At dusk, the gates of Tianbao Residence were filled with fully armed soldiers. Luo Xiu was completely surrounded.

These soldiers had been brought by Cao Hong's mother, Liu Xuelian. She worked for the Official Residence and held a position of considerable rank. Years ago, when Cao Hong had several lives on his conscience, it was Liu Xuelian who had orchestrated things behind the scenes, allowing him to leave Sea City and successfully enlist in the army. This alone showed the extent of her power.

Earlier that day, as soon as Duan Feibai had informed Liu Xuelian that Luo Xiu was also here, she had begun making arrangements.

…

"Xiu, please don't do anything, okay? Fighting with soldiers is a completely different matter," Sun Li whispered earnestly into Luo Xiu's ear.

Lin Xiyue's eyes were downcast as she spoke softly to Luo Xiu. "It's clear they're here for you. Just go quietly with them, but no matter what they ask, don't say a word. Just remain silent. I'll find you a lawyer."

Sun Li nodded vigorously. "Xi Yue is right. Xiu, you have to control your temper. I know the best lawyer in all of Sea City, Zhang Shan. I'll contact him right away."

While the two young ladies were offering Luo Xiu their "strategies," a female officer walked straight toward them.

Sun Li chuckled. "Captain Tang, good evening! Have you eaten yet?"

The female officer nodded with a smile but said nothing, her gaze lingering on Luo Xiu. The officer's name was Tang Hong'e. She was ranked among the top ten beauties in Sea City and known as the "Official Flower of Sea City," but no one dared to make a move on her.

Because she was terrifying.

Meanwhile, at the back of the crowd, Duan Feibai and Du Gang were reveling in schadenfreude.

"Who would have thought Liu Xuelian would be this ruthless?" Du Gang said. "She's made such a huge scene, even bringing Tang Hong'e along. Anyone who didn't know better would think this was a counter-terrorism operation."

Duan Feibai recalled Sun Li's attentiveness toward Luo Xiu and the humiliation he had just suffered at Luo Xiu's hands. His gaze grew increasingly cold. He snorted. "I doubt Luo Xiu will be getting out anytime soon. With a woman like Liu Xuelian and her methods, she'll find some way to have Luo Xiu killed in the detention center."

A broad smile spread across Du Gang's face. "Well, then we've got a good show to watch."

…

"Luo Xiu, is it?" Tang Hong'e looked at him, her beautiful face void of emotion, her eyes hinting at a touch of cold arrogance. "Please come with me."

She was like a snake—beautiful and cruel.

Luo Xiu then obediently extended his hands for Tang Hong'e to cuff. At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed as Qin An squeezed through the crowd, hurrying over with a few important figures in tow. He knew Luo Xiu was in serious trouble, so he had no choice but to seek help from these dignitaries.

"May I know what Mister Luo is accused of?" a middle-aged man in a Sun Yat-sen suit asked Tang Hong'e, his gaze authoritative.

"It's Zhang Shizun," Tang Hong'e said, offering a respectful salute and a smile. "It has been a long time."

The middle-aged man was Zhang Yong, the Prefectural Governor of Henghai Provincial City. After learning that Luo Xiu was an alchemist, he had been looking for an opportunity to make his acquaintance. He never imagined that a perfect chance to offer timely assistance would present itself like this.

"If Mister Luo is accused of a crime, I would appreciate it if you investigate thoroughly before making an arrest. Right now, Mister Luo needs to accompany me to the provincial city for an important meeting."

However, Zhang Yong had underestimated Tang Hong'e's character.

"Zhang Shizun, this is an arrest warrant," she said, holding up the document. "Besides, you are the Prefectural Governor of the provincial city, not of Sea City."

Zhang Yong's gaze cooled as he took out his phone. "I'll call the Prefectural Governor of Sea City right now."

Tang Hong'e was unflappable. "There's no need for that. If Zhang Shizun has no other business, I'll take the suspect. Luo Xiu is implicated in multiple homicide cases, and I must take him in for questioning. You can discuss it with our Prefectural Governor later."

With that, she turned to leave, waving her hand. "Take him away!"

In the crowd, Liu Xuelian glared at Luo Xiu, gritting her teeth. "You're finished, you animal!"

Luo Xiu cast a grateful look toward Zhang Yong. "Thanks."

Zhang Yong, however, looked ashamed. "I'm truly sorry I couldn't be of more help. But rest assured, Mister Luo, I will get you the best legal team."

At that moment, two soldiers stepped forward and escorted Luo Xiu into a vehicle.

「The Official Residence」

Inside the interrogation room, Luo Xiu sat at a table with his hands cuffed, a gloomy expression on his face. This is bullshit, he thought. I've been completely set up.

Opposite him sat a man and a woman. The man was the interrogator; the woman was Tang Hong'e. She had her arms crossed, calmly observing Luo Xiu.

"Luo Xiu," she began, "tell me what happened five days ago at Haina Reservoir, on the outskirts of Sea City."

Luo Xiu thought for a moment before replying, "I saw it on the news. I believe there was a blood-red aurora that night. What are your questions, Captain?"

Tang Hong'e said nothing, simply tossing a stack of photos onto the table in front of him.

Luo Xiu looked at the photos and couldn't help but curl his lip. "Tsk, tsk... So many bodies. How gory."

"According to our preliminary information, Cao Hong arranged to meet you at Haina Reservoir five days ago," Tang Hong'e said coolly. "The next morning, we received a report from nearby villagers about a discovery of many bodies. Including Cao Hong, everyone was dead. Their deaths were horrific, just as you see in the photos. You were the only one left alive. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, you are the prime suspect."

Luo Xiu asked, "Do you know why Cao Hong wanted to meet with me?"

Hearing this, Tang Hong'e's eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of her mouth turning up. "So, you admit you met with Cao Hong that night?"

Luo Xiu was taken aback. So, she's trying to trap me with my own words.

"I admit I met him that night," he said. "But I know nothing about his death."

BANG!

Tang Hong'e slammed her palm on the table. "Stop playing dumb with me!" she said coldly. "Answer my questions honestly!"

Luo Xiu replied, "I have the right to remain silent until I see my lawyer."

Tang Hong'e chuckled. "Getting smart, are we?"

Luo Xiu sighed. "What can I do? A good guy like me is bound to be a little naive the first time he's in a place like this."

Tang Hong'e said, "You can remain silent for now, but sooner or later, our investigation will uncover the truth, and certain criminals will receive the punishment they deserve."

At this, Luo Xiu suddenly laughed, his tone mocking. "The rich get away with all sorts of despicable things behind the scenes—arson, murder, pillaging, bullying men and abusing women. How come I never see you hauling them in for punishment? You useless bunch. You're all talk, completely powerless when you have to face the rich and powerful. Take Cao Hong, for example. You know perfectly well what kind of scum he was. In all these years, did you ever manage to arrest him?"

"If sufficient evidence is found," Tang Hong'e said sternly, "no one can escape the law."

Luo Xiu shrugged and crossed his legs. "Forget it. I don't feel like debating such deep topics with you. Say, Captain Tang, it's about dinnertime. Can I go home and eat?"

"Sorry," Tang Hong'e said flatly. "You'll be staying here for at least twenty-four hours. Maybe longer."

Luo Xiu replied, "I don't want to stay in a place like this one second longer than I have to."

"Some things aren't up to you. And put your feet down. Show some respect. Where do you think you are? Do you want me to put you in leg irons?"

As if he hadn't heard her, Luo Xiu asked, "Can I make a call to my family?"

Tang Hong'e took Luo Xiu's phone and placed it in front of him. "You may, but it has to be on speaker."

Luo Xiu scrolled through his contacts, thought for a moment, and finally decided to call Ai Hongye. A moment later, the call connected.

"Little Mule, it's only been a few days. Couldn't resist calling me already?"

"Senior Sister, I'm in a bit of trouble," Luo Xiu said glumly. "I've been arrested by the Official Residence. Didn't you say that if I ever ran into something I couldn't handle, I could call you? These people are a real nuisance, but I don't dare get physical with them."

Ai Hongye scoffed. "You need my help for something so trivial? How do you even survive in Sea City?"

"I—"

The line went dead.

Tang Hong'e took back the phone, looking at Luo Xiu with a condescending smile. "It seems the person you called isn't so reliable. So, you might as well relax and cooperate with the investigation. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get fed. I won't let you starve."

Luo Xiu sighed and leaned back lazily in his chair. "In that case, I'll just maintain my silence and wait for my lawyer."

A few minutes later, Tang Hong'e was growing impatient. No matter what she asked, Luo Xiu simply ignored her.

Just as she was about to lose her temper, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded from outside, and the interrogation room door was forcefully pushed open.

When Tang Hong'e saw the two people who burst in, she quickly rose to her feet. "Prefectural Governor, Shizun, what brings you two here?"

The arrivals were none other than the Prefectural Governor of the Sea City Official Residence and the Shizun of Sea City. At that moment, both dignitaries looked at Luo Xiu with a mixture of helplessness and apprehension.

Just a moment ago, they had received an unexpected call from the Audit Bureau in the Capital City. The Audit Bureau had named Luo Xiu explicitly, ordering the Sea City Official Residence to release him—immediately, right now, at once

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