Before Shangguan Qing could think further—
A violent cough echoed through the cell.
"Cough, cough, cough…"
Clotted blood spilled from Chen Xian’s throat, and his whole body ached.
Fortunately, his external injuries and fractured bones had already been treated.
The mont he opened his eyes and saw Shangguan Qing looking at him, he wanted to explain—but before he could get a single word out, a cold snort interrupted him.
"Awake already? Why not sleep a little longer?"
A middle-aged man stood outside the cell.
Both Chen Xian and Shangguan Qing imdiately straightened up and called out in unison:
"Instructor Feng!"
Chen Xian's face lit up. "You're here to save us?!"
That was a big mistake.
Before he could even react, a torrent of curses rained down on him.
"Save you? You actually have the nerve to ask to save you?!"
"As 749 investigators, you knowingly broke the law—robbing people in broad daylight, forcing sales at unfair prices! And you—" he turned to Shangguan Qing, "attacking an investigator on patrol in his own jurisdiction without even understanding the situation!"
"Shaful! Absolutely disgraceful! I’m embarrassed for you!"
"What, did none of the training sessions sink into your thick skulls?!"
Just as Instructor Feng was berating them, a mocking laugh ca from the side.
Li Xuanlong sneered. "You putting on a show for ? What’s this, a little slap on the wrist to save face?"
"Feng, let tell you sothing—this little act doesn’t work on . What, is 749 a bandit training camp now?!"
"The report is already submitted. So is the surveillance footage—everything from start to finish."
Yan Feifan really worked fast.
"Let’s not beat around the bush," Li Xuanlong continued. "The main offender stays locked up. His qualification for the Year-One Combat Trials is revoked—his character is flawed. Don’t even try to push for leniency."
"The entire thing was caught on cara—he was extorting soone, forcing a sale, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. This isn’t ‘the highest bidder wins’—this is outright robbery!"
Instructor Feng opened his mouth to argue, but Li Xuanlong cut him off.
"After the trials, you can take him back and deal with him however you want. But I expect a full report."
"The Three-District Combat Trials are under public scrutiny, and this disgraceful incident must be t with severe punishnt."
"As for the accomplice"—he glanced at Shangguan Qing—"the footage shows she only got involved due to verbal disputes and was trying to defend her fellow investigator. She wasn’t part of the extortion. Her punishnt will be lighter. She can still compete in the trials, but I expect to see an official disciplinary notice when she returns."
With that, Li Xuanlong cast a cold glance into the cell.
"Lawless. Abusing authority for personal gain. I’ve learned sothing new today—so 749 credentials can be used like this, huh?"
Not bothering to listen any further, he turned and walked away.
Instructor Feng rushed after him, calling out, "Old Li, wait, let’s talk this through!"
Inside the cell, Chen Xian and Shangguan Qing sat in miserable silence.
They were both ashad—utterly humiliated.
Their disgrace had spread all the way to Yunhai.
Chen Xian now saw things clearly. This entire ss was his fault.
If he had just thought things through, he could have handled it much better.
But!
If that man had just given him a chance to explain, things wouldn’t have escalated like this!
And now, even Shangguan Qing had been dragged down with him.
Worse still—he had lost his place in the Year-One Combat Trials!
Why?!
Chen Xian only had one question: Why?!
Yes, he had made a mistake.
But was there really no room for compromise?!
He admitted that he had acted rashly, but no real harm had been done!
The injured Cultivators of Qi? They were the ones who blocked him first!
He was willing to pay for their dical expenses.
So why did things have to go this far?!
Unwillingness burned in his heart.
Lu Ding, huh?
I’ll rember you.
When I get out, we’ll et again.
And when that ti cos, I’ll repay today’s humiliation a hundredfold!
anwhile, at Caojia Alley—A Banquet of Good Food and Good Wine
The courtyard was filled with rich aromas as the group sat around a table piled high with delicious dishes.
Lu Ding picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of chicken, and was about to take a bite—
Snap.
His chopsticks broke in half.
The chicken tumbled onto the table.
The lively atmosphere froze in an instant.
Cao Ying’s expression stiffened. Breaking chopsticks while treating guests? That was seriously bad luck…
Chopsticks had been steeped in tradition for thousands of years, carrying countless anings.
Among the old folk customs, they were sotis used in rituals to ward off malevolent spirits and mischievous entities.
If a child frequently suffered from inexplicable ailnts, yet dical examinations found nothing wrong, elders would sotis perform a ritual:
They’d take a bowl of clear water.
Dip three chopsticks in the water.
Hold them upright on the child's head while chanting the nas of deceased relatives.
If the chopsticks stood upright, it ant an ancestral spirit had returned.
If not, they’d start calling the four cardinal directions—east, south, west, north.
Once the chopsticks stood still, it ant the source of the disturbance had been found.
Then ca the cursing.
If the chopsticks didn’t scatter, they’d grab a kitchen knife and chop them down in one strike.
And after that, the child would usually recover.
Now, so might argue that the chopsticks stood because they were wet.
Maybe.
But Lu Ding chose to believe the first explanation.
Better safe than sorry.
He carefully thought over his enemies.
As far as he could tell, he had already put them all in their place.
Yan Feifan saw the look in his eyes and spoke up.
"Brother Lu, this on isn’t good. Could it be from Daheshan?"
Lu Ding shook his head. "Unlikely."
"It’s the Three-District Trials right now. If Daheshan chose this ti to make a move, they’d be digging their own grave."
"And if they were planning sothing behind my back, they wouldn’t just start chanting my na today.
So no—it’s probably not them."
Which left only one possibility.
The two troublemaking investigators from Yaodu 749.
Lu Ding muttered, "Looks like soone’s not happy…."
Causing trouble in my jurisdiction?
Getting arrested, and still refusing to accept it?
What right do you have to be upset?!
It was just a guess, but checking wouldn’t take much ti.
And if he could shut down soone plotting against him in advance—well, that would be a major win.
Lu Ding casually picked up another piece of chicken, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed.
He had to at least take one bite before leaving.
Just as Bai Hen was about to grab so food himself, he saw Lu Ding standing up.
Sighing, Bai Hen set his chopsticks down again.
Yan Feifan, fully aware of what Lu Ding was up to, grinned and handed Bai Hen a bowl with a chicken leg in it.
"Eat on the way."
Lu Ding waved a hand in farewell.
"I’m skipping dinner. You guys eat. I have to see if soone’s being stubborn without reason."
Not convinced?
Lu Ding’s specialty was breaking down any and all resistance.
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