"By the way, have you found any trace of the princess?"
Zhuo Biyu's offhand question made Lianshan Xin's heart skip a beat.
Qi Shiyun replied casually, "I've only been in Jiangzhou for a few days. How would I have time to look for a princess? Why? Did His Majesty press the matter?"
"Not really. But before I left the capital, several princes and princesses approached me—some openly, some discreetly—asking us in Nine Heavens not to exert ourselves too much."
Zhuo Biyu's tone was equally relaxed.
"Lord Heavenly Divination only deduced that the princess is in Jiangzhou. Jiangzhou is enormous; who's to say we could certainly find a princess lost among the common folk? The real worry is that if we did find her, the princesses who already hold imperial titles would hold a grudge against us."
Lianshan Xin took the initiative to ask about something he cared about: "Lady Zhuo, does His Majesty have many children?"
Zhuo Biyu offered an objective assessment: "Our sovereign is... wise, martial, and blessed with extraordinary vigor."
"His Majesty is mighty indeed," Lianshan Xin praised.
His mind was completely put at ease.
His guess had been correct: his Top Benefactor was exceptionally prolific.
So even without Zeng Ningbing, there would be no shortage of other princesses.
"It seems the Crown Prince's health has taken another turn for the worse recently," Tian Ji chimed in, gossiping about news from Shenjing. "The Second Prince has been making frequent moves, worsening the Crown Prince's already frail condition. Word has already spread from the Eastern Palace: anyone who offers a Thousand-Year Snow Lotus will be rewarded with ten thousand gold and granted the title of baron."
Lianshan Xin kept his expression neutral.
Qi Shiyun let out a drowsy yawn. "The Crown Prince's health has never been good; that's hardly news. The hour is late. Everyone, go get some rest. We'll talk about anything else tomorrow."
"Fair enough."
Lianshan Xin took his leave first.
A great deal had indeed happened today.
He needed to head back, properly review everything that had occurred, and prepare to begin his studies at Bailudong Academy.
To Lianshan Xin's surprise, Tian Ji followed him out.
"Brother Lianshan, I've just arrived in Jiangzhou and don't have a place to stay yet. You and I hit it off like old friends from the start. Would it be convenient for me to put up at your place?"
Lianshan Xin looked at Tian Ji with mild perplexity. "Brother Tian, isn't that request a bit presumptuous?"
Tian Ji explained, "It is a bit presumptuous, but our lineage has always been composed of recluses. Moreover, I'm a newcomer to the jianghu and don't want to make too much of a splash."
"Brother Tian doesn't look much like a recluse to me," Lianshan Xin remarked.
Tian Ji chuckled. "My master is one. His attainment is too profound for me to match right now; I'm still at a shallow age where I can't see through fame and fortune. Perhaps thirty years from now, I'll see through the mortal world just like Master. But as of now, I neither want to defy my master's teachings nor remain entirely detached from the world of men. So I ask Brother Lianshan to lend me a hand."
"A fair amount of trouble tends to follow me around," Lianshan Xin offered as a friendly reminder.
Tian Ji waved it off. "Brother, don't take this as me looking down on you. In Shenjing, I wouldn't dare make such a boast. But here in Jiangzhou, any trouble you stir up is well within my power to cover."
Lianshan Xin halted and studied Tian Ji carefully for a moment.
Then he burst into a hearty laugh. "Deal."
Since the man was this sincere, Young Master Xin could hardly keep him at arm's length.
"I have my own room at the academy. Brother Tian, share my bed for tonight, and tomorrow I'll arrange a courtyard residence for you in Jiangzhou City. How does that sound?"
"Splendid!" Tian Ji was overjoyed. "Consider this a favor I owe you. If you run into any trouble, just come find me."
"Don't worry, I won't be shy. But Brother Tian, why didn't you have Tanhua Qi make arrangements for you?"
Tian Ji explained, "Madwoman Qi courts far too much trouble. I might not be able to handle her mess, but yours won't be a problem."
Lianshan Xin smiled warmly, sincerely hoping Tian Ji could live up to his bragging.
"Besides, our lineage sets great store by karmic affinity. The very first person I met upon arriving in Jiangzhou was you. That is our shared affinity."
"I'll be sure to cherish this affinity with you, Brother Tian," Lianshan Xin said with earnest conviction.
...
The day after Dai Yueying's death.
It was also the official start of classes at Bailudong Academy.
Fortune had not smiled upon Bailudong Academy this year. The Vice Headmaster had been exposed as a Demon Cult elder, the Headmaster had resigned to take the blame, and Heavenly Sword was temporarily acting as headmaster, scheduled to deliver an address at the opening ceremony.
Naturally, Lianshan Xin had to support Zhang Aniu, so he rose early to wash up.
"Brother Tian, sleep a while longer. Once my class is over, I'll take you into Jiangzhou City to get you settled."
"Alright."
Tian Ji readily obliged, quickly drifting back off into a resonant snore.
Lianshan Xin deeply envied that dead-to-the-world sleep.
After finishing his morning routine, Lianshan Xin pushed open the door and lightly tapped his right foot, leaping up onto the roof the very next instant.
Facing the rising sun, Lianshan Xin sat cross-legged in meditation, attempting to absorb the essence of the sun and moon as he consolidated his True Intent realm cultivation.
Half a shichen later, Lianshan Xin opened his eyes. Sensing significant progress, he nodded with satisfaction.
He then glided toward Minglun Hall, his speed twice as fast as yesterday's.
Ever since comprehending the Dragon Slaying True Intent, Lianshan Xin had yet to study it systematically. As long as he had the time, he would make rapid progress every single day.
Arriving at Minglun Hall, Lianshan Xin found that roughly half of his fellow students had already assembled. Among them, he spotted Zeng Ningbing and Mingren's sister.
The two young women hadn't noticed him; they had their heads together, murmuring in hushed tones about who knew what.
Lianshan Xin gave a slight nod. *Now Zeng Ningbing is truly in league with the Demon Cult. She really is the Top Benefactor's seed.*
His Majesty himself had colluded with demons—and an elder of the Demon Cult, no less.
It only made sense that his daughter was doing the same.
Having accepted reality, Lianshan Xin began pondering when he should bring both demonic temptresses to justice.
Another half shichen passed.
The time set for Zhang Aniu's speech arrived, yet he was nowhere to be seen.
Murmurs of discussion broke out among the students.
Lianshan Xin also found it strange.
Just then, he noticed Qi Shiyun beckoning to him.
Stepping swiftly out of the ranks, Lianshan Xin walked over to her side.
"Tanhua Qi, where is Lord Heavenly Sword?"
Qi Shiyun lowered her voice. "There was an attempt on his life."
"What?" Lianshan Xin's pupils dilated. "Where was he attacked?"
"The Prefectural Estate."
Lianshan Xin drew in a breath of her fragrance in shock. "That's quite a black pot of blame dumped on Prefect Jiang."
He hardly believed the Prefect would dare orchestrate an assassination against Heavenly Sword under his own roof.
Qi Shiyun's expression was grim. "Was Tian Ji with you last night?"
Lianshan Xin froze. "He was."
"Are you certain?" Qi Shiyun pressed.
Suddenly, Lianshan Xin wasn't so sure. "Tian Ji is a Grandmaster. I slept like a log. I can only confirm that he was there before I fell asleep and after I woke up."
Qi Shiyun gave Lianshan Xin a deep look and reminded him, "Remember: last night, Tian Ji was sleeping right beside you the entire time."
Lianshan Xin: "...Tanhua, what about you and Lady Zhuo?"
"We slept together as well," Qi Shiyun answered directly.
Lianshan Xin took in another sharp breath of her scent. "Tanhua Qi, you two aren't bold enough to have done it, are you?"
"I can assure you neither Zhuo Biyu nor I made a move. Don't make wild guesses. Lord Heavenly Sword was furious after the assassination attempt. Unwilling to let the Prefectural Estate handle the investigation, he preferred to have our own people look into it. You have an innate ability for this kind of work, so I recommended you, and Lord Heavenly Sword agreed."
Qi Shiyun placed both hands on Lianshan Xin's shoulders, locking eyes with him, and asked solemnly, "Do you know how to investigate this?"
Lianshan Xin nodded gravely. "I do. This was Thousand Faces striking back. The Demon Cult fiends in Jiangzhou City have grown far too arrogant."
Qi Shiyun looked equally stern. "The demonic flames rage high, swaggering and rampant. Yet to restore peace and clear skies to the people of Jiangzhou, we shall never fear."
Chapter 69