Beneath the vast surface of the sea, dark currents surged. Only the ceaseless sounds of waves and wind could be heard. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a boundless expanse. A crescent moon hung like a hook—it was the perfect dark and windy night for murder and robbery. For a moment, everyone on the deck was as silent as a cicada in winter, even breathing with careful quietness, afraid that one wrong breath would get them run through by the god of slaughter before them.

No one dared to step forward. Fang Tianchong, under his oppressive aura, could not stand up. He could only recline halfway, asking tremulously, "Who might you be?"

It would have been better if he hadn't spoken. The moment he did, the sharp, menacing longsword moved from before Wei Ming's eyes to press against his throat. Even on the rising and falling, rocking ship, the man's hand was as steady as Mount Tai, not wavering in the slightest, just like his unhurried voice—

"Zixiao Academy, Chi Lian."

The Grand Preceptor, deeply relied upon by the current His Majesty—even a general like Fang Tianchong, who was stationed far away year-round, had heard of his name. Fang Tianchong's heart instantly jumped, but he forced himself to remain calm on the surface, saying with a stern exterior but inner trepidation, "Grand Preceptor, you grace us with your presence late at night without so much as a greeting. I wonder what guidance you have for us..."

He was cut off by a groan before he could finish. From behind Chi Lian, His Highness, Prince Duan, drawled, "Ah, my hands are numb. Is anyone going to untie this Prince first?"

Another streak of cyan light flashed across the night sky, landing on the deck and materializing into the form of Gui Heng. He approached very eagerly, saying, "Let me, let me. I'll untie His Highness."

Wei Ming: "..."

As he was being untied, he cursed Gui Heng in a low voice, "You still have the nerve to show up? How did you bring this revered ancestor out?!"

Gui Heng felt so wronged he wanted to jump into the sea. He also whispered back, "Is this the first day Your Highness has known him? Is that stubborn mule someone I could hold back alone? You calculated every possible move to land yourself in the enemy's den, how could you not calculate that he would come storming over?"

Wei Ming had specifically instructed Gui Heng to give the red box to Chi Lian, who was to find a way to protect it and then present it to The Emperor along with the collected testimonies. This was firstly to prevent anyone from seizing it, and secondly, to keep Chi Lian pinned down in the Capital. That way, he himself could be free to court a little death in Liang Continent.

In truth, aside from the strange deaths of the people on the ship, the rest of this case was nothing but mortal scheming and infighting. If they relied on immortal powers and spells, the truth would have surfaced quickly, and he would not have needed to put himself in danger. But Wei Ming had been reluctant to let Chi Lian and Gui Heng get too involved, partly because snippets from their conversations had both revealed the same meaning: immortals could not casually interfere in mortal affairs, or they would risk heavenly tribulation; and killing mortals was the beginning of demonic corruption, an inviolable ironclad rule.

Gui Heng was, after all, a proper immortal serving in the Heavenly Court; he had a good sense of what he should and should not do. Chi Lian, however, had betrayed the White Jade Capital for Emperor Cangze. If Wei Ming fell at the hands of mortals, who knew what this revered ancestor would do in a fit of rage?

The two of them thought they were whispering, but in truth, the wind carried every single word into Chi Lian's ears. Fang Tianchong watched as a flicker of forbearance crossed that beautiful and cold face, his brow twitching twice. He then heard Chi Lian's frigid reply, "You keep assassins, openly hold a prince hostage, and plot treason. Why bother asking my reason for coming?"

Wei Ming suddenly yelled again, "Ah, my legs are numb. Is anyone going to help this Prince up?"

Gui Heng quickly said, "I'll support Your Highness!"

Chi Lian: "..."

Wei Ming was hauled up from the ground by Gui Heng like a large sack. He shot this tactless, rebellious son a vexed look, nudging him away with his elbow while pressing his temples and saying weakly, "Ah, I inhaled too much anesthetic, my head is spinning. Is there anyone for this Prince to lean on?"

Gui Heng: "Your Highness, lean on me..."

Chi Lian: "..."

Wei Ming whipped his head around, his gaze flashing like a cold blade, scraping harshly across Gui Heng's face. Every word was squeezed through his teeth, "Dare to ruin my act again, and from now on, you had best sleep with your eyes open."

The hairs on the back of Gui Heng's neck stood up, and he immediately let go sheepishly. Wei Ming took the opportunity, his legs giving way and his body swaying. Like a jade mountain about to topple, he staggered forward and began to fall.

His movements were as smooth as flowing water, a textbook example of faking a fall. Chi Lian's back was to him, with no eyes on the back of his head, yet as if they had rehearsed it a hundred times, the moment he fell, Chi Lian swept a hand back. His sleeve fluttered as he steadily caught him in his arms.

Just from the force of his fall, Chi Lian knew Wei Ming wasn't holding back. If he hadn't extended his hand, this revered ancestor would have really let himself crash to the floor. Exasperated, he couldn't help but chide in a low voice, "Nonsense!"

His Highness, Prince Duan—allegedly dizzy—leaned against the Grand Preceptor's shoulder like a delicate, dependent bird. He clutched his heart, his brow furrowed, his long, thick lashes half-covering his eyes. He looked so weak he seemed about to faint in the other's arms, and he said pitifully, "Grand Preceptor, you've come just in time... This Prince almost thought he'd never see you again. Ah, why is the world spinning? I can't stay on my feet..."

Chi Lian: "..."

It was a wonder that he could maintain his composure in the face of such stiff acting. Instead, he leaned close to Wei Ming's ear and whispered in a tone full of pity and bewitchment, "These rebellious traitors are so audacious, daring to plot against a prince. Their crimes are truly heinous. Your Highness, just wait. This subject will go kill them all."

Fang Tianchong: "..."

Wei Ming: "..."

These words were more effective than any immortal pill. Wei Ming did a carp flip right off his shoulder and sat up, saying in pleasant surprise, "Eh? This Prince is all better!"

Chi Lian remained unmoved. "Who knows if there will be any lingering aftereffects. It's better to just kill them all."

Wei Ming immediately turned the tables, affectionately slinging an arm around his shoulder and turning Chi Lian's body halfway around. "Ah, this Prince suddenly feels clear-headed and full of vigor, able to take on eight men with one hand. Grand Preceptor, you must be tired from your long journey, right? You should sit and rest. This Prince can handle such a small matter."

Chi Lian could have guessed the scheme in his heart with his eyes closed. He knew Wei Ming was finding all sorts of ways to protect him, and he calmly accepted this deeply hidden consideration. He glanced at him with a look that was not quite a smile. "Is Your Highness certain you don't need this subject's help?"

"Look, Governor-General Fang has already given up resistance, and the other officers and soldiers know that following a traitor is not a long-term plan. They intend to see the error of their ways, atone for their crimes with good deeds, and safely escort us back to Liang Continent, right?" After speaking, Wei Ming immediately turned and shot a meaningful glance at the personal guards standing dumbly on the deck. There were indeed a few soldiers among them who were unwilling to be accomplices with Fang Tianchong and his group. They immediately stepped out and knelt, declaring loudly, "This subordinate wishes to redeem his crimes with merit and swears to follow His Highness, Prince Duan, to the death!"

When the others saw them turn their coats, they all silently weighed the pros and cons in their hearts. Then, to their horror, they realized there was a demon king over there who could send them to meet their ancestors with a single sword strike, and there was really nothing to weigh at all. So, one by one, they dropped their swords, knelt, and shouted in unison, "We are willing to die for His Highness, Prince Duan!"

"Good, good. To know your mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. Stop kneeling, all of you. First, take Fang Tianchong and his accomplices into custody, then have the ship turn around and head back to Liang Continent." Wei Ming cajoled that household-warding ancestor to the side to serve as a mascot. "See how sensible everyone is? This is all thanks to the Grand Preceptor persuading them with reason. To quell a rebellion without spilling blood, this Prince is truly impressed."

Gui Heng: "Gag..."

Wei Ming's gaze flashed like lightning, sweeping over in an instant. Gui Heng caught the look and flinched, quickly tucking his tail between his legs. "I'm seasick."

Fang Tianchong, now tied up securely by his own men, still couldn't fathom why a perfect kidnapping had attracted a monster like Chi Lian. He leaned against the mast, his eyes vacant, watching as the soldiers pulled the black sacks from the other captives' heads, eliciting gasps of surprise. The figures inside were not the two civil officials who had been with Prince Duan, nor were they Zhao Tingying. They were just a few crude rocks, each with a small, inscribed piece of paper stuck to it.

Fang Tianchong finally understood. He suddenly shouted at Wei Ming, "Your Highness, Prince Duan! Was this also part of your plan from the start!"

"Ah? What is it?" Wei Ming turned at the sound of his voice. Following his gaze to the pile of rocks, he smiled faintly. "You mean those? It's just a simple illusion. Otherwise, how could I have fooled Governor-General Fang into thinking he had captured all of us in one go?"

With Wei Ming and his party in his grasp, Fang Tianchong would inevitably spend time dealing with and interrogating them. This would allow the real He Guan and Shen Yunshan to sneak Zhao Tingying away, evade the pursuit of Fang Tianchong's assassins, and return to the Capital successfully.

This had been Prince Duan's plan all along. No wonder he had been so fearless. Even if Chi Lian had not come, his own skills would have been enough to turn the tables on Fang Tianchong and make everyone on the ship obey his commands.

And the backer he spoke of was presumably the Grand Preceptor of Zixiao Academy, Chi Lian. The relationship between those two was clearly not one of strict hierarchy like his and Prince Kang's; instead, Wei Ming seemed to be the subtle leader. Even the guard named Gui Heng was no ordinary man. The three of them together looked more like a family.

If he could figure this out, Chi Lian naturally could too. He shot Wei Ming a sidelong glance, his voice soft as he asked, enunciating each word, "Putting yourself in danger alone. What did Your Highness promise me before you left?"

Wei Ming immediately said, "Oh, my head is spinning..."

"You monster!" For some reason, Fang Tianchong was suddenly agitated and began to curse at Wei Ming, "Years ago, State Preceptor Jinghui prophesied that you were a disastrous, demonic star, and now it has come to pass! A fiend like you also wants to delude the world and vie for the throne? Dream on!"

"If you have the guts, send me back to the Capital! We can have a confrontation before the throne. I will tell His Majesty every last detail of what you've done tonight. All these eyes are watching; every one of them can bear witness to my words!" He stared gloomily at Wei Ming, the ridicule and malice in his voice unconcealed. "His Highness, Prince Duan, do you suppose the lords of The Imperial Court will allow a monster like you to become the master of all under Heaven?"

This time, no one was faster than Gui Heng. In the blink of an eye, he had already drawn a saber and pressed it to Fang Tianchong's neck. "Keep your mouth clean. If you dare speak rudely to His Highness again, believe me when I say I'll send you on your way."

"Hold on, hold on, let's just talk. No need to get violent." Wei Ming, barely having dealt with one problem before another popped up, reached for Gui Heng's saber. "Why are you both so hot-tempered, pulling out blades at the slightest disagreement? Okay, don't mind him. Go play over there."

After much persuasion, Wei Ming finally coaxed Gui Heng away. He then lifted the hem of his robes and crouched down in front of Fang Tianchong, surprisingly cordial to his vanquished foe. "Governor-General Fang, you've had smooth sailing for half your life. You must be very unwilling to accept your loss to this Prince, right?"

"You plan to drag someone down with you to die, but have you ever thought about why the Grand Preceptor is the Grand Preceptor, and why this Prince remains in the court?"

Fang Tianchong lifted his cloudy, bloodshot eyes to glare at him. "Why?"

"Because The Emperor knows."

Wei Ming said casually, "You are away year-round, so I'm afraid you don't know how many major events have transpired in the Capital these last six months. Why do you think the Crown Prince fell from power? If it weren't for the Grand Preceptor, the realm would have long been in chaos. Would it be your turn to be shouting here?"

"As for tonight's events, you can say whatever you like. But whether anyone will listen, or believe, or even if someone might silence you before you can make a scene—that is something this Prince cannot guarantee."

He stood, brushed off his robes, and left Fang Tianchong sitting there to digest his threat as he turned and walked toward Chi Lian.

Just as he reached the middle of the deck, the ship suddenly gave a violent lurch. This time, Wei Ming truly lost his balance and fell solidly into Chi Lian's arms. He grabbed onto his shoulders to steady himself. "What's going on?"

A personal guard pointed forward with a trembling finger, stammering, "Wh-what is that..."

The seawater began to churn without warning. A huge, dark whirlpool abruptly appeared in the middle of the ocean's surface, as if a great beast dwelling in the abyss had opened its cavernous mouth. A wave over ten feet high crashed down upon them. In the face of such natural might, mortals had no way to fight back. The entire ship was instantly submerged in the rolling waves.