In Shrek City, the atmosphere inside the restaurant lobby was incredibly tense.
A squad of fully armed law enforcement officers filed in. Their leader was a burly man with a square face that carried an air of unquestionable authority.
He wore a deep blue uniform with a striking green Shrek emblem embroidered on the chest, and a token representing his status as the Law Enforcement Captain hung from his waist.
It was none other than the Captain of the Shrek City Law Enforcement Team—Zhao Tieshan.
"Captain Zhao, you've arrived at the perfect time!"
The owner hurried forward with a face full of grievance, his voice so loud he seemed to want the entire street to hear him.
"My shop operates normally, selling Spirit Beast meat with clearly marked prices according to the guidance prices set by the City Lord! But these little girls who popped out of nowhere not only refused to pay, but also assaulted my security guards, trashed my shop, and even incited the crowd to cause trouble here!"
The owner pointed at the thugs still lying on the ground, then gestured toward the indignant diners around them, putting on a look of innocence.
"Captain Zhao, you have to seek justice for me!"
These words fell upon the ears of the surrounding people, instantly provoking a wave of angry clamor.
"Bullshit! Your shady shop is clearly overcharging customers!"
"Five hundred thousand gold coins for a pot of hundred-year Spirit Beast meat, and you have the nerve to call that normal business?!"
"The villain sues first! Shameless!"
However, facing the crowd's angry curses, Zhao Tieshan's face didn't flicker in the slightest.
He merely swept a faint glance over the surrounding diners. That gaze carried a hint of warning, causing many people's voices to instantly weaken.
Standing to the side, Bei Bei was completely stunned upon hearing the owner's words.
His mind went blank, his face filled with disbelief.
Guidance prices set by the City Lord?
If it were just Xuan Zi alone coming up with such a short-sighted, terrible idea, he could at least understand it—after all, with Xuan Zi's brain, nothing he did would be surprising.
But... the City Lord of Shrek City was actually involved in this kind of stupidity too?
How was that possible?!
Bei Bei shook his head subconsciously; he was unwilling to believe this was true.
But for the owner to dare mention the City Lord in front of so many people, it definitely couldn't be a baseless rumor.
There really was some hidden truth behind this that he didn't know about.
Meanwhile, Zhao Tieshan had already turned around. His tiger-like eyes, filled with a sense of condescending scrutiny, fell upon Wang Dong'er, Seele, Xiao Xiao, and Xu Xiaoyan.
"The sequence of events is already very clear."
Zhao Tieshan spoke, his voice low and cold, carrying an unquestionable official authority.
"It was you few who caused trouble in this shop, injured people, and refused to pay for your meal."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar school uniforms on Wang Dong'er and the others, a flash of contempt appearing in his eyes.
"Now, representing the Shrek City Law Enforcement Team, I formally notify you—"
"First, you must pay the full cost of this signature dish, five hundred thousand gold coins."
"Second, you must compensate the shop for loss of reputation and repair costs for the facilities, totaling... two hundred thousand gold coins."
"Third, you must publicly apologize to the shop owner and guarantee that you will never offend again."
"You are limited to completing the three points above within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, otherwise—"
Zhao Tieshan gave a cold laugh. The ten-plus law enforcement members behind him all took a step forward in unison, their Spirit Power surging as they released an oppressive aura.
"You can come back with me to the Law Enforcement Team's dungeon and reflect slowly!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire lobby instantly exploded!
"What?! They have to pay even more money?!"
"Isn't this turning black into white?!"
"Is this Law Enforcement Team here to uphold justice, or to back up a shady shop?!"
The surrounding diners were filled with righteous indignation, each one trembling with rage.
Meanwhile, Bei Bei and Tang Ya were simply dumbfounded.
Bei Bei's eyes widened and his mouth hung slightly open as he looked at Zhao Tieshan in utter disbelief.
Favoritism... could favoritism really go to this extent?
Not only did he not investigate the shady shop's responsibility for overcharging, but he even made the victims compensate the shop for 'loss of reputation'?
How was this law enforcement? This was clearly aiding and abetting a villain!
"Captain Zhao!"
Bei Bei suddenly snapped back to his senses. He hurriedly stepped forward, shielding Wang Dong'er and the others, and spoke urgently.
"I was present for the entire beginning and end of this matter! It's not at all like what the shop owner said! They set a trap to overcharge first, selling a pot of ordinary hundred-year Spirit Beast meat for the astronomical price of five hundred thousand gold coins, and they didn't inform anyone of the price when the order was placed! All these diners around can testify to that!"
Bei Bei took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice calm.
"I am Bei Bei from Shrek Academy's Outer Court. I can testify for these girls; they are the victims!"
Hearing Bei Bei identify himself, Zhao Tieshan raised an eyebrow slightly, a strange look flashing in his eyes.
"So it's Student Bei Bei."
His tone softened slightly, but his attitude remained firm.
"However, even if you are a member of Shrek Academy, you shouldn't get involved in this matter."
Zhao Tieshan looked at Bei Bei and said word for word.
"The pricing of this shop is a formal guidance price jointly discussed and personally approved by the City Lord and Elder Xuan; it completely complies with Shrek City's regulations."
"Since these girls ordered the dish, they must pay. As for the dispute between them and the shop owner, my Law Enforcement Team will naturally handle it. There's no need for Student Bei Bei to worry."
Zhao Tieshan paused, his tone carrying a hint of warning.
"Furthermore, Student Bei Bei, you should be aware that if today's matter isn't handled well, more people will follow these girls' example in the future, intentionally coming to Shrek City to cause trouble, provoke Shrek City's rules, and provoke Shrek Academy's authority!"
"Can you bear that responsibility?"
Hearing these words, Bei Bei was completely stunned.
He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but found his throat seemingly blocked by something, unable to say a single word.
What kind of logic was this?
Victims defending their own rights had instead become 'provoking the rules'?
A clearly shady shop overcharging had become 'normal business'?
Bei Bei felt his worldview completely shatter into pieces at this moment.
He had a strong premonition that if things continued like this, the reputation and prestige Shrek Academy had accumulated over ten thousand years would truly be destroyed by these people!
Tang Ya, standing beside Bei Bei, also had a face full of disbelief.
She pulled on Bei Bei's sleeve and whispered.
"Bei Bei, this..."
Bei Bei shook his head, signaling her not to speak.
His hands were clenched tightly into fists inside his sleeves, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force.
And at this moment, Wang Dong'er finally spoke.
She took two steps forward, facing Zhao Tieshan directly.
"Are you finished?"
Wang Dong'er's voice was calm.
"If you're finished, is it my turn?"
Zhao Tieshan's brow furrowed.
"What else do you have to say?"
Wang Dong'er gave a light laugh, one that carried a hint of undisguised mockery.
"I won't agree to a single one of the conditions you just mentioned."
She lifted her head, and within those pinkish-blue eyes, a cold light flickered.
Zhao Tieshan's expression instantly darkened.
"Little girl, are you provoking the Shrek City Law Enforcement Team?"
"Provoking?"
Before Wang Dong'er could speak, Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help but step out.
"Are we not speaking the truth? This shady shop overcharges, and your Law Enforcement Team not only ignores it but instead comes to arrest the victims? Are these the rules of your Shrek City?"
Xu Xiaoyan stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Zhao Tieshan without yielding an inch.
"What? You're doing something wrong, and you won't even let people speak of it?"
"Exactly!"
Xiao Xiao also stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Xu Xiaoyan.
"Clearly you are the ones at fault first, so on what basis should we be the ones to pay?"
Seele didn't speak, but the pitch-black scythe in her hand had already tightened again, its cold blade shimmering with a ghostly light under the lamps.
The three girls all stood by Wang Dong'er's side.
Zhao Tieshan looked at the four young girls before him, a flash of killing intent passing through his eyes.
"Since you insist on causing trouble, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
He waved his hand and barked at the ten-plus law enforcement members behind him.
"Take them down!"
"Yes!"
The ten-plus law enforcement members responded in unison, instantly releasing their respective Spirits and Spirit Rings!
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple...
One by one, the light of Spirit Rings lit up the lobby. The lowest among them were Four-Ring Soul Ancestors, and a few had even reached the level of Five-Ring Soul King!
Powerful waves of Spirit Power pressed toward Wang Dong'er's group like a tide!
The surrounding diners were so frightened they retreated one after another, some even bolting straight for the door.
However, facing the encirclement of those ten-plus law enforcement members, there wasn't a trace of panic on the faces of Wang Dong'er's group.
"We can't just sit here and wait for death either."
While speaking, Wang Dong'er executed the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, instantly arriving before a law enforcer. Then, using Controlling Crane Catching Dragon with both palms, she threw the law enforcer out before he could even react, crashing him into two other law enforcers behind him.
Watching this scene unfold, Tang Ya was directly stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief. Just now... Wang Dong'er had executed a technique that bore several similarities to the Legacy Cultivation Techniques of her Tang Sect?
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A/N:
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.