The leading officer—a stern-faced man in black-and-red robes, his sword sheathed at his hip—stepped forward. His presence alone was enough to make bystanders back away, whispering anxiously.

  The officers immediately spread out, surrounding the area. Two of them helped stabilize the collapsed stalls, while others stood with their hands on their weapons, ready to act at a moment’s notice.

  The commanding officer’s sharp gaze swept over the furious young master and his men before locking onto Uncle Lin's retreating figure.

  “What is the meaning of this disturbance?” His voice was cold and authoritative. “Who dares cause such a ruckus in Louyang City?”

  He asked no one in particular, but his strength was locked on the young man and his minions.

  The young master visibly clenched his jaw, trying to suppress his anger.

  One of his subordinates stepped forward hastily. “Officer Hu, it was that brat! He insulted the young master and even—”

  “Shut your mouth.” Officer Hu cut him off, his gaze still sharp.

  The man flinched but obeyed.

  Jin Yu that was already walking away immediately stopped and walked back confidently, clasping his hands behind his back as if he were a scholar giving a lecture.

  “Ah, Officer Hu, you came at just the right time! These people…” He pointed at the young master’s group. “They shamelessly attacked me and even had the audacity to attack my Uncle Lin! Look at them—completely disregarding the laws of Louyang City! Outrageous, isn’t it?”

  Uncle Lin who had stopped to watch the show pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming. Here we go again…

  The crowd gasped at Jin Yu’s boldness. The young master’s men turned livid.

  “YOU—”

  “Is this true?” Officer Hu’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

  The young master’s subordinates immediately clamped their mouths shut, their faces pale.

  “He attacked my lady and,I… I was provoked!” The young master finally spoke, his voice strained. “That bastard even insulted my family!”

  Officer Hu raised an eyebrow. “And so you thought it was acceptable to attack someone in broad daylight? In the city square?”

  "And your lady?,I was clearly told that they were sparring!" Officer Hou's gaze still as cold as ever as he glared at the man,deadpan.

  Jin Yu gasped dramatically, holding a hand over his chest. “Officer Hu, you’re so wise! I was just an innocent bystander, minding my own business, when this young master started throwing threats left and right! I was scared for my life!,and as for the ugly duck.... cough..I mean his lady,we were indeed sparring!” Jin Yu said so hypocritically that even a fool wouldn't believe him.

  “…You were what?” The young master looked like he was about to cough up blood.

  A few spectators choked on their laughter.

  Officer Hu sighed, rubbing his temple. “Louyang City has laws. Personal grievances are to be settled outside city grounds or through official duels. You all know this.”

  He turned to the young master’s men, his expression turning even colder. “And yet, you openly displayed killing intent? Are you disregarding the city’s rules?”

  Some of the young master’s men lowered their heads in shame, sweat forming on their brows.

  Jin Yu took a slow step forward and tilted his head at the young master.

  “Oi, Officer Hu, speaking of lawbreakers—shouldn’t you punish those who attack innocent civilians first?” He patted his chest. “I feel so traumatized! My weak body nearly couldn’t handle the stress!”

  The crowd almost lost it.

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  Uncle Lin let out a long sigh, while the young master looked ready to commit murder on the spot.

  Influence +4,000

  Influence +4,500

  Influence +5,000

  (Emotion provoked: Bloodlust)

  Now we’re talking.

  Officer Hu’s sharp eyes studied Jin Yu. “Traumatized, huh?”

  Jin Yu nodded earnestly. “Deeply.”

  “Then let’s hope that trauma teaches you to be more respectful next time.”

  Jin Yu’s smile froze. Wait…

  Before he could react—

  Smack!

  Officer Hu delivered a swift hit to the back of Jin Yu’s head.

  “Ow! What was that for?!” Jin Yu clutched his head in genuine outrage.

  “For adding fuel to the fire,” Officer Hu replied dryly.

  The young master’s men visibly perked up at Jin Yu getting smacked.

  But before any of them could smirk too much—

  Smack!

  Officer Hu slapped the young master upside the head too.

  “You—!”

  “For attempting to start a fight in broad daylight,” Officer Hu added.

  The young master’s expression twisted in humiliation.

  Jin Yu immediately brightened up. “Officer Hu, I’m starting to like you.”

  Officer Hu shot him a deadpan look.

  “Shut up.”

  Jin Yu zipped his mouth shut—but his eyes were filled with amusement.

  Officer Hu turned to Uncle Lin, who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal.

  “Senior, forgive this city’s incompetence in maintaining order,” he said respectfully. “If you wish, I will have these men detained.”

  The young master’s expression stiffened at the word detained.

  But Uncle Lin simply waved his hand. “No need. I don’t waste my energy on brats.”

  Officer Hu nodded. “Then I will consider this case closed. All of you—leave the square immediately. Any further commotion will result in arrests.”

  The young master gritted his teeth but knew he had no choice but to obey.

  The city square was finally settling down after Officer Hu’s intervention. The young master and his men looked humiliated but restrained, clearly holding back their rage under the scrutiny of the officers.

  As Jin Yu and Uncle Lin turned to leave, Jin Yu suddenly stopped and call out

  “Hold on, hold on! Before everyone walks away…”

  People paused, eyes shifting back to him.

  Officer Hu sighed, already sensing trouble. “What now?”

  Jin Yu placed his hands behind his back and sighed dramatically. “Officer Hu, I have a very important matter to bring to your wise and fair judgment.”

  Officer Hu rubbed his temple. “Spit it out, brat.”

  Jin Yu turned to the young master’s group, then gestured around. “Look at the mess these reckless fools made!”

  The square still had signs of destruction—a merchant’s stall knocked over, baskets of goods trampled, and civilians visibly shaken from the earlier chaos. Some vendors were even picking up scattered produce, muttering complaints under their breath.

  The young master’s face darkened.

  Jin Yu folded his arms. “Isn’t it only fair that the ones responsible for this commotion compensate these innocent people for their damages?”

  The moment he said that, murmurs spread through the crowd.

  “Yes! They ruined Old Huang’s stall!”

  “My goods were destroyed too!”

  “Their reckless fighting scared off my customers!”

  The victims nodded in agreement, turning expectant eyes toward Officer Hu.

  Officer Hu glanced at the damages, his eyes narrowing. “He has a point.”

  The young master gritted his teeth.

  “Fine,” he spat. “How much?”

  Jin Yu’s eyes gleamed. He fell for it!

  He turned to the civilians, his expression sincere. “Merchants, farmers, good people of Louyang! Tell us your damages so that these… upstanding gentlemen can take responsibility.”

  The affected vendors stepped forward eagerly, listing out their losses.

  “One hundred silver for my stall repairs!”

  “Thirty silver for my crushed vegetables!”

  “My robes got burned by that fool’s energy burst! I want a full refund!”

  As the amounts piled up, the young master’s men looked more and more pale.

  Jin Yu smirked. “Oh, come now! Surely men of your status can afford such small expenses?”

  The young master’s fists clenched. “Hurry up and pay,” he snapped at his men.

  Under Officer Hu’s scrutinizing gaze, the men begrudgingly handed over their silver to the victims.

  “Pleasure doing business,” Jin Yu said cheerfully.

  The moment the last payment was made, the young master turned to leave, his patience clearly at its limit—

  —But Jin Yu wasn’t done yet.

  He clutched his chest, staggering slightly.

  Officer Hu raised a brow. “...What now?”

  Jin Yu sighed, voice filled with sorrow. “Officer Hu, I… I was deeply, deeply traumatized by this entire event.”

  Uncle Lin facepalmed.

  The crowd snickered.

  The young master twitched violently.

  “Traumatized?” Officer Hu repeated, clearly done with this conversation.

  Jin Yu nodded solemnly. “Do you know what it feels like to have your heart tremble with fear, Officer Hu? To stand against overwhelming danger with only your wit to survive?”

  “…You were never in danger,” Officer Hu deadpanned.

  “But I felt like I was!” Jin Yu countered. “I may look strong on the outside, but inside, my fragile heart suffered greatly!”

  He sniffled dramatically, even dabbing his eyes as if on the verge of tears.

  Ding!

  Ding!

  Ding!

  Ding!

  The young master nearly lunged at him again.

  “Officer Hu, I demand financial compensation,” Jin Yu declared.

  The square erupted into laughter.

  Officer Hu looked at Jin Yu for a long moment, his face unreadable.

  Then, to everyone’s surprise—

  He nodded.

  “Fine. Since the other damages were paid for, I see no reason why your trauma should be ignored.”

  Jin Yu’s eyes widened. Wait, that actually worked?

  Officer Hu turned to the young master’s group. “Pay him.”

  The young master lost all composure.

  “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”

  “This is unfair!”

  “WHY?!”

  Officer Hu gave them a cold look. “You caused the chaos. You’re lucky I’m not fining you for disturbing public order.”

  The young master looked like he wanted to murder someone.

  Jin Yu grinned ear to ear.

  One of the young master’s subordinates reluctantly pulled out a pouch of silver and tossed it at Jin Yu.

  Jin Yu caught it gracefully, weighing it in his palm.

  “Hmmm… this feels a little light.” He turned to Officer Hu. “What do you think? Should I get it weighed for accuracy?”

  The young master looked one second away from exploding.

  Officer Hu simply waved dismissively. “It’s enough. Now leave.”

  The young master carried the still unconscious lady and stormed off, his men following in humiliated silence.

  Jin Yu watched them go, then patted the pouch of silver happily.

  Uncle Lin shook his head, exasperated. “You’re unbelievable.”

  Jin Yu grinned. “If people want to insult me, the least they can do is pay for it.”

  Officer Hu sighed, already regretting ever getting involved.

  “Next time, Jin Yu, if you start trouble, don’t expect me to be this lenient.”

  Jin Yu bowed deeply. “Of course, Officer Hu! You’re my most respected city officer!”

  Officer Hu wasn’t fooled. He gave Jin Yu one last look,and bowed to uncle Lin before turning to his men. “Let’s go.”

  As the officers finally left, Jin Yu hummed to himself, tossing his silver pouch in the air before catching it.

  “What a wonderful day.”

  Uncle Lin glanced at Jin Yu, amused. “I hope you have the same energy next week.”

  For a split second, Jin Yu’s confident stride faltered. But then he quickly recovered, shooting Uncle Lin a glare before picking up his pace.

  Under his breath, he muttered, “No evil shall ruin my mood today.”