“There’s no grudge between me and Senior Sister Zhuo,” said Su Mei. “I just think you suit my taste better and want to compete with her for you.”

This was true but incomplete. Besides being drawn by the Pure Yang Sacred Body… Su Mei also disliked Zhuo Hongyi and wanted everything that belonged to her.

Silence filled the interrogation room for a moment.

A trace of grievance and defiance flickered in Su Mei’s eyes. “Look… what’s so great about Senior Sister Zhuo anyway? She always wears that stern face… thinking she’s so cool.”

“I just don’t get it… why do all our senior brothers and sisters in the Law Enforcement Hall like her so much?”

“Senior Brother Zhui Ming is like that… Senior Brother Tieshou is like that too… why?!”

After listening… Han Lie couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Now he understood.

So this girl… feeling overshadowed by Zhuo Hongyi’s dazzling brilliance… had developed jealousy toward her. That’s why she slandered Zhuo Hongyi in front of him… even wanting everything originally belonging to Zhuo Hongyi.

How cute.

“Alright… choose quickly!” Pouting slightly, Su Mei spoke authoritatively. “Do you want me to throw you into the Self-Cultivation Self-Immolation Tower… or choose to cut off all contact with Senior Sister Zhuo?!”

Han Lie shook his head with a bitter smile. “Captain Su… whether or not This Senior cuts off all contact with Captain Zhuo… isn’t something within my control.”

“Her cultivation far surpasses mine… If she resorts to forceful means against me… This Senior has no way of resisting.”

“That’s simple enough—I’ll protect you! Don’t be afraid!” Su Mei offered her solution too.

Actually… what Han Lie wanted to say was that he didn’t want to become a tool in any rivalry between Su Mei and Zhuo Hongyi. But given his current cultivation level… he clearly wasn’t qualified yet to say such words.

At this moment… Han Lie gained a deeper understanding of “helplessness.”

“Captain Su… then please allow This Senior one bold question: between yourself and Captain Zhuo… whose cultivation is stronger?” Han Lie asked the crucial question.

“Ah… umm… well…” Pouting slightly, Su Mei awkwardly replied, somewhat embarrassed, “Currently speaking… she is still stronger by a bit, though I will eventually catch up!”

Originally their cultivations were comparable. Only, she didn’t know what kind of opportunity or encounter Zhuo Hongyi had experienced, enabling her to break through to the mid-Golden Core stage so quickly and leaving Su Mei behind.

Getting the answer, Han Lie finally found a loophole and solemnly stated, “If so, Captain Su, facing someone whose cultivation is stronger, how can you protect This Senior?”

“This Senior understands your feelings, but we often cannot act solely on impulse; we must consider practical factors.”

Just as Su Mei was pondering how to answer the question…

Suddenly, a commotion was heard outside the interrogation room. Faintly, she seemed to hear Zhuo Hongyi’s voice too. Han Lie evidently heard it as well; he frowned, clearly hearing Zhuo Hongyi too.

“Senior Sister Zhuo? I already avoided her people; how did she still find her way here?!” Su Mei was inwardly puzzled, unable to figure it out.

Then, the door to the interrogation room was roughly pushed open. Zhuo Hongyi strode inside, followed by several White Tiger Squad Law Enforcement Hall disciples. Clearly, Su Mei’s people couldn’t stop Zhuo Hongyi.

“Senior Sister Zhuo…” Several White Tiger Squad disciples exchanged glances, unsure how to explain. Su Mei merely waved a hand, letting them withdraw.

Although she had instructed them to prevent anyone from entering the interrogation room, given Zhuo Hongyi’s strength, these junior brothers and sisters clearly couldn’t stop her.

After the White Tiger Squad disciples withdrew, Su Mei turned toward Zhuo Hongyi, questioning, “Junior Sister Zhuo, what is the meaning of this?”

Zhuo Hongyi feigned innocence and replied, “Senior Sister Su, I don’t quite understand your meaning. I’m asking you, why did you capture my old Servant Disciple?”

“What else?” Su Mei retorted, arms crossed.

“Don’t get agitated,” Zhuo Hongyi reasoned calmly. “I just captured a Servant Disciple; you don’t need to rush in here breaking things.”

“Besides, he killed Junior Brother Zhu Fan of the Azure Dragon Squad.”

“According to sect rules, the Law Enforcement Hall indeed should capture and punish him.”

“I shouldn’t be wrong, right?”

Zhuo Hongyi declared domineeringly, “If you have evidence proving he killed Junior Brother Zhu Fan, I would have no objection.”

“Evidence? Show it.”

“…No!” Su Mei declared unyieldingly despite lacking justification.

After all, the Law Enforcement Hall capturing Servant Disciples only required suspicion toward the Servant Disciple; they didn’t need conclusive evidence. Unless someone wanted to protect the captured Servant Disciple.

Like the current situation.

Su Mei would need to produce conclusive evidence Han Lie killed Zhu Fan; otherwise, she must release him.

“Then release him? Want to end up like Senior Brother Zhui Ming, sent outside for training? Junior Sister Su,” Zhuo Hongyi’s tone carried a hint of warning.

“Fine, fine~ Since Senior Sister Zhuo is coming to protect this person, naturally I’ll give you face.”

Su Mei paused slightly, lowering her voice and whispering curiously, “But… I’m rather curious about your relationship with this old Servant Disciple? Never seen Senior Sister Zhuo pity a Servant Disciple enough to want to protect him before.”

“None of your business.” Zhuo Hongyi didn’t answer the question. She wouldn’t fall into the trap of answering directly; it wouldn’t be proper regardless of the answer.

Then, she untied Han Lie, saying, “You can leave, old Servant Disciple.”

“Thank you!” Han Lie solemnly stated, “Thank you, Captain Zhuo! Your favor can never be repaid in a lifetime!”

After thanking her, Han Lie followed behind Zhuo Hongyi, leaving the White Tiger Squad office.

“Senior Sister Zhuo.”

About to follow behind Zhuo Hongyi leaving, Su Mei suddenly called out. Zhuo Hongyi turned back, asking, “Junior Sister Su still has matters?”

She saw Su Mei revealing a meaningful smile, saying, “Nothing much, just telling you a fact.”

“Actually, even if you don’t say it, I know your relationship with this old Servant Disciple.”

Hearing this, Zhuo Hongyi frowned. “So, Junior Sister Su, what are you trying to express?”

“Hehe, nothing much, just feel sorry for those senior brothers and sisters who admire you.”

“Probably they wouldn’t imagine their regarded moonlight in their heart actually plucked a peach for an old Servant Disciple… truly laughable.”