Are you sure you want to provoke the planners?

Chen Shang raced through the crowd, shouting, "Catch the thief!" in an attempt to draw attention. Yet no one on the street seemed willing to help him; people either wore expressions of indifference, as if they'd seen it all before, or turned away with a look of wary avoidance.

Fortunately, Chen Shang hadn't really expected anyone to assist him. His loud cries served only to clear his path among the bystanders. Strengthened several times by the Collapse Core, his physical abilities weren't exceptional, but they already surpassed those of many ordinary people.

He chased the man in black for nearly ten minutes before the thief's steps gradually slowed, exhaustion overtaking him. The gap between them shrank ever shorter. Chen Shang sprang from the nearby steps, aiming to tackle the thief from behind.

Just then, two figures—one stout, one lean—burst from the crowd. The stout man quickly seized the thief, while the lean one grabbed Chen Shang by the collar, stopping him in his tracks.

Chen Shang scrutinized them. Both were muscular, each bearing the physique of a martial artist. They wore identical yellow robes, embroidered on the back with the words "Azure Dragon Sect."

"Are those men from the Azure Dragon Sect?" someone whispered in the crowd.

For reasons unknown, some onlookers' eyes suddenly took on a mocking gleam, as if anticipating a spectacle.

The stout martial artist hoisted the thief like a chicken, snatching the bag from his hands and bellowing, "In broad daylight, such scoundrels dare to ply their thievery! Today, the Azure Dragon Sect will uphold justice and bring this rogue to account!"

His booming voice drew the crowd's attention. In Kunlun District, every sect schemed to attract talent and investment. For smaller sects without the means for grand promotions, acts of chivalry were their best advertisement.

Noticing the gathering crowd, the stout martial artist shook his jowls and, in a theatrical tone, proclaimed, "Our sect leader always instructs us: martial artists must follow the righteous path and lend aid when injustice arises..."

"And while you're passing by, please follow our Tube Channel 'Azure Dragon Sect_Official.' You're welcome to visit our sect—group tickets are available at a fifteen percent discount..."

He transitioned seamlessly into an advertisement. The lean martial artist played along, producing an enormous sign with a QR code and spinning it for the crowd.

Curiosity piqued, several onlookers began snapping photos and sharing them online.

It seemed everyone had forgotten a theft had just occurred.

Tired of waiting, Chen Shang strode up to the stout martial artist and reached for his own luggage.

At that moment, the lean martial artist hurriedly blocked him, barking, "Stop!"

"I'm just taking back what's mine," Chen Shang replied with a harmless smile.

The stout martial artist abruptly ceased his pitch, fixing his gaze on Chen Shang. "Do you have proof this bag belongs to you?" he demanded, holding the luggage aloft as if to assert dominance.

"My identification is inside the bag," Chen Shang explained seriously, ignoring the abrupt change in attitude.

This left the stout martial artist momentarily speechless.

The lean martial artist quickly adopted a conciliatory tone. "That won't do. Neither of us can decide this matter. Why don't you come with us to Azure Dragon Sect? We'll determine whether the bag is truly yours."

"Go with you to Azure Dragon Sect?" Chen Shang feigned surprise.

"That's right!" the lean martial artist explained. "Our sect leader will see justice done!"

Chen Shang pondered this, then asked, "Why not go to the police station?"

The lean martial artist seemed prepared for the question and grabbed Chen Shang's arm, his tone becoming evasive. "No need to worry about that! Come with us—we'll make sure justice is served!"

A few spectators, having discerned the true nature of the incident, began whispering:

"The thief's a plant from Azure Dragon Sect, isn't he?"

"Same old trick. This kid's just unlucky."

"Yeah, if he lets them take him to their sect, he'll be lucky to escape with his skin intact."

"..."

Faced with the lean martial artist's forceful attitude, Chen Shang's lips curled into a subtle smile.

"Hehehe..."

The lean martial artist tried to coax him along, but Chen Shang lowered his head and chuckled.

"What's the matter, young man? Come on, let's go!" the lean martial artist urged.

Without warning, Chen Shang shook off his grip, activated his calming hormones, and strode purposefully toward the thief beside the stout martial artist.

Under the crowd's gaze, Chen Shang raised his leg and delivered a fierce kick to the thief's groin.

"Aaahhh—!" The thief's agonized screams exploded among the crowd, tears streaming as he writhed on the ground.

"Young man, don't harm anyone!" The stout martial artist panicked, attempting to subdue Chen Shang.

But Chen Shang drew a small knife from his pocket and pressed it to the thief's throat.

Both Azure Dragon Sect martial artists halted, their eyes wide with shock.

The air grew tense and volatile, but Chen Shang cleared his throat calmly and spoke loudly:

"I can't prove the bag is mine, but the fact this thief committed a crime is undeniable."

"So what if he did?" The lean martial artist frowned in confusion.

"According to Kunlun District law, a murderer pays with his life; a thief loses both hands. Am I wrong?" Chen Shang asked coolly.

Each district in Night Axis City governed itself with its own laws, and Kunlun's were steeped in martial tradition.

"You're...you're not wrong..." The lean martial artist could not refute him.

Chen Shang smiled knowingly. "Then I'll just cut off his hands now. You have no objections, right?"

"Wait, stop..." The stout martial artist's forehead bulged with veins, struggling to restrain himself.

"Your silence means consent," Chen Shang said, sliding the knife from the thief's throat to his wrist.

The thief tried to struggle, but the pain he'd endured rivaled childbirth; remaining conscious was itself a miracle.

"Young man, let's talk this out. You're taking the law into your own hands!" the lean martial artist shouted anxiously.

But before his words finished, the knife plunged into the thief's left wrist. With a twist and flick, Chen Shang severed the tendons, blood spurting out.

The thief's screams intensified, legs flailing wildly.

"Taking the law into my own hands? If you drag me to your sect instead of the police, isn't that vigilantism too?" Chen Shang raised his head, eyes cold as he stared at the two.

"You've gone too far!" The stout martial artist finally snapped, balling his fists and charging.

Chen Shang pressed the blade to the thief's throat again, freezing the stout man's steps.

"Admit it, this guy's your plant," Chen Shang wiped blood from his face and smiled amiably. "If I hadn't chased him down, he'd have stolen my luggage back to Azure Dragon Sect. If I'd caught him, you'd jump out as heroes, rescue him, and claim the glory."

"How did you..." The stout martial artist murmured instinctively, but the lean one quickly covered his mouth.

The crowd's whispers grew louder; someone even pulled out popcorn, munching eagerly.

"If your plan were only this, I'd have let it slide..."

"But you made a fatal mistake—you got greedy."