Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill-Chapter 67 - 66: An Unfortunate Match

"Chen Cheng took a life! His crime is heinous! Did you not see it, Lord Shen?" Zhou Xu roared angrily.

Shen Qingshuang’s gaze was frigid. She said coldly, "Lord Zhou, your ability to twist black and white is truly remarkable!"

"During the assessment match, Zhou Fang injured his opponent with a Hidden Weapon and then tried to take his life. Chen Cheng acted in self-defense to save his own life. What crime has he committed? So many people here saw it clearly and can testify to it."

"Hmph!" Zhou Xu snorted. A scion of the Zhou Family had been killed. If he were to let this go, where would the Zhou Family’s honor be? How could he, an Official of the South City District City Guard Headquarters, establish his authority?

"Chen Cheng murdered a colleague during the assessment match. He must have been instigated by some treacherous villain! Men, seize Chen Cheng! Take him to the City Guard Headquarters for interrogation under torture!" At Zhou Xu’s command, the dozen or so constables from the City Guard Headquarters who had come with him drew their sabers and prepared to charge Chen Cheng.

Shen Qingshuang also shouted, "I’d like to see who dares!"

Liu Yunfeng, Liao San, and the other constables of the Ruyi Square Sub-Department surged forward, blocking the path of the City Guard Headquarters constables.

Zhou Xu stared at Shen Qingshuang, his expression grave. "Lord Shen, does your Ruyi Square Sub-Department intend to defy a superior? As the supervising official for this assessment, I have supervisory authority. By obstructing the City Guard Headquarters from carrying out its duties, is your Ruyi Square Sub-Department plotting a rebellion?"

As the saying goes, a higher rank can crush a lower one. Although Zhou Xu was only half a rank higher than Shen Qingshuang, he represented the South City District City Guard Headquarters, and all Sub-Departments were expected to yield.

Shen Qingshuang was unmoved. A hint of ridicule touched her face as she said lightly, "Lord Zhou, are you not only twisting black and white but also trying to abuse your power for personal gain? If you wish to make a move, Lord Zhou, feel free to try."

"So many people witnessed this assessment. The facts are clear. Your Zhou Family kinsman first harmed a colleague during the assessment, then resorted to the despicable tactic of using a Hidden Weapon in an attempt to commit murder. I will be sure to have a long talk about this with the Lord Chief Steward."

Zhou Xu’s expression flickered between anger and uncertainty. He had dared to come today, mobilizing such a large force, because he had made thorough preparations. He’d hidden Zhou Fang’s true Martial Arts Power, believing victory was all but guaranteed.

Zhou Fang’s perverse and violent nature had led him to gravely injure He Zhiling, sparking public outrage. While that wasn’t part of Zhou Xu’s plan, it was a minor issue. If Zhou Fang had won in the end, even if he had actually killed Chen Cheng during the assessment, Zhou Xu had a hundred ways to get him off the hook.

But against all odds, Zhou Fang had lost. Not only had he lost, but he was also killed on the spot by Chen Cheng. This was a complete and utter humiliation.

"No matter what, Chen Cheng killed a colleague at the assessment. That is a fact. Even if this is brought before the Lord Chief Steward, he cannot escape punishment," Zhou Xu said viciously.

Shen Qingshuang sneered, her response a sharp counter: "Lord Zhou, under the guise of supervision, you allowed your family’s disciple to disrupt the official constable assessment of the Ruyi Square Sub-Department. Your sinister intentions were witnessed by everyone present. Perhaps Lord Zhou should be the one thinking about how to explain himself to the Lord Chief Steward."

"You..." Veins bulged on Zhou Xu’s forehead. He was seething with uncontrollable rage, yet he was speechless.

Amid his fury, he also understood that Zhou Fang had made a grave mistake during this assessment. No matter how you looked at it, the Zhou Family was not in the right.

But how could he be willing to let it go so easily? He turned to look back at the arena, his gaze sinister and venomous.

Chen Cheng, holding his blood-stained Long Saber, walked slowly toward the edge of the arena. Three Sleeve Arrows were still embedded in his chest, a striking sight.

Liu Yunfeng and Liao San quickly rushed forward.

"Ah Cheng, are you all right?" Liu Yunfeng asked with concern.

Chen Cheng shook his head. "Just a minor injury. It’s nothing serious."

As he spoke, he reached out and pulled the three Sleeve Arrows out one by one. Then, he took out three small oil-paper packets from his robe. All three packets had been pierced by the Sleeve Arrows, revealing the white lime powder inside.

"Good thing I had these three packets of lime powder to block the Sleeve Arrows for me."

Liu Yunfeng inspected the Sleeve Arrows and saw that the sharp, pointed tips were all bent and deformed, as if they had been stopped by something hard. It was obvious that Chen Cheng was wearing some kind of protective gear, like Iron Armor.

He didn’t expose this, silently pocketing the Sleeve Arrows. He said, full of relief, "It’s lucky you had these three packets of lime powder. Otherwise, you would have been in real danger today."

"I got lucky," Chen Cheng said, putting on a frightened expression.

’During the fight, when I saw Zhou Fang’s face turn dark and his power suddenly surge, it was obvious he was using a Black Lotus Sect Secret Technique. He might even be a member of the sect. That’s when I decided I had to kill him.’

’Zhou Fang was just like that other Black Lotus Sect member—perverse, violent, and vengeful over the smallest slight. If I didn’t kill him, I was afraid there would be endless trouble later.’

’Conveniently, Zhou Fang also decided he wanted me dead, so I just took the opportunity to kill him first.’

’As for killing Zhou Fang and earning the enmity of Zhou Xu, and by extension the entire Zhou Family... that couldn’t be helped.’

’Even making an enemy of the Zhou Family is better than being targeted by a Black Lotus Sect member like Zhou Fang. After all, from my perspective, Black Lotus Sect members know they don’t have long to live, so they act with absolute recklessness. They absolutely cannot be left alive.’

Now that things had come to this, he had to report it to Liu Yunfeng and Shen Qingshuang.

After all, with the Black Lotus Sect involved, only the City Guard Department could handle it.

"Mr. Liu, a word in private."

Chen Cheng pulled Liu Yunfeng aside and explained his suspicion that Zhou Fang was a member of the Black Lotus Sect.

Liu Yunfeng was shocked to hear this, but as a Chief Constable, he had naturally seen his share of storms. He was very level-headed and didn’t let any of his shock show on his face.

"I understand. This matter is of great importance. You must not speak of this to anyone else," Liu Yunfeng instructed, before leading Chen Cheng over to Shen Qingshuang and the others at the side of the arena.

"Chen Cheng. You... are... very... good!"

Zhou Xu stared at Chen Cheng, making no attempt to hide the killing intent on his face as he spoke, word by word.