216: Chapter 216: Accepting Bribes

The next morning.

Xiao Ran wore a black Patrol Guard uniform with a long saber at his waist, leading twenty Patrol Guard members on patrol through the streets of the city's east side.

The black uniform was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, exuding an imposing Aura.

After yesterday's events, the attitude of the Patrol Guard members toward Xiao Ran had undergone a world-shaking change.

Before, they would just slack off whenever possible, not wanting to offend anyone.

Now it was different; Captain Xiao even dared to arrest the Zhou Family's Second Elder. Following Captain Xiao, they could finally walk with their backs straight.

"Good morning, Captain Xiao!"

"Hard at work, Captain Xiao!"

Passing pedestrians greeted him one after another, their attitudes as respectful as if they had seen some great figure.

Xiao Ran smiled and nodded to each one, feeling secretly pleased.

With his tacit permission, the news of yesterday's Zhou Family incident had already spread throughout the Sword Qi Great Wall.

He had now completely established his authority in the east of the city.

Everyone now knew the new Captain Xiao was a tough character who didn't even care about the Zhou Family.

Those usually arrogant and domineering scions of noble families were much more well-behaved today.

Seeing the Patrol Guard approach, they proactively moved aside, not even daring to breathe loudly.

"Captain Xiao, there's a fight up ahead!"

Xiao Zhao pointed forward and shouted.

Xiao Ran looked up to see two Loose Cultivators scuffling at a street corner.

Committing a crime during a crackdown?

How could he tolerate this?

"Take them away."

Xiao Ran said indifferently.

Two Patrol Guards rushed forward and separated the two Loose Cultivators.

They pinned them to the ground, one on each side, twisted their hands behind their backs, and locked them with iron chains.

The two Loose Cultivators still tried to struggle, but after a Patrol Guard struck their legs with the back of a blade, they didn't dare move again.

"Captain Xiao, they were stealing!"

A vendor selling Spirit Fruits nearby ran over, pointing at one of the Loose Cultivators and shouting.

"He stole my Spirit Fruits and even hit me when I caught him!"

Xiao Ran glanced at the Loose Cultivator: "Theft and assault, combined punishment. Seven days of detention."

The Loose Cultivator's face turned pale. He wanted to argue, but the Patrol Guards covered his mouth and dragged him away.

"Captain Xiao is wise!"

The vendor hurriedly bowed.

Xiao Ran waved his hand and continued walking.

After a few steps, he heard another argument.

At the entrance of a restaurant, a waiter was arguing with a customer until both were red in the face.

The waiter had his hands on his hips, spit flying everywhere.

The customer slammed the table, veins bulging.

"There's a bug in your food!" the customer shouted.

"A bug? That's shredded meat!" the waiter retorted.

"Shredded meat? Have you ever seen green shredded meat?"

"That's chopped green onion!"

"Green onion? Do you think I'm blind?"

The two argued more and more fiercely, looking like they were about to come to blows.

Xiao Ran walked over and glanced at the two of them.

"What's going on?"

The waiter quickly said, "Captain Xiao, he ate but won't pay!"

The customer grew anxious: "There's a bug in your food, why should I pay?"

Xiao Ran looked at the dish; indeed, a small bug was crawling on a leaf.

He frowned and said to the waiter, "This dish is on the house, and give the customer a jar of wine as an apology."

The waiter wanted to say more but was glared back by Xiao Ran.

He hurriedly nodded: "Yes, yes, Captain Xiao is right."

Only then did the customer's anger subside. He took the wine offered by the waiter and downed it in one go.

Xiao Ran turned to leave, with the thanks of the waiter and the customer echoing behind him.

"Captain Xiao is truly a just official!"

"Captain Xiao is wise!"

A smile played at the corners of Xiao Ran's mouth.

The feeling of being an urban management officer wasn't bad.

After a busy day, at dusk, Xiao Ran led the Patrol Guard back to their station.

After dismissing the squad, he walked toward the Guixu Pavilion alone.

Guixu Pavilion was at a corner of the city's east side. There was a long queue at the door, and business was as booming as ever.

Finance Manager Shen Qing was behind the counter frantically keeping accounts, while Lin Xue was greeting customers at the door, her face stiff from smiling.

Seeing Xiao Ran return, Lin Xue's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly came to meet him.

"Shopkeeper, you're back!"

Xiao Ran nodded: "How's business today?"

Lin Xue smiled: "It's great! Today's revenue is thirty percent higher than yesterday's!"

Xiao Ran nodded with satisfaction. Just as he was about to enter, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Captain Xiao, please wait a moment."

Xiao Ran turned around and saw a white-haired old man standing not far away.

His face was lean and refined, he wore a grey robe, and he leaned on a walking stick.

He hadn't brought any attendants and stood alone with a smile, looking kind and approachable.

The Zhou Family's Grand Elder, Zhou Tianyun.

Xiao Ran narrowed his eyes, feeling alert: "Elder Zhou? Why have you come?"

Zhou Tianyun cupped his hands and smiled.

"Captain Xiao, I have taken the liberty of visiting because I wish to have a chat with you."

Xiao Ran looked at him for a moment in silence before stepping aside: "Come in."

The two entered the Guixu Pavilion, went up to the second floor, and arrived at Xiao Ran's room.

Xiao Ran invited Zhou Tianyun to sit, personally poured tea, and pushed it in front of him.

"Elder Zhou, speak plainly."

Zhou Tianyun picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then took a Storage Pouch from his robe, pushing it toward Xiao Ran.

"Captain Xiao, this is a small token of the Zhou Family's appreciation. I hope you will accept it."

Xiao Ran picked up the Storage Pouch and scanned it with his Divine Sense.

Inside the Storage Pouch were ten thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones, several Earth Rank Magic Treasures, and a few stalks of thousand-year-old Spirit Medicine.

Although it wasn't a huge amount, every item was highly liquid currency.

Xiao Ran calmly put down the Storage Pouch and looked at Zhou Tianyun.

"Elder Zhou, what is the meaning of this?"

Zhou Tianyun sighed: "Captain Xiao, let's not mince words."

"The matter with Zhou Xian was the Zhou Family's fault. He was young, impetuous, and ignorant, thus offending Captain Xiao."

"Our Zhou Family is willing to compensate, only asking that Captain Xiao show mercy and let him go."

Xiao Ran took a sip of tea and said indifferently.

"Elder Zhou, it's not that I won't release him."

"He committed a crime and should be punished according to the law. If I release him, I would be knowingly breaking the law."

Zhou Tianyun hurriedly said, "Captain Xiao is right. Zhou Xian committed a crime and should be punished; our Zhou Family accepts the punishment."

"However, regarding those one hundred and fifty lashes of the Soul-Scattering Whip, he has already received a hundred. If it continues, his Divine Soul will become unstable."

"Could Captain Xiao... show some flexibility?"

Xiao Ran was silent for a moment, then feigned a sigh.

"Elder Zhou, to tell you the truth, I was also forced into this position."

"The City Lord made me this Patrol Guard captain, so I have no choice but to offend people."

"Do you think I want to offend the Zhou Family? I'm new to the Sword Qi Great Wall and have no connections. What good does offending the Zhou Family do me?"

Zhou Tianyun cursed inwardly; this kid's words sounded better than a song.

But he didn't dare show it on his face, only nodding: "Captain Xiao is right. You have your difficulties, and our Zhou Family understands."

Xiao Ran looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Elder Zhou, you are a sensible person."

He took a Jade Slip from his robe, wrote a few lines on it, and handed it to Zhou Tianyun.

"This is a Release Order."

"In three days, bring this to the Patrol Guard and take Zhou Xian away."

"Remember, it must be in three days. I just arrested him yesterday; if I release him today, people will say I took bribes from the Zhou Family."

Zhou Tianyun took the Jade Slip, feeling overjoyed.

He seemed to have figured out the way to negotiate with Xiao Ran.

"Thank you, Captain Xiao. Then, about the Second Elder..."

Xiao Ran immediately shook his head upon hearing this.

"The Second Elder won't do for now. Attacking the patrol is equivalent to rebellion. I just arrested him yesterday; if I release him today, how will others look at me? Where would I put my face?"

Zhou Tianyun cursed in his heart; what the hell kind of reputation does a member of the Demonic Sect care about?

It was clear he thought the money was too little and simply didn't want to release him.

Zhou Tianyun understood everything, but one must bow when under another's roof.

"Captain Xiao is right, I was being presumptuous."

Having said that, he stood up and cupped his hands: "Captain Xiao, then I shall not disturb you further."

Xiao Ran also stood up and escorted him to the door.

Zhou Tianyun walked a few steps, then pretended to stop casually, turned around, took another Storage Pouch from his robe, and stuffed it into Xiao Ran's hand.

"Captain Xiao, regarding the Second Elder's matter, I hope you will put in some extra effort."

Xiao Ran took the Storage Pouch, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and his eyes lit up.

This one contained the real goods; it was actually a set of Formation Flags, Heaven Rank Low Grade, worth a fortune.

Xiao Ran immediately patted Zhou Tianyun's shoulder.

"Elder Zhou, you are too kind."

"I'll take the Second Elder's matter to heart. Isn't it just Soul Lamp Lighting? It's just a word from me."

Zhou Tianyun was overjoyed and cupped his hands repeatedly.

"Thank you, Captain Xiao! Thank you, Captain Xiao!"

With that, he hurriedly took his leave.

Xiao Ran stood at the door, watching his figure disappear into the twilight, a smile on his face.

Exactly!

This is the proper way to be a corrupt official!