The Academy’s Mysterious Case

Night, the moon shrouded, the wind cutting through darkness.

Nanshan Academy stood outside the city of Yanqiao, built against the southern hills, which gave it its name. Behind the academy, a small lake lay nestled in the mountain’s shadow, tranquil and secluded—once, on summer nights, young men and women would gather here to play. But lately, none dared approach.

A death had occurred here not long ago.

Yet tonight, two scholars ventured to this forbidden place.

As they neared the lake’s edge, a chilling wind pierced their garments, sending involuntary shivers through their bodies.

“Brother Shaoan, why did you insist on bringing me here… Isn’t this… isn’t this the spot where Situyan took her own life?” The slender scholar’s knees knocked together, refusing to take another step toward the dark, ominous shore.

The scholar ahead was sturdier in build, tall even from behind, his voice deep and resonant. “If we want to resolve this once and for all, we must come here.”

The wind rustled the outer woods, a sound like footsteps behind them. The thin scholar spun around, startled, circling twice before seeing no one, and finally exhaled in relief.

He spoke again to the one ahead, “I really don’t see what needs resolving. If you ask me, this affair has nothing to do with me. When you all bullied Situyan, I barely took part—maybe called her an ugly freak a couple of times… Now she’s dead, what else can be done?”

His lips kept moving, rambling on, as if warding off his own fear.

“Indeed, you did nothing…” the tall scholar’s voice was tinged with darkness.

“Oh, enough with the riddles!” the thin one cried impatiently.

“Then…” The tall scholar turned his face, the moon revealing half his features, cold and severe. “Do you recognize me?”

“Wu Shaoan!” the thin scholar recoiled at his tone, his voice tinged with anger. “What are you up to, really? If there’s nothing, I’m not staying in this cursed place with you! I’ll move my family out of Yanqiao tomorrow, save myself the worry.”

“Zhang Cong, do you… truly not recognize me?” the tall scholar pressed, suddenly spinning around to reveal his whole face.

The right half remained as before, but the left was now covered in thick scars, as if ravaged by fire, the eye socket distorted to a horrifying degree.

And—strangely—it seemed almost feminine.

“Ah!” The thin scholar shrieked, stumbling backward, his legs giving way, collapsing to the ground.

In that moment, the untouched skin of the tall scholar’s face began to peel, flaking away like cracked plaster, revealing beneath a deathly pale woman’s countenance.

“Situyan… spare me… spare me…” the thin scholar pleaded, crawling backward, mumbling, then scrambled up and bolted toward the woods, running with all his might.

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He fled, shouting as he ran, “Help! There’s a ghost!”

Only after escaping the grove did he pause, breathless and gasping. He looked back into the shadowy forest; it seemed no one was in pursuit…

“Ugh—”

Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, his own hands seized his throat, his eyes bulging as the left side of his face began to flake away, revealing dense burn scars…

“Spare me… I beg you, spare me…”

“Please… ah…”

…

“Nanshan Academy haunted—why have they called us in?” Chu Liang asked Lin Bei as they walked down the bustling streets of Yanqiao.

Earlier, Lin Bei had hurriedly brought him to sign up for the task, saying the reward was substantial. So Chu Liang hadn’t asked much until now.

This place was not far from Mount Shu, and disciples of the Shu Sect were somewhat familiar with Yanqiao. Whenever a strange case arose, it was usually handled by Shu Sect disciples.

Yet, there were exceptions.

For instance, temples—if problems arose there, Buddhist cultivators were summoned. Or academies—if trouble brewed, it was Confucian cultivators who took charge.

Unless circumstances were special, the three sects never crossed boundaries. It would create trouble for their own and provoke others.

“Haha…” Lin Bei laughed. “Matters within the academy are for Confucian cultivators to solve. Our job is simply to protect one student.”

He pointed to a grand mansion guarded by stone lions, its gate adorned with a plaque reading “Li Residence.”

“Master Li is a renowned figure in Yanqiao, and his only son, Li Jue, studies at Nanshan Academy. Recently, the academy has been haunted, and two students have died.”

“He fears for his son’s safety, so he’s hired us from the Shu Sect to protect him for a time. Once the case is resolved, our mission is complete.”

“Payment by the day.”

Hearing this, Chu Liang relaxed.

Master Li paid the Shu Sect in solid silver, and the Shu Sect rewarded them with sword coins—a currency he was eager to accumulate, especially as he planned to buy a flying sword. He needed such well-paid tasks.

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It was as if the pillow appeared just as he was about to doze off.

“Oh dear, young heroes from Shu Sect, you’ve finally arrived!” Master Li greeted them with his whole family in tow, a generous display of respect.

Such was the advantage of being a cultivator—even the wealthiest, most powerful mortals would always pay their respects.

“No need for such formality, we’re but junior members of Shu Sect,” Lin Bei replied warmly. “I’m Lin Bei, and this is my fellow disciple, Chu Liang. You seem a few years younger than my father, so I’ll call you Uncle Li, and treat your son as a brother.”

He turned to Chu Liang, “Don’t be too reserved, make yourself at home.”

Chu Liang smiled slightly.

With someone so adept at social niceties handling things, he could save himself much trouble.

He noticed a silent, downcast youth behind Master Li, dressed in simple clothes, pale and about sixteen or seventeen, with dark circles under his eyes, looking weary and burdened.

That must be Li Jue, his only son, and he seemed troubled by many concerns.

As they passed through the mansion’s inner courtyards, Lin Bei was already arm-in-arm with Master Li.

“Uncle Li, don’t worry. I’ve got your boy covered. From today, we’ll be at his side every hour, twelve hours a day. From the start of Shu Sect to its end, just ask around about Lin Bei…”

“My dear nephews, actually, there’s one more request…” Master Li smiled, his bushy mustache twitching. “Though I’ve asked you to protect Li Jue, could you… keep it from others?”

“Keep it from others? What do you mean?” Both Lin Bei and Chu Liang were puzzled.

“I mean… Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for you to enroll at Nanshan Academy. You’ll attend classes, keep an eye on Li Jue, and come home after school. But in the meantime, don’t let anyone see you’re there to protect him—can you do that?” Master Li rubbed his hands in supplication.

“Uncle Li, we’ll certainly follow your wishes. But may I ask… why?” Lin Bei inquired.

“That’s hard to explain…” Master Li smiled, but remained evasive.

He wanted someone to protect his son… yet didn’t want outsiders to know?

Chu Liang glanced at the silent Li Jue and the hand-wringing Master Li.

What were they hiding?

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