The male supporting character was actually myself.

"Hey? Then we need to hurry up, otherwise this kid will really rise to the top in no time!"

Besides... a good-for-nothing wouldn't attract much attention, but a good-for-nothing who can cultivate is at least a superhuman; surely someone would be willing to risk protecting him. If we don't act now, we'll be in trouble.”

"Meow~" Jiang Chen was so touched by the petting that she could only let out a soft, childish cry, "I've already made the arrangements. Ling Qiye should have already started making his move."

The Dali Temple prison was always pitch black, making it impossible to distinguish between day and night.

The torches stuck in the wall crackled intermittently, making the place seem even more tranquil.

"Someone come here!"

"I want to see the Director of the School Affairs Department!"

Ling Qiye carefully reviewed the plan provided by the little demon cat in his mind, took a deep breath, and shouted confidently towards the door.

The power of an eighth-level grandmaster was quite powerful, the sound was loud and clear but not harsh, and it instantly rang in the ears of all the prisoners and guards in the prison.

A guard on the second floor couldn't help but touch the back of his head, which was throbbing slightly. To this day, he still didn't understand why his head would hurt after drinking so much. He asked in a low voice, "Boss, things have been pretty peaceful since we improved Lord Ling's living conditions. What's wrong with him today?"

The guard captain scratched the back of his head, smacked his lips, and shook his head, saying, "That's a matter between big shots; it has nothing to do with us."

Go and tell Lord Ling that I have already reported this. As for whether the Education Bureau will come to see him, we can't say for sure. Also, say a few kind words to him and tell him not to cause trouble.

"Hmm, I don't think Lord Ling would make things difficult for us given his character." The other person muttered under his breath, "He's an eighth-level expert. If he really wanted to break the rules and do something, how could we possibly stop him?"

Look at Lord Ling, he's still quietly staying in prison. He's quite polite about seeing anyone he wants, and he hasn't come out to cause any trouble.

Upon hearing this, the prisoners all shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

Lord Ling is not as carefree as you think!

That night, although we don't know how you were knocked unconscious by him, everyone saw Lord Ling stride out with his official gait. When he came back, he was fierce and warned everyone not to utter a single word, or else he would kill you and not bury you!

When the guard captain rushed off to report, the council hall of the School Affairs Department was completely silent.

"You've checked it out. Are you sure this person is Lu Fan?" After staring at the documents on the table for a long time, Li Changguang, the director of the School Affairs Department, asked in a deep voice, "Have you verified the information about Baihe Academy and the Lu family?"

The deputy director was a beautiful woman with elegant hair and delicate eyebrows, as cold and aloof as a goddess. Her smooth and delicate skin made her age hard to guess, but her bright and beautiful eyes did indeed hold a deep sense of age. She spoke in a soft voice, "I personally verified that he is indeed that cripple from the Lu family who was expelled from the White Crane Academy after his martial arts were abolished."

"Just three days ago, he was making a living by writing letters on the street. In such a short time, he has repaired and opened up his damaged meridians again, and his cultivation aptitude is even better than before. What exactly happened to Lu Fan?"

"Director, Lu Fan is the first person since the revival of spiritual energy in ancient times to be able to reopen his meridians and continue cultivating after becoming a cripple!"

"Master Fan and the Pavilion Master of Treasure Pavilion have both had close contact with Lu Fan. It is said that when they first met, Lu Fan obviously had no spiritual energy fluctuations and was a cripple. However, when they met again the next day, although the spiritual energy on his body was weak, he was already able to cultivate."

They speculated that Lu Fan had a powerful, hidden figure behind him!

A small bottle of healing medicine that can instantly heal wounds when used externally and cure internal injuries when used internally, recently sold for fifteen taels of gold in Kyoto, was refined by the powerful figure hidden behind Lu Fan.

Even Master Lianfan couldn't deduce the exact nature of a single spiritual herb; such alchemy skills were far beyond the eighth level, and most likely belonged to a ninth-level grandmaster!

"A mysterious person capable of refining miraculous medicines? Then Lu Fan's ability to repair his meridians and cultivate again must also be their doing!"

The deputy director frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her beautiful eyes. "But I checked, and it's confirmed that Lu Fan only lives in the newly purchased courtyard. All the servants live in the backyard, and they can't step into his inner courtyard unless there's a reason."

If there really is a mysterious person who can evade my detection techniques, then that is truly…

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp filled the large council hall.

To be able to evade even the deputy director's investigation, must the other party's strength have already reached that level?

“You’ve already reached the threshold of level nine.” Director Li Changguang said coldly, his face expressionless. “If the person behind the scenes can remain undetected right under your nose, then they are the legendary great power who has crossed the threshold of level nine.”

Such a person, capable of concocting miraculous elixirs and restoring the bodies of the crippled to the point of being able to cultivate again, seems to have a special connection with the world.

But who exactly is this person?

When will you arrive at the capital of my Great Sui Dynasty?

And why was Lu Fan chosen?

Why does he so lavishly use his disabled body to promote his medical skills, and then demonstrate to us how he exchanges precious elixirs for money? What is his true intention?

Originally, it was thought that there were only a few pharmacists in the world who could reach the level of level nine. However, suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared in Kyoto, whose background was so mysterious that even the School Affairs Department had not figured out his details. This person was even more powerful than level nine. The heads and elders of the various departments of the School Affairs Department were worried.

Where did the other party come from?

What else do we need to do?

If the news that Lu Fan's crippled body could be cured spread again, and the person behind it is not under the control of the School Affairs Department, it will likely cause a lot of trouble.

If the other party is sending a signal of goodwill, that's fine, but what if they have other motives?

Given the mysterious pharmacist's influence and unknown level of power, will the School Affairs Department be able to control the chaotic situation?

"Send people to keep a close watch on that courtyard from a distance, and keep a close eye on Lu Fan's every move!" After a long discussion, Director Li Changguang instructed, "Be careful not to alert him or make any tests. We absolutely cannot let the person behind the scenes realize that we have malicious intentions."

The crowd responded and dispersed. Li Changguang closed his eyes slightly, leaned back in his chair, and fell into deep thought.

He really couldn't understand the other party's way of doing things. Why would they choose a disgraced outcast from White Crane Academy as their spokesperson?

The Lu family could not possibly have any dealings with a mysterious figure of this caliber. Could it be... that this person is related to the Qingyue Tower murder case?

Ling Qiye knows himself very well; he is definitely not a bloodthirsty person.

But so many people's testimonies were impeccable...

"Chief, someone from the Dali Temple has come to report that Ling Qiye requests to see you." The bodyguard hurried in, seeing the chief deep in thought with his eyes closed, knowing he was still troubled by Lu Fan's matter, and stepped forward to lower his voice, saying, "Ling Qiye said he knows Lu Fan's background, and also said..."

The guard paused for two seconds before continuing, "He also said he has solved the Qingyue Tower murder case!"

Chapter Thirteen: Your house has been raided!

"oh?!"

Li Changguang suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint in them, and turned his head slightly to ask, "Ling Qiye has left the dungeon?"

The guard hesitated and said, "I'm not sure."

According to news from the Dali Temple prison, Ling Qiye has never stepped out of his cell.

But a few nights ago, Chen Xingcai, a member of the School Affairs Department's guards, went to the Dali Temple to report that Ling Qiye had escaped from prison and was active in the Yujingfang area..."

"Chen Xingcai?" Li Changguang casually picked up two jade balls and twirled them in his hand, sneering, "If I remember correctly, he and Ling Qiye knew each other when they were still unknown. Was it Ling Qiye who introduced him to the School Affairs Department's guard?"

“That’s right, Chen Xingcai and Ling Qiye have a very good relationship, and this is not a secret.”

Li Changguang closed his eyes and said in a nonchalant tone, "The School Affairs Department will not retain treacherous and disloyal individuals."

Those who once lent him a helping hand have turned around and betrayed him, and not just to the Court of Judicial Review, but to the Department of Education. What a traitor!

"But it's not a big deal. Let him retire and return to his hometown. Otherwise, the Court of Judicial Review will laugh at him, making the Department of Investigation and Statistics seem too harsh."

"Yes!" The guard replied and was about to turn around to carry out his business when Li Changguang stopped him. "It's not too late to deal with him later. Now, accompany me to the Dali Temple."

Ling Qiye sat idly in the chair, fiddling with an ordinary-looking mirror in his hand.

When the little cat solemnly took out this item, it never expected that such an ordinary little thing, which could barely be called a mirror, could have such a great use!

Despite being a dignified eighth-level grandmaster, he didn't notice anything amiss and fell directly into the illusion created by the little demon cat, lingering there for a long time. If the little demon cat hadn't reminded him, he wouldn't have even realized it.

"Such a wondrous treasure has been passed down from ancient times! For the past few years, I've been so arrogant and self-important, thinking myself all-knowing." Ling Qiye shook his head and laughed self-deprecatingly as he looked at it. "I truly didn't know there were people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens. I was so ignorant of my own limitations!"

If he hadn't been wrongfully imprisoned this time, he probably would still be indulging in the arrogance of his youth and unaware of his past mistakes.

No wonder the little demon cat said that encountering this calamity might not be a bad thing; every cloud has a silver lining. However, the thought that he was less insightful than a mere kitten made Ling Qiye feel somewhat ashamed.

"Clang! Clang!"

Hearing the faint sounds of chains being opened and footsteps coming from above, Ling Qiye immediately perked up and became extremely alert.

Whether I can succeed in one fell swoop and not hold the little demon cat back depends on whether I can persuade the director to regain my freedom!

"Seven Nights, how have you been lately?" Li Changguang gestured for the guards to wait outside the door, then entered the darkest level of the prison. While asking questions, he looked the prisoner up and down and couldn't help but laugh. "The Dali Temple hasn't handled many cases involving superhumans. Even the most secure prison can only defend against level five at most."

"I imagine the people at the Dali Temple are having a terrible time with you here, terrified that something might go wrong and they won't be able to explain it to their superiors."

Ling Qiye stood inside the prison and bowed respectfully to him, saying, "Greetings, Chief Inspector."

“There are no outsiders here, so there’s no need for formalities between us.” Li Changguang waved his hand, shaking his head with a helpless smile. “I personally reviewed your case twice and interrogated the eyewitnesses, but I still couldn’t find the problem. You sent someone to summon me here; did you think of some crucial clue?”

As he spoke, he was completely unaware that Ling Qiye, in the opposite cell, had reflected the illusory mirror hidden in his hand before rising after finishing his greetings.

The torches stuck in the wall suddenly leaped up, the flames burning rapidly and illuminating the dim prison cell a little brighter.

Ling Qiye broke the iron lock with his bare hands, came out of the prison, spread a mat on the open space in the corridor, and gestured for him to leave. "The conditions are tough, please make do, Director."

The other party didn't act arrogantly, but lifted his long robe and sat on the mat, waiting for what was to come.

"Thank you for personally handling this, Director. I am deeply honored." As he spoke, he took a teapot and teacups from the cell table, poured hot tea, and served it to the patient. "However, this case is too strange, and it is indeed difficult to find a breakthrough with the precise testimonies of so many eyewitnesses."

Li Changguang took the teacup, sipped, and shook his head, saying, "The supervisor of the Dali Temple is a bit unreasonable. You are, after all, an investigator of the School Affairs Department, a high-ranking official of the fourth rank in the current dynasty. Even if you are just trying to avoid trouble because you are an eighth-level Grandmaster, you shouldn't be given such inferior tea."

Your case is indeed very difficult.

Too many eyewitness testimonies were flawless, and few traces were left at the scene.

I heard that during the interrogation the other day, you pointed me in the right direction to investigate the issue of the drinks at Yue Lou. However, it seems there hasn't been much progress. I trust your character; you're definitely not the kind of person who would commit a public murder, especially since the target is Song Yubai.”

Mentioning his best friend from the past, Ling Qiye's eyes dimmed. "I will definitely find the real culprit who killed him, avenge him, and clear my name! Director, I did invite you here today because I have more precise clues to provide, but before that, I would like to ask you a few questions."

Li Changguang took another sip of tea, indicating that he should feel free to ask questions.

"To be honest, Director, I did go out when I was first imprisoned." Ling Qiye knew that there was no point in lying to this insightful Director, so he simply confessed, "On the night of the incident, I did say goodbye to Yu Bai and go home to rest after having tea."

But when I woke up again, I was still in the Hibiscus Room of Qingyue Tower. So I thought that as long as I could find traces and clues in my home, I could clear myself of suspicion.

But……"

“But your home was destroyed.” Li Changguang put down his teacup and sighed. “I don’t know who did it. To this day, the School Affairs Department has not found any trace of human damage.”

This is also why your testimony was not used at all during the trial at the time—after on-site investigation, it was found that the time your villa collapsed was exactly the time when you went to the banquet and Song Yubai was drinking and having fun in the Furong Pavilion of Qingyue Tower.

"If that's the case, and the villa has completely collapsed, how did you manage to go back and sleep there for a night before waking up in the Hibiscus Pavilion?"

Ling Qiye: o(?Д?)っ!

W-what?

The house collapsed while I was still eating?

The little white cat perched on Ling Qiye's shoulder, watching the commotion, was immediately dumbfounded. "Aww~ You've been robbed! What a pitiful protagonist, tsk tsk tsk, if it weren't for my host's help, you'd probably be dead by now."

“It is indeed very strange that your villa collapsed without cause.” Li Changguang picked up his teacup again, blew on the leaves floating on the water, and took a sip. “The eyewitness—that is, the current prime minister Lin, who lives next door to you—personally testified that at 1:15 PM he was on the balcony preparing to admire the moon when he saw your villa rise up in a cloud of dust and then collapse completely without a sound.”

Many family members and servants of other important officials living nearby can also testify.