Fourth floor of Five Crane Exchange, a quiet seasonal accounts hall with dark jade pillars, sealed guest rooms, and talisman chains guarding an upper stair.

Jiaolin works through fourth-floor ledgers at a side counter while clerks move around him.

The seasonal ledger identifies Elder Luo Qingshan's account as the source of the coin's heat.

Jiaolin tests whether the heat is tied to Luo's ledger or the entire fourth floor.

Jiaolin asks when Luo is expected and learns he is due in nine days.

A clerk warns Jiaolin not to pry into seasonal clients.

A bank-school messenger interrupts the investigation with a sealed assessment notice for Meilin.

Jiaolin leaves the fourth floor with the notice, understanding the timing is deliberate.

Inside the bank school, Meilin is called out of class for the early assessment.

Jiaolin arrives at Headmistress Pei's academy office where Meilin waits.

Headmistress Pei explains that early assessment can affect Meilin's freedom path.

Pei makes the threat sound like procedure, and Meilin realizes her future is being used.

Jiaolin and Meilin leave the office long enough for Jiaolin to reassure her without lying.

Jiaolin leaves the academy wing and heads back toward the third floor, deciding not to wait nine days.

Jiaolin requests a private audience with Gu Shi on the third floor.

Jiaolin places the inherited witness coin between himself and Gu Shi and demands truth.

Gu Shi stops bargaining and prepares to speak under witness.

Gu names the living connections: herself, Luo, Grandmaster Shen, and four hidden accomplices.

Gu explains that the loan funded an assassination against a rival bank's grandmaster.

Gu tries to soften her guilt, the coin blackens, and Jiaolin forces her to say the truth cleanly.

Gu explains that the listed debtor died during the assassination and was left to carry the entire crime.

The confession reaches Tan Wenshu, Jiaolin's grandfather, who preserved the coin.

Jiaolin realizes his family debt began with the conspiracy's cleanup.

Jiaolin presses Gu on who is threatening Meilin now, but she can only warn him that the reach is above her.

Jiaolin leaves Gu's room and returns to the bank hall, seeing the institution differently.