Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 7

On a crowded street, a middle-aged man shouted helplessly about his stolen money. Yet, the passersby only glanced over before quickly looking away. Not a single person stepped forward to ask what happened.

It wasn’t that people had grown cold—it was that no one had seen the thief. And with everyone acting like innocent bystanders, who dared risk being accused of stealing themselves?

“Hello?! Police station? Help! My money was stolen!”

“Officer, please—you’ve got to save me! That money is for my wife’s surgery! Her life depends on it!”

“What? Just now, on Fengshan Road Old Street, near the Agricultural Self-Service Bank. There were so many people, and then—just like that—my money was gone!”

“Officer, please, hurry! My wife’s waiting in the hospital for that money!”

The middle-aged man, Wu Sanmao, was drenched in sweat, slapping his thighs in regret. If only he’d held his bag tighter against his chest.

Five minutes later, two officers from Chengxi Police Station arrived.

Wu Sanmao sat slumped on the steps of a convenience store, despair written all over his face.

“You the one who reported?”

“Y-yes…”

“Name?”

“Wu Sanmao.”

“Where did the money go missing?”

…

The officers surveyed the scene. The only surveillance camera nearby was on the front of an internet café—broken.

One officer frowned. “What rotten luck. The one camera that could’ve caught it is dead.”

The older officer analyzed calmly: “A seasoned thief. Must’ve scouted ahead, knew the camera was broken. The cut on the bag was clean—classic razor technique.”

“Officer, I beg you! Please catch him! My wife’s still lying in the hospital bed, waiting for that money for surgery!”

Tears streamed down Wu Sanmao’s face. His last hope was the two officers before him.

“Don’t worry, sir. We’ll do our best.”

The officers’ expressions hardened. That bastard hadn’t just stolen money—he’d stolen someone’s chance to live.

They pulled all usable surveillance in the area, combed through every passerby during the timeframe.

But—nothing. Not a single suspicious figure.

…

Meanwhile, Lu Cheng had already tailed the pickpocket from Fengshan Road, through Xiang’an Street, and onto East Third Road.

The thin man with glasses glanced around warily before slipping into a deserted alley.

Lu Cheng had to admit—the thief was sharp. Every so often, he turned his head, scanning for tails.

He even stopped for wontons at a small diner, pretending to eat while scoping his surroundings. A seasoned professional.

Fortunately, Lu Cheng had his “Flycatcher” system marking the thief, allowing him to follow without needing direct sight.

When tailing, he avoided staring at the man. Eye contact alone could trigger a criminal’s sixth sense.

If he locks eyes with me, I’m done.

Lu Cheng knew he was still green. He had to be cautious—extra cautious.

He even changed clothes midway, so the thief wouldn’t remember him by his outfit.

Could he have rushed in earlier? Yes. But it was risky.

First—he wasn’t on duty. No gear, no uniform, just his bare hands.

Second—the thief carried blades. In a crowded street, any slip-up could cost lives.

No—better to wait. Once the thief stopped somewhere quiet to check the loot—that was the moment to strike.

And now, the chance had come.

The man pulled a wad of crisp bills wrapped in newspaper from his waistband by a trash can, inhaling the fresh ink scent.

Cash withdrawals were rare these days, but Wu Sanmao, an older migrant worker with only a basic phone, was easy prey.

The thief pocketed the money, tossed the wallet into the trash, and ditched the SIM card from a stolen phone.

He whistled cheerfully, ready to leave.

Suddenly—

A shadow lunged from behind.

His vision blurred, pain exploding at the back of his skull as a brutal hand chop struck. Stars filled his eyes; his knees nearly buckled.

Not a punch. Not a kick. A precise hand strike to the back of the head—meant to disable.

Damn… he’s trained.

Gritting his teeth, he flipped his wrist, a razor blade flashing between his fingers as he slashed backward.

A sharp wind brushed his back—his target had dodged.

The thief staggered away, buying distance.

In the alley’s corner, Lu Cheng stood steady, eyes cold.

As expected, not easy prey.

He’d landed the first strike, but when the man didn’t go down, Lu Cheng had aimed a follow-up kick—only for the thief’s blade to force him to pull back. Better to forgo the hit than take a cut to the leg.

The thief pinched his tiger’s mouth hard, forcing his head clear, eyes narrowing.

“Kid… you a cop?”

“That’s right. I’m with Chengxi Police Station. Three more officers are closing in. You can’t escape. Surrender now—resisting will only add to your sentence.”

Of course, Lu Cheng lied. He hadn’t had time to call for backup while tailing at a hundred-and-eighty-meter distance. But if the bluff worked, all the better.

The thief glanced behind him. Nothing but a high wall. No way out.

Surrender? Impossible.

Too many crimes on his back already—one more charge didn’t matter.

And this kid? Young, no uniform, no gear. Off-duty. Bluffing about backup? Ridiculous.

“Hah. A rookie cop earning peanuts a month, and you want to throw your life away for this?”

The thief raised his left hand—the razor glinting—and with his right, drew a small knife from his belt.

Because that’s what scum carried.

Small. Easy to hide. Loosely regulated. Quick to intimidate.

Lu Cheng’s gaze hardened. A cornered rat armed and desperate. This wouldn’t end peacefully.

Fortunately, he had [Combat Mastery], even at a beginner level. Against an ordinary thief, he had the edge.

If they were both barehanded.

Now, with blades in play… trickier.

His eyes flicked to the side—there, a wooden stick by the wall.

With a flick of his foot, he sent it spinning up and caught it in his hand.

The fight was on.