Protect Our Patriarch

……

Half an hour later.

Qingluo Garrison Town, city guard office, interrogation room.

In the large interrogation room, only Wang Anye and Wu Yiluo remained.

The patrol camp officers and guards were all outside, ready to rush in at a moment's notice.

Wang Anye intended to practice his interrogation skills, thinking it would be a good way to contribute to the peace and order of Daqian while he had some free time.

Wang Anye sat upright at the interrogation table, staring at the little beggar Wu Yiluo, who was locked behind the bars.

"Why do you say I'm a fugitive?" Wu Yiluo's eyes were wide with anger and defiance. "Do you even understand Daqian law?"

"Daqian law? That's a required course at Wang's Clan School." Wang Anye replied seriously. "As a sixth-rank family member personally conferred by His Majesty, I have both the right and the duty to assist the authorities in maintaining local order, capturing criminals, and eliminating bandits to protect the safety of the people."

"Moreover, I only said you were suspicious and might be a fugitive. If, after interrogation and investigation, you are found innocent, I will naturally release you and even compensate you."

"Who needs your compensation?" Wu Yiluo rolled her eyes. "Which eye of yours saw that I was a fugitive? If you can't explain, I won't let this go."

"First, your skin is fair and delicate, not like a beggar who has been exposed to the elements. Also, although your clothes are worn, they don't smell, and they appear to be made from good material originally from Zhou's Clothing Shop, just altered to look like this." Wang Anye said calmly.

"Who says beggars have to look a certain way? Maybe I'm new to the trade and haven't had time to become a proper beggar yet." Wu Yiluo retorted defiantly.

Wang Anye ignored her and continued his analysis with a calm heart: "Second, you have a storage ring hanging inside your chest. Everyone knows that even the cheapest storage ring costs twenty to thirty thousand Qian gold, and yours is a top-grade spiritual tool storage ring worth no less than four hundred thousand Qian gold."

"How do you know?" Wu Yiluo was stunned, unable to believe it.

This was too incredible; he even knew the grade of the storage ring!

"When we were hugging, it pressed against my chest bone, so I took it out to have a look. Although the quality of that storage ring is far inferior to the supreme spiritual storage ring [Endless Abyss] given to me by my great-grandfather, it's still not an ordinary item."

Pressed against his chest bone?

And he took it out to look?

Wu Yiluo's small body swayed, her vision darkened, and she quickly hugged her chest, cursing: "You, you, pervert!"

Wang Anye looked at her strangely.

It was just taking out your ring to look at it, how did that make him a pervert?

He continued: "Additionally, your right sleeve is long, and you wear a bracelet on your wrist, made of top-grade green crystal jade, a small spiritual treasure. And your belt..."

Seeing that he was getting more and more outrageous, Wu Yiluo couldn't take it anymore.

"Enough!" She stomped her foot in anger, "I admit my disguise isn't good, but I'm really not a fugitive."

She was both angry and embarrassed, fearing he might even describe the color of her undergarments if he continued. She had felt a bit of a crush when they first met, but now she was furious.

"Whether you are a fugitive or not is not for you to decide." Wang Anye slapped the table, imitating an adult's stern voice, "If you are not a fugitive, why act so suspiciously, as if afraid of being caught? Now, tell me your name, origin, and what crimes you have committed!"

"Alright, alright, there's no point in hiding it now. I'll come clean." Wu Yiluo glared at him, "My surname is Wu, and I'm a little princess from the Commandery Prince's household. I disguised myself to come to Qingluo Garrison for some relaxation, not wanting those annoying guards to follow me."

Wang Anye raised an eyebrow and cupped his hands: "Oh~ So it's the little princess herself, my apologies."

"Hmph, scared now? If you're scared, let me go quickly." Wu Yiluo waved her hand, "Considering you didn't know any better, this little princess will forgive you this time."

"Heh~ Are you a monkey? Climbing up the pole so quickly." Wang Anye's face turned cold, sneering, "A suspected thief daring to impersonate a princess? If you're a princess, then I'm the Commandery Prince. Call me Ancestor and let me hear it."

"You... How dare you insult my father!"

Wu Yiluo's face turned red with anger, her patience reaching its limit.

She kicked open the bars in front of her, her figure flickering as she appeared in front of Wang Anye, her small fist aiming at his chest.

As she moved, the effect of the small spiritual treasure or secret technique she used to conceal her aura dissipated, and the aura of a Basalt cultivator burst forth, causing the surrounding air to ripple.

"Eh? A Qi Refining Realm third-layer expert?" Wang Anye was not frightened but delighted. He clenched his small fist and met her head-on, "Such talent at a young age, no wonder you're so arrogant. Come, let your brother Anye teach you a lesson."

As they spoke, their fists collided in mid-air.

"Boom!"

A loud explosion sounded, and waves of energy burst out from the two of them, forming a small shockwave.

"Thud, thud, thud!"

Wu Yiluo, who had taken the initiative to attack, felt a shock throughout her body, being forced to retreat several steps.

Feeling the numbness in her arm, her eyes widened in disbelief: "You, you, you're already at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm third layer? How is that possible? Are you also a prodigy?"

She was of top-grade A-level talent, which was considered the best even among prodigies, allowing her to reach the Qi Refining Realm third layer at just nine years old.

But this "Seventh Young Master" in front of her, who was about her age, had a higher cultivation level than her. This meant he was at least a prodigy, and a top-tier one at that, to have such a rapid cultivation speed.

"What's so special about being a prodigy?" Wang Anye was indifferent.

His family had plenty of prodigies, and quite a few great prodigies. His level of talent was just average, and he was embarrassed to even mention it.

Wu Yiluo was initially shocked, but hearing his words made her calm down and she couldn't help but sneer: "You're just bragging~"

Even in the royal family, having top-grade A-level talent at her age was rare, wasn't it?

After all, the Wuji Baodan, a sixth-grade spiritual pill, had physical requirements. She was still too young to take it. When she turned fifteen and took the Wuji Baodan, she might become a great prodigy.

This guy's indifference must be an act!

As they spoke, the officers and guards outside the interrogation room heard the commotion and rushed in.

"Seventh Young Master, are you alright?" The guards looked worried, scolding Wu Yiluo, "Little beggar suspect, how dare you..."

"Alright, you all go out first, he can't hurt me." Wang Anye waved his right hand, looking confident.

Seeing his confidence and that he was indeed unharmed, the officers and guards obediently retreated.

The Seventh Young Master wasn't afraid of his peers. If he wanted to play, let him play~

With no one else in the interrogation room, Wang Anye looked at Wu Yiluo again and beckoned: "Since you won't confess, I'll beat you until you do."

Wu Yiluo sneered: "Try it. I've never been afraid of anyone my age!"

She was highly favored in the Commandery Prince's household and loved by the current emperor. Apart from her mother Gongye Qingrui, she feared no one and could turn the world upside down.

With that, the two started fighting in the interrogation room, breaking the table in no time.

Outside, the officers and guards listened to the commotion, exchanging glances.

Who would've thought the little beggar could hold her own against the Seventh Young Master? She wasn't just bragging.

"Do you admit defeat?" Wang Anye's voice came from inside, "If not, we can continue."

Clearly, Wang Anye had the upper hand in this chicken fight.

"I don't admit defeat!" Wu Yiluo shouted again.

"Hey, hey, you're using a weapon now? Fine, since you drew your sword, don't blame me for not holding back. Let me show you the sword technique I comprehended in the time it takes to burn a stick of incense."

"Great~ Sea~ Boundless~~"

Then...

"Ah~ My clothes are..." Wu Yiluo's shrill scream echoed, followed by a crisp slap, "You pervert, scoundrel, you, you, you!"

"Huh?" Wang Anye's voice was also a bit panicked, "You, you, you're a girl... Too, too scary."

"You bastard! What's so scary about that?" Wu Yiluo was stunned by his shameless words.

Outside.

The officers and guards, exchanging glances, couldn't help but press their ears against the wall.

What kind of plot twist was this? The little beggar was actually a girl in disguise, and they hadn't noticed?

But it made sense. The little beggar looked under ten years old. With some disguise, she could easily pass as a boy her age. Unlike a mature woman, whose disguise would be more challenging.

It seemed the Seventh Young Master's "Great Sea Boundless" move was so powerful it tore the girl's clothes...

"Just as my Seventh Grandfather said, girls are too much trouble." Wang Anye's voice sounded impatient, "Alright, alright, are we still fighting or not?"

What did he mean by "girls are too much trouble"?

Curled up in a corner, using rags to cover herself, Wu Yiluo was shocked by his words: "How can I fight like this!?"

"You have a storage ring, surely you have spare clothes. If you're not convinced, we can continue."

"Fine, the space was too small just now, I couldn't use my big moves. If I don't make you beg for mercy today, I won't be called Wu! Turn around, no, get out."

"Alright, let's fight in an open space."

With that, Wang Anye walked out with his hands behind his back.

The two guards and a group of patrol camp officers looked at the Seventh Young Master with admiration.

Who would've thought, not only was he handsome, but his way of flirting was also unique and domineering.

"Everyone, come witness how I make her admit defeat." Wang Anye rubbed the hilt of his sword, feeling a bit excited.

How long had it been since he felt this happy?

He couldn't bully his younger siblings at home, and he couldn't beat the older ones.

Finally, he met someone his age with decent skills. This must be what his great-grandfather meant by "meeting a worthy opponent" and "regretting not meeting sooner."

Amid the cheers of the guards and patrol camp, they moved to an open area, forming a circle to cheer on the Seventh Young Master.

Soon.

The girl came out angrily.

She had wiped her face and changed into a beautiful female Basalt combat outfit, holding a sword, looking heroic and impressive.

Even at a young age, it was clear she was a rare beauty in the making, destined to be a stunning beauty in the future.

"Wow, who would've thought the little beggar was so good-looking~" Guard A sighed, "She matches our Seventh Young Master well."

"Don't talk nonsense." Guard B said, "What's the use of being good-looking? It's about being well-matched. With the Seventh Young Master's status, even Purple Mansion daughters have to line up."

"What do you know? This little girl is young, probably under ten, and already at the Qi Refining Realm third layer. Her clothes are also valuable, likely from a prominent family. Maybe she was telling the truth, and she really is..."

"Really? If so, that's incredible. Why don't you notify the young clan leader?"

"I want to watch the fight, you go~"

While Guard A and B were chatting, Wu Yiluo and Wang Anye faced off.

"Little girl, reaching the Qi Refining Realm third layer at your age is impressive. But my sword technique 'Great Sea Boundless,' which I comprehended in the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, is not easy to break. If you're not confident, admit defeat early!"

Wang Anye stood with his sword, looking like a peerless expert.

"Hmph. Reaching the Qi Refining Realm third layer at your age is indeed impressive. But when I use my move, even I get scared..." Wu Yiluo's eyes were filled with pride.

"Alright, let me feel the fear."

"Take this, you scoundrel!"

After the usual exchange of harsh words, they started fighting again. Their moves looked good, and the guards and patrol camp cheered.

But honestly, their techniques were quite immature, like two chickens pecking at each other.

They were both extremely talented and had extraordinary bloodlines, progressing rapidly in cultivation. But they were still too young, one ten and the other nine, with limited time to hone their Basalt combat skills.

Yet they kept praising each other while fighting.

"Great move, an extraordinary move. Little beggar, what's the name of this sword technique?"

"Hmph, I'm Wu Yiluo, not a little beggar. This sword technique is called 'Purple Qi from the East,' created by my father. Scoundrel, your movement technique is interesting."

"I'm Wang Anye, not a scoundrel. This movement technique is my Wang Clan's 'Willow Catkin Movement Technique.' Though it's only mid-grade, mastering it can make one as elusive as I am."

Their mutual praise was so over the top that even Guard A and B couldn't stand it. Didn't they realize how amateurish their techniques were?

But as mere nameless guards, they could only silently complain while mechanically cheering.

"Wang Anye, ordinary techniques won't work against a prodigy like you. Watch my move, 'Azure Dragon Roar.'"

Wu Yiluo struck a pose, her aura changing instantly.

A powerful and majestic energy emanated from her, but her face turned pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead, clearly struggling.

Just as Wang Anye was about to mock her.

Suddenly.

A faint shadow appeared behind her, a yellow dragon-shaped shadow so thin it seemed ready to dissipate at any moment.

Though tiny and faint, it was a Dharma Aspect shadow!

Though this Azure Dragon was clearly just a young dragon.

"Roar~"

The faint young dragon shadow raised its head slightly, letting out a tender roar.

At the same time, a faint pressure spread across the area.

"What?"

Guard A and B, both elite Lingtai Realm cultivators, recognized the Dharma Aspect shadow instantly.

They were stunned.

Damn, that's a Dharma Aspect shadow.

Though weak to the point of being laughable, it was still a Dharma Aspect shadow.

Dharma Aspect shadows required cultivation support but were not directly related to cultivation level. Activating a Dharma Aspect shadow depended on the concentration of one's bloodline. Those who could activate a Dharma Aspect shadow in the Qi Refining Realm were all prodigies.

And she, not even ten years old, could activate a Dharma Aspect shadow, making her a top-tier prodigy.

"Wang Anye, are you scared?" Wu Yiluo's eyes sparkled with pride, "Forcing this little princess to reveal her Dharma Aspect shadow is an honor. Your sword technique, comprehended in the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, can't withstand it."

"Are you kidding? That little wriggling mudfish of yours wants to suppress me?"

Wang Anye was surprised but even more excited.

His aura changed, and a powerful energy emanated from him.

His eyes were filled with excitement and pride: "Don't think you're the only one with a Dharma Aspect shadow."

A faint shadow appeared behind Wang Anye, a vibrant green tree.

Though also small and undeveloped.

But he was clearly struggling, sweat dripping from his forehead.

"What? You can also activate a Dharma Aspect shadow? A tree? Hmph, a mere tree can't compare to my Azure Dragon."

"Try it."

They stood facing each other, their auras clashing.

Just as they were about to clash.

A stern voice boomed from the sky: "Wang Anye, stop fooling around! Put away your Dharma Aspect shadow."

"Grandfather?"

Wang Anye's aura faltered, and he quickly retracted his Dharma Aspect shadow, retreating obediently.

In truth, he was struggling to use his Dharma Aspect shadow, and even without his grandfather's intervention, he couldn't hold on much longer.

Wu Yiluo, also struggling, took the opportunity to retract her Dharma Aspect shadow, retreating to catch her breath.

At the same time, two figures descended from the sky, landing gracefully in the square.

The first was a man in a green robe, exuding an aura of calm and elegance, with a scholarly and dignified demeanor.

His beard gave him a mature and imposing presence, a natural authority from years of high status.

This was Wang Zong'an, the current young clan leader of the Changning Wang's Clan.

Having managed the development of Qingluo Garrison for decades, his abilities were well-honed, making him a capable leader.

His cultivation had reached the Celestial Realm years ago, now at the third layer.

Behind him was a middle-aged official in the Celestial Realm, but his aura and presence were far inferior to Wang Zong'an.

Moreover, his position was half a step behind Wang Zong'an, clearly following his lead.

The patrol camp and guards quickly saluted: "Greetings, young clan leader, greetings, city guard."

Everyone knew that the true master of Qingluo Garrison was the young clan leader Wang Zong'an.

However, as a member of a noble family, he couldn't join the official system, making it inappropriate for him to officially manage Qingluo Garrison.

So, Taishi Ankang had sent an average city guard to assist Wang Zong'an in developing and managing Qingluo Garrison.

Though usually amiable, Wang Zong'an had no time for formalities now.

He waved them off and focused on the little girl, his frown deepening: "Little girl, do you have the Azure Dragon bloodline? Is your surname Wu?"

In the Great Qian, the Azure Dragon bloodline was a royal symbol. However, even within the royal family, the activation rate was low due to the mixed bloodlines of Basalt cultivators.

"Hello, grandfather, my name is Wu Yiluo." She curtsied politely.

Despite being a troublemaker at home and fiercely competitive with Wang Anye, she had been strictly educated and was very polite to elders.

As expected!

Wang Zong'an's frown deepened, and he glared at Wang Anye.

This little troublemaker was getting bolder by the day, even daring to bully someone with royal blood.

Wang Anye looked innocent.

He was just capturing a suspect...

Wang Zong'an's mouth twitched.

This kid was getting more and more reckless, relying on his luck. He'd deal with him later!

He withdrew his gaze, not overly worried.

The Changning Wang's Clan was no longer the weak, rootless family it once was. They weren't afraid of minor Commandery Princes.

"Miss Yiluo, which branch of the Commandery Prince or Prince's family are you from?" Wang Zong'an asked gently.

If she was from a weaker Commandery Prince's family, the Wang Clan's current prestige would make handling the situation troublesome but not difficult.

"Grandfather, my father's name is Wu Mingyuan, titled 'Commandery Prince An.'" Wu Yiluo replied politely, casting a triumphant glance at Wang Anye.

"Commandery Prince An?"

Wang Zong'an's face turned serious, and he looked at Wang Anye with even more frustration.

Recently, in high-level family meetings, the name of the quasi-Imperial Heir, Commandery Prince An, had come up frequently.

He hadn't expected that his eldest grandson, when causing trouble, would provoke the daughter of Commandery Prince An!

At that moment.

A loud eagle cry echoed from the sky.

Two luxurious flying carriages descended, landing in the square.

Before the carriages even stopped, the voice of Prince of Longzuo, Wu Dianshan, rang out: "Young Clan Leader Zong'an, quickly gather your people and seal off the entire Qingluo Garrison."

His voice carried a clear note of anxiety.

For a Commandery Prince to be so anxious, it had to be something significant...

Wang Zong'an's eyelid twitched as he looked at the innocent faces of Wang Anye and Wu Yiluo, feeling a headache coming on.

Goodness, these two little ones were really not easy to deal with!

...