contemplation Cliff today, and such a massive incident strikes the sect.”

Here we go again.

Lu Mingyi nearly rolled her eyes, even in front of He Ming.

To borrow Wang Ting’s earlier words—if she, the Child of Prophecy, was so powerful, why was she still pinned down here?

But she understood now: the Enforcement Hall was just going through the motions. They truly believed she had some special method to shatter Sanhua True Person’s array, and their personal escort stemmed from that prophecy, suspecting her of colluding with the Demon Sect.

Lu Mingyi laughed out of anger. Today’s cascade of events had already shaken her to the core, and now she was being publicly accused of shady ties to the Demon Sect.

Tired of beating around the bush, she said bluntly, “Since the Judge suspects me so much, I request a Soul Search.”

The words sent the entire Enforcement Hall into stunned silence.

Even Wang Ting, who’d been needling her nonstop, blurted out in shock, “Are you insane?!”

The Soul Searching Technique, as the name implied, probed a person’s soul to extract all their memories from birth to the present, even their innermost thoughts.

This profound spell was extremely dangerous for the subject. A single misstep during the process could inflict direct damage on the soul—minor wounds at best, soul dissipation at worst.

In Taiqing Sect, Soul Searches required approval from the Five Peaks’ Peak Masters or the Sect Leader, and could only be performed on heinous criminals guilty of grave sins.

Lu Mingyi’s voluntary request was meant to prove her innocence, but to onlookers, it seemed utterly unwise.

She herself, however, remained calm, even somewhat indifferent. “What’s wrong? This is a major incident—using the Soul Searching Technique would be the most reliable approach. Moreover, it should be performed by the utterly impartial Long Rainbow Sword Venerable.”

This was Lu Mingyi’s plan all along.

Detained by the Enforcement Hall, she clearly wasn’t getting away anytime soon. Better to proactively summon Jiang Liuzhao.

“This…”

The Enforcement Hall disciples fell into a dilemma. Judge He Ming furrowed her brows tightly—this was a real hot potato.

But the matter involved potential Demon Sect infiltrators, so caution was warranted. Better to pass it to higher elders than mishandle it themselves.

Thus, He Ming decided and produced the Hall’s special messenger talisman. “Very well, as you wish. I’ll summon Long Rainbow Sword Venerable right away.”

Lu Mingyi subtly breathed a sigh of relief. After all those twists and turns, she’d finally get to see her master.

But when Jiang Liuzhao’s elegant figure appeared in the Enforcement Hall mere moments later, Lu Mingyi couldn’t help muttering inwardly: Why did Master ignore my messages but rush over the instant the Enforcement Hall sends theirs?

She knew their summons had special alerts, but Jiang Liuzhao arriving this fast meant she wasn’t occupied with anything pressing, right?

“Greetings, Long Rainbow Sword Venerable.”

The Enforcement Hall disciples bowed in unison, Wang Ting half-kneeling as well.

“Rise.”

Jiang Liuzhao walked to Lu Mingyi’s side and looked down at her.

Seeing Jiang Liuzhao, Lu Mingyi caught a faint scent of sandalwood that should have soothed her. Yet her mind suddenly echoed with those prior words she’d overheard:

Can you truly remain unmoved?

Lu Mingyi blanked for a moment, her lashes trembling. She lowered her gaze to Jiang Liuzhao’s impeccably pristine white boots and murmured, “Greetings, Master.”

Seeing her like this, Jiang Liuzhao’s slender brows furrowed slightly. She addressed the two disciples still holding Lu Mingyi down. “Release her.”

“Long Rainbow Sword Venerable, we can’t—she’s a serious offender!” The vice-judge beside He Ming couldn’t help protesting, but under Jiang Liuzhao’s unyielding gaze, her voice trailed off.

No one dared oppose Long Rainbow Sword Venerable. The two disciples had already withdrawn their hands and stepped aside.

“Serious offender.” Jiang Liuzhao repeated the words softly. She turned to He Ming. “This Venerable received your summons. The Enforcement Hall requests a Soul Search. On whom? For what reason?”

He Ming clasped her fists and reported everything. “Long Rainbow Sword Venerable, it’s regarding the Black Flood Dragon incident. Junior Sisters Lu and Wang were spotted near Taiqing Abyss at the shen hour today—several disciples in the Scripture Pavilion can vouch for it. The Flood Dragon’s rampage is highly suspicious, so the Enforcement Hall must investigate them thoroughly.”

Jiang Liuzhao fell silent for a moment before asking, “Who requested the Soul Search?”

Her expression unchanged, but He Ming felt the weight of that unfathomable gaze like a shadow. She hurriedly replied, “It—it was Junior Sister Lu… who requested it herself.”

Now the pressure shifted to Lu Mingyi.

Suppressing the clamor in her mind, she met Jiang Liuzhao’s sharp gaze. Carefully lifting her head, she flashed an obedient smile at the woman beside her. “Master, I thought this might be the most efficient way?”

Jiang Liuzhao said nothing, her brows furrowing deeper. At last, she sighed softly in exasperation. “What utter nonsense.”

It was unclear if she meant Lu Mingyi’s recklessness in demanding a Soul Search over this, or the Enforcement Hall’s suspicion that two young direct disciples were Demon Sect spies.

Lu Mingyi figured it was both.

He Ming certainly caught the implication, her expression troubled. “Long Rainbow Sword Venerable, it’s not the Enforcement Hall acting on our own—several sect elders discussed and decided together.”

“Which ones?” To her surprise, Jiang Liuzhao pressed further.

He Ming could only grit her teeth and name them. They weren’t Five Peaks Peak Masters, but mid-level pillars and senior elders of their peaks—most disciples still heeded their words.

“This Venerable understands.” Jiang Liuzhao’s tone betrayed no emotion, but her stance was clear. “This matter ends here for now.”

The Enforcement Hall disciples’ faces stiffened.

Jiang Liuzhao clearly intended to have them release Lu Mingyi, leaving the Hall to face the elders’ wrath.

Yet no one dared object to her decision.

“This Venerable will message those elders to explain.” Jiang Liuzhao added, “Until the Black Flood Dragon incident is resolved, this Venerable and Heavenly Talisman True Person will personally oversee the two of them.”

Heavenly Talisman True Person was Talisman Peak’s master—Wang Ting’s master.

This addition eased the Enforcement Hall disciples’ tension.

With Long Rainbow Sword Venerable’s personal message, those ordering elders wouldn’t have much to say.

Jiang Liuzhao led Lu Mingyi out of the Enforcement Hall, leaving Wang Ting to await Heavenly Talisman True Person. In a way, Wang Ting had been dragged into this by Lu Mingyi.

After all, to justify hauling Lu Mingyi in, the Hall had seized on her afternoon brawl with Wang Ting near Taiqing Abyss as the perfect pretext.

Once more struck by the sect’s deep faith in that prophecy and their fears of the Demon Sect, Lu Mingyi looked at Jiang Liuzhao’s hazy silhouette in the night. “Master, I’ve troubled you again today, but I have urgent matters to report.”

The woman merely swept her with a light glance. “We’ll discuss everything back at Lingxiao Mansion.”

Back at Lingxiao Mansion?

Lu Mingyi blinked, then realized what Jiang Liuzhao had meant by “overseeing” her—confinement in Lingxiao Mansion?

It had happened before. When Lu Mingyi erred without breaking sect rules, Jiang Liuzhao would keep her in Lingxiao Mansion, under her watchful eye for “contemplation.”

But that was far more comfortable than Contemplation Cliff. Jiang Liuzhao even kept her old guest room ready. Aside from not being able to hang out with others, it was basically just a change of scenery.

Sometimes, bored, Lu Mingyi would wander into the main hall and sit beside Jiang Liuzhao, watching her handle sect affairs.

That Black Flood Dragon thing has nothing to do with me, Lu Mingyi grumbled inwardly. Even confinement in Lingxiao Mansion isn’t justified. But mindful of needing to report on Ji Xuyun, she followed quietly for now.

By the time they reached Lingxiao Mansion atop Sword Peak, the rain was still falling.

Shu Yi, as a Shen Family guard, naturally couldn’t enter the mansion. Jiang Liuzhao knew of her and offered a separate cave abode nearby—Sword Peak had plenty.

But Shu Yi firmly refused, insisting on staying outside Lingxiao Mansion.

Lu Mingyi felt terribly guilty, but no matter how much she pleaded until her mouth went dry, Shu Yi wouldn’t budge. “The family head gave orders. I’ll stay as close to you as possible.”

Entering the main hall of Lingxiao Mansion, Lu Mingyi kept glancing back at the door, clearly still worried about Shu Yi.

Jiang Liuzhao saw this and said, “I’ll write a letter to the Shen Family Head, instructing that guard to stand down for the next few days.” With that, she handed Lu Mingyi a steaming cup from the table. “Drink it.”

Lu Mingyi took it without hesitation and obediently drank it down. An intense spicy burn immediately surged up from her throat, shooting straight to the top of her head.

“Cough… urgh…”

She coughed violently, her fair and delicate face flushing pink. Her bright eyes shimmered with tears, red tinges even appearing at the corners, making her look utterly pitiable. With a nasal twang, she said, “Master… wh-what is this…”

In her blurred vision, Lu Mingyi seemed to catch the faint upward curve of Jiang Liuzhao’s lips—like a snow lotus blooming atop a high peak, brief yet breathtakingly beautiful.

She heard the woman before her ask, “Has the chill eased now?”

“Ah…”

Lu Mingyi blinked in surprise. She realized that the persistent cold discomfort plaguing her body since leaving Contemplation Cliff had completely faded away.

She immediately beamed with joy and scooted closer to Jiang Liuzhao. “Thank you, Master! I don’t feel cold at all anymore!”

Seeing that Lu Mingyi had recovered somewhat, Jiang Liuzhao let the fleeting smile—like an epiphyllum in bloom—fade from her lips. “The sect is in turbulent times right now, and you’re at the eye of the storm. Stay here in Lingxiao Pavilion for the time being.”

“I understand, Master.” Lu Mingyi nodded, then licked her lips. “I-I have something very important to tell you.”

Jiang Liuzhao inclined her head, signaling her to continue.

After a night of tension and anxiety, Lu Mingyi was finally about to reveal to Jiang Liuzhao the name of the demonic cultivator that had thrown the Taiqing Sect into chaos.

But for some reason, even as the words reached her lips, she hesitated for a moment.

Over the past three years, Ji Xuyun had stood by her side through everything.

They had endured the cold mockery and sneers from some in the sect together, ventured into minor secret realms in search of opportunities, and their days wandering Jiangxia felt like yesterday.

Maybe that voice wasn’t her true thoughts?

Even the mention of Xie Shiji at Xiao Yuxie’s place could have been a coincidence.

But the hesitation lasted only an instant. Lu Mingyi knew there was no room for wishful thinking when it came to the Demon Sect.

Just as she had come to Lingxiao Pavilion a month ago to plead for Ji Xuyun, she met Jiang Liuzhao’s gaze and stated bluntly, “Master, regarding the Demon Sect spy within the sect, please investigate Junior Sister Ji carefully!”