Xiao Ming had also considered whether to tell Pang Jin.
But Zou Yi had done nothing wrong, and he was the Empress Dowager's nephew. Pang Jin could hardly force the coffin open on those grounds.
Just then, Zou Yi's conversation with his men drifted in from outside. Apparently, he had returned.
Rather than flee, Xiao Ming hid in the shadows and listened.
"Honestly, Father said I could die out there, but this coffin had to come home. Sometimes I wonder whether I'm even his son."
Zou Yi began complaining the moment he entered, and his men offered every sort of reassurance.
From their conversation, Xiao Ming gathered that the coffin was very important to the Zou Family. Zou Yi had spent some time in the Imperial Capital without returning, so his father had sent someone with a letter urging him home.
The more he heard, the more Xiao Ming suspected something was wrong.
That night, when the coffin was taken out of the city, Xiao Ming followed.
At the Ministry of Justice, he had the authority to investigate cases independently and could act on his own judgment.
It would be many days before Xiao Ming returned to the Imperial Capital.
Still, every time he returned, he brought back a substantial haul.
The next day, the Battle Academy announced the results. Li Chen, under the alias Cheng Li, had unquestionably taken first place by an overwhelming margin, earning perfect scores in both comprehension and aptitude.
He also received a notification that his mission was complete.
``` [Congratulations, host, on completing the mission "Academy Advanced Study (Special)." Reward: Heaven-Grade Dragonblood Origin Condensation Pill ×10.]
[Time-limited mission: Ruins Exploration (Group).]
[Mission requirements: The Ancient Ruins are extremely dangerous. Recruit at least three trustworthy helpers, travel with them to the designated location to explore