Chapter 121: Is This Woman the Reincarnation of a Cat or Dog?

The family dinner continued for some time.

Lu Hanqing eventually finished his meal and immediately began asking Lu Yang questions about his journey.

Lu Yang answered a few of his questions before deliberately giving vague responses to the rest.

After all, he couldn’t possibly say that he had threatened to destroy a cultivation family and was searching for bandits to wipe out half the time, could he?

When Lu Hanqing finally ran out of questions, Chen Yuruo asked Lu Yang about his recent life and whether he had encountered any difficulties while staying in the Imperial Capital.

Lu Yang naturally gave her the same answers he gave whenever she asked this:

Everything was fine.

His grandfather was healthy, his work was progressing smoothly, and he had sufficient time to cultivate. There was nothing worth worrying about.

Chen Yuruo nodded repeatedly, seemingly satisfied with his answers. Nevertheless, she continued reminding him to take care of himself, eat properly, and avoid working too hard.

Lu Yang listened patiently.

After dinner, Lu Shishui invited him to sit in the main hall for a while.

The two discussed several ordinary matters, including Lu Yang’s work in the Imperial Prison and Lu Shishui’s responsibilities as Prefectural Judge.

Lu Shishui did not ask too many questions about cultivation.

He knew his eldest son had chosen to stay in the Imperial Capital partly because of his interest in the Imperial Prison. Since Lu Yang had never expressed any desire to pursue a more ambitious cultivation path, he saw no reason to force him.

Every person had their own aspirations. As a father, he could offer guidance, but he could not decide how his son should live.

After speaking for some time, Lu Shishui suddenly asked, "How long do you intend to stay this time?"

Lu Yang considered the question briefly before answering.

"Perhaps another two or three days."

Lu Shishui paused, "So soon?"

"I still have work to attend to in the Imperial Capital." Lu Yang said.

Lu Shishui looked at him before nodding.

"Very well. You can always visit again when you have time."

There was a trace of disappointment in his voice, but he did not attempt to persuade Lu Yang to stay.

After all, the journey between Canglan Prefecture City and the Imperial Capital was not short. If Lu Yang had matters to attend to, it would be unreasonable to insist that he stay.

Lu Yang understood his father’s feelings, but there was truly no reason for him to remain here indefinitely.

His family was safe, and his father possessed sufficient authority to handle most ordinary problems. The Great Qian Imperial Court still maintained considerable control over Wuyuan Province, and there were no immediate threats that required Lu Yang’s intervention.

He had already accomplished what he needed to do, and there was no need to prolong the visit just for the sake of it.

...

Lu Yang remained at the residence for another few days.

During this period, he spent some time accompanying Lu Hanqing, listened to his father discuss several matters concerning the prefecture, and occasionally followed Chen Yuruo around the city to meet her friends.

His younger brother seemed particularly reluctant to let him leave.

On the evening before his departure, Lu Hanqing followed him around the courtyard for nearly half an hour.

"Big brother, when will you come back?"

Lu Yang looked down at him, "When I have time."

"How long is that?"

"That depends."

Lu Hanqing’s expression immediately fell at those words.

Lu Yang could not help but feel a little amused.

He crouched down and patted the boy’s head.

"Study properly and listen to father and mother. When I return next time, I’ll bring you something interesting."

Lu Hanqing’s eyes brightened, "Really?"

"Really."

With that promise, the boy finally seemed satisfied.

Lu Yang straightened up and glanced towards the main hall.

Chen Yuruo was standing near the doorway, watching them interact with a gentle smile.

She did not say anything, but the expression on her face made her thoughts rather obvious.

Lu Yang returned the smile.

The following morning, Lu Yang bid farewell to his family and departed Canglan Prefecture City.

He did not look back after leaving the city gates.

...

The journey back took nearly another week.

By the time Lu Yang finally arrived at the Imperial Capital, he had grown somewhat accustomed to the rhythm of traveling alone.

He had not encountered any cultivator bandits on the way back, either.

Because of that, his financial situation remained more or less unchanged.

It seemed that the heavens had no intention of providing him with an easy source of income.

Lu Yang decided not to dwell on the matter.

After returning to his residence, he rested for the remainder of the day before resuming his usual routine.

The next morning, he reported to the Imperial Prison.

The familiar atmosphere greeted him as soon as he entered.

The corridors were dim, the air carried its characteristic coldness, and the distant sounds of guards exchanging words echoed through the passageways.

For most people, spending their days in such an environment would be quite unpleasant.

For Lu Yang, however, it was quiet and safe, carrying a sense of familiarity.

He had worked here for several years, and the Imperial Prison had gradually become a place where he could cultivate and carry out his responsibilities without too many disturbances.

After greeting a few guards along the way, he proceeded towards the section under Old Sun’s supervision.

The guards were performing their duties, the prisoners remained confined to their cells, and the daily routines continued as usual.

Everything appeared to be in order.

Lu Yang continued walking.

When he passed by a particular cell, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

"Hey, dog official."

Lu Yang stopped, looking in the direction of the voice.

Inside the cell, Song Fuyao had been resting with her head buried between her folded arms and legs.

Upon hearing his footsteps, she abruptly raised her head and stared at him suspiciously.

"Where have you been?"

Lu Yang looked at her, glancing at the surrounding corridor before returning his gaze to the woman.

"How did you know it was me?"

Song Fuyao narrowed her eyes, "What?"

"You were resting just now. You raised your head before I even reached your cell. How did you know it was me without looking?"

Lu Yang pressed.

Song Fuyao stared at him as if he had just asked an incredibly stupid question.

"Your footsteps, obviously."

Lu Yang fell silent.

That was certainly possible. Cultivators possessed heightened senses, and someone who had spent a long time in the same environment could become familiar with the movements of those around them.

However, Song Fuyao’s cultivation was only at the Fifth Stage of Body Tempering Realm, and she had spent less than a year in the Imperial Prison.

Her senses were considerably sharper than those of an ordinary person, but identifying someone just from their footsteps while resting in a prison cell was still rather impressive.

Before Lu Yang could say anything, Song Fuyao continued.

"Besides, you’re one of the few people in this wretched place who doesn’t have that gloomy atmosphere clinging to him."

She wrinkled her nose slightly.

"The others carry the same unpleasant smell everywhere, but you don’t. There’s a faint, freshwater fragrance around you instead."

Lu Yang stared at her in surprise.

Freshwater fragrance?

Is she talking about the natural scent of the Azure Spirit Body Tempering Art and the Azure Moon Spirit Water Technique?

Lu Yang’s expression became slightly odd.

Song Fuyao crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.

"What? Don’t tell me you didn’t know?"

Lu Yang remained silent for several breaths, an absurd thought suddenly crossing his mind.

Is this woman the reincarnation of a cat or dog?

How else could she possess such an extraordinarily keen sense of smell?

He looked at Song Fuyao strangely, and she returned his gaze without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

After a moment, Lu Yang finally shook his head.

"Your abilities are rather strange."

Song Fuyao immediately raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that, dog official?"

"Nothing." Lu Yang said evasively and resumed walking.

"You’re definitely insulting me!"

Behind him, Song Fuyao’s indignant voice continued echoing through the corridor.

"Come back here! Explain yourself! Don’t think you can just leave after saying something like that! Damn you, dog official!"