"Her name is Ling Ji," Mu Bai's voice was calm, but a hint of nervousness flickered in his eyes. With no way to avoid it, he introduced her lightly, "She's a distant relative of mine, inexperienced in the world. Please take care of her."

Ten years ago, Ling Ji killed six human traffickers on Xianmiao Mountain, driving one insane. The officer in charge of the case back then was the man before them, Officer Zhao.

At that time, Mu Bai was young, naive, and accidentally let slip some secrets. Fortunately, Zhao Jiong was a staunch materialist who didn't believe him.

But now, Zhao seemed unfazed by the sight of the legendary dragon and was accompanied by people who were clearly not ordinary. He must have suspected Ling Ji's true identity.

Although the six traffickers deserved their fate, the police would still see it as murder. Mu Bai didn't want Ling Ji to be under suspicion or to face the judgment of others.

His lord should be revered and worshiped by mortals!

"Ling Ji?" Ming Ying, who had been eavesdropping, frowned. The name sounded familiar as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"Miss Ling, may I ask who your master is?" Zhao Jiong's smile was deep, his expression harmless. "I saw your impressive skills earlier and am deeply respectful. Your master must be extraordinary."

Mu Bai's expression cooled, his gaze becoming more guarded. Just as he was about to refuse, his lord's casual voice, muffled by the candy in her mouth but clear enough for everyone to hear, interrupted him, "I have no master."

Well said! That's the way to shut them up.

Mu Bai mentally gave his lord a thumbs-up. He smiled politely, ready to add, "We demons awaken our abilities through our bloodlines, inheriting them naturally."

Mu Bai's smile froze.

His mind kept repeating one sentence.

We demons...

Demons...

My lord, you've blown your cover!

"What kind of demon are you? Have you registered with the Special Administration Bureau?" Guo Xiaoxiao, who wasn't adept at subtlety, spoke directly with a lollipop in her mouth. "You look young. Just transformed?"

"My lord." Mu Bai quickly intercepted before Ling Ji could respond. "Aren't you hungry? Let me take you to eat." He glanced at the lollipop in her hand. "Though sweet, it's not filling."

"Hmm." At the mention of food, Ling Ji instantly forgot Guo Xiaoxiao's question. She nodded vigorously, excitement in her eyes. "Lead the way."

Mu Bai apologized to Zhao and the others, then subtly said to Ye Jianghuai, "Captain, I'll take her to the new rescue station to eat and rest. We've been busy for a while."

Ye Jianghuai's gaze swept over Ming Ying's group, then he nodded. "Go ahead, leave this to me." He paused, then added, "If it's not enough, use my share of the supplies."

"And mine," Zhou Tian eagerly added.

Mu Bai nodded and led Ling Ji away.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Wait... hold on!" Mu Bai had barely taken a few steps when he was stopped—not by anyone but by Ling Ji. Ming Ying, half in awe and half in excitement, looked at her, his old face flushed. "You... Are you Ling Ji? The deity of Xianmiao Mountain?"

"Hmm." Ling Ji glanced at Ming Ying with annoyance. "What is it?"

Before he could respond, she added, "If it's something important, make it quick."

"The heavens and earth are vast, but food is the most important. Whoever dares to stop her from eating, I'll deal with them!"

Frightened by her murderous gaze, Ming Ying stepped back, clearing the way. As she passed by, her scent of dragon saliva lingered, snapping him out of his daze. He quickly said, "Ling Ji, I have food!"

Ling Ji stopped in her tracks and turned around.

Seeing hope, Ming Ying immediately took out three boxes of Five Flavors snacks from his storage bag and handed them over. He then turned to Yi Yang behind him, "Quick, take out all your hidden stash."

"I'll repay you double when we return!"

"And you all, hand over your supplies."

Ever since he reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he rarely ate. Only in particularly good moods would he buy a box of Five Flavors snacks for a treat. His stash was far less than the robust young men behind him.

Yi Yang and Guo Xiaoxiao exchanged confused glances, not understanding Ming Ying's sudden change in attitude. Just a moment ago, he was still wary of the other party.

However, they obediently took out their supplies, moving swiftly and skillfully.

Not just because Ming Ying was their superior but also because they sensed his urgency and anxiety, something they had never seen in him before.

Watching Ling Ji devour the food, Mu Bai shot a resentful glare at the cunning Ming Ying but ultimately relented.

Well, his lord was hungry. He would just have to be more vigilant and protect her.

"Jin Hong, if they have ill intentions, curse them." Mu Bai whispered to Jin Hong, "We can't let them harm Ling Ji."

Jin Hong solemnly nodded, patting her chest in assurance. "Don't worry. If they try to hurt her, I'll curse them." She proudly glanced at Xing Miao.

As a koi, Jin Hong could not only bring good luck but also transfer misfortune and curse others. Cursing people was much easier than bringing good luck. Even before she transformed, she could do it effortlessly. Now that she had transformed, hmph.

Opposite them, Ming Ying was explaining Ling Ji's identity to his subordinates when a chill ran down his spine as if being watched. He glanced back, seeing nothing unusual, and continued, "Remember, don't judge demons by their appearance. Their faces and ages don't match. Although she looks young, she's an elder our director respects and treats as an honored guest."

"If she's such a big shot, why isn't she registered with the Bureau? Why haven't we heard of her?" The team members exchanged puzzled glances, whispering among themselves.

"It's not that she's unregistered, but her file's classified too high for anyone below the director's level to know." Ming Ying lowered his voice mysteriously. "And there's another reason. She was imprisoned, and they thought she'd never be released, so they didn't bother informing the lower ranks."

But fate is unpredictable, and now she's free. That's why he didn't recognize her immediately.

He had to report this quickly, so the deputy director could prepare, lest someone offend her out of ignorance.

Remembering some rumors about Ling Ji, his typing speed increased.

"How do you know this?" Guo Xiaoxiao couldn't contain her curiosity.

"My master left notes." Ming Ying felt grateful for his knowledgeable master, who seemed to still watch over him from beyond.

Guo Xiaoxiao, Yi Yang, Zhao Jiong: "..."

Alright then, having an all-knowing master does come in handy.

---

"System, system," seeing no one paying attention to her, Jiang Lingyan called her golden finger. "The demon core was taken by someone else. What now?"

The system: "..."

The system cursed its useless host internally but remained silent.

It didn't dare risk stirring up trouble so close to that powerful entity.

Ignoring Jiang Lingyan's calls, the system played dead.

Neither Jiang Lingyan nor the system noticed Ling Ji's gaze lingering on her, filled with a fleeting but profound meaning.

"Brother Dong, I think we've stumbled into something big," Yang Zhen whispered, hugging her backpack, her gaze darting between Ling Ji and Ming Ying's group.

"Do you think they'll silence us?" Her voice trembled, her face pale.

Once involved in secrets, those who accidentally uncovered them often met unfortunate ends, according to the books.

"Probably... not," Dong Shanmin said uncertainly, pointing to Ye Jianghuai and his men standing tall nearby. "Aren't there soldiers here?"

Soldiers protected civilians, not harmed them.

"But that guy is also a soldier." Yang Zhen pointed at Mu Bai, her expression uneasy. "He's with that demon girl."

Though fresh out of school, Yang Zhen could tell this much. Her eyes showed uncertainty but also a spark of curiosity and adventurous spirit.

"But she hasn't harmed us or shown any intention to," Dong Shanmin, seasoned by years of experience, assessed the situation.

His deep, steady voice conveyed calmness. "Though her eyes lack emotion, they're clear, without malice.

"Besides, she helped stop the flood and rain." He added, with a hint of appreciation in his tone.

"That's good deeds," he continued. "People can be good or bad. From her actions, she seems like a good demon... I guess."

...

In Peng City, at the Special Administration Bureau.

Deputy Director Zhou Cen had just returned from a meeting when he received an urgent report.

**"Deputy Director, the deity of Xianmiao Mountain, Ling Ji, has been released!"**

Zhou Cen spat out his water, soaking the documents on his desk.

Coughing, he ignored the wet papers and gripped his phone, reading word by word.

**"Deputy Director, Ling Ji is now in Fengchuan County!"**

**"Deputy Director, Ling Ji killed the rebellious dragon causing the flood!"**

**"Deputy Director, the rain in Fengchuan County has stopped, and the flood around our station receded, likely due to Ling Ji!"**

Zhou Cen scanned each word carefully, afraid to miss anything important. His heart pounded, disbelief clouding his mind, until he read the third message about the dragon's demise.

The last message brought clarity to his thoughts

.

He knew this news would have significant implications, and the Bureau needed to act immediately.

He quickly dialed the director's number, his voice urgent, "Director, Ling Ji of Xianmiao Mountain... is out."

There was a moment of silence on the other end...

---