Adrien and his two mothers were making their way back toward the palace.
The soft, golden afternoon light had begun its gentle descent into dusk, and the shops along the streets were preparing to gather up the weariness of the day and close for the night.
Everywhere, the city bustled with life—some people fretted over tomorrow's uncertainties, while others haggled intensely over the day's last bargains. Yet Adrien's gaze seemed lost, focused somewhere far beyond the ordinary sights around him.
After walking a little farther, they saw a crowd gathered in the middle of the street. A restless murmur moved through the people—many craning their necks, trying to see the argument unfolding in the center.
Adrien stepped closer to the gathering. As he peered between the shifting shoulders, his eyes settled on a familiar figure standing there—it was Miya.
Evelen and Selena recognized her at once.
Evelen leaned slightly toward Selena and spoke in a quiet voice,
"Sister Selena, isn't that your disciple Miya?"
Selena narrowed her eyes, studying the scene carefully.
"Yes, it's her," she replied, her tone measured. "But what in the world is happening here?"
Adrien kept his gaze fixed calmly on the crowd.
"Just stay quiet and observe for a moment, Mother," he said. "We'll find out soon enough."
In the midst of the crowd, Miya stood facing a heavyset man, her voice sharp with anger.
"How dare you have the audacity to accuse us of theft? Return the Spirit Leaf Grass this instant! If you don't, I will report your fraud to the city guards, and whatever happens after that will be entirely your responsibility!"
Without saying a word, Adrien let a faint glow of golden light flicker across his eyes. He had activated the Golden Eye of Spy. Within a heartbeat, the burly man's cultivation was laid bare before him—Soul Creation Realm.
Selena took a single step forward, ready to intervene, but Adrien lifted his hand gently and touched her arm. His voice was low but resolute.
"The time isn't right yet, Mother. Please be patient."
There was something in his calm certainty that made Selena pause and hold her place.
The man's temper flared further, his face turning red with rage.
"You little rats dare to call me a cheat?" he thundered.
A suffocating wave of aura erupted from him, pressing down on Miya and a young man standing beside her—Chen.
Just then, a familiar tone sounded in Adrien's mind—the voice of the System.
You have initiated a new mission.
Mission – 6: Protect Miya and Chen
Objective:
A swindler has stolen Chen's Spirit Leaf Grass and is falsely claiming it as his own. Rescue Miya and Chen and return their herb to them.
Reward:
A random reward
100 shop coins
Time Limit:
3 hours
Failure Condition:
Your Luck Points will be deducted.
A subtle gleam flashed in Adrien's golden eyes.
In the next instant, he stepped forward. An unseen, forceful wave of energy rippled out from his body like a silent storm, shattering the man's oppressive aura and blowing it away as if it were nothing.
The crowd gasped.
The burly man swung his eyes toward Adrien in shock. But Adrien's face remained hidden beneath the hood—no one could guess who he was.
Adrien's voice rang out, even and clear.
"What is happening here, Miya?"
The moment Miya heard his voice, it was as though a surge of relief and electricity coursed through her body. Her eyes shone with sudden brightness, and she quickly bowed slightly.
"Greetings to the Young Master!"
The words Young Master made Chen look up sharply. Though he could not see Adrien's face, a chill passed through his chest—standing near this hooded figure felt like standing before the endless depth of an ocean no one could ever measure.
Selena and Evelen exchanged a startled glance. They both knew Adrien's cultivation remained only at Mortal Master Peak, yet he had cast aside the pressure of a Soul Creation cultivator with effortless ease.
Stepping forward, the two women came to stand beside Adrien. Miya's eyes glowed with even deeper recognition and respect. Though both women's faces were hidden behind veils and cloaks, Miya felt no doubt—these were Lady Selena and Lady Evelen themselves.
She bowed to them at once, then turned back to Adrien.
"Young Master, this is my friend Chen," she began earnestly. "Today he found Spirit Leaf Grass deep in the forest. We brought it here to sell, but this man offered us only ten thousand gold coins—barely half its true worth. When we refused to sell, he forcibly took it. And now that we demand it back, he is accusing us of stealing it ourselves."
Adrien studied the heavy man with a steady, almost indifferent gaze.
"Is what they say true?"
The man glared back with open contempt.
"Boy, whoever you are—stay out of this. Or you will meet a very unpleasant end."
Adrien's voice grew colder, almost weightless.
"And if I choose to interfere?"
The man curled his lip into a sneer.
"Then I will summon the guards to drag you all to prison. You will be to blame for whatever happens next."
At this, Miya's lips curved into a faint, incredulous smile. She was thinking how absurd it was that someone dared to threaten the owner of the entire city with imprisonment.
Selena took another step forward, her voice calm but unyielding.
"So you will throw my son into a jail cell? Summon whoever you wish. I, too, would like to see who in this city dares to lay a hand on him."
The man's confidence visibly cracked. A tremor of doubt passed across his face. He turned to one of his lackeys and whispered something quickly. The man nodded and disappeared into the crowd to fetch soldiers.
Soon, the guards arrived. Without even asking any questions, their leader stepped forward and barked sternly at Adrien.
"So you are the ones disturbing the peace in our district?"
Adrien's voice remained as calm as still water.
"Will you not even investigate the matter?"
The guard captain waved a dismissive hand.
"The situation is clear enough. But if you have something to say in your defense, you may speak—we will not deny you the chance to explain."
Adrien nodded toward Chen, who stepped forward to recount everything that had happened.
After listening, the guard leader sighed.
"What you say may be true. But Spirit Leaf Grass grows only in the deep wilderness, and you do not have the cultivation to enter such regions safely. If your story is correct, the city gate records will confirm it. We will review them tomorrow. But tonight, you must all come to the jail. You will stay there while the matter is investigated."
Adrien glanced up at the darkening sky. The sun was slipping behind the rooftops. He remembered he needed to depart soon to join Victor on a mission.
A small smile touched his lips as he spoke.
"I thought this would be nothing more than a shallow spectacle. But it seems you people are doing your duty diligently."
He paused, letting the silence hang a moment before he continued in a voice that was almost soft but left no room for argument.
"I am leaving this investigation in your hands. For now—arrest this man. Tomorrow, I will settle this matter personally in the palace."
The crowd broke into laughter. Many of them thought Adrien's words sounded like the idle boasts of a foolish youth.
But Adrien said nothing further. Calmly, he lifted back his hood.
The instant his face was revealed, the guard captain's eyes widened in horror. He dropped to his knees at once.
"Greetings to the Young Master!"
Adrien's gaze did not waver.
"Arrest this man and bring him to the palace tomorrow. The judgment will take place there."
Stepping forward, he took the Spirit Leaf Grass from the swindler's trembling hand and offered it to Chen.
"Take back what belongs to you."
He then activated the Golden Eye of Spy again, studying Chen carefully.
Status
Name: Chen
Cultivation Realm: Mortal Beginner Stage – 7
Luck Points: 90
Profession: Orphan / Has a sister named Han Fi
Relationships: None (1/10)
Scope: Grade: S
Bloodline: Locked
Adrien felt a flicker of curiosity and anticipation, though he did not let it show on his face.
Chen bowed low and took the herb with both hands.
"Thank you, Young Master."
Adrien turned to Miya with quiet authority.
"Miya, come—let's go together."
Miya nodded and gestured for Chen to follow.
They all began walking away from the dispersing crowd. Miya and Chen walked ahead, while Adrien and his two mothers followed behind.
Selena seemed as though she wanted to ask Miya something, but Adrien gently took her hand and shook his head.
Evelen watched this small gesture, a thoughtful smile curving her lips.
Miya had assumed either Adrien or her master would question her about everything. But when no one spoke, she finally turned to Selena herself.
"Master, if I may—what were you all doing here in such ordinary clothes?"
Evelen looked to Adrien for permission. When he did not object, she answered with a quiet laugh.
"It was Adrien's plan. He wanted us to walk among the people and hear their voices as they truly are. But we did not expect to meet you in such trouble."
Miya nodded and began recounting Chen's story again, this time describing in more detail why he had gone to sell the Spirit Leaf Grass.
When she finished, Adrien turned to Chen, his voice gentle but serious.
"So you were planning to sell it to pay for your sister's treatment?"
Chen lowered his head respectfully.
"Yes, Young Master. Her health has grown very dire."
Adrien's expression softened, just a little.
"Very well. Keep the Spirit Leaf Grass safe. Come—let us go see your sister. If it is possible, my second mother here may be able to heal her."
A warm smile spread across Selena's and Evelen's faces, their eyes shimmering with a quiet pride that seemed to say—
Our boy has truly grown up.