That evening, Li Jing called Nezha into his study.
When Nezha pushed open the door, he had just finished practicing with his spear in the backyard. The Fire-Tipped Spear lay across his shoulders, the Heaven-Mixing Ribbon hung loosely around his waist, and a thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead.
After entering, he casually leaned the Fire-Tipped Spear against the door, then stood before the desk and waited for Li Jing to speak.
Li Jing sat behind the desk with that letter spread out before him. He tapped the envelope twice with his fingers.
"Nezha, what kind of person is your Master?"
Nezha's brow twitched. Why was he asking about his Master for no reason?
"A cultivator. The master of Golden Light Cave on Qianyuan Mountain."
"Does he have dealings with Xiqi?"
Nezha lowered his eyes to glance at the letter on the desk. A paperweight held it down, exposing one corner with the words "Xiqi" on it.
Thinking back to the rumors on the streets, Nezha immediately understood what Li Jing was suspecting.
"Father, do you believe them, or do you believe me?"
Meeting Nezha's startlingly bright eyes, Li Jing awkwardly shifted his gaze away and looked out the window.
Outside, dusk was settling in, the light fading from bright to dim yellow.
"It's not that I don't believe you. It's just that Chaoge is on high alert against Xiqi right now. Once something like this gets out, it becomes a grave crime punishable by the extermination of the entire family.
"Tell me honestly. Has your Master asked you to deliver anything to Xiqi lately, or had you pass along any messages?"
Nezha straightened, his back ramrod straight. The Heaven-Mixing Ribbon at his waist swayed gently, and his voice carried a stubborn edge.
"No."
Nezha stood there with his