The scorching sun blazed down on the street paved with bluestone, its heat distorting the charred signboard of the Yongsheng (Eternal Prosperity) Trading House.
Gu La narrowed his eyes. The cold glint of the city guards' black iron armor reflected painfully into his eyes. Their sharp gazes were fixed intently on the three figures approaching them.
"Halt!"
The city guards blocked Gu La and his companions. The officer in charge was a Soul King, and as he appraised the youths' attire, he nonchalantly asked, "Do you know this arsonist?"
"He's my classmate."
Seeing that they didn't invoke any powerful connections, the officer grew impatient. "Then what business is it of yours? Let his elders come to the City Defense Office to pay the fine. No one was hurt, after all. Otherwise…"
As he spoke, he gestured, and his soldiers retrieved black iron shackles, locking them around Ma Hongjun's wrists. With his soul power sealed, Ma Hongjun was as helpless as an ordinary person, completely at their mercy.
Dai Mubai, having heard the news, had quietly followed behind. He leaned close to Gu La and whispered:
"We can't let them take Fatty away. If we do, things will get messy later, and even if he's innocent, they'll find him guilty. Besides, the torture methods in prison can leave someone standing when they enter but carried out on a stretcher. We need to uncover the mastermind behind the fake medicine scheme."
Having been exposed to noble tactics, Dai Mubai understood how mercilessly enemies could be treated. Once Ma Hongjun entered jail, there was no telling what kind of abuse he might endure.
Gu La turned his head, looking at Dai Mubai with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. Burning down an entire trading house and two shops wasn't considered a mistake?
This level of protectiveness was outrageous!
But this was also the norm in this world of fantasy. Ordinary people often broke rules to shield their loved ones, let alone those who wielded great power.
Gu La spread his hands. "What can I do? Should I snatch Fatty back from the City Defense Corps and then get arrested along with him? Besides, they've already hinted at a mastermind—do you think they'd foolishly expose themselves?"
He even suspected that the Yongsheng Trading House might be one of the traders peddling fake medicines. Such schemes to swindle soul masters required backing from powerful forces—no one would dare carry them out without support.
Dai Mubai hesitated. During training, Gu La's words were always final, which made him instinctively rely on Gu La. But upon reflection, what could a group of "commoners" like them possibly do?
Gu La certainly had the means to compensate for the damages caused by Ma Hongjun, but why should he?
He had no obligation to pay for Ma Hongjun's mistakes. Compensating for the destruction of three shops in Tian Dou City's core district would make even him wince.
Gu La sighed. He hadn't intended to cheat, but…
His gaze fell on Ma Hongjun, piercing through time and space. Three days into the future, he saw Ma still alive and kicking, albeit looking pale and worn out—but otherwise unharmed.
Tracing the timeline backward, he paused momentarily when he spotted Xue Qinghe's figure.
"Emperor Xue Ye is about to hold his title-bestowing ceremony, yet she still has time to meddle with me. Hmph. If I didn't know her identity, I might've been moved by her pretense of humility."
"Hold on!"
Seeing the officer preparing to take Ma Hongjun away, Gu La stepped forward to block the escort team. A deep blue glow flared in his pupils.
In that fleeting moment, the officer caught a glimpse of the profound depths in the youth's eyes and involuntarily halted his steps.
Gu La moved closer, buying time. "Esteemed sir, my friend indeed made a mistake and deserves punishment."
"But the Yongsheng Trading House is also at fault. They sold counterfeit herbs, and my friend acted out of anger. At the very least, both parties should be held accountable."
After some thought, Gu La realized that resolving the situation would require escalating the drama. Without external intervention, a group of Soul Masters couldn't hope to stand against Tian Dou Empire's centuries-old system.
Gu La unleashed his hypnotic abilities. The officer, a mere Soul King, couldn't resist and nodded hazily. "You're right… both sides are at fault."
The manager of the Yongsheng Trading House couldn't stay silent any longer. Stepping forward, he refuted, "Don't spout nonsense! Esteemed officers, can't you see? This boy burned dragon saliva incense meant as a birthday gift for Prince Xue Xing!"
He bowed toward the imperial palace. "This person dares to publicly slander the century-old reputation of the Yongsheng Trading House. I have reason to suspect he's a spy sent by the Star Luo Empire to sabotage Tian Dou's commercial environment."
"Officer Li, don't be deceived by him! Arrest him immediately!"
With just a few words, the manager slapped a grave accusation onto Gu La.
"Silence."
Gu La turned his head. Within a ten-meter radius, gravity specifically targeted the manager. Though a soul master, his cultivation was only at the three-ringed Soul Elder level, and due to neglecting physical training, tenfold gravity nearly brought him to his knees.
Gritting his teeth to stay upright, his skin flushed red. "How dare you commit violence in broad daylight! City guards, arrest him!"
Gu La shrugged. "Who moved? Did you see me summon my martial soul or release a soul skill? You should stop talking nonsense. Look at yourself—you can barely stand. Probably ate too many fake pills, huh?"
"You… you!"
The manager pointed at Gu La, his face flushed with anger. Managing the trading house and engaging in commercial warfare was one thing, but arguing verbally? That was beyond his expertise.
A sharp crack echoed as the manager, clearly a stubborn man, abandoned resisting the gravity. He didn't believe Gu La would dare kill him in public.
Tenfold gravity slammed his knees hard onto the bluestone pavement. Gasps erupted from the surrounding crowd, their wary gazes now fixed on Gu La.
Gu La's expression hardened. Damn it, acting up!
Weren't people in Douluo Continent supposed to be simple-minded? Even setting fire to grain stores could be praised as a brilliant strategy!
Why did this random manager behave like such a cunning fox?
Gu La's impatience showed as he contemplated hypnotizing hundreds of people on the street… His spiritual power was sufficient, but handling hundreds of minds simultaneously might drain him completely.
Flender, if you don't show up soon, I'm not responsible for your disciple anymore.
He repeated the hypnosis on the officer. Ignoring the kneeling manager, the officer emphasized instead:
"Article 324 of Tian Dou Law." His voice, wrapped in soul power, reverberated and startled the pigeons cooing on the eaves.
"False accusers shall bear the accused's punishment. Are you sure you want to accuse them of being spies?"
The manager found himself cornered, finally realizing something was off about the officer. The Yongsheng Trading House regularly bribed the City Defense Corps; they wouldn't target him over such a minor issue.
"It's you…"
The manager glared at Gu La, though his kneeling posture was far from dignified.
As he struggled to stand, Gu La increased the pressure. If he wanted to kneel, then he could keep kneeling.
With a glance, Gu La hypnotized the manager. Lowering his head, the manager appeared guilty and muttered softly, "I withdraw the accusation."
The onlookers, mostly soul masters, let out murmurs of surprise. Few cared whether Gu La had acted violently in public.
Gu La smiled faintly. There, problem solved. Though crude and straightforward, once his hypnosis erased their memories, they would believe these words came from their own mouths, chalking it up to a momentary lapse of judgment.
The officer "observed" this with a cold snort. "Hmph! Wasting my time. Since you were the victim this time, I'll let you off. But if it happens again, I'll make sure you spend some time in jail."
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