The moment Lin Wei stepped out of the Siheyuan gate, he felt it.
A shift in the air.A tightening—like the city itself was holding its breath.
The street outside was crowded with evacuees and emergency workers.Sirens echoed distantly.Dust drifted in pale rays of sunlight.
But everyone stopped moving when they saw Lin Wei emerge.
Soaked.Mud-streaked.Holding an old notebook to his chest like it was a relic pulled from a tomb.
Liu Fang stepped out beside him.Her hand hovered near his sleeve—not touching, but close, needing the assurance of his presence.
Director Li strode forward.
"Lin Wei," he said urgently. "Did you stabilize the wall?"
"Yes."
"And the pump—?"
"Disabled."
Old Zhang exhaled in relief.Master Yu wiped sweat from his brow.
But Lin Wei wasn't relieved.
Not at all.
Because Trial Four had begun.
And the saboteur's message echoed in his mind:
"Trial Four begins when you step outside."
The Street Falls Silent
A vibration rippled through Lin Wei's bones—not from the structures,
but from something else.
His new skill pulsed sharply.
Liu Fang noticed his expression.
"Lin Wei? What is it? What do you sense?"
Before he could answer—
A child pointed toward the end of the street.
"Mom… who is that man?"
Everyone turned.
The Man in the Coat Appears
A tall figure stood in the shade of a narrow alley.
Long dark coat.Straight posture.Hands calmly in his pockets.
Face not hidden this time.
Sharp features.Unsmiling.Eyes like polished glass.
Zhao Ruitian.
The saboteur.
The ghost who haunted the city.The man who tormented Lin Cheng.The architect of these trials.
He stepped out fully into the sunlight.
No fear.
No hurry.
Like a lecturer arriving slightly early to class.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
Director Li stiffened.Master Yu's jaw clenched.Old Zhang whispered a curse.
Liu Fang grabbed Lin Wei's arm tightly.
But Zhao Ruitian's eyes were on only one person.
Lin Wei.
He smiled faintly.
"Good afternoon," he said, voice smooth as water."Lin Wei. Or should I call you… 'the successor'?"
Lin Wei stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of Liu Fang.
"You followed us," he said coldly.
Zhao tilted his head, amused.
"I follow everyone worth following."
The City Watches
Phones came up.People whispered.Members of the media, already nearby due to the evacuation, turned their cameras.
Director Li raised a hand sharply.
"No one approaches. Do not engage."
But Zhao's calm presence was overpowering—like a professor addressing a silent auditorium.
"Trial Three," he said, nodding toward the Siheyuan behind them,"was an evaluation of analytical composure under layered threat."
Lin Wei's fists tightened.
"You almost collapsed the entire district."
Zhao raised an eyebrow.
"If I wanted the city destroyed, I wouldn't need trials."
Old Zhang spat.
"You arrogant—"
Zhao held up one finger.
"And you," he said to Old Zhang gently, "should be more careful with your heart rate."
Old Zhang froze, startled.
Zhao smiled thinly.
"I do my research."
Liu Fang stepped closer to Lin Wei, but Zhao noticed instantly.
"Aha," he murmured."The girl."
Lin Wei moved immediately, blocking Zhao's line of sight.
"Don't."
Zhao's smile widened.
"Your father said the same thing."
Lin Wei's heartbeat thundered.
"What do you know about my father?"
Zhao placed a hand over his own heart.
"I tested him."A pause."He was brilliant. Perhaps as brilliant as you will become."
Lin Wei's voice sharpened.
"You killed him."
Zhao blinked mildly.
"Incorrect."
The crowd gasped.
Lin Wei staggered.
"You're lying."
"No."Zhao tapped his temple."Your father died trying to expose a syndicate. I offered him survival through excellence. He refused."
Lin Wei trembled with rage.
"You hunted him."
"Because he chose fear over potential."
Zhao's eyes gleamed.
"You can do better."
Trial Four Is Announced
Liu Fang's grip tightened on Lin Wei's sleeve.
Zhao's gaze flicked to her again—not lustful, not cruel,
but diagnostic.
"She matters to you," he said."Therefore, she matters to the test."
Lin Wei stepped forward instantly.
"If you touch her—"
Zhao raised one hand almost lazily.
"Trial Four is not physical."
The air grew cold.
"It is psychological."
Lin Wei's breath caught.
Liu Fang stiffened.
Director Li shouted:
"Enough! Zhao Ruitian, you are under arrest—"
Zhao didn't even look at him.
He focused only on Lin Wei.
And smiled:
"Trial Four: The Collapse of Certainty."
Then, in front of all of them—
He reached into his coat…
And threw something at Lin Wei's feet.
A black envelope.
The kind used for confidential case files.
Lin Wei crouched and picked it up.
His name was written on the front.
Just two words.
"For Truth."
The envelope felt heavy.Thick with papers.Too thick.
Inside—
what information?Which lies?Which truths?
Liu Fang whispered:
"Lin Wei… don't open it."
But he already knew he had to.
Zhao Ruitian clasped his hands behind his back.
His final words rang clearly across the silent street:
"Open it—and learn who in your life has been lying to you."
The crowd gasped.
Lin Wei froze.
Liu Fang's eyes flew wide with shock and fear.
Director Li's face drained of color.
Master Yu stiffened.
Old Zhang whispered, "What the hell…?"
Zhao turned and began to walk away.
Calm.Certain.Untouchable.
As he vanished into the alley, he called out:
"I'll be watching."
The Street Erupts
Media drones swarmed.People shouted.Director Li barked orders.
But Liu Fang grabbed Lin Wei's hands—
Her voice small, trembling:
"Don't open it. Please. Not here."
Lin Wei looked at her.
At her fear.At the envelope.At the shadow of Zhao Ruitian disappearing.
And he realized:
The next trial was not a structure.
It was trust.