Yao Ji and Ye Chonglou exclaimed in unison. Both quick-witted, they instantly understood.

“You anticipated this… This was your plan,” Ye Chonglou murmured, seemingly unfazed by Pei Yan’s revelation that Yun Qianbei still lived. “Worthy of the title ‘Heaven’s Calculator’…” He suddenly burst into laughter. “Calculating all worldly affairs and principles, how could such a small predicament trap you?” A flicker of despair flashed in his cold eyes, then vanished just as quickly. “If you want to kill me, go ahead.”

“Why would I kill you?” Pei Yan said calmly. “I invited you here for three reasons. First…” He revealed two books from his sleeve. One, worn and damaged, was the Wen Du Jing delivered to the Heavenly Capital from the Fortress. The other, pristine and new, bore the same title on its cover. “To return something to its rightful owner.”

These two copies of the Wen Du Jing, one written by Yun Guo and the other by Pei Mingzhu, ultimately belonged to Yun Guo. As Yun Guo's son, Ye Chonglou was the rightful heir. Returning the Wen Du Jing to him was like returning a precious jade to its original owner.

Yao Ji had initially assumed Pei Yan traded with the Fortress to obtain the antidote for the Jade Dew Frost, only now realizing his sight had been restored. A tremor ran through her. She finally grasped the true extent of the gentle Pei Yan’s cunning, his ability to manipulate people and events like pieces on a chessboard. Just as Ye Chonglou said, Heaven’s Calculator, indeed a well-deserved title.

But when had he realized something was amiss? If it was before they confessed their feelings for each other, Yao Ji’s heart plummeted. Could it mean all his affection had been a pretense?

“Second,” Pei Yan’s gentle voice continued, “to inform you of Yun Qianbei’s whereabouts.”

Ye Chonglou’s pupils constricted sharply. Yao Ji couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Ye Chonglou’s apparent indifference was a facade, masking his shock and agitation. He simply refused to show weakness before his enemy. But if Pei Yan spoke the truth, could Yun Guo still be alive?

“When my mother stabbed Yun Qianbei, she was near death, but still clinging to life…” Pei Yan explained.

Although Pei Mingzhu harbored deep hatred for Yun Guo, a shred of compassion remained. She mercilessly killed Pei Yan’s father but spared Yun Guo. However, with her meridians severed, Yun Guo wouldn't have survived. To keep her alive, Pei Mingzhu used a secret healing technique from the Wen Du Jing. Yun Guo remained in a death-like slumber for years.

Later, driven mad and developing a split personality as “Yun Guo,” Pei Mingzhu, with her exceptional medical skills, devoted herself to finding a way to awaken the real Yun Guo. Sensing her impending death, she sent the rewritten Wen Du Jing to Pei Yan. By then, he had uncovered the truth about his mother’s past and understood her intentions upon seeing the book.

“She wanted me to use the medical techniques she’d developed to continue prolonging Yun Qianbei’s life.”

Following Pei Mingzhu’s clues, Pei Yan found Yun Guo hidden in a secluded location and took on his mother's mission.

“Just over a year ago,” he said softly, “I sensed signs of Yun Qianbei’s awakening.”

Intending to return Yun Guo to Boundless Sea Pavilion after her full recovery, Pei Yan began investigating the sect. Due to the past events,  Boundless Sea Pavilion had avoided the Central Plains for nineteen years. Aware of Le Yin Furen’s passing, Pei Yan wanted to avoid complications and sent people to discreetly investigate. It was then he discovered  Boundless Sea Pavilion’s subtle maneuvers, or more accurately, Ye Chonglou’s.

Pei Yan knew  Boundless Sea Pavilion harbored resentment towards the Heavenly Capital Prefecture, but Le Yin Furen never showed any intention of revenge. He grew suspicious when he sensed Hanhai Pavilion’s hostility. If even Le Yin Furen, the most likely to seek revenge, hadn't acted, why would a successor target him?

Just like Yao Ji, he wondered why Ye Chonglou, merely Yun Guo’s nephew, would provoke the Heavenly Capital without a significant grievance.

Driven by this, Pei Yan’s thorough investigation finally led him to the possibility that Ye Chonglou was Yun Guo’s son.

Everything suddenly made sense. Pei Yan calmly lured Ye Chonglou into his trap, allowing  Boundless Sea Pavilion to plant spies in his residence, feigning carelessness on outings, and intentionally succumbing to the Dream Soul Incense… All of it was under his control.

The only unforeseen variable was Yao Ji.