Chapter 38: Reality (Requesting votes)

Chapter 38: Reality (Seeking Votes-)

What?

Zheng Chaitou's voice echoed in his ears, leaving Chen Pingan completely stunned.

I provided the effective clue, and Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong killed the Scruffy Fish!?

Is this a fucking joke!?

In an instant, Chen Pingan's expression darkened.

The situation was crystal clear. Whether it was Tan Huacong conspiring with Zheng Shiyong or Zheng Shiyong conspiring with Tan Huacong, regardless of who teamed up with whom, the two of them had joined forces to steal his credit.

Good heavens!

Chen Pingan could only exclaim, "Good heavens!"

They truly had the audacity to provoke the gods!

A surge of fury brewed within Chen Pingan. He felt an impulse to march straight up to the high platform and demand an explanation from Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong.

Who exactly killed the Scruffy Fish!

However, his reason forced him to remain calm.

No matter how slow Chen Pingan was, he could realize that Zheng Chaitou must have a hand in this. Otherwise, it wouldn't have happened so swiftly.

"The corresponding rewards will all be fulfilled one by one at tomorrow's pre-shift meeting. Now, let us all congratulate the three of them."

As Zheng Chaitou's voice fell, a chorus of cheers erupted from the constables.

"Shiyong, impressive!"

"Head Tan isn't bad either."

"Great, great!"

"..."

"Ping'an, congratulations! You'll have to tell me all about it later." Beside Chen Pingan, Hou Tou wore a wide grin, unable to resist congratulating him.

"Ping'an, well done." Dashan was the same, his face full of smiles, revealing a row of yellowish teeth.

"Mm." Chen Pingan offered a faint smile.

The end of Zheng Chaitou's speech signaled the end of today's pre-shift meeting. Next, the constables present would receive their respective tasks and begin their busy day.

"Hou Tou, Dashan, you two go receive your tasks first. I have some matters to handle."

Leaving those words behind, Chen Pingan walked forward.

There, Zheng Chaitou and the two other head constables were conversing as they walked toward the constables' office.

"Zheng Chaitou."

Chen Pingan quickened his pace, keeping his voice as humble as possible.

"Oh, it's Chen Pingan. What is it?"

Zheng Chaitou stopped in his tracks, his tone relatively decent and a smile on his face.

"Zheng Chaitou, regarding what you just announced, there might be a misunderstanding. I was the one who killed the Scruffy Fish on the spot." Chen Pingan looked at Zheng Chaitou with a steady gaze.

Seeing Chen Pingan's serious expression, the smile on Zheng Chaitou's face receded slightly. He gestured to the other two head constables, signaling them to leave first.

"Oh? And what evidence do you have!?"

"Regarding the process of the kill, Head Tan Huacong made an archival record last night. The information in the archives will make it clear at a glance. Furthermore, Head Tan gave me this as proof."

As he spoke, Chen Pingan pulled the black token from his robe.

"Is that so?" Zheng Chaitou said in surprise. "In that case, I must look into this properly."

"Xiao Zu, go call Tan Huacong and Shiyong over!" Zheng Chaitou called out to a young constable standing not far away.

"Yes, Zheng Chaitou," the young constable named Xiao Zu responded respectfully.

"Come, let's go to my office to discuss this."

With that, Zheng Chaitou strode forward.

Chen Pingan followed Zheng Chaitou, keeping his head low and remaining silent.

Soon, the two arrived at the constables' office. Zheng Chaitou sat down in a chair of his own accord, ignoring Chen Pingan.

After a short wait, the young constable returned with Tan Huacong and Zheng Shiyong.

"Zheng Chaitou." Tan Huacong and Zheng Shiyong greeted him respectfully.

"Mm." Zheng Zhenwu, also known as Zheng Chaitou, nodded slightly upon seeing them enter and spoke: "Chen Pingan claims that he was the one who killed the remnant of the Green Fish Gang, the Scruffy Fish. Did you two steal his credit? Is there truth to this?"

"Zheng Chaitou, there is absolutely no truth to this!" Tan Huacong cried out in protest.

"That's right, Uncle... Zheng Chaitou, the Scruffy Fish was killed by Head Tan and me working together! How could it have been Chen Pingan!? No matter how badly the Scruffy Fish was injured, it's not something a temporary constable who hasn't even entered the Martial Path could kill!"

Zheng Shiyong's tone was agitated, looking every bit the victim of a false accusation.

"Chen Pingan, what are your intentions? To slander Head Tan and me like this!"

"Shiyong is right. Chen Pingan, how could you kill the Scruffy Fish if you haven't even entered the Martial Path!?" Zheng Zhenwu turned his gaze toward Chen Pingan, his face filled with doubt.

"Zheng Chaitou, the details were recorded in detail by Head Tan Huacong last night. This is the proof Head Tan gave me after recording the information." Chen Pingan took out the black token again and handed it to Zheng Zhenwu.

Zheng Zhenwu took it and inspected it. "The pattern is correct; it is indeed a proof token. Tan Huacong, what do you have to say?"

"Zheng Chaitou, it's a misunderstanding! I did indeed give this token to Chen Pingan. The archival information also does indeed record it. But the record only states that Chen Pingan reported an effective clue! This token cannot serve as proof that he killed the Scruffy Fish!? The two are completely unrelated! One can tell just by looking at the archival information. I ask Zheng Chaitou to see the truth!"

Tan Huacong spoke with urgency and agitation.

"Then go and bring the archived file here!" Zheng Zhenwu decided.

"Yes." Tan Huacong responded and ran straight out of the office.

"Was the reward for reporting the clue not enough? Now you're eyeing the credit for the kill? What are you thinking, Chen Pingan? You're just an ordinary person who hasn't entered the Martial Path; what could you possibly use to kill a martial expert of the second level of Blood Qi?"

Zheng Shiyong looked at Chen Pingan with a face full of mockery.

Chen Pingan's expression remained unchanged. He ignored him and simply stood there quietly.

Seeing that Chen Pingan ignored him, Zheng Shiyong felt a sense of frustration, as if he had punched a bag of cotton. This feeling was even more uncomfortable than being argued with.

Before long, Tan Huacong returned with the archived information.

"Zheng Chaitou, this file has been sealed with glaze. There is no possibility of a switch. Please inspect it." Tan Huacong handed the file to Zheng Zhenwu.

"Mm." Zheng Zhenwu nodded. He tore off the glaze and began to inspect it. After a dozen breaths, Zheng Zhenwu raised his head with a calm expression, slammed the file onto the table, and said to Chen Pingan in an indifferent tone, "Come over and see for yourself."

Chen Pingan stepped forward, picked up the file, and began to read. Upon reading, he discovered that the information written on it was completely different from what he had described and verified last night. Clearly, Tan Huacong had switched it.

However, he had no evidence whatsoever.

Good!

How interesting!

A surge of fury was suppressed in Chen Pingan's heart, but his face remained exceptionally calm. He put down the file and looked directly into Zheng Chaitou's eyes.

"In that case, I was mistaken."

"Look at yourself and what you are, and then you dare to touch whatever porcelain you want!" Zheng Shiyong said sarcastically.

Chen Pingan glanced at Zheng Shiyong, then at Tan Huacong, said nothing, and turned to leave directly.

"Uncle, look at his attitude! He didn't even say a word of goodbye. He's showing you no respect at all!"

Zheng Shiyong said anxiously.

"It's normal for young people to have some temper. He will figure it out."

Zheng Zhenwu said calmly.

"But you..."

"What about me?"

Zheng Shiyong said dismissively.

Zheng Zhenwu stared at Zheng Shiyong for a long while, making him feel quite uneasy.

"Don't let it happen again!"

"Huh?"

"Alright, everyone out." Zheng Zhenwu spoke to dismiss them.

"Thank you, Zheng Chaitou, for seeking justice for us," Tan Huacong said gratefully.

"Then, Uncle, I'm leaving," Zheng Shiyong said, and he left along with Tan Huacong.

Once they had left the constables' office, a flash of worry crossed Tan Huacong's face as he whispered to Zheng Shiyong.

"Shiyong, do you think this will really be okay?"

"You burned the previous archives, right?"

"I did."

"If they're burned, then it's fine. He's just a temporary constable who hasn't even entered the Martial Path; the idea of him killing a second-level Blood Qi Scruffy Fish was unreasonable to begin with. Besides, we have Uncle to stand up for us. Even if this matter reaches the Constabulary Lord, we are in the right. Don't worry, it's fine!"

Zheng Shiyong said with full confidence.

PS: Five hundred collections reached~

(End of Chapter)