261: Self-directed and self-acted

[The Thirteenth Year,]

[The probes against you finally ceased.]

[Because the last time, the Jiang Family sent three Late Golden Core Stage experts simultaneously, only for them to die silently in front of you without anyone knowing how it happened.]

[They unanimously concluded that you have a Guardian behind you with strength comparable to the Late Nascent Soul Stage, as only someone with the Divine Sense intensity of a Late Nascent Soul Stage could kill a Late Golden Core Stage expert so silently.]

[As for those three Nascent Soul Cultivators, they never appeared in person.]

[One day, you were playing with Qin Han in the courtyard—in reality, you wanted to use this opportunity to test its mysterious and unfathomable innate Divine Ability.]

[After several attempts, you were increasingly astonished.]

[The little guy seemed to be surrounded by some kind of Dao rules; you used many methods, but they were all like a breeze brushing over a hill, unable to harm it.]

[Such talent could no longer be described as merely "strange"; it was enough to leave you stunned.]

[Even so, Qin Han itself did not know how to utilize this innate ability, which you secretly found a pity.]

[Qin Han, having been tested by your various methods multiple times, had bruises on its Face. It looked mournful, its Face and brows drooping, and it complained aggrievedly: "Daddy, stop playing, it's not fun."]

[You looked at it with a puzzled expression, deeply worried—how could you help it master its own power?]

[Moreover, you always felt that although it possessed intelligence, it didn't seem very bright—could it really be your own flesh and blood?!!!]

[Qin Han didn't care what you were thinking; it stood up on its hind legs, walked over to the fish pond, and started to urinate, imitating humans.]

[After finishing, it even shook its short, sturdy tail.]

[Watching its behavior, you shook your head speechlessly: "Who taught you to pee like that?"]

["Daddy, I saw... many little friends on the street peeing like that!" Qin Han said with a serious Face.]

["Not learning anything good, only learning bad habits!" you blurted out.]

[Just then—]

["Bang!"]

[With a loud crash, the gate of your mansion was kicked into pieces!]

[Yang Su, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Law Enforcement Agency, led a team of guards in bright armor to file in, filled with Killing Intent.]

[Yang Su locked his gaze on you like a hawk, raised his hand to unfold an arrest warrant wreathed in Spiritual Qi, which clearly displayed your portrait and name.]

["Qin Chen!" his voice was cold and stern, "Someone has accused you that the day before yesterday, over five hundred people from one hundred and thirty-seven households in Hongyan Village were devoured and sacrificed by a Cultivator of the Demonic Path. After investigation—this incident was committed by you!"]

[He paused, his lips curving into a cold arc: "I didn't expect that Your Excellency was actually a Demonic Cultivator hiding in the Imperial Capital!"]

[You naturally knew this Yang Su—over these years, your Divine Sense had covered the Imperial City, and you had noted down all these figures with some status.]

[What you knew even more clearly was that he appeared to be loyal to Prince Ji Kang, but in reality, he had long secretly defected to the First Prince, Ji Heng.]

[This matter was extremely secretive, even Emperor Ji Wuya was kept in the dark—only because the shielding Formation they set up happened to be just enough to block the Divine Sense detection of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.]

[As for why Ji Heng failed to become the Crown Prince, it was purely because Ji Wuya favored Prince Ji Kang's birth mother, out of favoritism.]

[You looked at Yang Su and smiled indifferently: "Just based on this easily forged document and a portrait from who knows where?"]

["Of course not just that." Yang Su seemed prepared, waving his hand behind him, "Bring out the witness!"]

[A guard stepped out in response, leading a small, thin girl, about six or seven years old.]

[She was barefoot with little feet frozen red, her small, cracked, bleeding hands hanging helplessly at her sides. Her tattered clothes could not cover her frail body, and on her small, dirt-stained Face, only her eyes remained bright.]

[The little girl looked at you as if she had seen a ghost, trembling as she raised her finger: "It... it is him... I saw with my own eyes... he killed everyone in the village..."]

[Tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice broken: "Daddy... Mommy... were all... sucked dry by him..."]

[You gazed into the girl's eyes—she was not lying.]

[Then there was only one truth: someone had impersonated your appearance to massacre the village and then framed you.]

[You turned to Yang Su, your smile slightly cold: "The Imperial Law Enforcement Agency actually believes in such crude tricks?"]

["The witness is here, how can you argue?" a guard beside Yang Su shouted sternly.]

[Yang Su also said indifferently: "The evidence is conclusive, Your Excellency should stop wasting your breath."]

[You ignored Yang Su and instead looked at the little girl, asking softly: "Little girl, what is your name?"]

[The little girl's eyes were dazed, and she hid fearfully behind Yang Su.]

[Yang Su looked indifferently at the attendant beside him and asked: "What is this little girl's name?"]

[The attendant shook his head to indicate he didn't know.]

[Yang Su looked at the others.]

[Everyone shook their heads as well, indicating they didn't know.]

[The little girl whispered: "My name is Yu'er."]

["Yu'er, what a good name!" You looked at the little girl in front of you, and couldn't help but think of your own younger sister, your gaze softening a little.]

[If Yu'er had not been present, this group of people from the Imperial Law Enforcement Agency would likely have been wiped out by you already.]

[Just at this moment—]

[A gentle yet dignified voice came from outside the gate:]

["Deputy Commander Yang, I am afraid there are other hidden circumstances to this matter."]

[Everyone looked towards the sound and saw a man dressed in fine robes with a graceful demeanor slowly stepping into the courtyard.]

[He first nodded slightly to you, then looked at Yang Su:]

["Could you give this Prince some Face and postpone this matter for further discussion?"]

[The person who arrived was none other than the First Prince, Ji Heng.]

[Yang Su's expression did not change, and he cupped his hands: "Your Highness, the Imperial Law Enforcement Agency has always been fair and strict in handling cases. If I let the suspect go just because of your one-sided words, how can I answer to His Majesty and the laws of the Immortal Dynasty?"]

[Ji Heng's gaze darkened: "Yang Su, you—"]

["I ask the First Prince to step aside, otherwise do not blame this subordinate for being offensive." Yang Su held his head high, appearing selfless and impartial in enforcing the law.]

[Upon hearing this, Ji Heng not only did not retreat but took a step forward, firmly blocking in front of you, and said coldly: "If you want to take Brother Qin away, you must first get past me."]

["First Prince, obstructing the Imperial Law Enforcement Agency in handling a case—if this matter reaches His Majesty, do you know what the consequences will be?" Yang Su's tone carried a threat, but his voice remained flat.]

["Please do so." Ji Heng replied with only two words, his figure remaining motionless.]

[Yang Su's expression changed, his gaze shifting between you and Ji Heng for a few moments, and finally, he snorted coldly:]

["Let's go!"]

[After saying this, he turned and left with the guards, leaving behind the ruined gate.]

[You stood quietly on the side, taking in this scene of "impartial law enforcement" and "the righteous prince," yet your heart remained calm and waveless.]

[You naturally understood—from beginning to end, this was clearly a double act orchestrated by Ji Heng himself.]

[You could also guess what he was going to say next with high accuracy.]