Immortalis

Hero's Tomb: Thirteen

Yang Wujian did not disturb Shen Qingshi until daybreak.

Having sustained successive injuries and descended into the Meat Well, Shen Qingshi's body had likely reached its limit. As for the troubles the White Rainbow Tower would soon face, no one but Zhou Huai could resolve them.

Shortly after mao hour, Zhou Huai used the Tower Lord Token to summon all servants and attendants, settled their monthly wages, and sent them home.

Fortunately, Zhou Jinglei's servants were rotated every three months, so those working here had long anticipated this. In the end, no one dared question the young tower lord's decision.

After the servants had left, Zhou Huai could finally stop forcing himself to appear composed. Pale-faced, he sat in the empty Seven Killings Hall, looking up at everything Zhou Jinglei had personally crafted over the years. Never had he imagined that one day, Zhou Jinglei would leave this desolate White Rainbow Tower to him alone.

"Young Master, secrets can't be kept forever. We don't have much time."

Yang Wujian didn't quite understand why he was still here.

Clearly, the affairs of White Rainbow Tower were likely to implicate him soon, but he also knew Zhou Huai couldn't handle this alone.

Throughout their journey, both he and Shen Qingshi had frequently used Zhou Huai to achieve certain goals. They both knew that while Zhou Huai appeared to be a pampered peacock, he was actually a simple-minded, kind-hearted person. Now even Shen Qingshi had chosen to descend into the Meat Well for Zhou Huai. If Yang Wujian were to leave at this critical juncture, it would be utterly heartless.

Yang Wujian pressed his hand over Zhou Huai's.

Being a man, though he wanted to offer comfort, there was little more he could do. He could only speak gently: "Zhou Huai, listen carefully now. Before the Four Seas Alliance comes knocking, you must do at least two things. First, clarify the accounts Zhou Jinglei left behind. Second, devise an appropriate explanation to inform the entire martial world that Zhou Jinglei's actions have nothing to do with you. After all, Zhou Jinglei's business was never clean to begin with, and he never intended for you to inherit it. The only thing you can do now is clear your own name."

"My father's business..."

Zhou Huai instinctively wanted to refute that Zhou Jinglei's business wasn't unclean, but then he remembered the severed limbs that had appeared in his room, and the words died on his lips.

Since childhood, Zhou Jinglei had never discussed business matters with him, and Zhou Huai had never inquired.

But now, thinking back - why did Zhou Jinglei have no trusted aides? Why did he always manage the accounts alone?

If his activities weren't shady, why would he go to such lengths?

Realizing he had been living within a massive lie all these years, Zhou Huai's eyes reddened again. Breaking down, he cried: "All these years I've been spending the family's silver notes as a matter of course. Was all this money obtained through killing? If so, how could I possibly clear my name? Not to mention, all the martial arts I learned were also..."

"Young Master, the martial world may be black and white, but people aren't. A person's origin, appearance, or what martial arts they've practiced don't determine what kind of person they are. What matters is what they choose to do, isn't that right?"

Yang Wujian sighed, thinking that while Zhou Huai would eventually understand this truth, learning it through such means was far too cruel.He continued, "Zhou Jinglei is Zhou Jinglei, and you are you. Even though my mother died in this tower, I still believe in you because I know you will give me an explanation."

"Miss Yang..."

Zhou Huai took out his White Rainbow Tower token.

The craftsmanship of this token was unmatched anywhere in the martial world. Soon, carrying this token might make him a target of public scorn, but at the very least, he had to live up to his own conscience.

He took a deep breath, forcing back his tears.

"Let's first go find my father's account books. Though I've never seen them, I roughly know they should be in the Purple Star Tower."

Zhou Huai clenched the token and stood up, finally showing some semblance of a young tower master.

Yang Wujian, hoping to lighten the mood, smiled and said, "As an outsider, am I really allowed to see account books like these?"

"If it weren't for you and Young Master Shen, I would have followed my father to my death in the Hero's Tomb last night."

Zhou Huai gave a bitter smile. "Miss Yang, this is already the second time you've saved my life. I've practically pledged myself to you—of course you can look at the account books."

The two then headed toward the Purple Star Tower, unaware that someone had already beaten them to the account books. However, all records within had ceased half a year prior.

"Zhou Huai and Yang Wujian are here."

Shen Qingshi, keeping watch by the window, alerted the others.

Even without her speaking, Shen Xin had already heard the approaching footsteps from afar. He sneered, "Zhou Jinglei stopped recording any accounts months ago, and no trace of his wealth can be found in the Purple Star Tower. This whole situation reeks of deceit. It's quite possible his son is in on it. We might as well take him back to the Zhaoming Division for a thorough interrogation."

As he spoke, he cast a cold glance at Shen Qingshi, as if deliberately speaking for her benefit. Cao Zhao chuckled and said, "Lord Shen, let's not be too hasty. Zhou Jinglei was an extremely cautious man—he might have prepared a fake ledger long ago. If we want to uncover the White Rainbow Tower's true assets, we might actually be slower than that young lad outside. Why not play the long game? While Zhou Huai investigates the accounts, wouldn't it be better to observe and wait?"

By now, Zhou Huai and Yang Wujian's footsteps had reached the base of the tower, and Shen Qingshi grew unusually tense.

She knew all too well that three of the Four Envoys were present. If they truly intended to capture Zhou Huai and Yang Wujian, the pair wouldn't stand a chance even if they grew wings.

Just as the two began ascending the stairs, Chiwen Envoy Fu Hong suddenly spoke, "Lord Cao is right. Leaving the account investigation to Zhou Jinglei's son might yield faster results. Our priority now is to confirm whether Zhou Jinglei is truly dead. The timing is far too convenient—just as we were about to investigate him, he dies. Moreover, Lord Shen was previously locked in that iron cell by someone. A cunning hare has three burrows—perhaps he faked his death."

Fu Hong, the Chiwen Envoy, was a man of dashing appearance, born with Night Eyes that granted him exceptional vision. He could see leaves falling in the wind from dozens of feet away and was skilled in lip-reading, making his position as one of the Four Envoys of Zhaoming well-deserved.

However, the reason Fu Hong was called unvirtuous was his notorious womanizing. Relying on his good looks, he often posed as a wealthy young master to monitor targets, deliberately seducing women from influential families. Not only did he deceive them emotionally and physically, but in the end, he would send their entire families to the Zhaoming Division to await execution—a truly venomous character.Now, with just one look at his expression, Shen Xin knew that the real reason Fu Hong didn't want to move against Zhou Huai lay with Yang Wujian.

After all, if they were to bring Zhou Huai back to Zhaoming Prison, they naturally couldn't let Yang Wujian leave alive, lest the matter spread through the jianghu and become difficult to manage. And since Yang Wujian was exceptionally beautiful, Fu Hong probably still harbored hopes of getting close to her someday. So, he went along with Cao Zhao's suggestion, wanting to spare Yang Wujian's life.

However, this fool who couldn't take his eyes off women would never know Yang Wujian's true identity and value.

Shen Xin sneered coldly. After some thought, since he planned to hand Yang Wujian directly over to the Emperor, he didn't insist further.

The three quickly returned the account books to their original place, silently slipped out the window, and Shen Qingshi closed it last. Just as Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai were about to enter Zhou Jinglei's account room, she nimbly jumped down from the Ziwei Tower.

While Yang Wujian and Zhou Huai were checking the accounts, they were going to confirm whether Zhou Jinglei was truly dead.

On the way to Wuqu Tower, Shen Qingshi briefly explained the situation beneath the Hero's Tomb, though of course, she didn't tell the others that she was unaffected by the illusions.

Having spent a long time in the palace, Shen Qingshi knew her colleagues Cao Zhao, Shen Xin, and Fu Hong well. She understood that if Shen Xin and Fu Hong found out, they would surely make her risk her life to scout the path, which would put Cao Zhao in a difficult position.

Fortunately, when Shen Qingshi had entered earlier, she had drawn a line on the ground. As long as they didn't cross that line, none of them should be in mortal danger.

When they descended underground at Wuqu Tower and passed the Dragon Locking Coffin, Shen Xin couldn't help but sneer: "Lord Cao, you have no idea—your dear disciple nearly trapped me to death in there. I couldn't help but wonder whether such a foolish mistake was due to her momentary carelessness or because she's been influenced by you, thinking that the Four Divisions of Zhao Ming are somewhat redundant and that it would be better with fewer people?"

In the past, although Shen Xin and Cao Zhao had frequent friction, they rarely confronted each other so directly. Hearing this, Shen Qingshi immediately knelt: "Lord Shen, please calm your anger. This was indeed my fault for trapping you. I beg for your punishment."

Seeing this, Cao Zhao only smiled.

"Qingshi, Lord Shen is joking. After all, even I couldn't have imagined that there exists not only someone whose footsteps Lord Shen cannot hear, but also a cage that can trap Lord Shen."

Cao Zhao helped her up, smiling as he said: "I suppose the Southern Zhao Ming Division has too many affairs and is short-handed. Otherwise, how could they have missed such crucial intelligence, leaving Lord Shen to explore White Rainbow Tower knowing nothing?"

With just a few words, Cao Zhao shifted the blame to the Southern Zhao Ming Division. After all, the matter of Prince Li was due to their negligence, and if it came down to it, Shen Xin would bear even greater responsibility.

Shen Xin's face turned ashen, but Fu Hong, not wanting to offend Cao Zhao, smiled and said: "Lord Shen, please don't be angry. Didn't you say you saw the final writing of the Golden Jade Hibiscus Sword in the Dragon Locking Coffin? And Prince Li is searching for precisely that person, so it counts as a gain from this trip. White Rainbow Tower is full of countless mechanisms and deadly traps—it's inevitable to miscalculate occasionally. Lord Shen, don't let this damage the harmony between us."By now, the four of them had reached the intersection. The iron chains they had used earlier were still there. Cao Zhao said, "Qingshi, since you've been down before, lead Minister Fu inside. Stop at a safe spot and let Minister Fu examine the condition of Zhou Jinglei's corpse."

"Understood."

After making preparations, Shen Qingshi led Fu Hong back into the Hero's Tomb.

"You have quite a pleasing appearance. I observed carefully earlier and noticed you even have a rather beautiful beauty mark on your neck. It's just a pity you can't serve others—what a waste."

After walking some distance, Fu Hong couldn't help but remark as he watched Shen Qingshi walking ahead of him.

Having experienced many delicate and fragrant women, he had to admit that while Shen Qingshi might not be the most stunning woman, her cold elegance was perfectly balanced. She could probably even be a top courtesan in the Imperial Entertainment Bureau.

Unfortunately, she was an untouchable stone.

Seeing that Shen Qingshi remained silent, Fu Hong continued, "Minister Cao treats you exceptionally well—he even personally tied the chains on you. Could it be that you have some peculiar skills that appeal to him? Next time, why not spend a night in the Chiwen Secret Pavilion? I'd like to see if you have any other talents."

Fu Hong's words were explicit, but Shen Qingshi's face showed no expression, not even turning her head as she replied indifferently, "Minister Fu, you jest. This place is dangerous—please stay focused."

"Truly as dull as a stone. Can you only serve your Minister Cao?"

Fu Hong's frivolous tone struck Shen Qingshi as peculiar.

For some reason, even though Zhou Huai also had a handsome face and Yang Wujian never spoke properly, their manner of speaking never made Shen Qingshi feel so disgusted.

The two soon reached the spot where Shen Qingshi had drawn the line.

In the distance, the corpse hidden in the darkness still leaned against the cliff wall. Shen Qingshi extended the torch as far as possible to illuminate the area, allowing Fu Hong to see clearly.

"Heh..."

After a moment, Fu Hong couldn't help but chuckle.

"Earlier you said—when was the last time you saw Zhou Jinglei?"