Chapter 1

Ten minutes ago, a report was received on Changyan Street, on the east side of the municipal hall. Song Qingxiao, upon receiving the news, quickly rushed over.

This area is at the heart of the imperial capital, very close to the University of Science and Technology where the Shi family resides. If the disturbance affects the school, it could lead to dissatisfaction from the royal Shi family.

To this day, the birth of the constitutional monarchy has significantly reduced the influence of the royal family, but they still possess immense prestige, status, and wealth. Their noble bloodline provides a powerful boost, keeping the Shi family firmly at the top of the social pyramid.

The University of Science and Technology admits only the most elite talents of the empire. Every person who enters and exits here exudes an extraordinary demeanor, even the security guards at the gate carry a sense of superiority, and their tone when speaking to Song Qingxiao was somewhat critical.

"An alarm was received, there's a disturbance about thirty meters from the corner. You know, this is the University of Science and Technology," the guard said with a hint of pride. "We can't let the disturbance affect here, or the municipal government will receive complaints from the school."

He doubted whether this woman could handle the trouble. Song Qingxiao was wearing a patrol guard uniform that didn't fit her well. She was very slender, pale, and her long, thick bangs covered half of her eyes. When she spoke, she seemed frail and weak, and her appearance did not seem to match the job of a security guard.

The entire imperial security system does have female staff, but most of the women who enter the system work in administrative roles, not in patrols or conflict resolution.

There are few women of noble blood and exceptional skills who are selected and trained by higher-ups during their school years to work in special departments.

If there are female patrol guards, they are usually strong and tough, not inferior to men. The school's security guards couldn't understand why the security department would hire such a frail-looking woman this time.

"I understand."

Song Qingxiao could see the displeasure in the middle-aged guard's eyes. Her lips moved, and she said softly, "I won't let the disturbance affect here."

She promised, knowing that this job was hard-won, and she had fought for it for a long time.

The job of a patrol guard was unrelated to her studies. She had just graduated, worked hard, and had excellent grades, but none of this helped her find a job.

Although the times were rapidly developing, her low birth and ordinary bloodline, along with her father's criminal record, which left a stain on her file, made it impossible for her to work in the safe and comfortable municipal departments.

Her mother was an alcoholic, and the family was in deep debt. She desperately needed a job to support herself. The patrol guard job, due to its long hours, low pay, and certain dangers, was often understaffed, so the recruitment criteria were relaxed, allowing her to avoid being rejected because of her father's criminal record.

After her persistent efforts, she secured a two-month probationary period, but the guards were quite dissatisfied with her. The captain had warned her that if she couldn't complete her tasks and received complaints, she might be asked to leave.

"I will resolve the trouble as soon as possible."

She lifted her head, her voice soft but firm.

She had no way out and was determined to resolve the trouble no matter what.

The sun was obscured by thick clouds, giving a sense of an impending storm. The buildings at the entrance of the University of Science and Technology, owned by the Shi family, towered into the sky, making Song Qingxiao seem small and ordinary.

As she turned to head to the disturbance, she passed many of the university's elite students, blending in like an ant, unnoticed.

In her youth, she had once dreamed of entering this top university and becoming a sought-after talent in various industries after graduation.

Unfortunately, some things cannot be achieved through hard work alone. The gates of this place would not open for her.

Song Qingxiao ran quickly, the guard's words ringing in her ears. She reached the disturbance in just a few minutes.

Changyan Street is located at the intersection of the east and west of the imperial capital. The westernmost part of the city is a chaotic area known as the "slums," notorious for its dirt, disorder, and poor conditions. Various forces are entangled, and crimes often occur. Sometimes, even if the police are called, the guards may not be willing to come.

Usually, the various gang forces know the limits of the authorities. They don't cause trouble beyond their own territory, especially not near Changyan Street, as the university is considered the domain of the Shi family by the people of the empire.

No one wants to cause trouble here and invite problems.

Today, a group of young hooligans gathered here, all of them young and inexperienced, acting recklessly.

Song Qingxiao's heart sank. If the troublemakers were adults, invoking the name of the Shi family might scare them away.

But if they were young and inexperienced, it would be more troublesome.

"Scatter, scatter!" There were about ten people gathered. Song Qingxiao raised her voice and shouted, "No disturbances are allowed here. Please leave immediately!"

The young men were drawn to her words and turned their heads instinctively.

Each of them was physically stronger than her. She was wearing a guard's uniform, which looked ridiculous to these unruly young men. They hesitated for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Get lost!" one of the young men, with a fierce expression, warned, "Don't meddle in other people's business!"

"This is Changyan Street, next to the University of Science and Technology of the Shi family..."

The young men surrounded her. She tried to stand straight, like a rabbit caught in the jungle.

Due to the disturbance, several cars were stopped in the distance.

In the middle of a black car, a young man glanced out the window indifferently and saw the girl surrounded by the fierce young men, as if about to be torn apart.

He should have calmly turned his gaze away. From the girl's uniform and the situation, he could guess what was happening.

If nothing unexpected happened, a bloody conflict was inevitable.

He wasn't particularly curious or prone to meddling. He could see that Song Qingxiao was clearly afraid, but her actions were the opposite of her fear.

The woman sitting across from him in the car noticed his gaze and followed it, stretching lazily.

This girl is done for!

She was certain of this, but the next moment, she heard the young man say, "You Qi, go and resolve the trouble."

A respectful response came from the front seat, and the car door was opened. The woman's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Her previous judgment was wrong. She saw the young troublemakers scatter as You Qi intervened forcefully. Song Qingxiao, wearing a loose guard's uniform, looked pale with a sense of relief after the ordeal. She turned her gaze to the young man beside her, and her eyes turned cold as she lowered her eyelids.

Song Qingxiao's first day at work almost ended in an accident, but fortunately, the matter was resolved satisfactorily. She spent the whole day on edge, but no complaints were received.

She spent the day in anxiety, and only let out a sigh of relief when she finished work.

By the time she headed home, it was already very dark. The weather was unusually hot, and the weather forecast predicted a thunderstorm. She needed to get home before the rain started; she had no money, and getting sick from the rain would be a significant burden.

Two alleys away from home, the western part of the city was dangerous at night. She quickened her pace, and the sound of distant thunder grew louder. The rain was about to come!

A loud thunderclap echoed, and a bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating the dark alley. Large raindrops began to fall. Before Song Qingxiao could raise her hand to shield her head, she saw a figure in a raincoat walking towards her through the rain and lightning.

At this time and place, seeing someone dressed like that was not a good sign. She instinctively lowered her head, and the wind and rain made her shiver.

The figure exuded a chilling aura, mixed with a sweet, blood-like smell.

Song Qingxiao's body tensed as the person approached. The tall figure made the narrow alley feel like a trap with no escape.

Anyone who could walk this road alone at night was not to be trifled with. She tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, but the person was getting closer. Just as they were about to pass by, she felt the person raise their arm. Song Qingxiao reached out to grab the hand, but the person held a dagger and stabbed at her throat.

She was like a powerless ant, her fingertips barely touching the person's long, cold fingers, which were soaked by the rain.

The thumb pressing on the dagger seemed to have a protrusion. Before she could think about it, the person twisted the dagger, clearly intending to end her life.

The person seemed very confident, striking and then quickly withdrawing. Blood gushed from the wound in her throat, quickly diluted by the rain.

Song Qingxiao's body convulsed on the ground as a thunderclap and lightning struck. She saw the person's back, the corner of the raincoat flapping, and the person hummed a tune as they left, sounding like a man in his thirties.

Who was this person, and why did they want to kill her? Many questions raced through her mind.

The massive blood loss was causing her pupils to dilate. Was she going to die?

This thought flashed through her mind, followed by another: "Do you want to enter the trial of the gods?"