“False accusation punished in return” means that if someone falsely accuses another, they will be punished according to the very crime they accused the other of.
To put it plainly, whatever crime you accuse someone of, you yourself must bear the punishment for that same crime.
This punishment system was established by the Merchant Alliance of the Eastern Extreme Region to maximize deterrence and severely punish those who maliciously frame others.
Otherwise, if people could falsely accuse others without consequence, the order of the marketplace would easily fall into chaos.
The moment Lin Chen mentioned “false accusation punished in return,” Captain Wang’s brows instantly furrowed.
The arrogant smile on Zhao Mang’s face froze stiff.
The surrounding crowd held their breath.
“False accusation punished in return? Right, our marketplace does have such a rule!”
“If no stolen goods are found, then Zhao Mang will have to…”
“This just got interesting!”
…
Captain Wang frowned deeply and said in a low voice, “That is indeed the rule. If no evidence is found, the accuser must bear the corresponding punishment.”
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and confirmed again, “So, if it is proven that Zhao Mang falsely accused me, he must compensate me for the goods he claimed were stolen, namely the Purple Crystal Glazed Flower and Dragon Yang Blood Ganoderma, and also receive 100 strokes of the rod in public. Is that correct?”
Captain Wang had no idea what Lin Chen was planning.
But this was indeed the regulation set by the Merchant Alliance across all marketplaces.
“That is correct,” he nodded, then urged again, “However, Young Master Lin, since you’ve brought up this rule, are you willing to accept the inspection to prove your innocence?”
His words sounded fair, yet in reality, he was still pressuring Lin Chen to hand over his storage ring.
“Of course there will be an inspection.”
Lin Chen remained calm, but his tone shifted, “However, I will not hand over my storage ring for you to search at your will.”
His gaze swept across Zhao Mang and Captain Wang, a trace of mockery at the corner of his lips, “Whoever makes the accusation must present evidence. Zhao Mang keeps insisting the stolen goods are in my ring, so let him produce proof. With nothing but empty words, you expect to search the personal belongings of the Lin Family’s heir? Captain Wang, when did the marketplace rules become such a joke? Or has the Zhao Family already begun to represent the rules of the marketplace?”
These words were like a soft blade, stabbing straight into Captain Wang’s heart.
He might dare to favor the Zhao Family, but he would never openly trample on marketplace regulations.
Seeing this, Zhao Mang immediately shouted, “Evidence? Lin Chen, you’re clearly guilty and afraid to let us search! You stole our goods, and your storage ring is the evidence! Once Captain Wang searches it, everything will be revealed!”
He firmly insisted the items were inside Lin Chen’s storage ring, while secretly giving Captain Wang a signal.
Captain Wang glanced at Lin Chen and said, “Young Master Lin, with so many people gathered here, the marketplace order is already being disrupted. If you refuse to let me inspect your storage ring, then you and Young Master Zhao will come with me.” Get faster updates on novelping . com.
“Come with me” naturally meant going to the marketplace administration office.
Lin Chen had long seen that Captain Wang and Zhao Mang were in collusion.
If he left the public eye, their underhanded manipulation would only become easier.
He could not go.
And he absolutely could not let them search his storage ring.
Lin Chen looked at Captain Wang and let out a faint laugh, “Captain Wang, if you want to search my storage ring, that’s fine, but you cannot be the one to do it.”
“Captain Wang is the captain of the Luoyun City marketplace guards. He has enforcement authority. If not him, then who else is qualified?” Zhao Mang immediately challenged.
Lin Chen ignored him completely. Instead, he turned to the crowd and spoke loudly, “I, Lin Chen, today purchased Dragon Scale Fruit, Spirit Gathering Grass, and Snow Lotus Seeds from the Pill Pavilion, 30 portions each. Here is the transaction proof!”
With a flick of his wrist, he actually took out the Pill Pavilion’s transaction jade slip.
The contents and time of the transaction were clearly recorded on it.
“You stole items from my Hundred Herbs Hall. What does that have to do with your purchases at the Pill Pavilion?” Zhao Mang couldn’t understand Lin Chen’s intention at all. All he wanted was for Captain Wang to search the storage ring immediately and confirm Lin Chen’s guilt.
Captain Wang, the onlookers, and Zhao Mang were all confused about what Lin Chen was planning.
Lin Chen glanced at Zhao Mang and cursed, “Idiot!”
“You!” Zhao Mang instantly flew into a rage.
Being insulted was one thing, but being called a pig… that he absolutely could not tolerate!
Lin Chen ignored him and instead cast his gaze beyond the crowd toward the Pill Pavilion. With a respectful gesture, he called out loudly, “Shopkeeper Sun, if I remember correctly, the Pill Pavilion also has a rule. Any items purchased from the Pill Pavilion are protected as long as they have not left the marketplace, correct?”
Zhao Mang and Captain Wang were stunned.
Even Sun Baocheng was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected that at such a critical moment, Lin Chen would remember this rule.
At the entrance of the Pill Pavilion, Lin Qianqian watched from afar, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes as she murmured, “Under such intense pressure, he can still find a way to break the situation. Not bad.”
Then she shook her head slightly, “A pity he has lost his spiritual root.”
Sun Baocheng was puzzled, “What kind of solution is this?”
Lin Qianqian smiled faintly, “You’ll see soon. Go help that Lin Family heir.”
“Yes.”
Sun Baocheng had already felt it was a pity for Lin Chen. Now that Lin Qianqian had spoken, he immediately strode forward.
Standing before the crowd, he said, “Our Pill Pavilion indeed has such a rule. It is a guarantee from the Alchemist Association to all customers. Any items purchased from our Pill Pavilion are protected as long as they remain within the marketplace!” Read the latest chapters at novelping.com.
“Shopkeeper Sun, this is a matter between our Hundred Herbs Hall and Lin Chen. It has nothing to do with the Pill Pavilion,” Zhao Mang said, his tone much more polite in front of Sun Baocheng.
After all, the Pill Pavilion was backed by the Alchemist Association.
“Who said it has nothing to do with it?” Lin Chen looked at Zhao Mang, a teasing smile appearing on his face, “If I hand over my storage ring and, after the inspection, a few items I purchased from the Pill Pavilion conveniently go missing, what then?”
“Captain Wang enforces the law fairly…” Zhao Mang had just begun to speak when Lin Chen cut him off.
Lin Chen smiled calmly, “I’m not saying Captain Wang is unfair, but no system is perfect. Mistakes happen. Therefore, I request that the Pill Pavilion of the Alchemist Association intervene. Let Shopkeeper Sun personally inspect my storage ring. If Captain Wang is concerned, he may supervise.”
“That’s right! Let the Alchemist Association handle the inspection!”
Someone in the crowd shouted.
Immediately, voices of agreement erupted.
“The Pill Pavilion has a long-standing reputation. We trust them!”
“With Shopkeeper Sun and Captain Wang inspecting together, it’ll be completely fair!”
“Please, Shopkeeper Sun, uphold justice!”
…
In an instant, the situation seemed to reverse.
Zhao Mang’s face turned dark.
If Sun Baocheng personally conducted the inspection, then even with Captain Wang present, it would be impossible to tamper with anything.
“Zhao Mang!” Lin Chen suddenly shouted sharply.
The sudden roar startled Zhao Mang so badly that he nearly lost his soul.
“If even half a stalk of the Purple Crystal Glazed Flower or Dragon Yang Blood Ganoderma is found in my storage ring, I, Lin Chen, will admit guilt and accept punishment without complaint. But if nothing is found, have you considered the consequences?”
Lin Chen’s voice was cold.
Zhao Mang’s heartbeat suddenly quickened, and fear quietly spread within him.
He was completely flustered. He had never expected Lin Chen to remain so calm, nor that he would use the Pill Pavilion’s rules to bring Sun Baocheng into the situation as a witness.
The method he had arranged to plant evidence could not possibly be carried out in front of Sun Baocheng.
“S-S-Shopkeeper Sun is busy with countless matters. There’s no need to trouble him with such a small issue…” Zhao Mang tried to salvage the situation.
However, Sun Baocheng waved his sleeve and said, “It doesn’t matter. Since this matter concerns the reputation of a customer of my Pill Pavilion, I am willing to act as a witness. Before everyone here, I will inspect Young Master Lin’s storage ring together with Captain Wang and uncover the truth for all parties.”
At that moment, Zhao Mang was so frightened that even the corners of his mouth trembled.
Once Sun Baocheng confirmed that Lin Chen had not committed theft, then…