Chen Fan stood at the pier, his eyes sweeping across the vast horizon. It had been a long time since he had visited this place, but for some reason, the crashing waves seemed to bring back a piece of nostalgia he thought had long been lost. In front of him, a tense aura emanated from the faces of the judges. They exuded immense pressure, but Chen Fan didn't flinch. He was used to such looks, looks that tried to intimidate but were nothing more than a passing breeze to him.
"Bang!" The booming sound of a gavel broke the silence, starting an unavoidable drama.
"'God Hand' Chen Fan," Gulan's voice was deep and full of authority. "You are suspected of bribing former council members. Do you plead guilty?"
Chen Fan raised an eyebrow, not showing an ounce of respect. "No. Why should I plead? Where's the proof? Are you trying to force me to admit to something I didn't do?"
Gulan's face flushed. "Chen Fan! You're defying the Magic Council! Based on the rules, I have the right to detain you!"
"Detain me?" Chen Fan smirked, his smile cold. He picked his ear, a gesture that was both casual and provocative. "Go ahead, if you can. But be careful, don't you dare tear down this newly built Magic Council just for your ambition." After picking his ear, he flicked his finger, as if discarding something worthless.
Gulan's eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"
Chen Fan waved his hand nonchalantly. "You could say that. The point is, if you want to arrest me, bring evidence. My attitude may not be pleasant, but I'm not a criminal. The Magic Council shouldn't blame people without proof, or it will lose its credibility."
'How arrogant!' Gulan held back his boiling anger. His white beard seemed to tremble. He had heard rumors of Chen Fan's arrogance, but he never expected it to be this bad. In his heart, he thought, 'What proof is needed to falsely accuse someone?' If there was proof, it wouldn't be a false accusation, but a fact.
"So, you don't plead guilty?" Gulan asked, his tone more forceful.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Chen Fan replied in a bored tone. "Or do you not understand the language I'm using?"
Gulan gritted his teeth. "Alright! The bribery charge may be without proof, but the charge of you resisting arrest is clearly proven!"
Chen Fan sighed, as if dealing with a fool. "Ah, whatever. A bunch of strangers came claiming to be from the Council. Who gave them that right? I thought they were scammers. Not killing them was the highest form of politeness. Besides, I'm an honest man. I know exactly when I'm wrong and when I'm not. I'm a good person. For example, I 'founded an orphanage' for homeless children."
"That's to build your power!" Gulan snapped.
"Building a 'nursing home' for lonely seniors," Chen Fan continued, ignoring the interruption.
"That's for your reputation!"
"Building medical institutions that serve everyone!"
"That's your attempt to control public opinion!"
Chen Fan smiled wryly. "Listen, Mr. Gulan. If you want to spread rumors, you need proof. Otherwise, I'll sue you for defamation!"
The atmosphere in the room was tense. Cold sweat soaked the judges. They chose to remain silent, refusing to be the first to speak. They knew Chen Fan's power, and no one wanted to take the risk. But, they also knew, an order had been issued. If Chen Fan wasn't arrested, the dignity of the Magic Council would be shattered. Gulan cursed them in his heart. 'Why isn't one of them stepping up first?'
However, a smarter thought began to seep into their minds. Why should they fight Chen Fan? Wouldn't it be more logical to "win" him over? Yes, "win" him over. His support could stabilize their position in the magic world.
"How about this," one of the judges ventured. "It seems Chen Fan has realized his mistake. Let's detain him for half a month, then we'll release him. What do you think, Chairman Gulan?"
"Agreed!" Gulan nodded, much to everyone's relief.
Chen Fan's eyes widened. 'These people aren't stupid. They can twist facts so skillfully. These aren't ordinary people,' he thought to himself. He touched his chin, realizing he didn't have a beard yet. 'Sigh... a real man's charm lies in his beard.' His thoughts wandered as the judges whispered among themselves, reaching an agreement.
"Bang!" The gavel sounded again.
"After deliberation, we have decided to detain Chen Fan for two weeks as punishment. Punishment complete!" The judges immediately dispersed. This new Magic Council had made a fatal mistake: they tried to build authority by challenging the wrong person.
Chen Fan pursed his lips. 'Well, let's call it a vacation.' He had been very busy lately.
A few days later, at the Fairy Tail Guild, Wendy stood in front of the mission board, undecided. She turned to Carla.
"Is there a mission you like?"
"Too many choices."
"Yeah. It might be hard to complete the first mission alone," Mira said softly. "I suggest you try to help others first. The compensation is a bit less. Actually, Chen Fan could guide you, but he never takes missions."
"Never takes missions? Why?" Wendy and Carla didn't know much about Chen Fan.
Mira sighed. "Because he's too rich!"
"Very rich? How rich?" Wendy asked with wide eyes.
"He could probably buy the entire kingdom."
"What?! Big Brother Chen Fan is that rich?!" Wendy covered her mouth, amazed.
"That man is not a good person," Carla chimed in from the side.
"Why is that, Carla?"
"How can a good person have that much money? He must have robbed someone!" Carla yelled.
"Carla, don't say that behind someone's back, especially not Big Brother Chen Fan," Wendy scolded. "Didn't he always bring you delicious dried fish?"
Carla's face flushed. "I didn't ask for it! He gave it to me himself!"
Mira chuckled. "Haha, Chen Fan is like that, but his money comes from his businesses. And most of that money is spent on the orphanages and nursing homes he founded," she explained.
"Is that so?" Wendy's eyes sparkled. "Big Brother Chen Fan is amazing. Carla, don't say that again, okay?"
"Whatever you say. Besides, Chen Fan isn't here," Carla turned her face away.
Wendy became anxious again. "Ms. Mira, when will Big Brother Chen Fan be back? Did the Magic Council release him?"
"Haha, don't worry. The Council has spread the news that the issue wasn't serious. They just detained him in a room, so he's probably having fun right now!"
"Achoo!"
In the luxurious room he was staying in, Chen Fan sneezed. 'What's wrong? Am I sick? Impossible! I'm the strongest man in the world, how can I be sick?' He pinched his arm muscles, feeling a little inferior. Natsu and Gray had six-packs, while his stomach muscles were tightly clumped together. 'Someone must miss me. I've only been gone for a few days, and the pretty girls already miss me. I'm so charming,' he thought, laughing hideously.
Outside the door, two guards whispered.
Like the story? You can read 7 chapters and an exclusive collection at p@treon/Rzzzy!