Smack!
Chu Tianhong slapped him back, "You scoundrel! Shut your mouth!"
The slap landed squarely on Xu Bin's face.
Xu Bin was knocked several steps back and fell to the ground.
He sat on the ground, covering his face, so stunned that he forgot to get up for a moment.
The other people from the Church were also stunned.
The onlookers all looked bewildered as well.
It felt like this wasn't quite according to the script.
Logically, Chu Tianhong wasn't someone who would casually resort to violence.
Anyone who had some understanding of the Church's internal personnel would surely know.
Chu Tianhong!
A national-level 'non-stick pan' competitor!
A multi-time reigning champion of the National Blame-Shifting Championship!
A well-known executive director of the 'Even-Handed Association' in the industry!
Those familiar with Chu Tianhong knew that when trouble arose, he would definitely talk his way out of it rather than resorting to action.
Ordinary people think thrice before acting; Chu Tianhong would think at least nine times before acting.
He would never push any matter to an extreme.
This was Chu Tianhong's public persona.
Yet today, in full view of everyone, Chu Tianhong actually struck an internal member of the Church for someone from the Ninth Division.
It was well known that people from the Church were always arrogant and accustomed to being overbearing; this was true from top to bottom. Even if they were in the wrong, they would act as if they were in the right.
But Chu Tianhong's move today left everyone bewildered. When did these bastards from the Church become so reasonable?
Hua Cheng stood beside Fang Xin. One of his shoes had split open at the seam from kicking Xu Bin too hard, with his big toe sticking out and wiggling. He had originally prepared to argue and bicker with Chu Tianhong, but unexpectedly, Chu Tianhong slapped Xu Bin.
This left Sixth Master Hua a bit confused. He glanced at Bai Mao Zai in the distance, who hadn't approached at all, and wondered if Bai Mao Zai had exerted some influence.
Seeing Chu Tianhong's demeanor, Fang Xin understood perfectly. That old man had been tricked by Fang Qingdi before and dared not harbor any ill intentions towards Fang Xin. He had to speak up for Fang Xin in every situation, otherwise he would experience excruciating chest pains.
Chu Tianhong showed little emotion on his face, but he was suffering internally. Since his debut, the most ruthless decision he had made was to take action against Fang Xin, which resulted in a powerful shot hitting an iron plate. Now, he regretted it immensely.
"Governor Chu, what is this?"
The middle-aged man holding the broadsword looked at Governor Chu in confusion.
Governor Chu glanced at Liu San'er and the others, "Drinking and causing trouble during a mission, you will be placed on probation for half a month after the mission ends, and this mission will not be counted for any merits. Do you have any objections?"
Liu San'er lowered his head, "None!"
As he spoke, Governor Chu turned his head and looked at Fang Xin with a stern face, saying seriously, "Fang Xin, although the root cause of this matter lies with these few people from the Guard Squad, you did, after all, resort to violence, and violence is wrong. You also openly resisted the law enforcement officers! All of this is against the rules!
Deputy Chief Xing, your Sky Shield Bureau members assaulted someone and openly resisted law enforcement. Shouldn't you do something about it?"
Chu Tianhong, the master of blame-shifting, directly tossed the blame to Xing Longshu, the Deputy Chief of the First Division of the Sky Shield Bureau. Xing Longshu had a head of graying hair, his hands clasped behind his back, and a large beer belly. He was plump and wore a smiling expression on his face.
Hearing this, Xing Longshu turned around and said with a smile, "Governor Chu, what are you talking about? You decide how to punish them!"
Seeing that the blame had bounced back, Governor Chu immediately threw it out again, "Zhuge, he's from your Ninth Division. Shouldn't you do something about it?"
Zhuge Heng stood in the distance, his fingers interlaced behind his head, grinning with his small white teeth, "Alright, then go run two laps on the playground!"
Many people couldn't help but laugh after hearing the Jie Liu Zi from the Ninth Division's remark.
Chu Tianhong's face was stern, representing the Church's dignity. "How can such a matter be treated as a game? Fang Xin, considering that the incident originated with them, the blame is fifty-fifty. After this mission ends, you must cover the medical expenses for the people you injured. This is your punishment for assaulting members of the Guard Squad. Second, for your act of resisting law enforcement, I fine you to personally receive three days of penal education at the Law Enforcement Division after the mission ends! Do you understand?"
Everyone had a half-smile, as this punishment was no different from no punishment at all.
The scope for manipulation in Chu Tianhong's punishment was simply too great.
It was like being punished and not being punished at all.
If Fang Xin didn't pay the medical fees or go to the Law Enforcement Division, no one could do anything to him.
Fang Xin nodded honestly, "Understood!"
Chu Tianhong responded indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the others. "Alright, this farce ends here! Everyone return to your positions! Don't you know how powerful the King of Slaughter, whom we are hunting this time, is? What's there to see in a commotion!"
After speaking, Chu Tianhong ordered people to clean up the bodies and then assigned a new tent to Fang Xin's group.
This farce ended with a lot of thunder but little rain, leaving many onlookers bewildered. In their minds, these arrogant bastards from the Church would clash violently with the Ninth Division. However, Governor Chu lifted his hand high but brought it down gently, seemingly punishing both sides, but in reality, punishing neither.
It seemed the only one truly punished in the entire scene was Xu Bin.
But as soon as Governor Chu returned to his tent, he subtly tilted his head, and his secretary quickly approached. Governor Chu lowered his voice and whispered, "Go tell Xu Bin to earn another merit and promote him by one rank!
Oh, for Yan Hao, who died, initiate the subsidy process today. Also, take an equivalent amount from my personal account and combine it to send as a subsidy.
And for those who were injured, their medical expenses will be covered by public funds, reimbursed as operational expenses. You personally handle this, and say that Fang Xin paid the medical expenses."
The secretary nodded and immediately went to carry it out.
Fang Xin approached Li Bao'er and greeted Li Tai'an.
"Old Man!"
Li Tai'an said to Fang Xin, "Fang Xin, next time you encounter someone from the Guard Squad, if they dare not recognize the ring, call me directly. I will personally take action. I must personally kill these fence-sitters!"
"Then I'll remember your words!"
Li Tai'an laughed heartily, "Haha, this old man keeps his word! I've kept my edge hidden for many years; these scoundrels have almost lost all sense of rules! This is a sickness! It needs to be cured!"
While they were chatting.
A commotion came from a distance. Fang Xin looked over in confusion, "What's happening?"
Zhuang Aotian returned from gathering information outside, "News came from over there, saying that the King of Slaughter has appeared and killed several people. Many people are already rushing in that direction!"
Fang Xin also looked over there, "You all stay here and guard. I'll go take a look!"
Zhuang Aotian immediately said, "Xin Ge, don't go, it's too dangerous. I heard people say that the King of Slaughter is a ruthless killer who doesn't bat an eye, and every time he strikes, it's an instant kill! And I also heard that the King of Slaughter is quite lustful, and when he gets lustful, he doesn't distinguish between men and women; he's a multi-functional plug. You're quite attractive, Xin Ge, so let's just stay here and guard, okay?"
Fang Xin turned around, gritting his teeth.
He was so angry he shivered!
How dare they spread such rumors about me, the dignified King of Slaughter!
And call me a multi-functional plug!
I'm straighter than Chenghua Avenue!
Is there any justice left in this world?
Is there still law? Is there still justice?
I'm going to send all of you a lawyer's letter!
Listen carefully!
All of you!
"Have you seen the King of Slaughter to be speaking like that?"
Zhuang Aotian clicked his tongue, "Xin Ge, you're really funny. The King of Slaughter isn't some roadside cabbage; how could I just say I've seen him!"