◎ Makeup Artist Lin Shuang ◎
Lin Shuang and Huangfu Yuan both turned to look at Meng Zi.
Meng Zi wanted to curse.
It was as if he were the only one who had failed the Transmission Hall’s assessment. Gritting his teeth, he glanced at the “crawler” data spat out by the talismanic beast, Xiao Ai.
[Disciple cultivation levels: “Foundation Establishment Stage 3” mentioned 83 times, “Stage 2” – 34 times, “Stage 4” – 12 times, “Stage 5” – 9 times.]
Meng Zi clasped his hands behind his back, nodding as if in deep thought.
“This thief dismisses those in the first stage but doesn’t dare target those in the higher levels. The victims are mostly Stage 2 and Stage 3 cultivators. It seems the thief’s cultivation isn’t particularly high.”
Lin Shuang nodded.
He cleared his throat and deliberately returned to the first question: “When did the thefts occur?” Here were the summarized responses:
[“Breakthrough” – 38 times, “After mission” – 31 times, “Celebration” – 20 times, “Studying techniques” – 17 times, “Seclusion” – 15 times.]
Meng Zi, still with his hands behind his back, frowned. “So thirty-eight cases happened during a breakthrough, fifteen during seclusion? That many?”
Suspicion crossed his face. “Thirty-one occurred after completing missions—that I understand. Most disciples return exhausted, an easy time for thieves to strike.”
“But even so, the number of thefts during missions is seven less than those during breakthroughs?”
Meng Zi mumbled, unaware that he was merely repeating the data aloud.
Still, it was a marginally helpful point.
Lin Shuang nodded and summarized with a touch of sympathy, “Regardless of whether these crimes were committed by a single group or simulated by different factions, they’re clearly targeted and premeditated.”
Dao Xi getting drunk, Chen Sheng boasting about his magical treasure—these seemed like coincidences, as if the thief had acted on a whim.
But when you look at the stats, it’s clear these victims share common traits.
The survey results had highly overlapping scenarios.
Lin Shuang pressed her lips together.
This was definitely the work of an organized group.
And the thief had a set pattern for selecting fat sheep.
“Sorry to interrupt, Senior Brother Meng. Please, continue your analysis.”
Meng Zi: “…”
??? What analysis?
Cursing inwardly, he braced himself and looked at Xiao Ai’s next data set.
This one was about the location of the thefts:
[“Cave residences” – 115 times, “On the way back” – 43 times, “Transmission Hall” – 31 times, “Jingsi Pavilion” – 13 times…]
He recognized every word. The message was clear.
Meng Zi nodded solemnly. “Hmm… So this tells us… Cave residences are not safe.”
Huangfu Yuan: “…”
Lin Shuang: “…”
Headmistress, didn’t you say that even if your companions aren’t brilliant, we shouldn’t mock them—that encouragement brings improvement?
Like you taught me all those years ago?
Clap clap clap! Lin Shuang led the applause, stars in her eyes.
“Senior Brother, your analysis is brilliant!”
“One sentence from you is like… well, a sentence!”
Meng Zi: “!”
He took a step back, the veins on his forehead twitching. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it!”
Huangfu Yuan lowered his head with a soft chuckle.
Lin Shuang pointed at the words “cave residence.” “Building on Senior Brother’s point, we can’t ignore how frequently these thefts happen there.”
Meng Zi: “…”
Just say your piece. Don’t throw me under the bus.
“At the same time,” she continued, “many disciples were robbed on the road. Like Chen Sheng, they discovered the loss immediately and scanned the area with their spiritual sense—yet found no one suspicious.”
It was like having your phone stolen while getting off a bus.
The moment you notice it’s missing, the crowd has already dispersed.
No trace of the thief.
“That suggests two things.”
“First, the thief is always at the scene, blending in as they move—never drawing suspicion.”
Meng Zi looked blank.
Lin Shuang explained, “Take Chen Sheng. If Senior Brother Huangfu had been nearby, Chen Sheng would’ve noticed. He usually stays at Rong Bao Pavilion—his presence elsewhere would’ve raised red flags.”
Meng Zi’s eyes lit up. “Disciples tend to stick to familiar areas.”
“Exactly,” Lin Shuang nodded. “Everyone has their routines.”
Like her—she’d never show up in the canteen at noon.
That was peak line-up time.
“If there were ten people at the scene when Chen Sheng lost his item, each would be a suspect. Why didn’t he catch the thief? I’m sure the administrator later asked him to recall who was there.”
Meng Zi frowned. “You mean he overlooked the perpetrator?”
Huangfu Yuan glanced at a map of the Inner Sect. “More accurately, everyone with similar experiences overlooked them.”
Meng Zi looked confused.
“Exactly.”
Lin Shuang tapped Xiao Ai’s crawler data again:
[“On the way back” – 43 times…]
“Why didn’t any of those 43 victims spot anyone suspicious?”
Cultivators at Foundation Establishment have spiritual senses that reach for miles.
They should’ve noticed anyone nearby, even if they were moving quickly.
“If it were the same person every time, don’t you think the administrators would’ve caught them by now? Senior brothers and sisters taking on the investigation would have tracked them down.”
Meng Zi’s eyes gleamed. “They must be using an invisibility spell!”
Huangfu Yuan gave a soft cough.
Lin Shuang sighed. “Invisibility techniques get detected the moment you bump into someone. You’d be the prime suspect on the spot.”
Meng Zi sat down with a frown. “So who’s showing up at all these scenes, yet getting ignored?”
Lin Shuang nodded. “The answer’s in the data. That’s the second key point.”
Meng Zi opened his mouth. “???”
Huangfu Yuan placed a finger on the words “cave residence” printed in dark ink.
“This is someone familiar with where every disciple lives.”
Lin Shuang opened a paper crane and read aloud. “Someone who travels frequently through the Inner Sect, landing at various mountain peaks. No one questions this constant movement.”
Lifespans in the Inner Sect are long.
But that hasn’t made them more sociable. Quite the opposite—they withdraw, stop eating, forget attachments, and focus on cultivation.
Seclusion, sword practice, meditation.
Take Dao Xi—he’s only close with the Dao Mountain Ten. He might drink with his senior brothers, but he wouldn’t go randomly visiting over a hundred peaks.
If he did, other disciples would find it suspicious.
In the cultivation world, no one just goes door to door or wanders aimlessly.
Who could do so without raising suspicion?
Meng Zi: “The Rong Bao Pavilion, delivering treasures to disciples!”
Huangfu Yuan: “The Inner Sect patrol disciples.”
“…”
“……”
They looked at each other, then fell into a long silence.
The fragile boat of friendship capsized without warning.
Lin Shuang spread her hands. “Mm, you’re both right. As we all know… you’re both suspects.”
“… …”
“… … …”
“Rong Bao Pavilion uses the Inner Sect’s celestial cranes for deliveries,” she went on. “The cranes are supplied by the administration but managed by the Pavilion. Patrol disciples also roam between mountains, landing at various caves to hand out fines—no one finds them suspicious either.”
“And there’s a third group—”
Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi both looked at her.
“I heard about it twice after entering the Inner Sect,” Lin Shuang said, fondly. “I actually like the service.”
“The Inner Sect’s food delivery boys.”
“!”
The recently robbed Chen Sheng had even said he was waiting for a delivery.
These boys have low cultivation, often not even at Foundation Establishment.
No one would suspect a mortal or Qi Condensation level cultivator could target someone higher.
Meng Zi took a deep breath. “Then let’s head to the canteen!”
Trial #2217: Senior Brother, You Dropped Something.
Current Participants Who Have Completed the Trial: None.
Chen Xingchuan passed by the Administrative Hall and glanced at the trial bulletin. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“Senior Brother, we’ve got seventy-odd disciples left to question.”
It had been less than two hours; they were probably ahead of Lin Shuang’s group.
But they couldn’t slack off. He adjusted his belt, loaded with jade keys to various cave residences.
“Let’s go. Speed it up. Once we’re done, we’ll sort the data and identify suspects.”
“Right. We’ll mark every crime scene on the Inner Sect map. I refuse to believe we can’t catch this thief!”
Chen Xingchuan’s trio was full of confidence.
Each had their own junior brothers and sisters helping out.
But just as he spoke, they arrived at the seventy-first cave residence—only to be greeted by a disciple with a puzzled look.
“Huh? I already told all this to Meng Zi’s group.”
Chen Xingchuan: “?”
“No worries—on to the next.”
But the seventy-second victim looked equally puzzled. “What a coincidence. That prize survey you mentioned sounds familiar. Junior Brother Chen, I already answered one just like it.”
Chen Xingchuan: “??”
“I don’t mind telling you again, but… is yours the one with the prize?”
Chen Xingchuan: “???”
Moments later, all three of them received messages from their junior disciples.
“Senior Brother, most of the people we questioned at Zhenchuan said they’ve already told Lin Shuang’s group everything.”
“!”
“They’re annoyed about being asked the same questions again. But they also want to know—are you offering any prizes?”
“…!?”
“If not, they suggest you go ask—”
“Ask Meng Zi (or Lin Shuang).”
Chen Xingchuan’s group: “!!”
They were… faster than our whole team?
And what’s this about a prize?
“It’s a prize-based survey, Senior Brother.”
“??”
“Senior Brother, are we giving out prizes or not?”
“……”
What the hell? Are we supposed to pay spirit stones to do missions now?!
—
Meanwhile, Meng Zi’s trio was flying toward the canteen.
Lin Shuang sat cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation—it was her designated mental cleanse and body detox time.
Huangfu Yuan was sipping tea beside her, seated at the little tea table on her broad sword.
Meng Zi… was still the driver, responsible for sword flight.
But this time, he had no complaints. He was beaming with joy.
“We sent out 126 paper cranes, costing thirteen spirit stones.”
“And now we’ve gotten even more in return!”
He slowed down his sword flight, just in case. Every so often, another paper crane fluttered toward him, crashing gently into his chest.
By rough math, five cranes equaled one spirit stone.
So delightful.
He kept squinting with joy, flying slower and slower to avoid losing any cranes.
“An extra thirty-seven cranes… and still counting.”
That’s four extra spirit stones!
“Could it be that today I’m particularly blessed by the Paper Crane Spirit?”
Feeling pleased with himself, Meng Zi pressed a hand to his black patrol uniform.
But as he unfolded the cranes, one by one, their messages spilled out:
“Senior Sister Lin, I’m a victim too! Why didn’t you include me in the prize survey? I lost my disciple token! I’ll fill out the form right away.”
“Senior Sister Lin—is it true you’re offering a one-hour trial at Cave Residence #9999 for the prize draw? You forgot me! I lost a sword tassel last year!”
“Senior Sister Lin—your list must be incomplete. I’ve reported my stolen item to the admins. I’ll fill out the form too!”
“Senior Sister Lin, can I enter the draw if I make a report? I’ve got a few suspects to submit—give me a chance at the prize?”
“Senior Sister Lin, I’ve already filled it out…”
Meng Zi: “……”
After reading them all, he gently smoothed out the creases on each paper crane and carefully re-folded them.
Then he looked at Lin Shuang, who appeared to be meditating.
“…Ahem, actually, I suddenly remembered—I think I lost three spirit stones last year?”
Huangfu Yuan paused mid-sip.
“That’s the ‘victim fund’ our Junior Sister coaxed out for her quiz survey.”
He shook his head.
“Junior Brother… it doesn’t apply to you, the answer guy.”
“……”
Meng Zi closed his eyes in agony.
Cave #9999 had an annual rental worth tens of millions. Just one hour there…
In anguish, he continued flying—at a snail’s pace—toward the canteen.
They’d been here before.
Just half a stick of incense’s walk from the canteen was Cave #1700, the one Lin Shuang had “bargained” for from the lady in pink robes the day before.
“Wait… we were living right inside the thief’s nest last night?!”
Meng Zi was stunned.
Huangfu Yuan tapped his teacup with a finger. “The Inner Sect’s errand boys each have their roles. For caves above number 3000, it’s common to hire them. The Transmission Hall also uses them for cleaning, but they don’t rotate.”
Meng Zi nodded. “The canteen has its own dedicated boys—one for cooking, one for serving, another for delivery. The guy handing out food… his cooking is, let’s say, creative.”
Lin Shuang remained silent, still in meditation.
Her Wi-Fi was offline.
Huangfu Yuan and Meng Zi looked at her—expressionless.
“Let’s go to the canteen first,” Meng Zi said, finally sounding smart. “We’ll check who’s been doing delivery for the past six months!”
Huangfu Yuan considered this. “Actually, I have a better idea.”
“Hmm?” Meng Zi raised a brow.
Beep—Xiao Ai’s voice chirped:
“Meditation session complete. Now entering Tea Cup Time rest period—”
Lin Shuang slowly opened her eyes. Wi-Fi reconnecting…
Connection successful.
She turned to look at them. “I’m back.”
“……”
Her eyes were clear. “I was about to start meditating earlier, so I didn’t finish analyzing the survey responses.”
“……”
“The incident timings—‘breakthrough’, ‘after mission’… they all suggest the victims were deliberately selected.”
Huangfu Yuan nodded. “That’s what I was about to say. Junior Brother Meng, perhaps you should act as bait.”
“Or perhaps Senior Brother Huangfu should act as bait?” Lin Shuang said at the exact same time.
The two of them locked eyes.
Lin Shuang: “……”
Huangfu Yuan: “……”
Meng Zi: “……”
It’s over. The team has disbanded. Trust has evaporated!
Their little Zhenchuan Trial trio had been scheming against each other since day one—full of tricks and traps!
There was never a moment of peace.
“Hehehe, surely Junior Sister knows that my body can’t withstand any sudden attacks.”
“Well, that’s perfect. Doesn’t that make you the thief’s fated prime target?”
“…”
No one had ever targeted Huangfu Yuan before. Lin Shuang hadn’t understood why—until now. After reviewing the crawler data, it made sense.
Despite his wealth, Huangfu Yuan never triggered any of the thieves’ key indicators.
Lin Shuang tapped the high-frequency keywords: “breakthrough,” “after mission,” “cave residence”…
“Senior Brother Huangfu used to stay at Rong Bao Pavilion. But last night, you slept with us in Cave Residence #1700.”
Target location? √
“And we just came back from Zhenchuan, so it barely qualifies as ‘after completing a mission.’”
“Everyone knows that breakthroughs often happen after Zhenchuan—and yesterday, Senior Brother Huangfu advanced to Foundation Establishment Stage One.”
Target timing? √
“Plus, you may have acquired valuable treasures in Zhenchuan. And you’re physically weak. Right now, you’re a perfectly roasted lamb.”
“…”
Huangfu Yuan’s expression was unreadable.
Frankly, he preferred his Junior Sister when she was meditating.
“One more thing,” Lin Shuang said, thoughts sharp post-meditation. “Senior Brother Huangfu, Senior Brother Meng, please hand me your disciple tokens and message stones.”
“??”
“Let’s not forget—you’re both still suspects. Neither Rong Bao Pavilion’s celestial cranes nor the patrol squad has been cleared. You’re on the watchlist.”
“…!”
This squad’s friendship—never existed.
Didn’t now. Probably never would.
Meng Zi and Huangfu Yuan, at this moment, truly experienced the emotional detachment of cultivators.
Lin Shuang tucked their belongings away and handed each a Xiao Ai backup talismanic lion-dog—units #2 and #3.
“From now on, we’ll only use internal communication channels.”
“Xiao Ai walkie-talkie—keep it on you. It’s linked only to our spiritual senses. Press button one for emergency contact with the administrative hall—specifically Senior Brother Xu Xiang.”
“!”
“Do you have any last words you want to say to your disciples, friends, or family?”
“Better do it now.”
“……”
—
[Meng Zi: Xiaobai, I heard you stayed at your cave yesterday? Got injured in Zhenchuan?]
Bai Yu had returned from Zhenchuan yesterday and spent half a day resting at his cave.
He saw the message and replied kindly:
[Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I’m fine. I’ll return to Zhenchuan tomorrow.]
After sending the message, a faint reluctance flickered in Bai Yu’s clear eyes.
Since abandoning Lin Shuang and retreating into the Inner Sect, he had shared a residence with Senior Brother Meng for nine years.
Senior Brother Meng was righteous and kind—except for his obsession with spirit stones.
But now, Zhenchuan had reopened. Meng Zi remained at level 2000, while Bai Yu had already surpassed level 4000.
Soon, they would go their separate ways, settling in different caves.
Bai Yu sighed.
So this is what the Lord meant when he said—demons are demons, humans are humans. We walk different paths…
Demons, born with different bloodlines, cultivated faster (with the exception of Lin Shuang) and lived longer.
They would inevitably part ways with humans.
Emotional detachment ensured no heartbreak when that day came.
Though sorrowful, Bai Yu quickly composed himself.
For the sake of vengeance, of his clan’s future, and his lord’s grand plans, he had to sever all ties with human cultivators—just like his master.
—
[Meng Zi: Wait—you’re not going back until tomorrow? Perfect. Are you free now? Come roleplay as Fat Lamb Number Two?]
Bai Yu: “???”
Fat Lamb… who’s Number One?
Roleplay?
[Meng Zi: Obviously it’s Senior Brother Huangfu—the one you know well. A slight breeze and he starts coughing blood.]
Xiaobai: “!”
[Meng Zi: Are you coming? We’re near the canteen.]
Xiaobai: “……”
Master… I think I understand now. Why demons must remain heartless.
Human cultivators… are absolute menaces.
[Meng Zi has sent you “The Fat Lamb Script – written by Lin Shuang, revised by Huangfu Yuan.”]
Accept?
Xiaobai: “!”
—
Half a cup of tea later, just outside Cave #1700 near the canteen, the trio greeted a white-haired, soft-spoken man in flowing white gauze robes—Bai Yu.
He had a delicate face, his doe-like eyes brimming with autumn mist.
His lips were soft and pink, his nose small and elegant.
His long white hair swayed gently behind him, a few unruly strands sticking out—adding to his fragile charm.
He looked utterly protectable.
The moment Lin Shuang saw him, she smacked her thigh and gave Meng Zi a huge thumbs-up.
“This casting is perfect!”
Xiaobai’s breath hitched.
She always said the weirdest things.
But whenever she did, her eyes gleamed—like now, just like nine years ago when he first met her.
“Come on—let’s apply the special effects makeup.”
As Bai Yu was caught up in his nostalgia, he was yanked onto a stool in front of a makeup mirror.
“…?”
“Let me check your character profile first.”
Lin Shuang, director and makeup artist of this grand cosplay drama, glanced at the script in Huangfu Yuan’s hands.
“Right, you’re Fat Lamb Number Two. You’ve just returned from Zhenchuan, exhausted but with great gains.”
“Your weariness is 80%, with 10% joy and 10% swelling pride.”
She nodded thoughtfully and pulled out her custom-made makeup palette and brushes from her storage pouch.
“Pale lips, black eyeliner… the ‘frail’ look.”
“A little Barbie pink at the corners of the eyes—let that ambition glow.”
Xiaobai: “……”
What is this.
He wanted to run!
But when he turned pleadingly to Huangfu Yuan, he saw the man was also adorned with flushed eyes, faint pink cheeks, paper-white lips, and a snow-white fox-fur scarf.
Utterly delicate.
Bai Yu opened his mouth.
A thick sheet of paper crammed with lines was shoved into his hands.
“Hold tight—actors can memorize lines during makeup.”
Director-slash-makeup-artist Lin Shuang clapped.
“Forget your lines, and I dock your pay.”
“!”
Huangfu Yuan watched with a smile, quietly spectating.
But soon, Lin Shuang dragged him over as well.
She pulled out a thick golden chain from her pouch—thumb-thick—and hung a pouch adorned with pearls and gems around Huangfu Yuan’s neck.
Bai Yu: “……”
Meng Zi: “……”
Huangfu Yuan froze, looking down.
Lin Shuang’s fingers brushed against the snowy-silver edges of his fox-fur collar.
As her fingertips sank into the incredibly soft fluff, she paused.
So warm and soft.
Her hands weren’t cold, but when she touched the fur around his neck, she felt a strange warmth from deep within.
Smooth and plush—like the finest brocade.
Without realizing, she curled her index finger and gave the tip of the fur a gentle stroke.
Huangfu Yuan’s breath caught. His ears flushed red.
In Lin Shuang’s eyes, an unstoppable gleam appeared—the universal human urge to pet fluffy things.
“Senior Brother Huangfu, where did you buy this fox-fur collar? Can you share the shop with me?”
Bai Yu opened his mouth.
Buy…?
Master’s fur… you can only pluck it off…
Author’s Note:
“Zhao Sect Master’s Notes, Entry 34:”
The texture was amazing. Senior Sister kept murmuring about it for days afterward.
Huangfu Yuan: …
Xiaobai: …
Meng Zi: ???
See you tomorrow~ mwa mwa mwa~