Interrogation

"Why are you so tense, Shan Liying?" Taking a small sip of the green tea in his cup, the Grandmaster observed the female Shan disciple keenly. "You haven't even touched any of the tea snacks."

"I… I'm not particularly hungry, Grandmaster." With her head bowed and hands placed obediently on her lap, Shan Liying gulped hearing Han Xuelian's voice which sounded unsettlingly polite. "May… I know why I was summoned?"

"I can't have a proper conversation with you if you're not looking at me, Shan Liying." The Grandmaster set his teacup on the low-rise table, folding his arms. "I simply have a few questions I want to ask you."

Shan Liying nodded hesitantly, slowly lifting her head to meet with the Grandmaster's gaze. However, the predatory glint in his eyes was more apparent than the fake-laden smile on his lips.

Han Xuelian reached into the sleeve of his robe, retrieving an item that was loosely covered with a black cloth. He placed it on the table, sliding it across to the space before the Shan disciple.

"Open it," the Grandmaster ordered, watching her carefully for a reaction.

Unravelling the cloth, Shan Liying's eyes widened when she sighted a broken, serrated arrowhead that was crusted with dried blood.

"How did you get these arrows?" The Grandmaster leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he threaded his hands together. "And how did it bypass the inspection before the archery test? The faster you tell me the truth, the fewer consequences there are for you to bear."

Shan Liying's heart thumped rapidly in her chest. The Grandmaster's words were lethal and sharp like a blade that was well attuned to targeting the precise spots of its target.

No. She had to steel her nerves and answer him directly. She couldn't allow him to suspect her any more than he already had, and perhaps he was deliberately questioning her interrogatively to force her into revealing something.

"I used the equipment provided by the Han Clan for the test." Shan Liying stated boldly, barely containing her anxiety from slipping out. "I assumed all the arrows were the same as mine since the entire quiver had this serrated design."

'Hah!' Han Xuelian suppressed his erupting anger, recalling how crafty the Shan Clan could be. 'She intends to use this against me entirely.'

"Our inspection is thorough, Shan Liying," the Grandmaster said firmly, a scowl forming on his expression. "Are you saying that this serrated designed arrow was provided by the Han Clan? That's a very confident claim."

"I am simply a guest disciple, Grandmaster." Shan Liying forced a smile, pressing her lips together to stop them from trembling. "There might have been an error in the inspection or perhaps the Han inner sect disciples mixed up the arrows. Accidents are possible, Grandmaster."

Han Xuelian detested dishonesty. If he looked a person in the eyes and detected clear hesitancy in their words or movements, he'd know immediately that they were spewing out desperate lies. However, unlike a few moments ago, Shan Liying appeared perfectly composed.

Was she a habitual liar who was accustomed to interrogations or was there truly any truth in her words?

'I can't directly accuse her.' Han Xuelian re-assessed the situation. 'Even if I trust my instinct that she is responsible for the appearance of this arrow, there's always a possibility I may have a troublemaker on my end.'

"And I presume you misfired a shot during the archery test?" The Grandmaster changed his pattern of questioning. "You should be more careful in future, Shan Liying. The Chi Clan's eldest son is severely injured."

'If her shot was deliberate, who was she targeting? And how did Chi Cheng anticipate where she would shoot? I'll have to look deeper into the matter about this arrow as well.' Han Xuelian mentally sighed, adding to the list of tasks that had yet to be resolved since his return. 'There wasn't any interaction between her and the Chi brothers, so does she have a grudge or was it out of pure spite?'

"My deepest apologies." Shan Liying extended her arms in front, clasping her fists together as she bowed her head. "I will properly apologise and compensate him for my careless skills with the bow."

As if sensing the blatant insincerity in her words, the Grandmaster made a dismissive gesture with his hand. He retrieved the arrowhead, folding the cloth and tucking it back into his sleeve.

"You may remain behind and eat at your leisure." The Grandmaster rose to his feet, glancing briefly over his shoulder before he took his leave. "Get your rest for the next round."

Closing the door as he left the room, Han Xuelian was greeted by Han Yongrui who patiently awaited his return; following closely behind the Grandmaster as they walked.

"Rui, I have more tasks for you." Han Xuelian stated, clasping his hands behind his back. "One, I need you to gather information about any past disputes or ongoing feuds between the Shan and Chi clans. Two, try to find out more about that serrated arrow and who's producing them."

"As you wish." Han Yongrui nodded.

"Returning here after seventeen years has certainly put a dent in my goals." The Grandmaster sighed. "I never expected to return, but there is much I need to catch up on."

"It will take a while." Han Yongrui closed his eyes, habitually following the movements of the Grandmaster by the sound of his footsteps. "But I will do my best to collect the necessary information for you, Grandmaster."

"Take a break for the rest of the day, Rui." Han Xuelian decided, stopping and turning around to look at Han Yongrui. "You've had your hands full with many things since our return. You can accomplish your tasks tomorrow."

"You will not be retiring to your study to look at those documents sent by the Emperor?" Han Yongrui tilted his head to the side.

"Those can wait." Waving a hand as if to brush off his tasks, the Grandmaster smirked. "I have something more important to take care of."

"I'm abandoning my work assigned to me by the Emperor because I want to check on the Chi Clan's eldest son and waste time," Han Yongrui quoted nonchalantly, sighing as he folded his arms. "Is that what that translates to?"

"I'm so glad you understand me this well." The Grandmaster flashed his nephew an attempt at an innocent smile, tapping the younger male on the shoulder. "I'll be off now."

"You laughed," Han Yongrui suddenly said.

"Hmm?" The Grandmaster replied questioningly.

"You laughed when Chi Cheng made that provocative gesture and joke to Feng Yuxian." Han Yongrui reminded his uncle, recalling the scene vividly.

Accompanying the Grandmaster out of the disciples' main hall on the morning of the archery test, Han Yongrui and his uncle maintained their distance behind the guest disciples. Curiously observing the exchange between the youngsters, they remained out of sight.

And when Chi Cheng had brazenly retaliated to Feng Yuxian's remark, Han Yongrui witnessed his uncle burst into a fit of laughter. It was an unusual and rare reaction from the Grandmaster for the man had never smiled or laughed in the last seventeen years during their journey.

Yet, a simple mischievous jest from Chi Cheng was enough to make the Grandmaster feel light-hearted.

"Chi Cheng is an interesting and bold one." Han Xuelian shook his head lightly. "But he wears more than one face, so which is the real one?"