Chapter 138: Breaking the Deadlock

Pan Ximi nodded and said, "Exactly. To look like such a soft-faced, refined scholar and yet owe so much money—it just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover!"

No sooner had Pan Ximi finished speaking than a sudden clamor erupted not far away, accompanied by the sound of objects being smashed against the floor.

"What's going on?" Pan Ximi asked, looking bewildered.

"That sound must be coming from where the academic team is staying!"

Since the academy was here for an inspection, I had arranged for them to use one of the warehouses at the Bengjian Market, so they weren't far away. The loud commotion suggested a conflict had broken out. As the Lantern of Bengjian Market, I decided it was best to take Lu Yier and go check it out.

Pan Ximi looked at me and asked, "Wait, boss, you’re not taking me?"

I shot him a look. "Didn't you just come back down with me? Aren't you tired?"

Pan Ximi chuckled. "The moment I heard things being smashed, I woke right up!"

I sighed helplessly. "Fine, come along then."

When we arrived at the warehouse where the academy was temporarily housed, the heavy doors were wide open. As we stepped inside, we were immediately met with the stern glares of the academic team.

Elder Professor Wang stood to one side, his face dark, his eyes fixed firmly on Li Qiang. Speaking up in his defense—or rather, on his behalf—was the professor's assistant, also surnamed Wang; we had heard he was the professor's nephew. Everyone in the academy called him Assistant Wang.

"Li Qiang, I have already heard about you entering the mine shaft without authorization," Assistant Wang said coldly, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction and disappointment. "You knew the professor's orders perfectly well. Why did you choose to ignore them?"

Li Qiang’s face turned deathly pale. He stammered in his defense, "I... I just wanted to help find something. I never expected to run into a python..."

The professor interrupted him, "Do you really think we would believe that excuse? You’ve been a student under me for years. Do you lack even that much professional judgment?"

The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Other team members began to whisper among themselves, clearly displeased with Li Qiang’s actions.

A flash of panic crossed Li Qiang’s eyes; he knew his lie was being dismantled piece by piece.

"Li Qiang, everyone is pouring their efforts into this project. If something major had happened because of your reckless behavior, could you have borne the consequences?" A young team member spoke bluntly, his voice full of accusation.

Just as the tension threatened to snap, I poked Pan Ximi in the back. He looked at me, confused. After I gave him a subtle signal, he finally understood. I decided to step forward to break the deadlock.

"Everyone, please, let's stay calm," I said, my tone firm as I scanned each of them. "Li Qiang may have been in the wrong, but there was a reason for it. It was us who asked him for help."

"That jade pendant is an heirloom of Old Pan's family. I was just worried that if too many people knew about it, someone might set their sights on it," I continued, forcing my voice to remain steady and strong. "Professor Wang, my intention was only to recover this pendant, not to deliberately violate any regulations."

Professor Wang’s brows furrowed slightly as he seemed to weigh my words. The surrounding team members began to whisper again, and the atmosphere eased somewhat.

"But that does not mean his actions are excusable," Assistant Wang interjected coldly, his gaze cutting like a knife toward Li Qiang. "You are civilians, so it might be forgiven if you don't understand, but Li Qiang is a professional surveyor. What is buried beneath this ground are national treasures. You must take responsibility for your decisions, especially just after we’ve discovered a jade vein. Do you realize that even if this place seems small, if there were a real discovery and something went wrong, you couldn't pay for the losses even with your own life!"

I had to admit, Assistant Wang was incredibly rigid. But then again, people from the academy were all pretty much the same—stiff and stubborn.

Seeing Li Qiang crushed into silence by the pressure, I turned to Professor Wang and said slowly, "Professor, let me take the lead on this one. It was truly my fault for dragging Li Qiang into this. I hope you can grant me a personal favor... after all, we are going to be working together in the future! I also hope you all achieve great things here!"

Professor Wang mused for a moment, looking first at Li Qiang and then at me, before finally speaking. "Very well. Li Qiang, for the sake of Mr. Wang Hu, I will not discipline you this time. However, if you enter the mine shaft again, you must be accompanied by a team member, submit an application, and work under my direct supervision."

Upon hearing this, a look of gratitude washed over Li Qiang's face. The professor frowned, seemingly surprised that I had intervened. He then whispered to Li Qiang, "Go on, thank Mr. Wang Hu."

Li Qiang walked over to me, stuttering, his eyes filled with both gratitude and guilt. "Mr. Wang Hu, thank you..."

I smiled slightly and quickly said to Professor Wang, "Don't mention it, Professor. We are the ones who should be thanking you—Li Qiang was only helping us find something!"

Professor Wang looked at us, nodded, and then addressed the rest of the team. "Everyone, disperse. Go back and get some rest; we have even more important work tomorrow!"

As the professor’s words faded, the crowd dispersed, and the tension finally dissipated. Li Qiang stood before me, still looking a bit lost, his face a mixture of gratitude and shame. Only after Professor Wang patted him on the shoulder did he turn and leave.

"Mr. Wang Hu, do you and my student... have some other connection?"

Only after Li Qiang had walked far away did Professor Wang ask this question.

"Other connection? Professor Wang, what do you mean?"

Professor Wang’s gaze turned deep and contemplative, as if recalling a painful memory. "Mr. Wang Hu, perhaps you are unaware, but our survey team once experienced a disgraceful event in the past. An internal member colluded with outsiders to steal national treasures, which crippled our entire team. We have yet to fully recover to this day."

I was slightly startled; I hadn't expected such a history.

Professor Wang continued, "Because of this, we are exceptionally strict with the conduct of every member. Any rash decision could lead to severe consequences. Especially in a project like this, the safety of these national treasures is our primary responsibility."

I nodded, finally understanding his subtext. He suspected that Li Qiang might be working with us. However, he hadn't fully exposed it—partly because he lacked concrete evidence, and partly because it might truly have been a one-time favor.

I said, "Li Qiang is just helpful by nature; I don't think he’s that kind of person."

Professor Wang nodded. "I hope that is the case... but speaking of him helping you find that jade pendant in the shaft—would you mind showing it to me?"