Published: November 30, -0001
In the center of the royal capital's marketplace, the atmosphere was bustling with noise.
In front of the Zhang family's shop, a large crowd had already gathered, with people packed tightly inside and out, making it impossible to pass through.
As one of the prominent families in the royal capital, the Zhang family's largest asset was this very shop in the marketplace.
The shop itself was not large, but despite its unremarkable appearance, it was undoubtedly the most important establishment for the Zhang family.
Around seventy to eighty percent of the Zhang family's annual profits came from this shop.
It could be said that possessing a shop in the center of the marketplace was a dream for every family in the royal capital.
Any small family that managed to obtain a shop in the marketplace could instantly elevate themselves from a minor family to a prominent one.
Now, with the Li family, the Alchemy Pavilion, and the law enforcement team of the marketplace wanting to demolish the Zhang family's shop, it immediately drew countless onlookers.
At this moment, the Zhang family and the law enforcement team had been in a standoff for a while, neither side willing to back down, with a tense atmosphere brewing.
"Zhang Yuntian, I advise you to step aside quickly. Our law enforcement team is here to maintain order in the marketplace. No matter who you are, you cannot act wildly here."
A group of armored strongmen had surrounded the entrance of the Zhang family's shop. The leader, looking down from above, had an arrogant expression and a powerful aura.
This person was the captain of the marketplace law enforcement team, named Luo Ling. His cultivation level was not particularly high, but his authority was quite impressive.
The marketplace was the place with the highest transaction volume in the entire royal capital, with daily revenue reaching astronomical figures.
Enforcing laws here meant substantial benefits. All major shops had to give some face, and naturally, their attitudes would be different.
"Luo Captain, our Zhang family's shop has always abided by the law. How can it possibly be an illegal establishment?"
A steward of the Zhang family stood at the door of the shop, looking anxious, and repeatedly spoke to Luo Ling.
"I don't care about that. We received reports stating that your Zhang family's shop sells unqualified medicinal pills. As the law enforcement team of the marketplace, we must uphold justice and eliminate any undesirable shops, restoring the marketplace to its rightful order."
Luo Ling, high and mighty, looked coldly at them, showing no mercy.
In his eyes, the Zhang family was just one of many small families in the marketplace—there were at least eight hundred of them, and he felt no need to show them any respect.
Moreover, this operation was not just the law enforcement team's directive; there were others backing him from behind.
"Luo Captain, you're giving them too much face. If it were me, I would have smashed it directly without wasting a word with them."
Next to Luo Ling was a middle-aged man with a goatee, who spoke with a faint smile, a trace of mockery in his expression.
"Li family head, our law enforcement team acts with reason and evidence. You can rest assured, as long as the Zhang family does not comply, we will smash this shop no matter what remains inside."
Upon hearing this, Luo Ling's face immediately lit up with a smile.
The person beside him was none other than Li Tiancheng, the head of the Li family.
Standing next to Li Tiancheng were two men dressed in first-grade alchemist robes, watching with cold smiles as everything unfolded.
These were Mu Xun, the steward of the Alchemy Pavilion, and Li Xun.
In addition, a young man stood beside Li Tiancheng—surprisingly, it was Qin Fen.
He smiled and said, "Luo Captain, you truly are the guardian of the common folk in our royal capital, upholding justice, a model for us all."
"Hehe, Young Master Qin, you flatter me. This is what we, the law enforcement team, ought to do. We absolutely cannot allow any evil forces to act wildly in the royal capital's marketplace."