The port police showed their credentials briefly and then quickly tucked them back into their pocket.
"I... killed soone?"
Chen Qi's eyes widened slightly, his mouth agape in confusion.
"Yes."
The port police took a firm stance, not wanting to give Chen Qi a chance to defend himself:
"Soone suspects you of killing a hunter employed by the Rabbit Tailor Shop in the hunting grounds for your own benefit."
Rabbit, hunting grounds... Chen Qi thought for a mont—it was about the previous incident.
In Shell Country, there was a law that prohibited harming others for monetary gain within cracks unless it was an ergency.
But the cracks were places governed by strength, and coupled with the difficulty of gathering evidence, this law was practically nominal.
To invoke this law, extensive eyewitness and physical evidence was needed.
Usually, it was only applied when two groups engaged in a fight resulting in casualties and compensation was sought.
In the hunting grounds, he had indeed fought with mbers of the Black Rabbit gang.
But it was mutual combat, not a one-sided attack.
Moreover, re-opening the crack in the hunting ground would take at least thirty days.
By then, all evidence would have vanished.
In other words, this was rely a suspicion, and a superficial one at that.
A rather la excuse.
Bad news, he was falsely accused of murder.
Good news, he really did kill.
Chen Qi was about to speak.
However, the next mont, the port police continued firmly:
"This incident is very serious; if handled improperly, you could face at least twenty years in prison.
Now, we need you to go to the Rabbit Tailor Shop in District Three to verify sothing."
Rabbit Tailor Shop? Twenty years in prison?
Just spouting anything... Chen Qi didn't quite know how to describe it.
Even if they really suspected him, shouldn't he be going to the police station?
Because of concerns about the Black Rabbit gang, Chen Qi had been confined to the port and comrcial streets of Moonstone City these past few days.
Gangs had strict territory demarcations, and they were not allowed to cause trouble in the port and comrcial streets.
Heading to the Rabbit Tailor Shop in District Three.
It was clear they wanted to lure him into their territory to slaughter him like a pig!
Chen Qi touched his neck and looked speechlessly at the uniford port police officer.
This might not even qualify as a fabricated charge but rather a clumsy scam.
His case was probably not even filed at the police station.
The so-called 'murder' was rely a clumsy thod by the Black Rabbit gang to draw him into their den.
Chen Qi smiled and said cooperatively:
"Officer, I will go to the police station to explain this matter."
The port police hesitated, their steady tone suddenly quickening:
"No need, your case has not reached the point where we need to involve the police station. Go to the Rabbit Tailor Shop first."
He gripped the iron rod in his hand, intending to coerce the other party more aggressively.
He sized up Chen Qi, who still had a gun tucked under his clothes and wore clothes that emitted a certain transcendent aura.
He appeared very calm.
The port police silently lowered their cap:
"This matter is still under investigation. When the investigation reaches a certain point, soone will co to find you."
Then, as if nothing had happened, the port police left the area.
Is that it?
Chen Qi crossed his arms and shook his head.
What the heck! He thought the other party would co up with a decent excuse.
After seeing the police leave, the old man from the newspaper kiosk who had been watching the drama closely ca over:
"Custor, that was quite a close call, but don't worry. With the gang's power, framing soone isn't so easy."
The old man from the newspaper kiosk looked sympathetically at Chen Qi.
He had seen such tricks too many tis before.
The gangs, relying on their numbers and the law, bullied the young arrivals in Moonstone City, squeezing every bit of value from them.
Although he was old, he still felt indignant seeing these examples of bullies using their power to falsely accuse good people.
At that mont, pedestrians by the port, seeing the police had walked away, also whispered:
"Yes, boss, rest assured, although there are so bad apples in the Moonstone City police force, overall there are more good ones. As long as you explain things clearly, they don't just arrest people without reason."
"Yeah, picking on a young chef is no great feat."
Chen Qi looked around.
Where did you all co from?
Normally, this place wouldn't be so crowded.
And it seed like all these people were here waiting for him.
What happened? And what are these people here for?
Chen Qi ca down from the boat and walked up to an old man at the newsstand, asking softly:
"Thanks for the heads-up, boss. Also, why are there so many people here?"
From the way these people dressed, they weren't fishern.
Could it be that he had gotten into so trouble again?
"Eh?"
The newsstand old man was startled:
"Hasn't Perlu told you?"
"?"
Chen Qi looked puzzled.
Following that, the newsstand owner handed Chen Qi a freshly printed Dove Tis newspaper.
Chen Qi opened the newspaper and quickly scanned through it.
It was the latest edition, filled with recent major news:
"[The legendary treasure exists, and the Black Whale Group has found the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure and is now holding an unprecedented gathering!
The Flower Witch appeared at the hunting grounds, slaughtering the entire field single-handedly!
A person suspected to be the Blade Witch appeared in a pub for a barmaid, causing a massacre!
The navy reorganized, establishing a system of three major admirals!
Life changes after the Crack Tide Descended.]"
This has nothing to do with , right? Chen Qi looked at these headlines.
The news segnt on the Flower Witch didn't ntion him either.
Wait a minute...
Chen Qi flipped to the back of the newspaper.
In a little corner, there was a title.
Miracle Reporter Perlu's Little Fun Encounter:
"[During an investigation, I was so hungry I literally fell from the sky, landing on a shabby chef's boat.
I thought it was just another overpriced sea restaurant, but to my surprise, it was super delicious!
Indeed, during busy tis, one's luck improves.
This must be the goddess's reward for my hard work.
Dear readers, I will strive to bring you more thrilling and explosive news!"]
Besides the text, there was also a selfie of Perlu sitting on the flying Dove, stylishly set against the sea and a small houseboat.
"..."
Chen Qi raised an eyebrow.
What the heck? Is this supposed to be in the newspaper?
Doesn't the managent of the Dove Tis care at all?
And when did she take that picture?
Perlu, are you posting for social dia or what!
After ntally comnting, Chen Qi collected his thoughts.
Perlu, as the most famous journalist in Moonstone City, although only of the First Order in public perception,
had built a considerable reputation through her fa and various maneuverings.
In Moonstone City, there were many who loved her and many who hated her.
Simply put, Perlu was a super internet celebrity!
aning, the people in front of him, unlike the police from earlier, weren't here to cause trouble.
They were purely influenced by the celebrity effect, here to eat!
And judging by their excited expressions, they had been waiting quite a while.
I've beco a celebrity hotspot? Chen Qi touched his head, sowhat surprised as he looked at the crowd.
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