How to Deal with It

Zhou Biao had certainly been in the wrong to break into the Chen residence at night, but Chen Cheng had not yet been with the City Guard Office at the time, so it had not been much of an issue.

For gang members to occasionally commit a little robbery and murder was as commonplace as eating and drinking.

The trouble was that Chen Cheng had later joined the City Guard Office, yet Zhou Biao still wanted to go after him. That was simply courting death.

What was more, Zhao Yongfeng had been involved behind this matter.

Zhao Yongfeng had always been at odds with Liu Yunfeng; that was no secret. Having Zhou Biao make a move against Chen Cheng was nothing more than an attempt to use the opportunity to suppress Liu Yunfeng.

But no matter what, people from the martial world's gangs could not murder officers of the City Guard Office.

Not only could they not do such a thing, they absolutely could not bear that charge either. They could not afford to bear it. This was the lifeline of the martial world's gangs, a colossal taboo.

Once such a charge was pinned on them, the City Guard Office would have enough cause to wipe out the Flying Eagle Gang overnight.

Smack!

Cao Fei flung out his hand and slapped Zhou Biao across the face. He struck with great force, and Zhou Biao's cheek immediately swelled high.

"You dog, Tian Qi's nighttime break-in at the Chen residence was a grave crime. Even if Tian Qi was expelled from the Flying Eagle Gang, since he once followed you, you bear responsibility as well. Why aren't you apologizing to Master Chen?"

"Yes." Zhou Biao knew he had made a terrible blunder. Covering his face, he stepped forward and cupped his hands to Chen Cheng. "I failed to discipline my men properly before. I ask Master Chen to be magnanimous and overlook it."

Chen Cheng did not spare Zhou Biao so much as a glance. He turned to Liu Yunfeng, and seeing that Liu Yunfeng had no intention of speaking, said, "Hall Master Zhou, I can let Tian Qi's matter go. But you had your men follow me, intending to harm me. How do you explain that?"

How could Zhou Biao dare admit to such a charge? Besides, there was no hard evidence for tailing and surveillance; it could easily be denied.

"Master Chen, I have been wronged! Even if I had a hundred times the courage, I would never dare intend harm against an officer of the City Guard Office."

Chen Cheng frowned, considering how to respond, when he suddenly noticed a sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked figure lurking furtively behind Zhou Biao. He looked highly suspicious.

"Hou Gui, get out here!"

Hou Gui was the subordinate who had accompanied Zhou Biao to collect protection fees before. He had left a deep impression on Chen Cheng at the time.

"Master... Master Chen, what do you need me for?"

Hou Gui's eyes were full of panic. He still hid behind Zhou Biao, unwilling to come out.

Chen Cheng raised the long blade in his hand. "I do not wish to say it a second time."

Hou Gui's face was filled with fear, but he still refused to move.

Liu Yunfeng noticed something suspicious in his unusual behavior.

"Gang Leader Cao, Ah Cheng's words are my words. Could it be that your gang's Hou Gui is too shameful to show his face?"

Cao Fei had no choice but to say, "Hou Gui, come out."

Hou Gui cautiously emerged from behind Zhou Biao. His right shoulder was wrapped in thick bandages, clearly having suffered a severe injury.

Chen Cheng turned to Liu Yunfeng. "Chief Liu, there were two thieves who broke into the Chen residence that night. I killed one, while I injured the other's right arm.

"The one I injured should be Hou Gui."

Hou Gui was frightened out of his wits and dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Master Chen, you must have mistaken me for someone else. I injured my shoulder fighting the Redwater Gang."

Chen Cheng remained expressionless as he waited for Liu Yunfeng to speak.

Liu Yunfeng glanced at Cao Fei, his expression indifferent.

"Gang Leader Cao, do you still intend to shield a criminal who broke into a private residence at night?"

Paper could never wrap up fire. How Hou Gui had received his injury could easily be investigated, and Cao Fei naturally understood that.

His thick brows drew together. He raised the ghost-headed saber in his hand and brought it down in a savage slash.

Before Hou Gui could react, his fine head had already parted ways with his body. Blood sprayed everywhere, a horrifying sight to behold.

"Catcher Liu, I too was deceived by Hou Gui. Since he has already received his punishment, can this matter be put to rest?" Cao Fei asked coldly, a fierce gleam in his eyes.

Liu Yunfeng said blandly, "Since Hou Gui is dead, there is naturally no need to pursue the crime of breaking into a private residence at night."

With that, he turned to Chen Cheng, a sharp light flickering in his eyes.

"Ah Cheng, how do you think today's matter should be handled?"

Chen Cheng had sought out Liu Yunfeng for no other reason than to seek protection. He had truly not expected Liu Yunfeng to be so fierce, directly bringing men to the Flying Eagle Gang's stronghold.

Now that Hou Gui had been killed, the case of the nighttime break-in at the Chen residence was settled.

As for Zhou Biao's surveillance, there was no concrete evidence, so it would not be appropriate to press the matter any further.

After this incident, Zhou Biao and the Flying Eagle Gang presumably would no longer dare set their sights on him.

Of course, as a subordinate, no matter how highly Liu Yunfeng regarded him, Chen Cheng could not make decisions for him. Even offering advice would seem rash. That was the rule, the attitude a subordinate ought to have toward a superior.

"I will follow Chief Liu's instructions in all things," Chen Cheng said calmly.

"Oh?" Liu Yunfeng's eyes lit up. Chen Cheng's answer surprised him once more.

This boy knew exactly when to advance and when to retreat. His judgment was so mature it was almost frightening. If Liu Yunfeng had not known Chen Cheng's background, he would certainly have thought Chen Cheng was some reclusive young noble from a great clan.

In that case, let this boy see how a City Guard Office catcher should conduct himself!

Liu Yunfeng murmured to himself before turning to Cao Fei, his expression becoming stern again.

"Gang Leader Cao, I can refrain from pursuing the matter of the break-in at the Chen residence. But Zhou Biao intended to secretly harm an officer of the City Guard Office and must be punished.

"Seeing that Zhou Biao's attitude is sincere, I will demand only one of his arms. Then today's matter will be settled."

Cao Fei's thick brows suddenly knitted together, and he roared, "Catcher Liu, the Flying Eagle Gang will not bear this charge."

Zhou Biao was one of his capable subordinates, a right-hand man he relied upon. If Zhou Biao lost an arm, he would become a cripple, and the Flying Eagle Gang's strength would surely suffer greatly.

Liu Yunfeng fixed his eyes on him and said coldly, "Could it be that Gang Leader Cao intends to go to war with the City Guard Office over one arm of a subordinate?"

"Catcher Liu, mind your words. You, Catcher Liu, do not represent the City Guard Office," Cao Fei said darkly.

He had been courteous throughout and had even killed a subordinate in public, believing he had given Liu Yunfeng ample face. Yet Liu Yunfeng refused to yield an inch. If he did not become tougher now, he feared he would be unable to command respect from his men.

Though Liu Yunfeng, as a catcher, carried immense authority, how could the Flying Eagle Gang have no backers when it had managed to establish itself in Ruyi Ward?

"In that case, I will test your ghost-headed saber!"

Liu Yunfeng took a step forward, raised the long blade in his hand, and pointed it casually at Cao Fei. His entire aura turned cold and murderous, his battle intent blazing.

Chen Cheng and the other constables also stepped forward, raising their long blades one after another.

"Catcher Liu, you forced my hand. Today, I may have no choice but to offend you!"

Cao Fei thrust forward his ghost-headed saber, his vicious mien fully exposed. "Brothers, take them down! I will explain matters to the City Guard Office afterward."

The Flying Eagle Gang had sixty or seventy members. Relying on their superior numbers, they too drew their weapons.

Just as the tension reached a sword-drawn, bow-bent peak, a squad of City Guard Office constables hurried over.

At their head was Zhao Yongfeng, the catcher of the Ruyi Ward branch office.

When Cao Fei saw Zhao Yongfeng arrive, delight flashed across his face. He hurriedly put away his ghost-headed saber, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in salute.

"Greetings, Zhao Catcher."

"Gang Leader Cao, no need for such formality." Zhao Yongfeng smiled faintly, then turned to Liu Yunfeng and said coldly, "Catcher Liu, you have brought such a large force to cause trouble in my jurisdiction. Have you not crossed the line?"