Watching the attendant also being devoured by the giant bird, Chen Ming felt immensely satisfied and couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Heaven truly helps me!"

  Every transmigrator needed a golden finger. The Great One had gone to great trouble to bring him here, with big plans—surely he wouldn't have been sent without some means of protection? This world was full of monsters everywhere, so being unafraid of them was the greatest golden finger of all.

  Chen Ming stood up and gestured toward the giant bird, "Thanks for the rescue, Brother Bird!"

  The giant bird flapped its small wings, cawing happily as if thanking Chen Ming for delivering takeout, then fluttered off and ran away.

  Chen Ming walked over and picked up the revolver the manager had dropped. Though he'd never handled a real gun before, while filming, he'd tried out many prop firearms—the principles were similar. After examining it, he engaged the safety and tucked it into his clothes close to his body.

  As he left the forest, he pondered darkly.

  Although Manager Jin—he'd heard the attendant call him Brother Jin—was dead, and the complicit attendant was dead too, the Chen & Zhu Trading Firm still harbored enormous hidden dangers.

  First, he didn't know how many accomplices Manager Jin had.

  Second, he'd heard Manager Jin mention orders from "higher-ups." Since there were "higher-ups," it meant their influence was substantial.

  What to do? Chen Ming worried. He was just a musician, not a martial arts master.

  Chen Ming thought it over. If he couldn't fight them, could he at least outrun them? He'd return to the Renhe Inn now, quietly pack his things, and flee tonight. Surely some local criminal syndicate couldn't chase him to the ends of the earth!

  Decision made, Chen Ming set off immediately. As they said, first time's strange, second time's familiar. Having walked the forest path before, he knew the way and soon reached the cinder road.

  At the city gate, worried that Manager Jin's accomplices might be there, Chen Ming wrapped his head with cloth to avoid being recognized. The soldiers guarding the gate were listless, paying no attention to people coming and going. Chen Ming passed through smoothly.

  Once inside the city, Chen Ming quickly returned to the Renhe Inn and packed his luggage. Since the room fee was prepaid, not only did he owe nothing, but the inn even refunded the remainder.

  When Chen Ming arrived at the city gate pulling his luggage, he realized his mistake. Newly arrived and unfamiliar with local customs, he'd forgotten one thing—the city gates closed at night. Now it was near dusk, the setting sun slanting down, and the gates were closing, leaving only a narrow gap through which the dying sunlight cast a long beam.

  Chen Ming stood frozen like a wooden chicken, silently lamenting his misfortune. Was he trapped in the city, waiting to be caught like a turtle in a jar?

  Helpless, he could only find somewhere for a hasty meal, then seek out a secluded inn to stay the night.

  Chen Ming was cautious by nature. After entering the inn, he first planned an escape route. Then he lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

  He prayed that the local criminal element had no real ability, hadn't noticed Manager Jin's disappearance, and certainly wouldn't find him overnight—then he could flee the city tomorrow.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Lost in wild thoughts until midnight, Chen Ming finally drifted into a dazed sleep.

  He'd only just fallen asleep when suddenly someone knocked loudly on his door. Chen Ming was instantly awakened and saw through the crack that it was brightly lit outside.

  Startled, he thought the criminals had come for him. To facilitate escape, he'd slept without undressing or removing his shoes. Now he moved to climb out the window. But as soon as he stuck his head out, he saw a crowd of people standing outside, blocking his escape route.

  Chen Ming retreated into the room, drew his pistol, gritted his teeth, and prepared to fight his way out.

  Just then, a voice came from outside: "I am Zong Wenqi, Chief Constable of Renhe County. Mr. Chen, you are formally summoned for arrest on suspicion of murdering Jin Xiangyun, manager of the Chen & Zhu Trading Firm. Please cooperate with our investigation."

  Chen Ming's mind went blank. He hadn't expected the criminals to find him, but the government office had—the efficiency of their criminal investigation system was truly remarkable!

  What to do? He calmed himself. Flee? If he became wanted by the authorities, nowhere in the world would shelter him. Not flee? Then cooperate with the authorities. After all, they weren't criminals; they followed rules. According to the speaker outside, Chen Ming was suspected of killing Manager Jin. Theoretically, he hadn't killed anyone—the monster had done the deed!

  Chen Ming took a deep breath, concealed his pistol well, steeled himself, and opened the door.

  Outside stood a squad of officers, each wearing a turban-like hat and black clothing with the two large white characters "Constable" embroidered on their chests—their uniform quite similar to police in his pre-transmigration world.

  The constables watched Chen Ming intently, fearing he might resist arrest and flee. The leader, a man with a bushy beard, said, "Mr. Chen, please come with us."

  Chen Ming had no choice but to follow them out. The constables apparently considered him a feeble scholar incapable of tying up a chicken, so they neither bound nor searched him, merely surrounded him tightly to prevent escape.

  But Chen Ming noticed they were heading toward the Chen & Zhu Trading Firm. Breaking into a cold sweat, he asked, "Hey, where are we going?"

  If the answer seemed wrong, he'd immediately draw his gun, kill, and fight his way clear.

  Chief Constable Zong said, "The County Sheriff is handling the case at the scene, so we're going to the Chen & Zhu Firm."

  Chen Ming relaxed slightly but remained alert.

  Renhe County wasn't large; the journey from Chen Ming's inn to the Chen & Zhu Firm by the canal was short, and they arrived soon.

  Chen Ming looked up. The Chen & Zhu Firm was brightly lit. Almost all employees—accountants, attendants, laborers—had been summoned by the authorities. They gathered in the courtyard, cowering. When they noticed Chen Ming approaching, fear filled their eyes.

  Chen Ming breathed a quiet sigh of relief and followed the constables upstairs to Manager Jin's office. Inside sat a man in blue official robes, about fifty or sixty years old, with a goatee, leisurely sipping tea.

  Chief Constable Zong quickly stepped forward to greet him: "County Sheriff, the suspect Chen Ming has been brought."

  The County Sheriff set down his teacup, looked squarely at Chen Ming, and said, "Mr. Chen, you are a degree holder, naturally familiar with the imperial court's laws. It would be best to honestly confess."

  How could Chen Ming confess? He immediately denied it: "I absolutely did not kill anyone."

  The County Sheriff stared at Chen Ming as if trying to see through him, but Chen Ming showed no fear, meeting his gaze directly.

  The County Sheriff smiled faintly, withdrew his gaze, and said, "Call the witness."

  Chief Constable Zong shouted loudly, "Call the witness Zhou Da!"

  A moment later, a man dressed as a laborer entered Manager Jin's office and knelt with a thump before the County Sheriff.

  The County Sheriff said gently, "Zhou Da, don't be afraid. Tell us what you saw, and this official will see justice done for you."

  Zhou Da raised his head, stealing a glance at Chen Ming, then tremblingly said, "This humble one is old and weak. I was hired by the Chen & Zhu Firm to watch the warehouse, guarding against both thieves and fire. The day before yesterday, when Boss Chen came to see Manager Jin, I was downstairs in the warehouse. Though separated by a floor, I heard them arguing fiercely. Later, Manager Jin called his trusted attendant, Attendant Lin, upstairs. After a while, Attendant Lin came downstairs and asked me for a cloth sack. Then he said he needed to inventory warehouse goods and told me to go help move goods in the front courtyard. So I left the warehouse. When I returned, I saw Attendant Lin pulling a cart out of the Chen & Zhu Firm."