Chapter 1278: Chapter 40: Where Are the Receipts? [Bonus for Silver Alliance Leader Wise Hai Chen—7]

After speaking those words, Fang Che showed no hesitation.

He drew his sword from its scabbard.

The blade flashed!

The head of the leading sturdy man cleanly fell off, rolling far away.

Blood splattered and stained the ground in front of the Li family’s gate.

"With the Life and Death Order issued, there’s death without harm!"

The remaining fifty-nine hoodlums shivered, not daring to even moan.

They never expected Fang Che to be so decisive, directly beheading someone with one stroke!

Isn’t he Fang Qingtian?

How can he kill so efficiently?

"You fifty-nine, I know every single one of you is just the same, killing only the leader today is quite lenient."

Fang Che coldly declared, "Now, you are to immediately go to the government office and surrender, confess your crimes, and let the government handle it. You yourself tell the government, say I instructed this, to punish severely and harshly!"

"If anyone doesn’t go, or if anyone says less..."

Fang Che’s chilling gaze glared, "Tomorrow I will check at the government office, missing one, I kill one! Hiding crimes, I kill!"

"You all know, many things were done together by you, if you don’t confess, think whether others will confess to earn merit! Now, get lost!"

With an order.

Instantly, fifty-nine hoodlums as if pardoned, each limped painfully and turned to flee.

Those unable to move crawled on the ground, crawling towards the government office.

Faced with Fang Che’s command, these people indeed dared not play tricks, their greatest strength lay in banding together to bully the innocent civilians.

Not even basic level warriors.

Fang Qingtian’s famed name, they naturally had heard. Killing in the square until it became a Corpse Mountain Blood Sea, and today even in their own presence, executed the leader with one stroke!

Even when slaughtering a chicken themselves, they weren’t as efficient as Fang Che.

Defying orders? Even if given courage, they would not dare.

And the local government, upon hearing Inspector Fang’s direct order, would absolutely not be lenient!

This group of people, considered finished in Donghu State.

Fang Che’s voice came from the back, addressing everyone, "In the future, anyone using my name, and under my banner bullying others; no exception, kill without mercy!"

"The Li family violated the law, and those who broke the law have already paid with their lives, paid the price! The rest in the house, since the Guardian’s law did not impose punishment, then all are considered ordinary civilians. Enjoy the right to live happily under the protection of the Guardian!"

"I hope everyone can give others a chance to survive."

Fang Che’s voice was clear.

Heard far and wide.

Anyone who heard, immediately nodded.

A sound from behind the door.

The Li family’s door opened.

All the old, young, women, and children kneeled at the doorway: "Thank you, Inspector Fang, for your great kindness!"

Some people cried with emotion.

God knows how they survived these days, every moment was torture filled with fear. They were well aware of their fate, they could not endure a few more days.

Yet they never expected that in the final moment, the one standing up would be none other than Fang Che, whom they bitterly hated day and night!

At this moment, the feelings in their hearts were truly mixed, complex to the extreme.

Fang Che did not turn around.

He said blandly, "Regarding the Li family’s matter, I have nothing to apologize for, my actions and killings are worthy before heaven and earth; but those who died from your Li family, have already paid the price, have been punished."

"So for those remaining, live well."

"In the future, if your family’s sons grow up seeking revenge, feel free to come find me."

Fang Che said indifferently, "In the future, nobody should bully you anymore."

"We wouldn’t dare."

The Li family members knelt simultaneously and knocked heads on the ground.

Whether they dared or not, Fang Che did not care, just this way, turning his back, waved his hand, and walked away briskly.

The Li family all knelt inside the door, watched Fang Che walk farther under the morning sun.

At the entrance, lay a corpse, head severed, blood still flowing.

But the area in front of the door was already empty.

It was as if the living door was finally opened.

"Finally... can survive now... boo hoo..." The whole family embraced and wept bitterly. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

...

Fang Che had already walked far away.

He had long been aware of the Li family’s encounter.

The Li family’s position, he also knew all along.

Recently, he deliberately did not come, precisely to let the Li family taste what is like to be a rat chased across the street.

Some things, cannot be done.

After doing them, it is not simply a matter of dying, even if the law says disaster does not extend to family, yet when a family’s backbone is killed, what the entire family will experience... they must know.

If it was just ordinary citizens resisting, Fang Che wouldn’t bother to appear.

But if those rascal hoodlums seized the chance to do evil, Fang Che naturally would kill one to warn others.

"Inspector Fang, you were somewhat too ruthless."

A Guardian came from the front.

He had watched the entire process earlier, reminded Fang Che, "Your temper is too firm; that fellow just now actually didn’t deserve death. Killing him might damage your reputation."

This person had white hair and white beard.

He was one of the three elders who came that day to plead with Fang Che.

"What does Senior say?"

Fang Che asked.

"I have come specifically to apologize to Inspector Fang for the events of that day. After reviewing the files in the past few days, I realize what pleading for mercy meant to Inspector Fang on that day. I am deeply troubled, having been a Guardian all my life, but on that day, I failed to discern right from wrong, feeling deeply guilty."

The elder spoke and bowed deeply.

"I apologize."

Fang Che paused for a moment: "May I know the senior’s name?"

"I am Liu Qingquan, the Guardian Blade."

"It’s gratifying that Senior Liu would come today. However... Senior Liu is aware that there was no need for you to come."

Fang Che smiled kindly.

"I feared that the act of pleading for mercy would affect Captain Fang’s inner convictions. Hence, this visit was necessary!"

Liu Qingquan smiled bitterly: "It is rare for someone like Inspector Fang to emerge in the world."

Fang Che spoke sincerely: "You overpraise me, senior. Just as our Guardians often say, the lights of ten thousand families rest upon my shoulder; the life and death of the masses weigh upon my heart."

"This resolve will never change."

Fang Che said: "Rest assured, senior."

"I understand."

Liu Qingquan advised earnestly: "Your reputation among the people is sky-high now. Such acts as executing ruffians must be carried out with caution. Reputation is hard-earned."

Seeing that Fang Che did not answer, he repeated it again.

Fang Che replied seriously: "I kill rebellious evil-doers for the sake of justice; I kill ruffians to foster righteousness among the common folk!"

"If there is sin, I bear it without concern. The good or bad of my reputation never worries me. Even if pointed at by thousands, so what? Upon meeting those who deserve death, a single cut is all it takes! That’s the way to uphold the path in the world!"

"Though I know that ruffian’s crime did not merit death. But... with today’s execution, calamities, disasters, or even war in the future—those ruffians who exploit chaos will be far fewer."

"Because I am telling them, over their heads still hangs my sword!"

"Not killing today would be akin to indulgence. Those who prey upon the defenseless would intensify their actions. Others would follow suit, and by then... public morality and the people’s hearts would be ruined."

"Under severe punishment, there is fear! Normal civilians are unaffected by my actions; they do not commit evil. Yet, the wicked must now think if they risk encounter with me!"

"Mr. Liu. Perhaps I am too harsh, perhaps I am too fond of killing."

Fang Che seriously looked into Liu Qingquan’s eyes and earnestly said: "But I do not believe I am wrong."

Liu Qingquan sighed profoundly and spoke from his heart: "Captain Fang, I am impressed!"

He said: "In the future... you must be cautious. Someone like you, unless flawless, once a stain appears, it may trigger a frightening reckoning."

He said: "You know I’m not threatening you. I’m reminding you, henceforth, avoid missteps."

Fang Che stood silent for a moment and said: "Thank you."

Liu Qingquan clasped his fists and departed.

Fang Che stood in the middle of the street, under the sun, feeling heavy-hearted.

Perhaps Liu Qingquan was only warning without malice.

But Fang Che knew internally that the day of reckoning would inevitably come for himself.

Yemo!

Starlight!

Exposing either identity would result in catastrophic consequences!

For now, there is no need to worry as my current status is too low.

But as I rise higher in the Wei Wo Zheng Sect, becoming more eminent, that day will undoubtedly arrive!

It won’t be unforeseen, rather explosively apparent.

Then... the entire Continent will offer no refuge for me!

Yet this is the indispensable part of the plan with Dongfang Sansan!

At that moment...

Fang Che looked up at the blazing sun, its rays dazzling and multicolored.

He took a deep breath and strode forward.

I, Fang Che, will continue walking down this path.

...

The Donghu State Guardian Hall is currently conducting market inspections.

Store by store is being checked, those illegally operating are fined, some attempt escape and are caught, causing chaos in the marketplace.

Sikong Dou sat within his bookstore, watching the distant commotion with a smile.

Humph, I am merely a bookseller, your inspections have nothing to do with me.

I am truly sitting firmly on the fishing boat.

As time passed, more people were taken away, and more were fined.

Finally...

They arrived at Wenxin Moxiang Bookstore.

Several sharply dressed, serious Guardians entered briskly.

"Who is the owner?"

The one leading sternly asked.

His face looked tough, clearly the kind that isn’t easy to talk to.

"That’s me!" Sikong Dou complied with a smile as he approached: "Officer, this..."

The leader sternly held up a plaque with a snap: "Donghu State Guardian Hall Inspection Unit. We expect your cooperation!"

"Absolutely, absolutely."

Sikong Dou nodded repeatedly, cautiously saying: "Officer, I am just a bookseller..."

"I know you sell books; you’re not selling meat!"

The squad leader said calmly: "Show your credentials."

Sikong Dou breathed a sigh of relief and quickly fetched his documents.

Then five or six inspectors began checking within the store.

Seeing the rows of books, the leader nodded and said: "Bring out the purchase receipts for scrutiny."