"Well said!" someone shouted from the first floor, and a handful of others echoed him.
But most of the people were locals of Ning'an. They knew how formidable the street-patrolling bailiffs were and remained silent.
Doggie gritted his teeth in hatred. "Brother Jian, let's do it. We'll give them a beating first. At worst, they can arrest all of us together. The law explicitly states that as long as he fights back, and I don't cripple him, it's a brawl, and both sides are responsible. I can find anyone to bail me out. Who would dare bail him out?"
Some of those present could not help frowning. This was where the law proved powerless: it often failed to protect the truly innocent and instead became an accomplice to villains.
Bailiff Jian nodded. "You two, come with me to the county office."
"I'll give you one last chance. You're a public officer, and you must answer for every word you say." Fang Yun's voice was exceptionally stern.
Bailiff Jian gave a contemptuous smile. "I'll give you one last chance too. On Changbai Street, no one can refuse to show me respect, and you're no exception!"
Just then, a voice suddenly rose from downstairs. "What's going on here?"
Doggie turned around irritably, ready to bark a rebuke, but the moment he saw who had spoken, he hastily clamped his mouth shut. The man was not only an Academy Student, but also the county's Principal Ninth Rank clerk, Yu Bachi.
Smiling, Bailiff Jian looked toward the first floor, lifted the hem of his robe, and pushed through the crowd as he hurried downstairs. "What wind has blown you our way, Lord Yu?" he asked with a laugh as he ran.
Yu Bachi smiled faintly, a trace of pride he could not conceal appearing