Witch, I'm really not the Deep Sea Ancient God!

Chen Qi's eyes widened slightly, his mouth agape in confusion.

"Yes."

The port police took a firm stance, not wanting to give Chen Qi a chance to defend himself:

"Someone suspects you of killing a hunter employed by the Rabbit Tailor Shop in the hunting grounds for your own benefit."

Rabbit, hunting grounds... Chen Qi thought for a moment—it was about the previous incident.

In Shell Country, there was a law that prohibited harming others for monetary gain within cracks unless it was an emergency.

But the cracks were places governed by strength, and coupled with the difficulty of gathering evidence, this law was practically nominal.

To invoke this law, extensive eyewitness and physical evidence was needed.

Usually, it was only applied when two groups engaged in a fight resulting in casualties and compensation was sought.

In the hunting grounds, he had indeed fought with members of the Black Rabbit gang.

But it was mutual combat, not a one-sided attack.

Moreover, re-opening the crack in the hunting ground would take at least thirty days.

By then, all evidence would have vanished.

In other words, this was merely a suspicion, and a superficial one at that.

A rather lame excuse.

Bad news, he was falsely accused of murder.

Good news, he really did kill.

Chen Qi was about to speak.

However, the next moment, the port police continued firmly:

"This incident is very serious; if handled improperly, you could face at least twenty years in prison.

Now, we need you to go to the Rabbit Tailor Shop in District Three to verify something."

Rabbit Tailor Shop? Twenty years in prison?

Just spouting anything... Chen Qi didn't quite know how to describe it.

Even if they really suspected him, shouldn't he be going to the police station?

Because of concerns about the Black Rabbit gang, Chen Qi had been confined to the port and commercial streets of Moonstone City these past few days.

Gangs had strict territory demarcations, and they were not allowed to cause trouble in the port and commercial streets.

Heading to the Rabbit Tailor Shop in District Three.

It was clear they wanted to lure him into their territory to slaughter him like a pig!

Chen Qi touched his neck and looked speechlessly at the uniformed port police officer.

This might not even qualify as a fabricated charge but rather a clumsy scam.

His case was probably not even filed at the police station.

The so-called 'murder' was merely a clumsy method by the Black Rabbit gang to draw him into their den.

Chen Qi smiled and said cooperatively:

"Officer, I will go to the police station to explain this matter."

The port police hesitated, their steady tone suddenly quickening:

"No need, your case has not reached the point where we need to involve the police station. Go to the Rabbit Tailor Shop first."

He gripped the iron rod in his hand, intending to coerce the other party more aggressively.

He sized up Chen Qi, who still had a gun tucked under his clothes and wore clothes that emitted a certain transcendent aura.

He appeared very calm.

The port police silently lowered their cap:

"This matter is still under investigation. When the investigation reaches a certain point, someone will come to find you."

Then, as if nothing had happened, the port police left the area.

Is that it?

Chen Qi crossed his arms and shook his head.

What the heck! He thought the other party would come up with a decent excuse.

After seeing the police leave, the old man from the newspaper kiosk who had been watching the drama closely came over:

"Customer, that was quite a close call, but don't worry. With the gang's power, framing someone isn't so easy."

The old man from the newspaper kiosk looked sympathetically at Chen Qi.

He had seen such tricks too many times before.

The gangs, relying on their numbers and the law, bullied the young arrivals in Moonstone City, squeezing every bit of value from them.

Although he was old, he still felt indignant seeing these examples of bullies using their power to falsely accuse good people.

At that moment, pedestrians by the port, seeing the police had walked away, also whispered:

"Yes, boss, rest assured, although there are some bad apples in the Moonstone City police force, overall there are more good ones. As long as you explain things clearly, they don't just arrest people without reason."

"Yeah, picking on a young chef is no great feat."

Chen Qi looked around.

Where did you all come from?

Normally, this place wouldn't be so crowded.

And it seemed like all these people were here waiting for him.

What happened? And what are these people here for?

Chen Qi came down from the boat and walked up to an old man at the newsstand, asking softly:

"Thanks for the heads-up, boss. Also, why are there so many people here?"

From the way these people dressed, they weren't fishermen.

Could it be that he had gotten into some trouble again?

"Eh?"

The newsstand old man was startled:

"Hasn't Perlu told you?"

"?"

Chen Qi looked puzzled.

Following that, the newsstand owner handed Chen Qi a freshly printed Dove Times newspaper.

Chen Qi opened the newspaper and quickly scanned through it.

It was the latest edition, filled with recent major news:

"[The legendary treasure exists, and the Black Whale Group has found the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure and is now holding an unprecedented gathering!

The Flower Witch appeared at the hunting grounds, slaughtering the entire field single-handedly!

A person suspected to be the Blade Witch appeared in a pub for a barmaid, causing a massacre!

The navy reorganized, establishing a system of three major admirals!

Life changes after the Crack Tide Descended.]"

This has nothing to do with me, right? Chen Qi looked at these headlines.

The news segment on the Flower Witch didn't mention him either.

Wait a minute...

Chen Qi flipped to the back of the newspaper.

In a little corner, there was a title.

Miracle Reporter Perlu's Little Fun Encounter:

"[During an investigation, I was so hungry I literally fell from the sky, landing on a shabby chef's boat.

I thought it was just another overpriced sea restaurant, but to my surprise, it was super delicious!

Indeed, during busy times, one's luck improves.

This must be the goddess's reward for my hard work.

Dear readers, I will strive to bring you more thrilling and explosive news!"]

Besides the text, there was also a selfie of Perlu sitting on the flying Dove, stylishly set against the sea and a small houseboat.

"..."

Chen Qi raised an eyebrow.

What the heck? Is this supposed to be in the newspaper?

Doesn't the management of the Dove Times care at all?

And when did she take that picture?

Perlu, are you posting for social media or what!

After mentally commenting, Chen Qi collected his thoughts.

Perlu, as the most famous journalist in Moonstone City, although only of the First Order in public perception,

had built a considerable reputation through her fame and various maneuverings.

In Moonstone City, there were many who loved her and many who hated her.

Simply put, Perlu was a super internet celebrity!

Meaning, the people in front of him, unlike the police from earlier, weren't here to cause trouble.

They were purely influenced by the celebrity effect, here to eat!

And judging by their excited expressions, they had been waiting quite a while.

I've become a celebrity hotspot? Chen Qi touched his head, somewhat surprised as he looked at the crowd.