The mind of a wise person

Xǔ Tiānlí, who had been diligently working alone, heard the sound of a car engine shutting off outside.

He instinctively slowed his movements.

Occasionally, the orphanage welcomed kind-hearted individuals who came to choose a child for adoption.

During such times, the normally playful youngsters would become remarkably well-behaved, their eyes gleaming as they gazed at the potential future parents.

As the visitor stepped into the courtyard, Xǔ Tiānlí had already put on his jacket.

He noticed it was a somewhat familiar man.

The newcomer was slender and of average height.

His serious gaze swept over the children before settling on Xǔ Tiānlí.

The man smiled and walked directly towards Xǔ Tiānlí.

“You must be Mr. Xǔ Tiānlí, correct?”

“Hello, and you are?”

“My name is Ren Qi.”

“I’m Branch Head Féng’s deputy.”

“Oh, it’s you.”

At that, Xǔ Tiānlí remembered.

When he had previously collaborated with the Heaven’s Will Bureau, there had indeed been someone running errands under Féng Yè’s orders—the very man standing before him.

“I’ve also come this time with Branch Head Féng’s orders.”

“Alright, I think I know what this is about.”

Xǔ Tiānlí dispersed the curious little ones.

Upon learning that Ren Qi wasn’t there to adopt, their faces showed a mix of happiness and disappointment.

“The environment here is much better than I imagined,” Ren Qi remarked after observing his surroundings.

“We just renovated some things recently.”

Bringing up the topic, Xǔ Tiānlí couldn’t help but praise his master.

Without her help, the orphanage’s quality of life would not have improved so significantly.

Even the children confined to their sickbeds had, for once, managed to smile.

What they saw now was merely the group of children who could freely run around the orphanage.

Behind the high walls, hidden from outsiders, many children remained bedridden, tormented by illness.

They couldn’t go out and play during their most vibrant years, much less meet someone willing to adopt them.

Even if all the other children were adopted, it was unlikely anyone would spare a glance for these poor little ones afflicted by sickness.

Fortunately, the orphanage had encountered the benevolent Qín Yuè.

She had contributed her strength to rescuing the children from the Wolf Fang Gang and had also donated the full reward received from assisting the Heaven’s Will Bureau to the orphanage.

Other visitors were invariably frightened away by the oppressive atmosphere when they entered the infirmary, but she was different.

She would even turn around and show concern for those children.

The two entered the main hall and sat facing each other.

“It seems the atmosphere here has improved significantly since Master Qín arrived,” Ren Qi said, offering a polite smile.

Xǔ Tiānlí first closed the door, then reminded the little ones not to eavesdrop before asking for the true purpose of Ren Qi’s visit.

“I am indeed here for Master Qín.”

“More precisely, Branch Head Féng wishes to speak with her.”

“Is it because of the recent cases?”

“Why not contact Master directly?”

Xǔ Tiānlí recalled that whenever the Heaven’s Will Bureau needed her before, she would go directly.

“That’s the peculiar thing about our Branch Head.”

“If he owes too many favors, he’ll be too embarrassed to greet people when he runs into them on the street.”

Ren Qi had worked by Féng Yè’s side for several years and was well aware of his superior’s style.

“Besides, we aren’t entirely sure of Master Qín’s temperament.”

“It would be troublesome if she found us annoying.”

“So you came to me first, then, right?”

Xǔ Tiānlí finally understood.

Since he was Qín Yuè’s student and the person closest to her in the city, his involvement would significantly increase the chances of success.

“Mr. Xǔ, we know you’re a hot-blooded young man.”

“With such a major incident happening in Wufeng City, you surely wouldn’t stand idly by, would you?”

“Of course, I want to catch the culprit too.”

Based on the news he’d gathered, the perpetrator chose victims with no discernible pattern, meaning the orphanage could be targeted next.

Xǔ Tiānlí had specifically instructed Director Wang to contact him immediately if anything happened, so he could inform Qín Yuè without delay.

Ren Qi’s arrival perfectly aligned with his wishes.

Rather than passively waiting, it was better to take the initiative, resolve the trouble, and prevent any further complications.

“However, my willingness doesn’t mean Master is willing,” Xǔ Tiānlí said, changing his tone.

“I think she’s not in a very good mood today.”

“Uh, did something happen?”

“I’m not sure myself.”

“I don’t know Master that well.”

“Oh, really?”

“I always thought you two were inseparable, seemed like you had a very good relationship.”

“…”

Xǔ Tiānlí merely scratched the back of his head, remaining silent.

When he truly pondered the question, he suddenly found himself caught in a whirlwind of thoughts.

It had been about a month since he met Qín Yuè.

During this month, he had received no small amount of her care and assistance.

In fact, without Qín Yuè, Xǔ Tiānlí would probably still be in a dark corner, pricking a doll resembling Mù Qīngyǔ.

Qín Yuè, as a teacher, was a very serious person.

She always left blanks, prompting Xǔ Tiānlí to guess her intentions.

Though it might sound a bit irresponsible, he had to admit that this method was highly effective.

Each moment of sudden realization made Xǔ Tiānlí feel his own growth.

As for Qín Yuè in her daily life, Xǔ Tiānlí didn’t know much.

Every evening, Qín Yuè would bid him farewell and return to her residence in the mountains behind.

What kind of person was she in her everyday life?

Was she as serious as in class, meticulous about every small detail, or did she separate life and work, becoming very relaxed during her time off?

However, there was one thing Xǔ Tiānlí was certain of.

Qín Yuè understood him incredibly well, as if she knew his past, present, and even his future outcome like the back of her hand.

Investigating an ordinary person’s background was not difficult for a high-level Spirit Wielder, yet Xǔ Tiānlí, as the subject, still found it a bit unsettling.

He always had the illusion of being used, as if Qín Yuè’s approach to him had an ulterior motive.

If that were the case, what was her purpose?

A mere tool, completely obedient to her?

No, then she wouldn’t have sought out a good-for-nothing like Xǔ Tiānlí.

Or perhaps, she simply held an old grudge against the Four Sacred Courts and merely wanted to elevate him to spite her enemy?

No matter how he thought about it, she remained inscrutable.

‘I really need to understand Master more,’ Xǔ Tiānlí sighed inwardly.

“I can try to help you, but I can’t guarantee success.”

“That would be excellent.”

The two stood up, left the hall, and walked to the door of a room upstairs.

Xǔ Tiānlí knocked and called out for his master a few times.

A moment later, a response came: “Come in.”

“Okay.”

They pushed the door open, revealing Mù Qīngyǔ with her dark hair, sitting cross-legged on the bed, slowly opening her golden eyes.

“What is it?”

Xǔ Tiānlí and Ren Qi quickly summarized the situation, then stated their intention to ask for her help.

‘More trouble,’ Mù Qīngyǔ thought.

She wasn’t surprised by their request, as she had also been following the recent cases.

How to put it?

It sounded like a difficult situation to resolve.

No joking, it was even more dangerous than the previous kidnapping case.

This time, the enemies they faced were far more vicious than those robbers.

The fact that they could commit serial crimes indicated they no longer valued human life.

Not wanting to stir up trouble, and with her thoughts exceptionally restless today, making it hard to settle down, Mù Qīngyǔ maintained a cold, indifferent expression throughout, her voice tinged with impatience.

“I refuse.”

“…Master, won’t you reconsider?”

“I said, I refuse.” Mù Qīngyǔ frowned slightly.

“This is the Heaven’s Will Bureau’s responsibility.”

“Why do you always think of relying on me?”

“If you throw everything at me, what good are you?”

“You might as well tie me to the sky and monitor Wufeng City twenty-four hours a day.”

“This…” Ren Qi couldn’t refute her and could only look to Xǔ Tiānlí for help.

Xǔ Tiānlí stepped forward and said, “Master, I think this might be a good opportunity for training.”

“How about I…”

“Xǔ Tiānlí, just do your own thing.”

“Don’t meddle in matters that don’t concern you.”

Mù Qīngyǔ cut him off.

“Have you forgotten your goal?”

“Revenge.”

“Just because you’ve grown stronger, you think you can handle anything?”

“Don’t you know your own limits?”

“Think carefully about what you should and shouldn’t do.”

“Ah haha, indeed, it’s nothing compared to you, Master.”

Xǔ Tiānlí had never seen Qín Yuè respond to him with such a firm attitude.

Continuing to press the issue would only make everyone unhappy, so he could only leave with Ren Qi.

As they walked downstairs, Ren Qi couldn’t help but speak.

“Master Qín, is she on her period?”

“Nonsense.” Xǔ Tiānlí’s expression immediately turned grim.

“Just a joke.”

“Of course, I know Master Qín has lived for many years and wouldn’t have such a thing anymore.”

Ren Qi quickly apologized.

“I was just a bit out of line.”

“I don’t know what to tell the Branch Head when I go back.”

“Is she always this difficult to talk to?”

“No, only today.”

Xǔ Tiānlí also found it strange.

He felt that something was off with Qín Yuè.

Her snapping at every little thing really did resemble someone on their period.

‘No, it’s probably the side effect of that so-called spell, right?’

‘Because what she wanted to do failed and had a negative impact, her mood turned sour.’

‘She’s acting like a little girl, it’s kind of cute.’

Just as Ren Qi was about to take his leave, Xǔ Tiānlí suddenly stopped him.

“Perhaps Master is hinting at something.”

“Huh?”

“Do you remember the last thing she said to me?”

‘Think carefully about what you should and shouldn’t do.’

Ren Qi pondered for a moment.

“Isn’t that just a warning?”

“No, Master loves to speak in reverse.”

Xǔ Tiānlí recalled his second lesson, what happened in the market.

“Perhaps Master already has a plan, but she’s deliberately not telling us.”

“Why?” Ren Qi genuinely couldn’t understand.

“Who can truly understand the mind of a master?”