The male supporting character was actually myself.

Either they are of a higher level than you and can conceal their aura so that no one can detect them.

"What did you say?" Lu Fan was taken aback by what he heard, his heart filled with doubt.

Did that fat guy sue you?

Absolutely impossible! Before leaving, I confirmed that all three of them were bewitched by the Illusion Mirror and would take at least an incense stick's time to slowly wake up. They couldn't possibly remember what happened or have any recollection of me!

How could they be sued in such a short time?

He was completely baffled, but Officer Zhang gave the suspect no chance to stall for time. He immediately ordered his men to drag Lu Fan up from both sides. "Please pay your bill and come with us. If it is proven that the other party made a false accusation, we will give you an explanation."

"Hey, why are you being so unreasonable? I haven't finished eating yet..." Lu Fan was full of questions, wondering which part of the process had gone wrong.

He planned to stall for time so he could take out the Illusion Mirror and create a collective hallucination for everyone, making it easier for him to slip away.

Unexpectedly, the two junior second-level constables were quite experienced and quickly subdued him.

Unfortunately, his useless body couldn't circulate spiritual energy, so Lu Fan could only take a deep breath and pretend to comply, saying, "Please don't rush to arrest me, I need to pay the bill first..."

As he spoke, he reached for the coat lying to the side, sneering inwardly, "Once I get my hands on the ancient mirror, will you still be able to do whatever you want with me?"

However, as Lu Fan confidently reached into his pocket, a chill ran down his spine!

Where is the Mirror of Illusion?!

He frantically broke free from the two constables, picked up his tattered coat, and felt around in all directions, but still couldn't find the palm-sized, cool-to-the-touch magical ancient mirror!

"Oh no, I lost something!" His only powerful support was gone. Lu Fan panicked and crawled on the ground to search carefully to see if he had accidentally dropped it.

Seeing this, Constable Zhang's face darkened, and he coldly retorted, "Stop pretending! Look at you, all ragged and disheveled, what could you possibly have lost? You're probably trying to dine and dash, making up some excuse about losing money at the restaurant, aren't you?"

Upon hearing that the other party was going to dine and dash, the hotel owner immediately slapped his thigh in frustration and said, "This poor wretch really has no money."

Oh dear! Just now he came into the shop and ordered a bunch of chicken, duck, fish, meat, and top-quality wine. My waiter even reminded him to make sure he had enough money so he wouldn't be unable to pay after eating and drinking his fill.

This guy complained that the waiter was looking down on people and started spouting nonsense. I thought that we were at least running a business, and judging from his words and actions, he didn't seem like a scoundrel, so I scolded the waiter and ordered the chef to prepare a table full of delicious food for him.

Good heavens! This is a feast that costs twelve taels of silver per table!

I wronged the waiter; I should have made him pay before cooking..."

The boss regretted it so much he slapped his thigh until it turned blue. The little white cat, who was squatting to the side watching the show, laughed so hard he couldn't stop. He hurriedly described to his host how the wild pseudo-master was ridiculed in public with his halo, "Hehe, his halo is so interesting."

He gets mocked wherever he goes, with people waiting to give him a chance to show off and be humiliated.

It seemed Lu Fan was planning to pay the bill with a large sum of silver after he had eaten and drunk his fill, and slap him in the face. He never expected such a dramatic turn of events.

"Hmm, now the wild demon king is in a dilemma." Jiang Chen covered his mouth with his paw and chuckled. "Not paying the bill is like dining and dashing; paying the bill and taking the silver will expose the money bag of the wealthy merchant he swindled, and then he'll be caught red-handed!"

Lu Fan clearly hadn't thought of this yet. He was so anxious that he was sweating profusely and lay on the ground, wanting to feel every crack in the brickwork. He got up and shook his coat again and again, feeling it from head to toe, but still couldn't find any trace of the Illusion Mirror.

"Thief! There's a thief in the store! He stole my treasure!"

"This shouldn't be! I clearly put it here! What happened? How could it be lost?" As excited as he was when he unexpectedly obtained the divine artifact, Lu Fan was now filled with despair.

He clearly remembered putting the antique mirror in his coat pocket, and even folding it neatly and placing it beside him in case it fell out.

The waiter served the food from his left side the whole time, and he was watching him closely, so there was no chance for him to tamper with the food; but he was the only person in the entire private room from beginning to end...

This is fucking bizarre!

The thought of losing such a rare and precious ancient mirror made Lu Fan's mind somewhat unsettled.

Even at his peak, when he reigned supreme among the demons and possessed countless magical treasures, he didn't have a single divine artifact! By sheer luck, he was reborn and was able to use a human body to be protected by the human world and live another life. He even bought the Illusionary Mirror with a few copper coins. He once firmly believed that he was the chosen one and was destined to soar to the heavens.

But now...

"My baby! My precious baby has been stolen!" Lu Fan was frantic, but he could do nothing but roar and scream.

He hated, hated the thief who stole the ancient mirror;

He resented, he resented this useless body;

He was furious that the good-for-nothing didn't have a pocket inside his clothes, and that he had to put the artifact in his coat, which gave the thief the opportunity to steal it!

Damn you, God! Since you gave me a second chance at life, why do you keep making things difficult for me?

Once I, the Demon King, have overcome this tribulation, I will surely shatter this wicked Heaven and completely change the world!

Chapter Nine: The Correct Way to Use the Treasure-Hunting Mouse

"Enough with the nonsense, men, seize him!" Constable Zhang had worked in the government office for many years; what storms hadn't he seen?

Those who feign madness and act foolish to cheat and swindle—you can only say that there are all sorts of birds in a big forest.

Two constables stepped forward and pinned down the struggling Lu Fan. With a little spiritual power, he became unshakeable and was obediently carried away like a defeated chick.

“Learn from your mistakes. It’s not that I’m looking down on people, but even if someone is dressed in rags, it’s safer to pay first before serving the food.” Officer Zhang, looking imposing, escorted the suspect downstairs and advised the hotel owner, who was slapping his thigh in distress, “Don’t worry, the government will give you an explanation after the interrogation.”

The hotel owner was still sighing when the waiter hurriedly stepped forward and reminded him, "Master, you should go to the government office quickly! After his previous case is over, you can sue him for dining and dashing. The government office will definitely give you an answer."

"Yes, you're so clever!" The boss thought for a moment and hurriedly chased after him.

What if that kid commits a serious crime, and the prefect doesn't have time to deal with this twelve-tael silver feast? Wouldn't I be left with no recourse?

The boss felt guilty for scolding the waiter earlier because he hadn't listened to him in a moment of lapse in judgment. He thought that once he got the money back for the food and drinks, he would reward the waiter with some silver as encouragement.

“These superhumans have really gotten into trouble lately. First, there was Ling Qiye who killed someone in public, and then this guy who freeloaded.”

"Ugh~ That's not comparable. Even if Lord Ling killed someone, he killed a superhuman; he didn't target ordinary people like us. This kid is different; using superhuman abilities to swindle money is disgusting!"

"Look at his shabby appearance, could he be a superhuman? I don't believe it!"

"I also think he's probably a con artist. Even a newly awakened superhuman wouldn't be this down on his luck."

"This kid looks familiar. Isn't he that guy who got kicked out of White Crane Academy before, named... something like Fan?"

"Lu Fan! That's right, it's him. It's said that he was discovered when he tried to assassinate Ling Qiye, and his martial arts were ruined and he was kicked out. He's been setting up a stall on South Street to write letters and couplets for people ever since."

"Then, he shouldn't be considered a superhuman, right?"

"Who knows? I heard that the people he tricked handed over their money bags and valuables as if they were in a dream. Even if it wasn't magic, it's possible he drugged them!"

"Superhumans are far stronger than ordinary people. They have plenty of ways to attack us if they want to, and we can only be slaughtered at their mercy."

"Therefore, those with extraordinary abilities are the real scourge! They should never be allowed to remain in the world..."

…………

People on both sides of the road pointed and whispered, while Constable Zhang walked ahead with his head held high and chest out.

Two constables escorted Lu Fan through the middle;

Behind him were two constables preventing the suspect from escaping;

The restaurant owner was following behind, demanding payment for the meal.

Jiang Chen walked side by side with the little white cat at the very back, keeping a close eye on the halo to make sure it wouldn't explode and cause any more trouble.

"Who are you here? What is the charge?" Once the plaintiff and defendant were both present, the Prefect of Kyoto slammed his gavel and demanded.

The area outside the government office was crowded with onlookers who, with their chatter and pointing, quickly revealed all of Lu Fan's current situation.

"My lord, I am Cao Sanchuan from Jinqiao. I was passing through Kyoto on business and originally intended to take some local specialties and toys back for my family. I didn't expect to run into this fellow on Shiqin Street!"

The wealthy merchant knelt below the hall, pointing at Lu Fan and said angrily, "I don't know what method he used to make me vaguely see my childhood sweetheart, Tao Mei!"

In his early years, this humble man came from a poor family. He and his childhood sweetheart, Tao Mei, were in love but he was unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility of supporting his family. In order to prevent her from suffering with him, the two made a three-year pact.

We agreed that three years later, I would make something of myself and marry her in a grand wedding procession. But unexpectedly, while I was away on business, Tao Mei fell ill and died young..."

The wealthy businessman burst into tears, covering his face, thinking that he hadn't even seen his beloved girl one last time. "Tao Mei has always been a source of pain in my heart. Over the years, my business has become more and more successful, but I have never married or had children. I always think that if I had worked harder in the past, perhaps Tao Mei would not have died young because she couldn't afford medical treatment."

This past event was kept buried deep in my heart, and I never told anyone about it.

Unexpectedly, after encountering this guy on Shiqin Street today, I vaguely saw Tao Mei standing under the peach tree she planted herself, smiling slightly. Then she said she was having a hard time and needed some financial assistance from the common people.

The commoner offered up his money pouch, but she was still not satisfied and demanded a jade thumb ring and a jade pendant. At the time, I don't know what happened, but I took them all off and gave them to her in a daze!

"My lord, you must do justice for this humble citizen! The money is a small matter; to use supernatural means to swindle money from the deceased is a grave offense. Such a wicked cultivator deserves to be punished!"

The two servants also vividly described how they were momentarily confused and bewitched.

The prefect of Kyoto looked solemnly at his advisor, who clearly possessed some special skills. After staring at the three wealthy merchants for a moment with his pure black pupils, the advisor shook his head and said softly, "Sir, the plaintiff did not lie."

"Defendant, what do you have to say?" the prefect asked, slamming his gavel.

Lu Fan had already recovered from the shock of losing the Illusion Mirror. As a demon king who had cultivated for a thousand years, he still had the composure to handle setbacks. Although his heart was bleeding with pain, his life was obviously more important than survival.

Another crucial point is that this useless body can withstand scrutiny.

Lacking spiritual power and penniless, he naturally couldn't use any extraordinary methods. Now that the Illusionary Mirror was lost, no matter how eloquently Cao Sanchuan spoke, this good-for-nothing couldn't do it.

Without evidence, the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" applies; even the Prefect of Kyoto cannot wrong an innocent person.

Having made up his mind, he glanced coldly at the wealthy merchant Cao Sanchuan, then narrowed his eyes and looked at the high and mighty prefect, explaining in a deep voice, "Your Excellency, this humble subject Lu Fan is truly innocent!"

A few years ago, Cao Sanchuan's false accusation might have been successful.

After all, Lu Fan was once a prodigy of the White Crane Academy. Unfortunately, after being framed by villains and having his martial arts skills stripped and expelled from the academy, he was now worse off than an ordinary person.

On ordinary days, he could only earn a few copper coins by writing letters for people on South Street to barely make a living. What kind of tricks could he possibly use to deceive people?

"I was merely passing through Shiqin Street today when Cao Sanchuan, accompanied by two servants, rushed over, greeting me warmly and offering me money and valuables. I didn't want to accept them, but I couldn't resist his excessive enthusiasm."

As he spoke, Lu Fan pulled out an untouched money pouch, jade ring, and jade pendant from his pocket, saying in a calm tone, "Let's not even talk about whether superhumans have the ability to instantly induce hallucinations..."

If a commoner really intended to swindle money, why didn't he just take the silver and not the purse as soon as he got the money?

Why not hide the two valuable jade artifacts instead? Wouldn't that leave no physical evidence and prevent anyone from noticing?

The commoner, living in poverty and hunger, received a generous gift and then went to the Drunken Immortal Inn for a meal without any attempt to evade responsibility. Is this the behavior expected of a criminal who has successfully swindled money?

As he spoke in his defense, Lu Fan couldn't help but sigh at how utterly weak the mortal realm was!

Judging from the original owner's memories that were devoured, those so-called cultivators in the human world were nothing more than martial artists who were slightly stronger than ordinary people. They were naturally unable to distinguish even the most basic and simple illusions.

As long as he insists that he has nothing to do with this matter and escapes this calamity, he can repair this useless body and cultivate high-level demonic techniques. Then, he can easily walk in the world and even surpass the imperial power with all kinds of unpredictable spells!

The Demon King was quite confident; his current predicament was merely a matter of bad luck and a lack of time and elixirs. Once this matter was resolved, he would certainly be even more cautious…

"Oh dear, even though it's a wild one, this aura is still quite effective." The little white cat squatted to the side, wagging its fluffy tail. Seeing that Lu Fan's excuses were turning around, it jumped up, wanting to go forward and help.

Jiang Chen swiftly reached out and pinned it down with his paw, whispering, "Don't be impatient. Let him escape from the government office smoothly. We finally encountered a wild 'halo' (a powerful, influential figure), shouldn't we take full advantage of him? Let him play the role of a treasure-hunting rat, contributing to the strengthening of the human race, so that he can make the best use of his abilities."

Fluffy dumpling: ⊙(?◇?)？