Questioning

"Meet? I don't have time right now," Yaoguang said. He was going to buy a sword. "Where are you? We'll come find you," Lin Xiaowei said. "Is something the matter?" Yaoguang asked. "Yes." Lin Xiaowei's tone hardened slightly. "It's very important." After pondering a moment, he replied, "I'm heading to Mijade Gallery at Yulong International." "We'll head over right now and meet you there," Lin Xiaowei said immediately. "All right," Yaoguang agreed. Lin Xiaowei, inspector of the Yunmeng City Task Force. He had a faint idea of what this was about. Did they suspect him? Regardless, it didn't matter. If they truly suspected him, he could just use them as the vanguard to see just how deeply the demons had infiltrated Yunmeng City, Tiannan Province, and even the entirety of Dayu. An inspector carried little weight; she might not be able to reach any particularly high level. Xia Wuyuan, the prosecutor, was a different story. A supervisory agency answering directly to the royal family. If Xia Wuyuan escalated the matter and still failed to stir up any waves, then trying to expose the demons to spark collective outrage would be utterly pointless. ... Yulong International. Mijade Gallery. The gallery was not located on the upper floors of Yulong International. Instead, it occupied a massive area on the ground floor, conservatively estimated to be no less than eight hundred square meters, much like an exhibition hall. The items displayed within were without exception rare treasures and celebrated works of art. The cheaper pieces were worth hundreds of thousands, while the expensive ones went for tens of millions. The establishment itself was one of Yulong International's marquee attractions. Influencers from all over the country frequently came here to take photos and check in. The Chengying sword Yaoguang wanted to purchase was one of Mijade Gallery's prized treasures. When Zhang Qing and Yaoguang arrived at the gallery, the curator in charge of running it was already waiting. A woman who appeared to be in her early forties, dressed in a tailored business suit. Beaming, she led the two directly to a reception room. After the staff served tea and pastries, Zhang Qing spoke up: "I imagine Curator Fang already knows why we're here. Where is the Chengying sword?" "I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Zhang, but the famous sword Chengying is one of our gallery's prized treasures... We have no intention of selling it," Curator Fang smiled. "Not selling? Hah, since when does Mijade have collections not for sale? Afraid we can't afford it? Back when you acquired this sword, it didn't cost you more than eight million, did it? How much do you want? Name a price," Zhang Qing said. "My apologies, Mr. Zhang. If there are other items you wish to purchase, we would be delighted to show them to you. But the famous sword Chengying is one of our flagship displays; the owner has no desire to sell it," Curator Fang explained, still smiling, though a trace of aloofness crept into her brow. Zhang Qing's expression soured. Mijade had sold their "prized treasures" more than once or twice. The label "prized treasure" was nothing more than a marketing trick to inflate value and wait for the highest bidder. Claiming Chengying wasn't for sale didn't mean they truly wouldn't sell it—it meant... They wouldn't sell it to him! They thought he, Zhang Qing, wasn't qualified to buy such a renowned blade! However, considering Mijade Gallery's background and the Zhang family's influence... Zhang Qing quickly composed himself. Glancing at Yaoguang and seeing no deliberate intention to hide his identity, he said, "The one interested in Chengying isn't me, but Young Master Su here." "Young Master Su?" Curator Fang blinked, looking at Yaoguang. "May I ask how to address this gentleman?" "Yaoguang," he replied. "If it's a matter of price, that can be arranged." "Yaoguang..." Curator Fang seemed to search her memory for which major family this young master belonged to. "No need to guess," Zhang Qing said flatly. "In all of Tiannan, who else among the younger generation deserves the title of 'Young Master Su'?" With that hint, Curator Fang quickly realized. Young Master Su? The Su family?! The Tiannan Su family?! Not long ago, the Su family had stirred up quite a scandal. Old Master Su's eldest son, Su Huaifeng, had contracted AIDS due to his reckless lifestyle, bringing on a terminal illness, while Su Xiangyang, the designated heir of his branch who appeared so young and promising on the surface, had subsequently been exposed for rampant depravity, having ruined more innocent young women than one could count on both hands. Of course, these leaks might have been tied to internal competition within the Su family, or someone trying to bring them down; the truth was still being clarified. Nonetheless, it had sparked a frenzy of gossip among the public. She had followed the news closely. Naturally, Su Huaifeng's other son—who might inherit the assets of Su Huaifeng's branch in the future—Su Yaoguang, had also entered her radar. Because of his mother, Zhang Ya, Su Yaoguang had yet to return to the Su family. Yet anyone could see that as the bridge reconciling the Su and Zhang families, Su Yaoguang's future standing would hardly be negligible. With that thought in mind, Curator Fang hurriedly rose to her feet. "So it is Young Master Su gracing us with his presence! Please forgive my poor eyesight for not recognizing you sooner—it is entirely my fault. To express Mijade Gallery's apologies, whichever piece Young Master Su takes a fancy to, we are willing to offer a twenty percent discount off the original price. We hope Young Master Su enjoys his shopping experience today." "What are you waiting for, then? Where's Chengying?" Zhang Qing asked. Curator Fang smiled slightly. "I'll go fetch it for Young Master Su right away." Calling over some staff, she quickly headed toward the exhibition area where Chengying was kept under a special protective glass case. *Ring, ring, ring.* Just then, Yaoguang's phone rang. He looked down... Lin Xiaowei? Through the glass window, he glanced outside and saw a group standing by the entrance of Mijade Gallery. Among them, the tall, slender Lin Xiaowei held a phone to her ear, dialing. Considering that retrieving Chengying from the display case would take some time, he said to Curator Fang, "May I borrow your reception room?" Curator Fang had noticed where his gaze was directed. She smiled and said, "It would be our honor." Glancing outside, she added, "Are those your guests? I'll invite them in for you." Zhang Qing stood up as well and walked out with Curator Fang. Moments later, the two returned, ushering in a group of six: Lin Xiaowei, Xia Wuyuan, Ye Yuhe, and their companions. Two of them brazenly took charge and stopped Zhang Qing, keeping him outside the door. Another stepped over to the blinds, which looked out toward the exterior, and drew them shut. "Young Master Su?" Zhang Qing called out. Yaoguang had no intention of dragging Zhang Qing into this whirlpool. He waved a hand, signaling for him to wait outside. As Ye Yuhe shut the door, sealing the reception room into a relatively private space, all eyes fell upon Yaoguang simultaneously. The atmosphere instantly turned heavy. Yet Yaoguang showed no reaction to their scrutinizing stares. Unhurriedly holding his teacup, he blew gently across the steam and took a sip. "Su Yaoguang..." Lin Xiaowei began in a heavy voice. The moment she spoke, Yaoguang cut her off. "Why are you all standing? Sit." As he spoke, he made a downward pressing gesture. Beside her, Ye Yuhe frowned. Though she felt Lin Xiaowei should take Yaoguang back for interrogation immediately, out of deference to his status as a member of the Su family... She kept those words to herself. Stepping toward the sofa, she prepared to sit down. "No need," Xia Wuyuan said. "We have a few questions for you. Answer them and we'll leave. We won't waste your time, and you won't waste ours." Yaoguang nodded slightly. Setting down his teacup, he looked up directly into Xia Wuyuan's eyes. "Ask." "Why did you kill so many people?" Xia Wuyuan asked in a low, grim voice. "What is your real motive?" "Kill people?" Yaoguang chuckled softly. "Kill whom?" "Most recently, Lei Ao the Dragon Slayer Hand, Xia Li of Dragon Form Fist, Long Daoqi the Master of the Luohe Sect, Zuo Zhenguo the Army Breaker..." Xia Wuyuan reeled off several names in one breath. At the end, he paused. "Do you want me to keep going?" "Keep going," Yaoguang said. "Su Yaoguang, regardless of your identity, as a citizen of Dayu, you are obligated to cooperate with the Security Department's inquiry. Please answer Consultant Xia's questions seriously. Every word you say can be used as evidence in court," Lin Xiaowei stepped forward and said. "Answer what? Confess that I killed them?" Looking straight into Xia Wuyuan's scrutinizing gaze, Yaoguang replied with a clear conscience, "I haven't killed anyone." Ye Yuhe, Lin Xiaowei, Zhang Qing, Xia Wuyuan, and the others all frowned at once. He wouldn't admit it? That was the worst-case scenario. After a long pause, Lin Xiaowei said, "You claim you haven't killed anyone? Then can you tell me why you were in Shanlong City, and happened to pass through that exact area right when Lei Ao was killed?" "Sightseeing, shopping," Yaoguang said. "As for why I happened to pass through that area, who knows?" "What about the old city redevelopment zone in Yunmeng City? You were seen near there as well." "Taking a stroll, browsing the streets. Is that not allowed?" "And Longxiang City?" "Traveling," Yaoguang replied calmly. Seeing Lin Xiaowei prepare to press further, he cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Do you have evidence? If you have evidence, arrest me! If you don't, and this is just guesswork and suspicion..." He pointed toward the door. "Our conversation is over. You may leave." "You..." Lin Xiaowei bristled, her chest heaving with irritation. "Let's go," Xia Wuyuan suddenly said. He took a deep, lingering look at Yaoguang. Throughout the exchange, he hadn't detected a single abnormality from him. If there was any anomaly at all... It was his sheer psychological resilience. So calm that he didn't seem like an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old youth at all. Yet that proved nothing. Yaoguang's status as a young master of the Su family tied their hands, preventing them from using many of their usual methods. Otherwise... Pressure from above would only interfere with his subsequent investigation. Most crucially... They truly had no evidence. Still, it didn't matter. Their goal today had been to startle the snake from the grass. Going forward... "I'll be watching you!" Lin Xiaowei said coldly. "Out of my friendship with your sister Su Yaoyu, I won't just stand by and watch you stray down the wrong path, sinking deeper and deeper into the dark until there's no turning back!" Yaoguang smiled faintly and said nothing, seemingly disinclined to argue. This nonchalance provoked Ye Yuhe into speaking up. "Su Yaoguang, we already suspect you. In fact, we're certain you're the culprit. All we lack is evidence. How much longer do you think you can hide this?" "I won't see you out," Yaoguang replied, pointing toward the door once more. "I will catch you and bring you to justice!" Xia Wuyuan looked at him, declaring, "That was the oath I swore when I joined the Procuratorate! I will never let a criminal who threatens national security and stability walk free!" Hearing this, Yaoguang thought for a moment, about to say something in affirmation. Right at that moment, however, a deafening crash erupted outside. *Bang!* It was the sound of a heavy object slamming into the ground. The tremendous impact startled Ye Yuhe. The Security Department officer stationed by the window hesitated for a fraction of a second, then swiftly drew open the blinds. The scene outside made everyone's pupils contract sharply. Not far away in the open-air parking lot, atop the roof of a sedan, lay a blood-drenched figure. The impact had been so violent that the entire roof of the car had caved in. A slender arm dangled off the edge, blood trickling continuously from the fingertips. Because of the angle of her fall, her head happened to tilt toward their direction, allowing everyone to see her wide-open, unblinking eyes—filled with terror and unwilling despair. It was a young girl. A seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl whose skin, though on the darker side, could not conceal her pure, delicate beauty. And her... Yaoguang recognized her.