Just as Lin Xiao's palm was about to touch the scumbag's head, a police car with a special license plate screeched to a halt at the bar's entrance. Lin Xiao recognized it as Bai Xiangqian's car.

Lin Xiao, who had intended to kill the man with a single blow, suddenly changed his mind and withdrew his hand.

Even though the blow never landed, the man was so terrified that he collapsed to the ground. A foul stench wafted up from his crotch; he had pissed himself in fear.

However, when he saw Bai Xiangqian's car, the man who had just wet himself suddenly found a renewed sense of bravado. He snarled, "Fuck you, you stinking beggar! Kill me if you've got the guts!"

"Don't be in such a rush. Your time will come," Lin Xiao sneered.

"Fuck you! You stinking beggar, you see that car with the special plates? I'm not afraid to tell a piece of trash like you, that's the car of Jinling City's police chief! Your fucking time is up!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Bai Xiangqian jumped out of the car. The man immediately scrambled toward him. "Director Bai, save me!"

Bai Xiangqian's face was grim as he stared at the pot-bellied man before him. "Liu Dequan, what is the meaning of this?" he asked coldly.

Liu Dequan failed to notice the terrifying look in Bai Xiangqian's eyes. He started whining like a wronged child, "Director Bai, I received a tip that the owner of this bar was dealing drugs, so I brought my men to make an arrest. But I never expected this! This stinking beggar didn't just resist arrest, he injured my brothers! Director Bai, you have to get justice for us!"

"Liu Dequan, I'm asking you," Bai Xiangqian said flatly, "was there really a tip about Su Qingning dealing drugs? Or did you take someone's money to frame her?"

Liu Dequan's heart skipped a beat. He didn't understand why Bai Xiangqian would ask such a question, but panic began to set in. The truth was, someone had paid him to take care of Su Qingning; the so-called drug discovery at her bar was a plant, arranged by his own men.

But how could I possibly admit to that? he thought. He knew that if he confessed, he wouldn't just lose his badge—he'd likely spend several years in prison.

Liu Dequan declared forcefully, "Director Bai, as a police officer, I am always mindful of my duties! I would never dare do such a thing, not in a million years!"

"Still trying to argue?" Bai Xiangqian roared.

BOOM!

Liu Dequan's mind went blank. From Bai Xiangqian's reaction, it was obvious he already knew everything.

The realization sent a wave of immense fear through Liu Dequan. His legs went weak, and he almost collapsed. After all, Bai Xiangqian was a man who brooked no nonsense.

Liu Dequan wanted to beg for mercy, but his lips trembled so violently he couldn't form a single word.

Just then, Bai Xiangqian walked over to Lin Xiao and said respectfully, "Mr. Lin, I've already investigated the matter. Please rest assured, I will give you a satisfactory resolution."

BOOM!

Liu Dequan's face went white as a sheet, as if struck by lightning, and he collapsed to the floor. He couldn't believe his eyes. Bai Xiangqian, the police chief of Jinling City, was being so respectful to a stinking beggar.

At this point, even an idiot like Liu Dequan would realize he had made the most foolish mistake of his life. No wonder this stinking beggar was so fearless, so willing to kill. No wonder he paid me no mind!

The other officers were even more stunned than Liu Dequan. Their scalps prickled. Despite the sweltering heat, they felt a bone-chilling cold that made them shiver uncontrollably. Fear had completely consumed them.

Bai Xiangqian's cold voice cut through the air. "Men, take Liu Dequan back to the city bureau! Everyone involved today will be strictly investigated!"

"Hold on," Lin Xiao said casually.

Bai Xiangqian asked respectfully, "Mr. Lin, do you have other instructions?"

"You can take the other trash away, but this one," Lin Xiao said, his voice chilling, "Liu Dequan... I'll be dealing with him myself today."

At these words, Liu Dequan panicked. He completely panicked. A moment ago he was paralyzed on the ground, but now he somehow found the strength to scramble to Lin Xiao's feet on his hands and knees. He began kowtowing, banging his head on the pavement as he begged, "M-Mr. Lin, I... I was wrong! I truly was! I'm a moron, the stupidest bastard in the world! Please, just spare my life this one time! I'll never do it again! I didn't want to do this, really! It was the Zhao Family! They forced me! They said if I didn't do it, they'd take care of me! I can't afford to cross them!"

Lin Xiao sneered. Just as I thought. Indeed, Lin Xiao had suspected the Zhao Family was behind this from the start. No other family would dare pull such a stunt. The Liu Family was all but finished, and Bai Chengfeng of the Bai Family still needed him for a cure. Even if Bai Chengfeng hated his guts, he wouldn't dare make a move like this—at least, not yet.

Liu Dequan's forehead was already bleeding from his frantic kowtowing, but he felt no pain, completely enveloped by his terror.

Just then, Lin Xiao asked, "So you truly know you were wrong?"

The words were like music to Liu Dequan's ears. He trembled with excitement, believing Lin Xiao was about to let him go.

He quickly looked up at Lin Xiao and stammered, "Mr. Lin, I... I really know I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"

"Good. As long as you know you were wrong," Lin Xiao said, his face devoid of expression. "In your next life, try to be a better person."

BOOM!

Liu Dequan collapsed again, utterly horrified. His face ashen, he stared at Lin Xiao. It finally dawned on him. Lin Xiao hadn't killed him earlier when Bai Xiangqian arrived, not out of fear, but to give him a glimmer of hope... only to personally extinguish it himself.

How laughable. I actually thought he was scared.

"Well, well, you stinking beggar. You sure can talk big," a sneering voice cut in. "Come on, I'll lend you all the courage you need. Go on, kill this piece of trash Liu Dequan and show me what you've got."

A familiar figure appeared before Lin Xiao. It was none other than Zhao Qingzhi, his wrist still wrapped in a white bandage.

At the sight of Zhao Qingzhi, Liu Dequan, who had been scared half to death, suddenly seemed to revive. His terror vanished without a trace, replaced by a vicious glare aimed at Lin Xiao.

"You stinking beggar! I was just putting on an act! Did you really think I was afraid of you?"

Lin Xiao ignored him, his cold gaze landing on Zhao Qingzhi. "What? You're sticking up for him?"

"That's right. This piece of trash is a dog of our Zhao Family," Zhao Qingzhi said viciously. "If you so much as touch him today, I don't mind giving you a real taste of pain!"

Ever since Lin Xiao had ruined his plans that afternoon, Zhao Qingzhi had been itching to kill him.

Lin Xiao nodded. "Fine. Then I'll let you have the first taste."

"Fuck you, you stinking beggar! Come on, hit me right here!" Zhao Qingzhi pointed a finger at his own head, his arrogance boundless.

Lin Xiao sent a sharp backhand slap across his face.

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