Morning mist at Last Vow Monastery’s front gate as bells announce an official arrival. Novices stand in ordered rows beneath hanging incense chains.

Yan’s arrival is received in the outer court. The abbot waits at the top of the steps while the novices watch from below.

The group moves from the courtyard into the bone-reading hall. The hound’s pawprints leave faint calligraphy marks.

Inside the reading hall, Yan places his bone oath case on a table. The standing contract is introduced aloud.

Yan explains the consequence for concealment. The rule becomes concrete and terrifying.

Yan begins questioning the novices one by one, turning the rule into a ritual.

Wanqing recalls the destroyed kneecap and the exact limit of what she knows.

The Ink-Muzzle Hound detects fresh bone dust and begins moving toward Wanqing.

Yan continues the questioning while the hound circles closer, making the process feel like a trap tightening.

Yan reaches Wanqing’s desk and asks the question directly.

Wanqing chooses to lie because the destroyed bone cannot answer for her.

Yan presses about the bone dust, and Wanqing gives a practical explanation.

Yan does not accuse Wanqing. He instead frames her as a risk that can be managed by contract.

Yan changes to ceremonial courtesy and gives Wanqing a clean rib-sliver from his oath case.

Yan explains the stakes if Wanqing refuses or writes foolishly. The abbot’s silence confirms her lack of protection.

The official questioning ends. Wanqing is dismissed with the rib-sliver and the deadline.

Wanqing returns to her small cell at night and prepares to carve under a cold spirit-lamp.

Wanqing drafts a vow and sees how ordinary loyalty wording would trap her.

Wanqing thinks through how bone-oaths punish the body and why the visible wording must still be valid.

Wanqing carves the visible vow and hides her counter-clause inside the ligatures.

The vow seals successfully, proving the wording can stand. Wanqing hides her exhaustion before dawn.

Yan returns at dawn to collect the rib-sliver and inspect the visible vow.

Yan accepts the vow, but the Ink-Muzzle Hound senses something folded inside the script.

Yan leaves without noticing the hidden counter-clause. Wanqing understands both her advantage and the danger of beasts.