The setting sun cast its remaining glow, and the tree shadows stretched long and deep. The Weisai Pavilion, tinged by the twilight, resembled a fairyland.Though it was a familiar sight at Zhoku Academy, she never expected to see it again under such circumstances.Chiluo straightened her back and, without waiting for the Imperial Court Department guards behind her to push her, strode up the steps. The Immortal-Binding Ropes were tight, but she couldn't be bothered to struggle.Ever since her capture south of Yongle Kingdom, she had been pondering who could have orchestrated this. This person not only knew her invigilation route intimately but also understood the weaknesses in her supernatural abilities. She had already seen Old Huang in the Zhoku basement, locked up with the other proctors. Suspects rose layer by layer in her heart."So, it's you."Silhouetted against the light, the noble young master wasn't wearing his patched cloak. His superior posture and features were laid bare. If he hadn't been born here, he might have lived a different life."Proctor Chiluo." Beimen smiled and waved for the guards to release Chiluo's bindings.A guard frowned. "Proctor Beimen, if we untie this woman, she'll definitely escape." To capture her, they had suffered greatly under her mastery of the eighteen weapons. Just look at the hundred-plus brothers carried back. If not for the spells Beimen had prepared beforehand, they might not have caught her.Beimen shook his head. "She won't run."The guard had no choice but to remove the Immortal-Binding Ropes.Chiluo snorted coldly, rubbed her wrists, and showed no gratitude. "Proctor Beimen, do you know what you're doing? Betraying Zhoku Academy? All Practitioners across the continent will hunt you down." Seeing the loneliness in Beimen's eyes, her heart softened slightly. Having worked together for years, she knew his long-cherished wish to some extent. She continued, "If you wanted to leave Zhoku Academy, you could have just told the Old Dean. He would have set you free. Why go to such lengths..."
Beimen smiled and interrupted her. "You and I both know that's impossible..."Chiluo's breath caught. Yes, in the cultivation environment of Qiyue Kingdom, which had honed supernatural powers and refined techniques for millennia, the seemingly ascetic practitioners harbored infinitely expanding worldly desires. Power and clans gradually wove a solid, giant net, trapping people within. Scions of families like theirs were already hung on the most prominent parts of that web; none could leave."Besides, I'm doing this for your own good, Proctor Chiluo."Chiluo frowned, looking back at him warily."The Chiluo clan has held a position among the Four Great Families for nearly a century, right?" Beimen lowered his eyes with a light laugh. "Haven't you always felt guilty?"Chiluo was astounded."Because of that, from the moment that child enrolled, you personally instructed her, urged her to improve. Even your own parents might not have been so attentive. Why? Others might not know, but can you deceive yourself?"Chiluo's face turned deathly pale. The truth she least wanted exposed in her heart was laid bare so bluntly by Beimen. If she could, she truly wished to draw a sword and kill him. So all these years, while she was observing him, he had also figured them all out. Once he struck, he would hit the vital point.Old Huang knew no secret arts; though strong, he was no match for many. She excelled in weapons but lacked the vast magical power to sustain prolonged combat. As for Youshui... Youshui was an all-rounder... Her eyes lit up but quickly dimmed. Judging by the Imperial Court Department guards stationed throughout Zhoku Academy, even if Youshui hadn't been subdued, he was trapped... Besides, Youshui was pure-hearted, no match for Beimen's cunning.Chiluo sighed, simply shed her hostility, and sat down at the table with the best view within the Weisai Pavilion, pouring herself a cup of tea. Gazing at the sunset scenery over the Zhoku Forest, she wondered: The Old Dean was proficient in the Power of Destiny, had he foreseen today's events?The Power of Destiny...Proctor Zhongli!Chiluo looked sharply at Beimen. "Proctor Zhongli being 'invited' by the Imperial Court Department to the extremely arid northwest – was that also your doing?"
Beimen curled his lips. "If she hadn't left, I wouldn't have dared make a move. The Old Dean kept this secret weapon by his side – truly a cunning old fox!"Cunning old fox is nothing compared to you... Chiluo swallowed her anger and said slowly, "Yes, I am indeed filled with guilt. Because the title of the Earth Great Family among the Four Great Families originally belonged to Yeluo's clan, the Yiqi Clan. The Yiqi Clan descends from the Shennong bloodline. Their innate ability, Spirit Communication, allows them to perceive the heart-language of all living things. With resilience as their nature, they could borrow the Karmic Fire of the Lüqiu Clan to forge the Vajra God-Sword. The ritual implement 'Trident Vajra Sword' of the Immovable Bright King originated from their ancestors. Until that great war over a hundred years ago..."She was only seventeen then, watching the raging fires stretching for tenliin the capital, and the gigantic shadow within the flames, tall enough to rival the sky. She could only shrink home with her siblings, trembling."So many people died. The more they charged forward, the faster they died." Her cousin, who had rushed back from the capital, trembled as he described it. "That demon could summon nameless flames, a hundred times more powerful than Lüqiu's Flame Blades. The strongest of the Yiqi Clan charged at the front, trying to bind him with vines, but most were burned to death. It was a tragedy akin to the destruction of a clan!"One older brother asked indignantly, "Then when do we go to help subdue the demon?""Help nothing!" the cousin roared. "Going means death. If you want to die, don't drag the whole family with you."It wasn't until midnight when the clan leader brought back a dying Yiqi clansman that the family busied themselves, seeking doctors and medicine, barely managing to revive him. The Zhoku medical disciples could save no more.Urged by the clan leader, their clan rushed to the capital. That Yiqi friend had found the passage through which the demons were pouring into the human world. The clan leader led them straight to the heart of the matter, sealed the passage entrance, and slew hundreds of Yamas, establishing magnificent merit.After the war, the Qiyue Kingdom royal family and Zhoku Academy credited achievements. Although the Yiqi Clan suffered heavy casualties, they had no particularly illustrious battle deeds. The Chiluo
Clan, by virtue of their critical achievement in turning the tide of battle, squeezed out the Yiqi Clan and became one of the new Four Great Families."I first met Yeluo's mother during that Land Trial you organized," Chiluo raised her eyes to look at Beimen. "I had never seen anyone push a six-year-old girl so hard. With so many people watching, the child had no choice but to step forward voluntarily. She was already so terrified... Although later that Land Trial proved she was indeed a genius. Even for the position of Enlightened One, which no female Practitioner had ever successfully attained, I believed she could do it.""So, you wanted to train her to become the Enlightened One, to let her fulfill the Yiqi Clan's mission. First, you could borrow the glory of being the 'Teacher of the Enlightened One' to preserve the Chiluo Clan's fame. Second, you could seize the opportunity to persuade the entire Chiluo Clan to return the Four Great Families position to the Yiqi Clan, correct?"Chiluo bowed her head and sighed. "So what if I did?""I can help you."Chiluo's eyes widened, and she slowly stood up. "What do you mean?"Beimen smiled. "Your plan is full of flaws from start to finish. Would the Chiluo clansmen agree to leave the Four Great Families? Would the Yiqi descendants accept this gesture of goodwill? What if they learned the 'truth'..."Chiluo was furious. "The clan leader may not have committed any vile acts! The title of Earth Great Family wasn't something we begged for!""Who cares?" Beimen played with Chiluo's sword, sent over by the Imperial Court Department, lightly stabbing her with his words. "They will only believe the 'truth' they want to believe. Furthermore, even if you succeed, can you guarantee that the Chiluo Clan won't produce another 'Yeluo' in the future, striving for the clan's glory?"The sun had completely set, its last rays withdrawn moments before. Night poured down from the sky. Soon, the Imperial Court Department guards lit torches. The blazing firelight danced in Chiluo's icy gaze.Beimen handed the sword to her. "I have a way to change all this, Proctor Chiluo. Will you help me?"The light waves of the formation transmitted layer by layer towards the center. The Practitioners suppressing the formation at the four corners all belonged to the Imperial Court Department, but no
matter how hard they tried, they couldn't shrink the encirclement any further.Inside, Youshui's robe already had several new holes. Though he looked thoroughly disheveled, his expression remained fairly calm. Only when he saw Chiluo leading the Imperial Court Department guards over did a trace of surprise show."Proctor Chiluo, even you..." Youshui frowned and shouted, "Why? Why betray Zhoku? Betray the Old Dean?"Behind him, the Old Dean sat in full lotus position, eyes tightly closed, it was unclear whether he was in deep meditation or healing.Chiluo averted her eyes, not daring to answer Youshui's shouted question. She walked towards the Practitioners. "How long has this stalemate lasted?""Several days already," a Practitioner said, wiping sweat. "Proctor Youshui is extremely sharp. He hadn't gone far on the road to Yongle Kingdom before he sensed something was wrong and turned back. He actually didn't get lost. Proctor Beimen was nearly caught off guard... Fortunately, he didn't leave because he was protecting the Old Dean. Although our formation can't capture them, they can't get out either."Chiluo nodded. "Then let it be. Report to me if anything changes..." The gaze from behind felt like prickles on her back. She didn't dare stay and quickly left.She went to the basement. She had just been taken from here a few hours ago, and now she returned with a different identity.Old Huang saw her and shook his head, not surprised at all. "You people, so self-important and noble, but actually quite easy to understand. You and Beimen are the same type. He was bound to convince you." He didn't ask further, lying with one leg cocked over the other in an utterly undignified manner.The basement had a formation set up in advance by Beimen... sealing the magical power of Practitioners within three Zhang. Once one practiced supernatural powers, they became intimately connected to one's entire being. With magic sealed, basic strength was also mostly gone. So, the group of proctors imprisoned with Old Huang were also unable to move.Chiluo sighed silently, not sure whether lamenting Beimen's terrifying attention to detail or feeling grateful she hadn't become his enemy.Old Huang kept his eyes closed, but his ears were perked. Hearing Chiluo walk away, he quickly got up. The burliest male proctors sitting at the front either straightened their backs or
half-squatted, unobtrusively blocking half the view of the Imperial Court Department guards at the door.Old Huang pulled Proctor Xiao Bai to the corner. He moved stealthily, removed a few loose bricks, revealing a small hole.Xiao Bai covered her mouth in surprise. "Proctor Huang, you...""Not me," Old Huang couldn't help but let out a small laugh despite the unfavorable situation. "Must have been some senior who came here for secluded cultivation of the Heavenly Eye... This hole is too small. Only you can crawl through. And you don't know any supernatural powers, have no magic, so your physical strength is actually the greatest among us.""Y-you... you want me to escape?" Xiao Bai trembled with fear. "But the outside is full of Imperial Court guards! What can a mere mortal like me do?""It's night now. You won't be seen by too many when you crawl out. And if you go through the Zhoku Forest, once you enter, they won't be able to find you."Xiao Bai gritted her teeth, but tears still fell uncontrollably. Old Huang felt a pang of heartache. Sending a weak mortal woman alone through the Zhoku Forest on such a dark night was truly cruel.But they had no other choice.Xiao Bai suddenly raised her sleeve, wiped away her tears, and resolutely reached out to smear dust on her face. "What about after leaving Zhoku Forest?""Go to the pastures north of the city, find the Kunlun slave responsible for caring for the Golden-Winged Birds." Old Huang said gravely. "Ride a Golden-Winged Bird to the extremely arid northwest, find Proctor Zhongli, and bring her back!"Beimen stepped onto a cloud mass, looking at the increasingly close palace. "You said His Highness has a severe illness and is frightened?"The palace eunuch clung tightly to his arm, afraid of accidentally falling, and said hurriedly, "Yes, yes. His Highness hasn't seen you for days, and specifically sent me to invite you."The cloud mass swept past the palace gate and went straight into the Prince's bedchamber. As the eunuch said, the Prince lay on the bed, unable to move. The eunuch lifted a corner of the brocade quilt, revealing the malignant sores on the Prince's body."Both palace physicians and folk doctors have been summoned, but... none could cure it. His Highness is in extreme pain all over, restless day and night, calling your name every day."
The Prince reached out with a hoarse voice. "My dear friend Beimen, save me."Beimen asked, "What exactly happened?"The eunuch hesitated slightly, then said, "His Highness couldn't restrain himself and killed the old King, taking the throne.""What? I told you to wait!" Beimen was furious, took several deep breaths to calm himself. "Forget it. Let it be for now."He turned to leave. The Prince quickly called out, "Beimen, I've heard that killing one's father is one of the Five Heinous Crimes, and one must fall into the Avici Hell after death. Is this true?"Beimen stopped. "That's just talk from those jealous of Your Highness gaining power, meant to scare you.""Then, you won't abandon me?""What does Your Highness wish me to do?""Quickly enlighten me. Gaining enlightenment through a Practitioner's supernatural power will make me feel better."Beimen curled his lips into a cold smile. He glanced around; the eunuchs all lowered their heads. These vulgar people thought they could shift responsibility onto him and be safe. He couldn't be bothered to argue. "Fine. I will invite a senior Practitioner to enlighten Your Highness."He took out a mirror and tossed it casually. The mirror hung in mid-air, reflecting the candlelight in the hall, gradually revealing a thin, tall figure.The figure clasped his hands and spoke a verse directly: "Well come, foolish one consoles himself, saying there is no retribution for evil. I observe the future now, retribution has its fixed place."The Prince, hearing about retribution binding him, was immediately terrified, trembling all over, and cried out in despair, "Help! Save me!"The eunuchs hurriedly surrounded him to comfort him. The hall fell into chaos.Beimen watched this scene with only a scornful laugh. The person in the mirror painting withdrew his hands, seemed to sense his emotion, and slightly turned his head to look."Like a deer unbound runs in the wild forest, seeking food as it goes, the wise rejoice in seeking freedom, should roam alone like the rhinoceros."Beimen was stunned. Seeing the profound meaning conveyed, the person smiled slightly and dissipated from the mirror painting.This phrase from the Sutta Nipata described a free world in simple terms. In that world, fawns ran unbound, finding food wherever
they went. The wise could roam the world alone like a rhinoceros.No one would suffer coercion or restriction. It was a world that truly revered great freedom.He walked out of the palace and onto the streets. Looking around, he saw the mediocre and toiling ordinary people, lowly and ignorant, who followed the countless rules and regulations of the mortal world, utterly unaware that they had lost the most precious freedom they possessed from birth.And he would change everything.Beimen formed a hand seal, rose on a cloud, ignored the astonished, kneeling commoners, and headed west.