“What... just happened?”
Lin Yi couldn’t explain the scene he had just witnessed. It looked like a replay of past events.
The shadowy figure, undoubtedly the one who had stolen the arcane techniques from the Demon Suppression Hall, was unmistakable.
But how was this scene recreated?
Lin Yi stepped forward and touched the stone pedestal. Nothing changed.
He looked up but could find no source for the light that had illuminated the scene. The tower was completely sealed.
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Outside the Demon Suppression Hall
Chen Jinbei waited quietly.
“If Lin Yi can’t solve this case, I’ll step in three days later… but by then, the techniques might already be lost forever,” he muttered.
He sincerely hoped Lin Yi would succeed. If he did, no matter what, Chen Jinbei would ensure Lin Yi joined Pingzhou Academy.
Not willing?
Then he’d drag him there if necessary!
“Even if the techniques are gone, as long as Lin Yi joins the academy, losing a couple of scrolls is worth it,” Chen Jinbei mused, a sly smile forming on his lips.
If he could bring such a prodigy to the academy, the headmaster would undoubtedly be overjoyed.
“Uh, Master Chen... Do you think Lin Yi will catch the thief?” Magistrate Sun Wenyuan asked nervously.
Chen Jinbei glanced at him. “Do you want him to succeed?”
“Of course… I do!” Sun Wenyuan forced a laugh.
What a joke! How could he possibly want Lin Yi to succeed? If Lin Yi retrieved the stolen techniques, the Haoran Seal’s backlash would be unleashed.
And who knew what might happen then?
Chen Jinbei’s tone turned icy. “You better hope he succeeds. If the techniques remain lost, Lin Yi’s righteous aura will be depleted. But your dereliction of duty? That will draw severe punishment from both the court and the Sacred Academy.”
“You might even... die.”
Buzz!
Sun Wenyuan’s entire body trembled. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, clutching Chen Jinbei’s legs with tears in his eyes. “Cousin, save me!”
“Get off!” Chen Jinbei unleashed a wave of righteous energy, shaking Sun Wenyuan off him. “If I hadn’t gone to plead with Fang Qingxue, I might have been implicated in your mess. If you want to live, you’d better pray Lin Yi retrieves the techniques.”
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Panic filled Sun Wenyuan’s face. He nodded furiously. “He will! Scholar Lin isn’t just any ordinary academic; he’ll succeed for sure!”
For the first time, he sincerely hoped Lin Yi could solve the case.
Chen Jinbei’s stern expression softened. At least this relative of his wasn’t utterly hopeless.
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“If what I just saw was a re-creation of the theft, then I think... I know who it is.”
Lin Yi sighed.
He had hoped to rely on his amateur detective skills to crack the case. Instead, the scene replay had handed him the answer, like retrieving surveillance footage at the crime scene.
The culprit couldn’t have been more conveniently exposed.
“Later, I should ask Master Chen how these things work. This world operates by rules far beyond what I’m used to. Frankly, it’s all a bit spooky.”
Lin Yi left the Demon Suppression Hall and saw Chen Jinbei and Sun Wenyuan waiting for him.
“That was quick. He must have hit a dead end. I’m doomed!” Sun Wenyuan’s face turned ashen, despair etched across his features.
Chen Jinbei asked, “How did it go? Any leads?”
Lin Yi nodded. “I think I know who the thief is.”
“Don’t worry if you—wait, what?” Chen Jinbei blinked in disbelief, his eyes widening. “You’ve already figured it out?”
“Phew!” Sun Wenyuan exhaled a sigh of relief, murmuring repeatedly, “He did it! Thank heavens, he did it!”
Lin Yi glanced at Sun Wenyuan, noting how not long ago, the magistrate had been doing everything he could to impede the investigation.
He turned to Chen Jinbei. “Yes, I’m almost certain.”
“Excellent!” Chen Jinbei stroked his beard, a smile lighting up his face. “As expected of a prodigy from our academy. Your investigative skills are unmatched!”
Lin Yi said nothing. Since when did I become an academy prodigy? He shook his head and continued, “Summon everyone in the county office. I need everyone present, no exceptions.”
Chen Jinbei expected Sun Wenyuan to resist, but this time, the magistrate was surprisingly proactive. “Right away! I’ll see to it personally!” Sun Wenyuan said, rushing off with unusual energy.
Chen Jinbei chuckled as he watched him leave. “The magistrate isn’t entirely useless, wouldn’t you say?”
Lin Yi smirked. “He’s only useful because he’s terrified of you. If you weren’t around, who knows how muddled he’d be?”
Chen Jinbei paused, then laughed. “Terrified? That’s a fitting description! The instinct to survive really brings out the best in people.”
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County Office, Main Hall
Under Sun Wenyuan’s orders, all 200 officials, guards, and clerks of the county office gathered in the main hall.
Whispers filled the room as people speculated about the urgent assembly.
Sun Wenyuan’s survival instinct was in overdrive. As long as Lin Yi retrieved the techniques, he’d accept the Haoran Seal’s backlash—so long as he survived. Opposing Lin Yi? That was certain death.
He began calling out names, each person responding in turn.
“Zhang Shengcai!”
No response.
“Sir, Master Zhang is resting in the rear courtyard. He’s badly injured,” a guard reported.
“Ridiculous! He’s still alive, isn’t he? Drag him here immediately!” Sun Wenyuan slammed the desk with his gavel.
Gasps filled the room as guards hurried to fetch Zhang Shengcai.
Moments later, cries of pain echoed as Zhang Shengcai was half-dragged into the hall. His leg was broken, and he had barely survived a brutal punishment of thirty lashes.
He collapsed onto the ground, sobbing. “Your Honor, I’m innocent!”
Tears streamed down his face, tugging at the hearts of the onlookers.
“Innocent? You dared to mislead me and now speak of innocence?” Sun Wenyuan’s pent-up frustration erupted.
This wretched advisor had suggested framing Lin Yi. And now, his once-promising career hung by a thread—all thanks to Zhang Shengcai.
Sun Wenyuan turned abruptly, approaching Lin Yi with a humble smile. “Scholar Lin, as per your instructions, everyone has been gathered. What are your orders?”
Gasps swept through the hall as jaws dropped. The magistrate, bowing and scraping to a former prisoner?
What in the world is happening?