Yun Zishan's Inner Thoughts

Inside the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall, candlelight flickered. Yun Zishan had specifically dismissed all disciples, even blocking Xu Yinyin outside the hall. At this moment, only she and Yang Ning remained in the vast hall.

Yang Ning sat on a rosewood chair, picked up the hot tea by his hand, and took a sip. He casually flipped through the booklet in his hand, which contained information on all the moles, including their department, age, name, prison cell, and autopsy results.

Yang Ning scanned the information about the mole who had gone mad, his eyes pausing for a moment before he continued reading. Across the tea table, Yun Zishan sat opposite him, her gaze fixed on his face.

"If the advisor wishes to examine the bodies, you can come with me to Zhaoyu Tower."

Yang Ning shook his head. "No rush for now," he chuckled. "This booklet is quite detailed. Besides, according to the records, the deaths of these spies were quite gruesome... I wouldn't dare to look..."

These words, claiming he dared not look at the gruesome corpses, sounded more fitting for a shop owner to Yun Zishan, which put her mind at ease a bit more.

Yang Ning turned another page and mused, "These moles were clearly poisoned with a delayed-acting toxin. They died because they couldn't take the antidote within the allotted time."

Yun Zishan nodded. "Based on the autopsy results, that seems to be the case. And calculating from the time they were apprehended and brought into the Law Enforcement Hall, the poison should have taken effect within twelve hours."

Yang Ning slowly closed the booklet. Already feverish, the cool breeze he encountered on the way only made him feel more dizzy and disoriented. He took another large gulp of tea before continuing, "Since someone could poison them, it means the moles haven't been completely eradicated. Relying on Magic Stones for searches will inevitably miss some – those cautious ones have likely hidden their Magic Stones elsewhere, which is unavoidable."

Yun Zishan had naturally considered this point as well. She looked directly at Yang Ning. "Do you think you could interrogate the mole you questioned yesterday again? See if you can extract more information. Even though he's gone mad, he might still reveal some methods for identifying moles."

Yang Ning shook his head. "There's no need."

Yun Zishan's brows furrowed instantly. "What do you mean by that?"

Yang Ning looked up, meeting Yun Zishan's azure eyes. "Firstly, that mole is already insane. Setting aside whether any information can be extracted, even if he speaks, would you dare to trust the words of a madman?"

Yun Zishan insisted, "Even if it can't be fully trusted, as long as you can extract even a single word, the Law Enforcement Hall can follow the lead. Even if it's false information, we can search the entire Sword Sect again as a precaution."

Yang Ning still didn't avert his gaze. "Hall Master, don't forget your true objective."

A flicker of emotion crossed Yun Zishan's eyes, but she still insisted, "This Hall Master's objective is, of course, to purge the sect of traitors!"

"No!" Yang Ning's voice instantly rose. "Your objective is to use the merit of purging traitors to gain an advantage in the year-end Sect Master election, and ultimately ascend to the position of Sect Master!"

Yun Zishan abruptly stood up, staring into Yang Ning's dark eyes. Their gazes clashed in the air. "Does the advisor believe this Hall Master is someone who covets fame and fortune?"

"No, I don't think so," Yang Ning said, sensing a chilling aura approaching while his forehead grew hotter.

"Then what do you mean?" Yun Zishan's voice was frigid.

"Your Master, Qingxia Fairy, lost to the current Sect Master Lei of the Sword Sect during the Sect Master election back then."

Hearing the name of her Master, "Qingxia Fairy," Yun Zishan's eyes began to tremble.

Yang Ning keenly noticed this and immediately spoke, "The past election for Sect Master is no secret. Anyone can find out with a little inquiry. I know your Master lost to Sect Master Lei back then, and this must have been a lingering issue for you, Hall Master. Your current bid for Sect Master is not out of greed for power, but to fulfill Qingxia Fairy's regret and to resolve a fixation of yours for three hundred years."

Yun Zishan was naturally aloof. Apart from her Junior Sister Shi Xuanfei, she had no friends, and no one understood her. Even with Shi Xuanfei, after they each took charge of the Law Enforcement Hall and Jade Maiden Peak, their interactions gradually decreased. Shi Xuanfei was one of the few who understood the reason behind her bid for Sect Master, but not the whole story.

Since announcing her candidacy, Yun Zishan had heard too much gossip. Supporters, like the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, hoped she would lead them to greater heights, thus gaining greater benefits and suppressing other peaks. Opponents spread various speculations; some said she was greedy for power, some said she harbored resentment towards Lei Lifeng because of Qingxia Fairy's matter, and even more said that with her cold nature, she might have already developed inner demons.

Yet, not a single person truly understood her inner thoughts. She did indeed feel unconvinced by Lei Lifeng, considering him a drunken old man, muddled all day long. But over the years, she had always adhered to her duties, managing the Law Enforcement Hall meticulously, leaving no room for criticism.