Chapter 736

After a long while, Li Xizhou gently bit his lip; Pei Ye lifted his gaze and saw her moist eyes, the two pairs of eyes barely an inch apart.

“You’re never done, are you?” Li Xizhou whispered, her voice slightly muffled.

Pei Ye stared into her eyes, pressed down again, and kissed her lips for several breaths before slowly lifting his head.

Li Xizhou stared at him, her earlobes faintly flushed; if last time had been passion overwhelming her, this time was sheer audacity—he clearly knew exactly what he was doing.

Li Xizhou grasped his hand circling her waist, straightened up from the tree trunk, and brushed her hair back with her fingers: “I’d say you’ve grown addicted.”

Pei Ye made no denial, his gaze fixed again on her snow-white neck.

Li Xizhou covered herself with her hand and said coolly: “Stop looking. I ask you—have your wounds fully healed?”

“Mmm… still a bit sore, but I’ll recover in a day or two.” Pei Ye withdrew his gaze and glanced toward the distance. “Shall we leave?”

“Yes. I’ve been away from Shenyang for so long—I’ve begun to miss it.”

“What will you do next?”

“I’ll return to Zhu Jingdian,” Li Xizhou said. “My condition seems stable, but I still need two more days of rest. The Lin Blood Test is in twenty days, and after that I must meet many people—I need to prepare.”

“Do you need help with this?”

“No, there’s nothing you can assist with. I’ll arrange everything myself.” Li Xizhou finished tying her hair, stood up, and Pei Ye’s hand resting on her waist slipped away. “What about you?”

“I’ll go to Xianrentai first to submit my report. Afterward, if nothing urgent arises, I’d like to return to Jian Academy for a while. I haven’t practiced swordplay in a long time—the Yu Lin Shi is only about thirty days away. I want to compete and see if I can make the top ten.”

“Go ahead,” Li Xizhou said. “For the next few days, nothing major will happen—except wrapping up the Yan Wang Mansion affair. You can train quietly, rest, and enjoy Shenyang’s current bustle—you might even make some new friends.”

“How will the Yan Wang Mansion affair be wrapped up?”

“Once you’ve finished your report at Xianrentai, I’ll discuss it with Li Jian. First, we must assess the Yan Wang Mansion’s next moves… we’ll inform you once we have results.” Li Xizhou looked at him. “Go to Xianrentai first—I suspect Li Jian has matters he wishes to discuss with you.”

“Mm, I understand.” Pei Ye had just acquired the [Bai Shui], yet had not yet lit the divine shrine in Xiting’s heart; he also intended to ask Li Jian about the aftermath of this immortal authority.

He paused, glancing at the woman beside him arranging her clothes and hair: “There’s one more thing.”

“What?”

“The two sword masters who intervened earlier… could I pay them a visit?” Pei Ye rubbed his hands. For so long, he had known only Ming Niang as a sword master—now, within days, he had encountered two.

Li Xizhou paused slightly, studying him: “You want me to introduce you?”

“Can you?”

Li Xizhou smiled, continuing to adjust her sleeves: “Whether the [Xiang Huang] Sword Master agrees depends on her; ask her yourself in a couple days. As for the [Fei Guang] Sword Master, I can arrange a meeting for you—but his temperament is peculiar. Whether he takes to you depends entirely on you.”

“I’m the best at pleasing people—I’ve always been liked.”

Li Xizhou laughed: “I’ve never met anyone so arrogant.”

“What, don’t you like me?” Pei Ye looked up at her.

Li Xizhou rolled her eyes slightly and lightly kicked him with her foot.

“When you return to the palace, remember one thing,” Pei Ye suddenly said. “Never let anyone enter the old Moon Palace, Jingchi, or any of those places.”

“...Mm.” Li Xizhou froze, then nodded solemnly. “I understand.”

“I will forever guard your Jiao Palace here,” Pei Ye smiled.

Li Xizhou smiled back at him, turned, and lightly leapt away, swimming toward the lake’s surface.

Pei Ye watched her figure disappear from sight; the vast mirage realm now held only him alone.

After a while, he stood up on the tree, silently gazing across this boundless, expansive world.

He raised his hand; the branches above rustled softly, and a magnificent, massive tiger’s head gently nudged his palm.

…

Just after Shen Hour, the rain ceased entirely, not a single strand remained. Roof tiles first revealed their rough texture, then the puddles on the ground drained away, the soil glistened with fresh brown dampness, everything as clear as if freshly peeled.

After days of gloomy rain, Shenyang finally welcomed its first sunny day. People stepped out in wonder, marveling at each other, gazing up at the long-missed azure sky.

Swordsmen by Longhu Lake also clashed swords in celebration. Though strange phenomena delighted swordsmen, the prolonged weather had cast a suffocating atmosphere over the entire capital. The clear sky brought genuine relief.

Pei Ye climbed up from the Longhu Lake shore, his sword still dripping water, his clothes tattered.

He inverted his scabbard to drain the water, chose a stone to lay his clothes upon, and leaned bare-chested against it.

The long-missed air carried the scent of earth and grass. Pei Ye gazed far off—several figures still circled, sparring. The sky was high, clouds thin, the earth entirely green.

The woman had departed by carriage long ago—she was likely already inside the palace. Pei Ye waited beside the vast lake for a moment, then heard galloping hooves, followed by a sudden halt.

He looked up: Zhu Gaoyang rode one horse, leading another, smiling down at him.

“...Why are you here?”

Pei Ye picked up his sword, pulled on his tattered clothes. Zhu Gaoyang leaned down and offered his hand; Pei Ye grasped it and mounted.

“I’m idle,” Zhu Gaoyang said, studying him. “I heard you were coming to submit your report, so I saddled a horse and rode out of the city.”

“I’m hardly a hero,” Pei Ye smiled, sighing. “It was all Jin Yang Princess’s brilliant strategy—I was merely her enforcer.”

Zhu Gaoyang gripped his forearm: “When you told me that day, I thought your repeated entries into the mirage realm were due to some external influence. Today I realize the entire capital was shrouded in misty rain—only you remained clear-headed.”

Zhu Gaoyang gripped his forearm: “That day you told me, I thought your repeated entries into the mirage were due to some influence—today I realize the entire capital region is shrouded in misty rain, and you alone are awake.”

“I remember everything.” Zhu Gaoyang looked around. “Where’s the Princess?”

“She left earlier—returned to the palace first.”

“...Then why didn’t she take you?”

“I’m supposed to report at Xianrentai,” Pei Ye said. “Why else would you be here?”

Zhu Gaoyang sighed, gazing at him meaningfully: “If you had a carriage, why not take you to Xianrentai? Why leave you waiting here alone?”

Pei Ye frowned: “Going to Xianrentai isn’t on the way to the palace—what’s the point? She needed rest; I have matters at Xianrentai—we parted ways.”

“I mean, perhaps she doesn’t truly care for you.”

“...You’re overthinking.”

Zhu Gaoyang shook his head, no longer pressing. He smiled: “When Jin Yang Princess becomes Crown Prince, when the capital bows to her and her glory shines brightest, how many brilliant talents will flock to her side? Don’t come to me for drinks because you feel neglected.”

Pei Ye fell silent, glanced at him: “Zhu Ge, have you ever been in love with a woman?”

Pei Ye fell silent for a moment, glancing at him: “Big Brother Zhu, have you ever had any romantic entanglement with a woman?”

Pei Ye stared at him.

“I have… does that matter? I’m ten years older than you—I’ve seen plenty.”

“Have you or haven’t you?”

“...Your Xing Zhi sister?”

“Just Xing Zhi?”

Zhu Gaoyang narrowed his eyes: “What do you mean ‘just Xing Zhi’? How many did you expect? I’ve known Xing Zhi since childhood… I never had the chance to meet anyone else.”

Pei Ye fell silent, sighed: “Zhu Ge, you don’t understand. I don’t understand, but you pretend you do. I was wrong to be fooled before—let’s never discuss this again.”

Zhu Gaoyang scowled, displeased: “What do you mean I pretend? I advised you during the Shang Lang affair—your own understanding was lacking.”

“Was that so? Did Shang Lang succeed?”

“Is that so? Has Brother Shanglang succeeded?”

Pei Ye stared at him.

“No.”

“Mm.”

“...”

The two rode hard, Zhu Gaoyang clearly disgruntled, yet neither spoke further on the subject.

After entering the city, the boy’s tattered clothes drew many glances. Pei Ye felt no shame—he returned their stares. Even from the street, one could see how many outsiders there were—many wore clothing and hairstyles unlike Shenyang’s, likely arrived a month ago, now staring curiously at this strange newcomer.

Some who recognized Zhu Gaoyang suddenly shouted out.

Pei Ye realized now how intense Shenyang’s atmosphere had become—it was indeed different from when he left. The entire city seemed caught in the excitement of the Yu Lin Shi, while countless martial artists from all corners flooded in. New information churned together, not drowning the old, but pushing it to the margins.

He realized this because no one recognized him.

Just after the Zhu Que Sword Gambling Festival, his name, Pei Ye, was everywhere in Shenyang. Now, riding through the streets, no one knew him.

They dismounted before Xianrentai and climbed straight to the top of the West Tower.

Pei Ye came to Xianrentai for two reasons: first, as He Jian, he had left the capital when Zhang Siche entrusted him with the case; now that the case was closed, he must report and reclaim his freedom. Second, he needed to meet Li Jian—to ask about the [Ming Quan] matters. That day, the Tower Master had set two conditions; now he possessed [Bai Shui], and Xiting’s heart should truly recognize him as its master—the “Gift of the Queen Mother of the West” was complete.

Zhu Gaoyang climbed beside him, but halted at the corridor.

Pei Ye came to Immortal Platform mainly to accomplish two things: first, as a Crane Inspector, he had left the capital when Zhang Siche entrusted him with the case; now that the case was closed and he had returned, he ought to submit his report and reclaim his freedom; second, he must meet Li Jian, to inquire about the matters concerning the [Hound of Fate]—the Platform Master had made two demands, and now that he had obtained [White Water], the Western Court Heart should truly recognize him as its master, and the so-called “Gift of the Queen Mother of the West” was complete.

He gestured: “The Vice Minister is inside. Go alone.”

Pei Ye frowned: “Aren’t you coming?”

“I already submitted my full report two days ago,” Zhu Gaoyang said coolly. “No need to go again.”

Pei Ye thought: Many things were done together—your presence would be more appropriate… then he suddenly remembered something.

He glanced at the man with slight guilt: “Is the Vice Minister… still angry with you?”

Zhu Gaoyang froze, his eyebrows shooting up: “You know too?”

He glanced at the man with a hint of guilt: “Mid-Inspector… is he giving you the cold shoulder?”

Zhu Gaoyang lowered his voice: “A few days ago, when I came to report, Zhang Siche gave me nothing but cold stares. I thought someone had angered him. But after I finished, he suddenly asked: ‘Do you often impersonate me outside?’”

“...How could that be?”

“Exactly! I only used his name once, on an assignment in Xin Cang—how did he find out?”

“That is… strange…” Pei Ye glanced back, already eager to get this over with—he regretted asking.

“It’s definitely Shang Lang’s big mouth!”

“Indeed, truly strange…” Pei Ye turned to look back, already eager to hurry off for his report—he deeply regretted having asked that extra question.

"It's definitely Shang Lang's mouth!"

"Hm... ah?"

“You don’t understand—Shang Lang has no secrets; anything he knows becomes known to everyone.”

Zhu Gaoyang glanced at him, irritated: “Whatever secret you have, remember never to tell him—I haven’t seen him these past few days, and when I do, I’ll make him pay.”

Pei Ye felt shame inside but dared not show it on his face; he sighed: “I don’t think Brother Shang meant it.”

Zhu Gaoyang sneered: “How dare he mean it?”

Pei Ye dared not reply further, turned, passed through the corridor, and entered Zhang Siche’s office.

“Vice Minister Zhang, Chief Secretary Fu.”

“Inspector Pei, long time no see—the Bureau has been missing you these past days.”

“Thank you for your concern, Inspector Pei is unharmed.”

Zhang Siche waved his hand: “It’s not just concern for you—these several cases all hinge on you. If you don’t return, they’re all finished.”

“...I’m back.”

“Good you’re back.” Zhang Siche smiled slightly, gesturing to Fu Zaiting: “Inspector Pei, please.”

Pei Ye recounted in detail: three cases had been entrusted to him, indeed interlinked—starting with the assassination of the Lao Shui Envoy, which led to the destruction of the Shencheng case, and from that, the 【Bai Shui】 thread emerged; in all three cases, the boy’s presence was evident.

Zhang Siche filed and sealed the records, sighing with a smile: “Now, the capture of the Shencheng ringleader remains unresolved. Once all cases are closed, Inspector Pei may have this achievement recorded under ‘Class B.’”

The phrase “ringleader still at large” referred, of course, to Li Jian’s words before leaving the capital: the Immortal Platform had ordered all bureaus to clean out the mirage city.

For days, all bureaus had sent letters inquiring about case closure, but the Immortal Platform had rejected them all—since Yong Ji is still alive, the matter remains in the Immortal Platform’s hands.

Pei Ye nodded, wrote and stamped the official letters for each case file, formally transferring all his duties.

Zhang Siche said: “Inspector Pei, please go to the Star Gazing Terrace—the Taizhu is waiting.”

“Understood.”

He then took leave of the two and stepped out through the door.

Yet Zhang Siche said softly: “By the way, bring Zhu Gaoyang in.”

Pei Ye stepped out and met Zhu Gaoyang’s pale face.

He patted the man’s shoulder reassuringly and descended the stairs.

Ascending the Star Gazing Terrace, the sky had just darkened; a pale moon hung, and faint starlight dotted the night.

Pei Ye entered the lofty dome chamber and saw Li Jian standing before a desk, writing; beside his hand lay a round, black cat.

Pei Ye hurried forward and scooped it up: “Little cat, I’ve missed you so much.”