Normally, when officials from the City Guard Department caught thieves, they would tie them up and bring them back for interrogation. But Chen Cheng’s method—knocking out all the thieves, tying them into a single line, and dragging them back like a hunter with a string of prey—was far too unorthodox. It was simply unheard of.

However, neither the Great Yu Law nor the City Guard Department’s regulations forbade such an action. Based on the principle that what is not prohibited is permitted, Chen Cheng had done nothing wrong. On the contrary, by capturing the thieves, he was acting in accordance with the law and his actions were perfectly legitimate.

For Ji Jingbei to suddenly rush out and criticize Chen Cheng was completely unjustified. It only exposed his own superficiality and his malicious intent to deliberately make things difficult for Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng’s expression remained calm as he said coolly, "My constables have been shorthanded recently, and there are many thieves. This was the only way."

"I couldn’t possibly catch one thief, bring him back, and then repeat the process. I would have had to run back and forth twelve times. The wasted time would have been a minor issue, but if the other thieves had gotten wind of my presence and escaped, wouldn’t I have been penny-wise and pound-foolish?"

His words were so logical and well-reasoned that Ji Jingbei found himself unable to voice the many criticisms he had prepared beforehand.

He had intended to accuse Chen Cheng of dereliction of duty and inaction, but now that Chen Cheng had caught twelve thieves in a single move, he appeared exceptionally diligent and dedicated. Throughout the entire Lishui Sub-Department, no Chief Constable was working harder than him.

Trying to use the victims who had come to the Government Office Hall to report the thefts was also clearly a dead end.

When a crime occurred, the officials of the City Guard Department were only ever responsible for apprehending the culprits; they had no obligation to answer to the victims beyond that.

"Lord Ji, you and all these Chief Constables are waiting here... Don’t tell me you heard about the large number of thieves in my jurisdiction and came to offer your support?"

Seeing Ji Jingbei and the other Chief Constables staring at one another in stunned silence, Chen Cheng asked, his tone deceptively casual.

Ji Jingbei’s expression grew even more rigid, but as the Chief Constable of an entire district who had weathered many storms, he quickly composed himself.

He adopted a stern expression and said, "It is a good thing that you are so diligent, Chief Chen. But Lishui District is a major district with countless important cases. The other Chief Constables are all busy with matters in their own jurisdictions and cannot spare the time to help. You will have to rely on yourself."

"Furthermore, let me remind you, Chief Chen, the annihilation of Gentry Zhang’s family has had a terrible impact. I trust you will solve the case as quickly as possible."

"Otherwise, when the year-end assessment comes, even if I wanted to speak on your behalf, I’m afraid it would be difficult to placate everyone."

"Tread carefully, Chief Chen!"

With that, he ignored Chen Cheng and strode slowly toward the main Government Office Hall.

Seeing that the show was over, the other Chief Constables also dispersed.

Among the crowd of citizens who had come to report crimes, some were at a complete loss, unsure of what to do. Most, however, found their gazes drifting—some intentionally, some not—toward Yang Xingyao.

Yang Xingyao was the mastermind behind all the trouble at Qingshui Pier. He had painstakingly plotted, even colluding with the Tiger and Leopard Gang, all for the sole purpose of orchestrating Chen Cheng’s utter humiliation today.

The plot was, admittedly, meticulously planned. ’If I were in Chen Cheng’s shoes,’ he thought, ’faced with insubordinate constables, a shortage of manpower, and an endless stream of thieves, I’d be in a real bind. Even if I didn’t have a complete breakdown, I’d be running myself ragged just trying to keep up.’

And yet, Chen Cheng seemed to have done very little, casually turning the entire situation around. One could even say he did it effortlessly.

At this point, Yang Xingyao had to admit it. For a man from a humble family in the remote Ruyi District to fight his way up to the position of Chief Constable in Lishui District, Chen Cheng had to possess some real ability.

’But so what?’ he thought. ’This is only the beginning. The real crisis hasn’t even hit yet. There’s no way Chen Cheng can escape the combined schemes of the Tiger and Leopard Gang and the Zhou Family unscathed.’

Even these victims who had come to file complaints would be difficult for Chen Cheng to handle properly. Yang Xingyao was eager to see what he would do next, but just then, Chen Cheng’s gaze, cold with a hint of menace, suddenly fell upon him.

"Constable Yang, are you planning to stay and help me interrogate the prisoners?"

Chen Cheng’s face was impassive, his calm almost unnatural. But Yang Xingyao felt as if he’d been targeted by a man-eating beast. A chill shot down his spine, and the hair on his arms stood on end.

’Does this bastard actually want to kill me?’ The thought surfaced in Yang Xingyao’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it. This was Lishui District, his uncle Ji Jingbei’s territory. How would Chen Cheng dare to make a move against him?

’Besides, even if Chen Cheng did have such an idea, what did I, Yang Xingyao, have to fear? We’re both Perfect Martial Artists of the Skin Grinding Realm. How could I possibly be weaker than him?’

’Of course, it’s not wise to clash with Chen Cheng right now. Otherwise, if he ends up getting killed, Shen Qingshuang might suspect me.’

’No point in arguing with a dead man walking!’ With that thought, a smile suddenly bloomed on Yang Xingyao’s face. He gave Chen Cheng a respectful bow and said, "You jest, Mr. Chen. How could a subordinate like myself dare to presume to show off in front of you?"

"I have some other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."

With that, he quickly departed.

Chen Cheng did, in fact, want to kill Yang Xingyao. ’Someone who smiles to your face while secretly scheming to harm a colleague,’ he thought, ’can’t be allowed to live!’

’I’ll just add him to my list for now!’

After making a mental note, Chen Cheng turned to the crowd of citizens and said coolly, "Since you all came to file complaints, you may as well follow me to the interrogation."

Not daring to hesitate, the citizens quickly bowed in agreement.

Interrogating so many prisoners would be inconvenient in the inner Government Office Hall. After a moment’s thought, Chen Cheng tugged on the thick hemp rope and led the way toward the large plaza in the City Guard Department’s rear courtyard.