Lin Yi turned his gaze toward Sun Wenyuan.

The once-proud county magistrate was now a shadow of his former self, hunched over with disheveled hair and a frail demeanor. The destruction of his Heart of the Literary Path had exacted a steep toll.

"Quite the price to pay," Lin Yi thought, his heart calm despite the gravity of Sun Wenyuan's plight.

Meeting Lin Yi's eyes, Sun Wenyuan felt a piercing pain in his chest. Hastily, he cupped his hands and said, “Scholar Lin…”

“You’re an official of Dayan, while I’m just a humble scholar who hasn’t even set foot in an academy. Such a grand gesture—I cannot accept it,” Lin Yi replied coldly.

Sun Wenyuan had already paid his dues, and Lin Yi saw no reason to linger on the matter.

Meanwhile, amidst the crowd of constables, a rotund captain was stealthily trying to slip away. Lin Yi instantly recognized him as the same man who had attempted to kill him multiple times during his forced exile.

“Stop right there!” Lin Yi’s sharp voice cut through the murmurs.

The captain froze, his body trembling, then bolted.

“Still have allies, do you?” Lin Yi muttered.

Chen Jinbei frowned, his Qi of Talent flowing as he flicked a finger. A beam of refined energy struck the fleeing man, sending him tumbling to the ground.

“Damn it!” The corpulent constable slapped the ground, his hefty frame rising with surprising agility as he attempted to escape again.

“You dare resist?” Chen Jinbei’s expression darkened; his initial hesitation replaced by resolve. Holding his brush aloft, he infused it with literary energy, writing the character for “Kill” in midair.

The character transformed into a gleaming sword of pure Talent Qi, which streaked through the air like a comet.

With a sickening thud, the sword pierced the captain's forehead. He screamed, collapsing as blood pooled beneath him.

Lin Yi explained, “This man tried to kill me multiple times at the relay station during my exile.”

Chen Jinbei nodded. “With Zhang Shengcai and Magistrate Sun punished, he knew he’d be next. Running was his only option.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Lin Yi remained silent. Indeed, he had planned to settle the score himself. His code was simple: repay kindness with kindness and grudges with vengeance.

Moreover, the artistry of Chen Jinbei’s strike left Lin Yi in awe. To craft a word with talent and transform it into a weapon—it was an extraordinary display of literary prowess.

Lin Yi turned his attention to the remaining constables. They trembled, their fear evident.

“Am I really that terrifying?” Lin Yi thought, smiling wryly. He hadn’t even done anything.

He turned to Chen Jinbei and cupped his hands. “Master Chen, the matter has been resolved, and my freedom restored. I’ll take my leave now.”

Chen Jinbei blinked in surprise. “Where will you go? You’re now a Literary Path cultivator. You should consider enrolling in an academy.”

“My father is waiting for me at the private school,” Lin Yi replied. “He’s probably worried sick, so I must return first. As for the academy, I’ll decide later.”

Lin Yi wasn’t rejecting the idea of attending an academy, but he couldn’t abandon Su Huaizhi, the man who had raised him alone for over a decade. For Lin Yi, principles like filial piety and loyalty were the cornerstone of his character.

“You can’t delay this decision!” Chen Jinbei protested, worried. If Lin Yi left his sight, other academies might swoop in and claim him. “I’ll go with you.”

Lin Yi hesitated, but Chen Jinbei’s determination was unwavering. Relenting, he said, “Very well, but the town is small and lacks proper lodging.”

“I won’t need to sleep,” Chen Jinbei replied confidently.

With that, the two departed the county office.

----------------------------------------

At the private school in Daxing Town, chaos reigned.

Su Huaizhi was thrown out of the building by a group of finely dressed merchants. His books and worn scholar’s robes lay scattered on the ground.

“I thought you were a capable teacher, Su Huaizhi, but you raised a criminal! Get out of the school before you corrupt our children!” one merchant shouted.

“He owes us! These years of tuition weren’t free. Make him pay back every copper!” another chimed in.

“Exactly! Refund us!”

A group of rowdy students peeked from behind the school’s door, snickering.

“Father, this teacher can’t even teach. I’ve studied here for so long and still can’t recite a single essay!” one boy complained.

“Yeah, he’s wasted our time. He should pay for it!” added another.

Su Huaizhi’s face flushed with humiliation. Hearing these accusations from his students, he felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground.

“My son is not a criminal!” Su Huaizhi roared, his voice trembling. “You have no right to slander him or tarnish his name!”

One merchant sneered. “Not a criminal? The county’s constables came with official reports. How dare you deny it?”

Another, a middle-aged woman, scoffed. “Your son looked decent enough, but who knew he’d turn out like this? I was even considering marrying my daughter to him!” She shuddered dramatically. “Thank goodness he was arrested before that could happen!”

The crowd grew larger, their jeers and laughter cutting through the air.

----------------------------------------

As Lin Yi and Chen Jinbei approached the school, Lin Yi spoke warmly of it. “My father has taught here for years, educating the children of local merchants. They’ve always treated us well. Some were even considering marrying their daughters to me.”

Chen Jinbei smiled. “For you to achieve so much with such humble beginnings is commendable. Your diligence must be extraordinary.”

But as they neared the school, Chen Jinbei’s smile faded. The sound of insults and laughter carried through the air.

Lin Yi’s expression darkened. Something was terribly wrong.