Ye Wan reacted quickly. Hearing that her husband's voice sounded a bit off, she immediately suppressed her overwhelming joy, said that she needed to go to the restroom, and then walked out. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, she quickly ran out of the police station.
As soon as Ye Wan stepped out of the police station, she turned her head and looked around. She immediately saw Chen Chaojiang standing at the corner of the street not far away, holding a child in his arms.
Little Zihan wrapped one arm around her father's neck, tilted her head up, and saw her mother. She waved her arms and babbled as she tried to come over.
Tears welled up in Ye Wan's red eyes again as she ran over, sobbing.
Taking the child from her husband's arms, Ye Wan hugged and kissed him several times, calling his name a few times before noticing the bloodstains on Chen Chaojiang's body. She couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Chaojiang, you, you're injured?"
"No, I killed someone!" Chen Chaojiang said coldly. He saw two police cars parked in front of the police station, and several police officers got out of the cars and quickly noticed him. Chen Chaojiang said, "I have some things to do. Besides, killing someone in public will definitely get me arrested by the police. I'm leaving now. I'll contact you later. You, your parents, and the children should go back to Jiangjing City first."
After saying that, Chen Chaojiang turned and left.
The police officers seemed to have noticed the bloodstains on Chen Chaojiang and his suspicious behavior. Especially when they saw Chen Chaojiang turn to leave, they immediately shouted and ran over to him.
Volume 7, Emperor's Chapter 376: The Wrath of an Unforgettable Decision
Ye Wan froze on the spot. She watched as her husband's figure rapidly disappeared at a distant intersection.
Several police officers shouted and chased after them.
Ye Wan snapped out of her shock and hurriedly carried the child to the police station. While doing so, she sent a text message to Chen Chaojiang: "Chaojiang, it doesn't matter if you kill someone. Our family can still protect you. Besides, isn't there Xu Zhengyang?"
Ye Wan is right. With the Ye family's background, what does it matter if Chen Chaojiang kills someone in public?
It's just killing two criminals who kidnapped children... At most, he'll turn himself in and be sentenced, but not to death. Once he's sentenced, he can get out of prison and continue living his life.
To put it bluntly, would someone with power and influence care about this?
In addition to the Ye family, there is also Xu Zhengyang!
Given Xu Zhengyang's status, he can now say one thing: I will protect Chen Chaojiang!
Who would want to mess with Xu Zhengyang?
But……
Although Ye Wan wasn't a bad person and would never resort to bullying, she possessed an innate sense of privilege typical of scions of wealthy and powerful families, which seemed perfectly reasonable. However, in the eyes of Xu Zhengyang, the current Emperor, such privilege was unacceptable, or to put it bluntly, aside from his own privileges and those he permitted, all mortals in the world must be treated equally and without discrimination.
Moreover, in today's information age, power is not always the deciding factor.
Public pressure can sometimes make people unable or unwilling to defend anyone!
Even more seriously, and unexpectedly for everyone, Chen Chaojiang, having unleashed his killing spree, would once again become obsessed with a single-minded, stubborn belief that since trouble had already been caused, he might as well kill a few more people… Yes, he had indeed caused trouble, Chen Chaojiang was now very clear about that. Because even if his own child had been kidnapped, in his rage he should have known that, as a god, he had no need to go so far as to commit such a frenzied public killing and cause such a terrible impact.
He could easily use his divine power to control the criminals and make them obediently return the child.
Even if the other side has many people, it doesn't matter. We can just send over a few ghost messengers immediately. It's too easy to solve this kind of thing.
Even assuming we take a step back and assume you, Chen Chaojiang, are capable enough to easily injure the other person and bring the child back. It's utterly inhumane to smash someone's head open and break another person in two in broad daylight, in front of everyone… It's incredibly cruel and horrific.
How much anger can't be followed by a fierce revenge and venting?
You are a god!
But that's just the kind of person Chen Chaojiang is. When his temper flares up, he doesn't care about anything else. Actually, Xu Zhengyang used to be like that too. It's just that Xu Zhengyang's mind has reached a certain level now, and he won't easily lose control like that. No matter how angry he is, he can still appear calm on the surface.
Furthermore, Xu Zhengyang can do whatever he wants because no one can control him;
But Chen Chaojiang, you can't, because... you're not Xu Zhengyang.
These words sound unreasonable, awkward, hypocritical, selfish, arrogant, and inhumane. However, that's the truth. Many times, Xu Zhengyang doesn't have a choice in what to do. Because… without rules, there can be no order. Besides, he always wants to win people's respect.
On this day, Chen Chaojiang killed seven people within an hour!
Six of them were in public...
That same afternoon, two boxes were placed outside a police station in the suburbs of Xihu City. Inside the boxes were two crying infants; a one-and-a-half-year-old child had been taken to another police station. In addition, there was a piece of paper in the boxes and on the one-and-a-half-year-old child, containing detailed addresses and contact persons or middlemen for the children who had been trafficked; some had phone numbers, while others did not.
The three children who were abducted in several surrounding cities were found in this mysterious way.
In particular, a case involving the theft and trafficking of infants spanning more than a dozen cities in three provinces suddenly came to light, and all the infants were found.
However, all the suspects who specialized in stealing babies met a tragic end.
...
Jingniang Lake Tourist Scenic Area in western Fuhe City.
In the pavilion nestled against the mountain in the backyard of the villa, Xu Zhengyang leaned lazily against a bamboo chair, as if asleep, letting the still slightly cool spring breeze caress his body.
His consciousness was currently arguing with the Heavenly Rules.
It's nothing more than haggling, trying to carve out a share of the profits from the City God's Palace in the distant Masori country.
Otherwise, we would suffer a huge loss.
What was it again? Could it be that after all the hard work and expending of divine and human power to build the City God's Palace, all the divine power he gained was given to the Heavenly Laws for no reason, so that the Heavenly Laws could accumulate divine power to punish him or his subordinates in the future? Wouldn't that make him a typical example of someone who is asking for trouble?
Xu Zhengyang said, "Heavenly Laws are just Heavenly Laws after all. They're nothing more than a divine artifact. How can they be compared to gods? Hmm?"
The Heavenly Laws have the power and rules to bind the gods. Even an emperor must abide by the Heavenly Laws and not overstep his authority.
"That was before... Now that no one is in charge outside, I always have to go and temporarily take over the management."
Therefore, the Heavenly Court was allowed to temporarily act as Emperor Xu Zhengyang, and could instruct its subordinates to establish the City God's Office with Masori.
"What I mean is, well, since I've taken over over there, the corresponding divine power should belong to me. Of course... I've always been generous and righteous, so I'll still give you your share of support, right?"
Since Masori does not belong to the Eastern Heavenly Court, his faith power is converted into divine power and then absorbed by the Heavenly Laws on its own.
"What use is all that divine power to you? I'm a god now, and I need it..."
Divine power is used to maintain the Heavenly Laws and repair damaged parts; in addition, the divine power of the Outer Heavenly Court does not belong to the gods of the Eastern Azure Heavenly Court; it is shared by the Heavenly Emperor, the local gods of the Heavenly Court, and only the Heavenly Laws are qualified to enjoy it.
Xu Zhengyang said helplessly, "Let's split it in half when we meet, it'll be a pleasant cooperation..."
No.
Xu Zhengyang was furious: "Believe it or not, I'll dismantle that City God Temple right now and we'll go our separate ways."
Whatever... It's not your Eastern Heavenly Court's place to meddle in other people's business anyway.
"Damn..." Xu Zhengyang thought, how could this thing be so unreasonable? Oh, no, it's too reasonable, rigid, and inflexible. The so-called times are progressing and developing; we can't be overly bound by rules, right? That's called being old-fashioned, feudal, and ignorant.
Unfortunately, the Heavenly Laws completely ignored it.
"I'm really leaving!" Xu Zhengyang was furious.
The rules are very rigid.
Xu Zhengyang sighed helplessly and said, "Since you are a god, you should naturally have boundless love and selfless dedication... However, this is one thing for mortals, but another for us. Well, from your perspective, I understand you. After all, it's the law of heaven; without rules, there can be no order, and you do need a lot of divine power to repair yourself... But please also consider things from my perspective."
The Heavenly Law states: What is your position? It is nothing more than the insatiable greed of mortals.
"Alright, if you're greedy, then so be it." Xu Zhengyang didn't mind and said, "I don't want the divine power over there either. The City God's Office also needs to be expanded. At least we should create a Prefecture God's Office... The divine power required for the operation of the office, as well as the ghost messengers there, and the gods that may be enshrined in the future, all need to be provided by you... Is that too much to ask?"
Heavenly Law Question: You don't want it?
"I'd like to have it, but will you give it to me? Damn it."
The Heavenly Law states: "From your perspective, and considering your feelings, this is feasible."
"There is another condition... Even if there are gods over there in the future, I must appoint them by appointment, and their positions and the divine power they possess must be strictly controlled."
The Heavenly Law states: This is natural. You are the Emperor of the Azure Heaven Court, and perhaps in the future, you will become the Heavenly Emperor.
Xu Zhengyang sighed, withdrew his divine sense, and decided not to engage with the Heavenly Laws. He would accept his loss as it was.
The old saying goes that suffering a loss is a blessing. Although Xu Zhengyang never agreed with this saying, he thought that what he had done was a great deed, and it would still be beneficial and a blessing for him.
As Xu Zhengyang slowly walked up the mountain along the gravel path, he thought about how, once his divine power was fully restored, he would establish branches of the Heavenly Court and the State God's Offices all over the world... and the Underworld. Once the human world was truly stable, he would also have to go and repair the entire Underworld organization and get it running again.
Hearing hurried footsteps behind him, Xu Zhengyang did not turn around. Instead, he stood in front of a willow tree that had just sprouted tender buds and casually twisted the already soft willow branches.
He knew that Chen Chaojiang had arrived.
Of course, he was unaware that Chen Chaojiang had gotten himself into trouble he shouldn't have.
"Zhengyang, my lord..."
"Hmm." Xu Zhengyang didn't turn around. He smiled faintly and said, "Why aren't you in Jiangjing City with your wife and children? What are you doing back here?"
"I... I killed someone."
Xu Zhengyang paused for a moment, but didn't seem to mind, and calmly replied, "Oh."
Killing people is no big deal. As a deity, especially an inspector of spirits, one will inevitably encounter people who annoy him and whose anger cannot be vented without killing them.
"Who did you kill?" Xu Zhengyang asked casually.
“A few scumbags who steal and traffic children,” Chen Chaojiang said, bowing deeply and speaking in an icy tone.
"You killed him, but you even came back to tell me..." Xu Zhengyang smiled and said, "What exactly happened? I feel like you're a little guilty."
Chen Chaojiang trembled, looked up at Xu Zhengyang's back, paused and said, "I... at that time, they took Xiao Zihan away, so I acted impulsively and killed them in a fit of rage on the street, in front of everyone, and rescued Zihan."
"Hmm?" Xu Zhengyang frowned and slowly turned his head, looking at Chen Chaojiang with a cold gaze, and asked, "How many people did you kill?"
"I killed two people first, and after delivering the child to Ye Wan, I killed five more!" Chen Chaojiang suddenly knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and said in a cold tone.
Xu Zhengyang frowned, took two steps toward Chen Chaojiang, and rubbed his right hand together vigorously, asking, "Were you all seen? A lot of people?"
"Yes." Chen Chaojiang lowered his head. "Moreover, I think there should be surveillance footage recording this."
Xu Zhengyang leaned back slightly, took a small half-step back, tilted his head back, and slowly twisted his neck. His brows were furrowed, and a hint of bewilderment and confusion flashed in his eyes.
Chen Chaojiang knelt on one knee, motionless, like a stone sculpture.
Suddenly, Xu Zhengyang lunged forward, kicked Chen Chaojiang to the ground, and roared angrily, "Why did you kill someone in the street? Huh? How could you be so stupid?"
Chen Chaojiang struggled to his feet, still kneeling on one knee, head down, gritting his teeth.
"You're a god! A god!" Xu Zhengyang, as if possessed, stepped forward, waving his arms and slamming his hands against Chen Chaojiang's shoulders, head, and face, roaring angrily, "You're utterly stupid, stupid..."
Bruises appeared on Chen Chaojiang's pale cheeks, and his mouth and eyes were broken.
His body staggered from the heavy blows, but quickly recovered, becoming as hard as stone, enduring Xu Zhengyang's beatings and scoldings.
“You are a god. How many ways do you have to kill someone without leaving a trace, without taking responsibility, without giving anyone a reason to criticize you…” Perhaps he was tired from the beating, or perhaps he was just exhausted, Xu Zhengyang stopped, but he still paced back and forth beside Chen Chaojiang, who was kneeling on one knee, his face full of anger. He stretched out his hand, his trembling finger pointing at Chen Chaojiang’s head. “You are too stupid, utterly stupid… Do you know how much I had expectations for you? Do you know that there are even greater things waiting for us to do in the future?”
Growing angrier as he spoke, Xu Zhengyang raised his foot and kicked Chen Chaojiang hard in the shoulder: "You still have parents, a younger brother, a wife and children! The Heavenly Court has rules, and the mortal world has laws!"
Chen Chaojiang struggled to get up, still kneeling on one knee with his head down.
"Do you know you're wrong?" Xu Zhengyang bent down, lowered his head, and stared at Chen Chaojiang with a frown.
“Those people deserve to die!” Chen Chaojiang said coldly through gritted teeth.