“Over and over?” He Lingchuan was especially wary of those words. “You didn’t draw the Heavenly Palace’s attention, did you?”

“Do you think they had the attention to spare?” Juju laughed. “Both major suspects in the elixir of youth case are on Tianshu Peak right now.”

He Lingchuan smiled faintly. “State Preceptor Qing Yang and Nian Zanli?”

“Exactly.” Juju said, “Ever since she was escorted in, State Preceptor Qing Yang hasn’t said a word. That Nian fellow, though, shouted himself hoarse.”

He Lingchuan was curious. “Didn’t you say you couldn’t hear the interrogation?”

“Not inside the Molten Palace or Star-Plucking Tower. But several times, when they escorted him out, he roared that he’d been wronged and framed by others. One time, even the tourists outside Star-Plucking Tower heard him. After that, whenever they brought him out again, they stuffed his mouth until he couldn’t say anything.”

He Lingchuan smiled. “Framed by others? The Heavenly Palace won’t like hearing that.”

Nian Zanli still had not figured out who had framed him, which was why he remained so vigorous, still dreaming that his name might be cleared of injustice. State Preceptor Qing Yang, on the other hand, understood the whole chain of cause and effect perfectly. Now, she did not bother with useless protest.

Before long, they climbed to their destination.

This wild...