My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

Although there were only two of them, they were both seasoned veterans who had been fighting for years, and their moves were ruthless. For a time, they forced the six guards to stay away from them.

But the guards outnumbered him, and the other two circled around to the side and charged straight at Ye Qingfeng.

Lu Yang, who had been standing by, became extremely anxious when he saw the soldiers about to take action.

Without thinking twice, he rushed forward, kicked one of his personal guards in the waist, snatched the water and fire stick from another guard, and swept it out horizontally!

"Bang! Bang!"

Two bodyguards fell to the ground immediately.

Although Lü Yang was a playboy, he had practiced martial arts since childhood and had a solid foundation, but he usually neglected to practice diligently.

In this moment of desperation, his actions were surprisingly skillful.

Seeing this, Zhou Wenchang became even angrier, and the physical pain made him unable to control his reason any longer.

"Rebellion! Rebellion! You're plotting a rebellion!"

He pointed at Lü Yang and shouted, "Take this madman down with us!"

Four more guards rushed toward Lü Yang.

Lu Yang swung his staff to defend, but he was no seasoned veteran like Lin Zhenyuan, and after a few rounds, he was forced to retreat repeatedly. A guard seized an opening and slashed at his shoulder with his blade!

Lu Yang couldn't dodge in time, and the blade was about to fall—

He suddenly stopped, neither dodging nor flinching, and stared directly at the guard, saying loudly:

"My father is Lü Wenyuan!"

The sound wasn't loud, but it was as loud as a thunderclap.

The sword in the guard's hand froze in mid-air.

Zhou Wenchang was also stunned.

Lü Wenyuan?

The name was all too familiar—the Prefect of Jingyang Prefecture, a fifth-rank official with the title of Assistant Prefect of the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of the prefecture's finances and taxes, wielding real power, and one of Zhou Wenchang's superiors!

Zhou Wenchang stared wide-eyed as he carefully examined Lü Yang.

The scene was chaotic just now, and his attention was entirely on Ye Qingfeng, so he didn't notice the young man whose face was covered in cigarette ash and bloodstains.

Upon closer inspection, although he looked disheveled, that face... did indeed seem somewhat familiar.

When he went to the prefectural city to report on his work last year, he saw Lü Wenyuan at a banquet in the prefectural government office and also caught a glimpse of Lü Gongzi from afar.

However, Lü Yang was sitting at a side table at the time, and he was half-drunk, so he didn't remember it well.

But looking at it now...

Zhou Wenchang broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing that the other party was stunned, Lü Yang knew that he had a chance and continued.

"My father, Lü Wenyuan, is currently the Assistant Prefect of Jingyang Prefecture. I am temporarily residing in Wen'an County and came here tonight... I originally intended to enjoy the moon and listen to music, but unexpectedly encountered evil spirits causing trouble. Fortunately, this Taoist priest saved me."

He spoke with such confidence that describing visiting brothels as "enjoying the moon and listening to music" was in line with the speaking skills of a son of an official.

The anger on Zhou Wenchang's face vanished instantly, replaced by a complex expression that mixed fear, embarrassment, and flattery.

But there were still occasional struggles in his eyes, as if he was rapidly switching between ruthlessness and flattery.

The Prefectural Magistrate, a fifth-rank official, was Zhou Wenchang's superior's superior!

With the financial power of a prefecture in his hands, not to mention Zhou Wenchang, a seventh-rank county magistrate, even the prefect would have to give him some leeway!

The guard who had raised his sword to strike Lü Yang was terrified out of his wits. He dropped the sword with a clatter to the ground. His legs went weak, and he collapsed to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly.

"I am blind and ignorant! I have offended you, young master! I deserve to die! I deserve to die!"

The other guards also realized what was happening, stopped fighting and retreated, all with their heads down, not daring to look at Lü Yang.

Lin Zhenyuan and Zhao Damang sheathed their swords, retreated to Ye Qingfeng's side, and breathed a sigh of relief.

The streets were completely silent.

Everyone was looking at Zhou Wenchang.

The county magistrate, who had just been so imposing and ready to execute someone, was now pale and flushed, sweat beading on his forehead, and completely at a loss.

He glanced at Lü Yang, then at Ye Qingfeng, his mind racing.

Lü Yang is Lü Wenyuan's son, and this identity cannot be faked—no one would dare to impersonate their superior's only son.

Lu Yang kept saying that the Taoist priest was his "savior" and even personally protected him...

What does this tell us?

This means that this Taoist priest is someone that Young Master Lü wants to protect!

If Zhou Wenchang dares to arrest this Taoist priest, it would be a slap in the face to Young Master Lü and Magistrate Lü!

But he had just ordered the arrest and said "he will be executed without mercy." How is he going to handle this now?

Zhou Wenchang's legs went weak, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

It wasn't that he wanted to kneel, it was that his legs wouldn't obey him.

He pointed at Lü Yang, his lips trembling: "Young Master Lü...this humble official...this humble official was blind..."

Lü Yang ignored him and turned to Sun Debiao, saying, "Squad Leader Sun, are you still going to arrest him?"

Sun Debiao dared not do it again. He hurriedly sheathed his sword and bowed, saying, "I dare not... I dare not... It was my fault for offending you..."

Lu Yang then turned to Zhou Wenchang and said coldly, "Magistrate Zhou, the immortal master has rendered meritorious service in exorcising demons, yet instead of rewarding him, you are framing and arresting people. If my father finds out about this..."

"This humble official knows his mistake! This humble official knows his mistake!" Zhou Wenchang scrambled forward, kowtowing repeatedly. "Young Master Lü, please forgive me! Immortal Master, please forgive me! This humble official was foolish! This humble official was ignorant!"

Zhou Wenchang knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold bluestone slab, cold sweat soaking through the lining of his official robes.

The night wind blew by, bringing with it the acrid smell of the ruins of the Moon-Viewing Pavilion, as well as a biting chill.

But the chill he felt at this moment came more from the bottom of his heart—the only son of the Prefect and Assistant Prefect Lü Wenyuan was right in front of him, and he had even offended him!

It’s over.

These two words echoed repeatedly in Zhou Wenchang's mind.

I just yelled at him and even tried to punish him... If Young Master Lü tells his father about this, not only will he have no hope of promotion, but he probably won't even be able to keep his position as county magistrate!

He secretly glanced up and saw Lü Yang standing respectfully beside Ye Qingfeng, his posture and eyes clearly showing heartfelt reverence.

Ye Qingfeng remained calm, as if he had just knocked him on the head from a distance and publicly humiliated him; he simply brushed the dust off his clothes.

Zhou Wenchang felt a mixture of hatred and fear, but mostly dread.

He forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace and bowed repeatedly to Lü Yang:

"Young Master Lü... I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness. I have offended the Immortal Master and you, Young Master... I beg you to be magnanimous and forgive me this time..."

Lu Yang stared at him coldly, without responding immediately.

Although he was a playboy, he grew up in an official family and naturally understood what to do at this moment.

To make Zhou Wenchang completely submit, we have to leave him hanging.

Seeing that Lü Yang remained silent, Zhou Wenchang became even more flustered and turned to Ye Qingfeng, kowtowing in response.

"Immortal Master, please forgive me! This humble official was foolish and offended your majesty... I will certainly report the matter of the Moon-Embracing Boat truthfully and request commendation for the Immortal Master..."

Ye Qingfeng shook his head.

"This humble Taoist priest does not seek empty fame." His voice was calm, his gaze fixed on Zhou Wenchang, as if it could penetrate his official robes and see straight into his heart. "But you, Magistrate Zhou—"

He paused, then slowly said:

"The evil aura tainted on him doesn't just extend to Lan Yue Fang."

Zhou Wenchang was taken aback: "Immortal Master... what do you mean by that?"

"What I mean is that there are evil spirits lurking in your home."

These words struck Zhou Wenchang like a thunderbolt, making him tremble all over.

He instinctively retorted, "Impossible! My residence is completely innocent; how could there be any evil spirits there?!"

After speaking, he realized his tone was too harsh and quickly softened it: "Immortal Master... I do have several concubines in my household, but they are all from respectable families and are absolutely free of evil influences..."