Ma Xiong’s position within the Patrol Inspection Bureau was clearly lower than that of the deputy inspector with the surname Yang.

So he took the initiative to stand up and walked out of the room—this room used for "interrogation" naturally couldn’t allow just anyone to enter.

"Please let her in."

It was unknown what was said outside, only that Ma Xiong helplessly uttered these words before coming back into the room.

He exchanged a glance with the deputy inspector surnamed Yang; they obviously communicated something through a whisper, and the deputy inspector with the surname Yang nodded slightly.

After a short while, the Lord of Hua Ying Palace of Daqi entered the room.

Her tall stature, surpassing that of ordinary men, naturally drew all eyes upon her entrance.

"Your Highness, Palace Master," the deputy inspector with the surname Yang said. "Please forgive this official for not paying respects due to my duties."

Jiang Wuyou raised her hand slightly, "No need for formalities. This isn’t an interrogation, is it? If so, I’ll step out."

"Of course not. Jiang, the arrest officer, is not a criminal," said the deputy inspector with the surname Yang. "It’s just a routine questioning."

"That’s good," said Jiang Wuyou with a smile. "I’ll just listen in."

With that, she ignored the reactions of both the deputy inspector with the surname Yang and Ma Xiong, casually found a chair, and took a seat on the side.

She had no interaction with Jiang Wang from beginning to end.

But everyone knew why she was there.

Jiang Wang wasn’t surprised at all.

If the Qing brand catcher of the Imperial City Inspection Mansion openly issued a public notice for arresting people under Jiang Wuqi and Jiang Wuyou didn’t get the message, then there would be no point in competing for a place in the Hua Ying Palace.

Therefore, it was not surprising that she learned Jiang Wang had been taken to the Patrol Inspection Bureau by Ma Xiong and rushed over quickly.

Ma Xiong coughed once, ready to continue the questioning.

Knock knock knock.

Another knocking at the door was heard.

Of course, it was not appropriate for the inspector Yang to check the situation, and certainly not for the Lord of Hua Ying Palace to go.

Ma Xiong sighed inwardly, stood up again, and went out the door.

When he returned, a plump figure followed behind him.

Zhongxuan Sheng came in with a smile on his face, "I haven’t disturbed anyone, have I?"

"Not at all," said the deputy inspector with the surname Yang with a smile. "Please feel free to have a seat, Zhongxuan. We just have a few more questions for Jiang, the catcher."

Zhongxuan Pang wasn’t at all shy, but after looking around the room at the empty chairs, he said with a laugh, "No worries, I’m a bit tired from sitting in the sedan chair. I’ll stand for a while!"

Jiang Wuyou’s arrival was one thing, she might be there not only to protect Jiang Wang but was likely also concerned about how much involvement Jiang Wuqi had in this affair, seeking first-hand information.

Zhongxuan Sheng’s arrival... must have been sensing some sort of danger.

In fact, as soon as he heard that Jiang Wang had been taken to the Patrol Inspection Bureau, he immediately set out to come here.

At this moment, Jiang Wang and the two questioners were seated opposite each other, separated by a long black table.

Jiang Wuyou sat calmly on the left side of the long black table.

Zhongxuan Sheng stood on the right side of the long black table, smiling, looking at Ma Xiong.

Ma Xiong couldn’t help but glance back at him.

Zhongxuan Sheng lifted his hand and said with a smile, "Please continue. We won’t interfere with your questioning; ask whatever you need to."

Ma Xiong looked helpless.

The two of you, one a Palace Master and the other a scion of a prestigious family, watching over like two giant protectors, one to the left and one to the right... how am I supposed to ask questions?

He swallowed hard, attempting to make one last effort in a soft voice, "This case is of great importance, even Your Majesty is paying attention to it..."

Jiang Wuyou interrupted him, "If the Palace Master shouldn’t be privy to this, then I can leave."

Of course, Ma Xiong couldn’t say that the Lord of Hua Ying Palace should not listen in. Unless Jiang Wang was indeed suspected of being a conspirator, or she was currently detained here as a suspect being interrogated.

At that time, Jiang Wang was merely an onlooker to the incident. He came here under the pretense of helping them recreate the scene at that time.

He himself had an official position and a title, and would soon represent Qi Country in the Yellow River Gathering. Without evidence, even the word "suspicion," Ma Xiong dared not cast upon him.

Recalling the past in Bei County, before Jiang Wang left, he had to report to him, and now...

Ma Xiong sighed inwardly, Times change and new talents emerge, while heroes age.

He quickly adjusted his attitude, suppressed the slight thought of making a great achievement in his mind, and said earnestly, "Arrest officer Jiang, please continue."

Jiang Wang’s attitude remained consistent, neither cowardly when facing the situation alone earlier nor arrogant now with the support of the Lord Huaying and Zhongxuan Sheng.

He continued to narrate calmly and gently, "After I paid my respects to Marquis Jiufan, Zhang Song suddenly said to me, ’Why are you paying such sincere respects? You don’t even know him, and the Phoenix Immortal of Clan Zhang now could not possibly bring you any benefit...’

...Then he said that he couldn’t do it; he couldn’t respect anyone from Qi Country.

I realized he wasn’t the same Zhang Song I knew, and as a Qing brand catcher, I prepared to capture him. After a few exchanges, he entered that state where his flesh and soul began to disintegrate, and I retreated to the entrance of the Lingci, then you, Ma Xiong, arrived."

Ma Xiong thought for a moment and asked, "The same state as that Cui Zhu that day?"

"Yes, exactly the same," Jiang Wang said. "Zhang Song calls that state... ’annihilation.’"

"How did you escape then?" Ma Xiong couldn’t help asking. "I’ve heard that state is terrifying, with strong killing power."

Jiang Wang said indifferently, "Because I am very strong." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Ma Xiong: ...

It seemed that the Lord Huaying was getting somewhat bored, "Isn’t this something everyone in Linzi knows, Arrest Officer Ma? Are you still puzzled?"

"Uh, not really," Ma Xiong paused, "But I still have some questions..."

At this moment, the door was pushed open.

The Imperial City Inspection Mansion’s Commander and Inspection Envoy, Zheng Shi, walked in.

He stood at the doorway, saying lightly, "The questioning will be conducted by me personally from now on, you all may step down."

Ma Xiong and Deputy Inspector Yang said nothing in rebuttal and immediately got up and left the room. There were no objections as to why Lord Huaying and Zhongxuan Sheng could remain.

In Beiyaduwei, Zheng Shi’s word was law.

After closing the door behind him, Zheng Shi took a few steps and sat where Deputy Inspector Yang had been.

Jiang Wuyou sat still but his expression had noticeably become more solemn.

The smile on Zhongxuan Sheng’s face had also disappeared.

Beiyar Commander Zheng Shi was already a real power figure in Linzi. Now, he was also in charge of the case of Cui Zhu’s regicide and had been temporarily granted great authority, even being able to mobilize watchmen on a whim—the organization meant to suppress all evil spirits within Qi Country’s borders.

After sitting down, Zheng Shi watched Jiang Wang for a while.

So much so that Jiang Wang himself felt somewhat uneasy, wondering if there was any issue about him that he wasn’t aware of.

Could that "Zhang Song" really be related to me? Did I also know Cui Zhu before?

But Zheng Shi eventually just asked, "Have you eaten?"

Jiang Wang was taken aback before responding, "Uh, I had some snacks early in the morning, then went to The Imperial Ancestral Temple."

Zheng Shi nodded, then asked, "How have you been sleeping these past two days?"

"I haven’t slept; I’ve been cultivating," Jiang Wang honestly said.

"Diligence is a good thing, but don’t stretch the bowstring too tight. Sometimes you need to relax a bit," Zheng Shi said in a soothing tone.

Jiang Wang obediently nodded, "Alright, I understand."

"Good. That’s all I wanted to ask," Zheng Shi stood up, "Go and prepare well for the Yellow River Gathering."

Jiang Wang was startled again.

But Zheng Shi just smiled and then walked out of the room, saying nothing more.

Indeed, there was no need to say anything else.