They arrived at the headquarters of the Heavens Justice Alliance, and it was surprisingly bustling with people and servants going about their tasks. This alliance, renowned for its influence and reach, was present in all the major cities in the region, so it was no surprise that Azure Dragon City had one as well.
Azure Dragon City, with its rich history and cultural significance, was founded thousands of years ago. Its origins are steeped in legend, with tales of ancient warriors and sages who laid its foundation. Over the centuries, the city has seen countless rulers, each leaving their mark on its development. Despite enduring numerous tribulations—from wars and invasions to natural disasters—Azure Dragon City has always managed to rise from the ashes, stronger and more resilient.
The city's enduring prosperity can be attributed to its strategic location, abundant resources, and the unwavering spirit of its people. It has become a hub of commerce, culture, and knowledge, attracting scholars, traders, and adventurers from all corners of the region. The presence of the Heavens Justice Alliance in such a historic and vibrant city underscores its importance and the vital role it plays in maintaining order and justice in the region.
As they walked through the grand halls of the headquarters, they couldn't help but marvel at the intricate architecture and the sense of history that permeated the air. The walls were adorned with murals depicting significant events and legendary figures from the city's past, serving as a constant reminder of the rich legacy that Azure Dragon City carries into the future.
Rowan and his companions arrived in one of the elegantly decorated rooms, where they were promptly served tea and an assortment of delicacies. The atmosphere was tense, yet the comforting aroma of the tea and the sight of the beautifully arranged food helped ease some of the immediate tension. The room was adorned with intricate tapestries and delicate porcelain, reflecting a blend of opulence and tradition.
Once everyone was sufficiently refreshed and in top condition, Serenity wasted no time in beginning her interrogation on the spot. She positioned herself opposite Rowan, her demeanor sharp and focused.
"Where were you when Luna and her guards were murdered?" Serenity asked directly, her tone leaving no room for evasion. She wanted to get to the truth swiftly and decisively. The urgency in her approach was palpable; she was determined to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.
However, Serenity couldn't shake off the unsettling feelings Rowan evoked in her. She was acutely aware of how vulnerable and feminine she felt in his presence, a sensation that was both foreign and alarming to her. Normally composed and in control, she found herself struggling to maintain her usual detachment. The intensity of her emotions was unsettling; after merely thirty minutes in the carriage with Rowan, she felt a powerful, almost magnetic pull towards him.
It was a disconcerting realization that if Rowan commanded her to bend over, she might find herself obeying without question, ripping her attire apart to grant him better access. This stark vulnerability was unlike anything she had experienced before, and it frightened her. She couldn't afford to let these feelings compromise her professional integrity or the interrogation at hand.
Serenity took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves and focus solely on the task before her. She reminded herself of the importance of the investigation and the need to remain impartial and composed. She couldn't allow her personal feelings to interfere with the pursuit of justice, no matter how overwhelming they might be.
"I was busy on my farm as usual, looking after my crops and attending to various tasks," Rowan replied calmly from his seat, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
Serenity leaned forward slightly, her gaze piercing. "Did you hear anything unusual? Sounds of a fight, maybe?"
"No. Nothing out of the ordinary," Rowan answered without hesitation. "Just the singing of birds and the natural sounds of the wilderness."
Serenity scribbled a note before looking up again. "Do you have any idea who might have wanted Luna killed, and in such a gruesome manner?"
Rowan shook his head slowly. "I don't know Luna well enough to hazard a guess."
Serenity's eyes narrowed. "And yet, I have several accounts here of you and Luna talking at great lengths on many occasions," she said, holding up a stack of reports.
Rowan's expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Oh, those occasions? Luna was just talking about how she would serve me well in bed, how good of a lay she was, and how she would do anything for me if I accepted her as my lover. She never really gave up, no matter how many times I said no. She was one tenacious woman," Rowan responded, a hint of disdain in his voice.
Serenity's pen hovered above her notepad as she processed his words. "So you're saying Luna was infatuated with you?"
Rowan shrugged. "Infatuated, obsessed, call it what you will. She was persistent."
"Did you ever feel threatened by her?" Serenity asked, trying to gauge his reaction.
"Threatened? No. Annoyed, perhaps. She was relentless, but she never posed a real threat to me," Rowan replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
Serenity leaned back in her chair, contemplating her next question. "Can anyone corroborate your whereabouts during the time of the murder?"
Rowan paused, as if considering his answer carefully.
"No. I was alone as usual on my farm," Rowan replied calmly, his demeanor unflinching.
Serenity's eyes narrowed as she leaned in, her gaze piercing. "Don't you find it strange that someone like you, untrained in the ways of cultivation, could survive out there in the wild? Unharmed and perfectly fine after 31 years, especially considering how pleasing you are to the eyes of many, particularly women?"
Rowan shrugged, his expression indifferent. "I don't find it strange at all. I am a survivor in my own way."
"Interesting," Serenity muttered, scribbling furiously in her notes. Objectively, Rowan was the only one without a solid alibi for his whereabouts, marking him as the most likely culprit on her shortlist. She encircled Rowan's name on the notepad and found her eyes landing on the man seated opposite her.
A sudden realization struck her. It was stated that Rowan and Lyra had trained together in the past and were seen as equals in martial arts. However, when it came to cultivation, it was discovered that Rowan had no spiritual veins in his body whatsoever. He was deemed trash in the cultivation world, but that did not mean he was untrained in mortal ways of fighting. To test this theory, Serenity opted for the most direct path.
"Bang!" In an instant, her figure blurred as she split the table between them with a powerful strike. The tea and food scattered into pieces, splintering across the room. But Serenity did not stop there. Her palm strike aimed directly at Rowan's shoulder, intending to shatter it.
But what happened next left her stunned. Her hand stopped on its own accord just a mere centimeter from Rowan's clothes. In disbelief, she tried to use her other free hand to slap him, but that hand too froze in place, suspended in mid-air as if held by an invisible force. Panic began to set in as she desperately checked her entire body, searching for any signs of external influence. But there was nothing—Rowan sat there completely still, doing nothing whatsoever. No technique was shown, nor any defensive stance taken.
The realization hit her like a thunderbolt: it was her own doing that made her stop her attacks. Her body was betraying her, refusing to follow her commands to harm the man in front of her. It was as if some deep, subconscious part of her was fighting against her will to hurt Rowan, rendering her powerless to inflict any damage.
"Sigh. I guess you've uncovered me, Lady Serenity." Rowan's voice was cold and low, a tone she had never heard him use since they started talking. Serenity shivered instinctively, a wave of fear washing over her. The chill in his voice contrasted sharply with his previously calm demeanor, adding to the growing unease that gripped her.
She took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. Rowan's calm, unyielding presence and the eerie control he seemed to have over her actions left her deeply unsettled. The room felt suddenly colder, the broken pieces of the table and scattered food a stark reminder of her failed attempt to overpower him.
Struggling to regain her composure, Serenity's mind raced with questions. How could Rowan, a man believed to be devoid of spiritual veins and unable to cultivate, possess such control and power? What other secrets was he hiding? She couldn't afford to let her fear show; she needed to understand the true nature of the man before her.
Rowan's eyes, once seemingly indifferent, now bore a sharp, almost predatory glint. "You see, Lady Serenity, not everything is as it appears. You may think you have the upper hand, but there are forces at play you cannot comprehend."
Serenity swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "What are you, Rowan? How are you able to do this?"
Rowan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I am what you might call an anomaly. Deemed a failure by those who value cultivation above all else, yet capable of surviving and thriving in ways they cannot understand."
His words hung heavy in the air, filled with a mixture of bitterness and resignation. Serenity's fear mingled with curiosity. She realized she was dealing with someone who had lived a life far more complex and dangerous than she had imagined.
"Tell me everything," she demanded, her voice firmer now, fueled by the need to uncover the truth. "If I am to understand, if I am to help or condemn, I need to know who you truly are and what you're hiding."
"I guess you deserve to hear the truth in your final moments on this world," Rowan said, and Serenity trembled as the weight of his words settled upon her.