Chapter 27: Judgment at the Crossroads

No matter how much someone might grit their teeth inwardly, few would let their feelings show so plainly—yet she did, and in any case, there were no points deducted for it.

Anyone hearing that sound, seeing that expression, would naturally ask, “What’s wrong?”

But none of the three in the car spoke.

The hovercar sped across the Yangtze, drawing nearer to Lin Xiaosu’s hometown with every passing moment...

Suddenly, a faint glow lit the interior, as if a document had materialized out of the star-strewn sky.

At the top, the title read: “Lin Xiaosu’s Official Membership Application.”

Below, marked in red, was a large cross. Next to it, in bold scarlet script: “Upon review, this probationary member does not meet the requirements for confirmation.”

A bright red seal: Qianlong Review Committee.

Lin Xiaosu was stunned.

No. 88’s face darkened instantly.

Evernight’s expression changed dramatically as well: “Rejected? On what grounds?”

Her finger tapped lightly, opening an attached file...

Within, a criminal judgment.

Lin Yaojun, on July 3rd, 2098 of the Great Xia Calendar, was convicted of homicide and sentenced to twelve years in prison.

Lin Xiaosu is Lin Yaojun’s grandson. According to Article 177 of the Qianlong Regulations, any direct descendant within three generations of a serious offender is barred from joining Qianlong.

Evernight spoke quietly, “When we brought him into 101, this record had been checked eight times over. Everyone agreed at the time. Now, out of nowhere, this is raised to block his path?”

No. 88’s expression was darker than ever. He replied, “The ‘serious offender’ mentioned in Article 177 typically refers to treason or espionage. This has never included ‘involuntary manslaughter’!”

“I know about this too!” Crescent leapt up. “His grandfather’s act was, in fact, considered heroic—he accidentally caused a death while intervening for justice. He died because of it, and Lin Xiaosu hadn’t even been born yet. Why should that bar him from Qianlong?... No, we must appeal! We have to appeal!”

Evernight pointed at the screen ahead. “That’s precisely the problem. The red cross signifies a final verdict. No appeals accepted.”

“Damn it all!” Crescent slapped her own forehead, exhaling softly as she looked at Lin Xiaosu. “Lin Xiaosu, your luck is worse than mine.”

The car was silent—stiflingly so.

A minute passed. Then two.

Lin Xiaosu’s gaze finally drifted away from the notice.

In front of him were the faces of three comrades.

Angry, sorrowful...

Lin Xiaosu smiled gently.

His smile remained as serene and calm as ever.

For a moment, none of his comrades knew what to say.

A dazzling genius, a hero who had distinguished himself in action—who, upon his triumphant return, was met with such a verdict.

No one could accept it.

But they belonged to Qianlong. Duty and discipline bound them—they could not question their superiors. They didn’t even know how to comfort him.

Lin Xiaosu spoke softly, “I’m home now. May I get out? Let me go home.”

The hovercar came to an abrupt halt in midair.

Below, the summit of Mount Ta.

No one spoke.

No. 88’s finger hovered over the suspension release, trembling ever so slightly.

He was home. He wanted to go home...

And with this, he would officially leave Qianlong behind.

From now on, this brilliant comrade would no longer be one of them.

Perhaps only those who have truly known the camaraderie of battle can understand this pain—a pain that is hard to bear.

The hovercar descended slowly, finally settling atop the trees, coming to rest on a cliff’s edge.

The door opened. Lin Xiaosu pressed his fingers to his waist. With a soft click, he removed the Qianlong uniform, laid it on the seat, and stepped out of the car.

Evernight followed him down the mountain path.

On the northern slope of Mount Ta, glimpses of the county town could be seen through the treetops.

The mountain wind blew, chilling them to the bone.

“I’m sorry,” Evernight’s voice drifted softly.

“Sorry for what? Wasn’t it you who showed me the wonders of the world?” Lin Xiaosu’s voice was calm. Yes, since that notice had appeared, he had been preternaturally calm—nothing like a man whose life had just been upended.

Evernight exhaled. “I didn’t want this, but in truth, I ruined your civil service exam. I changed the course of your life.”

Lin Xiaosu chuckled. “You’re worried I won’t survive in the mundane world?”

“That’s one thing I’m absolutely not worried about.”

“That’s right. Believe me, I’ll always live better than most. So don’t apologize. You’ve never wronged me.”

“But still—”

Lin Xiaosu raised his hand, cutting her off. “Evernight, some things are to be done, not spoken of.”

Evernight took a deep breath and stopped.

Lin Xiaosu stopped too, standing at the edge of the cliff.

Before them, wildflowers bloomed as if in spring. It felt as though they’d walked side by side on a spring outing, but now the path ended in a broken precipice.

“Qianlong has its own standards. If you were still a member, this operation would have been just another mission, earning you points. But now you’re not; you should receive financial compensation instead.” Evernight smiled faintly. “Three hundred thousand transferred. It’s in your account now.”

With a soft chime, Lin Xiaosu glanced at his phone. Three hundred thousand had been deposited.

He stared at the long string of zeroes. “Qianlong’s reward?”

“Of course.”

Lin Xiaosu smiled. “Don’t forget, I spent half a month in 101. I know rewards have to go through endless approval. There’s no way it could arrive so quickly. This isn’t Qianlong’s doing; you shouldn’t pay out of your own pocket.”

He tapped the refund button.

Three hundred thousand, returned the same way it came.

He remained as shrewd as ever, as perceptive, as prescient.

Evernight sighed. “You know, in Qianlong, I don’t need money. But you do.”

“Come on, you don’t need money! You give me ten thousand in investigation funds and expect my mother to send you a lucky red envelope...”

That made Evernight laugh out loud.

The tense atmosphere eased.

“I’m going to say goodbye to No. 88.” Lin Xiaosu walked to the other side of the cliff.

No. 88 stood at the edge, gazing into the sky, his face darker and more severe than at any other time during the operation.

“If you were still my instructor, I probably wouldn’t dare be so bold before you. But now I can.” Lin Xiaosu smiled. “Well, handshake or hug?”

No. 88 slowly opened his arms, his face flickering through a storm of emotions.

A light embrace. Lin Xiaosu strode away. At the crossroads stood a petite, delicate beauty, looking a little lost...

“Hey, Crescent, congratulations!”

Crescent stared at him in disbelief. “For what?”

“If we’d made a bet on who’d join Qianlong first, you’d have won hands down. Isn’t that worth congratulating?”

“What kind of nonsense is that? I wanted to win, yes—but by my own merit! Not by seeing who could stab in the back more viciously!” Crescent jumped up. “I loathe this kind of underhandedness. I’ve already filled my little black book with names, and now I’m adding another—the one who conspired to drive you out of Qianlong. I’ll take their heads to your grave...no, to light incense for you...”

Lin Xiaosu grimaced. The grave, incense—what’s the difference? You’re cursing me to death either way, utterly relentless.

Crescent seemed to realize her slip and quickly changed the subject. With a wave of her hand, a green leaf appeared in her palm. She scratched a smiley face onto it with her fingernail and handed it to Lin Xiaosu.

“For you.”

“What does it mean?”

“It’s a smiley face! Can’t you see it’s encouragement?” Crescent glared.

Lin Xiaosu eyed the leaf. “This is a Green Orchid leaf.”

“Mm.”

“You’re suddenly giving me this leaf—reminds me of the time you served me tea.”

“What do you mean?” Crescent jumped. Serving him tea—that meant poisoning him! True enough, but did she mean to poison him today? Crescent prided herself on keeping the overconfident in check—she’d never kick someone when they were down.

“This Green Orchid is a rare plant, right? If someday someone finds it in my house, will I be arrested for violating conservation laws and put to work sewing in prison?”

Unbelievable! He actually found a pretext, no matter how ridiculous...

Crescent rolled her eyes. “Relax, if anyone gives you trouble, you’ve got me—a Qianlong member with a gold badge. I’ll use my power to let you off!”

Lin Xiaosu admired, “No wonder you can’t get confirmed—your principles are as flexible as rubber...”

“Damn it, can’t you stop harping on confirmation? Always hitting me where it hurts—let’s have a fight before you go!” Crescent jumped up, and Lin Xiaosu fled in mock terror...

As he left, he still slipped the Green Orchid leaf Crescent had given him into his pocket...

“Did you notice?” No. 88’s voice reached Evernight’s ears. “He’s deliberately creating a relaxed atmosphere.”

“We all saw that,” Evernight replied. “But do you know something else? He...he noticed something too.”

“What did he see?”

Evernight said, “He realized there’s something wrong behind that notice. When he said, ‘Some things are to be done, not spoken of,’ it was full of meaning…”

Lin Xiaosu had already descended the summit, out of the forest and onto the winding mountain road leading down to Qingyuan Temple.

The mountain breeze carried the faint fragrance of orchids.

Above the clouds, the hovercar slipped into the depths of the mist, signifying the true end of his journey.

But on the mountain, Lin Xiaosu seated himself in a pavilion, his face now solemn.

Just as No. 88 had noticed, he was purposefully fostering a lighthearted mood. For those who’ve never known the bond of comradeship, it’s hard to understand what it feels like. He had never been a soldier, but this operation had let him experience that bond. In the course of one mission, he had gained three comrades.

Parting from comrades—after this, their paths would diverge, and he felt the weight of it with nowhere to release it.

Only by easing the mood could they all find some peace of mind.

This, No. 88 had seen.

And as Evernight had said, Lin Xiaosu himself had seen something as well.

That notice—or rather, that ruling...

They had denied him entry to Qianlong because of his grandfather’s case, which triggered a prohibition in the Qianlong Regulations.

He knew about his grandfather’s case.

It was true—his grandfather had accidentally killed someone, even if that man had been a notorious village bully. His grandfather’s heavy hand had cost a life, and the law was upheld in sentencing him to twelve years.

There was nothing particularly unjust about it.

In the village, it was not considered shameful. The villagers even mourned his grandfather’s fate.

When Evernight first brought him into consideration as a potential candidate for Qianlong, the vetting had gone on for a month—every detail of his ancestry had been scrutinized.

That case had clearly been reviewed and approved.

Everyone agreed that a grandfather, dead before Lin Xiaosu was even born, convicted only of accidental manslaughter, had no bearing on whether Lin Xiaosu should serve his country. Thus, he was cleared and admitted to 101.

But now, suddenly, that same case was used to bar him from Qianlong.

Why?