Chapter 983: The Roles Reversed

Two days passed in a flash.

This time, with no brother to betray him, Zhuang Yifei vanished like a drop of water merging into the ocean.

Xiao Jincheng was busy cleaning up, covering for his subordinates, utterly frazzled.

After finishing the urgent matters and reviewing them, he developed an initial suspicion—and it grew firmer.

Thus, Chen Guanlou, who had been sipping tea in the Tianlaomiao to kill time, received an invitation. Same flower boat, same courtesan as before.

“Hahaha… It’s rare for Commissioner Xiao to invite me to a flower banquet—I absolutely must go!”

Not only must he go, he must go in grand style.

After work, he changed into a flamboyant outfit and set off cheerfully.

The old scene replayed—but the host and guest had switched places.

“Commissioner Xiao, you’ve traveled far and returned straight to the capital to treat me to wine—hahaha, you’re too kind! I’m deeply honored!”

“Chen Yucheng, no need to be formal with me—you deserve it.”

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Commissioner Xiao, last time we met, you were cold and dismissive. Only a few days have passed, yet your attitude has changed so abruptly—I’m actually a little afraid!”

Xiao Jincheng smiled faintly. “How could Chen Yucheng be afraid? You dared to Jie a Chaoting prisoner—what in this world could possibly frighten you?”

“Wait a minute—what do you mean by that? I don’t understand.” Chen Guanlou’s face darkened; his aura flared with clear displeasure. “Commissioner Xiao, why not speak plainly? All this vagueness—what’s your point? Trying to trick me?”

Xiao Jincheng watched his expression closely, never letting up, as if searching for even the faintest clue or hint on his face.

After a long pause, he said: “Since Chen Yucheng wants me to be clear, very well—I’ll say it outright. Did you Jie Zhuang Yifei?”

“Do you have evidence?” Chen Guanlou replied coldly. “I assume you don’t. If you had evidence, we’d be meeting in the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s hall—not on a flower boat.”

“Commissioner Xiao, let me remind you: you can eat anything, but don’t speak recklessly. Without evidence, you’re falsely accusing me—do you really think I won’t slaughter your Embroidered Uniform Guard in a rage?”

Xiao Jincheng raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Chen Yucheng, have you forgotten what you said last time here? You said you wanted to transfer Zhuang Yifei to the Tianlaomiao.”

“Yes, I did sincerely beg you then—to transfer Zhuang Yifei to the Tianlaomiao to uphold the dignity of the law! Unfortunately, our words didn’t align, and you, Commissioner Xiao, refused. I had no choice but to give up.”

Chen Guanlou spread his hands, indicating that matter was closed since then.

Xiao Jincheng sipped his wine slowly. “Everyone knows you, Chen Yucheng, are a man of your word—you always deliver on your promises. You claimed you took Zhuang Yifei’s money. If you didn’t deliver, what did you do? You Jie ged him and set him free. That’s fulfilling your promise, isn’t it? I’m not wrong, am I?”

“Hahaha…”

Chen Guanlou burst into laughter, smug and triumphant.

“Didn’t know my reputation spread so far—even the Embroidered Uniform Guard has heard of me. As for my credibility? It’s all thanks to everyone’s goodwill and face. I know my limits—I only do what I can. If I can’t deliver, I refund. So, Commissioner Xiao, you’ve targeted the wrong person. Zhuang Yifei was Jie ed—I deeply regret it, but I didn’t do it. Investigate all you want. If you find evidence, I guarantee full cooperation.”

Chen Guanlou adopted a posture of generous, righteous willingness to cooperate—utterly open and loyal.

Xiao Jincheng narrowed his eyes slightly, his inner fury grinding his teeth.

“I know Chen Yucheng has a righteous heart, but you obstruct the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s investigation, Jie a prisoner, and yet you’re a prison official drawing a state salary—is this appropriate?”

“Do you have evidence? And I don’t have a righteous heart—don’t put that label on me!” Chen Guanlou shot him a cold glance.

“Zhuang Yifei isn’t innocent. He’s been a bandit for over a decade, killing and looting—countless innocent lives lie dead at his hands. His feud with Inspector Geng was merely an old personal grudge, yet he dared murder an official under the Son of Heaven’s very nose. His crimes are heinous—if he isn’t publicly executed, it’s a trampling of the law!”

“I agree!” Chen Guanlou shouted in support. “From the start, I advocated public execution—to prevent the spectacle of an execution from stirring public sympathy for the criminal. That’s why I spent a fortune treating you, Commissioner Xiao, just to get him transferred to the Tianlaomiao! But you refused to cooperate! Now he’s been Jie ed—what can we do? Sigh! How could the Embroidered Uniform Guard fail so utterly? You’ve disappointed everyone!”

"I agree!" Chen Guanlou shouted in support. "From the start, I advocated lawful execution, even spending a fortune to treat Commissioner Xiao to drinks, just to get the prisoner transferred—so the spectacle of an execution wouldn’t stir public sympathy for the criminal. But Commissioner Xiao, you refused to cooperate! Now the prisoner’s been rescued—what can we do but sigh! Alas! How could the Embroidered Uniform Guard fail so utterly? You’ve betrayed everyone’s expectations."

There were truly people in this world so brazenly shameless, openly twisting right and wrong. How could this man stand before him and speak so solemnly of upholding the law?

“Chen Yucheng, have you ever heard the saying: ‘If you want others not to know, don’t do it yourself!’”

“I’ve heard it! I also know the law is serious—and the incompetent always resort to framing others. The ghosts of the wronged still drift above the ZhaoYu. Can’t you see them, Commissioner Xiao?”

“Chen Yucheng, so certain—Zhuang Yifei must be long gone. A ninth-rank martial cultivator naturally has the confidence to leave no trace. I admire you!”

“Don’t rush to admire me. Same as before: I didn’t do it—don’t try to frame me!”

The old martial elder with white hair and beard Jie ed him—what does that have to do with Chen Guanlou?

That’s the truth!

Even if Zhuang Yifei stood right here, he’d only confirm this truth—not refute it.

“Whether you did it or not, Chen Yucheng, you know best.”

“What do I know?” Chen Guanlou’s face turned grim. “Commissioner Xiao, I advise you to speak plainly, not in veiled insinuations. You invited me for wine, questioned me—because you suspect me, yet you have no evidence. Do you honestly expect me to confess, ‘Yes, I Jie ed him’? What dream are you having?

You failed in your duty, the prisoner was Jie ed, you can’t find him, and now you take it out on me. Remember: I’m a Tianlaomiao official—not under your Embroidered Uniform Guard’s jurisdiction. Don’t overreach!

Your Embroidered Uniform Guard may be powerful, but the Ministry of Justice isn’t weak—you can’t bully us at will! If necessary, we’ll take this to the Emperor’s court—I’d like to see how much face the Embroidered Uniform Guard has left then!”

He delivered his ultimatum, making his stance clear—leaving no opening for the other to trap him.

He issued a stern warning, making his stance clear, leaving the other side no opening to seize upon or exploit.

This wine banquet left a foul taste.

But since Commissioner Xiao is paying, even if it tastes bad, he’d drink it down in large gulps—he must get his money’s worth. Last time he lost big—spent so much money and got nothing done.

He glanced at the other man, saw Xiao’s usual coffin-face expression, and chuckled softly. “Commissioner Xiao, you shouldn’t waste your time on me. Think about how to clean up your mess. You won’t find any answers here—why bother?”

He glanced at the other man and saw that Xiao Jin’s face was as lifeless as ever; he let out a light laugh and offered kindly, “Commandant Xiao, you shouldn’t waste your time on me. Think about how to clean up the mess. You won’t find any answers here—why bother?”