Divine Capital, Zhao Residence.
Dressed in plain cloth robes, Zhao Yishan sat in his study, took a light sip of tea, and set down his cup.
Across from him, Wang Yihe, the Minister of Rites, wore casual clothes. His face was expressionless as he glanced at the untouched cup before him.
"Complete-Understanding Duke, I have come here to ask just one thing: what caused Xu Chuxin's death, and why did he have to die?"
Zhao Yishan picked up his cup again and slowly sipped his tea.
"Before our teacher passed away, he held my hand and Chuxin's and told me to take good care of him. Who could have imagined that, not long afterward, Chuxin would inexplicably go mad and defect to the Demon Race? This matter is a nail driven into my heart. Whenever the night grows deep and quiet, I hear the sound of that nail being hammered deeper."
Zhao Yishan said nothing.
"All these years, I have been investigating Chuxin. Eventually, I found a few spiderweb threads and hoofprints. Some pointed toward the Third Prince, but the Third Prince died. Some pointed toward Li Gangfeng, but Li Gangfeng dashed himself against a pillar. Some pointed toward Zhou Chunfeng, but Zhou Chunfeng perished together with the Devil Sect."
Zhao Yishan raised his head and looked at Wang Yihe.
Wang Yihe said candidly, "I discovered that some traces of these people had inexplicably been erased. Many who had once been connected to them had forgotten everything. But my heart approaches perfect sincerity. Even Fate Arts cannot disturb it."
Zhao Yishan remained silent.
Wang Yihe said, "I also uncovered a rumor that Xu Chuxin had not betrayed us back then. Instead, he had obeyed a powerful figure and infiltrated the Demon Race to save the Worthy Crown Prince. From then