As dawn broke and before the morning light had even pierced through the thick clouds, the printing presses of major newspapers were already running like thunder.

Without exception, the front page headlines were dominated by Cheng Muyun's name—the bold, scarlet lettering bombarded the still-dormant city with the news that "blood was found in the Cheng family ancestral hall at night, and Cheng Muyun committed murder and arson."

Newspaper boys darted through the streets and alleys, their shrill cries shattering the morning tranquility: "Read the newspaper! Read the newspaper! Shocking scandal in the Cheng family! Cheng Muyun committed a murder in the ancestral hall, not even sparing his relatives!"

The smell of ink mixed with the dampness of dew delivered those embellished words to every passerby.

As soon as the fire was lit in the teahouse, the tea drinkers started chattering away, clutching their newspapers, instantly forgetting their original conversation about prices and operas.

"I knew Cheng Muyun wasn't a good guy!" An elderly man in a long robe slammed his hand on the table, splashing tea over the rim of his cup. "His ruthlessness in suppressing his rivals a few years ago, and now his murders and arson, are just his true nature being revealed!"

The businessman next to him quickly chimed in, his voice low but loud enough for everyone around to hear: "More than that! I heard his men collect protection money at the docks, and if they don't comply, they get beaten up. How many families have been ruined and killed? This isn't a young marshal, he's a tyrant!"

In a corner, a few women huddled together, their voices filled with a mixture of suppressed excitement and fear: "The scariest one is that old steward. I heard he watched Cheng Muyun grow up, but in the end, he was stabbed to death by him on the threshold of the ancestral hall... People have hearts, how could he do such a thing?"

The topic quickly shifted to Xu Zhuohua, who was engulfed in flames.

Someone sighed, "I heard that Young Madam Cheng was as beautiful as an angel, and she was burned to death like that. It's really pitiful."

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by another person, whose tone was full of disdain: "Pitiful? I heard that she was secretly transporting weapons with Cheng Muyun, making money off human lives! What good is being pretty? She's just a snake in the heart! What kind of good person can she be if she shares a bed with someone like Cheng Muyun?"

Rumors spread like wildfire, from teahouses to shops, from the streets to the alleys.

Cheng Muyun's name has become synonymous with "devil". Those who were intimidated or offended by him in the past are now hiding in the crowd, secretly rejoicing, adding, "I knew it all along".

Meanwhile, many more people, unaware of the truth, were spitting in the direction of the Cheng family's house and cursing them as "utterly depraved" under the influence of newspapers and rumors.

In less than half a day, Cheng Muyun's reputation, built up over half a lifetime, collapsed like a dam breached by a flood.

He went from being a rising star in the military, respected by all, to a vicious criminal whom everyone wanted to kill.

Xu Zhuohua, whose name vanished in the flames, was also firmly nailed to the pillar of shame, becoming known as a "femme fatale who aided and abetted evil" in people's mouths. Along with Cheng Muyun, she was pinned to the forefront of public criticism and subjected to the condemnation of thousands.

Chen Hede stood frozen on the wooden floor of the police chief's office, his knuckles white from the excessive force, and his palms marked with crescent-shaped red marks from his fingernails.

The noise outside seeped in through the half-open window. The storyteller in the teahouse was spouting off about Cheng Muyun's "crimes," his dramatic voice piercing Cheng's ears like needles.

Newspapers all over the city were exaggerating Cheng Muyun's atrocities; the raging torrent of printed words almost submerged the entire city.

Among the monotonous reports, only one newspaper featured Chen Hede's image on its front page—in the photo, he was wearing a crisp police uniform, reaching out to handcuff Cheng Muyun's hands, his posture resolute as if he were the embodiment of justice.

"Smack!" The newspaper in Zhu Zhishui's hand was slammed heavily onto the desk, and the smell of ink mixed with the tobacco smell on his body filled the air.

The director's face crinkled into a wide grin, and his thick hand patted Chen Hede's shoulder with a resounding thud: "Well done! Hede! This move was absolutely right!"

His eyes were practically overflowing with excitement, and his voice was eight octaves louder than usual: "The other day, those people upstairs were calling me every day, trying to force me to strip you of your police uniform! Look at me now? The phone's quiet!"

Zhu Zhishui picked up the newspaper again, pointing at the photo with his fingertip, "By standing on the opposite side of a serial killer like Cheng Muyun, who would dare to touch you? This is the safest talisman!"

Chen Hede loosened his fist, then quietly clenched it again.

The wind outside the window carried rumors as he looked at his expressionless face in the photo and felt a chill run down the back of his neck.

The safest option is to stand on the opposite side of the serial killer Cheng Muyun.

Zhu Zhishui had been grooming Chen Hede for so long and really didn't want Chen Hede to get involved in Cheng Muyun's affairs. Unexpectedly, Chen Hede actually arrested Cheng Muyun. Now Chen Hede's future is secure.

However, Chen Hede did not think so.

His guilt reached its peak, tormenting him constantly.

"Director, I feel a bit tired and would like to request a few days of leave." Chen Hede's voice carried a hint of fatigue that was barely perceptible, and his fingertips still showed the stiffness from when he clenched his fists.

Zhu Zhishui smiled upon hearing this, the lines at the corners of his eyes revealing a kind of elder's gentleness, as if he were looking at his own junior: "Alright. The eldest daughter of the Xu family is about to be buried. I know you have a deep friendship, so you should go and pay your respects."

Chen Hede suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with undisguised surprise.

He had always thought that his feelings for Xu Zhuohua, buried deep in his heart, had been completely concealed by his daily restraint and pretense. However, he never expected that Zhu Zhishui's insightful eyes would still see through his disguise.

Seeing his expression, Zhu Zhishui decided to be blunt, her tone carrying a hint of mockery from someone with experience: "I wanted to betroth my daughter to you before, but you made all sorts of excuses, saying 'the time isn't right' and 'I dare not delay.' I've been through your age too. A person like Miss Xu—living freely, with a bright personality, is likable at first glance. It would be strange if you weren't tempted."

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