Urban Martial Saint

Zhao Chengshuang was suddenly at a loss for words. Many people in Shenchuan City knew about the things Boss Lin was involved in—even many within their own police force. However, with the backing of the Lin family, no one was willing to intervene in these matters.

Because, even if those people were arrested, it was not certain that the responsibility could be tied to Boss Lin. Failing to pin the crime on him might instead lead to retaliations in the dark, using the Lin family’s connections. Therefore, nobody undertook this thankless task, and the police in Shenchuan City merely turned a blind eye to Boss Lin’s actions.

Zhao Chengshuang whispered, ”Maybe some of our officers have been negligent, but that doesn’t mean everyone is.”

”It’s not for me to judge who you are. The justice in the hearts of the people will prevail. If you had done enough, such things wouldn’t happen in Shenchuan City. If you had done enough, those children wouldn’t have died like that.

If you had done enough, those so-called dandies wouldn’t dare to strut around on the streets.” Ye Qing took a deep breath and added, ”Zhao Chengshuang, if you really want to help me, don’t worry about what I have done. Just take good care of those disabled and children, help them find their families, at least fulfill your duty!”

”This isn’t a solution, although I have helped destroy many leads. But the saying goes, a dam with a hundred gates cannot keep out the water—I’m telling you, you are playing with fire!” Zhao Chengshuang said gravely, ”Plus, do you think what you’ve seen is the darkest side of Shenchuan City? Boss Lin at best is a minor figure here, there are many others whose deeds are darker.

Can you manage all of that? Even if you have energy to keep up, do you know what dangers you might face? Yes, for now Lin Lin is powerless against you, but if you truly anger some key figures in Shenchuan City, no one can protect you!”

”So what!” Ye Qing replied coldly with a smirk, ”I am a soldier, and my duty is to protect the people. If I back down because the enemy is numerous and powerful, then what right do I have to call myself a soldier?”

Zhao Chengshuang said gravely, ”You’ve already been discharged!”

”Just because I’m out of uniform doesn’t mean I’m no longer a soldier,” Ye Qing stared back at Zhao Chengshuang and continued, ”If one day, you take off your police uniform, would you stand by and watch those vulnerable individuals, those you once protected, those who cannot protect themselves—being bullied right in front of you?”

Zhao Chengshuang fell silent. He had never thought about this problem before. But now that it had been brought up, he found himself unable to make a choice. As Elder Master Zhao had once said, he had learned what responsibility meant. Wearing the police uniform symbolized responsibility. But does taking it off mean shedding all responsibilities?

A police officer, a soldier, is not just a title; it is an everlasting duty!

”I know I can’t win against you in words, but I say this for your own good. Be a bit more careful in the future, even if you leave them disabled, try to take fewer lives. That way, things won’t get blown out of proportion.” Zhao Chengshuang paused and continued, ”And for some people, killing them off is actually letting them off too easy.

Letting them live a life worse than death, that’s the most fitting punishment!”

Ye Qing glanced at Zhao Chengshuang, thinking that this guy indeed had a sinister streak.

”I will be more careful,” Ye Qing responded.

”Good,” Zhao Chengshuang nodded with satisfaction and added, ”By the way, what is your relationship with Old Wang Ba?”

”Huh?” Ye Qing was startled. Why was Zhao Chengshuang also bringing up Old Wang Ba now? What on earth had Old Wang Ba done to get even the police talking about him?

”What’s wrong with him?” Ye Qing asked with a furrowed brow, always suspecting that Old Wang Ba was up to no good.

”This guy has been spreading rumors around town lately, claiming that there will be more bombings, causing quite a panic among the public. He’s now on the wanted list, currently on the run,” Zhao Chengshuang explained as he looked at Ye Qing, ”I see you get along pretty well with him. It’s not a big deal, but spreading rumors at this particular time, the station wants to make an example out of him.

Tell him to leave Shenchuan City and not to come back for at least three months. After this storm passes, it’ll be ok.”

Ye Qing finally understood why he hadn’t seen Old Wang Ba lately; it turned out the guy was wanted and probably already on the lam. But if you’re going to flee, why rob so many school children beforehand, leaving behind such an awful impression just before leaving?

”I’m not close with him,” Ye Qing replied hastily, his face flushing as he thought about Old Wang Ba’s actions. Being friends with such a person meant always being ready to endure public scorn, since any minor action from him could embarrass those around him.

Zhao Chengshuang remarked, ”Then it’s nothing much, but this guy is quite something. I checked a couple of days ago, and he’s wanted in several places, seems like a veteran scammer.”

”Really? What major crimes has he committed?” Ye Qing was astounded, hardly believing that Old Wang Ba, with his sleazy demeanor, was also a cross-province wanted criminal.

Zhao Chengshuang explained, ”Fraud, superstition, spreading rumors, that’s about it. Among those cross-province wanted criminals, he’s probably the most embarrassing. Being wanted in several places for these things, he really is the first of his kind.”

Ye Qing couldn’t help but smirk. Old Wang Ba did seem to be quite capable, causing a lot of trouble indeed.

Suddenly Zhao Chengshuang asked, ”By the way, those times when some disabled individuals and children were rescued, that was your doing, wasn’t it?”

Ye Qing didn’t hide it and nodded, stating, ”Yes, that was me.”

”Damn, I should have thought of this earlier!” Cheng Shuang slapped his thigh and said, ”Based on the statements from those disabled people and children, the person who saved them was someone in a military uniform. Damn, since you stopped wearing the uniform, I totally forgot about you. I should have remembered!”

Ye Qing asked, ”How are those people doing now?”

Cheng Shuang replied, ”They have all been caught. Don’t think they can escape the law just because they’re disabled.”

Ye Qing shook his head and added, ”I wasn’t asking about them, I meant the disabled people and children.”

”Oh, you mean them? I thought you were referring to the criminals,” Cheng Shuang chuckled and continued, ”Our police department has already contacted the families of the disabled and the children. Most of them have been taken back by their families, and a small portion who couldn’t reach their families have been sent to shelters and orphanages, temporarily fostered there.

If we can get ahold of their families, we will try to send them back.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing felt somewhat relieved. His biggest fear was that although these people were saved, their future would still be uncertain. If they ended up back on the streets begging, what was the point of saving them in the first place?

Cheng Shuang knew what Ye Qing was thinking and patted his arm, saying, ”Don’t worry, most people in this society are good, not as dark as you think. Like those kids tonight, honestly, seeing them really hurts my heart. I guarantee you, I will make sure they are well taken care of!”

Ye Qing looked at Cheng Shuang and sincerely said, ”Thank you!”

”What are you talking about? You’re a retired soldier, and I’m still an active police officer!” Cheng Shuang pointed to the police badge on his shoulder and added, ”Actually, it’s more my duty to handle these things!”

Ye Qing smiled faintly. Cheng Shuang had changed a lot. At least, he was now doing what a police officer should do. He had come to understand the responsibilities of a police officer.

”Speaking of which, how does it feel to be a bodyguard for my cousin?” Cheng Shuang leaned on his wheelchair, gave Ye Qing a sidelong glance, and warned, ”Being a bodyguard is fine, but don’t you think about romancing my cousin!”

Ye Qing ignored him. Cheng Shuang chuckled and said, ”Alright, I’m just joking. But honestly, you’re a bit stubborn and dull, but other than that, you’re pretty good. My cousin is nice too, a bit willful but perfect in other respects. You two are quite suitable. How about it, should I, as your future uncle-in-law, give you some ideas?”

Ye Qing immediately felt at a loss for words. Who ever heard of an uncle-in-law helping someone woo his own cousin?

”She’s still just a kid!” Ye Qing responded.

”Who is?” Cheng Shuang was taken aback for a moment and said, ”She’s nineteen years old, still a kid? How much older are you than her? Come on, let’s not pretend to be upright gentlemen here. I’ll be honest with you. Don’t worry about family background, my uncle doesn’t care about that stuff. Besides, in the Lin family’s current generation, she is the only girl, and the family adores her like crazy.

They definitely won’t force her to be with someone she doesn’t like. If she likes you, the family will not object.”

Ye Qing remained silent and pushed Cheng Shuang’s wheelchair out of the hospital room.

”Alright, alright, I’ll stop joking,” Cheng Shuang quickly waved his hands and said earnestly, ”But honestly, take good care of my cousin. She’s actually quite pitiful, having lost her mother right after she was born. Over the years, despite being spoiled by the family, she has lacked maternal love and hasn’t been very happy. I genuinely don’t want her to suffer any more hurt!”

”Don’t worry!” Ye Qing patted Cheng Shuang’s shoulder and said, ”For our friendship, I’ll definitely take good care of her!”

”Ouch!” Cheng Shuang immediately covered his shoulder, complaining, ”Couldn’t you slap somewhere else? My bones have just healed!”

”Come on, what’s a little pain to a big man!” Ye Qing pretended to slap him again, causing Cheng Shuang, in a panic, to swiftly wheel himself away.

”Don’t be scared, just kidding,” Ye Qing laughed and added, ”By the way, if it’s convenient, help me protect Director Mu, Tingyun, and Mo Xiang. I’m worried someone might harm them!”

”No problem, leave it to me,” Cheng Shuang nodded and started, ”I…”

”I think you’d better forget it!”

A voice suddenly came in, cutting Cheng Shuang off.