Bang!

A powerful palm blast obliterated the desk made of fine sandalwood.

What happened here? Gu Changqings roar resounded through the Eagle Nest, causing the three golden-clothed people down below to lower their heads in fear.

Gu Changqings chest rose and fell as he suppressed his rage and yelled, You useless idiots, bastards, trash! Its one thing to not find anything, but to leave behind tracks?! Whats the point in keeping you around?

The thought of how the people he had sent had blundered once more caused the flames of rage to burn in Gu Changqings heart. He wanted nothing more than to crush their heads!

The people below all trembled in fear, not daring to speak. It was Gao Fei on the side who said, Eagle Master, do not be moved to anger so quickly. I think that there is something fishy going on here.

Something fishy? Gu Changqing turned to Gao Fei.

Just like how Gu Changqing was the talent most favored by Godhead Palace at the moment, Gao Fei was the person that Gu Changqing appreciated the most. He would always put extra attention on his opinions.

Gao Fei explained, Qi Ming is a veteran of the Hawk Hall, and we have all seen how he conducts his missions. He is a very mature and reliable person who has never made any mistakes before.

Gu Changqing grunted, I know, which is why I sent him. I didnt think he would make such an error.

Gao Fei replied, But I feel Could it be possible that this wasnt a mistake made by Qi Mings group?

Mm? Gu Changqing looked at Gao Fei. You mean

Gao Fei bowed and replied, I wasnt there to see it myself, so I do not dare to be too certain. However, I had someone ask some of the nearby students, and also had some people sound out Xin Yue and Si Yueer. Apparently, Tang Jie shouted about a thief because he discovered a footprint. Eagle Master, dont you think shouting thief upon finding a footprint is making a mountain out of a molehill?

Gu Changqing squinted. Continue.

Gao Fei said, In addition, according to the information I gathered, that footprint was extremely distinct, like the owner had stepped right into the pile of flour. It would be understandable if the three of them had left some small blemish in their movements, like a few small clues in an unnoticed corner. But to leave such obvious evidence without realizing it I dont believe Qi Mings group is incompetent to that level.

The three people below looked at Gao Fei with warm tears of gratitude.

Gu Changqing finally regained his cool.

He sat down and stroked his chin. Youre right. Gao Fei, I got too agitated. It seems like there really is something suspicious going on

But your subordinate still does not understand. If Tang Jie really is trying to frame us, why would he do such a thing?

Why? Gu Changqing went to rap on his desk as was his habit, but he found that he had obliterated his desk, so he stood up and began to pace back and forth. He then said, Its naturally because he benefits from this. Xie Fengtang has probably noticed him now, yes? Now, the Basking Moon Sect will keep a close eye on him, and with the Basking Moon Sect interfering, we will have a hard time moving against him.

Eagle Master means that he used this incident to draw the Basking Moon Sects attention and protect himself? Gao Fei frowned. But the problem is that the Basking Moon Sect isnt exactly made up of kindhearted souls. We want the Martial Mirror, but so do they! Could it be that Tang Jie plans to hand the Martial Mirror over to the Basking Moon Sect?

Gao Fei paled at this thought.

If this was so, this would be the worst conclusion possible.

Gu Changqing shook his head. I dont think he will hand over the Martial Mirror. If he wanted to hand it over, he would have done it three years ago. Why waste all the time and effort working as a servant? Even if he tried to exchange the Martial Mirror to become a True Inheritor, the Basking Moon Sect would probably agree, yes? If he wanted to do this, he would have done it long ago.

Then why does he want the Basking Moon Sect to notice him?

Why? Gu Changqing coldly chuckled. Gao Fei, youve forgotten something.

What?

Gu Changqing spoke clearly and slowly. Up until now, we have actually found no evidence that hes Tang Jiye!

Gao Fei was stunned.

Gu Changqing said, Can you really be sure that he is the Tang Jiye with the Martial Mirror? He simply has a similar background, age, and name to Tang Jiye, but does this mean hes Tang Jiye? Frankly speaking, neither of us have yet confirmed this point!

After this incident, theres a ninety-nine percent chance that hes the one! Gao Fei said with clenched teeth. Otherwise, why would he fabricate evidence to frame us?

The problem is that our people really did go that night! That he shouted at the time might mean that its not a coincidence, that Qi Mings men really did leave behind some sort of trace! So its completely possible for him to have discovered some sort of problem and then caused a great stir about it, making the evidence more obvious. Young men just love to play to the crowd. Theres also this possibility! Gu Changqing explained. Most importantly, if Tang Jie really wanted to frame us, why did he choose precisely the night we went? Did he really have to wait until we came? He could have chosen any time he wanted to fabricate the evidence.

That disciple called Qi Ming down below swiftly said, Perhaps its because of the Art of Origin Return?

Wrong! Gu Changqing said. The Art of Origin Return isnt the only thing that can implicate Godhead Palace. If I were Tang Jie and I wanted to draw Basking Moon Academys attention, I would definitely have a simpler option. For example, I could shout that some person wearing golden clothes was seen leaving my room. Framing! What does it mean to frame someone? It means to fabricate evidence! But he didnt do this, instead waiting until we actually went, and we cant even be sure that that evidence was actually fabricated by him!

This Everyone was momentarily speechless.

This also means that we still cant be sure that hes Tang Jiye? And we cant even be sure if he was trying to frame us? Qi Ming resentfully said.

Yes, we cant confirm it! Over these last three years, there have been quite a few targets like him. But he is the only one to announce that he is Tang Jie, and he is the only one to discover our people after we searched his house. These two points alone are enough to mark him as suspicious, but they arent enough to prove that hes the one! Gu Changqing sighed. In this world, there are far too many suspicious things and far too few things that can be confirmed!

He was a person who cared a lot about the evidence. Though he was willing to admit that Tang Jie had an incredibly high chance of being Tang Jiye, until he found the Martial Mirror, any sort of reckless action was unwise.

If they got the wrong person, he would be in a whole load of trouble!

Gu Changqing added, But this is why I can understand why he wants the Basking Moon Sect to take note of him.

Gao Feis eyes brightened. Because the Basking Moon Sect cant be sure either.

Correct. Gu Changqing smiled and nodded. Let us make a conjecture

Suppose that I am Tang Jiye, and I am also Tang Jie. I have the Martial Mirror, and if I succeed in cultivation, I can go to the Celestial Mountains, open up the formation, and obtain the Martial Lords treasure. But succeeding in cultivation is easier said than done. If I wish to open the formation in the Celestial Mountains, I must at least be a True Person of the Celestial Heart Realm. And for the vast majority of people, the Celestial Heart Realm is a distant and unreachable goal.

Gao Fei joined in, So I not only have to get into Basking Moon Academy, I have to obtain the favor of the academy, advance to the top ten students, and obtain the secret legacy arts! Thats the only way to guarantee that I can get to Celestial Heart!

Correct. But Im just a person of middling talent with a five-cycle Jade Gate. What can I do to get the Basking Moon Sect to favor me? Gu Changqing rejoined.

A savage light flashed in Gao Feis eyes. It naturally has to be the Martial Mirror This is the only weight I have available!

Thats precisely why I shouted in front of the school, hoping to draw the academys attention.

But I didnt expect Godhead Palace to bribe some people in the academy and prevent this information from being reported to the higher-ups. Moreover, the Basking Moon Sect has a limited understanding of the Martial Mirror, so the attention I received was less than expected.

So I need another way to further remind Basking Moon Academy.

The problem is that I dont want to actually hand over the Martial Mirror, nor do I want to reveal the secret of the Martial Mirror. How should I remind the academy, then?

Thats somewhat difficult but perhaps I can turn around and use Godhead Palace Gao Feis voice dwindled. If the Basking Moon Sect finds out that Godhead Palace suspects me, theyll naturally notice me.

So what I have to do is make the Basking Moon Sect see Godhead Palaces investigation, Gu Changqing said. This is the same as me telling the Basking Moon Sect that Tang Jie might be Tang Jiye.

Gao Fei continued, Yes, in this way, the Basking Moon Sects attention will be on me, but since Godhead Palace isnt sure about who I am, the Basking Moon Sect also cant be sure if Im Tang Jiye or not.

Gu Changqing: Thus, the Basking Moon Sect will keep an eye on me, but it wont take any reckless action.

Gao Fei: But the risk is still there. The Basking Moon Sect might choose to cast aside all apprehensions and seize me to search my soul and find the truth. After all, Basking Moon Academy is subordinate to the Basking Moon Sect. If they want to seize someone, they dont need to go through the trouble Godhead Palace has to.

Gu Changqing: Is there anything in the world thats risk-free? When facing enormous organizations like the Basking Moon Sect and Godhead Palace, when trying to snatch wood from the fire, you have to take some risks. Moreover, the chances of the Basking Moon Sect doing this arent high. Firstly, they still arent sure if Im the person that Godhead Palace wants. What would they do if they seized the wrong person? The consequences of soul searching are too severe, crippling the person in a way little different from death. Moreover, soul searching also has its limits, and it might not get the information they want from me. Secondly, Godhead Palace is still watching. Its one thing if the Basking Moon Sect doesnt find anything, but if it does, Godhead Palace wont just let the matter go. If they expose the matter and make it known that Basking Moon Academy tortured a student to seize his treasures, the Basking Moon Sects reputation will plunge.

Gao Fei: A students life is worthless. But the Basking Moon Sects reputation is worth a lot of money. Moreover, this is a situation where theyre not sure if this is the right person or what they stand to gain. The situation will be even more disastrous if they end up killing a student in vain.

Gu Changqing: So if I were Xie Fengtang, I definitely wouldnt use such crude and simple methods.

Gao Fei: I would pretend to not know and use tactful and gentle methods to express my kindness, making it so that Tang Jie feels gratitude toward the Basking Moon Sect until he is ultimately willing to hand over everything to the sect. If Tang Jie himself hands it over, it doesnt matter how much trouble Godhead Palace tries to make, and the reputation of the Basking Moon Sect will be unharmed. I get both the virtue and the reward!

Gu Changqing: But if he doesnt hand anything over, I can improve my relationship with him and gather information. Its just a child, and it wont take much effort to trick him. If its really no good, I can still resort to torture and interrogation. Even if its the worst outcome and Tang Jie isnt Tang Jiye, it would just be a little favor showered on a single student, no big loss. In any case, whether being proactive or conservative, so long as that person is in my hands, I can do whatever I want.

Gao Fei: Its like using the Basking Moon Sect to restrain Godhead Palace and Godhead Palace to restrain the Basking Moon Sect!

Gu Changqing: The sandpiper and clam fight while the fisherman catches both!

Gao Fei: Thats why Xie Fengtang immediately handed out ten bottles of spirit medicine and one thousand spirit coins after the incident.

Gu Changqing: This is only the beginning. If Xie Fengtang feels that theres a high chance that Im Tang Jiye, if he knows the value of the Martial Mirror, if I perform a little better

Gao Fei: Then even the ninth floor of Heaven One Pavilion might be open to me This kids a really ruthless schemer!

With these last words, Gao Fei finally stopped standing in Tang Jies shoes. He exchanged a glance with Gu Changqing, and they both sucked in a cold breath of air.

The subordinates below had their minds utterly blown away.

Why had Gu Changqing not considered the Basking Moon Sect all this time? Because he believed that if Tang Jie wanted to hand over the Martial Mirror to the Basking Moon Sect, he would have already done so rather than wait all this time.

It was precisely this limitation of thought that had caused him to commit a grave error!

Tang Jie truly hadnt handed over the Martial Mirror to the Basking Moon Sect, but this didnt mean that he didnt want to use the Basking Moon Sect.

The best way of using the Basking Moon Sect wasnt to tell the Basking Moon Sect, I am the person that Godhead Palace is after. Rather, it was to use the actions of Godhead Palace to have the Basking Moon Sect suspect that I am the person that Godhead Palace is after.

There didnt seem to be much of a difference between the two.

But in certain situations, this difference was like the gap between heaven and earth.

Suspicions were suspicions, but when you didnt have the actual object, when you didnt have a personal confession, when you only had a few clues here and there, you couldnt guarantee that it was him!

And he had already started to derive benefits from the process.

Gao Fei muttered, If this is his plan, then isnt this kids shrewdness just a little too frightening? Hes only sixteen!

Gu Changqing snorted. You forgot that he drew our attention through his name of Tang Jie. And he was already being called Tang Jie back in the Wei Estate. If he is really Tang Jiye, then he started plotting this from before he entered the Wei Estate.

What? Everyone stared in shock at Gu Changqing.

That year, he wasnt even thirteen yet, Gu Changqing slowly said.

Everyone was rendered speechless.

In truth, this matter wasnt actually very hard to conjecture out. In normal circumstances, they would have noticed that something was wrong from Tang Jies shouted declaration in front of the school. Even if they didnt think that Tang Jie wanted to be the fisherman who benefited from the fight between the two other parties, they would have at least considered that he was borrowing the Basking Moon Sect to protect himself.

But they didnt think that an immature teenager would be able to think about this kind of plan.

This wasnt just a matter of intelligence anymore. What was most important was that their opponent had seen through worldly affairs and had an extremely deep understanding of society!

Rather than that plan that had toyed with them, this was what shocked them and left them in disbelief.

At this moment, all of them suddenly had a common hope: that this was all merely speculation!

Merely speculation!

Gao Fei said, But there is ultimately a limit to how much he can extract benefits from the cracks. Once one side loses patience, hell be done for

Yes, playing with fire like this will eventually get you burned, Gu Changqing answered, so there are ultimately two possibilities.

What are they?

One: he truly isnt Tang Jiye. All he has done so far is simply shout that hes Tang Jie, discover that someone was spying on him, and report this to the school. From the perspective of a normal person, he truly hasnt done anything wrong, and his reaction is also normal. Weve just had bad luck while hes had extraordinary luck. Thus, this entire incident was a coincidence. At his age, he shouldnt be able to concoct this sort of plan. Were just being too paranoid and overthinking it.

And the second?

He really is Tang Jiye, and all of this was meticulously planned by him, and he was just waiting for us to take the bait. If this is true, we cant treat him like some ignorant teen, and instead have to treat him like a sly fox, like an unprecedented foe. If this is our opponent, he must have realized the risk inherent to this plan, so

Gu Changqing raised his head and looked at his men.

He must have a back-up plan!