Luoxia Lake.

In the night, Yan Wenli stood at the entrance to a small courtyard, his distinctive raspy voice inquiring, "Is this the place?"

"Yes, Dean. We have confirmed it," He Changle, the head of the Supervision Bureau's Second Division who followed him, respectfully replied.

The Supervision Bureau's Second Division was responsible for collecting and summarizing intelligence, and investigating a dean's residence was a trivial matter for them.

They could even precisely investigate the frequency of someone's marital activities and how many times per night they got up to urinate...

Guard against theft, guard against spying, guard against the Monitoring Bureau—these were the three great fears in the minds of the Empire's officials.

"That's good," Yan Wenli nodded, speaking up, "These courtyards are all occupied by cultured people. Let's not disturb their peace by making a mistake."

"Yes, there will absolutely be no mistakes," He Changle assured, "Dean, shall I break down the door?"

"Uncouth," Yan Wenli chastised, "Step back, I'll knock."

"Dean..." He Changle positioned himself in front of Yan Wenli, worried about ambushes inside or some reckless thing shooting lethal bullets.

"Move, move," Yan Wenli kicked He Changle aside, cursing as he spoke, "What an indignity. Do you know who lives here? It's the dean of the Imperial First Military Academy, one of the most cultured men in this country... What does all this noise and commotion look like?"

Seeing the dean truly angered, no one dared to persuade further; they stepped aside, gripping their weapons, ready to surge in for a rescue at any moment.

Creak!

The courtyard door opened in response.

An old woman dressed in a gray Tang suit stood at the doorway, addressing Yan Wenli standing outside, "You must be Dean Yan? Lao Shang asked me to invite you in for tea."

Yan Wenli bowed slightly to the old woman, politely saying, "Excuse the disturbance."

After speaking, he stepped into the courtyard.

He Changle and a few others followed closely behind Yan Wenli, storming into the courtyard.

"Commander, should we go in?" A man wearing a mask looked toward the woman riding an aerial motorbike, asking aloud.

These aerial motorbikes, stylish in design, resembled the heavily equipped motorbikes popular before the great disaster and yachts that would sail in the seas afterward.

However, these could cruise above in the high skies.

Though their flying altitude was not as high as Star Discs or Starships, their performance was much more exceptional than the common household Flying Cars.

Known for their speed and agility, they were mainly equipped in special military units or police forces.

Including the Black Knight Army of the Supervision Bureau Fifth Division.

In the interstellar age, they couldn't exactly run off to find a group of warhorses for transport.

A single energy cannon or cluster missiles firing might well result in massive casualties.

These aerial motorbikes were equipped with the fiercest weaponry and the most advanced defensive systems, an Energy Shield when activated, could immediately dodge artillery attacks and even withstand bullet fire...

This was not something a mere flesh and blood body could achieve.

"You come with me to protect the dean," Yan Jinnian said gravely.

Yan Jinnian, deputy head of the Supervision Bureau Fifth Division and commander of the Black Knight Army, controlled one of the most significant armed forces of the Monitoring Bureau.

"Yes," the masked man agreed, leaping down from the aerial motorbike, and following Yan Jinnian towards the courtyard.

When Yan Wenli entered, Shang Xiulin was sitting at the tea table boiling water for tea.

He poured the boiling water into the teapot, felt the warmth through his fingertips, then slowly poured the waste water out.

Carefully, he pinched a small amount of tea leaves into the pot, washed them with boiling water again, pausing momentarily, then quickly discarded the first wash of the tea.

This was the rinse.

Pouring in a second infusion of boiling water, he waited a bit longer this time, lifting the lid of the teapot slightly, a burst of tea aroma assaulted the senses.

Only then did he pour all the tea into a fairness cup; if steeped too long, the tea would grow old, turning its flavor sour and bitter.

It was only at this point that he picked up the fairness cup, pouring the golden-yellow tea into two porcelain cups titled "After the Rain Clears."

Shang Xiulin made an inviting gesture, picked up the tea in front of him, smelled its aroma, and then slowly took a sip, saying, "Dean Yan, is this your first time visiting my humble abode?"

"Indeed, it is my first time, I accept Dean Shang's criticism," Yan Wenli said with a chuckle.

He picked up his tea, gulped down the contents in one go.

Dabbing his mouth, he spoke with lingering taste, "Just started to enjoy the flavor, and it's gone… Drinking alcohol is better, it's simple, direct, exhilarating."

"After finishing, it even goes to your head, leaving you dizzily relaxed, which is rare for people like us."

"You know, in our line of work, we offend many and many keep us in their thoughts... So, we must always keep our eyes wide open, ears perked. At the slightest rustle of the grass, we must be ready to jump up, grab weapons, and fight for our lives."

"Living is not easy," Yan Wenli said while passing his teacup forward again.

"Yes, nobody's life is easy."

Shang Xiulin refilled his empty cup with more tea and spoke out, "Our paths differ, so we do not scheme together, which is why I have never invited Dean Yan over for tea."

"Then am I an unwelcome guest tonight, arriving uninvited?"

"Even an unwelcome guest deserves a cup of warm tea."

Shang Xiulin looked at Yan Wenli, his expression calm, and said, "Now that we've had our tea and reminisced about old times, Dean Yan can state his business."

"To speak the truth, it's rather embarrassing. I didn't expect my first face-to-face meeting with Dean Shang would be in such a circumstance."

Yan Wenli rubbed his crumpled face, looking regretful, "Don't think Lao Yan is uneducated, but I have the utmost respect for scholars."

"Especially for someone like Dean Shang, a figure like Mount Tai or the North Star, whom I have long admired in my heart. I thought that when we would meet, it should be over wine and happy conversations about current affairs…"

Shang Xiulin continued drinking his tea, unmoved by Yan Wenli's words, and spoke, "Dean Yan, I have heard much about your actions… You are not a sentimental person, are you? Why the pretense of delicacy?"

"Ah, it seems Dean Shang has misunderstood me," Yan Wenli sighed softly, looked at Shang Xiulin and said, "Even if I didn't say it, Dean Shang should know the reason for our visit tonight."

"Please just say it, so I can die knowing."

"We suspect Dean Shang of conspiring with Tang Family's traitors, sheltering fugitives of the Empire."

"Is the Tang Family truly traitors? And who is the fugitive of the Empire?" Shang Xiulin asked sternly.

Yan Wenli squinted his eyes, smiling, and pointed at Shang Xiulin, "Dean Shang, do you realize that just with these few words… we can affirm you are a member of the Tang Family's traitors?"

"Of course, you can. The Monitoring Bureau has not been short of forced confessions or wrongful deaths… one more or one less of Shang Xiulin does not make a difference."

"That's not the same. You are the dean of the Imperial First Military Academy, a leading figure in education, esteemed by thousands, having disciples innumerous, including Tang Li from twenty years ago…"

Shang Xiulin's gaze turned sharp, his voice cold, "I have thousands of disciples, and Tang Li is just one among them. Am I to be held accountable for every disciple's actions?"

"To be honest, I truly do not wish to inconvenience Dean Shang if possible. But unfortunately…" Yan Wenli sighed softly, "Dean Shang, please accompany us to the Supervision Bureau. Some things are better discussed there."

"I can go with you," Shang Xiulin said in a deep voice, "I have an old wife at home, and her health is not good. Can you avoid disturbing her?"

He knew what kind of place the Supervision Bureau was, this visit might mean never coming back.

"That's not a problem," Yan Wenli nodded in agreement.

"And there are the children, they have no idea…"

"I'm afraid that will disappoint Dean Shang," Yan Wenli shook his head, speaking gravely, "Before we came, we had already sent two groups to fetch your son and daughter…"

The pain in his eyes flickered momentarily. Shang Xiulin knew it was unrealistic to bargain with these wolves. Resigned and fearless, he put down his teacup and said, "Let's go."

"Lao Shang, I will go with you," the old lady stepped forward, grabbing Shang Xiulin's hand, her voice firm.

"Nonsense," Shang Xiulin shook off his old partner's hand, saying, "You, an old woman, what do you understand?"

"I don't understand anything, but I know how to take care of you," the old lady said, her eyes reddening but smiling, "You've only known how to read books, teach, how would you know how to light a fire, cook? How would you tell apart MSG from salt?"

"You love braised pork, but do you know how to cook it? Can you mend clothes if they tear? If you go, what meaning is there for me to stay behind alone?"

"Let's go, I will accompany you, it's better to have company."

"Companion in old age, isn't that what it means?"

"…"

Shang Xiulin looked at his old wife before him, his heart aching, and he was speechless for a long time.

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