Chi Lian had delegated the final cleanup at Chunling Temple to Wei Ming with just his words, but in reality, both of them were commanders without an army, having no one under their command. They couldn't very well have the great Grand Preceptor and the Prince personally carry hoes to dig at Chunling Temple, so Wei Ming had no choice but to seek out the Jinwu Guard who had previously helped them hunt for Chou Xinwei in the Jade Capital, borrowing five or six men from them to assist.

Jinwu Guard General Duan Muxun was ordered to supervise the work. Holding his saber, he coldly watched the soldiers digging three feet deep in the courtyard, his expression fouler than a latrine stone. Wei Ming whispered to Chi Lian, "Why does General Duan Muxun look so unhappy? Does he feel that leading men to dig is damaging to the status of the Jinwu Guard?"

Chi Lian whispered back, "That's not it. It's just that when secretly burying the Empress's remains, His Majesty didn't trust the Zheng Family and specially appointed the Jinwu Guard to do it. General Duan Muxun was also in charge. He probably just feels like he's being treated as a professional digger, and that's why he's unhappy."

Duan Muxun's hearing was excellent, and he heard every word of their whispering. He threw a vexed glance at the nearby Chi Lian and Wei Ming, who were trying hard not to move their lips but whose eyes were clearly darting about. He resolved to stay far, far away from the Zixiao Academy and Prince Duan's Manor from now on, and preferably never get entangled with these two charlatans ever again.

Based on Bai Hua's few words that night, Wei Ming deduced that the real temple master and Daoists must be hidden within the temple grounds. But Chunling Temple covered a vast area, and the clues they had were extremely limited. Their only option was to cast a wide net, turning over every inch of ground to search carefully.

Duan Muxun accompanied them, digging under the sun for an hour, his patience completely exhausted. He turned to Wei Ming and said, "What exactly is the Prince looking for? If we keep digging so aimlessly, are you planning to turn over the entire Chunling Temple?"

Wei Ming actually felt this wasn't a viable method either and was about to conspire with Chi Lian to cheat a little and try using a spell to take a look. But hearing Duan Muxun's words, he temporarily dismissed the thought. He said unhurriedly, "The General is right. This item is extremely important. Even if we have to dig three feet deep throughout Chunling Temple, we must find it."

Duan Muxun's anger flared at his casual attitude: "The Jinwu Guard bears the heavy responsibility of protection. It was only because the Prince said there was an urgent matter requiring assistance that this subordinate brought over the elites from my unit. But if you are merely trying to amuse yourself with people, you would do better to find someone else soon. Forgive this subordinate, but I cannot accompany you!"

"What does General Duan Muxun mean by that?" Wei Ming asked back with a smile. "When has this Prince ever made sport of you?"

Duan Muxun said coldly, "Putting on an act, playing to the crowd, using the Jinwu Guard as props for your show, finding a pile of meaningless things, and then running to The Emperor to seek rewards—you don't call that making sport of us?"

Before the words had even fallen, a sharp gust of wind swept past. It was fortunate that Duan Muxun was a military officer who had truly been on the battlefield and seen blood, not some young master who relied on family connections to idle his days away in the Imperial Guard. He instantly sensed the killing intent and reacted with divine speed, drawing his saber to protect his face. With a crisp 'clang', he was sent flying back, saber and all, sliding backward three feet before he barely managed to steady himself. A deep crack had appeared on his refined steel saber.

"You!"

Chi Lian, dressed in black which made his face look pale, was like a silent and loyal shadow by Wei Ming's side. His voice wasn't loud, but it was heavy with warning: "General Duan Muxun, watch your words. Otherwise, next time, it won't just be your saber that shatters."

Wei Ming, the one who had actually been insulted, hadn't even had a chance to speak before the other man went flying. Caught between laughter and tears, he pressed Chi Lian's arm and chided him with little menace, "You're quite good at scaring people. Has that hole in your stomach even mended yet? How dare you casually start a fight with someone?"

The Grand Preceptor let the words go in one ear and out the other, clearly showing no remorse: "He was the one who provoked me first. Speaking so offensively, wasn't he just asking for a beating?"

Duan Muxun would never have imagined such a turn of events, not even in death. More than the humiliation of being swept aside, he was stunned that the Grand Preceptor possessed such skill. While Chi Lian wasn't a frail beauty who looked weak at first glance, his handsome features usually gave the first impression of a gentle and peaceful person, not a hothead who would draw his blade at the slightest disagreement. It now seemed that first impression was completely wrong. This bastard was a walking human weapon, more loyal in protecting his master than the guards of Prince Duan's Manor. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought Wei Ming was the one calling the shots at the Zixiao Academy.

Before Duan Muxun could process that something was amiss, a Jinwu Guard in the distance suddenly cried out in alarm, "Found it!"

No one had time for arguing now. Wei Ming strode over quickly and looked down to see half a stark white bone protruding from the sandy soil. Even though he had anticipated this, seeing the irreversible reality of death with his own eyes, he couldn't help but feel a hand wringing his heart.

He sighed, shook his head at Chi Lian, and stepped aside, instructing the Jinwu Guards, "Keep digging... No matter how many there are down there, dig them all up for me."

Two hours later.

The moon was high in the sky, its clear, gauze-like light spreading over the ground covered in ghastly white bones. At this sight, even Duan Muxun, who had seen his share of great storms, couldn't help but feel his hair stand on end. Cold sweat layered upon his back, never ceasing.

A few Jinwu Guards had turned a large patch of ground under the century-old Chinese mahogany tree upside down, digging up a courtyard full of white bones. They had also summoned an Imperial Physician to help piece the skeletons together. After busying themselves until now, they had finally assembled thirteen complete and neat skeletons.

Wei Ming stood in the courtyard, murmuring, "Five Daoist acolytes, seven Daoists... plus the temple master, thirteen in total. That's everyone."

Duan Muxun had already completely abandoned his doubts about Wei Ming when the first person was pieced together. Hearing his words, he suppressed his discomfort and asked in a low, incredulous voice, "His Highness, what in the world is..."

"They were the Daoists who originally lived in Chunling Temple," Wei Ming told him patiently. "They were unfortunate enough to encounter a monster and met a tragic end. Their flesh and blood were devoured, leaving only bones. If we hadn't intervened, they would have remained buried here, hidden from the light of day, with no telling when they might be discovered."

"Are there... really monsters in this world?"

But Wei Ming didn't answer him directly. Chi Lian raised his index finger to his lips, making a hushing gesture.

Cold sweat soaked Duan Muxun's temples. Blown by the mountain wind, it felt chilling. Though it was a midsummer night, he felt an inexplicable, bone-deep cold.

"General Duan Muxun, the next scene might be a bit supernatural," Wei Ming reminded him tactfully. "If you do not wish to witness it, you may take your leave with your men now."

Duan Muxun clenched his jaw and swallowed the word "Alright" that was already on the tip of his tongue. His Adam's apple bobbed once, and he said dryly, "They will leave. I will stay."

Only after hearing this did Chi Lian finally give him a proper look. He said to Wei Ming, "His Highness, allow me."

After the Jinwu Guard and the Imperial Physician had departed, leaving only the three of them in the courtyard, Chi Lian formed a hand seal, silently chanted an incantation, and then with a flick of his finger, shot out a streak of golden-red light. It landed amidst the courtyard full of bones, and in an instant, like a spark falling into a pile of dry hay, it ignited a boundless inferno in the dark night.

From within the dazzling, scorching red flames, specks of bluish-green light gradually rose. They drifted and circled in mid-air as if they still possessed consciousness, flying several laps around the three men in what seemed like a silent gesture of thanks, before riding the night wind straight up into the distant sky.

The golden-red flames gradually died down. The bones on the ground had completely turned into fine, white sand, mixing with the soil and becoming one with Longshan.

Duan Muxun had yet to recover from the shocking scene when he heard Wei Ming call his name, "General Duan Muxun."

He turned his head abruptly to look at Wei Ming.

"At the beginning, you asked me what this 'important thing' was. Now I can answer you."

"What's important is not completing the task assigned by Father Emperor, nor is it even this pile of bones. It's getting to the very bottom of things to bring peace to the innocent who died wrongfully, and to allow the souls scattered in the world to return to heaven and earth."

"This is a final account for everyone."

Duan Muxun stood face to face with him, their gazes meeting, silent for a long moment. In that long instant, it was as if countless gambits and clashes were playing out in the silence. But in the end, Duan Muxun said nothing, only giving Wei Ming a deep bow before turning and striding into the night.

As was customary, the summer retreat to Longshan was supposed to last for two months. But Emperor Qiansheng had his mood ruined by the Tree Spirit as soon as he arrived. Nothing seemed right to his eyes, and staying even one more day felt awkward, so he hastily set off back to the Capital before a month was up.

Previously, because it was the mourning period for the Empress, Emperor Qiansheng had told Wei Ming to stay in the Capital but hadn't gotten around to arranging a position for him. This time, he paid special attention. Considering Wei Ming had some talent in solving cases, he first assigned him a post at the Dali Temple.

And so, His Highness, Prince Duan's carefree days came to a complete end. He was forced to wake up early for court every day, and after court, he would dive headfirst into mountains of case files. When he was busy, forget about cultivation, he didn't even have time to eat.

However, Wei Ming was, after all, the reincarnation of Emperor Cangze. Although he had no memories of his past life, being an Emperor had become his instinct. Handling mundane affairs was only difficult for the first few days; soon, he became proficient and commanded them with ease. In less than two months, he had whipped everyone in the Dali Temple into shape, making them completely obedient.

Emperor Qiansheng had long ordered Shang Heng to keep an eye on his movements. Every action Wei Ming took was reported to him. Seeing him gradually become skilled in political affairs, he knew he had already bent him halfway back from the deviant path of cultivation. Thus, he specially picked an auspicious day and summoned Wei Ming to the palace, intending to, in one fell swoop, bend the other half back as well.

Wei Ming had never been particularly close to Emperor Qiansheng. After the father and son exchanged a few pleasantries and the polite talk ran out, Emperor Qiansheng stopped beating around the bush and asked directly, "Fourth Son, you've reached the age for marriage. Do you have any plans of your own?"

Wei Ming's temples tightened. 'It's here, as expected,' he thought. He lowered his eyes obediently and replied, "Reporting to Father Emperor, your son has studied the Dao since childhood and has no interest in worldly matters. I have long since sworn an oath to never marry and to sever all desires, so as to attain the Great Dao."

"Absurd!"

Emperor Qiansheng had imagined he might refuse, but he never expected him to be so blunt, completely blocking off the path with his first words: "When I let you cultivate, I never told you to become a monk! Why this talk of never marrying for life? You are of royal blood, my son! Instead of thinking about serving the country and continuing the bloodline, do you intend to waste your entire life in the deep mountains and old forests?!"

Wei Ming said helplessly, "Father Emperor, your son truly wishes to seek the Dao..."

"You've already been working at the Dali Temple for two months, and now you say you truly wish to seek the Dao? Go ask the immortals if they'd agree." Emperor Qiansheng spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. "I don't care what Dao you're cultivating, from today onwards, you will put it all aside for me. The daughter of the Censorate's Vice Minister, Qin Shen..."

"Father Emperor!"

Wei Ming refused to even listen, stating resolutely, "Your son knows full well that Father Emperor has my best interests at heart, exhausting your mind and energy to plan for my future. But my mind is made up. If Father Emperor insists on bestowing this marriage, it will only create a resentful couple. Your son will have ruined a good young lady from another family, turning a union of marriage into a union of enmity. Is that the result Father Emperor wishes to see?"

Of all the princes raised by Emperor Qiansheng, which one wasn't respectful and obedient towards him, terrified of losing imperial favor with a single wrong word? This was the first time anyone had dared to talk back to him like this. Enraged, Emperor Qiansheng grabbed the inkstone at hand and hurled it at Wei Ming: "Insolence! Who taught you to speak to me like this? Do you have any regard for the rules, any awareness of rank and status? The sovereign's wrath and his favor are both grace from the throne! Since when was it your place to say 'no'?!"

Wei Ming dodged with a tilt of his head, and the inkstone flew past his cheek. The movement was a perfect mirror of Chi Lian's.

Facing the sovereign's thunderous rage, he said calmly, "The honor your son enjoys today is all thanks to Father Emperor's grace. For over a decade, however, I have been mediocre and achieved nothing. I have neither been able to alleviate the Imperial Court's worries nor lived up to Father Emperor's earnest and loving heart. My crimes are truly unforgivable."

"I ask Father Emperor to revoke my princely title. Your son is willing to henceforth retire to the mountains and wilds, and never again set foot in the imperial court for the rest of my life."

This time, Emperor Qiansheng was truly about to faint from anger.

Wei Ming was impervious to both threats and pleas, his mind set solely on seeking immortality and the Dao. When cornered, he would even give up his title. Emperor Qiansheng couldn't force him to marry, have children, and become emperor, yet demoting him and stripping his title would be granting his wish, equivalent to releasing a tiger back to the mountains. No matter what he did, he couldn't get the better of Wei Ming. It was a complete dilemma.

What's more, there was Chi Lian watching like a tiger. As a mortal emperor and his biological father, he still held the moral high ground. Once he handed Wei Ming over to the immortals, that would be when he was truly beyond his reach.

Emperor Qiansheng's chest heaved. He stared fiercely at the top of Wei Ming's head but couldn't really do anything to him. In the end, his simmering rage transformed into a single furious roar:

"Get out!"

The author has something to say:

Wei Ming: Alrighty~