Chapter 24 Third Watch

Chapter 24: Midnight

Que Zizhen, speaking against his true feelings in front of his master, appeared remarkably endearing.

His ability to lie didn't make him untrustworthy; rather, it added a touch of charm and authenticity.

This was the awkward Que Zizhen, not the revered Jade Mountain Immortal Lord.

Seeing his young disciple's nervous demeanor, Pei Tianhe understood. He deliberately raised his voice and asked, "On this trip, did you meet the person you wished to see? Did you get the answers you sought?"

"I met them, and I asked." As for who he met and what he asked, Que Zizhen remained silent.

But even without his words, Pei Tianhe could easily surmise who he had gone to see.

"Back then, you knelt outside my door all night just to bring him back, to legitimately have the various Immortal Sects revoke their hunting order. You failed to bring him back then, and now, is he still unwilling to return with you?"

Pei Tianhe suddenly brought up the past, as if deliberately for someone else's ears, inadvertently heightening Que Zizhen’s tension.

"Master..." There's no need to mention these things.

"If he doesn't appreciate your kindness, why do you keep dwelling on him?"

Yuan Qichen, hidden behind the door, heard every word distinctly.

This old fox had clearly sensed his presence but chose not to expose him, then proceeded to say such things—it was clearly intended for him to hear.

Blaming him for being ungrateful and dragging his precious disciple into trouble.

Que Zizhen also belatedly realized this and sternly interrupted Pei Tianhe, "Master."

Well, his foolish disciple was also one who didn't appreciate kindness.

"Fine, if you don't wish to speak of it, then we won't. First, let me examine your Dao heart." As he spoke, Pei Tianhe reached out to take his pulse.

Que Zizhen inadvertently dodged, stepping back. "I'm fine."

His evasion was primarily to prevent Pei Tianhe from discovering his injury. Pei Tianhe didn't dwell on it, assuming his resistance to having his Dao heart examined stemmed from a fear of revealing something he shouldn't.

"As long as you know what you're doing."

Que Zizhen had always been dependable; his life had been smooth sailing, with Yuan Qichen being the sole insurmountable obstacle.

A karmic entanglement, indeed.

Pei Tianhe shook his head and sighed, turning to leave, but unexpectedly, Que Zizhen proactively called out to him: "There's something I'd like to ask of you, Master."

This disciple of his rarely sought favors, and the few times he had, it was always for a particular person.

Pei Tianhe had a premonition.

Que Zizhen: "I'd like to request an auditor's spot at the Wen Dao Academy from you, Master."

This was unexpected for Pei Tianhe. "It's not difficult to arrange, but I need to know—who is this spot for?"

Que Zizhen: "..."

Students at Wen Dao Academy hailed from the three continents and four realms, all under twenty years old. As far as he knew, there was no one around Que Zizhen who met the criteria.

No, wait—there was one.

Wasn't the one who caused a ruckus at Tianshu Palace not long ago that very person?

But that child was a demon!

Pei Tianhe looked at his disciple with affectionate concern, hesitating to speak. "Zizhen... you know that at Tianshu Palace, we only recruit cultivators who practice spiritual energy, right?"

"Then, what about this child?"

Que Zizhen carefully chose his words: "He has just learned sword flight. The teachings at Wen Dao Academy are quite foundational, which would suit him well."

Not the little demon?

Pei Tianhe felt somewhat relieved. Perhaps Zizhen had encountered a talented child on his journey—it was possible.

He readily agreed.

Yuan Qichen immediately understood that the spot was for Yuan Xiao. But for his son, Yuan Qichen's son, to audit at Wen Dao Academy—what was that all about?

"You want Yuan Xiao to go to Wen Dao Academy? Did you get my consent?" he said irritably.

Que Zizhen was quick to admit his mistake: "I'm sorry, I acted on my own."

He understood Que Zizhen's good intentions, but the old men at Wen Dao Academy were too rigid. Having them teach was worse than letting Yuan Xiao stay here and learn directly from Que Zizhen.

After all, Que Zizhen was the boy's father; he wouldn't harm Yuan Xiao.

"You know I don't get along with those old-timers. What if Yuan Xiao learns to be an old stick-in-the-mud like them?" Yuan Qichen's point was singular: "I don't agree."

Que Zizhen had a different perspective and tried to reason with Yuan Qichen: "Yuan Xiao is a beginner on the path of cultivating spiritual energy. What Wen Dao Academy teaches is most suitable for him. Moreover, Yuan Xiao needs not only to learn but also to make friends."

And Wen Dao Academy happened to have people Yuan Xiao knew.

Yuan Qichen was starting to be swayed, but he wasn't accustomed to yielding easily: "Demons don't need friends."

Que Zizhen: "But Yuan Xiao does."

They both stood their ground, each with their own ideas and logic. Yuan Xiao's mind was racing, looking at his father one moment, then at the Jade Mountain Immortal Lord the next, thinking: Are they arguing? Should I not be here?

"Yuan Xiao."

Just as he was pondering whether to hide, he suddenly heard his father call his name.

"Tell us yourself—do you want to go to Wen Dao Academy?"

Yuan Xiao suddenly found himself at the center of a storm, feeling torn.

The Jade Mountain Immortal Lord had been very considerate of him. Aside from their first meeting not being ideal, he had always been kind to him.

But that was his father.

"I guess I won't... go."

"We're asking for your own thoughts," Que Zizhen said.

Yuan Xiao instinctively looked at his father. Yuan Qichen was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't mind my opinion."

Yuan Xiao's eyes sparkled as he asked, "Are Sister Chen, Shan Shan, and Tang Lin all at Wen Dao Academy?"

Que Zizhen nodded in affirmation.

"Then... then I'm willing to go."

-

The mountain peak he resided on lived up to its name of tranquility, often accompanied only by the sound of the wind.

In the evening, Que Zizhen vacated his bedroom, settling in the study and taking the opportunity to organize the manuscripts he had accumulated over the years.

During his years of seclusion, Que Zizhen had developed a habit of copying books, as writing required a clear mind, which helped calm his spirit.

The completed copies were bound and sent to the library, while those with mistakes Que Zizhen couldn't bear to discard. Piled up in a corner, they had accumulated into several boxes.

On those flawed manuscripts, without exception, was a single name written.

Yuan Qichen.

Que Zizhen picked up a manuscript and spoke the name aloud.

"Why are you calling me?" Yuan Qichen had come to see him and, passing by the window, heard his name. Turning his head, he saw Que Zizhen in the corner and realized he hadn't called out because he had seen him.

Not only that, but upon hearing his voice, Que Zizhen seemed flustered, guiltily putting what he was holding back in its place and covering it up.

His nervousness made Yuan Qichen curious: "What is that?"

"Nothing," Que Zizhen turned around, suspiciously blocking it. "Why are you here?"

Yuan Qichen became even more curious about what it was.

Yuan Qichen looked away and finally remembered his purpose: "I came to ask Immortal Lord whether I am truly free now, or if I can only stay here and not go anywhere else?"

He asked this based on their prior agreement.

In Yuan Qichen's view, Que Zizhen had brought him back to Tianshu Palace either to punish him or to imprison him.

Now, the latter seemed more likely.

Although Qingjing Peak was serene, beautiful, and fresh, and he was even staying in Que Zizhen’s room, if he couldn't leave, this place was no different from a prison to him.

Que Zizhen was surprised: "The barrier around Qingjing Peak was set up to detect approaching visitors. It doesn't prevent coming or going."

"So, I can go to other parts of Tianshu Palace?"

"As long as you're not seen." That wasn't difficult for Yuan Qichen.

Given Yuan Qichen’s nature, even considering asking showed that he was being considerate of Que Zizhen.

After all, back in the day, he had disguised himself as a disciple of Tianshu Palace, swaggering around under everyone’s noses and treating the palace like his own backyard, never once asking for anyone’s opinion.

Although Yuan Qichen had asked him, he remained contentedly on Qingjing Peak.

Two days later, Pei Tianhe sent word that he had already spoken with the elders of Wen Dao Academy, and Que Zizhen could send his charge over at any time.

Que Zizhen didn't waste time. After checking with Yuan Qichen, he took Yuan Xiao to see Elder Nie Zhangdong of Wen Dao Academy that same day.

"Zizhen? You're here?" Nie Zhangdong glanced at the child behind Que Zizhen. "The dean has already spoken to me. Auditing classes is fine, but I wonder, what special talents does this child possess?"

Yuan Xiao was using a Disguise Talisman, appearing just as he had when he first met Tang Lin and the others. At first glance, he seemed quite ordinary.

He blinked and smiled at Nie Zhangdong.

Nie Zhangdong stroked his beard and nodded.

Quite well-behaved.

Que Zizhen modestly said, "Elder Nie, you overestimate him. This child has no exceptional qualities and lacks even a basic foundation in spells. I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to pay extra attention."

Nie Zhangdong found these words strangely familiar, like when parents or elders would ask him to look after their children when they first arrived, worried and unsure.

"Zizhen rarely asks for favors, so of course I'll help. You can rest assured."

He agreed very readily, little realizing that Que Zizhen’s "lacking even a basic foundation" actually meant knowing nothing at all.

Que Zizhen gave Yuan Xiao a gentle push: "Go ahead and thank Elder Nie."

Yuan Xiao: "Thank you, Elder Nie."

Que Zizhen left feeling reassured.

On the way to Wen Dao Academy, Nie Zhangdong asked him a few simple questions: "What's your name?"

"Yuan Xiao."

Another one surnamed Yuan?

Nie Zhangdong’s friendly smile stiffened momentarily.

But this Yuan wasn't that Yuan. As an educator, how could he vent his frustrations on an innocent child?

With that thought, Nie Zhangdong calmed down and asked, "What's your cultivation level?"

Yuan Xiao wasn't very sure: "Uh... Golden Core Stage?"

"Golden Core Stage it is, then. Why the hesitation?" Nie Zhangdong said. "How old are you?"

"Thirteen."

Only thirteen, no wonder Zizhen took a special interest in him.

As they spoke, they arrived at Wen Dao Academy.

To be precise, they had only reached the teaching area of Wen Dao Academy. In reality, all the pavilions and buildings they passed along the way belonged to the academy.

Some were used for alchemy, others for sparring, and there were also living quarters for the disciples in the back, which Yuan Xiao hadn't yet seen.

Before entering, Nie Zhangdong paused for a moment, then cleared his throat twice and stepped inside, scanning the room with a sharp gaze.

The noisy room fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Then, Nie Zhangdong’s voice boomed powerfully: "Qiu Shanshan! Organizing gambling with your peers—what kind of behavior is that?"

This was his usual method of making an example of someone.

Qiu Shanshan was usually the one made an example of.

He reluctantly handed over his twenty-seventh set of dice cups. In the dead silence, a suppressed snicker suddenly broke out.

Qiu Shanshan, furious, wanted to see who was gloating. Following the sound, he caught sight of Yuan Xiao’s familiar, innocent face.

"You... you... you..."