Ji Zhen’s face looked rather grim.
He knew he had been played by Lin Fan.
This was clearly a case of taking money but refusing to let people go, deliberately stirring up trouble with the Serpent Gang. Otherwise, why else would he show up here?
But the situation was now unfavorable for them, and attempting to use force was out of the question. He had to figure out a way to placate the other side.
"Lord Lin, cut so slack. I know how to handle things afterward," Ji Zhen whispered into Lin Fan’s ear. He was well aware of Lin Fan’s insatiable greed.
"No way! What do you take for? If you commit a cri, you must face the consequences." Lin Fan intercepted as Ji Zhen was about to say more, raising his hand to stop him. "Stop talking. It’s no use saying anything. Bao Liu, take them all back for strict interrogation. Let’s see what else they’ve been up to."
"Got it, boss." Bao Liu had long embraced the great and burdenso profession of a constable. He imdiately detained Qiu Er and the others, waving decisively, "Take them away."
Ji Zhen couldn’t just stand there and watch Qiu Er and the others being taken away.
"Lord Lin, are you really going to do this?"
His tone turned serious, his internal rage already ignited, brimming with the urge to confront Lin Fan head-on.
Lin Fan turned back to look at him, examining him. "What? You think the governnt needs your permission to handle its affairs?"
This was clearly the behavior of soone turning their back after taking advantage.
Moreover, there was nothing Ji Zhen could do about it.
Damn it.
He took the money faster than anyone else. How despicable.
"Fine, very well. Lord Lin, you’ve impressed . Ji Zhen admits defeat." Ji Zhen suppressed his inner rage, though his face remained unpleasant. He then stord off.
To Ji Zhen, there had never been anyone who could ss with the Serpent Gang like this. But now, even a re arrest officer dared to act so brazenly. What would happen in the future?
Lin Fan chuckled, seeing Ji Zhen’s unwilling expression. It made him laugh—who are you trying to intimidate?
"Citizens, rest assured, as long as we’re here, your safety will be guaranteed. If anyone from the Serpent Gang dares to act out of line, I won’t hesitate to intervene."
Offering a respectful bow to the nearby citizens and vendors, he then led his n away.
The citizens exchanged puzzled glances. Living in Jiangdu City for so long, they’d never seen the governnt take action against the Serpent Gang. But now, they had truly witnessed it.
mbers of the Serpent Gang had been taken away just like that.
Celebrate?
They didn’t dare.
They feared there might be repercussions. Better to wait and see.
Mountain Opening Hall.
"Hall Master, that guy is a total scoundrel. The silver taels were wasted," Ji Zhen recounted the ordeal to the Hall Master, his face filled with fury.
Zhu Hou’s expression beca grim. "Isn’t Wang Zhou going to intervene? Or is he really prepared to go to war with the Serpent Gang?"
"When I went to find Wang Zhou, he outright refused to handle it, telling to go deal with the other party myself. But who would’ve thought that after taking the money and releasing the n, they’d be captured again shortly afterward. Worse still, they did it in front of a crowd of vendors—it’s obvious they don’t respect the Serpent Gang at all," Ji Zhen said.
Zhu Hou’s face darkened. "Alright, leave it for now. I’ll personally go visit Wang Zhou. If he doesn’t give a proper resolution, he won’t hear the end of this."
Governnt building.
Lin Fan didn’t go to the dungeon but instead ordered Bao Liu and the others to remain there and "train hard." After all, the detained criminals were there—might as well use them to their advantage.
Moreover, these weren’t good people in the first place. Treating them gently might make them think the governnt fears the Serpent Gang.
Night fell.
Wang Zhou ca looking for Lin Fan, his expression slightly peculiar, unable to comprehend Lin Fan’s actions.
"The Serpent Gang’s Mountain Opening Hall Master Zhu Hou ca to find , asking to release his n. What’s your situation over there?" Wang Zhou asked, clearly valuing Lin Fan and opting not to comply with Zhu Hou’s request but instead to first inquire about Lin Fan’s side of things.
"Sir, I did let them go initially. But after they were released, they imdiately returned to their wicked ways. So I recaptured them without hesitation," Lin Fan explained. "Honestly, the Serpent Gang is unbelievably arrogant, expecting us to release even a bunch of low-level mbers caught committing cris. They’re clearly disrespecting the governnt."
Lin Fan provided plenty of reasons to convince Wang Zhou that this was all about serving justice, not about deliberately causing trouble for the Serpent Gang.
But truth be told, Lin Fan was intentionally targeting the Serpent Gang.
Does Wang Zhou want to eliminate the Serpent Gang?
Of course.
He absolutely does, but he has too many concerns tying his hands. Lin Fan, on the other hand, was different—he didn’t share those worries and had carefully plotted out his approach.
It boiled down to just a few strategies.
Lin Fan was convinced the Serpent Gang was connected with Demons. But for a gang as seemingly insignificant as the Serpent Gang in Jiangdu City to dare associate with Demons, there had to be a larger force behind them.
Others might not think that far or dare to consider it.
Lin Fan, however, had thoroughly analyzed their situation. Only by forcing the Serpent Gang to the brink could they expose their vulnerabilities.
"While your argunt makes sense, your thods are overly aggressive," Wang Zhou comnted.
Lin Fan smiled and said, "Don’t worry, sir. I know what I’m doing and rely want to suppress the arrogance of the Serpent Gang."
Wang Zhou no longer viewed Lin Fan through the lens of an ordinary subordinate. What happened in the village made him realize Lin Fan’s abilities were extraordinarily powerful.
But he refrained from asking about how Lin Fan beca so strong. Everyone has their secrets—why ask too much?
"Just handle it as you see fit. In Jiangdu City, they wouldn’t dare overstep. Tomorrow night, co to Drunken Immortal Pavilion for the farewell banquet; Mr. Li and the others are leaving Jiangdu City," Wang Zhou said.
The departure of Li Zhiyong and the others brought him imnse pressure.
He could only hope the new group of noble family young masters would be easier to deal with.
"Understood," Lin Fan replied.
The next day.
A major event shook Jiangdu City, an incident initiated by Lin Fan.
The Serpent Gang had many mbers, and due to their notoriety, ordinary citizens dared not confront them. They had no choice but to retreat at the re sight of them, lacking the courage to resist.
Harassing young won? A common occurrence.
Assaulting people? Needless to say, that was just daily business for the Serpent Gang mbers.
At this mont.
On the street.
A few Serpent Gang mbers, idle as usual, spent their days loafing around. They road the streets, fooling around and causing trouble. They would snag fruits from vendors and take bites without paying—the vendors, no matter how upset, wouldn’t dare speak up.
An ordinary, law-abiding young woman was walking along the street.
The several Serpent Gang mbers spotted her and exchanged looks, nudging each other with glimrs of intent in their eyes.
They hurried forward.
"Hey there, little lady. All alone? Co have so fun with us," one of them said, as the words didn’t feel satisfying enough to him. He reached out to touch her face, its smooth texture promising an enjoyable sensation.
"Stay away from !" The woman crouched in fear, her face pale and trembling.
The surrounding citizens were furious but lacked the courage to step forward.
"Don’t be scared, little lady. We’re not bad guys. Just co hang out with us—why make it so difficult?" The gang mbers laughed, so barely able to contain themselves.
But suddenly.
A group of bald constables descended like heavenly warriors, their shining blades slashing through the tension and resting against the gang mbers’ necks.
"Molesting innocent won in broad daylight? Take them all in!"
The gang mbers were stunned, but they quickly snapped out of it, shouting in protest.
"What are you trying to do?"
"We’re with the Serpent Gang! Are you planning to revolt?"
"You constables better watch yourselves. Soon enough, you’ll be begging to let us out and treat us like your masters!"
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