It's a Favor, and Also a Transaction

"Master Yan, if you have something to say, just say it. There is no need for this."

As Chief Clerk Sun spoke, everyone shifted their gaze toward Yan Ming.

Looking closely, they saw Yan Ming strangely peel off his short shirt, revealing a jagged scar running from his chest down to his abdomen.

What was he doing?

Yan Ming gently stroked the scar, then lifted a corner of his shirt and waved it in front of Chief Clerk Sun:

"Lord Sun, I can prove that this kid, Chen Zhuo, stayed in my quarters for the entire night."

"Master Yan, what is the meaning of this?"

Huang Yuan'er's face darkened, his brow furrowed so deeply it seemed water could be wrung from it: "Chen Zhuo killed Huang Sanyou. The witnesses and evidence are all here. How can you possibly prove he stayed with you all night?"

"Watch your tongue, or you'll get yourself killed."

"This short shirt is the evidence. Take a good look."

Yan Ming replied with a calm expression.

"Oh?"

Ignoring Huang Yuan'er, Chief Clerk Sun stared at the scar on Yan Ming's chest for a long moment before shifting his gaze to the shirt.

He examined it carefully and discovered that the garment was incomplete, as if a corner had been sliced off by a sharp blade.

"Last night in my room, this kid was unruly and spoke without restraint. I intended to teach him a lesson, but he accidentally drew his blade and ruined this shirt."

"I didn't throw that scrap of cloth away; it's still in the room. If Lord Sun does not believe me, you may step over and see for yourself."

Yan Ming smiled faintly: "I never expected it would become proof of his presence at my place last night."

"You're a lucky kid."

This last sentence was directed at Chen Zhuo as Yan Ming turned around.

Yan Ming frowned and scolded:

"Still not putting your blade away? Drawing your weapon at every turn—you deserve a lesson."

Chen Zhuo said nothing, slowly sheathing his long blade as instructed and offering a fist salute in response.

"See? The kid just has a foul temper."

Yan Ming turned back around and spread his hands helplessly.

"A shirt is enough to clear him of a crime? Lord Sun, it's possible that to clear Chen Zhuo of suspicion, Yan Ming cut the corner off himself. His words are absolutely untrustworthy."

Huang Yuan'er argued anxiously.

Chief Clerk Sun did not speak; he stared at the scar on Yan Ming's body, lost in thought for a moment before snapping back to reality and retorting:

"Master Yan, did you know Huang Sanyou was dead last night? Or are you suggesting he knew you would be convicting someone today and intentionally sliced his clothes beforehand?"

As soon as Chief Clerk Sun said this, Huang Yuan'er was left speechless, choked by his own words.

"Drawing a blade before a case is even tried—Squad Leader Huang, is this how you conduct yourself?"

Chief Clerk Sun lowered his gaze, casting a cold glance at Huang Yuan'er.

Huang Yuan'er's pupils contracted sharply. He slowly turned his head to look at Registrar Wang, his eyes filled with uncertainty, as if asking:

Does the Sun family dare to betray us?

Do they not want their ten percent share of the autumn hunt?

Registrar Wang stared at Chief Clerk Sun like a blade, as if trying to read an answer on his face.

However, Chief Clerk Sun responded only by turning his back on him.

"Magistrate Liu, Master Yan has already proven that this White-Uniform Runner has a solid alibi. I believe he had no opportunity to commit the crime; the true culprit must be someone else."

"What is your take on this, sir?"

Magistrate Liu swept his gaze over the three men on the platform, pondered for a moment, and frowned: "What a farce."

With those words, the nature of this entire spectacle was firmly defined.

Immediately after, Magistrate Liu looked at Huang Yuan'er with dissatisfaction and said: "You are a squad leader, yet you dare to recklessly name a murderer without a clear case. You are fined three months' salary as a warning to others."

Huang Yuan'er lowered his head, his face ashen: "This subordinate is at fault."

Despite his words, he remained deeply unreconciled.

While his head was bowed, he secretly signaled to Registrar Wang.

Registrar Wang, however, merely shook his head in silence.

"Still not sheathing your blade?"

Chief Clerk Sun reminded him coldly.

Huang Yuan'er gritted his teeth and slowly slid his long blade back into its scabbard.

The sharp, grating sound of steel scraping against the scabbard was his only outlet for the resentment burning within.

He understood perfectly.

Once the blade was sheathed, today's business would be considered finished.

Magistrate Liu glanced at Huang Yuan'er, though he didn't dwell on it, merely knitting his brows slightly.

"As for that White-Uniform Runner."

Magistrate Liu said, "Though he suffered an unjust accusation, he did injure three yamen runners. How you handle him is up to you."

"However, you must ensure you uncover the true culprit behind Huang Sanyou's murder and punish them without mercy."

"This subordinate understands."

Chief Clerk Sun agreed immediately.

"Pay close attention to the autumn hunt."

"Rest assured, My Lord."

Magistrate Liu's expression softened slightly. Without another word, he rose and departed directly.

After the Magistrate left, Registrar Wang let out a cold snort, his voice falling into Chief Clerk Sun's ears like the buzzing of a mosquito.

"You owe me an explanation for this."

Chief Clerk Sun lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Registrar Wang cast a cold glance at Yan Ming and Chen Zhuo standing below the platform, then flicked his sleeves and left.

Though Huang Yuan'er was unwilling to let it go, he knew the matter could not be forced, so he stopped pestering them.

Yet, just before leaving, he quietly whispered an instruction to the yamen runners beside him.

"Take those few away. Keep them under strict guard; I want to interrogate them thoroughly once more."

As he spoke, he raised a finger and pointed.

The people he pointed at were none other than Dunzi from the kitchen, Xiao Liu, and the seven roommates who shared quarters with Chen Zhuo.

The seven roommates looked on in confusion, having no idea what Huang Yuan'er meant.

But the quick-witted Xiao Liu understood immediately. He dropped to his knees in front of Yan Ming with a "thud," his forehead slamming hard against the ground.

"Master Yan, I was wrong, I was wrong! I will be your beast of burden from now on, just don't—don't let them take me away, I..."

Before Xiao Liu could finish, a yamen runner covered his mouth and dragged him away by force.

No matter how Xiao Liu struggled, Yan Ming watched with cold eyes, remaining completely unmoved.

"Thank you for saving me today, Senior Brother."

Chen Zhuo walked up to Yan Ming and offered a solemn word of thanks.

Watching his roommates and Xiao Liu being dragged away by the runners, he let out a long sigh of relief.

His life was saved.

He had won his gamble.

Yan Ming turned slightly and patted his shoulder, smiling, "It's good that you're alright."

At this moment, Chief Clerk Sun stepped down from the platform and approached, his mountain-like, imposing frame casting a shadow over Chen Zhuo and Yan Ming.

"Master Yan, the favor is cleared. Take care of yourself in the future."

Having said that, he added one more sentence for Chen Zhuo.

"Starting today, you don't need to go to the Swift Squad anymore. Stay in the kitchen and behave yourself; don't go looking for trouble again."

Chen Zhuo raised an eyebrow, looking up at Chief Clerk Sun in surprise, but the man only left him with a broad, imposing back.

"He's actually willing to transfer you to the kitchen? Could it be that he really has his eye on your superior talent and bone structure, and is afraid you'll be cheated to death?"

"Perhaps."

Yan Ming chuckled, suddenly feeling a bit sentimental. "My favor is settled, but you've gone and owed him another one. How interesting."

Chen Zhuo stared intently at the long scar on Yan Ming's body and said calmly, "It is a favor, but it is also a transaction."

"Hahaha..."

Yan Ming laughed for a while, and only after a long time did he slowly compose himself.

"I'm hungry. Let's go eat."

With that, he turned and headed toward the kitchen.

Chen Zhuo stood in the center of the Drill Ground, looking up at the rising sun with half-closed eyes, quietly clenching his fingers before slowly letting them go.