Chapter Twenty: Failure Is Judged

"Xia Yan," Qingxia's face was pale, "I can go with you, I can accept the investigation, but I am innocent, please believe me."

"I would also like to believe you are innocent, that He Changlou is maliciously targeting me." Xia Yan's tone was scornful. "But one exception can be called a coincidence. Two exceptions, three exceptions, that's no longer chance. Ma Wu agreed to let me join the team, then suddenly went mad, rushed into the demon's position, and tried to kill me. He Changlou suddenly loses his mind and tries to murder me. Things don't happen with such precise timing."

Xia Yan sneered coldly. "Qingxia, if you claim you're innocent, then prepare yourself for a thorough investigation!"

Qingxia's expression was miserable.

"Your secondary ability, your background—these will all be uncovered. If nothing proves your guilt, you'll be released. But if there is the slightest problem, don't worry, the agency's tribunal will handle you. You, He Changlou, and that angel—none of you will escape!"

Qingxia felt as if her entire body was plunged into icy water. This sixteen-year-old boy seemed like a terrifying harbinger of death.

"Qingxia, we're heading to the agency now. You and He Changlou will be investigated. Let's go."

"Alright," Qingxia replied, but her heart was in chaos. These details couldn't withstand scrutiny—her secondary ability alone would be enough to prove her guilt.

"And if you try anything on the way back, don't blame me for showing no mercy," Xia Yan added.

"Understood," Qingxia said softly.

"Let's go, Miss Lanxin," Xia Yan turned to Lanxin.

"I..." Lanxin looked embarrassed. "I can't move. I'm barely able to stand."

"Sorry, let me carry you," Xia Yan knelt and offered his back.

"Thank you," Lanxin replied quietly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she leaned onto Xia Yan's back and let him carry her.

Lanxin, carried on Xia Yan's back, felt her heartbeat quicken. Her eyes darted about nervously, her mind fluttering. Finally, she rested her head against him, the tips of her ears tinged red.

Xia Yan then walked over to the unconscious He Changlou and lifted him effortlessly with one hand.

So it was that Xia Yan, carrying one person and dragging another, kept a watchful eye on Qingxia as they made their way back.

The journey was uneventful. Even when a mutated beast appeared, Xia Yan dispatched it with ease using his fire element ability. Nothing unexpected occurred.

With Xia Yan's current strength, exceptions were impossible.

Throughout the journey, Lanxin felt the press of her chest against Xia Yan's back, her thoughts scattered and her cheeks burning with shyness. Time crawled by in this strange, unbearable atmosphere.

From time to time, memories of her past surfaced—memories that made her unable to trust anyone.

Would Xia Yan be the first exception?

She wasn't sure. But at least, Xia Yan had saved her twice.

When they returned to the agency in Fuxiang City, Xia Yan handed He Changlou and Qingxia over to the underground prison staff. Lanxin already looked much better, having only exhausted her powers and not suffered any injuries.

"Thank you, Xia Yan," Lanxin said, her cheeks flushed. "I misjudged my own strength and nearly lost to He Changlou."

"I should be the one thanking you," Xia Yan chuckled. "If you hadn't helped, I might have been killed by those two. You saved my life."

Lanxin couldn't help but laugh, but quickly composed herself. "Xia Yan, what do you plan to do about the angel who attacked you?"

"I'll make it public, force the angelic race to hand him over, and then have him sentenced and executed by the agency," Xia Yan replied without hesitation. "First, let's report all this to Miss Gong Kui. The headquarters of Zone One will probably handle this matter."

"Of course, this is no small issue," Lanxin nodded.

After reporting everything to Gong Kui, she confirmed that she could not decide alone. The investigation into Qingxia, the subsequent trial, and the trial of the angelic attacker would all proceed step by step.

However, based on Xia Yan's description, the attacker was soon identified as Xibons, a guardian of the Angel Race's Second Squad.

"Xia Yan, you really are reckless. You anticipated an ambush and acted without my approval!" Gong Kui's face was dark. She hadn't expected the angelic race to move so quickly. Yet Xia Yan and Lanxin had emerged unharmed and victorious—a miracle in itself.

"There was no choice—the arrow was already nocked," Xia Yan replied.

"Well," Gong Kui exhaled deeply, "at least you won, so I can't blame you. But you should have asked me to check He Changlou's file. What if you hadn't been strong enough?"

"He's just a seasoned guardian," Xia Yan laughed. "If it had been Captain Feng Qiang, I wouldn't have gone."

"You're as arrogant as ever," Gong Kui smiled wryly. "But I suppose I'm not surprised, given you once dared to challenge Director Ai You."

She sighed. "Xia Yan, I suspect Qingxia is at the heart of this. As for He Changlou, we need to confirm Qingxia's secondary ability to determine his guilt."

After a moment, she returned to the main topic. "Xia Yan, what do you plan to do with the angel who ambushed you?"

"Kill him," Xia Yan said without hesitation. "If he tried to murder me, why should I let him go out of misguided righteousness?"

"True, but some fear offending another race and choose to swallow their anger," Gong Kui replied with a smile. "But since you insist, we'll cooperate. We'll force the angelic race to hand him over for trial."

"Let me be the one to execute him," Xia Yan interjected.

"What?" Gong Kui's expression changed. "We'll handle it. There's no need for you to get involved."

"He pointed his blade at me. I'm the victim. I should be the one to deliver judgment," Xia Yan sneered. "If I, after being targeted by an angel assassin, simply endure it in silence, what's the point?"

To Xia Yan, if someone tried to kill him and failed, it was only right that he retaliate. If you have the resolve to kill, you must also be ready to die. Doing it himself was only natural.

Too much hesitation was pointless. Soon, he would be heading to the demon race's territory, a place where survival was uncertain.

Why hold back now? Better to be bold—after all, he's the greatest victim here. A mere Xibons wasn't worth worrying about offending the angelic race.

And if he did offend them, so what?

"Alright, I'll leave it to you," Gong Kui conceded. "I'll also send a team to the angelic race's Second Squad base to force them to hand him over. As the victim, you'll need to go too, but don't worry about safety. Whoever tries to attack you will die, no matter who they are!"

"Understood," Xia Yan nodded. It was like a police investigation—the witness must attend, and anyone who dared attack a police officer would pay dearly.

Gong Kui exhaled, a wry smile on her lips. The human side's Third Guardian Squad had suffered heavy losses—now only Captain Feng Qiang and two rookies remained.

She hadn't expected Xia Yan to act so quickly and decisively. She had thought this would be a drawn-out struggle lasting over a month, not a chase concluded in less than half that time.

Yet here was the reality.

Zone Nine, City Seven—Dizang. Blood and Banner Bar.

The bar was decorated in a retro style, with a ceremonial longsword symbolizing courage hanging on the wall. The floor was a deep red, and the bar had a distinctive atmosphere. As it was daytime, it was nearly empty.

A burly man poured himself a drink and downed it in one gulp. He was at least two meters tall, and despite his rough drinking, there was a look of contemplation in his eyes.

"Captain, what should I do?" Xibons stood at the man's side. His injuries had been treated, allowing him to barely walk, but he looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes.

"What should you do?" The burly man's tone was icy. "Xibons, what do you think you can do?"

"Captain, you must help me, please save me!" Xibons pleaded, his voice trembling. He hadn't slept properly for two days, his nerves frayed like a man awaiting execution.

"Xibons, you fool," the burly man sighed. "Why didn't you understand? If you couldn't complete the mission, you should have refused!"

"I didn't know," Xibons gritted his teeth. "That brat was too strong. It's all that wretched Qingxia's fault. It's all her fault."

"Zone One of the human race has already issued us a notice," the captain shook his head. "Xibons, no one can help you now. You'll be judged by Zone One, and if found guilty, you'll be executed."

"But..."

"No 'but'!" the captain snapped. "This is your own doing. Since you failed, you must accept the consequences."

"Then I'll run away—if I can just hide somewhere..."

"Shut up, Xibons," the captain said coldly. "You can't run. You must face the trial, or our race will lose all honor. That's what the elders demand."

Xibons' face was deathly pale.

He realized now that he, Xibons, was being abandoned by his superiors.

Soon after, Xia Yan and a squad of guardians arrived to take Xibons away, locking him in the underground prison in Fuxiang City.

The trial would be held at the district's ability training institute.

That day, Gong Kui contacted Xia Yan, asking him to come to the institute—apparently, the investigation was complete.

Xia Yan went straight to her office.

"Xia Yan, we've got the details. Qingxia is actually a human of the angelic race—our intelligence missed it. She has also developed a second ability, which we've confirmed," Gong Kui frowned. "As for Xibons, we've already arrested him. He's in the underground prison and ready for trial at any time."

"Understood," Xia Yan replied.

"Qingxia's secondary ability is a rare special type. It involves... with men... ahem," Gong Kui blushed, "In short, her ability lets her control others, provided... well, you know."

She couldn't bring herself to be explicit, her cheeks turning red.

"I understand," Xia Yan nodded.

"The truth is clear. As for He Changlou, we can confirm he was under control and thus not guilty. Now that his limbs are crippled, as a melee ability user, he's lost almost all his combat power—he's basically a cripple. That’s punishment enough; we can’t execute him," Gong Kui said.

"Agreed," Xia Yan had no objection.

"Tomorrow, we'll hold the trial for the two guilty parties in the agency's hall," Gong Kui narrowed her eyes. "This incident has caused a huge stir—everyone in Zone Nine knows, and even some beyond. Every major race will send people, including the new agency director. Ordinary members can't attend; only management-level personnel are allowed. Even so, nearby districts' instructors will come. We expect over two hundred attendees."

"That many?" Xia Yan was surprised. The agency's ability users didn't even number two hundred, yet with only management allowed, so many would come.

"Yes," Gong Kui nodded. "As the human representative of Zone Nine, I will preside over the trial."

"Miss Gong Kui," Xia Yan frowned, "if you preside, won't many in the angelic race resent you? That seems unwise."

"I have no choice," Gong Kui smiled wryly. "It's my duty."

"Miss Gong Kui," Xia Yan smiled, "since I’ll be executing Xibons and Qingxia anyway, and the angels will hate me, why not let me preside over the trial?"

"Hmm?" Gong Kui was taken aback, her eyes glinting strangely.

She wasn't sure Xia Yan truly understood the consequences.

This was a direct provocation of another race...