Days passed so quickly that she didn't even realize how time had flown. Only three days remained before the admissions to the Imperial Academy.
Bai Qingran and Li Yanshu packed their belongings. They informed the High Priest about their plan to enroll in the academy. The High Priest granted them permission and also gave them recommendation letters.
Because of their high reputation, the Imperial Academy only tested students who have the recommendation letters.
When both girls received their letters, their happiness knew no bounds.
Three days before their departure, in the evening, Li Yanshu took special permission from the High Priest to go to the town.
Bai Qingran asked her,
"Why are you going to the town? Do you have some work? I'll come with you."
"There's something important," Li Yanshu replied. "I'll be back soon."
Saying that, she put on her veil and headed toward the town alone.
In truth, she had ordered a custom-made necklace for Bai Qingran. She wanted to surprise her—that's why she chose to go alone to pick it up.
At the shop, the shopkeeper placed the newly made necklace before her.
It wasn't very expensive, but its design was simple and elegant—a delicate chain with a small golden drop pendant hanging at its center.
She paid the price.
Li Yanshu had earned this money by doing miscellaneous work at the temple.
After collecting the gift, she noticed that night was approaching.
She quickened her pace.
For some reason, her heart began to feel uneasy. A strange restlessness grew within her.
She just wanted to return quickly.
Halfway there—
She heard a loud sound.
It came from the direction of the temple.
Fear crept into her heart.
It felt as if something terrible had happened.
Without thinking, she began to run.
When she reached the temple—
The gates were wide open.
That shouldn't be possible.
Once night fell, the gates were always shut tightly under the High Priest's orders.
An eerie silence filled the entire place.
Then—
A familiar smell reached her.
Blood.
Li Yanshu froze.
"No… that can't be…"
With trembling hands and unsteady steps, she moved forward—one step at a time—toward the main hall.
Near the stairs, she saw a senior lying on the ground.
Li Yanshu slowly knelt beside her and turned her over.
Blood trickled from her mouth.
She placed her fingers near her nose—
No breath.
Her heart dropped.
She ran toward the main hall.
Bodies lay scattered everywhere, lifeless and eerily silent.
She couldn't hear a single heartbeat.
As she stepped inside, the sight grew even worse.
The floor was soaked in blood—her feet sinking into it with every step.
Then—
From the platform ahead…
She heard a faint heartbeat.
She rushed forward.
The High Priest lay there, barely breathing.
"High Priest!"
Li Yanshu dropped beside her.
The High Priest tried to speak, but no sound came out.
With great effort, in a faint, broken whisper, she managed to say—
"…Qingran… save her… they are after her…"
And then—
Her eyes closed.
She knew… she couldn't save her.
Without wasting another second, she leaped down and ran toward Bai Qingran's room.
The necklace she had brought was clenched tightly in her fist.
Please… don't let me be late…
Please…
When she reached the room—
The door was slightly open.
Inside—
Bai Qingran lay motionless near the bed.
Her eyes were closed… Her face is peaceful.
Li Yanshu didn't hear a heartbeat.
She already knew.
She was late.
Too late.
Her knees gave out.
She collapsed beside her.
Holding Bai Qingran's hand tightly, tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry… I… I'm sorry…"
If she hadn't gone to the town…
Maybe—
Just maybe—
They would still be alive.
She could have saved them.
But now…
There was nothing left but regret.
After some time, she forced herself to stand.
She walked to the drawer beside the bed.
A suspicion had already formed in her mind.
She prayed it wouldn't be true.
But when she opened it—
Her fear turned into certainty.
The badge.
The imperial badge given to Bai Qingran's mother by the Queen Dowager—
The one that granted direct entry to the Imperial Academy—
Was gone.
They had promised to go to the academy together.
Who would have thought…
Fate would turn that promise into tragedy.
Her eyes burned with fury.
A fire of vengeance ignited within her heart.
Looking at Bai Qingran, she made a vow—
"I swear… on my dignity as a former officer…"
"I will bring you justice."
"No matter what happens… I will never break this promise."
She bent down and took Bai Qingran's identification badge.
Then she put it on herself.
"I'm sorry… but I'll need your identification. If I want to kill the wolf, I must first lure it in—and for that, I need proper bait."
Just then—
She heard faint voices outside.
Stepping out of the room, she saw several men in uniform.
Guards.
In the middle stood a man dressed differently—a middle-aged man.
From his appearance, he seemed to be the leader.
"My name is Gu Ren," he said. "I am the Head Constable of Yuelin Town. We received an emergency signal from Tianlong Temple. Please identify yourself."
Without fear, Li Yanshu looked straight at him and said—
"My name is Bai Qingran. I am from the Bai family of Yuejing, the imperial capital."
"If you don't mind," Gu Ren said, "may I see your identification?"
"Of course."
She handed it over.
He examined it carefully, then returned it.
"We need to ask you some questions. Please come with us."
"What about the bodies?" she asked quietly.
"They are my seniors. I want to give them a proper burial."
"We must first investigate the cause of this incident," he replied. "After that, the bodies will be returned for funeral rites."
She glanced back once at Bai Qingran—
Then left with two officers.
The remaining guards stayed behind to investigate.
They took her to a place where interrogations were conducted—it was similar to a police station on Earth. They didn't put her in a prison cell immediately, which suggested that Head Constable Gu Ren was an honest man.
They entered a dimly lit room and sat across from each other at a table.
Across from her, Gu Ren watched.
He was studying her.
"I know you're probably feeling nervous right now," he said, his tone calm, almost reassuring. "But if you answer honestly and assist with the investigation, we can release you early."
Li Yanshu raised her gaze and met his eyes directly.
"What would you like to know, Mr. Gu?"
"I've heard certain rumors about you," he began slowly. "They say you suffer from an illness. That your father, Mr. Bai, send you to Tianlong Temple for recovery."
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
"I've suffered from depression since childhood. My father believed that the calm environment of the temple would help me recover."
"Then tell me this," he continued, his voice softer now—but heavier. "How is it that you are the only one who came out of this tragedy… completely unharmed?"
The air shifted.
"I went to town in the evening," she said quietly.
"To get a gift for my friend. On my way back to Tianlong Temple… I saw the emergency signal along the road. Then I ran immediately towards the temple."
"That's quite a coincidence," he said.
Her hand rose slightly, touching the pendant.
"It's from a jewelry shop," she replied. "This necklace. It was meant as a gift. It's custom-made."
"You can ask the shopkeeper. He can confirm my alibi."
"Alright," he said. "We'll look into that."
"What did you see when you returned?" he asked.
"Did you notice anything… suspicious?"
"No."
"I didn't see anyone."
After a brief pause.
"When I arrived… all I saw were the bodies of my seniors."
"You are a noble girl," he said. "You shouldn't be accustomed to such gruesome scenes."
His gaze sharpened.
"And yet… you didn't react like someone seeing it for the first time."
"On the contrary," he continued quietly, "you seemed… accustomed to it."
Li Yanshu's fingers tightened slightly against her sleeve—hidden beneath the table, unseen.
But her face—
Remained unchanged.
"When I got there," she said at last, her voice calm but lower, "my mind went numb."
She lifted her eyes slowly.
"In extreme emotional situations, the human mind protects itself. It suppresses feelings… to prevent collapse."
"Are you a healer?" he asked.
"No."
"But after living with the priests for so many years… I've learned a little."
He changed direction of Questions.
"We found a body," he said. "One that does not belong to the temple's records."
"Do you know who she is?"
"Yes."
"She is my friend."
Her voice softened—just slightly.
"The one I went to town for."
"Our records show thirty-five residents."
"Then tell me… where did the thirty-sixth come from?"
Li Yanshu didn't look away.
"I found her in the Beast Forest a few days ago," she said. "She had come to this town searching for her grandfather."
"I saw her lying unconscious. So I brought her back. With the High Priest's permission, she stayed with us."
Gu Ren leaned back.
"And her identity?"
"I only know her name."
"Li Yanshu."
Finally, he stood.
"For now… you may rest," he said. "This place is safe."
"If you remember anything important, inform the guards. They'll notify me."
Li Yanshu gave a small nod.
"Understood."
The door closed behind him with a soft, final click.
Outside, his assistant asked,
"What do you think about this case Mr. Gu? Who could hold such deep grudges to massacre all those priests?"
"I don't know yet," Gu Ren replied. "But that girl—Bai Qingran—is not normal. From what I observed, her demeanor was calm… unusually calm."
"Isn't that normal?"
"No. I feel like she's hiding something. But without evidence, we can't detain her. Inform the guards to keep an eye on her. And verify her alibi—check thoroughly with the shopkeeper."
"Yes, Mr. Gu."
With that, they left.
Inside the room, Li Yanshu sat quietly, wearing the necklace, lost in deep thought.
"Tonight… will be long for everyone."
She stood up and walked to the window.
Looking out at the calm surroundings, she drifted deeper into her thoughts.