At the same time, Han Lie, who was waiting at the entrance of the office, noticed Zhuo Hongyi and Zhui Ming appearing at the doorway.

Before Zhui Ming could speak, Zhuo Hongyi asked, “Old Servant Disciple, someone just informed me you were looking for me? Is something the matter?”

Her tone was flat, her beautiful yet spirited face showing little fluctuation, acting as if she didn’t know Han Lie at all.

“Replying to Captain Hongyi, This Senior originally came to report a case to you, but seeing as you are busy now, This Senior will return later.” Han Lie cupped his hands together, then immediately turned to leave.

Damn it! Isn’t this that Captain Zhui Ming of the Law Enforcement Hall’s Azure Dragon Squad, the one who gave me the death stare two days ago?

Han Lie had vaguely guessed the underlying circumstances. Right now, it was best to quickly leave this troublesome place. If he incurred Zhui Ming’s resentment, he would truly be like a mute tasting bitter herbs—unable to voice his suffering!

“Halt!”

A loud shout came from Zhui Ming.

Han Lie’s body shuddered violently, feeling as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss. A sense of foreboding surged through him like a tide.

Zhuo Hongyi also sensed trouble and spoke before Zhui Ming could continue. “Old Servant Disciple, since you’re already here, there’s no need to rush off. I have time; come in and slowly explain the details of your case report.”

Then, she turned back to Zhui Ming. “Senior Brother, you know I dislike being disturbed while working. Please return for now.”

Hearing this, Zhui Ming’s eyes widened in disbelief.

What…?

“Senior Brother? Is there anything else?” Zhuo Hongyi asked.

Zhui Ming furrowed his brows tightly. He wanted to get angry, but remembering that his relationship with Zhuo Hongyi had just begun to thaw, he forced out a strained smile and shook his head. “Nothing. Junior Sister, attend to your work then. I should head back as well.”

After waiting until Zhui Ming had gone some distance, Zhuo Hongyi finally beckoned Han Lie into the office.

“Have you encountered some trouble, Old Servant Disciple?” she initiated.

“Yes,” Han Lie nodded. “I am being targeted. Would Captain Hongyi be able to provide This Senior some shelter recently?”

“Aren’t you living at the entrance of the Sect Leader’s Violet Heaven Palace? Who would dare cause trouble for you there?” Zhuo Hongyi asked, slightly puzzled.

Logically speaking, the Violet Heaven Palace could be considered one of the safest places within the entire Heavenly Void Sect. As long as one hadn’t provoked Sect Leader Ye Qingxuan, no one would dare cause trouble at the Violet Heaven Palace.

Han Lie sighed helplessly. “Captain Hongyi may not know, but the Sect Leader has gone out on a trip, and it is unknown when she will return. So, This Senior’s small wooden hut is no longer safe.”

“Is that so?” After a brief contemplation, she said, “Then why don’t you tell me who is targeting you? I will help resolve it.”

If Han Lie faced difficulties, she naturally wouldn’t stand idly by. She still counted on Dual Cultivation with him for rapid improvement in her cultivation.

More importantly, due to his Pure Yang Sacred Body and the fact that Han Lie looked twenty to thirty years younger after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, she was unconsciously becoming increasingly captivated by him, beyond her own control.

“I cannot say. Captain Hongyi, This Senior can only tell you that this person is someone you cannot afford to offend. But as long as This Senior is under your protection here, she wouldn’t dare come cause trouble,” Han Lie replied wryly.

From a cultivation perspective, perhaps Bai Ling wasn’t a match for Zhuo Hongyi; but Bai Ling’s status within the Heavenly Void Sect far surpassed what a mere squad captain like Zhuo Hongyi could compare to.

Upon hearing this, she stared, stunned—Just who have you provoked?!

Immediately after, Han Lie added, “Moreover, Captain Hongyi, that Captain Zhui Ming earlier seemed to harbor great hostility towards This Senior too. Thus, This Senior faces even greater danger.”

She nodded. “I know. It’s because of me that he developed hostility towards you; theoretically, I bear the responsibility.”

“In that case, you may temporarily stay at my place for a while.”

“Coincidentally…”

Her previously serious demeanor shifted into a seductive, charming smile. She slowly stood up, sat right onto his lap, and hooked her arms around his neck, her slender jade-white fingers slipping inside his collar from the top.

Gently stroking his chest while leaning close, she whispered softly beside his ear, “Recently, my cultivation encountered a bottleneck; come help clear this bottleneck for me.”

Based on their previous two experiences, she felt ninety percent confident. Another session of Dual Cultivation with him would most likely allow her to break through her bottleneck into the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

If this scene were witnessed by others—especially a certain someone—their Dao Heart might shatter on the spot! Before others, she appeared aloof, like an untouchable celestial who did not partake in mortal affairs; yet before him, she displayed such a bewitching and wanton demeanor!

Provoked by her teasing, his whole body felt a restless itchiness, making it hard to sit still. If they weren’t in the Vermilion Bird Squad office premises, he truly wanted to devour her clean right then and there!

His hands also roamed freely over her body while he expressed a slight concern. “Captain Hongyi, staying temporarily at your place—This Senior has no objection. I’m just worried… what if Captain Zhui Ming finds out? The situation might be difficult to handle then! Who can guarantee he won’t secretly track us?”

Upon hearing this, she agreed the reasoning held merit. Given Zhui Ming’s personality, it was truly possible he would track either herself or him.

The next moment, she devised a countermeasure.

“No need to worry. Later, I will go and distract him. You seize the opportunity to proceed to my residence first.”

“That is indeed a good method!” His eyes lit up.

“Ah…!”

Her delicate frame suddenly trembled. She pushed away his hand, breathing softly.

“Don’t be so impatient, Old Servant Disciple. If we continue like this, I might end up losing face before my many junior brothers and sisters.”

He chuckled mischievously, suddenly having a bold idea. “Captain Hongyi, don’t you think it’s quite stimulating here?”

“You…!”

Her face flushed a deeper red. But truth be told—inside the reception room of the office… it was indeed stimulating! Her heartbeat intensified further, actually stirring an urge to try!

“Then… here, just once! Afterward, we wait until night to return to my place to discuss further!”

After a brief contemplation, she decided to throw caution to the wind—whatever! At most, she would just have to hold back and not make a sound!

Just as he was acting somewhat eager—like a monkey in heat—to remove her clothing, she stopped him in time, her expression turning serious.

“Wait. First, I must go instruct the junior sister outside to guard the door and let no one in.”

“Alright.”

Subsequently, she straightened her somewhat disheveled clothes and composed her flushed face. She opened the reception room door, gave her instructions, then closed the door and returned.

“Okay, let us begin.”

……