Chapter 14: What on Earth is Guilt?

Following tireless search and rescue efforts at sea, the search vessel used radar to locate the sunken fishing boat. The vessel had been dilapidated to begin with; after taking on water, sinking, and being battered by ocean currents, it had essentially fallen apart. Divers were deployed to scour the area, eventually recovering three incomplete sets of remains, which had been picked over by carnivorous sea creatures until only skulls and a few scattered bones remained.

Using underwater metal detectors, they also recovered several weapons and two mobile phones. The remaining minor items were essentially impossible to trace.

Following identification by the Evidence Division of the "Celestial Court" organization’s Fuling City Brigade, the number of bodies and the inventory of weapons were found to be consistent with the testimonies provided by Shuisheng and the two injured law enforcement officers. The brigade’s tribunal convened, found Shuisheng innocent, and ordered his release. The facial reconstructions of the three deceased were circulated among subordinate units to determine their true identities. Their mobile phones were handed over to technical staff to see if they could be restored and yield valuable information. As for Shuisheng’s claim that there were accomplices, since no footprints or fingerprints were found at his home—the perpetrators having clearly taken protective measures and acted in the early dawn hours with no witnesses—the matter was placed on record for continued follow-up.

When Lin Shaowei escorted Shuisheng out of the detention cell, he had already spent nine days there. Clutching his belongings, he looked back, a glimmer of attachment in his eyes.

"What, you’re reluctant to leave?" Lin Shaowei teased.

"I am," Shuisheng said earnestly. "Honestly, the conditions here are much better than at home. At my place, I haven't had a good night's sleep in ages. There... well, never mind. But here, I really slept well. If I didn't want to go to bed early, someone would urge me to; if I didn't want to wake up early, someone would urge me to. Three regular meals a day, hot showers, and I could watch TV and read the papers to keep up with national affairs. The moment I complained of a headache or fever, a doctor would rush over, frantic, asking this and that. Honestly... in my fourteen years of life, I’ve never been cared for so intensely. A guy in the next cell said he’s been here for months and his fatty liver is gone. It really is good for your health."

"Stop, please," Lin Shaowei said, covering her face.

Shao Gang drove a government vehicle over and opened the door. "Get in, I’ll take you home."

Lin Shaowei said, "Let him put his things in first. Section Chief Lu wants to see him; he has more to say."

Shao Gang helped Shuisheng put his personal items in the car. "Then I’ll wait for you in the parking lot."

Lin Shaowei led Shuisheng back to the fourth floor of the office building, to the office of the Deputy Chief of the Combat Enforcement Division. Only Lu Xingzhou was inside, accompanied by a desk, a computer, a large bookcase, and a tea set.

"You're here. Please, sit." Compared to their first meeting, Lu Xingzhou was much warmer, his face lit with a smile. He invited Shuisheng to sit and began brewing tea.

"Section Chief Lu, I haven't seen you act this warmly toward anyone in a long time," Lin Shaowei remarked softly.

"Is it because of guilt?" Shuisheng immediately interjected.

Guilt... Lu Xingzhou and Lin Shaowei were instantly petrified. What on earth was guilt?

"W-why would you say that?" Lin Shaowei forced a smile.

"I was innocent all along, or perhaps even deserving of credit for sinking the boat and eliminating three criminals, yet I suffered nine days of wrongful imprisonment," Shuisheng said slowly. "To be punished without fault and unrewarded for merit—shouldn't you feel guilty?"

Lin Shaowei thought, *That's not what you said a moment ago. Didn't you think the detention cell was quite nice?*

After a moment of shock, Lu Xingzhou immediately understood the boy's intent. This kid was looking for a reward or compensation from the Fuling City Brigade! His family background was poor, and the sinking of his boat was likely a significant loss. If he could obtain some compensation here, it would be a huge boon for him.

*Good thing I was prepared.* Lu Xingzhou smiled. "I understand what you mean." He reached out, dialed a phone, and said into the receiver, "You can come in now."

Less than a minute later, a man and a woman entered. They were the very same law enforcement officers Shuisheng had rescued.

The man held a silk banner inscribed with the words "Good Citizen, Heroic and Courageous," with a smaller inscription below: "The Celestial Court Organization's Fuling City Brigade pays tribute to Mr. Shuisheng for his heroic rescue." The woman carried a bouquet of flowers. Both bowed to Shuisheng. "Thank you, Mr. Shuisheng, for your selfless rescue. Your heroic actions have set a standard for unity and cooperation between citizens and law enforcement."

Shuisheng: ...

*That's it?* He awkwardly took the flowers and the banner, muttering, "You're welcome, it's what a good citizen should do," then looked at Lu Xingzhou and Lin Shaowei with expectant eyes, wondering if there was more.

"Oh, look at my memory!" Lu Xingzhou slapped his forehead and quickly took an envelope from his desk. "This is a 2,000-yuan reward from the Fuling City Heroic Deeds Foundation. Please, you must accept it."

Shuisheng accepted it "must" and "certainly," then turned his expectant gaze back to Lin Shaowei.

Lin Shaowei: ...

"You two can head back now. I have a few more words for Shuisheng," Lu Xingzhou said.

Lin Shaowei led the two officers away and closed the office door from the outside.

*Is that all?* Shuisheng looked at the banner, flowers, and envelope, feeling depressed. *If I wanted to buy a new fishing boat, 2,000 yuan wouldn't even cover the engine. Seriously, don't you feel even a little bit guilty?*

"Mr. Shuisheng, I asked you to stay behind because I want you to join our Celestial Court organization," Lu Xingzhou said.

"Join you?" This was something Shuisheng had never even imagined. He had heard that the basic requirement to join the "Celestial Court" was a high level of education, and most recruits had to train and study at their various camps or academies. With only an elementary school education, he couldn't possibly meet those criteria.

"That's right. I can recommend you for training at the Nanxing Province Celestial Thunder Academy. After three years, you will join our Fuling City Brigade as a qualified law enforcement officer," Lu Xingzhou said. "You have excellent ability to adapt to changing circumstances; I have high hopes for you."

He was very confident that the boy would join the organization as planned, grow steadily, and perhaps even become a capable subordinate of his own in the future.

To his surprise, Shuisheng, clutching his banner and flowers, suddenly took two steps back. "May I ask, Section Chief, is the study at this Celestial Thunder Academy quasi-military? Does it require closed-off management? How is life guaranteed?"

"It's not just quasi-military; it is full military-style closed management," Lu Xingzhou replied. "You needn't worry about food, clothing, housing, or transportation; all expenses are covered by the academy. You only need to focus on your studies and cultivation."

"Oh, right. Students at the Celestial Thunder Academy receive a monthly allowance of 320 Donghua Yuan, which is basically enough to cover living expenses."

320 yuan a month...

"And if I finish my studies and join the Celestial Court after three years, what would the salary be?" Shuisheng continued to ask.

Section Chief Lu felt something was off, but he rattled off the details as if they were common knowledge. "The first year out of the academy, you are a trainee with a salary of 2,200 yuan per month. The second year, you become a Level 4 Law Enforcement Officer with a salary of 3,500 yuan per month, increasing year by year... By the time you’ve worked for ten years, you'll be making about 10,000 yuan... Wait, where did he go?"

He suddenly realized that with a flash of movement, the youth had vanished. Only the vibrant flowers and the bright red banner remained where he had been standing.

"Hey! Kid! Kid!" He chased out the door.

He saw a figure leap from the fourth floor and dash like a streak of smoke toward the government car that had been waiting to take him away.

Lu Xingzhou: ...