Lianshan Xin had not yet noticed that Mingren was awake.
In contrast, some of the onlookers among the students caught sight of Mingren's expression.
"Looking at this reaction, it seems he really did study Demon Cult techniques."
"Thousand Faces was undercover in the academy for many years, after all, and made plenty of achievements in teaching and educating. It's only normal that he cultivated a few confidants."
"Wait, isn't this the prince from the Sakura Kingdom?"
"Someone from the Sakura Kingdom? Then colluding with the Demon Cult is all too normal."
"Indeed. The Sakura people have never seen the world. They always think Demon Cult techniques are treasures, unaware that the Demon Cult is hunted like vermin across Great Yu."
"In Sakura, they don't call it the Demon Cult; they call it the Sacred Cult."
Lianshan Xin was surprised to find that the students of Bailudong Academy were remarkably receptive.
What was more, every one of them spoke with immense swagger, not putting the Sakura Kingdom in their eyes in the slightest.
On second thought, Great Yu had a millennium of heritage and had beaten the neighboring minor kingdoms until they couldn't even raise their heads. A great nation bred proud citizens; it was entirely reasonable.
If one wasn't proud when strong, should one wallow in an inferiority complex instead?
Seeing that the students were so understanding, Lianshan Xin was delighted and became all the more courteous toward everyone.
Seeing someone from Nine Heavens being so polite, the watching students were also overjoyed and became all the more courteous toward Lianshan Xin.
"My lord, after the affair with Thousand Faces broke out, I closely studied the Demon Cult's movements and discovered clear signs that they are relocating overseas."
"Right! Last year I sparred with a man from the Sakura Kingdom and noticed that although his saber technique was called Sakura swordsmanship, it bore a striking resemblance to the Demon Cult's Demonic Saber."
"Oh? Such a thing happened?"
This time, Lianshan Xin was genuinely surprised and delighted.
See, I truly am a genius at investigating cases.
Born with a pair of Heavenly Eyes, never slandering a soul.
Lianshan Xin accepted every clue reported by his fellow students without exception.
This was the power of the masses!
"Thank you all for providing these leads. Once we in Nine Heavens verify them, we will surely give everyone a full account. But you need not worry—with Lord Heavenly Sword present, the Demon Cult cannot overturn the heavens, nor will regular classes at the academy be disrupted."
Lianshan Xin did not forget to spread Zhang Aniu's fame.
Everyone loved hearing Lianshan Xin's words; after all, they offered reassurance.
Some bolder students even spoke up to ask, "My lord, if one wishes to join Nine Heavens, what path is there?"
Lianshan Xin asked, "You don't mind Nine Heavens' unsavory reputation?"
The student dismissed the thought nonchalantly. "Only those who can't get into Nine Heavens curse Nine Heavens! If one can become the court's hounds, who cares about reputation? That's something only children of established clans bother worrying about."
Lianshan Xin chuckled lightly. "True enough. Lord Heavenly Sword has only just settled in, and there are a thousand tangled threads to manage. Still, he has said that once things stabilize, he will recruit newcomers. If anyone is interested, putting more effort into your martial arts and studies in advance certainly won't hurt."
"Thank you for informing us, my lord!"
Many eyes lit up with excitement.
If one could follow the orthodox imperial examinations, that was naturally preferred—it was universally recognized as the grand and glorious path.
It was just that the orthodox path was too difficult, and far too slow.
Unless one had a good father.
Yet even in Bailudong Academy, such fathers were hard to come by.
Therefore, even if Nine Heavens' reputation was somewhat lacking, it was definitely an excellent prospect.
Most ordinary people sought security and stability, even if landing a coveted government post was not truly stable—though before securing a place on the shore, they didn't know any better.
Having already landed his post, Lianshan Xin knew full well that Nine Heavens was about to undertake monumental feats and blow open major cases in Jiangzhou, so he walked on thin ice.
He would never let a single Demon Cult degenerate slip past!
...
When Lianshan Xin dragged Mingren back for interrogation, he happened upon Qi Shiyun concluding her secluded cultivation.
Qi Shiyun glanced at Mingren, who was dangling from Lianshan Xin's grip like a dead dog, utterly mystified. "Who is this?"
Lianshan Xin explained, "The heir of a prince from the Sakura Kingdom, named Mingren."
"Sakura royalty?" Qi Shiyun caught on.
Lianshan Xin nodded.
At that, Qi Shiyun's gaze turned peculiar. "You moved that fast? And you sure know how to pick targets. Great Yu's royalty hold illustrious statuses, making them truly hard to touch. Swapping to royalty from these minor kingdoms carries far less risk. Why didn't I think of that back then?"
At this point, Qi Shiyun slapped her thigh in profound regret.
Back then, she had gone straight after the Crown Prince—far too reckless!
Lianshan Xin realized Qi Shiyun had misunderstood him and explained, "Tanhua Qi, I suspect he is colluding with Demon Cult degenerates."
"Hm? Really? I thought you were deliberately framing him to use him for cultivation practice."
A wave of shame instantly washed over Qi Shiyun.
Turns out she had judged him with a petty mind.
Lianshan Xin flared up in righteous indignation. "Tanhua Qi, am I the sort of person to neglect public duty for private gain? At most, I'd verify his collusion with the Demon Cult before using him for cultivation practice! I would never implicate an innocent soul."
"Well done. Do you have evidence?"
Lianshan Xin replied with a solemn face, "I do. His left foot crossed the gate first."
Qi Shiyun stared blankly. "?"
"Furthermore, I suspect he cultivates demonic arts."
Qi Shiyun finally seized upon the key word. "Suspect?"
"It is suspicion now, but there will be evidence shortly. Mingren, will you confess on your own, or do I have to torture a confession out of you?" Lianshan Xin asked bluntly.
Mingren cried out that he was wrongly accused.
Lianshan Xin wasted no words, taking Mingren on a grand tour of Nine Heavens' torture chambers.
Seeing that every trace of color had drained from Mingren's face, Lianshan Xin spoke again: "Mingren, you are Sakura royalty. Even if you are entangled with the Demon Cult, the Sakura royal family can negotiate with Nine Heavens, so you still have a chance. But if you refuse to confess, don't blame me for being merciless. When you fought me earlier, the circulation of your true qi already betrayed your origin. Our Nine Heavens' understanding of Demon Cult arts far exceeds your imagination."
Mingren took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down and preserve the dignity of the Sakura royal family.
By now, he thought he had figured out how he had been exposed. Since he had lost, he could no longer act like a clown.
"Thousand Faces' martial arts dharma idol was exposed, which allowed you to decipher the Myriad Manifestations true qi, didn't it?"
Lianshan Xin stared. "?"
Qi Shiyun was also astonished. This fellow was actually cultivating Thousand Faces' Myriad Manifestations true qi!
The Myriad Manifestations true qi cultivated by Thousand Faces could mimic ninety-eight percent of the true qi under heaven. Once one entered the True Intent realm, it could also mimic ninety-eight percent of martial intents under heaven.
Hence the saying: "A thousand faces and myriad manifestations—impossible to guard against." This was also Thousand Faces' trump card, allowing him to flawlessly disguise himself as anyone without being discovered.
Among the Four Great Elders of the Demon Cult, Thousand Faces was not the strongest, yet had always been the most enigmatic.
Qi Shiyun never imagined that Sakura royalty would cultivate the Myriad Manifestations true qi.
Even more, she couldn't understand: how did Lianshan Xin detect the Myriad Manifestations true qi, which could flawlessly mimic any other true qi?
Was his perception truly so keen?
Mingren looked at Lianshan Xin, attempting to salvage his last shred of dignity. "That this secret was exposed is no fault of mine—Heaven itself wishes to destroy me! Lianshan Xin, do not think you have won!"
Lianshan Xin delivered a soul-crushing blow: "Fool. I was bluffing."
Mingren's eyes bugged out. "??? No! It must be that Thousand Faces leaked the Myriad Manifestations true qi! It has to be!"
This was the final, sanity-shattering roar of his life.
Chapter 63