As predicted, Sect Master Yun launched an investigation. A perfect-grade pill shouldn't cause breakthrough failure. Either the pill was flawed, or external sabotage had occurred.
Chen Wei watched Master Shen and Elder Mo come under scrutiny. Alchemist Gu was questioned about her ingredient storage. Every transaction was reviewed.
They found nothing. Chen Wei had been too careful. The contamination appeared natural—an unfortunate convergence of minor ingredient impurities that, combined with Liu Yan's forced cultivation method, had created disaster.
"It seems," Sect Master Yun concluded after two weeks, "this was a tragic accident. Liu Yan's rush to advance using the Crimson Phoenix Art damaged his foundation. The pill merely exposed existing flaws."
Elder Mo's face darkened. His investment in Liu Yan had failed spectacularly.
Liu Yan himself was bedridden, his cultivation crippled, his future uncertain. When Chen Wei finally visited under the guise of expressing sympathy, Liu Yan's eyes held nothing but despair.
"Senior Brother Liu," Chen Wei said quietly, "this junior understands your pain. I too know what it means to have one's path severed."
Liu Yan looked at him without recognition. Five years, and he'd completely forgotten the boy he'd poisoned.
Chen Wei smiled gently. "But perhaps this is fate's way of teaching humility. The strong fall, and sometimes the fallen rise. Who can say what heaven intends?"
He left before Liu Yan could process the words. Let him wonder. Let him suspect. Chen Wei had been too careful to leave evidence, but the psychological torture of suspecting without proving was its own reward.
Account balanced, Chen Wei thought. Now for the real work.