A Loud Bang in the Dead of Night

"Bang!"

In the dead of night, a deafening crash shattered the silence.

The sleeping Spiritual Alchemists jolted awake, startled by the noise.

Then, they heard someone crying and shouting.

Everyone hurriedly threw on their clothes, got out of bed, and opened their doors, confused and anxious to see what had happened.

Lanterns hung outside every room, casting a dim light.

In the hazy glow, they saw Chloe Zhu dragging Wendy Wang of the Azure Dragon Branch out of her now doorless room.

Wendy Wang dangled from Chloe's grip like a rag doll, totally powerless to fight back.

She was shoved all the way to Chloe's doorway.

Then, with a single palm strike, Chloe sent her flying into the room.

"Ahhh!" Wendy Wang's shrill screams echoed from inside the room.

"What happened?"

"What's going on?"

"Why did Chloe Zhu smash Wendy Wang's door? And shove her into her own room?"

"Do you smell that? Ugh, it's awful!"

...

Everyone started gossiping and speculating.

At that moment, Ms. Liu, the Dormitory Steward for the women's area, arrived after hearing the commotion.

Several others followed, each carrying a bright lantern, illuminating Chloe's doorway like it was broad daylight.

"Chloe Zhu, what's going on?" Ms. Liu asked with a frown.

"Take a look." Grace pointed to her own room.

Ms. Liu lifted her lantern and walked in, first seeing a total mess all over the floor.

Then, she spotted Wendy Wang lying on the ground.

And what a spot—her face was smack in the middle of a pile of poop, her whole body covered in filth. The scene was... indescribable.

"How did your room end up like this?" Ms. Liu asked.

"She did it!" Grace pointed at Wendy Wang.

"Grace, what makes you say she did it?" a defiant voice called out.

It was Ruby Ji, wrapped in a luxurious red fur-trimmed cloak, looking absolutely regal.

Wendy Wang was from the same Azure Dragon Branch as Ruby Ji and always called her "Young Mistress Ji." Of course Ruby would speak up for her.

"Yeah! Grace, do you have any proof it was her?" Ms. Liu asked.

"Of course I do," Grace said. "There are her footprints right by the bed. Ms. Liu, you can check for yourself."

Ms. Liu wasn't afraid of the stench; she went in to take a look.

When she came back out, she said, "There are definitely some footprints inside, but how do you know they're hers?"

"Those prints are from dirty water, so even though the puddles have half dried, you can still see them clearly. There's a rooster shape on the footprint."

Ms. Liu saw it too and nodded. "So what?"

"I've seen Wendy Wang's shoes after she washed and hung them out—there's a rooster shape on the sole."

"Ah! That's an Azure Dragon Nation custom! They say you carve your zodiac sign into your shoe sole during your birth year to ward off bad luck," someone chimed in.

"Wendy Wang was born in the Year of the Rooster!"

"I've seen her shoe soles too—they really do have it!"

...

Everyone started talking at once.

Ruby Ji's face darkened. "How do we know Chloe Zhu didn't just use Wendy's shoes to make the prints?" she challenged.

Grace shot her a look and sneered, "The prints are already half dry. If you're so clever, go ahead—show me how to make a half-dried shoe print right now."

Ruby Ji glanced at Wendy Wang, who had finally managed to get up, bit her lip, and fell silent.

"Judging by how dry the prints are, she must've snuck in this afternoon while no one was around, picked my lock, and made her mess," Grace added.