Chapter 40: The Black Lotus Blooms

Zhao Yongfeng and his men arrived and, without asking a single question, accused Liu Yunfeng of overstepping his jurisdiction. His intention was clear: he was there to bail out the Flying Eagle Gang.

But Liu Yunfeng had already decided to make a show of force, so why would he pay him any mind? With a cold laugh, he said, "The Flying Eagle Gang committed murder within my jurisdiction. I’m here with my men to handle the case, which is perfectly legitimate. What is this nonsense about overstepping my bounds?

You, on the other hand—it’s bad enough you aren’t assisting a fellow City Guard Department colleague, but you’re actually trying to obstruct the investigation. Are you trying to harbor criminals?"

Zhao Yongfeng’s attempt to find fault had backfired, and now he was the one being accused. He could feel his face flush with embarrassment.

"Liu Yunfeng, don’t you spout such nonsense! You claim to be investigating a case, but have you reported this to the Chief Constable?"

"Don’t you worry about that. Once I’m finished here, I will naturally report to the Chief Constable," Liu Yunfeng said, unmoved.

Zhao Yongfeng frowned, his voice laced with menace. "Liu Yunfeng, are you really dead set on moving against the Flying Eagle Gang? You’re just a minor Chief Constable. Can you really handle the consequences?"

Zhao Yongfeng was, of course, reminding Liu Yunfeng that the Flying Eagle Gang had a powerful patron. Moving against the gang meant offending that person.

Liu Yunfeng’s stance was resolute. He brandished his Long Saber and said, "As a Chief Constable of the City Guard Department, I carry out my duties impartially. What have I to fear? If you dare obstruct me, you’re the one who needs to think about whether you can handle the consequences of harboring criminals."

Zhao Yongfeng’s face went pale with rage. As they were both Chief Constables of the City Guard Department, if Liu Yunfeng was determined to have his way, there was really nothing he could do. He couldn’t very well attack him.

Just then, a cold, sinister voice drifted over.

"I’d like to see for myself which Chief Constable acts with such arrogance and impunity."

The man who had spoken was about thirty years old, with a hooked nose and grim features. He wore a light green, cloud-patterned City Guard Department uniform with a three-foot Longsword hanging at his waist. There was a subtle but distinct air of authority about him.

"Greetings, Lord Zhou."

A look of delight crossed Zhao Yongfeng’s face as he hurried forward to pay his respects. Liu Yunfeng also sheathed his Long Saber and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting.

All the constables who recognized the newcomer bowed hastily in greeting.

Chen Cheng didn’t recognize this Lord Zhou and was a step slow to react.

At his side, Liao San quickly tugged his sleeve and whispered, "This is Lord Zhou Xu, an Official from the South City District City Guard Headquarters."

Understanding dawned on Chen Cheng, and he quickly bowed along with the other constables.

The rank of Official was deputy to the Chief of the South City Guard, placing him half a rank higher than the Branch Chief Constables of the various sub-departments, like the one in Ruyi Square.

Cao Fei waved a hand, ordering the members of the Flying Eagle Gang to put away their weapons. He then approached with a low bow, his face a mask of sycophantic deference.

Zhou Xu gave a dismissive wave, ignoring him completely. He turned to Liu Yunfeng, his expression dark.

"Chief Liu, you’ve brought quite an army with you. Are you planning to wipe out the Flying Eagle Gang?"

’For Zhou Xu, a high-ranking Official of the City Guard Department, to personally come to the Flying Eagle Gang’s headquarters... It was obvious. He was their powerful backer.’

Liu Yunfeng said formally, "I have no such intention, my lord. Members of the Flying Eagle Gang broke into a private residence, committing robbery and murder. I am here to investigate the case in accordance with the law."

The charge of attempting to harm a Government Office constable lacked hard evidence. Liu Yunfeng could use his official authority to leverage that accusation against Gang Leader Cao Fei and make a show of force, but it was not something he could mention in front of Zhou Xu.

"Oh?" said Zhou Xu. "And how is Chief Liu’s investigation progressing?"

Liu Yunfeng replied, "The case is already clear. The culprits who broke into the residence have been brought to justice."

"In that case, Chief Liu, you can head back and file your report," Zhou Xu said.

"Yes." Liu Yunfeng acknowledged the order, then waved his hand, leading his constables out of the Flying Eagle Gang’s headquarters.

...

「The Ruyi Square Sub-Office of the City Guard Department.」

「Liu Yunfeng’s Office.」

"Thank you for everything today, Mr. Liu." Chen Cheng cupped his hands and offered his solemn gratitude.

Liu Yunfeng looked relaxed. He smiled and said, "Ah Cheng, you’re a constable of the City Guard Department, and you work under me. If the Flying Eagle Gang dares to target you, they’re picking a fight with me. Naturally, I had to teach them a lesson.

If I can’t even protect my own men, I have no business being a Chief Constable."

Chen Cheng said with concern, "Mr. Liu, you offended Lord Zhou by standing up for me. I’m afraid he’ll make things difficult for you in the future."

But Liu Yunfeng just laughed heartily, completely unconcerned. "Zhou Xu may be an Official at the South City District City Guard Headquarters, but he doesn’t have direct authority over the Ruyi Square Sub-Department. It won’t be that easy for him to cause trouble for me."

Just then, a rather beautiful young woman in green robes with a Longsword at her hip appeared at the door.

It was Shen Qingshuang’s personal handmaiden, Xiaoxing.

"Miss Xiaoqing, is there something I can help you with?"

Liu Yunfeng quickly went to greet her.

"You have some nerve, Chief Liu! Leading your entire team out on a case without reporting to the Chief Constable!"

Xiaoxing’s expression was stern, and her tone was clearly accusatory.

As Shen Qingshuang’s personal handmaiden, she was the Chief Constable’s proxy within the Ruyi Square Sub-Department. She had a reputation for being imperious, never showing a pleasant face even to the other Chief Constables.

Liu Yunfeng seemed long accustomed to her attitude and replied calmly, "The case was urgent. There wasn’t time."

"The Chief Constable wants you to report to her. Now," Xiaoxing said, her face still a cold mask.

"Ah Cheng, you go on and get back to your duties. If you need anything, come find me," Liu Yunfeng called out before hurrying off toward Shen Qingshuang’s courtyard.

Chen Cheng was about to leave when he noticed Xiaoxing staring at him, a thoughtful look on her face.

Not daring to provoke her, Chen Cheng immediately turned to leave.

But unexpectedly, Xiaoxing called out, "Stop."

"What is it, Miss Xiaoqing?" Chen Cheng asked, stopping in his tracks.

Xiaoxing blushed slightly. She hesitated for a long moment before finally asking in a low voice, "Back when you were in Prison, did you learn any Cultivation Techniques from Master Xiu Chen?"

This was the one question Chen Cheng dreaded most. His heart clenched, and his immediate instinct was to deny it outright.

But after a moment’s thought, he knew that wasn’t a good idea. ’She wouldn’t be asking for no reason.’

His mind raced. He quickly put on an expression of pure hatred and said through gritted teeth, "You mean that bald bastard Xiu Chen? He’s a charlatan! He used some worthless Iron Armor Skill Cultivation Technique Manual to trick me into buying him fine wine and food.

I nearly crippled myself trying to cultivate it.

If I hadn’t realized it was a fake Secret Manual and stopped my Cultivation, I’d probably be a dead man by now."

The story was a mix of truth and lies, but to Xiaoxing, it aligned perfectly with the information she had received from Shen Qingshuang. As far as she was concerned, it was the absolute truth.

Xiaoxing’s expression suddenly softened, and her voice held a hint of sympathy as she said gently,

"Practicing a fake manual... you must have been seriously injured, weren’t you?"

Chen Cheng’s eyes widened as he started grumbling, "You’re telling me! I spat up at least three liters of blood and was laid up in bed for a solid half-month before I recovered.

That Xiu Chen... what a hateful bastard! But I didn’t let him get off easy. Once I recovered, I gave him the branding iron treatment for over ten days straight. There wasn’t an unburnt patch of skin on his whole body. At least I got my revenge."

Xiaoxing was so amused by Chen Cheng’s look of profound, vengeful suffering that she almost laughed out loud. She quickly covered her mouth and said, "All right, all right, you can go about your business!"

Without even realizing it, her attitude toward Chen Cheng had done a complete one-eighty.

Watching Chen Cheng walk away, she finally headed for Shen Qingshuang’s small courtyard, murmuring to herself, ’I wouldn’t have guessed. That Chen Cheng is actually a rather pitiful fellow.’

...

In the small courtyard, Shen Qingshuang looked up at the slightly overcast sky, where dark clouds were gathering in the shape of a lotus flower. She, too, was muttering to herself.

"The black lotus blooms, and all dharmas are unbound..."