A cold wind swept through the empty street outside Riverfall County Academy.
Above, the moon drifted between ragged clouds, casting shifting shadows across the silent buildings. With the restless spirits finally dispersed, the academy grounds had fallen into an uneasy calm—as though the night itself had exhaled after holding its breath for too long.
Instructor Zhou still stood near the academy gate, his robes fluttering faintly in the wind. The shock had yet to leave his face.
Li Shen brushed the gray ashes of the burned talisman from his sleeve and glanced slowly around the courtyard.
Something about this place continued to trouble him.
"Master Li," Zhou said at last, clasping his hands with deep sincerity. His voice carried both relief and lingering fear. "Tonight you saved not only my life, but perhaps the lives of many students as well. If there is ever anything I can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."
Li Shen shook his head lightly.
"I'm merely carrying out my duty as a Spirit Warden."
But Zhou quickly waved his hands.
"No, no… such matters must be repaid. A debt of life cannot be ignored."
Li Shen only smiled faintly. He did not argue further.
Instead, his gaze drifted past the academy walls toward the surrounding landscape.
To the west, the city gate tower rose above the rooftops, its silhouette looming like a watchful giant beneath the moonlight.
To the north, the long rows of granary buildings lined the riverbank like silent sentries guarding the county's lifeblood.
And behind the academy—
Black Turtle Hill stood in shadow, its rocky slope cutting sharply against the pale sky.
A quiet thought surfaced in Li Shen's mind.
"Instructor Zhou," he said suddenly, "have you ever wondered why spirits gather here so easily?"
Zhou blinked in surprise.
"You mean… besides the tragedy years ago?"
"That event certainly played a part," Li Shen replied calmly. "But the environment here contributes just as much."
Zhou frowned slightly, confusion creeping across his face.
Li Shen stepped toward the courtyard entrance and gestured to the surrounding terrain.
"The academy sits in an awkward position."
He pointed toward the distant gate tower.
"The western side is dominated by the city gate tower. Structures of that height suppress the natural flow of spiritual energy."
His finger then moved toward the open eastern horizon.
"Meanwhile, the eastern side is wide open, with nothing to balance that pressure."
He turned slightly, gesturing toward the riverbank behind the academy.
"The granaries along the river create additional weight in the rear, blocking the circulation of earth energy."
Finally, his gaze lifted toward the barren ridge beyond the academy grounds.
"And the academy's main gate faces directly toward that hill."
Zhou followed his line of sight.
Black Turtle Hill stood stark and lifeless beneath the moonlight, its peak stripped bare of trees. The exposed rock glimmered faintly under the pale light.
"In the language of geomancy," Li Shen continued evenly, "this formation encourages the accumulation of yin energy."
"Over time, such energy nourishes lingering resentment… and attracts wandering spirits."
For several moments, Zhou said nothing.
He simply stared at the landscape, trying to process the explanation.
"You mean…" he murmured slowly, "…the land itself invites ghosts here?"
"In simple terms, yes."
A chill crept down Zhou's spine.
For years, he had blamed the academy's poor examination results on lazy students—or on his own lack of teaching ability.
But now…
Perhaps the problem had never been the people.
Perhaps the academy itself had been burdened by its surroundings.
"What can be done about it?" he asked quickly.
Li Shen raised three fingers.
"There are several possible solutions."
"First, the storage houses behind the academy should be relocated. That will relieve the pressure of stagnant energy trapped in the rear."
"Second, a tall structure should be built on the eastern side of the grounds—something to balance the presence of the western gate tower."
He paused briefly.
Then his gaze returned to Black Turtle Hill.
"Third…"
"A spiritual monument or pagoda should be constructed atop that ridge."
"Such structures stabilize the flow of spiritual energy and disperse harmful influences."
Instructor Zhou listened as though each word were sacred scripture.
If these changes truly improved the academy's fortune…
Perhaps Riverfall County might finally produce scholars worthy of recognition.
The thought alone stirred a long-forgotten hope in his chest.
He bowed deeply.
"Master Li… your guidance has cleared years of confusion for me."
Li Shen waved his hand lightly.
"These are only observations."
"Whether they can be implemented depends on the county authorities."
Even so, Zhou's gratitude only deepened.
To him, Li Shen had done far more than eliminate ghosts tonight.
He had given the academy a chance to rise again.
---
By the time Li Shen returned to the Spirit Warden Bureau, the night bell had already rung.
The compound had grown quiet.
Most of the wardens had long since retired to their quarters.
Only a single lamp still burned inside the main office.
Li Shen stepped inside.
Yan Rui sat hunched over a stack of documents behind the desk. The older man rubbed his temples as he reviewed report after report, his brush moving steadily across the paper.
The scratching sound filled the otherwise silent room.
Years of relentless work had etched deep lines into Yan's face, making him appear far older than his true age.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, he glanced up.
"Back already?"
Li Shen removed the jade mission token from his waist and placed it gently on the desk.
"The academy incident has been resolved."
Chen nodded and opened the ledger beside him.
His brush moved quickly as he recorded the result.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Forty merit points."
Li Shen retrieved the token without comment.
Yan leaned back slightly in his chair, studying the young warden.
"I heard you used an interesting technique tonight," he said casually. "A talisman that formed a lantern."
Li Shen's expression remained calm.
"Just a small trick I developed while practicing."
Chen chuckled softly.
"With the number of 'small tricks' you keep inventing, it's no wonder the younger wardens talk about you."
Li Shen did not respond.
Praise had never meant much to him.
Only strength truly mattered.
Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
"And your cultivation?"
"I'm still stabilizing my foundation."
"You're close to advancing, aren't you?"
Li Shen paused briefly before answering.
The step between the first and second spiritual realms was not a simple one.
Many cultivators had perished attempting it—destroyed by unstable spiritual energy or fractured meridians.
"I'll attempt the breakthrough when the time feels right," he said carefully.
Yan watched him for a moment, then nodded.
"Good."
"Reckless ambition kills more wardens than ghosts ever will."
Li Shen inclined his head slightly.
With nothing more to say, he turned and left the office.
---
Back in his modest residence, the night had grown deep.
Li Shen swallowed a calming pill before sitting cross-legged beside the window.
Outside, the drifting clouds slowly crossed the moon.
He closed his eyes.
Within his body, spiritual energy began to circulate through his meridians like a quiet river—steady, controlled, and calm.
Another night of cultivation had begun.
---
Elsewhere in the bureau hall, Yan Rui finally finished reviewing the day's reports.
He stretched his stiff shoulders and took a slow sip of tea.
His thoughts drifted back to Li Shen.
The young man had completed several missions recently.
And each time, the results had been decisive.
Yet what impressed Yan most was not merely Li Shen's strength.
It was his mindset.
A cultivator who pursued power only for himself would never last long within the Spirit Wardens.
But Li Shen…
He seemed to understand something deeper.
Yan picked up his brush and wrote a single sentence on a fresh sheet of paper.
Those who enjoy the peace of the realm must also shoulder its burdens.
The characters were bold and steady.
After finishing, he hung the calligraphy on the wall beside his desk.
A quiet reminder.
For himself—
And for the wardens who would follow.
--