24: Run! We're surrounded!

Dozens of burly men in black, all just to catch one person.

The scene was incredibly shocking... However,

Ye Chen didn't panic at all.

His feet stood in a relaxed yet ready stance, assuming the opening posture of the Tiangang Step. An eager glint flickered in his eyes... This footwork was a Taoist masterpiece, extremely powerful.

In the past, he would never have dared to use it lightly.

Because every time he used it, it would consume his mana bar; if the mana wasn't enough, it would drain his health bar... What was the mana bar?

A person's essence, energy, and spirit!

What was the health bar?

Lifespan!

But now, with the ring by his side, Ye Chen no longer had any misgivings because it could replenish his essence, energy, and spirit at all times... He moved!

The footwork seemed simple, yet his figure was like a ghost, flickering and weaving through the crowd.

The Tiangang Step was not just a movement technique; it also hid methods of attack.

Every step taken harmonized with the mysterious mechanics of the celestial stars' movements.

Power rose from the ground, channeled through his fists and feet.

"Bang!"

The first burly man to reach him, dangling a cigarette from his mouth, lunged forward only to be hit squarely in the chest by Ye Chen's elbow strike.

The cigarette drifted through the air as the man fell backward, knocking over several people behind him.

"Ugh!"

Another man's throat was caught by the wind of a punch; he immediately clutched his throat and knelt down, completely losing his combat effectiveness.

"Crack!"

Another person swung a steel pipe down, but Ye Chen dodged it easily with a forward step, then twisted his body into a spinning kick. The steel pipe in the man's hand, along with his arm, bent together as he collapsed to the ground screaming.

Every time he struck, someone was bound to fall.

At first, the men in black relied on their numbers, howling as they swarmed forward.

But soon, they realized something was wrong... This kid was too uncanny!

Even though it looked like a fist was about to hit him, he always managed to avoid it, while their own men fell one after another like wheat being harvested.

He was so strong!

He was so fast!

They couldn't even touch the corner of his clothes!

Fear began to spread in their hearts.

The cruel grin on the Man in Sunglasses had long since frozen, his heart filled with absolute horror.

What kind of monster is this?!

He had been around for years and had seen people who could fight, but someone who could counterattack like cutting through melons and vegetables while being mobbed by dozens of experts... This was unheard of!

The more they fought, the more his heart trembled!

The more they fought, the more his courage failed!

Finally, someone's spirit broke completely, and they screamed in terror: "Run! We've been surrounded by him alone!"

The men in black who could still stand retreated in a panic; not a single person dared to step forward again.

Ye Chen shook his wrist, looked at the Man in Sunglasses, and asked, "Still want to kidnap me?"

Kidnap?

Kidnap my ass!

When the boss sent them, he only said the target could fight, but he didn't expect him to be this capable!

The Man in Sunglasses wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and was about to speak... suddenly!

"Wooo-waaa—wooo-waaa—"

The sound of sirens approached from afar, breaking the morning silence of the alley entrance.

Several police cars screeched to a halt, surrounding the scene.

The door of the lead police car pushed open, and a tall, agile figure was the first to leap out.

It was a female police officer!

She looked to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Even in her standard police uniform, it was hard to hide her breathtakingly impressive curves.

Her full chest stretched the fabric of her shirt into an amazing arc, and her waist, cinched by her duty belt, appeared even more slender.

Her police trousers wrapped around straight, long legs, and her hips were pert and firm, full of explosive power.

She walked with a brisk pace, a ponytail swaying gently behind her head.

The lines of her heart-shaped face were distinct, and her wheat-colored skin was as tempting as honey. But the most striking feature was her almond eyes... They should have been tender, but at this moment, they were filled with a fiery temper, as if she might draw her gun and gun down all the men in black in front of her at any second!

"Nobody move!"

"Hands behind your heads, squat down!"

She barked the order, and the surrounding police officers simultaneously placed their hands on their holsters.

Those burly men in black, who had already been beaten into submission by Ye Chen, looked like they had found their savior and hurriedly squatted down with their hands behind their heads.

Only the Man in Sunglasses had a change in expression and hurriedly tried to explain: "Officer, we..."

"Shut up!"

The female officer's phoenix-like eyes glared, interrupting him. "Did I give you permission to speak?"

The Man in Sunglasses instinctively shut his mouth.

The female officer then turned to look at Ye Chen and asked, "Are you the victim who was attacked by this group?"

Ye Chen nodded.

"Officer, I was out for a morning run when dozens of them suddenly rushed out to kidnap me."

"Bullshit!"

The Man in Sunglasses couldn't help but look up. "Officer, he was the one who beat dozens of us by himself..."

"Bang!"

The female officer raised her leg and kicked the Man in Sunglasses in the shoulder, knocking the rest of his words back into his throat.

"Do you think we're idiots?"

"One person beat dozens of you?"

"If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll take you all back and let you taste what chili water is like!"

The Man in Sunglasses fell to the ground, both shocked and furious: "You... this is police brutality! I'm going to file a complaint against you!"

"A complaint?"

The female officer sneered, pointing to the badge number under her shoulder strap.

"Look at the badge number clearly. My name is Bai Shanshan!"

"You are welcome to complain anytime!"

"Now, take everyone back to the station!"

The entire scene fell silent as a tomb.

Ye Chen looked at this fierce and hot-bodied female officer, inwardly clicking his tongue.

This temper is indeed explosive enough!

However, this figure is also truly top-tier!

As a result, because his gaze lingered on Bai Shanshan for one second too long... "What are you looking at?!"

Bai Shanshan's gaze swept over coldly. "You too, come back to the station with them!"

Ye Chen was stunned: "Officer, I'm the victim here?"

"Victim?"

Bai Shanshan snorted. "Does a victim not need to go back to give a statement and cooperate with the investigation? Get in the car!"

Ye Chen said helplessly: "Fine, cooperating with police work is a citizen's duty."

He opened the car door himself and sat inside.

Before long, dozens of people were brought to the police station.

Ye Chen was placed in an interrogation room by himself.

Bai Shanshan slapped the record book onto the table, crossed her arms, and scrutinized Ye Chen.

"Name?"

Ye Chen.

"Age?"

"Twenty-three."

"Occupation?"

"Driver."

Bai Shanshan's brows furrowed: "How does a driver end up getting mobbed by dozens of people?"

"Maybe..." Ye Chen thought for a moment and answered seriously, "it's because I'm quite handsome?"

Bai Shanshan grew angry: "Be serious! If you don't give an honest account, don't think about leaving here today!"

"I really am the victim!"

Ye Chen was bewildered. "Why do I feel like I've become the criminal instead?"

Bai Shanshan laughed out of pure frustration.

"Victim?"

"There are several people lying in the hospital right now getting their injuries examined!"

"They all say the same thing, identifying you as the one who beat dozens of them!"

"They say you surrounded them all by yourself!"

Ye Chen naturally couldn't admit to it; it was impossible to explain away.

So,

He put on a helpless expression and smiled bitterly.

"Officer Bai, you said it yourself—they all said the same thing."

"They are clearly a gang, all in it together. Now that their plot has been exposed, isn't it normal for them to collaborate and throw mud at me?"

"I'm just a driver. How could I beat dozens of burly men armed with clubs? Let's be reasonable, okay?"

Bai Shanshan's brows furrowed even tighter.

It was true; Ye Chen looked well-proportioned, but he definitely didn't look like a martial arts expert.

To say he took down dozens of armed thugs by himself really sounded like a fairy tale... The thugs' story was full of holes itself.

But the scene really did have people lying all over the ground... This whole thing was strange in every way.

Just as she was about to intensify the interrogation, there was a knock on the door.

A young officer pushed the door open, walked to Bai Shanshan's side, whispered a few words, and handed over a file.

Bai Shanshan looked down and flipped through it quickly.

A moment later, when she looked up again, her expression was even colder.

"Ye Chen, you're a driver for Tiangang Nightclub?"

"And at the same time, you're the personal driver for Bing Lan, the CEO of Shuyue Group?"

"A driver who can drive for both a nightclub and the female ceo of a top-tier financial group?"

Ye Chen explained: "Officer Bai, this only shows that my driving skills are excellent and my bosses trust me."

Bai Shanshan didn't believe him at all.

She slammed the table hard, her eyes almost spitting fire.

"Driving skills? I think your talking skills are what's excellent!"

"A nightclub driver who gets noticed by a female ceo... if there isn't something wrong with you, who would believe it?"

Ye Chen was helpless and was about to continue his excuses... "Bang!"

The door to the interrogation room was pushed open.

Li Yao walked in with large strides.

"Shanshan, there's no need to interrogate this man anymore."

Bai Shanshan was stunned: "Brother Li? Why? This kid is highly suspicious! One person against dozens and he's fine, plus he's linked to both Tiangang and Shu Yue. I must investigate thoroughly!"

Li Yao walked to the interrogation table and said,

"He is my Brother-in-law. His background is completely clean; I can guarantee it with my character."

"I've already looked into today's matter. It was that group who provoked him, and he acted purely in self-defense. If there are any further issues, come directly to me, Li Yao!"

"Bro... Brother-in-law?" Bai Shanshan's beautiful eyes widened.

She had worked with Li Yao for many years and knew that although he protected his own, he would never cover for someone against his principles.

For him to personally come out and guarantee him... this kid really wasn't simple.

"Fine." Bai Shanshan closed the record book. "Brother Li, since you've spoken up, you can take him. However..."

She turned to Ye Chen and warned, "Behave yourself from now on and don't cause trouble, or it won't be this easy next time!"

Ye Chen nodded obediently: "Thank you for the guidance, Officer Bai. I will definitely be a law-abiding citizen."

Li Yao also nodded to Bai Shanshan: "Thanks, Shanshan. I'll treat you to dinner later."

With that, he signaled for Ye Chen to leave with him.

As soon as the interrogation room door closed,

Bai Shanshan immediately said to the officer beside her, "Xiao Li, go to the technical department. Pull all the surveillance footage that can be retrieved from the area, especially the one from the bank ATM diagonally across from the alley entrance!"