Someone sneaking onto their own turf with the intent to poison—no matter who it was, that would raise alarms for anyone.

The man carrying who-knows-what kind of poison had just left, and just as Ding Facai finished his business and was pulling up his pants, he heard two soft rustling sounds nearby.

He turned and suddenly found himself locking eyes with two others.

Who?

Didn’t recognize them.

But judging from their clothing, Ding Facai knew they were both members of the Gray Guards.

So…

Were they there while he was doing his business?

Ding Facai’s face went stiff.

A little awkward, sure—but now wasn’t the time for embarrassment.

After a few seconds of silence, Ding Facai was the first to speak.

“This man’s background is unclear and his intentions suspicious. He clearly came with malicious intent. We need to monitor him closely. Let’s follow and take a look.”

Well said.

All three of them were the quiet, expressionless type. Having someone take the lead was a relief.

So the three of them trailed closely behind Tian Hu.

—

Tian Hu had never been to Oxhead Mountain before.

He didn’t know the terrain or the layout of the camp. Even though he came up with the plan to poison them, his first thought was to contaminate the water the bandits drank.

The idea was solid—he just had no idea where the water source was.

So Ding Facai and the other two simply watched him scamper around the mountain. Half an hour passed, and he still hadn’t found any water source. He even fell a few times along the way.

The three of them: “…”

After a long, fruitless search for any stream or lake on the mountain, Tian Hu finally realized he might be in the wrong spot. The water the bandits drank was probably inside the camp—likely from a well!

Realizing all his effort had been wasted, Tian Hu began trying to sneak into the camp.

Since he was originally there to help transport grain and hadn’t yet completed his outside task, it was relatively easy for him to slip inside.

Once in the camp, he began searching for the location of the water source.

His composure, even when unexpectedly encountering others, was impressive. Watching him, Ding Facai nodded to himself repeatedly.

“This guy’s got what it takes to be a spy.”

Although he started off a little dumb, he wasn’t hopeless. At least he knew to reflect and adapt. With some training, he might become useful.

As he continued observing Tian Hu with the critical eye of someone evaluating subordinates, Ding Facai grew more and more convinced this man had potential.

And so, just when Tian Hu finally managed to find the water source in the camp and was about to cheer, two figures suddenly dropped from above and pinned him down.

Startled, Tian Hu shouted, “Who are you? Why are you tying me up? I’m just here to deliver grain—you’ve got the wrong guy!”

Ding Facai couldn’t be bothered to explain. He simply dragged him off to meet His Highness.

At that moment, Wei Yu was inside enjoying a play.

He was watching happily, when suddenly someone told him there was a plot to poison the entire camp. He was stunned.

“What? Poisoning?”

Wei Yu rubbed his ears, thinking he’d misheard.

What kind of bizarre novel plot was this? Back in the palace, no one ever tried to poison him. Yet now, outside the palace, when he hadn’t done anything wrong, someone was actually trying to poison him?

Exciting stuff.

Wei Yu quickly shut off his tablet and stepped out.

The moment he did, he saw Ding Facai standing in the living room, with two guards holding down a skinny, dark-faced man behind him.

Wei Yu’s eyes swept over Tian Hu. “He’s the one trying to poison us?”

Didn’t recognize him.

Who would want to harm such a well-behaved man like him?

Ding Facai concisely explained everything he’d seen and done since discovering the man.

Wei Yu understood.

Oh, so this guy’s one of the workers delivering grain… Then who in the world made him so mad that he’d try to poison them?

Meeting Tian Hu’s hate-filled gaze, Wei Yu began to feel unsure.

Did he do something?

Tsk.

No way. There had to be some kind of misunderstanding!

Wei Yu smiled warmly. “Big brother, why would you come up the mountain to poison us? We’ve got no grudge between us. Poisoning people is really immoral, you know—it could cost many innocent lives!”

“Pah! You beasts—I’m ridding the world of you for the greater good!”

Tian Hu yelled hoarsely, neck straining, “You damn bandits deserve to die! No grudges? Pah! You murdered my wife and child! I’m here to avenge them! You all deserve to die—I want to eat your flesh and drink your blood—”

Phew, phew, phew.

Such a tragic story, such bloody revenge.

“We’re not bandits.”

Wei Yu blinked and cut him off.

Not… not bandits?

Tian Hu was stunned, mouth agape, staring at Wei Yu.

Wei Yu clasped his hands, expression sympathetic. “I’m truly sorry. What you said is understandable, and I feel your pain. Bandits like the ones you described absolutely deserve to die. If you want revenge, I would absolutely support that. In fact, if I could, I’d bring your enemies right to you and let you deal with them yourself. But here’s the thing—”

Wei Yu smiled. “We’re not bandits.”

“Look at me, really look—do I seem like the kind of person you’re talking about? Search your conscience. Do I?”

He took a step back, spread his arms, and spun around to let the man take a good look.

Do I look like one?

Admittedly, not really.

“But the people outside sure do!” Tian Hu insisted.

Wei Yu nodded. “That, you’re right about. Many of them were bandits in the past. But thanks to my patient guidance and leniency, they’ve turned over a new leaf and are living honest lives now.”

He winked. “Don’t be fooled by my youth—this world has no shortage of young geniuses. You’re lucky to witness one in person today. Just don’t go around telling everyone about it, okay?”

Tian Hu: “…”

Didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing.

But even if Tian Hu was silent, Wei Yu still had more to say—he was all about fairness.

He asked, “Who are you trying to take revenge on? Everyone within a 30-li radius is under my jurisdiction now. If there’s a debt to be paid, I’ll make sure justice is served. Just name your enemy.”

Tian Hu was stunned by that.

He stared at Wei Yu, not quite believing he’d really help him get justice.

Wei Yu couldn’t be bothered to explain further—talk is cheap. He preferred action.

“If you don’t know their names, that’s fine too. Just tell me where it happened. I’ll round up all the former bandits from that area and have you identify them one by one. How about that?”

After a moment of silence, Tian Hu suddenly lifted his head.

“Alright, I’ll tell you!”

He named a location. When Wei Yu heard it, he looked utterly confused.

Good grief—that place was practically on the other side of the country from Oxhead Mountain!

Instead of seeking revenge there, this guy came all the way here to poison people?

That’s just random, indiscriminate vengeance!

What a lack of legal awareness!

Still, even if it was random, Wei Yu had to admit: that place had indeed been one of the targets during Fang Sheng’s previous raid. The surviving bandits had all been brought back as prisoners—so technically, Tian Hu didn’t misdirect his revenge.

Wei Yu assigned the matter to Ding Facai to handle.