At that moment, after Cheng Xiaofan had eliminated Mu Yisheng, Po Tian Ying had concealed its form and arrived to pick him up. Naturally, the surveillance cameras couldn't capture its trace.
It was just that Cheng Xiaofan hadn't carefully examined the surrounding situation. He hadn't expected that the vicinity around Lion Village would be installed with so many police surveillance cameras.
When He Dazhuang recounted the events, the shop owner happily said to everyone present, "Everyone, whether you are from out of town or local, tonight's treat is on me. Just eat as much as you want!"
"It's a pity we don't know who that young stranger was. It's truly regrettable!"
"Hahaha!"
Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the door. "Shop owner, running a business isn't easy. Tonight's meal will be on us from the station!"
As the words fell, several middle-aged men accompanied by a few police officers appeared in the shop.
He Dazhuang quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Uncle, you're here too!"
The middle-aged man smiled, "Dazhuang, if you can come here, why can't I?"
"The elimination of Mu Yisheng and his group is a cause for great celebration. Upon receiving the report, the higher authorities rewarded our police station with two hundred thousand yuan."
"We specifically rushed here tonight to celebrate!"
He Dazhuang chuckled, "Uncle, the higher-ups shouldn't just hand out bonuses. Those wicked people from Lion Village were eliminated by that young man. What does it have to do with your police station?"
"Doesn't your conscience ache for taking this reward money?"
The middle-aged man glared at He Dazhuang and said, "What are you saying? It's as if we are all idle and useless. In the past, we've endured a lot of hardship to collect evidence against these wicked people!"
He Dazhuang, his nephew, could indeed stir up trouble for his uncle. "Anyway, we benefited from that young man's actions. Without him, you would never have been able to get rid of Mu Yisheng and his lot in this lifetime!"
"Dazhuang, I won't argue with you about this, alright?"
In front of his nephew, the middle-aged man had to concede. He clasped his hands together and said, "Let's not say anything more. It's getting late. Let's all have a peaceful meal!"
At this, Tang Guoxing couldn't help but smile and say to Cheng Xiaofan, "Mr. Cheng, if they had discovered this was your doing, you probably wouldn't have been able to leave tomorrow. Every household in this town would be inviting you home for meals, one after another."
"This is also a local custom here!"
Cheng Xiaofan asked softly, "Do you have anyone you know in this Lion Town?"
Tang Guoxing shook his head repeatedly and said, "My hometown is in a nearby county. I'm not really familiar with the people in Lion Town."
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "That's good. Let's eat quickly and head back to the hotel once we're done!"
Tang Guoxing and Luo Cheng immediately showed signs of understanding. Cheng Xiaofan was worried that if he were recognized here, he wouldn't be able to leave.
The three of them finished their meal quickly.
After eating, Cheng Xiaofan and Tang Guoxing prepared to leave first, letting Luo Cheng go to pay the bill.
But!
As the two of them stood up, He Dazhuang's uncle, Fang Jiayi, happened to turn around, and his gaze fell upon Cheng Xiaofan.
The moment Fang Jiayi saw Cheng Xiaofan, his entire body trembled.
Immediately, he exclaimed with surprise and joy, "Ah, I recognize you! You, you, you—you're Cheng Xiaofan from Zhuxi Village!"
"Grandmaster Cheng, I never imagined I, Fang Jiayi, would have the honor of meeting you here!"
Bang!
As Fang Jiayi ran towards Cheng Xiaofan, he unexpectedly tripped over a stool and tumbled to the ground.
He even lost the police cap he was wearing on the ground.
But he couldn't be bothered to pick up his hat and immediately ran towards Cheng Xiaofan, saying, "I'm sorry, I got too excited!"
Fang Jiayi's startled shout, like a thunderclap, left everyone present dumbfounded.
Who exactly was this Cheng Xiaofan? How could he make the respectable head of the Lion Town police station so overjoyed?
Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but be taken aback!
He couldn't figure out how this fellow recognized him.
To avoid trouble, he feigned ignorance and said, "I'm sorry, respected leader of the police station, you must have mistaken me for someone else!"
Fang Jiayi chuckled, "Grandmaster Cheng, I can assure you I haven't mistaken you. I've seen your photos and live stream videos on the martial arts forum!"
"You usually like to wear this white casual outfit the most!"
"That's right, in the surveillance footage, the person fighting Mu Yisheng was also wearing a casual outfit just like yours. That person must be you!"
"If it wasn't you, then no one could have eliminated Mu Yisheng and his gang of desperadoes!"
"..." At this point, Cheng Xiaofan could no longer pretend to be foolish.
Seeing the crowd in the small eatery gathering around him, he immediately put on a very serious expression and said to Fang Jiayi, "Since you've recognized me, I'll be frank with you. I am indeed Cheng Xiaofan!"
"Mu Yisheng kidnapped these two people by my side. I came to rescue them."
"Furthermore, every action I take represents the behavior of the Martial Affairs Bureau. I hope you will not publicize this excessively!"
"Yes, yes, yes, Fang understands!" As the head of the local police station, he naturally knew that the Martial Affairs Bureau was not to be trifled with.
Snap!
Fang Jiayi immediately stood at attention and saluted Cheng Xiaofan respectfully.
Seeing Fang Jiayi's humble demeanor in front of Cheng Xiaofan, everyone present immediately realized that he was an extraordinary figure.
Otherwise, Officer Fang, who was usually arrogant in town, wouldn't have been so overwhelmed by the other's presence that he was almost bending down.
"Director Fang, my two friends are staying at the hotel opposite tonight. Their safety will be the responsibility of your police station!" Cheng Xiaofan said.
Fang Jiayi immediately patted his chest and vowed, "Please rest assured, Grandmaster Cheng. With me here, no one will dare to provoke them."
Hearing this, Tang Guoxing asked Cheng Xiaofan with confusion, "Mr. Cheng, judging by what you said, you're leaving Lion Town tonight?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "Yes, Elder Tang. I suddenly remembered I have some matters to attend to back home, so I'll be leaving first!"
In reality, he could have stayed overnight.
However, his identity had been exposed here. He knew that the news would quickly spread throughout Lion Town, and everyone in Lion Town would likely flock to the hotel, making it impossible for him to even get a peaceful night's sleep.
Even if he could ask the police to block those curious onlookers, doing so would hurt people's feelings.
Therefore, it was better to leave.
Tang Guoxing nodded and smiled upon hearing this, "Alright, Luo Cheng and I will depart first thing tomorrow morning!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "Elder Tang, safety is paramount. There's no need to rush your departure so early!"
"Chirp—"
As he finished speaking, Po Tian Ying, having received a spiritual intuition, had already landed on a tree in front of the small eatery.
"Everyone, I'm off!"
Immediately, Cheng Xiaofan cupped his fists in a salute to everyone present and swept out the door like a whirlwind. Everyone followed closely behind him out the door.
This time, Po Tian Ying did not conceal its form.
Under the bright moonlight, Cheng Xiaofan leaped into the air, soaring more than ten meters high, and lightly landed on the back of a giant eagle.
"Chirp—Chirp—"
Po Tian Ying, carrying Cheng Xiaofan, let out two long cries and flew in the direction of the rising moon.
"Heavens—" everyone exclaimed, frozen on the spot!
Some even knelt on the ground and prostrated themselves towards the direction of the moon!