"I’ve heard something about this matter as well. It was an oversight on my part." Ji Jingbei suddenly adopted a pensive expression.

Yang Xingyao thought Ji Jingbei was worried about Shen Qingshuang, the Chief of the South City Guard, and hurriedly said, "You don’t need to worry too much. Although the Zhou Family is only from the Outer City District, they have the backing of the Wang Family, one of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City.

"Besides, Wang Li was murdered at the Ruyi Square Sub-Department, and the real killer was never found. The Wang Family has long been dissatisfied with Shen Qingshuang as the Chief of the South City Guard.

"Think about it. A scion of the Wang Family, Wang Li, is dead, and neither Shen Qingshuang nor the Branch Chief Constable of the Ruyi Square Sub-Department has offered any explanation, have they?

"Even if Chen Cheng is killed in the Lishui District, you won’t have to worry about being implicated. You just need to get on good terms with Wang Xiongjie and win the Wang Family’s support. On top of that, Young Master Jiang can also speak on your behalf.

"Even if Shen Qingshuang wanted to hold you accountable, she wouldn’t be able to.

"Furthermore, Zhou Xu is an Official at the South City District City Guard Headquarters. If the Zhou Family truly makes a move on Chen Cheng, Zhou Xu will definitely find a way to handle the aftermath, and he has the ability to do so.

"All we have to do is wait and watch the show."

"Hm, you’ve thought this through quite well, kid." Ji Jingbei smiled faintly and offered a word of praise.

Yang Xingyao quickly replied with humility, "It’s all thanks to your excellent guidance, Uncle."

Ji Jingbei waved his hand and instructed, "Since the Zhou Family is involved, we’ll stop here. The fire has been lit; whether they add fuel to it is up to them.

"You don’t need to pass any more messages to the Tiger and Leopard Gang. Just stay home, focus on Cultivating Martial Dao, and spend time with your family. As long as Chen Cheng is forced out, I’ll make the arrangements to promote you to Chief Constable."

"Yes. In that case, I will take my leave." Yang Xingyao agreed and departed.

After Yang Xingyao left, Ji Jingbei walked to the window and gazed out at Jishui Lake, his expression turning serious once more.

’As a Branch Chief Constable, I was already well aware of everything Yang Xingyao just said. I was just testing my nephew to see if he has what it takes.’

’After this test, I find his performance satisfactory.’

’But this is all just on the surface. Given Yang Xingyao’s status and Martial Arts Power, that’s all he’s privy to.’

Ji Jingbei, however, knew much more. No matter what, Shen Qingshuang was the Chief of the South City Guard, his direct superior. She was also a cold and ruthless person. If it were just Zhou Xu and the Wang Family, he doubted she would let anyone touch Chen Cheng.

The ones who truly made Ji Jingbei resolve to make a move against Chen Cheng were the Jiang Family. To put it bluntly, he, Ji Jingbei, was merely a subordinate of the Jiang Family. Everything he did had to align with their interests.

The Four Great Clans of the Inner City were constantly fighting amongst themselves in secret, each wanting to weaken the other three. The Lishui Sub-Department had always been a battleground for the young talents cultivated by three of those clans.

The Zhou Family was a subordinate of the Wang Family. If Zhou Xu made a move on Chen Cheng, Shen Qingshuang would certainly not let the Zhou Family off. When that happened, the conflict between the Wang and Shen Families would escalate, and their fight would inevitably become more vicious.

Recalling Chen Cheng’s performance over time, Ji Jingbei sighed internally. He had to admit that Chen Cheng was the most outstanding young genius he had seen in recent years—incredibly talented, possessing formidable Martial Arts Power, and with a firm, calm, and composed disposition.

’This boy, Chen Cheng, is a young genius. If he’s allowed to mature, he could become a major figure in Linji City one day.’

’It’s a pity the brilliant die young. In the end, this boy is just a pawn for the Shen Family, and he’ll also end up as cannon fodder for the Wang Family to use against them.’

’Geniuses appear often, but for the last hundred years, Linji City has only had its Four Great Clans of the Inner City.’

’In truth, am I not just like Chen Cheng? A pawn in the struggles of the Four Great Clans?’

’I’ve just been a bit luckier. I’ve already become a significant figure, a piece that won’t be casually discarded.’

After a moment of silent reflection, Ji Jingbei’s gaze suddenly turned cold and solemn.

’Cheng the Kid, don’t blame me for being ruthless. In such chaotic times, if I’m not ruthless, I’ll be the one who gets cast aside in the future!’

...

Chen Cheng left the Lishui Sub-Department. Instead of heading to Gentry Zhang’s house in Red Stone Lane, he took a few of his constables to Shu Xiuming’s house in Bailiu Lane first.

Bailiu Lane was located in a bustling and prosperous area near Qingshui Pier. The residents were all wealthy and influential gentry. Every household had its own Hospital Martial Artists, so it was considered a very safe neighborhood.

"Greetings, Mr. Chen." Shu Xiuming had already sent men to wait at his gate. Seeing Chen Cheng arrive with his men, he hurried out to greet them.

As a Great Success Martial Artist in the Skin Grinding Realm himself, Shu Xiuming appeared relatively calm.

"Let’s talk inside," Chen Cheng said lightly.

"Yes." Shu Xiuming quickly led Chen Cheng into the house, explaining the situation as they walked.

The Shu Family residence was a large, three-courtyard estate. The front courtyard contained the main hall for receiving guests and was usually guarded by only a gatekeeper and two Hospital Martial Artists.

The middle courtyard was more spacious, with another main hall and several side rooms, serving as the place for daily business.

Family members and servants lived in the rear courtyard.

The incident last night occurred in the accounting room, located on the right side of the middle courtyard.

For security, the Shu Family’s accountant slept in the accounting room at night. Next to it was a side room where the Hospital Martial Artists rested.

The middle courtyard was also guarded by Hospital Martial Artists, but the weather last night was too cold, so they had returned to their room to rest early.

The thief snuck into the Shu residence, used Mist Smoke to knock out the accountant, and quietly stole the silver coins from the cabinet without alerting the Hospital Martial Artists nearby.

Led by Shu Xiuming, Chen Cheng carefully inspected the accounting room, then took a tour around the rest of the Shu residence.

A small hole had been poked through the window of the accounting room, and some ash from the burnt Mist Smoke remained on the windowsill.

The footprints on the ground were a jumbled mess, revealing nothing. However, on the estate’s walls, there were several faint footprints. They were all very similar, proving there was only one thief.

Back in the accounting room, Chen Cheng frowned as he looked at the cabinet that had been forced open by the thief.

The cabinet had originally been locked. Now, the lock was open, but the mechanism itself was completely undamaged, as if it had been opened with a key.

"Mr. Chen, I’m the one who keeps the key to the cabinet at night. Even the accountant doesn’t have it." Shu Xiuming took a key from his robes and continued, "And this key was with me the entire night. It never left my person."

"Oh? It seems we’re dealing with a thief who is an expert lockpick." Chen Cheng mused for a moment. "And it appears this thief acted alone."

Shu Xiuming nodded. "That’s what I was thinking as well."

Chen Cheng asked, "How much silver was stolen?"

Shu Xiuming took out a prepared ledger and offered it to Chen Cheng, reporting truthfully, "The silver for the daily expenses of the Luo’s Shop Lishui District branch is kept in the accounting room. It’s usually not a large amount. A little over five hundred taels of silver were stolen last night."

"Mm," Chen Cheng nodded slightly but didn’t take the ledger. "Just report the specific amount to me.

"For the next few days, you’ll need to be extra cautious at night. If anything happens, call for help immediately.

"The City Guard Department will increase patrols. We’ll arrive as soon as there’s any disturbance."

Shu Xiuming quickly cupped his hands in a salute. "Thank you, Mr. Chen."

...

After leaving Shu Xiuming’s house, Chen Cheng went to Gentry Li’s home in Liuyun Lane, which was also a neighborhood for wealthy households.

Gentry Li was also a Great Success Martial Artist in the Skin Grinding Realm. In his early years, he had studied Saber Technique under Mr. Mu of the Ruyi District, and his skill with the saber was quite impressive.

Because of his connection to Mr. Mu, Gentry Li was on good terms with Chen Cheng.

Last night, Gentry Li had been sleeping in his concubine’s room. The thief used Mist Smoke to knock out his primary wife and stole the silver coins and some gold and silver jewelry from a cabinet, amounting to a loss of over six hundred taels of silver.

The thief’s methods were similar to the case at the Shu residence. They worked cleanly, leaving few traces behind, with only faint footprints found on the courtyard wall. It was likely the same person who had robbed the Shu Family.

To be able to accurately locate where the Shu and Li families kept their silver without alerting the Hospital Martial Artists, the thief clearly had some skill and seemed to have cased the locations beforehand.

The Shu and Li families had far more wealth than what was stolen. The thief’s caution proved one thing: his own power was not overwhelming, and he didn’t dare to face the Hospital Martial Artists of these two households head-on.

Expert at lockpicking, skilled in Qinggong, with Martial Arts Power likely at the Skin Grinding Realm—a person like this was probably a Flying Thief from a Thief Gang.

Chen Cheng once again had Gentry Li report the total value of the stolen property, warned him to be careful at night, and then led his constables toward Gentry Zhang’s house in Red Stone Lane.