Chapter Sixty-Three: Lawless and Unrestrained, Turning Truth Upside Down

The police are here?

Chen Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. He made no further move, but Luo Wenhao, as if he'd seen his savior, scrambled toward the officers, half-crawling, half-running. “Help! Save me!” he cried.

“These guys showed up at just the right time, didn’t they?” Chen Feng’s eyes narrowed even further. He didn’t believe in such coincidences. When those thugs had burned down his family’s home, these so-called “servants of the people” were nowhere to be found. But the instant he’d beaten Luo Wenhao half to death, they suddenly arrived.

What a joke.

Chen Feng might not have had much worldly experience, but since acquiring the Grand Extraction System and coming into contact with people of Xiao Yu’s caliber, he’d gained insight into the ways of the world. He understood that companies involved in forced demolitions would certainly have connections with the local police precinct.

These officers were clearly not here with good intentions.

“Young Master Luo!” one of the policemen recognized Luo Wenhao and looked shocked at his current state—bloodied, face swollen, clothes in tatters, nothing left of the privileged scion’s former air.

As expected. Chen Feng’s lips curled into a faint smile. His senses were razor sharp; at such close range, it was impossible not to overhear.

“Arrest him! Arrest him right now!” Standing by the police, Luo Wenhao seemed to regain his courage, pointing at Chen Feng and roaring, “Arrest that little bastard immediately!”

“What did you just call me?” Chen Feng didn’t move, but his voice was cold as ice.

You—

Luo Wenhao suddenly felt as if an invisible hand had clamped tightly around his throat. Words failed him. Just moments ago, Chen Feng had left an indelible shadow deep in his heart.

“Kid, you’re suspected of intentional assault. Get down, put your hands on your head, or I’ll shoot!” one of the policemen shouted, leveling his gun at Chen Feng.

Chen Feng stood his ground, unmoved, his voice chilly. “Go ahead. Try it.”

“You—” The officer’s contemptuous tone made the policeman itch to pull the trigger.

But he didn’t dare. If he shot Chen Feng dead, he'd be held accountable by the law. Even if Chen Feng had maimed those thugs, the crime didn’t warrant death. If the officer killed him, he’d face criminal charges.

“Chen Feng, don’t be afraid! They started it. I’ll testify for you!” At that moment, a neighbor stepped forward and spoke quickly.

“That’s right! We’ll all testify for you. They attacked you first; you were only defending yourself!”

The residents weren’t eager to get involved, but they all understood the circumstances. Only ten thousand yuan for the demolition? That was an insult—barely enough for beggars. For most, a little haggling was tolerable, but this was simply forcing people to the edge. No wonder they stood united in anger.

Seeing his neighbors step forward, Chen Feng nodded at them with a grateful smile. “Thank you. Thank you, everyone!”

He knew most of them were acting out of self-interest, but still, their support in this moment moved him.

“Officers, you’ve arrived just in time! These thugs came to forcibly demolish our homes. Please arrest them immediately!”

“These hooligans smashed our homes—look, our house is burning! Don’t we deserve an explanation?”

The crowd grew restless. The officers hesitated; outnumbered, they dared not provoke the masses too much.

Just then, more sirens wailed. Several police cars pulled up, and a corpulent man got out. The officers greeted him respectfully, “Chief!”

It was Zhang Quan, head of the Xue’er District Police.

“What’s going on here?” Zhang Quan demanded, his cold gaze sweeping over the scene.

“Uncle Zhang!” Luo Wenhao rushed over, voice trembling. “Hurry, arrest that guy!”

“Wenhao? What happened to you?” Zhang Quan was shocked; he’d never seen Luo Wenhao in such a state. Before Luo Wenhao could speak, an officer quickly explained the situation.

“You’re Chen Feng? You did this to these men?” Zhang Quan’s gaze landed on Chen Feng.

“Yes, it was me.” Chen Feng’s tone was calm. “I came home from school and saw these thugs burning our house and beating my parents. I fought them off. They tried to force my parents into an unfair agreement. When my parents refused, they threatened violence. So I fought back.”

“Unfair, you say?” Zhang Quan sneered, staring coldly at Chen Feng. “Who are you to say what’s fair or not? That’s for the law to decide. You’re suspected of intentional assault. Come with us.”

Chen Feng said nothing more. He’d already seen through their collusion; Zhang Quan was lying through his teeth.

“Officer, how can you say that? It’s obvious they came to demolish our house by force! The place is still burning! How can you arrest the good guy and let the criminals go?”

“What’s this talk of good guys and bad guys?” Zhang Quan sneered. “All I see is a kid using brute force to injure others. That’s a serious crime. As for forced demolition, the law will decide. Now, you, come with me. Or don’t blame us for using force.”

“Are you still a ‘servant of the people’? Why are you helping these criminals?” Though his words sounded righteous, no one was fooled—everyone could see Zhang Quan was shielding Luo Wenhao.

“Enough. Take him away!” Zhang Quan ordered two officers.

Luo Wenhao, now emboldened, shouted, “What are you waiting for? Take him away! Right now!”

The thugs couldn’t handle Chen Feng, but the police certainly could.

Two officers moved toward Chen Feng. Luo Wenhao shouted, “Be careful! He knows some martial arts. If he resists, shoot him on the spot!”

“Kid, you’d better not resist. Assaulting an officer will only make things worse,” one policeman warned, wary of Chen Feng’s strength.

“How can you do this?” Fang Yue, who had come with Chen Feng, suddenly stepped between him and the police, shouting, “It’s obvious he came to demolish our home by force! Everyone here can testify Chen Feng was only defending himself! You call yourselves public servants—why aren’t you helping the people, but turning truth on its head?”

“What twisting of the truth?” Zhang Quan snorted. “Whether it was forced demolition is for the law to decide. For now, this kid is guilty of assault. Step aside. If you have anything to say, come to the station tomorrow.”

“Screw that! Call it twisting the truth if you want!” Luo Wenhao’s face was twisted with rage. “He brought this on himself for going against me. This is what happens when you don’t know your place!”

Click.

As Luo Wenhao finished, Zhang Quan heard a clicking sound. He immediately pointed at a man holding a phone. “Confiscate his phone! No photos, no videos!”

The man with the phone was stunned. Several officers lunged at him, pinning him to the ground and beating him mercilessly. In moments, he was left bloody and battered. An officer snatched his phone and deleted the recording.

Lawless. Absolutely lawless.

Chen Feng clenched his fists. The surrounding residents instinctively swallowed, fear creeping into their hearts. These so-called “public servants” were even more ruthless than the thugs.

“Everyone!” Luo Wenhao addressed the residents coldly. “I know you’re upset about the demolition compensation. Rest assured, you’ll get every cent you’re owed. But I have a personal grudge against this family. Now, all of you, get lost. If I see you again, you’ll end up just like them. Try me if you don’t believe it!”

His words made the residents hesitate. This was the national mindset: better his misfortune than mine. If things were as Luo Wenhao said, there was little reason for them to get involved. The crowd began to disperse, a few slipping away, triggering a chain reaction. In minutes, only a handful remained at Chen Feng’s side.