Wang Zhan wore a troubled expression.

"Officer, I swear I'm just a tourist! I haven't done anything wrong!"

"Nonsense! If you didn't do anything, why did you run so fast? Do you take us for fools?"

BANG!

Something resembling a judge's gavel was slammed fiercely onto the interrogation table by an officer from the Internal Affairs Department.

Wang Zhan flinched, a hint of fear on his face.

The ordinary-looking middle-aged man sitting opposite Wang Zhan questioned him in a deep, intimidating voice, his face stern and imposing.

"Speak! What did you do?"

"I... I... I..." Wang Zhan's hands trembled; he genuinely seemed frightened by the middle-aged man. Yet, he didn't elaborate, merely looking timid and shrinking back.

"Leniency for confessions, severity for resistance! Kid, do you really think we haven't found evidence of you selling fake medicine? We've already questioned several merchants, and they all confirmed you were hawking fake medicine along the street. Tell me, where did you hide it?"

Seeing Wang Zhan still acting timid and evasive after so long, the middle-aged man finally lost his patience and questioned him forcefully.

This was an attempt to apply further psychological pressure, to make Wang Zhan believe they already possessed substantial evidence.

But who would have thought? At this question, Wang Zhan hastily blurted out something that made the man's expression freeze; he looked as if he were genuinely innocent.

"I was just calling out for fun, I'm really a tourist! You can investigate if you don't believe me. I, Wang Zhan, have a clear conscience before heaven and earth; I would never do anything unscrupulous!"

As he spoke, he somewhat glossed over important points, trying to change the subject.

How could such petty tricks deceive the middle-aged man? He immediately snorted coldly.

"Truly obstinate! Fine, then you can just stay here! Kid, selling fake medicine can kill people!"

As he spoke that last sentence, the middle-aged man's gaze was chilling, as if he wanted to pick someone out and devour them.

Wang Zhan's face paled. He shrank back into his chair, yet he stubbornly clenched his jaw, refusing to divulge any more information no matter what.

The middle-aged man sighed inwardly.

This kid was clearly selling fake medicine, and they already had witness testimony. Yet, so far, they had no physical evidence; otherwise, they could have confirmed his guilt.

The blame lay with his incompetent colleagues, who had actually allowed Wang Zhan to hide the physical evidence midway through the chase. Otherwise, it would have been a case of catching him red-handed with the goods.

Moreover, according to his colleagues' recollections, the kid had been leading them in circles. But even so, given the crowds, the layout, and the various intersections, unless they sealed off the entire Black Market, it would be impossible to find it.

But how could that be possible? If they really sealed it off, it wouldn't just be about a small case of selling fake medicine; the entire Black Market would be forced into open rebellion.

The crimes those people were hiding were far more severe than selling fake medicine; their offenses were definitely greater, not lesser.

The middle-aged man grunted, temporarily choosing to give up on Wang Zhan. He said with a dark expression, "Kid, just you wait. Let's see if you can still be this arrogant after we get the physical evidence."

The middle-aged man noticed that when Wang Zhan heard the words "physical evidence," a distinct flicker of delight crossed his face. Although he maintained his seemingly terrified demeanor, it didn't hide the smugness in his eyes.

Damn it!

With a SLAM, the middle-aged man shut the door.

So what if he knew this kid was selling fake medicine? The consequences of the Spiritual Energy disaster and the beast invasions had led to a sharp decline in the Human Race's population, so the laws had inevitably undergone some changes.

Unless the evidence was truly conclusive and they were caught red-handed with the goods, no one could carry out private punishment. Otherwise, if discovered, the perpetrator—along with all their descendants, for all eternity—would pay the enormous price of losing any opportunity to hold public office.

Evidently, his colleagues outside, who were enjoying a rare moment of leisure, noticed his exasperated state and chuckled in unison.

"What's wrong? The kid refuses to confess, even under threat of death?"

"Haha, we figured as much. It was just a formality anyway. Why get so worked up?"

The middle-aged man GULPED down a large mouthful of water, then said resentfully, "Damn it! Just looking at him, I can tell he's definitely the type to sell fake medicine. You guys didn't even bring back the physical evidence. Otherwise, I'd have definitely made him suffer."

"Oh, come on. Even if you had brought it back, what then? No one except the Martial Management Bureau can carry out private punishment. We learned that on our first day at the Martial Arts Academy, remember?"

"Exactly. That's just how things are now; we just have to follow the rules. If Earth still had as many people as before, of course, we wouldn't be lenient at all. But given the current situation, we just have to make do. At least this way, they can still contribute something to the Federation."

This was true. Even if they were criminals, as long as they hid in the Black Market, the major families and factions would have to provide certain benefits for sheltering them. This was an unspoken rule the Federation was well aware of. As long as they weren't dead, they were still considered people. As long as they weren't sentenced to death, they were still people. The Federation didn't have enough places to imprison all these insignificant small-timers; dealing with those truly depraved and frenzied criminals already consumed vast amounts of resources and effort. It was better to let them make use of their remaining worth, while the authorities turned a blind eye, allowing them to continue contributing to the Federation's development.

The middle-aged man understood this as well. So, even if he was unconvinced, what could he do? He could only nod.

"Whatever. I'm going to interrogate the next one."

"Hehe, why so dejected? You're annoyed with that kid, aren't you? How about this: next time, you lead the team, and we'll give him a good chase. Don't underestimate him just because he's an ordinary person. His running speed isn't much different from ours; he just lacks a bit of stamina. It'll be a good chance for us to stretch our old bones."

"Oh?" The middle-aged man's interest was immediately piqued.

"Good! Then I'll lead the team next time! Hmph, I'd like to see how he manages to hide that fake medicine once he falls into my hands..."

As for Wang Zhan's fate... although no one mentioned it again, it went without saying: he would surely be detained at the Internal Affairs Department for 24 hours and then released.

"PHEW..." Wang Zhan, finally out, heaved a deep sigh of relief. Just looking at the Internal Affairs Department sign made his heart palpitate.

Of course, this display of nervousness was all for the benefit of the people from the Internal Affairs Department.

Indeed, one of the Internal Affairs Department personnel standing at the entrance watched Wang Zhan leave with a cold gaze and said, "Kid, next time it won't be just 24 hours. You were lucky this time. I'd like to see how long you can keep hiding. Don't even think about leaving Quan State City. Unless you mend your ways, you won't get out of Quan State."

Wang Zhan grinned, his face a mask of sycophancy.

"Yes, yes, sir! I'll definitely mend my ways! Definitely, definitely!"

Hmph, still a Federation citizen with a strong sense of justice. Amusing.

But now the first step is complete. I've managed to make a bit of a name for myself in the Black Market. Even if I have to stay for 48 hours next time, it still serves my purpose... It's worth it!

After a quick calculation, Wang Zhan hurried back to the Quan State Black Market without stopping, disappearing from the surface of Quan State City. This city wasn't large; one couldn't expect it to have an aboveground Black Market like Chu State. Although Chu State was a bit backward and rather obscure, that area was, at least, built on what were once prosperous ruins.

Then, he was back at it: "Fake medicine for sale! Get your fake medicine here!..." Wang Zhan was once again hawking his wares on the street.

This time, however, was different. He wasn't carrying anything on him; he was relying solely on his voice.

"Is that the kid?"

"He actually got out?"

"Well, I'll be! He's back selling fake medicine again? Does he have a death wish? You two, go teach him a lesson..."

In an instant, with Wang Zhan's appearance, the entire Quan State Underground Black Market District fell silent.

Among them, some who had suffered unjustly due to Wang Zhan's previous appearance now gritted their teeth in hatred. Others, unable to restrain themselves, immediately dispatched a few young men at the Martial Student Realm, determined to teach Wang Zhan a harsh lesson.

Don't assume that the Martial Student Realm denotes weakness. Although these Martial Students were of a low realm, they were formerly ordinary people who had committed various offenses. If they hadn't been forced into desperate situations in the surface world, with no other recourse but to flee underground and serve as thugs for vicious individuals, they would never have managed to attain the strength of the Martial Student Realm. However, Martial Artists with such violent tendencies in their hearts were not comparable to those from the academies. It could even be said that they were the true combat-seasoned practitioners, more formidable than some Martial Management Bureau trainees who were merely for show.

Just then, Wang Zhan happened to pass by the shop of the owner who had first disparaged and then praised his elixir the previous day.

When the shop owner saw Wang Zhan, so soon after being released, daring to hawk his wares so brazenly and audaciously, his face twitched with fear. He quickly called out to Wang Zhan, glanced around cautiously, and then whispered a warning, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You were just released! If you get caught again, it won't be just 24 hours—you'll be thrown straight into jail..."

Wang Zhan sat down nonchalantly and casually poured himself a glass of water.

"What's there to fear? I'm just shouting randomly. This time, even if they come to arrest me, I won't run. What can the Internal Affairs Department do anyway? Can they really give trouble to a good citizen of the Federation?"

"You!" The shop owner looked at him with a strange expression.

Only then did Wang Zhan say smugly in a low voice, "Besides, do you take me for an idiot? I'm just hawking, but I'm not carrying any fake medicine on me. So what if they catch me? They can search all they want. The Federation can't stop me from shouting for fun, can they?"

The shop owner finally understood, looking both amused and exasperated as he said, "You rascal! So you're determined to go head-to-head with the Internal Affairs Department, huh? True, they can't do anything to you for the time being. But you'll have to deliver the goods eventually, right? What will you do then?"

However, the shop owner then asked again, a little cautiously, "Also, you really don't have any goods on you?" He sounded somewhat regretful.

But Wang Zhan's eyes darted around, and a smug look flashed across his face.

"Hmph, of course, I don't have them on me. Besides, there's definitely a way to deliver. Hehehe, Boss, you're interested in my merchandise, aren't you? I told you, it's an honest deal, no cheating young or old. It's mixed with real medicine; if it's fake, I'll compensate you with genuine stuff."

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