Elsewhere, Li Xin had finished his meal and called for a carriage to the carpenter workshop where Zhou Sangke worked. The owner, seeing the Night Patrol again, was somewhat uneasy, but after Li Xin reassured him, he called out the two apprentices, and Li Xin asked them in detail about their interactions with Zhou Sangke.

"The master really likes drinking."

"The master is actually interested in everything; he just doesn’t talk much."

"This master is the best—great person and even greater craftsmanship. He taught us several long-lost skills. It’s a pity he met such misfortune; the world is truly unfair."

After a long time, the two apprentices were still resentful. It was clear the master treated them well, and they wished they could help somehow.

"This master?"

"Yes, Zhou Master wasn’t our first master; before him, it was Zhao Master. Then Zhou Master came, and Zhao Master was dismissed. We learned many real skills under Zhou Master!"

"Indeed, Zhou Master is different from other masters; he didn’t hide anything from us, treating us like his own children."

As they spoke, the eyes of the apprentices turned red. "Could it be Zhao Master?"

"Zhao Master... he wouldn’t, would he..."

From a conventional perspective, Zhao Master had motive, but these cases weren’t murders; Zhou Master should have "naturally died." As a carpenter, he’d always keep some secrets from apprentices, unless he himself knew he hadn’t much time.

Now all the participants’ timelines aligned; they all appeared in Dragon Capital within a year and then disappeared one by one.

The case had reached a point where Li Xin could actually conclude it; only, it required an appropriate explanation to satisfy Jiang Wu. The dice roll cannot be grounds for decision; the best method is to find out what these people really are.

After thanking the owner, Li Xin flagged a carriage on the road, but after waiting for a while, none came, so he set out home on foot, planning to first contact Miss Aries to have her ask Old Fang—who frequently travels—about it; he might know something.

--

Under the starry sky, with the magnificent Twelve Zodiac Star Disc, Li Xin sat in a high-backed chair. No wonder it’s said that where you sit decides your mind; sitting in such a place instantly made his soul feel elevated.

The Aries star lit up, and Miss Aries’ elegant figure appeared on the high-backed Aries chair.

"Mr. Gemini, good afternoon."

From her voice, one could sense Miss Aries’ joy.

"Good afternoon, Miss Aries," Li Xin smiled, "I have something to trouble you with."

"Happy to oblige." Estella smiled slightly.

Li Xin explained the case to Miss Aries in detail, "Miss Aries, have you heard of such situations?"

Estella thought carefully, "Haven’t heard of anything similar; is there something I can help with?"

"I have a friend staying at Lirong Inn; could I ask Chris to deliver a message to inquire?" Li Xin asked, knowing not everyone has a Messenger like Chris, while Justin can at best deliver within the city.

Estella smiled brightly, "Of course, no problem. Chris is idle right now; such issues should be asked to Mr. Cancer."

Li Xin nodded, "Mr. Cancer is the last resort."

Estella nodded, "Mr. Gemini, I’ve already found the fire beetle eggs; they’re a bit hard to find, but give me some time, and I should be able to get them."

Li Xin was delighted to hear this, "That would be wonderful, Miss Aries. You’ve helped me greatly," he paused, feeling a bit embarrassed, "It’s just such a valuable thing; I might not be able to meet the other party’s conditions right away. Can I repay it gradually?"

"Mr. Gemini, you’re my most important... friend. Your matters are my matters; thanks to big brother this time, we don’t need any conditions." Estella smiled gently.

If it’s Achilles, then Li Xin would feel no burden.

"Moreover, big brother said that Tears of the Dead are harder to obtain; the method is held by the Nether God’s Court." Estella said regretfully, Moncalleta and Black Meteor are dead enemies, which almost cuts off her channels.

"There’s always a way; at least now there’s half hope." Li Xin said, "By the way, how is Vladimir Master?"

"The teacher sacrificed himself to the Golden Tree, stabilizing its condition. I don’t know what pain he endured," Estella said with some sympathy, "Don’t know how to rescue him."

Li Xin thought for a moment, "I can’t fathom a Demigod’s understanding of this, but I believe Vladimir Master has his own decision; at least he’s still alive. The power of the Demigod is closely linked with the Celestial Principle School, and currently, the school plans to expand in Li Long United Kingdom. I think I can help a little; a strong Celestial Principle School would be great support for the Demigod."

"Does Mr. Gemini have new insights?" Estella’s eyes lit up.

The Celestial Five Questions have become the foundation of the Celestial Academy; discussions in this area are becoming more intense, especially regarding Unity of Knowledge and Action, which is a daily required course for the Celestial Principle School. And now there’s something new, Estella, a follower of the school, could hardly contain her excitement.

"Sort of, but it’s not very refined yet, just a general plan," Li Xin thought, hoping Mr. Yangming would be magnanimous and forgiving, "This is Heart Learning, with three cores; first, ’the heart is reason,’ second ’unity of knowledge and action,’ third ’attain good conscience.’ What is meant by the heart is reason, the divine path, my nature is sufficient, seeking nothing outside, no reason outside of the heart, no objects outside of the heart; what is meant by unity of knowledge and action, to act in knowing, to learn in action, knowing is the start of action, action is the completion of knowledge; what is meant by attaining good conscience, the heart itself is neither good nor evil, intent has both good and evil, knowing good and evil is good conscience, to do good and dismiss evil is to rectify objects."

Mr. Gemini spoke slowly and calmly, with Estella listening word by word as if it were a nightly bell and morning drum. Under the starry sky, each word carried divine power, making Mr. Gemini shine, dimming the stars in comparison.

Estella couldn’t describe her inner shock, only felt a powerful energy impacting her Divine Relic; she understood each word, but in reality, she didn’t understand anything. It was like listening, yet not really listening, but each word etched in her heart.

When Mr. Gemini finished, Estella felt a euphoric, indescribable joy and energy filling her entire being, unable to look away from Mr. Gemini.

Li Xin finished and stopped, seeing Miss Aries speechless, knowing she was memorizing.

After a while, Estella emerged from that peculiar state. Just listening had such power; she immediately rose, lifted her skirt, bowed, "Mr. Gemini, your student has learned."

Li Xin swiftly waved his hand, stood to return the greeting, "Miss Aries, please don’t be like this; actually, it’s something from my dreams and not well understood. I’m unworthy as a teacher."

Estella giggled, "Mr. Gemini, then in the future, you mustn’t be polite to me; we’re good friends."

So that was why she waited here.

"Miss Aries, we’re comrades."

As the stars swayed, they knew their time had come.

"See you next time, Miss Aries."

"See you next time, Mr. Gemini."

Both figures disappeared from the Round Table Conference, and the stars of the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc dimmed completely, vanishing into the unknown void. Soon after, the void appeared torn by something, and a huge eye emerged, quietly watching this space...