Chapter 388: Give Me Face

When he spoke, the onlookers around instantly held their breath, and the murmurs died down.

Liu Qihua continued, his tone heavy with sorrow, "Last night, my son Liu Mingfeng was blind to reason and audacious beyond bounds—he dared lead men to storm my lord's lodging, speak disrespectfully, and even allow his subordinates to behave insolently toward my lord. He truly deserves to die a thousand deaths."

"I, Liu, have failed as a father, and I am utterly ashamed. To uphold family law and give my lord due recompense, I have personally destroyed this disobedient son's dantian and qi sea, severing his martial path forever!"

Saying this, he sharply turned his head and barked at Liu Mingfeng behind him.

"Disobedient son! Kneel at once and kowtow to Elder Chen, beg his forgiveness!"

"Plop~"

Liu Mingfeng fell to his knees on cue, movements stiff, his forehead slamming hard against the cold blue stone floor with a dull thud.

When he lifted his head, his forehead was already a bruised purple, his eyes filled with fear, pain, despair, and a hint of indescribable resentment as he trembled, "I… I know my fault! Yesterday, I was bewitched by demons, offending the heavenly majesty. I beg Elder Chen… your great mercy… spare my life… I beg you, my lord!"

Each word seemed to drain every ounce of his strength; after speaking, he lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to lift his head.

A suppressed chorus of gasps and hushed whispers erupted from the crowd.

"Destroyed his dantian? Is Third Young Master Liu now a cripple?"

"Liu's patriarch really went all out this time!"

"Hey, what else could he do? That's the Town Martial Office's Inspector! And that's Chen Mu!"

"The Liu family's finally getting what's coming to them!"

"Shh… speak softer—the Liu family isn't down yet. Don't you see Commissioner Xiao there too?"

Indeed, Xiao Xinming stood not far from Liu Qihua's side, wearing his signature gentle smile, as if everything before him had nothing to do with him, yet as if he held all things in his grasp.

Only after Liu Mingfeng finished kowtowing and begging forgiveness did Xiao Xinming step forward slowly, bowing to Chen Mu with a cheerful smile.

"Xiao Xinming greets Inspector Chen. Inspector Chen's name has long echoed in my ears; today meeting you, I see your presence truly shines."

His posture was casual, his tone warm, as if he and Chen Mu were old friends.

"Inspector Chen, Master Liu and I have some ties. His unworthy son was indeed reckless yesterday, offending your might, and deserves severe punishment. But…"

He shifted tone, glancing at Liu Mingfeng, lying like a dead dog on the ground, "Youth is foolish; mistakes are inevitable. His dantian is already destroyed, his martial path ruined—this punishment is more than enough to warn others."

"Master Liu has prepared modest gifts, sincerely apologizing to Inspector Chen. I humbly beg you, for the sake of my slight favor, to overlook this matter and let it rest, what do you say?"

As he spoke, he gave Liu Qihua a subtle glance.

Liu Qihua hurried forward and took two long, finely crafted wooden boxes, faintly emitting a light sandalwood scent, from a trusted subordinate's hands.

He opened the first box: inside lay deep red velvet, upon which rested three pebble-sized stones, grayish in hue, with mist swirling within them, emitting strange fluctuations.

"These are three 'Soul Jade' stones," Liu Qihua introduced respectfully.

Then he opened the second box: inside were ten goat-fat jade vials, sealed at the mouths, faintly radiating potent, pure energy.

When he uncorked one, a fresh, rich, soul-refreshing medicinal fragrance spread instantly, lifting the spirit.

Inside were ten pills, each the size of a dragon's eye, perfectly round, pale gold in color, with three clear cloud-like markings on their surface.

"These are 'Top-Grade Divine Essence Pills.' Ten per vial—a small token of apology."

Liu Qihua held both boxes out before Chen Mu, posture utterly humble, "I beg Elder Chen to set aside past grievances and accept them."

This apology gift was by no means light.

Soul Jade and Top-Grade Divine Essence Pills were both cultivation resources usable by Earth Altar Realm martialists.

The Liu family had truly bled themselves dry, showing ample "sincerity."

Yet Chen Mu's gaze did not linger long on the two gifts.

As if he hadn't heard Liu Qihua's words or seen the opened boxes, he turned to Xiao Xinming, returning the bow with calm expression, "Greetings, Commissioner Xiao. Since Commissioner Xiao has personally intervened, this favor, I, Chen, will certainly grant."

He paused—just as Xiao Xinming's smile widened and Liu Qihua secretly exhaled in relief—Chen Mu seemed to notice the two boxes for the first time, casually raising a hand and summoning them with invisible force.

An unseen suction arose; the two boxes instantly slipped from Liu Qihua's grasp and landed steadily in Chen Mu's palm.

"This matter is settled."

Chen Mu tucked the boxes away, his tone indifferent, revealing no emotion.

Seeing this, Xiao Xinming laughed loudly, clearly delighted, "Hahaha! Inspector Chen is truly straightforward! I'll remember this! Should you need anything in Dao City, don't hesitate to seek me out. Master Liu, don't you owe Inspector Chen your thanks for his magnanimity?"

"Thank you, Elder Chen! Thank you for your great mercy!"

Liu Qihua hurriedly bowed in thanks, then signaled his men to lift the limp, collapsed Liu Mingfeng.

Xiao Xinming exchanged a few more trivial pleasantries with Chen Mu—remarks like "Inspector Chen, young and accomplished," and "Let's keep in touch"—before turning away with a satisfied smile.

Liu Qihua's party, as if released from a death sentence, quickly followed, vanishing at the alley's mouth. The onlookers, seeing no more spectacle, gradually dispersed.

Chen Mu stood where he was, watching the direction in which Xiao Xinming and the Liu family had departed, giving a barely perceptible shake of his head.

No matter what private ties Xiao Xinming had with the Liu family—whether bound by profit, marriage, or old friendship—his open support today, even subtly pressuring Chen Mu to "let it go," was far from wise.

Liu Mingfeng's arrogance last night likely stemmed from this Commissioner of the Moon Office's indulgence and protection.

Chen Mu granted Xiao Xinming this favor today for two reasons: first, as a newcomer, he did not wish to immediately rupture relations with a colleague;

second, the Liu family's apology gift was substantial enough to silence gossip and spare him future troubles.

Third, he simply wished to avoid unnecessary complications.

But Xiao Xinming's actions will inevitably bring greater trouble.

Today, Chen Mu gave him this favor; next time, it may be another inspector with stronger backing—or a more rigid character—who won't be so accommodating.

Of course, these are Xiao Xinming's own choices; his future is none of Chen Mu's concern.

Pushing aside his thoughts, Chen Mu turned and walked into Locust Flower Alley.

At the entrance of Cheng's Restaurant, Cheng Yong had already half-repaired the broken door with a carpenter's help; seeing Chen Mu return, he immediately bowed respectfully.

Chen Mu gave a slight nod and stepped inside.

Upstairs, Long Tuntu was propping his chin, peering through a window crack at the alley entrance; seeing Chen Mu enter, he dashed downstairs.

"Old Chen, how'd it go? Did the Liu family bleed dry?" Long Tuntu asked curiously.

"Old Chen, how's it going? Did the Liu family suffer a massive loss?" Long Tuti asked curiously.

"Hmm, I compensated with a few things."

Chen Mu casually placed two boxes on the table. "Have you heard anything about your second brother?"

"Not yet. Didn't they say earliest today, latest tomorrow?"

Long Tuti's attention was drawn to the boxes; he leaned over to take a look.

"Gray Soul Jade? Top-grade Divine Essence Pill? Barely acceptable."

Although the Long family isn't one of the Eight Great Clans, they've endured for so long—they've got plenty of good stuff!