Chapter 12: Only Blaming Myself

“Uncle Chen,” Jiang Ziyi quickly bowed in greeting.

The one who had stopped her was Chen Yan, one of the stewards of the Library Pavilion—a genteel elderly woman whose temples were streaked with gray. The three stewards of the Library Pavilion, though merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, possessed formidable backgrounds, and few dared provoke them. This particular steward, for example, hailed from the inner sect’s Qingwei Peak and had once reached the Golden Core stage. Suffering a grievous injury, her core shattered and her cultivation fell to Foundation Establishment.

“The Library Pavilion is a place of utmost importance. Why is there such commotion here?” Her gaze settled on Jiang Min, who was trapped by the disciples from the Discipline Hall. Jiang Min’s earlier question, empowered with spiritual force, had been audible even within the Library Pavilion, violating the rules against disturbance on Floating Cloud Peak. Thus, the steward had left the Pavilion to investigate.

Jiang Ziyi explained earnestly, “Uncle Chen, my cousin Li Mao disappeared and died inexplicably—his body is gone. This servant girl, Jiang Min, had a conflict with him and may be the culprit, so I came with the Discipline Hall to investigate.”

“Investigate if you must, but is violence necessary?” Though the elderly woman seemed gentle and civil, her stance brooked no compromise.

“I acted rashly out of urgency. I’ll have Discipline Hall proceed according to proper protocol.” Jiang Ziyi had recovered her calm and cool demeanor, a stark contrast to her earlier agitation. Jiang Min looked up at the old woman, a hint of envy in her heart—such was the power of those with authority.

“If only I possessed such strength, I could kill Li Mao openly and none would dare question me.”

Her forceful questioning earlier had been deliberate. She knew that today’s two stewards were Uncle Lu Qingquan, upright and principled, and Uncle Chen Yan, kindly and approachable. By breaking the rules and causing a commotion, if either of them arrived, she would not be subject to Jiang Ziyi’s bullying.

She had gambled and won; now that Uncle Chen stood here, the Discipline Hall would have to follow the rules.

With the steward present, the Discipline Hall official could not avoid the situation and stepped forward. “Let me ask you, Jiang Min: On the day you were at the Zixia Peak market, why did you stay so long before returning to Floating Cloud Peak?”

“It was my first visit to the market, and I found it lively and fascinating, so I lingered.”

“Why did you go to the market?”

“It was the day the annual stipend was distributed. Once I had the money, I went to explore the market.”

“You bought a Thunder Talisman and a Fire Sword Talisman at the market. Do you still have them?”

The Discipline Hall steward cut straight to the heart of the matter. If Jiang Min had truly killed Li Mao, who was at the same cultivation stage, she would have needed external help.

Jiang Min was startled by the thoroughness of their investigation. Clearly, she would need to be far more cautious in her actions going forward. She forced herself to remain calm and answered, “Both talismans are here, in my pocket.”

Fortunately, Li Mao’s storage pouch also contained a Fire Sword Talisman, which she now produced. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain.

Meanwhile, Luo Lei, ever observant, noticed the Discipline Hall steward’s hesitation and Jiang Ziyi’s slight frown. He seized the chance to interject, “Excuse me for interrupting, Uncle, but since nothing is coming of these questions, why not search her directly for stolen goods? As far as I know, Li Mao had plenty of valuables. If she did kill him, surely she’d have kept them.”

The steward first glanced at the elderly woman; seeing no objection, then looked to Jiang Ziyi, who seemed pleased. He turned to Jiang Min. “Next, I’ll have someone search you and your room for any stolen property. If nothing is found, you’ll be deemed innocent. Will you cooperate?”

Jiang Min’s gaze swept over each person. So this was how it always went—her fate decided in a few short sentences, her answers ultimately meaningless. What else could she do but swallow her impotent rage?

She clenched her fists, hiding all the emotions—resentment, humiliation, hatred—deep within her eyes. Then, with a careless air, she said, “Go ahead and search; I, Jiang Min, have never done anything to trouble my conscience.”

Luo Lei’s face brightened, and he volunteered, “Leave the searching to me, for Jiang Senior Sister and Uncle Wu…”

He was interrupted by the elderly woman, who suddenly pointed at Jiang Ziyi, her voice cool. “You will search Jiang Min yourself. Once you finish, I’ll accompany you to her room.”

Jiang Ziyi understood immediately—if a male disciple were to search Jiang Min, it would truly anger Uncle Chen. She bowed. “Yes, I’ll conduct the search myself.”

She began searching Jiang Min, extracting from her pocket a book, two talismans, and a pouch. She frowned at the book—‘Lost Steps’—and showed a hint of disdain. The talismans were indeed a Thunder Talisman and a Fire Sword Talisman. The pouch contained only eight spirit stones and three Essence Pills.

Only this?

Jiang Ziyi checked Jiang Min’s waist and found another small pouch, which she pulled off and opened. “Nether Sand? Why would a lowly servant like you carry this?”

Jiang Min replied with a bright smile, “Servants like me are weak and powerless. I can’t defeat bad people, so I buy little things like this for protection.”

Jiang Ziyi caught the sarcasm in Jiang Min’s tone and was annoyed, but with Uncle Chen present, she suppressed her temper and continued the search. Finding nothing else, she stuffed the items back into Jiang Min’s arms and bowed to the elderly woman.

“Search complete, Uncle Chen. Please accompany me to her room.”

The old woman said nothing, merely stepping toward Jiang Min’s quarters, with Jiang Ziyi hurrying after.

In the end, Jiang Ziyi found no stolen goods—only a space pouch containing worthless demon pill embryos, which she ignored. Many disciples collected such trash from the sect to sell outside for a few coins.

Jiang Ziyi exited the room, looking at the subdued girl, still suspecting her of killing Li Mao. But with no evidence, she had no way to take Jiang Min away or answer to her aunt.

“Is the investigation complete?” The elderly woman followed her out.

“Yes, Uncle Chen. It’s complete. We found nothing,” Jiang Ziyi answered, lowering her eyes.

“Then why are you still here?”

Jiang Ziyi quickly bowed. “Thank you for coming, Uncle. We and the Discipline Hall won’t trouble you further.”

The two Discipline Hall disciples hurriedly released Jiang Min’s arms and left with Jiang Ziyi, subdued.

Jiang Min flexed her numb arms and bowed to the elderly woman. “Thank you, Uncle Chen.”

The elderly woman did not reply, instead turning to the other servants watching in the corridor. “Disperse, all of you.”

Zhong Qu and the others bowed and returned to their rooms.

When everyone had gone, only Jiang Min and the white-haired elder remained in the courtyard. Jiang Min glanced in the direction Jiang Ziyi had left, her face expressionless.

“Do you hate them?” the elderly woman suddenly asked.

Jiang Min shook her head.

“You don’t?”

“Uncle Chen, I only hate myself.”