He had, in fact, told the truth.
Luotian had learned those precise figures from a book, though not one found in an ordinary academy. It was among the countless encyclopedias in the Coeus Library, the oldest and most revered repository of knowledge in the known universe.
Situated within his father's celestial domain, the Coeus Library held the collective wisdom of a thousand fallen civilizations. In his previous life, Luotian had been appointed its Head Researcher by his father, tasked with absorbing eons of knowledge within a limited span of time. During those centuries, he had studied ancient history, forbidden sciences, and cultivation secrets that even the oldest living deities had forgotten.
With all that knowledge, if Luotian called himself the second-most learned person on this planet, no one would dare claim first place.
Luotian put the memories aside and turned back to Wuji.
"Wuji, tell them what happened when you tried to distract it."
Wuji gave him one last skeptical look, then cupped his hands toward the Peacock Lord.
"My Lord, when the wolf released its suppressive aura, I ran at it to give the others a chance to get away. Sister Mei was carrying Brother Feng. I was right in front of it, but it went straight past me and chased them. I couldn't tell which of them it was after."
"Yue'er," Luotian said. "Once it caught up, it kept watching her. You might think she was keeping its attention off me, but it never even looked at me. It wasn't looking for something to eat. It had come for her. A beast at that level wouldn't pick a target like that on its own."
The Peacock Lord went quiet. His daughter had been singled out for an attack just outside the city he was supposed to keep safe.
"There's something else, my Lord." Wuji hesitated. "When it swallowed Brother Feng, Sister Mei and I… we thought he was dead. We were so angry that we both broke through. We brought the wolf down, but less than two minutes later, it got back up. All its wounds were gone, and it was stronger than before. How does that happen?"
Luotian looked at the Peacock Lord. "Uncle Mei, that leaves only one explanation."
The Peacock Lord nodded. "I think so too."
The First Elder nodded as well.
Wuji looked from one face to the next. "Well? Is someone going to tell me?"
"A Summon," Luotian said.
"Someone summoned it?" Wuji had heard of the technique, but he had never seen it used.
"Yes," the Peacock Lord said. "A Talon-class beast has little reason to hunt in the Green Zone. There's barely enough prey worth eating, and our scouts could spot it. Someone used a technique to bring it there. Whoever did it was the one after Yue'er."
"But who would dare, my Lord? That close to the city?" Wuji asked. "What about the God's Decree?"
"It keeps other empires from attacking us openly," Luotian said. "It doesn't stop every person who wants to hurt us. My father's been gone for years, Wuji. No one's heard from him. Even seven years ago, some people thought he wasn't coming back. More of them will be willing to take that chance now. We have enemies inside the city as well as outside it. Uncle Mei and the clan are what's keeping them in check."
"He's right," the Peacock Lord said. "People call this city untouchable. I wish that meant we could stop worrying. We have enemies, Wuji, and some of them are much closer than we'd like."
Wuji frowned. "All right. But I still don't get the Suppressive Force. If someone was controlling the wolf, why make it scare us first? Why not just use Ghost Walk and attack?"
"Because they wanted us to split up," Luotian said.
"We were already weaker than it. Why bother?"
"Think about what we did. You stayed behind, and Yue'er carried me away. Whoever sent the wolf was counting on that. They know who I am, and they know neither of you would leave me." Luotian glanced at Wuji. "If Yue'er had stayed to fight, she'd have been alone. If she ran, she'd have to carry me. Either way, she'd be easier to catch. They used me to make sure you two wouldn't fight together."
"They weren't willing to take a chance," the Peacock Lord added. "Separating you was safer than facing both of you at once. That was someone's plan, Wuji. And from what you've told us, they had a way to keep the wolf fighting if things went wrong."
"You mean when it got back up?" Wuji asked.
"Yes. Wight Wolves don't heal like that, and they don't come back stronger after those injuries. Someone used a Power-Boosting or Recovering technique on the Summon."
Wuji clenched his fists. "Damn it. They really thought of everything." He looked at the Peacock Lord. "My Lord, I don't mean to be rude, but… how are you so calm? They tried to kill your daughter."
The Peacock Lord's jaw tightened. "I'm angry, Wuji. Believe me. But I don't know who did this yet. If I rush out looking for someone to blame, I'll only warn them that we're onto them. We need to find them first."
He turned to Mei Changkong. "First Elder, investigate the attack. Start along the edge of the Yellow Zone. Look for a Summoning Circle or traces of Lure Incense. Be thorough, and keep it quiet."
"I'll see to it, Clan Chief." A moment later, the First Elder vanished from the hall.
The Peacock Lord turned back to the boys. "Go home and rest. You've had enough for one day. Leave this to me. I'll send word when we know more."
"Yes, Uncle Mei."
"Thank you, Peacock Lord."
The two boys bowed and left the hall.
After the doors closed, the Peacock Lord sat back in his chair. He kept looking at the spot where Luotian had stood.
"That still doesn't add up," he murmured. "Tian'er and Yue'er were swallowed. Wuji and Yue'er both broke through. The wolf got up even stronger… and all three came home without a scratch?"
A small smile crossed his face. "You left quite a bit out, Tian'er. And you made sure I'd notice. Are you waiting to see what I work out for myself?" He shook his head. "One day. You've changed more in one day than in the last ten years. Maybe this city will have its second God sooner than I thought."
* * *
"I'm heading home, Brother Feng," Wuji said as they left the pavilion. "I need to stabilize my cultivation."
"Good. Don't put it off. A breakthrough like that can cause problems later if you don't settle it properly."
Wuji let out a breath. "I need to get stronger. I thought we were safe here. Turns out I didn't know a damn thing."
"You know now," Luotian said. "Just don't try to make up for it all tonight. Get some rest, then take your time."
"Yeah, yeah." Wuji nudged his shoulder. "That goes for you too, Brother Feng. Don't wear yourself out training. You'll get there."
Luotian grinned. "Just don't get too used to being stronger than me. Next time, you might be calling me 'Boss' again."
Wuji laughed. "You wish. Get stronger first, then we'll talk. I'll come by once I've settled this new power. Try to be home for once."
"I'll be there." Luotian waved him off. "Go on."
They headed home in opposite directions, both quieter now than they had been on the way to the pavilion.