Zhao Rucheng came from a privileged background and purchased a residence near the Daoist academy for his own use. He had over a dozen servants tending to his needs, so he was rarely in the dormitory. Du Yehou, on the other hand, once he touched wine, it would be no fleeting matter.

Therefore, when Jiang Wang returned to the dormitory, he was surprised to find that the usually noisy and bustling room was empty save for himself.

After closing the door, he subconsciously glanced at the innermost bed on the left.

The bedding was meticulously arranged and exceptionally neat, the material no different from the others in the dormitory. At present, the bed was unoccupied, and it would remain so forever.

This was Fang Pengju’s bed. He was from a wealthy family, but he was never fussy or petty, drinking and eating with everyone without complaint.

The bed opposite Fang Pengju’s was empty, piled high with luggage.

The beds on both sides were arranged in a row, three on each side, terminating at this vacant space.

The second bed on the left, closest to Fang Pengju’s, was the most chaotic in the dormitory. The bedding was carelessly piled in a heap, scattered clothes merely served as decoration, and a faint aroma of wine permeated the air. If one were to look under the bed, they would see neatly arranged, densely packed wine jars. Compared to the living environment of the bed’s owner, these wine jars were clearly cared for meticulously.

The first bed on the left was near the door, and thus belonged to Ling He—he was always the one responsible for opening and closing the door for everyone. His bedding had a few inconspicuous patches, but it was washed exceptionally clean.

The first bed on the right was Jiang Wang’s, his bedding in similar condition to Ling He’s. Despite his long absence, the bed was still neat, obviously cleaned regularly. Perhaps it was Ling He, or perhaps Zhao Rucheng… or even Fang Pengju, perhaps.

Adjoining Jiang Wang’s, the second bed on the right belonged to Zhao Rucheng. His bed stood out in the entire dormitory. The bedding and sheets were all high-end goods from the Yunxiangzhai, and the small dormitory bed even had curtains embroidered with gold thread. A stark contrast to Du Yehou on the opposite side.

Those unfamiliar with him might find Zhao Rucheng difficult to get along with, but in truth, his living standards were simply too high. Even if he only stayed in the dormitory occasionally, he wanted it to be as luxurious and comfortable as possible. He even once offered to spend a thousand gold coins to transform the entire dormitory into a top-tier heavenly suite—if Jiang Wang hadn’t beaten him up for it.

From the age of fourteen when he entered the outer gate of the Daoist academy until now, Jiang Wang had spent three years in this dormitory. Every detail in the room was intimately familiar to him.

The objects remained, but the people were gone, and everything was changed.

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment, then he took off his shoes and socks, untied his outer robe, and lay down on his bed.

He was tired, exhausted, but only at this moment could he finally relax and sleep peacefully.

Awakening brings affairs, a dream awaits the sky.

The entire Maple Forest City was square and well-planned. The City Lord’s mansion was at the center, radiating in all directions. The eastern district belonged to the Daoist academy, while wealthy and noble families resided in the west. The southern district was mostly inhabited by commoners, while merchants and wealthy businessmen primarily gathered in the north.

Seeing Jiang Wang emerge safely from the dean’s meditation room, Ling He then carried Fang Pengju’s corpse away from the Daoist academy alone.

When Fang Pengju was alive, he was popular and had many friends, but in death, he was despised by everyone.

His actions were vile and malicious, deserving of such disdain.

Ling He didn’t feel sorry for him, but he still felt a pang of heartache.

He wrapped Fang Pengju’s body in his outer robe, a robe that was old but clean.

For his pace, the journey from the eastern district to the western district wasn’t far, and the road to the Fang family mansion was familiar. But Ling He walked slowly, his steps heavy.

He was reluctant.

He was the oldest, he should have taken care of his four sworn brothers, but he had failed to do so.

He still remembered the scene of their five-way brotherhood oath on the Green Willow River, and the bright smiles of each of the five brothers.

The Green Willow River was a tributary of the Qing River, winding around Bull Head Mountain, and the water in the river was crystal clear. It could reflect young faces, and young hearts. That year they roamed with swords and horses, that year they raised their glasses together, practiced martial arts countless times, and talked by candlelight countless nights.

They agreed to advance to the inner academy together, to soar through the azure sky on swords together, and to achieve transcendence and sainthood together. Those memories, those… agreements.

Ling He had never imagined that five people so like-minded and deeply devoted to each other would one day have brothers turn against each other, facing each other in life and death.

How could this be?

He thought.

He couldn’t understand, but he held Fang Pengju’s cold corpse and finally arrived in front of the Fang mansion.

“What is it?” the doorman stopped him and asked.

The Fang mansion’s residence was very tall, towering and high above.

“Oh.” Ling He, holding Fang Pengju’s corpse, bowed slightly as a greeting, “Fang Pengju has passed away, I’m bringing his body back to be buried by your esteemed household.”

If no one collected the body, it would be taken by the government to a mass grave for disposal. That was a place that was favored by heretical demons, and it would be difficult to find peace after death.

But Ling He thought these words were unnecessary, he was not one who liked to show off, nor did he think this was any kind of merit.

The doorman’s expression changed, and he slammed the door shut. A voice came from behind the door: “Take him away! The master said he’s not allowed in!”

“Brother,” Ling He said sincerely, “Please trouble yourself to inform your master again, no matter what, Pengju is still a descendant of the Fang family. They may just be saying angry words, they won’t ignore him.”

The doorman seemed hesitant for a moment, “I’ll go ask again… Don’t try to break in!”

“Brother, rest assured.”

Ling He, holding Fang Pengju’s corpse, stood firmly in front of the Fang mansion, listening to the hurried footsteps receding.

He lowered his head and said to Fang Pengju’s already cold face: “Pengju, what kind of outrageous things did you do? Even in death, no one will remember your good deeds, hated by gods and men.”

After a long time, the doorman’s voice sounded again behind the door.

“The master said.” He paused, repeating the Fang mansion owner’s tone, “He’s already dead, what’s the point of bringing him back?”

Ling He was stunned for a moment, then said falteringly: “The Fang family is a family that values dignity, they should give Pengju dignity.”

“The master said, he already knows the cause of Fang Pengju’s death. Such an unrighteous person is not of the Fang family’s bloodline!”

“But he is, of the Fang family’s bloodline.” Ling He said.

“Leave!” The doorman threw a handful of knife coins from the crack in the door, “If you continue to pester us, we’ll report you to the authorities!”

The knife coins fell to the ground with a clatter, attracting attention. If they were used to simply bury a corpse, they would be more than enough. The extra money was a tip.

This was the Fang family’s attitude.

Ling He was silent.

He no longer tried to say anything.

He was poor, always poor since he was a child. He was short of money, his only intact outer robe was wrapped around Fang Pengju’s corpse, and his inner shirt was covered with patches. He stood in front of the magnificent Fang mansion, like a poor relative who had been turned away.

He held Fang Pengju’s corpse and turned to leave.

From beginning to end, he didn’t look at the knife coins.

This was Ling He’s attitude.