Arknightcraft Modpack
Chapter 540: Are You Telling Me What to Do?
Compared to the relatively calm Steven, Lin Yuxia standing beside him didn't look so good.
It made sense, Steven might not recognize the two sudden arrivals, but Lin Yuxia, who had lived in Lungmen for so long, could never fail to identify them.
But still… was this really something that required the Inspectorate to show up for?
If it were just something minor involving Santiago, then unless he literally blew half of Lungmen into the sky, these people wouldn't normally bother to intervene.
Frowning deeply, Lin Yuxia watched as the two red-hooded figures slowly approached. She instinctively took a step back—and at the same time stopped Steven, who was already preparing to make a run for it.
"People you know?" Steven glanced at the two figures, then at Lin Yuxia's tense expression. "If that's the case, I don't need to explain anything, right? You should be reporting my heroic act instead."
"At a time like this, you'd better tone down that attitude of yours," Lin Yuxia warned quietly. "They're not as easygoing as I am. And chances are, they won't care about your background either."
She knew exactly what kind of people these were. If Santiago decided to act cocky in front of them… who knew what they might do?
"Oh? That impressive, huh?" Steven rubbed his chin, openly sizing up the two now standing before him. "But why should I adjust myself? Shouldn't it be them adapting to me instead?"
"I'm staying out of it," Lin Yuxia said, shaking her head as she stepped slightly aside. Her stance was clear. "If a conflict breaks out, don't drag me into it."
There was no reason for her to oppose the Department of Discipline and Supervision on Santiago's behalf. The faction she represented wasn't in a position to clash with them—at least not yet.
While the two of them were whispering, the red-hooded figures had already arrived.
Their eyes, hidden beneath their hoods, swept briefly over both Steven and Lin Yuxia—before settling entirely on Steven.
"Hand over the item."
A female voice spoke from beneath the hood. Her tone was direct—more like an order than a request.
"The thing that appeared here just now… is not something someone like you should be allowed to possess."
The hood did a good job concealing her appearance.
Unfortunately, Steven's eyesight was anything but ordinary.
He could clearly see the girl's smooth golden hair tucked beneath the hood, along with her delicate and beautiful features.
'What a waste… such a pretty girl, yet so aggressive when she talks.'
He shook his head in mild regret, then lifted his gaze and gave them a friendly smile.
But the words that came out were anything but friendly.
"Are you telling me what to do?"
That gentle smile, paired with those words, instantly twisted into something provocative—like a deliberate challenge.
The blonde girl's brows furrowed immediately.
"I hope you will cooperate with the Inspectorate's operation," she said, her tone turning colder. "This is not a request—it is an order."
After confirming once more that the arrogant boy in front of her was nothing more than an ordinary person, she revealed their authority outright.
The name Inspectorate—in her eyes—was something no citizen of Yan would fail to recognize.
And yet…
Steven's response once again exceeded her expectations.
He simply spread his hands casually, meeting their gaze without the slightest hint of fear.
"I'm qualified or not isn't something you get to decide," Steven said flatly. "I paid for that item with my own money. That makes it my private property. If you're thinking of taking it by force, then the one breaking the law won't be me—it'll be you."
There wasn't the slightest trace of fear in his eyes—either he truly didn't understand what the Inspectorate represented, or he simply didn't care.
And more than that… the boy in front of her clearly seemed to be deliberately provoking her.
"This is for your own safety," the girl replied calmly. "The Inspectorate does not engage in the kind of behavior you're describing."
To Steven's surprise, the conflict he expected didn't erupt.
Even though his tone had been openly provocative, she still responded with composure and restraint.
"Spare me the 'for your own good' excuse," Steven scoffed. "That's one of the reasons I hate the most. If you think I'm not worthy of holding this thing, then come and take it from me."
He paused, then smirked.
"Of course, if you do that… then it's illegal. And I'll personally drag you all to turn yourselves in."
Right in front of the two Inspectorate officers, Steven casually pulled out… a speaker.
Only Lin Yuxia, standing nearby, knew exactly what this lunatic was about to do. She covered her face helplessly.
"…If that's how you see it, then there's nothing more to discuss."
The blonde girl let out a soft sigh, clearly giving up on reasoning with him.
"Perhaps, as you said, I should test whether you truly have the ability to keep such a dangerous item under control."
As her voice fell, she produced a staff from somewhere—its shape resembling a long spear.
At the same time, a phantom slowly manifested behind her.
It was a strange creature—goat-like head, wolf-like body, and dragon-like horns.
Steven casually raised a hand, taking a relaxed stance as if preparing for battle.
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Note:
The long name for the Inspectorate is Yan Department of Discipline and Supervision, in case you don't know.
This is more or less how they look like:
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 617: A Bold Guess[1]
Link: https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628[2]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628
[2] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628