Shi Xuanfei

The Interrogation Room of the Law Enforcement Hall was nothing out of the ordinary.

It was merely a western-style room built from massive stone blocks, with thick walls that shut out the world beyond. Dozens of oil lamps hung along the walls inside.

Two disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall were intently watching the person seated before them.

According to the Law Enforcement Hall's rules, two people had to be assigned to guard a major criminal, rotating every six hours. They were not allowed to let their attention wander for even a moment.

So guarding major criminals was both dull and exhausting. The disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall had always shied away from this assignment.

As the iron door creaked open, Yang Ning and Qiao Bin entered. One of the disciples rose and cupped his hands toward Qiao Bin. "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother."

The other disciple's eyes widened further, his gaze locked firmly on the prisoner's every move.

Qiao Bin nodded and looked at the Undercover Agent, who was covered in blood and grime. His four limbs were shackled to the chair, his pipa bones had been pierced, and his cultivation had been completely crippled.

The Undercover Agent had already endured considerable torture, yet still hadn't spoken. Unlike other convicted prisoners, his mouth hadn't been sealed. Instead, his head hung low, and he slumped limply in the chair, barely alive.

"How are things?"

The disciple who had stood replied respectfully, "We tortured him again this morning. He's passed out again now."

Qiao Bin looked at the Undercover Agent, and a trace of admiration flickered through his heart.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the Interrogation Room. Qiao Bin turned and opened the door. More than a dozen disciples stood outside, carrying all sorts of cardboard boxes.

Strange diagrams and instructions were printed on the boxes, completely out of place in the Interrogation Room.

He turned to Yang Ning, keeping up the appearance of a Senior Disciple Brother.

"Mr. Yang, everything's here. How do you think we should renovate our Interrogation Room?"

Yang Ning glanced around, then pointed to the Undercover Agent bound to the chair before him. "Move him out first. We're starting right now!"

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting was underway in Xiao Chen Hall of the Sword Sect.

The sect's core figures sat in their places around the long table. At the head sat Sect Master Lei Lifeng, who was already over a thousand years old. His round face, paired with his wild, unkempt white beard, made him look rather disheveled.

The first person to his left was Sun Kai, Peak Master of Dan Peak. He listened gravely as Yun Zishan delivered her report. As for Shi Xuanfei, Peak Master of Jade Maiden Peak, she sat diagonally across from Yun Zishan, playing with her Glazed Mirror.

Behind them sat the peak masters of the various peaks, the Mission Hall Master, the head of the Scripture Pavilion... Some listened to the report, while others sat lost in thought.

Yun Zishan held the neatly compiled documents and began:

"Yesterday, Dan Peak disciple Cai Ru sneaked into Dan Peak's storeroom to steal pill recipes and was discovered by a Guard Disciple. He was then captured by the Law Enforcement Hall. There was a death curse inside the Undercover Agent's heart, but fortunately, the Sect Master discovered it in time and destroyed it. He is now being interrogated.

"Based on the Law Enforcement Hall's preliminary assessment, there is certainly more than one Undercover Agent lurking within the sect. Every peak must be on high alert and watch for any unusual behavior among its disciples."

Yun Zishan's words shocked everyone in the hall. A thread of panic stirred in each person's heart, and they all began searching their own memories for anything amiss.

When Yun Zishan finished, the hall erupted into commotion. The peak masters looked at one another, but Shi Xuanfei remained composed, still playing with her little mirror as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

When the discussion had quieted a little, Yun Zishan set down the documents in her hands. "Next, let us hear from the Sect Master."

At that moment, Sun Kai, Peak Master of Dan Peak, seated across from Yun Zishan, glanced at Lei Lifeng, who was dozing off, and discreetly nudged him with his foot.

Lei Lifeng shuddered at once and instinctively reached for the wine gourd at his waist. Sun Kai, Lei Lifeng's Junior Disciple Brother, could only sigh helplessly.

He leaned in and pressed a hand against Lei Lifeng's wine gourd, lowering his voice. "Hall Master Yun has finished her report. It's your turn to speak."

Yun Zishan, standing nearby, showed no change in expression. Her face remained as cold as ice.

Shi Xuanfei, seated to one side, had long since grown used to scenes like this. She turned instead to fussing with the fingernails she'd painted with flower nectar.

Lei Lifeng rubbed his sleepy eyes and mumbled, "Well... she's right... Do that, then."

Everyone rose as one. "We shall obey the Sect Master's decree!"

Meanwhile, Lei Lifeng took the opportunity to lower his head and gulp down a mouthful of wine.

Lei Lifeng's wine was a fiery liquor aged for over a century. After one gulp, his drowsiness faded somewhat, but the feeling of the alcohol rushing to his head swept in.

His round face flushed slightly.

"Just... just go back... and investigate yourselves..."

Everyone stood once more and cupped their hands toward Lei Lifeng. "We obey!"

Lei Lifeng then shook his wine gourd and stood. "The... the next meeting—no, dismissed."

He staggered out of the hall.

After Lei Lifeng left, the others also began to depart, heading toward the doors.

Sun Kai was two hundred years younger than Lei Lifeng. Though advanced in years, he was still hale and hearty. He rose and strode out through the Hall Door without speaking to anyone.

Yun Zishan gathered the jade slips she had used for her report. Just then, Shi Xuanfei approached with a bright smile. "Senior Sister, you've worked hard lately."