Chapter 18: Officer Fang's Smile

“Officer Fang, hello, it’s me!” Chen Xian immediately recognized the voice as Fang Jing from the Public Security Bureau and said, “Are you calling me to help catch a thief?” Lately, he’d developed quite an interest in catching thieves.

“No, that’s not it!” Fang Jing’s voice came through the phone. “Chen Xian, the reward for capturing the five gold robbers has been approved. Come to the station this morning with your ID card.”

Chen Xian was delighted by the news. He thanked her, hung up, and hurried off to the police bureau. He also intended to plant 001 on Fang Jing.

It was still early. Chen Xian sent a message to Zhang Xin, letting her know he would arrive at the Orchid Hall in the Flower and Bird Market promptly at 9:30 a.m.

When he arrived at the Northern City Public Security Branch, it was only 8:15. After parking his electric scooter, he walked toward the lobby and spotted from afar a strikingly beautiful figure standing at the entrance.

She was a female police officer, with a curvaceous figure that filled out her uniform, her waist slender enough to be held in one hand, exuding a captivating charm. Yet the expression on her oval face was cold and forbidding, creating an air of icy aloofness—a true iceberg beauty.

This was none other than Deputy Captain Fang Jing of the Criminal Investigation Team. As she saw Chen Xian approaching, a gleam flashed in her large eyes, and her frosty face revealed a rare, faint smile. For a moment, it was as if the entire world brightened.

Yet Chen Xian couldn’t help but feel—perhaps it was just his imagination—that Fang Jing’s gaze toward him was somewhat peculiar. To use an odd analogy, she looked at him as a hunter might regard her prey, with excitement and anticipation in her eyes.

“Officer Fang, hello!” Skilled and bold, Chen Xian cared little for whatever schemes she might have and greeted her with a smile.

Fang Jing spoke warmly, “Mr. Chen, please follow me. I’ll take you to collect your reward.” With that, she swayed her waist and strode ahead, leaving behind an alluring silhouette.

“Thank you for your trouble, Officer Fang!” Chen Xian replied politely, following closely behind. Watching Fang Jing’s back, a phrase came to mind: ‘killer back view.’

As they walked, Chen Xian noticed that Fang Jing was paying little attention to him. With a thought, a red beam shot from her forehead, transforming into a transparent red insect—001. Chen Xian commanded it mentally; it spread its delicate wings, gave a slight buzz, and flew toward Officer Fang.

The Siphon Bug moved at lightning speed, landing on Fang Jing’s shoulder in the blink of an eye. She was completely unaware. The corner of Chen Xian’s mouth lifted in an excited smile. From now on, 001 would provide him with a steady stream of valuable intel, enabling him to track down countless criminals and quickly mature the mysterious tree’s fruit.

“Captain Fang hasn’t smiled in ages—looks like this Mr. Chen is in trouble!”

“I remember the last time Captain Fang smiled was half a year ago, to Captain Ma of the Narcotics Squad. After that, Captain Ma never dared set foot in our Northern City branch again.”

“I’d say Mr. Chen is in for a rough time!”

“…”

As Chen Xian followed Fang Jing down a long corridor, he heard the soft chatter of other officers behind him. They spoke quietly, thinking he couldn’t hear, but ever since obtaining the mysterious tree and practicing the ‘Supreme Chaos Technique,’ his senses had become extraordinarily keen—far surpassing ordinary people. Every word reached his ears.

He gazed at the lovely figure ahead, his eyes filled with curiosity. What exactly did this Officer Fang want from him?

“Mr. Chen, here we are!” Lost in thought, Chen Xian was brought back as Fang Jing stopped in front of an office door and turned to smile. She extended a delicate hand and knocked three times.

“Come in!” A deep voice sounded from within.

Fang Jing opened the door and led Chen Xian into the office…

Twenty minutes later, after completing the necessary paperwork, Chen Xian received a cash reward of one hundred thousand yuan. He stuffed the money into his backpack and walked out of the office.

Fang Jing looked at him and smiled. “Mr. Chen, carrying so much cash is dangerous. Why don’t I escort you to the bank to deposit it?”

“Thank you, Officer Fang! But you know my skills—anyone who tries to rob me must have a death wish,” Chen Xian said, unconcerned.

He spoke the truth; with his abilities, no one could take this reward from him.

Fang Jing’s eyes flashed with a sly light, her expression serious. “Mr. Chen, you must understand—criminals are ruthless, and you're out in the open while they're hiding in the shadows. It’s truly dangerous. If you don’t want my protection, then you must defeat me and prove your prowess. Otherwise, I insist on escorting you.”

Chen Xian stopped in his tracks, gazing intently at Fang Jing, a meaningful smile curving his lips. So the sly fox finally showed her tail. Her enthusiasm was just a roundabout way to challenge him—not to fight, but to ‘exchange martial arts.’

“Officer Fang, if you wanted to spar with me, you could have just said so!” Chen Xian replied.

It was just as well—he wanted to test the power of the first move of ‘Dragon Elephant Divine Fist,’ Azure Dragon’s Strike. Captain Fang would be a fine opponent.

He’d learned from the officers’ chatter that Fang Jing’s skills were formidable; otherwise, Captain Ma from the Narcotics Squad wouldn’t have avoided the branch for half a year.

Fang Jing was surprised by Chen Xian’s straightforwardness, pausing for a moment before her smile grew even brighter.

“No time like the present. Come with me to the training room—we’ll settle this now!” she said with excitement.

Chen Xian nodded, looking at the radiant beauty and thinking: Who would have thought such a stunning woman could be so violent—a martial arts fanatic, perhaps.

Soon, the two arrived at the training room, which was filled with equipment and a sparring ring for the officers to hone their bodies and practice combat.

After all, police work was dangerous, especially for criminal investigators who fought criminals on the front lines. Good skills were essential; daily training was a must.

Upon entering, Fang Jing ordered the officers training there to leave, then shut the door with a bang. She clapped her hands, strode to the ring, and with a powerful push from her long legs, sprang high and landed squarely on the platform—her movements crisp and impressive, revealing her exceptional skill.

Officer Fang beckoned to Chen Xian. “Come up! Just the two of us here—no one to interrupt. Show me your full strength; let me see just how powerful you truly are.”

As she’d said, she’d cleared the room so they could fight without distraction.

Chen Xian nodded, set down his backpack, and walked up the steps to the ring, facing the female officer.

Fang Jing frowned slightly, a hint of disdain and disappointment flickering deep in her eyes. She’d expected Chen Xian to be formidable, to leap onto the ring as she did—but he merely walked up, which seemed to betray a lack of skill.

Chen Xian caught the contempt in her gaze. “Officer Fang, shall we begin?” he said.