Tang Yue Learns the Truth

"She's a member of the Judgment Hall. She didn't know I awakened on my own, so she decided I might have had contact with the Black Vatican and came to investigate me..."

After briefly explaining, Mo Xie fell silent.

Ye Xinxia's face filled with shock and anger.

"How could she do that? She has no evidence, but she thinks Brother Mo Xie is with the Black Vatican? Is she really from the Judgment Hall?"

Ye Xinxia had disliked Tang Yue from the start. Now she couldn't stand her!

"Well, I'm partly to blame. I didn't explain my awakening to her."

That left Ye Xinxia baffled. "But why didn't you tell her? If you'd explained, none of this would have happened, right?"

Mo Xie leaned back on the sofa and answered as if it were obvious.

"I didn't like how extreme she was. The moment we disagreed, she demanded to know whether I was with the Black Vatican. Fine, then. She can think whatever she wants."

"You're awful, Brother Mo Xie."

Hearing that, Ye Xinxia couldn't help laughing.

At the same time, the weight on her heart finally lifted.

As long as that powerful woman wasn't on good terms with Brother Mo Xie, she could rest easy.

In a much better mood, she wished Mo Xie good night and went upstairs to sleep.

After Ye Xinxia went upstairs, Mo Xie stayed in the living room and called Zu Xingyi.

The call connected, and Zu Xingyi's languid voice came through.

"What is it? Need something from your master?"

"Well, here's what happened..."

Mo Xie repeated what he had just said to Ye Xinxia, explaining the situation.

He could handle Tang Yue himself, but if there was a faster way to settle things, all the better.

That was why he had called Zu Xingyi. He hoped the military would step in and put an end to Tang Yue's childish behavior.

"Got it. I have a general idea of what happened. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Zu Xingyi gave him the assurance he had hoped for.

"Oh, and send me Tang Yue's file. I want to have a look."

"Hey, she's with the Judgment Hall! Don't do anything stupid, kid!"

The request for her file alarmed Zu Xingyi, who hurried to warn him.

"I know she's a judge. If I were going to do something stupid, I'd have done it already. I just want to learn a little about her. That's all."

Mo Xie clearly heard Zu Xingyi relax. Then came a mischievous chuckle.

"I could send it to you. Just call me 'Master' once. That's a bargain for you."

Mo Xie couldn't help laughing. What kind of bargain is that? Do you have to be so childish too?

Despite what he thought, he played along.

"Master, I'm counting on you."

"Hahaha! Of course. If my disciple asks for help, his master will see it done. Don't you worry!"

In high spirits, Zu Xingyi hung up with a laugh.

Mo Xie looked at his phone and shook his head, smiling helplessly.

One 'Master' made him that happy? If I said it three times, he'd float right into the sky!

At least the matter with Tang Yue was settled. He no longer had to worry about her coming back to bother him.

He stretched comfortably, then went upstairs to sleep in peace.

Elsewhere in Bo City, inside a studio apartment.

Steam from the hot water filled the bathroom. Through the glass door, a figure could be seen indistinctly.

Long hair fell to her waist. She was tall and shapely—plainly a beauty.

Before long, the water stopped. The glass door opened, and Tang Yue stepped out barefoot, wrapped in a bath towel.

The towel covered her from her breasts to her upper thighs, leaving swathes of pale skin exposed—a sight to set hearts racing.

Fresh from the shower, her porcelain skin had taken on a rosy flush.

Drops of water slid down her body, and her damp hair hung loose. She was as lovely as a lotus rising from the water.

Tang Yue crossed the room on long, pale legs and sat before her vanity, rubbing her brow.

The night's events had worn her out and even shaken her outlook a little. All she wanted now was a good night's sleep.

She picked up a hair dryer, drew her hair over one shoulder, and switched it on.

Halfway through, her phone vibrated and began to ring. The caller ID read [Uncle].

Tang Yue set down the dryer and frowned.

Why would Uncle be calling?

"Hello, Uncle."

A kindly middle-aged voice came from the other end.

"Yueyue, did you investigate a student named Mo Xie today?"

Tang Yue's eyes widened in surprise.

"Uncle, how did you know?"

"How did I know? He went and told on you to me."

Tang Zhong chuckled, then explained.

"That student of yours is with the Southern Military District. Someone high up there asked me to tell you to stop investigating Mo Xie. It won't do you any good."

Tang Yue stared in disbelief as she tried to take in her uncle's words.

What? Mo Xie is with the Southern Military District? And someone high up in the military is looking out for him?

She could hardly believe it, but more than anything, she felt ashamed and embarrassed.

The person she had suspected of belonging to the Black Vatican all day turned out to be with the military. How was she supposed to stay calm after hearing that?

"Then... did he..."

Tang Yue faltered, unable to finish the question.

Remembering how confidently she had spoken that night—and how closely the two of them had come into contact—she blushed fiercely.

If he isn't with the Black Vatican, why didn't he just tell me? He even teased me on purpose. Does he think that's funny?

Worse, that little scoundrel had taken advantage of her right to her face. She was the one who had lost out!

Thoughts tumbled through Tang Yue's mind, her chest rising and falling sharply. It was a lovely sight, but no one was there to see it.

"I don't know exactly what happened between you two, but I know the gist of it. You were the one who falsely accused him. Find a time to give him a proper apology."

"I know."

That little scoundrel had taken advantage of her, yes, but she had been in the wrong. She had misunderstood Mo Xie and said plenty of things she shouldn't have.

Even if Tang Zhong hadn't brought it up, she would have found time to apologize to Mo Xie.

"You only just passed your university graduation assessment, and you're already an Official Judge. I know you're eager to prove yourself, but you have to take things one step at a time."

"I assigned you to Bo City for an investigation lasting almost three years so you could get used to the Judgment Hall's work and grow mature enough to handle things on your own."

"This time, that student named Mo Xie taught you an important lesson. You need evidence before you act, and you need to be careful."

"Every Judgment Hall assignment is extremely dangerous. Determination alone won't see you through."

"If the person you suspected today had been a real Black Vatican member instead of Mo Xie, you might be dead!"

Tang Yue froze for a few seconds at Tang Zhong's stern words. She felt as though she had heard them somewhere before.

If I really were a Black Vatican member, you might be dead.

Mo Xie's equally serious words echoed in her mind.

He was right...

"There's something else I'd like to ask of you."

Tang Zhong's voice brought her back to herself. She answered earnestly.

"Tell me, Uncle."

"Ask Mo Xie for me whether he'd consider joining the Judgment Hall."

"What?!"

Tang Yue cried out. Had she heard him right? Her uncle wanted to invite Mo Xie into the Judgment Hall?

"Well, he wouldn't have to join full-time. He could just be on the books, complete a few assignments each year, and leave the rest alone."

Tang Yue was speechless. She couldn't understand what her uncle was thinking.

"It isn't just my idea. The Southern Military District wants this too. Whether he joins is entirely up to him."

The call ended, but Tang Yue kept the phone pressed to her ear.

She sat there for a while, until her damp hair was nearly dry and the last traces of water on her skin had vanished.

Feeling a slight chill, Tang Yue stood, took off the towel, changed into pajamas, and lay down in bed. She stared blankly at the ceiling.

She had suddenly grown curious about the boy named Mo Xie. Why had someone high up in the Southern Military District taken an interest in him? Was there something special about him?

Tonight, someone would not be getting any sleep.