Missing Thoughts

Because the outer city was quite far from the academy, most people relied on the Wind Riding Technique to travel back and forth. Yu Sui hadn't learned any of the Nine Schools Techniques, so Black Beard had made arrangements in advance.

The carriage moved almost as fast as the Wind Riding Technique. It had been fitted with Mechanism Technique, and the horse was a prized steed granted words by the School of Names. In a sense, even its gallop counted as one of the Nine Schools Techniques.

Yu Sui lifted the curtain and curiously peered outside.

"Each school in the academy has its own forbidden lands. Some trespassers are killed on sight, without even a trial. This time, Young Master Gu trespassed in the Legalism School's Level 1 Forbidden Land, Hanging Moon Cave." Black Beard explained the situation on the way. "He says he didn't go there on his own initiative, but went at someone's invitation. However, his Listening Wind Ruler has no message inviting him to Hanging Moon Cave."

"By coincidence, the Prohibited Item Milky Way Water vanished from Hanging Moon Cave that very night. They didn't find any Milky Way Water on him, but they still suspect he was an accomplice."

Yu Sui rested her cheek on one hand and gazed outside. When Black Beard finished, she turned back to him. "What is Milky Way Water?"

Black Beard answered respectfully, "It's a Prohibited Item used to make poison, and it's extremely dangerous. Since it can't be destroyed, it has to be kept in Hanging Moon Cave, where it will disappear naturally over time."

Yu Sui suddenly remembered Young Master Lin from the National Academy all those years ago. His hoarse, desperate cries after he fell to his knees still echoed in her mind.

"Today's trial will determine whether Young Master Gu is treated as an accomplice in the theft," Black Beard explained. "The academy's rulings are usually decided by a Sage of the relevant school. Only in a handful of exceptionally grave cases are the Twenty-Four Saints of the academy called to judge. The verdict could be expulsion from the academy, or the deprivation of life and death."

Then he added, "Young Master Gu's case hasn't reached the point where his life and death might be taken away, but expulsion is a real possibility."

Yu Sui asked, "It's related to poison-making, and there's still no risk of them taking his life?"

Black Beard paused, then replied, "Young Master Gu cultivates both the School of Names and the Legalism School. He's acquainted with the School of Names Sage, who would be the first to object if anyone proposed taking his life."

Cultivating in both schools was proof of exceptional talent.

Yu Sui understood. "Then is Brother Gu going to be judged by the academy's Twenty-Four Saints today?"

"Not all twenty-four. The loss of the Milky Way Water only involves three schools: the Legalism School, the School of Names, and the Ghost Dao School." Ji Meng spoke with a grave expression. "Each school will send a Sage to represent it at today's trial. The harshest likely verdict is expulsion from the academy."

Yu Sui counted on her fingers. "He's a disciple of the School of Names, and the incident happened at the Legalism School. What does the Ghost Dao School have to do with it?"

"The Legalism School's rulings demand that the guilty be punished. They don't allow for a draw in any matter—there can only be 'right' or 'wrong.'" Ji Meng explained. "So at least three people are needed to make sure there's no tie."

"The Ghost Dao School isn't entirely unrelated, either. Milky Way Water can't be destroyed, but the Ghost Dao School's Supernatural Ability and Esoteric Skill can speed up its dissolution. When it comes to handling Milky Way Water, the Ghost Dao and Legalism schools have always worked together."

Black Beard pondered. "There's no need to worry about Elder Zhu from the School of Names. He's on Young Master Gu's side. The Legalism School may be targeting him, but they can't break the rules. The Di Su Tiancheng is the standard for judgment. As long as it tips in Young Master Gu's favor, they can't convict him."

He looked up after speaking and saw the Young Princess wearing a completely bewildered expression, as if she hadn't understood a word. Black Beard worried to himself: He'd heard the County Princess had little talent and might be the first Normal Practitioner in the Nangong Family. Now that he'd seen her in person, he found that aside from her good looks, she really didn't have many other strengths.

In this world, being good-looking alone wasn't much use.

Yu Sui propped up her chin. "Then there's still one person left, isn't there?"

"The Ghost Dao Sage? That shouldn't be a problem. There's only one Ghost Dao Sage, and he's rather unusual." Seeing Yu Sui's innocent, confused gaze, Ji Meng grew more patient. "To understand what makes him unusual, you first need to know the highest realm of the Ghost Dao. Those who practice the Ghost Dao pursue 'the body dissolves, but consciousness lives forever.' Very few have ever achieved it. The Ghost Dao Sage at the academy is one of them—his consciousness persisted after death."

Yu Sui was stunned.

The Ghost Dao Sage's title was Chang Gen. In the Ghost Dao's realms, the state Ji Meng had described—"the body dissolves, but consciousness lives forever"—was called Spirit Transformation.

Ji Meng continued, "Sage Elder Chang Gen won't attend the trial. His consciousness lives on, but it's difficult for him to manifest in a tangible form. He only acts when something major happens in the Ghost Dao School. So the person representing them at this trial will be Sage Elder's disciple, Mei Chengyu."

Yu Sui nodded, urging him to continue. She still wanted to hear more.

Under the girl's curious gaze, Ji Meng felt a little self-conscious. He straightened his back without thinking and racked his brain for a simpler explanation. "There are thousands of students at the Ghost Dao Institute, but Sage Elder Chang Gen has only one disciple. So Mei Chengyu is the only one from the Ghost Dao School who could take part in the trial."

"He may have an odd temper, but he has no grudge against us. And from what people say, he lives by the principle of 'none of my business'—he won't get involved in a mess, and if he can let something pass, he will."

"So the Ghost Dao School should be neutral. As long as the Di Su Tiancheng doesn't convict him, Mei Chengyu will be on our side too."

Yu Sui let out an enlightened "Oh." The hand propping up her cheek shifted to point at herself. "Then all I have to do is bring the Di Su Tiancheng over?"

Black Beard replied, "Yes. The Di Su Tiancheng is one of a kind, and the Legalism School Sage knows it's in the Prince's possession. Only if you, the Prince's heir, bring it in person will they have no reason to doubt it."

Yu Sui let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness I only have to deliver something. If I had to take the Di Su Tiancheng and argue with the Legalism School, I'd be afraid I'd get him killed."

Ji Meng: "..."

He gave an awkward smile, thinking that if she argued with the Legalism School, his friend would go from being expelled to getting the death penalty.

Black Beard sighed inwardly. The Prince had made a great name for himself in his lifetime. How could he have let a Normal Practitioner inherit the throne?

*

The carriage sped along through the flower-scented morning breeze, leaving the outer city and entering the academy. It then turned toward the Legalism School's Questioning Arena.

The Questioning Arena was a vast circle. Four stone pillars inscribed with Legalism School statutes stood on the raised platform at its center. Torture frames lined the platform's edge, hung with all kinds of instruments.

Some were so frightening that a mere glance made one's heart seize. Others were impossible to identify at a glance, but once one learned what they were used for, one wanted nothing to do with them.

The arena's stands had four tiers and were built from black stone. Only the circular platform where the executions took place was carved from white stone. The stands rose from low to high and were divided into front and rear sections. The front entrance was for pedestrians, while carriages could enter through the back.

By then, quite a few people had gathered in the stands: instructors and students from various institutes. Some stood in groups of three or five, while others sat alone at a distance.

People were still streaming in through the front entrance.

For now, only Legalism School disciples tasked with keeping order were hurrying around the arena. They wore matching black uniforms, with red armbands bearing the Legalism School's emblem tied around their left arms.

At the edge of the first tier, Princess Shangyang stood with her sleeves rolled up and a look of displeasure on her face. A companion fanned her with a round fan, trying to cool her temper.

Princess Shangyang looked toward the White-Clothed Girl in the distance and snapped, "Hey! Gu Gan has saved you time and time again, but now you're sitting this out, standing here to watch the spectacle grow. You won't even lift a finger to help him. If your Legalism School expels him, you and I, Xun Zhiya, are going to have a problem!"

At the name Xun Zhiya, the girl's delicate brows drew together. Her eyes were a pale shade, giving her a somewhat cold air. She merely glanced at Princess Shangyang before turning her gaze away.

Many people stood around Xun Zhiya, including Li Jinshuang, who had just entered the academy that day.

On the second tier, some distance away, Wei Ren dropped onto the stone steps with a thump. He leaned back, spread his arms across the stone railing, crossed one leg over the other, and yawned as he gazed at the sky.

Xue Jiayue dragged her nearly-dead cousin, Xue Mushi, up the steps. She happened to run into Wei Ren blocking the way and immediately felt her luck turn sour. "It's you!"

She turned around and left.

"Hey, where are you going? Stay and watch with me." Wei Ren tilted his head toward her and called out, "I won't let the scorpion loose this time."

Xue Jiayue turned back. Wei Ren nodded toward Xue Mushi, who was exhausted like a dog. "What are you afraid of? Whether I let a scorpion or a centipede loose, your cousin spots it at a glance. It's no fun."

Xue Mushi shook off Xue Jiayue's hand and flopped down on the steps, declaring that he wouldn't run another step even if he died.

Only then did Xue Jiayue give up. She glared at Wei Ren. "Why are you here too?"

Wei Ren shrugged. "I heard on the way that the Legalism School had opened the Questioning Arena for a trial, so I came to join the fun. Public trials in the Questioning Arena are a rare sight. It'd be a waste not to watch."

Xue Jiayue snorted. She sat ten paces away from Wei Ren, crossed her arms, and watched him without blinking.

Wei Ren laughed. "Why are you staring at me like that? I'm not the one being tried by the Legalism School."

"I'm watching to see how you let the scorpion loose," Xue Jiayue said.

Wei Ren rolled onto his side and smiled coyly at her. "Want to know? Join my School of Agriculture and you'll find out."

"Pah! Your Stone Scorpion is disgusting. I'd rather die than join your School of Agriculture to learn that stuff!"

After getting cursed out, Wei Ren touched his face and laughed until he doubled over.

*

Compared with Wei Ren and Xue Jiayue's bickering, most people were paying attention to the main event in the Questioning Arena.

The young man sitting across from Wei Ren wore a hostile expression. His brows were drawn together for some reason, and his narrow phoenix eyes were sharp. Whenever he looked at someone, he couldn't help but regard them with arrogant scrutiny.

Sheng Fei wasn't optimistic about the Three Schools' ruling today.

Beside him, Mu Mengbai lowered his head to play with his Listening Wind Ruler, fingers flying across the word-filling grid. When he looked up and scanned the stands, he spotted someone in the distance and gave a surprised "Huh?" He nudged Sheng Fei to look. "Why's that old fossil Zhongli Shan here to watch the fun?"

Sheng Fei looked in the direction he indicated. Across from them, by the edge of the third tier, a Black-robed Youth stood with a sword at his waist. His posture was dignified, his back straight as a measuring rod.

He stood alone, calmly surveying the crowd below without a word.

Sheng Fei looked away, not bothering to wonder why Zhongli Shan had skipped class to watch the fun.

He only cared whether Gu Gan would be kicked out of Taiyi Academy today.

"He often hangs out with Mei Chengyu. Maybe he came to see him," Mu Mengbai said. "As for whether Gu Gan will be convicted today, I think the key lies with the Ghost Dao School."

Sheng Fei turned to him. "How did your divination go?"

"About average." Mu Mengbai put on a solemn face. "Anyway, this trial won't go smoothly."

Sheng Fei furrowed his brows. "That's not 'about average.' That's completely useless. You're clearly a disciple of the School of Techniques. How can your divination be so amateurish?"

Mu Mengbai rubbed his face and gave a humorless smile. "What can I do? I didn't choose to join the School of Techniques."

Sheng Fei had failed to get the divination answer he wanted, and his brows knitted even tighter.

Mu Mengbai lowered his head to look at his Listening Wind Ruler. As he replied to a message, he said, "The School of Names and the Legalism School have made their positions clear. The School of Names wants to protect him. The Legalism School has Sha Qian, who's Gu Gan's sworn enemy. He's doing everything he can to get Gu Gan sentenced to death."

His eyes brightened as he continued.

"Sha Qian fell in love with Xun Zhiya at first sight, but she doesn't like him. Gu Gan is close to Xun Zhiya, and their relationship is ambiguous. She hasn't rejected Gu Gan, either. So Sha Qian's love turned to hate. He wants to suppress Gu Gan to win Xun Zhiya's favor, but Gu Gan has made him lose face time and again. With all the old and new grudges piled together, he wants Gu Gan out of the academy even more than you do."

"I heard Sha Qian has a fiancée back in his hometown. I don't even know her name or where she lives. Otherwise, I'd definitely find a way to break off that engagement for him."

"But if I break off the engagement, do you think Sha Qian will have all the more reason to pursue Xun Zhiya? He's shameless enough that he really might."

"Xun Zhiya doesn't look like she wants anything to do with him, either. Sha Qian is always picking on Gu Gan, and Gu Gan takes him on every time. How's he so capable? Cultivating both Name and Law is one thing, but he's good at everything. I even saw him come to our institute to study divination last time."

Sheng Fei: "..."

As he listened to Mu Mengbai ramble on, his face practically spelled out three words: "I'm annoyed." Yet he couldn't do anything about it. The more he tried to stop him, the more he talked. Who knew where the guy got all those words?

Sheng Fei raised a hand and rubbed his brow.

"Oh! Here they come! The Three Schools' Sages and our unlucky Gu are here!" Mu Mengbai exclaimed, throwing an arm around Sheng Fei's shoulders and slapping him.

Sheng Fei swatted his hand away, annoyed, and frowned as he looked down.

A large group entered through the front gate. Some were Legalism School disciples assigned to escort Gu Gan, while others were disciples of the School of Names who had come to support him.

Two elders walked at the front.

One was Elder Zhu of the School of Names, and the other was Legalist Saint Yu.

Both elders had heads of silver hair and wore white Sage robes. They murmured to each other like old friends out for an afternoon stroll, taking their time as they headed toward the raised Judgment Platform.

A Black-robed Youth followed a step behind them, adjusting his sleeves. As he stepped into the shade, the morning breeze lightly lifted his sideburns, as if parting the clouds and revealing the mist. The cool wind seized the chance to sweep across his dark eyes, which held a trace of languor.

The young man was even taller than the two elders ahead of him. His belt defined his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His sleeves were fastened close around his wrists, fitting just right while hinting at the strength coiled within, ready to spring.

With a black outer robe draped over his arm, Mei Chengyu reached the steps leading to the raised platform and shrugged it on, sliding one arm into a sleeve. He became a slash of black between the two white-robed Sages.

Mei Chengyu walked calmly to the table behind the Judgment Platform and sat down. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his long legs and pulled his Listening Wind Ruler from his sleeve to fiddle with it.

The others weren't nearly as relaxed.

Once they reached the Judgment Platform, the two Sages stopped talking. They didn't even exchange a glance.

Elder Zhu of the School of Names had a kindly expression, while Legalist Saint Yu looked stern.

Both watched Gu Gan as Sha Qian led him up onto the Questioning Platform.

On the third tier, Xiang Feifei watched Gu Gan being led onto the Questioning Platform and grew anxious. She couldn't help glaring at the Gold-robed Youth beside her, who was still playing with his Listening Wind Ruler.

"He's about to be tried. Where are the reinforcements you brought in?" Xiang Feifei asked.

The Gold-robed Youth glanced to the side and smiled. He pointed toward the rear entrance. "Look. They're here now."

*

The carriage entered the Questioning Arena through the rear gate and stopped at the side. The horse lowered its head and flicked its tail, waiting for the passengers to get down.

As Yu Sui stepped out, she happened to see Gu Gan walking onto the Questioning Platform.

She hadn't seen him in two years.

The boy who had left the Imperial Capital that night had grown much taller. His sharply defined features had replaced the still-somewhat-childish look in her memory, replaced by the youthful boldness and rebellious arrogance of a teenager.

Gu Gan seemed not to have changed his clothes for several days. He was grimy, dressed only in a thin shirt and trousers. His slightly disheveled sideburns swayed as he lowered his head and walked.

His hands were bound behind his back. A few dark red marks were faintly visible beneath his rolled-up sleeves and on his neck.

Yu Sui was too far away to see him once he reached the platform, so she carried the box and walked forward.

A chair stood in the middle of the Questioning Platform.

Sha Qian frowned when he saw it and gestured to the Legalism School disciples to remove it. Hadn't he already told them to take it away?

By the time a disciple stepped forward to move it, Gu Gan had already plopped himself down.

"What, you can't even spare me a chair? Our institute isn't that poor," Gu Gan said with a hoarse, mocking laugh, lifting his head.

Sha Qian sneered and ignored him, turning to leave.

Gu Gan's gaze swept across the stands and met Xun Zhiya's eyes as she looked up. A moment later, he looked away.

Sha Qian stood by the edge of the Questioning Platform, ready to interrogate him at any moment.

Nearly everyone in the Questioning Arena was watching Gu Gan, but he himself kept his head lowered in silence.

The Legalist Saint on the Judgment Platform spoke slowly. "We will now begin the trial regarding the theft of the Milky Way Water from Hanging Moon Cave. Disciple Gu Gan was discovered inside the forbidden land, Hanging Moon Cave, before the Milky Way Water went missing. The guards on duty caught him, and the Milky Way Water disappeared soon afterward."

Legalist Saint Yu spoke slowly, but his words carried such authority that people instinctively held their breath to listen.

"This is your last chance to recount what happened. Every word you say from this point on will determine whether you stay or leave today."

Legalist Saint Yu paused and looked toward the Legalism School disciple at the edge of the Questioning Platform. "Sha Qian, begin the interrogation."

Before Sha Qian could respond, Elder Zhu of the School of Names stopped him. "Since they didn't find the Milky Way Water on him, it's clear he didn't have it. With no evidence of the crime, it would be unfair to have Legalism School disciples interrogate him."

"Unfair?" Legalist Saint Yu said gravely.

Elder Zhu kept smiling. "Though they're only rumors among the students, Sha Qian and Gu Gan have a personal grudge."

"If someone who resents him conducts the interrogation—especially a Legalism School disciple skilled in Torture Techniques—can the result really be called fair and convincing?"

Mei Chengyu, sitting between the two men, appeared to be completely absorbed in playing with his Listening Wind Ruler.

At the edge of the stands, Zhongli Shan lit up his Listening Wind Ruler and saw a message from someone on the Judgment Platform:

"The two old men are putting on a double act."

Zhongli Shan replied, "Be careful."

"If the elders catch you saying that, you'll be the one getting tried down there."

Below, Sha Qian's expression changed when he heard the two Sages. He had just taken a step, trying to explain himself to Legalist Saint Yu, when the latter asked Elder Zhu, "In your opinion, what would be fair?"

Elder Zhu smiled with narrowed eyes. "Given his situation, the Life Law Technique would be too severe, while interrogation would go too far. Why not use the Di Su Tiancheng to question him and distinguish truth from falsehood?"

Legalist Saint Yu said slowly, "The Legalism School's Treasured Item, the Di Su Tiancheng, is the only one in the world. It isn't in Taiyi Academy."

Sha Qian could no longer hold back. "The Di Su Tiancheng is all the way in Qingyang Nation. Are we supposed to go there and fetch it? Not to mention the time it'd take to travel to Qingyang Nation and back, who knows whose hands the Di Su Tiancheng is in—"

"It's with me."

A clear, bright voice from a girl cut him off.

Yu Sui had hurried as fast as she could and arrived just in time.

The moment she heard the words "Di Su Tiancheng," Yu Sui had hurriedly called out in reply, afraid of missing the best opportunity to present it.

Yu Sui walked from the rear section onto the Questioning Platform, stepping through golden morning light all the way.

Holding the Black Box, she entered everyone's view. Every person in the stands was drawn to her. Bathed in dazzling light, she emerged with the beauty of an immortal: delicate brows, almond-shaped eyes, and a light, graceful step, as if she had just descended from the heavens.

When Sheng Fei on the stands recognized her, he shot to his feet, his expression dark. Mu Mengbai jumped in fright and sprang up too. "What happened? What is it?!"

Princess Shangyang, on the first tier, opened her eyes wide. "Nangong Sui?"

"Why is she here?"

Her companions were stunned too, at a loss for words.

"Huh? Why is the Legalism School's Treasured Item in the hands of someone from the School of Names?" Xue Jiayue wondered.

Wei Ren's gaze followed Yu Sui as she moved. He gave a mocking laugh. "The treasures of the Qingyang Nangong Family aren't just in the School of Names. They've got them in every school—more than you could ever imagine."

Many people in the stands recognized Yu Sui. Those who didn't heard others mention the Qingyang County Princess and recognized her.

Gu Gan watched Yu Sui draw closer. The shock in his eyes gradually gave way to a smile, then to undisguised warmth.

As Yu Sui passed him, she gave him a slight wink.

Gu Gan couldn't help smiling.

Sheng Fei, staring at the two of them, clenched his five fingers until they cracked. Mu Mengbai sucked in a sharp breath, grabbed him, and roared, "You never told me your younger sister was this beautiful!"

"Death penalty! Have Sha Qian sentence Gu Gan to death! I support the death penalty!"

Yu Sui walked toward the Judgment Platform.

Mei Chengyu toyed with the Listening Wind Ruler in his hand and glanced up.

Zhongli Shan opened a message from the stands:

"Who's this sparkling beauty?"