Chapter 38. An assignment for a secret disciple

The patriarch watched the young man. He was clearly feeling lousy. But he did not allow himself even a gesture of indignation. Not even a gesture, not even a hint of anger or annoyance in his mental outbursts.

Where had such a miracle come from in the first place?

When the young man finally fell asleep, his face relaxed involuntarily. The mask of indifferent calm slipped away, revealing all the youth and defenselessness of the insolent boy.

The elder involuntarily shook his head.

- Poor boy. - He whispered softly to himself.

***

Yee Rhys had been recovering for about a week. Ate and slept. When he felt better, he began to cultivate Qi.

Sometimes he felt as if he had gone back in time. Only there was no pain. But he could cultivate. The Qi here was abundant.

But the main difference was something else. The door. The door was open.

After lying down for a while, the young man decided to check the door for interest. He was surprised to find how easily it opened. However, Yee Rhys had never even crossed the threshold of the room.

Trust? There were no spells on him in the past. And the door was closed. Now the door had opened. But the restraints were already inside. Yes, those spells had once been cast on him right here in this very room. And now he was experiencing the effects of another layer of control here.

I wonder what the old man is so afraid of, though. It's not like there was a reason.

***

When he had recovered, the old man summoned him back to himself. The old man looked at him with satisfaction, at the young man standing in front of him with a nonchalant face. The seal allowed him to feel that his mind was just as calm. Except that the boy's silly habit of smiling as he met him was annoying.

- Whose are you?

- I am yours. - An immediate reply followed.

- You are my treasure.

- I am your treasure.

- You are my instrument.

- I am your instrument.

- My word is the Law.

- Your word is the Law.

The young man answered quickly and without hesitation. Like an obedient puppet. Except the Patriarch was already familiar with his performance at the tournament. Such a character in the style of the best genius bully. The image of that arrogant brat and that indifference even to his own life did not fit together in the old man's mind.

How? How could a young man combine these things in himself? And not a single lie. He was a natural both then and now.

A wolf cub playing the lamb. However, - the Patriarch stroked his beard, - a wolf cub is more useful to us.

- I have a task for you. - The elder looked at the boy and then, without waiting for a reaction, continued. - There has been a small cleaning in the sect during your absence. The main process is now complete. But there are some small niggles. I don't know if you know, but big sects usually send spies to each other. And, accordingly, check out the newcomers. It is a standard procedure, but there are some difficult cases when it is not clear whether a person is a spy or not. Practitioners at the level of Grand Elders are not normally involved in such trivial matters, but at your level it is the case. With a group of Discipline Department disciples, you'll walk through the suspects and ask them a few questions. Lists of test subjects and questions for each are already prepared. Your task is to determine whether the defendant is telling the truth or lies.

The patriarch waved his sleeve and a series of objects hung in the air in front of him.

- The Mask of the Stranger. - A black half-mask covering the upper part of the face swept towards the young man. - A medium level artifact. Hides the aura and level of cultivation. Also makes its wearer unrecognizable. Alters voice and scent. Effective on Spheres below the Crystal Core.

He took the mask and held it to his face. A slight ripple went through his body and it was over. Only the half mask clung to the face that had become slightly blurred.

- The Bracelet of Silence. - A simple iron bracelet with no embellishments came forward. - A high level artifact. Gives protection equivalent to the Sphere of the Crystal Core. Its particular characteristic is the concealment of one's own aura. For practitioners below the Crystal Core, it is a simple item with no relation to Qi.

The young man put on the bracelet. After infusing the Qi, it shrank slightly, hugging tightly around his arm.

- Lift it higher. - The elder commanded. The young man obediently pulled the bracelet, and it slid over his skin until it stopped just above his elbow. - That's enough.

As he pulled his clothes down, the bracelet disappeared completely into his sleeve.

- One last thing. - A few jade slips and discs of the recording array flew forward. - Make a record of everything you hear. Make a special note of any oddities or absurdities.

The young man put the received items into the bag.

- Remember, for the duration of the task you are a secret disciple, brought up separately from the others. You know no one and have no feelings for anyone. - The patriarch continued his instruction. - Do you understand?

- Yes, - Young man nodded.

- Then go. - The old man waved his sleeve and opened the portal.

***

On the other side of the portal was a study room. Master Raz Beg was sitting at his desk, examining some jade thoughtfully.

- A disciple greets the Grand Elder.

- Yee Rhys? - The one eyed old man clarified. Seeing his companion's confusion he continued. - I am allowed to know. After all, I will be the one to judge your performance. And I am responsible for the whole operation.

О! Three birds with one arrow. To test the spies, to train the newcomer, and to harness the Elder.

Master Raz Beg stood up and put on his headband. His face rippled and changed to a plain face, the only prominent feature being a large wart on his left cheek. Then his clothes changed to the uniform of the Inner Sect elders of the Discipline Department.

- Do you know your role? - Clarified the old man.

- Secret disciple. Detecting lies. - The voice was unexpectedly deep.

- Yes, - the Great Elder nodded. - Come.

The two of them left the office and climbed up the wall of the grey stone fortress. With a wave of Master Raz's hand, the wind picked up the young man and they flew toward the Outer Sect.

The Discipline Department greeted them with its usual serenity. Once inside, they immediately turned and found themselves in a small hall near the entrance. Apparently designed for meetings and pre-mission briefings. Four disciples were already there. Yee Rhys recognized only three of them: Na Prawe and the two who had accompanied him to the tournament. The latter were unfamiliar to the young man, but were also at the level of the six wisps.

- Is everyone there? - The cloaked one eyed old man inquired dryly as he glanced around.

- Yes, Elder. - Na Prawe stepped forward.

- Good. Have you studied the questions?

- We are ready. - Nodded the leader of the group.

- This is the secret disciple, - the Elder introduced the young man, - he is cultivating a special technique to distinguish between truth and lies. The five of you will go through the addresses. I will secretly observe and evaluate your work. Any questions?

- No questions. - Na Prawe was straightforward. - May I begin?

- Go ahead. - Master Raz Beg took a step back and seemed to vanish into thin air.

The disciples looked at each other.

- I suggest we start with the oldest suspects and leave the newcomers to the end. - Na Prawe turned to Yee Rhys.

- Do as you see fit. - Yee Rhys reacted, struck again by the unusual muffled voice.

- That's wonderful. - The leader took out the jade of communication and checked the location of the first inspected.