Chapter 438: Shedding the Shell

Pei Ye spent his final two hours in the heavy prison of the Southern Office.

The Temple Assistant and the officials who arrived did many things for him, and over twenty guards firmly protected this place.

Not until the next morning, when the sun wheel just poked its tip out in the east, was a case file stamped with the Immortal Terrace seal finally delivered to the Three Offices. And after it had completely leapt above the horizon, a line of carriages carrying prisoners drove out of the Southern Prison.

A middle-aged man who did not smile sat in front of the sturdiest carriage in the middle, wearing a bamboo hat, with a 'Crane' character plaque hanging from his waist.

The protocol for the Immortal Terrace to escort prisoners was far higher than that of the Southern Prison, and this incredibly important prisoner was precisely in need of such protocol.

What would happen if the protocol was insufficient had already been tragically demonstrated to everyone last night.

Pei Ye sat once again in the pitch-black cage of the Immortal Terrace, feeling incomparably safe. But to tell the truth, he would rather face an assassination attempt once a month in the Southern Office prison and chat with other prisoners in the intervals than truly be imprisoned forever in the lonely underground where the sun never shines.

Of course, the several cellmates who still couldn't stand up by the time he left probably wouldn't agree.

Pei Ye stared somewhat dazedly into the darkness where there was nothing, his body still aching vaguely. But he didn't know why his hands were no longer shackled with that kind of torture device. The Southern Office prison had originally locked him up, but after the Immortal Terrace took over, they didn't replace them with more secure restraints.

Even when they led him onto the carriage, they didn't check to see if the True Qi ring had fallen off.

After the door closed, no one paid any more attention to him. Pei Ye walked around the carriage at will, exercising his fingers, and for a moment almost felt a sense of being out of favor.

And after traveling for an unknown amount of time, Pei Ye suddenly pricked up his ears—on the road beside them, the sound of another carriage traveling in parallel actually came.

The sound of that carriage's wheels was also very steady and broad; it must be a very precious carriage. But it was still much lighter than his own, which was almost cast from gold and iron. Pei Ye was somewhat puzzled, not knowing why someone would be willing to travel in parallel with the Immortal Terrace's carriage escorting a high-security prisoner.

The Three Offices.

Li Li Junfu, in dark green official robes, unbuckled his sword, put it down, and sat in a chair.

The Assistant of the Dali Temple, the Censor of the Censorate, and the Langguan of the Ministry of Justice—all three offices were present. This young Temple Assistant placed the case file on the table and spread it out.

"The person has been taken away?"

"Taken away." Li Li Junfu's expression was heavy and solemn.

"Why would someone want to use such unscrupulous means to kill him?"

"To us, it seems unscrupulous, but to people in sufficiently high positions, perhaps it counts for nothing." Li Li Junfu said coldly.

The hall was silent for a moment.

Yes, this morning the Southern Office returned the high-security prisoner brought back yesterday, because last night's assassination was clear and plain to see.

—If that criminal was no longer involved in the case and was just a murderer with a clean background, then why would someone assassinate him after he reached the Divine Capital?

Since he was still involved in the case, he should be handed over to the Immortal Terrace for "life imprisonment." The Immortal Terrace would investigate first, and then the Three Offices would determine the sentence; this was a matter of combined authority and duty.

When that elderly Vice-History surnamed Fu came to submit the case file yesterday, he only calmly repeated what he said yesterday—"I hope the Three Offices will also act according to the regulations."

". Is this criminal really still involved?" The thick-browed Langguan frowned tightly. "Isn't he just a murderer who killed out of impulse? Is the Immortal Terrace's case file also reasonable and logical?"

Li Li Junfu pointed with his hand, frowning somewhat irritably, and instructed the person behind him: "Hongwen, read this supplementary case file."

The young man read it out clearly. The hall was in a state of silence; no one spoke. The Three Offices passed this case file to each other, and everyone's brows were tightly furrowed.

This case file indeed had sufficient details and perfect logic, but many of the pieces of evidence were actually only one or two sentences long.

Just as the Three Offices had always said, the case was far away in Shaolong and not in their hands. All the details were unverifiable. There were too many ways for the Immortal Terrace to justify itself.

But at this moment, everyone was silent. This evidence now existed; it was last night, right in the Southern Office's own prison.

"Write up the official document for this matter, and let it end here." Li Li Junfu picked up his sword and stood up, saying indifferently, "Everyone, get some rest. I will submit a request to investigate the case of the wild people losing control when I go back today. In a few days, perhaps I will still be working with you all."

While Pei Ye was in the midst of his confusion, a light suddenly appeared before his eyes, catching him off guard.

The side door of the cage actually opened suddenly, revealing that carriage traveling in parallel. The carriage walls were plain and simple, yet obviously broad and comfortable. A cloud sleeve was also pushing open the side door from inside, revealing a smiling face.

It left Pei Ye completely stunned.

A woman whose attire was very beautiful, and whose brows and eyes were also very beautiful. Her temperament was elegant and quiet, yet her eyes were deep and lively. Pei Ye hadn't seen this face for some time, but as their eyes met, that sense of intimacy between friends immediately flipped back from his memory.

They had talked deeply several times in Bowang and had tacitly cooperated with each other. Now that they were reunited suddenly, Pei Ye's surprise leaked out from the corners of his lips: "Miss Qi!!"

Qi Qi Zhaohua tilted her head and smiled again, looking him up and down with some surprise and curiosity, as if it were her first time seeing such a high-security prisoner. She finally withdrew her gaze and beckoned to him.

"." Pei Ye didn't react and was stunned for a moment.

"What are you dazing for? Come over." Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled.

". Ah?"

Before him was indeed a clear, unobstructed path. Pei Ye subconsciously looked toward the front of the carriage; he remembered a Crane Inspector driving there, but at this moment, no sound came from that direction. The person was either already gone or had become blind and deaf.

Pei Ye was dazed for a moment, then lifted his foot and left this cage. Surprisingly, no one stopped him. Pei Ye felt a sense of unreality that the cage door had been opened so suddenly; he tentatively stepped into the carriage opposite. The moment his buttocks slowly settled onto the warm, soft cushion, he almost wanted to groan.

The carriage interior was fragrant and warm as spring, truly making one feel as if a lifetime had passed in an instant.

"What... what does this mean, Miss Qi?"

Pei Ye clearly remembered being sentenced to life imprisonment. Now that they were taking him away just like this, how would the Immortal Platform patch this loophole?

Qi Qi Zhaohua did not answer, only smiling as she clapped her hands. An attendant walked out holding a basin of water that shimmered with luster.

"Wash your face back to how it was first," Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled slightly.

". What?"

Pei Ye looked down blankly; this time, he was truly stunned.

The water in the basin was like a mirror, without a single ripple despite being on the carriage frame, reflecting the face of a disheveled person.

Thin lips, a straight nose, a face with sharp angles, eyebrows and eye corners slanting upward, appearing extremely sharp—it was a cold and soaring face.

This was not his face, but he had seen this face before.

Among the Three Offices, a young man named Hongwen collected this case file from the Immortal Platform, intending to organize and archive it according to the Assistant Minister's instructions.

He had actually read it several times already, but he still couldn't help but look at the beginning once more.

The changes in the case he had taken over these past two days were truly too rapid. At first, the mere mention of snatching a person from the Immortal Platform's hands had already made him feel it was too stimulating; he hadn't expected that in just one short night, the situation would change drastically, settling extremely quickly and rapidly into this result.

He could only see the changes on the surface; everything was reasonable and compliant, and even the accidents couldn't be found to be anything other than accidents... but the bloody scent of the intense struggle behind it was already assaulting his nose.

Hongwen considered himself to have a keen sense of smell in the officialdom, but nine times out of ten, things simply wouldn't be revealed to him, so he could only be surprised that the bottom of the boat had darkened, without knowing what kind of behemoth had swum past.

He lowered his head again with relish; the handwriting was clear and steady, a top-tier example for clerks like them.

"Name: Meng Li.

Background: Orphan.

Mentorship: Lake Mountain Sword Gate.

This person is exceptionally gifted and had already become acquainted with Xiang Xiang Minggao, a 【Scholar】 of the Sun-Swallowing Society, many years ago.

Twenty-seven years ago, the Shadow-Face Sima was expelled by the sect; upon returning, he destroyed the lineage of the Sect Leader. Meng Li has an irreconcilable blood feud with this Junior Martial Uncle and, borrowing the power of the Sun-Swallowing Society, participated in the pursuit, only to be captured after failing at Bowang.

Later, he followed the Shadow-Face Sima, drifting between Great Kongdong and the Shaolong Prefecture City, and impersonated Pei Ye on the Jade Sword Platform to complete the assassination.

Re-emphasizing to your esteemed office: In terms of motive, this case is a junior martial nephew killing a senior martial uncle, belonging to the affairs of the Jianghu; in terms of the case facts, the person is still involved with both the Joyous Huan Si Lou and the Sun-Swallowing Society, and there must be no mistakes!

All evidence and details are appended below. The poison of the Joyous Huan Si Lou remains unresolved, and the origins of the Sun-Swallowing Society are dangerous and heavy. The Immortal Platform urgently needs this person; after the Three Offices have finished reading, please cooperate with our platform to transfer the offender immediately!"

Meng Li.

This was Meng Li's face.

Suddenly, as if something had triggered it, Pei Ye turned his head in a daze, only to see that in the carriage opposite, within the pitch-black cage, a figure identical to his own had already emerged from the void and was sitting there.

Barefoot, disheveled hair, single garment, shackles complete—everything was exactly the same, even the pale complexion from the unhealed serious injuries was identical.

But he was the true owner of this face.

They had briefly met and spoken once, among the peaks of Great Kongdong; the two had exhausted all their strength to kill the same person. If there were a chance, they would certainly entrust their lives to each other without hesitation.

Now, this young man looked at him quietly and suddenly parted his lips solemnly and earnestly.

Pei Ye recognized the lip shape; it was "Thank you."

The next moment, the cage was locked again. Meeting this young man was always brief and abrupt. The two carriages traveled side-by-side in this quiet alley for a few breaths, then ran toward their original directions without interfering with each other.

The carriage traveled with a rhythmic clatter. It took Pei Ye a long time to come back to his senses. Washing in this basin, he only felt some marvelous profound Qi drilling into his muscles and bones. His face was the first to recover its original appearance, while the muscles and bones of his body were slowly changing in a more gradual way.

Staring at this face of his own, Pei Ye finally realized that he had regained his freedom just like that. Although he still had to wait for a sorcerer to unlock the True Qi ring, at least with the attendant's help, he had removed the foot shackles and leaned back against the backrest.

He suddenly discovered that he didn't know how long ago his mind and body had become accustomed to being tense. At this moment, he felt a long-lost, incomparable relaxation, as if it were a state of body from too far away.

Pei Ye was dazed and quiet for a while; Qi Qi Zhaohua did not disturb him at all, slowly pouring a pot of small tea.

After a long time, he said hoarsely, ". Miss Qi, was it you who saved me?"

Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled: "Young Hero Pei thinks too highly of me."

Pei Ye actually thought it through with a little effort; the woman had only arrived a month earlier than him. It was almost impossible to clear a hurdle like the Immortal Platform, not to mention a case like his, which probably had to reach an unimaginably high level.

Just looking at the changes over the night, just looking at the design within this heavy prison and the cicada shedding its skin under the eyes of the Three Offices, the characters, joints, and power involved... were countless. Yet, the mobilization was so precise and smooth; in one night, all parties completed the cooperation, truly giving a feeling of lifting a heavy weight as if it were light.

But where did this power, so deep and vast, that took him out of the death row come from?

"It's just that I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence," Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled slightly. "The backer in the Divine Capital I rely on happens to be the same great tree that Young Hero Pei rests under. In future work, I ask for your kind consideration."

Pei Ye was stunned for a moment. He was quite sensitive to the word "backer." He had never had any connection with the Divine Capital. If there really were such a backer... then it could only be those few words that Grandpa Yue had once entrusted to him.

After knowing he was being sent to the Divine Capital, he actually didn't have much expectation for this completely unfamiliar "Cultivation Pavilion." He knew what crime he had committed, not to mention he hadn't even gone to pay respects to that Pavilion Master yet.

In all fairness, even if people knew the name "Pei Ye," why would they risk saving a reckless youth who had committed such a thorny and serious crime, having never met and having no friendship?

Not to mention that this kind of matter had absolutely exceeded the height of many "backers."

If they could send someone to the prison to offer a slight greeting, Pei Ye would be genuinely moved in his heart.

Pei Ye couldn't help but ask: "Is Miss Qi's backer also the Cultivation Pavilion?"

Qi Qi Zhaohua was slightly stunned, then reacted with a smile: "The Benefactor indeed likes to stay in the Cultivation Pavilion on weekdays."

"."

"We are going to the pavilion now to see the Benefactor," Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled slightly and handed him a cup of tea.

"Is Miss Qi a staff member for this Pavilion Master?"

Qi Qi Zhaohua was surprised: "How precise. Young Hero Pei's knowledge and choice of words are becoming increasingly learned."

". Miss Qi, I never joke with you."

Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled apologetically, then restrained her expression, was silent for a moment, and said earnestly: "The Benefactor is my day of clearing the clouds."

"."

The carriage did not travel for too long before turning into a courtyard.

Pei Ye had experienced getting off the carriage outside the gate, and he had experienced getting off in the courtyard, but this situation where they had clearly entered the courtyard and were still traveling was a first.

He couldn't help but lift the curtain to look; he saw a vast lake surface, pavilions and towers, rockeries and small waterfalls, autumn forests and frost flowers... they were everywhere. He originally didn't feel he was that inexperienced anymore, having even killed two wild men, but at this moment, he was still dazed and shocked.

Where did you bring me? Is this still the Divine Capital?

"The pavilion is a bit large, it won't be long now," Qi Qi Zhaohua said gently.

Sure enough, after traveling for a short quarter of an hour, the carriage finally stopped. Pei Ye got off; before him was a small building in an excellent location, yet very quiet.

Qi Qi Zhaohua stood before the steps and smoothed her clothes. Pei Ye subconsciously followed suit, only then realizing his current attire, and turned his head to look at the woman in horror.

Qi Qi Zhaohua smiled: "It's fine. The Benefactor has other important matters in a while and has given instructions to see you first; afterward, we will deal with these routine matters."

"But—" Pei Ye looked back; that clean and comfortable carriage was covered in the black marks he had left behind.

At this moment, the black cat's calm voice came from his belly again: "No matter, come up."

". What does it have to do with you."

But Qi Qi Zhaohua did not lead him to ascend the building, instead letting him walk up by himself.

Pei Ye then walked barefoot onto this small building; the carriage and the woman's figure behind him had both disappeared. The only feeling in the building was silence.

Pei Ye looked at the stairs and the floors he passed, feeling that all the furnishings appeared very plain—not luxury pretending to be low-key, but truly simple and durable materials. Both walls were mostly hung with calligraphy; many were not even mounted, just casually pasted or hung up.

Pei Ye looked while slowly ascending; he recognized that most were poetry lines, a small part he didn't recognize, and most he couldn't understand, but he still couldn't take his eyes off them.

He had recently grown to like this stuff, and this calligraphy was indeed too beautiful.

Ascending layer by layer like this, he would ask the little cat about what he didn't recognize. The little cat could clearly answer every one, which made Pei Ye quite astonished. Pei Ye didn't doubt the little cat's ability to recognize characters, but many of them were written so casually, yet it didn't stumble even once.

Finally ascending to the fourth floor, when he was almost at the end, his gaze fixed; several familiar words flooded into his eyes.

Pei Ye slowed his pace slightly and finished reading the whole sentence; it was written: "The three-foot water in the predecessor's box, once entered the Wu pool to slay the dragon's son."

He recognized every character in this poem, yet it inexplicably stunned him, and a strange feeling surged into his heart: "This poem... is there more after this?"

". Little cat?"

However, it was no longer the little cat's response.

"It is truly Jing Ke's heart, do not let it shine upon the words of the Spring Pavilion," a clear and steady voice recited softly, echoing in the empty hall.

Pei Ye turned his head in astonishment, then froze.

It turned out to be the end of the corridor. The woman casually closed the book on the table and raised a pair of deep, beautiful eyes to look at him.

If everyone carries the imprint of an important person during their growth, then Pei Ye understood in an instant who this person was for Qi Qi Zhaohua.

Composure, elegance, dashing, scholarly, delicate, heroic... when countless temperaments are blended together, the feeling it brings to people actually cannot be described in words.

It's just that for a first-time viewer, compared to the inner soul, the beautiful appearance will be more striking first.

How magnificent and elegant is her posture, standing alone in the world with such excellence.

Two slender and upright ladies stood quietly behind her. A huge and detailed map was spread out on the table; Pei Ye recognized in a daze that it was indeed the South Office's heavy prison. And beside it, a small black cat like a jade ball squatted there, holding a piece of soft cake and savoring it carefully.

"To let you suffer the pain of imprisonment after arriving in the Divine Capital is my dereliction of duty," the woman's calm tone was exactly the same as what was conveyed from his belly that day. "But there is indeed someone very determined to have you die, so we took a detour."

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