14. Such perfect chemistry!

At dusk, in the west wing of the Wenxuan Library, the sky was ablaze with a crimson glow, casting a warm, ruddy light over the ground. Five people gathered beneath the ginkgo tree to discuss the case. Having listened to Zhao Chengxian’s account and examined the pattern left behind by the thief, everyone agreed that the intruder had broken into the palace to steal the jade lock merely for sport. Otherwise, why would they ignore so many other precious treasures and take only a child’s trinket? Zhao Chengxian pondered for a moment before asking, "Have any of you heard of a notorious bandit in the martial arts world known for using a crane as their signature?" These were scholars, and their knowledge of the underworld was far less extensive than his own; such questions were better suited for a military graduate. One person, however, was an exception.

Li Hao, a man of broad shoulders and a sturdy frame, shook his head. "Never heard of such a person. I spend my days buried in books; who would have thought I’d run into something like this?" Had he known, he would have made an effort to learn more about the world beyond the academy.

Feishu, leaning against the ginkgo tree, shot Li Hao a look of disdain. "Scholars? So, scholars never concern themselves with the affairs of the martial world?" Feishu had been this way since he was a child—he spoke his mind whenever he found something disagreeable, which had earned him no shortage of friction with his siblings. Yet, he held a genuine respect for Xuanyuan Ren; otherwise, Xuanyuan Ren would not have indulged him so much.

Unaware that Feishu was Xuanyuan Ren’s younger brother, Li Hao walked up to him, his tone bristling with hostility. "And I suppose you know everything? Very well, why don't you explain it to us then!" Both men possessed fiery tempers, and had they been alone, a brawl would surely have ensued. Fortunately, the presence of three more rational individuals kept the peace.

Seeing that a fight was imminent, Wen Sibo quickly stepped between them. Despite being significantly shorter than the two hulking men, Wen Sibo possessed a deep, resonant voice that commanded attention. "Calm down! We are here for a serious task; how are we supposed to work like this? Calm down, everyone!" Yue’er, who stood behind them, and Zhao Chengxian, who stood to the side, paid the squabble no mind.

Yue’er leaned against the ginkgo tree, studying the crane pattern that Zhao Chengxian had traced. The crane was not depicted in mid-flight; instead, it stood quietly, gazing into the distance as if searching for an answer. To render a painting with such lifelike detail required extraordinary skill. There were few in the martial world who possessed both exceptional light-foot skills and such refined artistry. Suddenly, a figure long hidden from the world came to mind—a master famous for painting cranes. "There is a man in the martial world renowned for his crane paintings," Yue’er said aloud. "It is said that even when offered five million taels of silver, he refused to sell his work. It is a pity that no one has ever seen his true face." She had heard many tales, and she knew Zhao Chengxian was likely just as informed, as they both frequented the Qinse Tea House.

Zhao Chengxian shook his head. "Impossible. The Crane Immortal is nearly sixty years old. Why would he bother with such trivial mischief?" When he first saw the painting on the wall of the Fengju Palace, he had noticed the resemblance, but he had dismissed it as unlikely.

Yue’er shook her head, looking at Zhao Chengxian with disappointment. "I do not suspect the man himself. I wonder if it might be the work of his disciples or grand-disciples. I have heard he has ten disciples and twenty grand-disciples; who is to say one of them isn't a thief? Regardless, I believe we must pay the Crane Immortal a visit." It was necessary to determine which sect the thief belonged to.

Zhao Chengxian smiled and nodded. "Fair enough. We shall set out at dawn tomorrow!" The other three could only listen; they were unable to join the conversation, as they had no interest in martial affairs—though in Feishu’s case, the environment simply didn't allow for it.

"Prince, Brother Wen," Li Hao asked, confused, "who are you talking about? Where are we going to find this person tomorrow? Please, speak plainly!" It was no fault of his own; in this era, scholars rarely had the leisure to concern themselves with the affairs of the underworld.

Yue’er explained, "The Crane Immortal is a man famous for his paintings. His cranes are so vivid that, years ago, I was fortunate enough to see his work, 'A Hundred Cranes Spreading Their Wings.' He depicted a hundred cranes, each in a unique posture, as if they were truly taking flight before one’s eyes. The Crane Immortal is a formidable fighter who avoids all contact with officials. If we go tomorrow, you must not reveal your identities. If you do, we will not only fail to get answers but also risk alerting the culprit, which would be counterproductive." Zhao Chengxian agreed, his mind already preparing for the challenge of dealing with the reclusive master.

"We meet at the entrance of the Wenxuan Library at dawn," Zhao Chengxian concluded. "Everyone, bring your own horse. If you cannot ride, you need not come. Even so, this matter must be kept secret. If anyone leaks information, they will bear the consequences themselves!" He rose and walked away, well aware that some of the scholars—men who had never touched a horse in their lives—would surely be left behind.

Wen Sibo watched Zhao Chengxian’s retreating figure and sighed with regret, "If only I had learned to ride!" He was not alone in his inability; the hulking Li Hao could not ride either, though he was too embarrassed to admit it.