Forced Confession Reversal

Sun Shaozong silently calculated as he scribbled and sketched across the Xuan Paper, quickly "splattering" several sheets full.

Every one looked like ghostly scrawl. Let alone anyone else, even he himself might not be able to decipher them all without guessing.

Still, this was only his habitual tendency to let his thoughts wander. Once he had sorted everything out, he could record it neatly later.

Of course, that would not be possible at noon today.

The fragrance of the food outside had long since made his stomach rumble. When no new ideas came to him, he simply tossed the purple-haired brush into the Copper Brush Washer, rose, and called out, "Come on. There are still some matters I need to consult Vice Director Yang about. We can eat and talk at the table."

Yang Zhiming was about to offer a few modest words, but Sun Shaozong had already strode into the outer room.

By the time Yang Zhiming followed him out, Sun Shaozong had already grabbed a Zhang Scallion Ghee Cake and stuffed it with fresh Salt and Pepper Eel, piling in over half a pound.

"Sit."

He nodded toward the seat opposite with his chin, then scooped up some powder blended from chili, pepper, cumin, and countless unknown spices with a Silver Spoon, scattering it evenly over the eel and ghee cake.

"Thank you for granting me a seat, my lord."

Yang Zhiming had barely perched half his buttock cautiously on the round stool when Sun Shaozong suddenly asked, "You mentioned established practice earlier. What established practices does our Dali Temple have? Tell me all about them, so I may have something to refer to."

"This..."

Yang Zhiming hurriedly hunched over, smacking his lips with an awkward look on his face.

Established practice, put plainly, was just an unspoken