The work of the Internal Affairs Division inherently involved offending people. While Xu Jiang was strict, he wasn’t indiscriminating. Investigating Ling Lie was crucial right now, but the leads Ling Lie held were equally important. Xu Jiang lacked the authority to investigate criminal cases; dragging this out would only benefit the criminals.

He suppressed his anger. “Where did ‘Floating Light’ take you?”

“Jade Face Sighing Song. It’s one of ‘Floating Light’s’ strongholds.”

“What did you communicate about?”

Ling Lie remained silent.

Xu Jiang said, “I have to remind you, your biggest problem right now is being sent back by ‘Floating Light.’ You must explain the process clearly!”

After a long while, Ling Lie said, “I can withdraw from the investigation, but I demand the Special Action Team take over. As long as they come, I’ll tell them everything.”

While Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie were locked up for questioning, the Special Action Team and Xie Qing had already held an emergency meeting.

Currently, Ling Lie hadn’t disclosed many details. He looked too much like a mole planted by “Floating Light” within the police force. Not only were the Major Crimes Unit’s actions heavily constrained, but even the Special Action Team needed to avoid suspicion.

Calling in a brother unit from another jurisdiction to coordinate with the Internal Affairs Division was the most feasible approach. Both Shen Xun and Xie Qing thought of the most suitable candidate.

From Dongye City—Xiao Yuan.

With Ling Lie’s freedom restricted, the Internal Affairs Division followed orders from above and didn’t subject him to “tag-team” interrogation tactics. The longer Ling Lie stayed alone, the more he wanted to talk to Ji Chenjiao and coax Little Ji. But after mentioning it twice to Xu Jiang, the answer he got was: “Keep dreaming.”

There were people outside; Ling Lie noticed it keenly. He cleared his throat, ready to start howling the moment the door opened.

“Inspector Xu, both Ji Chenjiao and I are in your hands. Could we possibly run away? Just let me see him for a…”

The rest of his words got stuck in his throat. Ling Lie stared at the person who entered, taking a long time to react. “Cap… Captain.”

Ming Shu popped out from behind Xiao Yuan. “Yo, and me. Ling Dog, you’ve fallen into my hands now.”

Ling Lie felt as if time had reversed many years, returning to when he had just come of age.

A young man full of reckless courage, solely to repay Wei Zhiyong for saving his life, even knowing what he was doing wasn’t justice, even knowing he was risking his future to help a scumbag.

He nearly destroyed himself, but Xiao Yuan appeared like another Wei Zhiyong, causing his plan to die in the womb.

Back then, they sat in a square interrogation room just like this. Xiao Yuan asked him why he wanted to do this, asked about his family, asked about his true origins.

He was alternately despondent and manic, like a sick little beast just rescued from the grasslands by humans.

Time intersected; in the snap of a finger, he was long past being that reckless, self-righteous youth. Being locked up and interrogated by Internal Affairs didn’t even shake his composure. He just hadn’t expected that after all this time and change, the person sitting opposite him would still be Xiao Yuan.

Oh, not just Xiao Yuan, but also the posh, domesticated Ragdoll cat.

Ling Lie had to admit, seeing that the person who entered was Xiao Yuan made the little stone weighing on his heart suddenly drop. It figured Xiao Yuan would appear; it must be the result of coordination and striving by the Major Crimes Unit and the Special Action Team. With this man who was both mentor and older brother, he had nothing left to hold back.

“Entrusted by Xie Qing and Shen Xun, I am here to assist the Xiarong City Internal Affairs Division in investigating the relationship between you, Ji Chenjiao, ‘Floating Light,’ and the Yu Group.” Xiao Yuan put away the tolerance and gentleness he usually showed his former subordinate, expressing a strictly business attitude with his opening line.

Ling Lie no longer sat slouching as he did with Xu Jiang. He straightened his back, his gaze burning, finally revealing the true demeanor of a Special Action Team elite.

Ming Shu also put away his joking tone, dropping the “Ling Dog” nickname, and said solemnly, “I will be asking the main questions. Director Xiao will supervise the entire process.”

Ling Lie nodded. “I guarantee every word is true.”

Ming Shu asked, “Did Ji Chenjiao know you took Yu Qianming’s samples for a kinship test?”

“He didn’t know.”

“Why did you hide it from him?”

“At the time, I only had a vague guess. If the guess came true, there would be two impacts: one on the case we are pursuing, and two on Ji Chenjiao’s background—the latter is a private matter. Before getting a definite answer, I didn’t want him to be affected.”

Ming Shu asked, “What was your guess?”

Ling Lie said, “More than twenty years ago, the Yu Qin who returned from Country L had already been switched. Ji Chenjiao is the child of the real Yu Qin. You’ve also received the official test results: Yu Qin has no biological relationship with the Yu family, while Ji Chenjiao does have a biological relationship with Yu Qianming. The current Yu Qin replaced the real Yu Qin. That day at Rongmei, she personally admitted to me that her real name is Sha Man. She underwent plastic surgery and returned to the Yu family as Yu Qin for revenge.”

Ming Shu said, “Elaborate.”

Ling Lie retold the words Sha Man said before attacking him, bringing up the unresolved Bi Jiang case in Feng City and the missing criminal police officer Yin Hanshan.

Ming Shu recorded everything one by one. “So Sha Man killed them to silence them, and when she discovered that you had also touched upon her secret through the DNA test, she decided to make a move on you?”

Ling Lie nodded.

Ming Shu looked into Ling Lie’s eyes and said seriously, “Now comes the most critical part, the part you refused to tell Internal Affairs. What happened after ‘Floating Light’ appeared? Sha Man and all her hitmen were killed before the explosion, while you and Yu Yesheng survived. Logically, ‘Floating Light’ and the Yu Group have a cooperative relationship. They had no reason to kill Sha Man while leaving you and Yu Yesheng untouched.”

Ling Lie looked at Xiao Yuan. Xiao Yuan signaled him not to hide anything.

Ling Lie took a deep breath. “Because I have deep ties with ‘Floating Light.'”

In another room watching the surveillance, Xu Jiang’s face darkened.

“‘Floating Light’s’ predecessor was ‘Sunken Gold,’ and I lived in a village controlled by ‘Sunken Gold’ until I was six…”

Ling Lie had once told Xiao Yuan about this experience; everything about him was transparent within the Special Action Team.

Ming Shu said, “Is ‘Grey Peacock,’ the person in charge of ‘Floating Light’ within the borders, A-Xue, who grew up with you?”

“More than that.” Ling Lie then revealed the segment about柏嶺雪 (Bo Lingxue) and Yin Hanshan. “If ‘Floating Light’ rose from the ashes in his hands, then he is very likely the organization’s supreme leader, ‘Black Peacock.’ ‘Grey Peacock’ is just one of his codenames.”

What the character of Yin Hanshan implicated was Bo Lingxue’s revenge against Sha Man. He had locked onto Sha Man long ago but didn’t intend to give her a quick death. It was as if he wove a seductive web with peacock feathers, letting Sha Man walk into it step by step. What did Sha Man value most? Taking revenge on the Yu family, defeating everyone in that clan, and becoming the final master of the Yu Group.

So Bo Lingxue wanted to let her obtain all of this, then snatch it all away from her. Let her former child, Ling Lie, bring the entire city’s police force to besiege her. Let her detect Ling Lie’s movements and set a trap to kill him.

This way, the Xiarong City police, and even the Special Action Team, wouldn’t let her go. She would helplessly watch her dream shatter, the Yu Group collapse, and what awaited her would surely be the death penalty.

However, while Bo Lingxue plotted against Sha Man, Sha Man was also plotting against “Floating Light.” The development of the game deviated slightly from Bo Lingxue’s expectations, so Sha Man, who had set up the array at Rongmei, could no longer be kept alive.

Thus, Bo Lingxue was there, using Sha Man’s own trap to kill her and her hitmen.

Ming Shu said, “You just said you were Bo Lingxue’s ‘side quest,’ but in the end, he didn’t kill you, nor did he even harm you.”

Ling Lie laughed. “He gave me a way out, but how can you count that as no harm? Captain Ming, Director Xiao, why did you rush here from Dongye City?”

Ming Shu raised an eyebrow. The answer was self-evident. Ling Lie and Ji Chenjiao were under suspicion. Both the Xiarong City Bureau itself and the Special Action Team had to avoid conflict of interest. Since Ling Lie didn’t trust Internal Affairs, only their peer unit could step in.

“‘Grey Peacock’ is a master at sowing discord and setting traps.” Ling Lie said, “For a police officer who braves death, for a captain who always sticks to commanding from the scene, being suddenly taken away and investigated like a criminal—isn’t that the deepest harm?”

Of course, this speech wasn’t meant for the people in front of him. He knew Xu Jiang and the others were watching the surveillance, and he even glanced at the camera after speaking.

Xu Jiang tightened his fingers, seeming to ponder something.

Ming Shu asked, “Why did you change locations later?”

Ling Lie said, “This will sound like I’m lying.”

“Say it anyway.”

“Because it was about to explode, and A-Xue… Bo Lingxue wanted to catch up with me a bit longer.”

Ming Shu: “…”

Ling Lie: “See, even you don’t believe it.”

Ming Shu almost blurted out “I believe it,” but Xiao Yuan pressed his hand down, and he immediately swallowed the words. “Just explain. We will analyze and investigate further afterward.”

So Ling Lie described the situation after arriving at Jade Face Sighing Song. “I have another important lead. Ning Xiechen, the former captain of the Xiarong City Major Crimes Unit, has already died at the hands of Bo Lingxue.”

Watching the monitor, Xie Qing was suddenly startled. “What?”

Ling Lie explained the sequence of events: Bo Lingxue found out Ning Xiechen had crossed paths with Yin Hanshan, then disguised himself as Yan Xi to get close to Ning Xiechen, and finally killed him to silence him after Ning Xiechen discovered the truth.

Sweat soaked through the back of Xie Qing’s shirt. He quickly opened the door and ran down the hallway, stopping outside Ling Lie’s interrogation room.

Inside the room, there was also a moment of stagnation.

Over twenty years ago, Sha Man replaced Yu Qin. Seventeen years ago, Bi Jiang was silenced. Later, when Yin Hanshan was on the verge of saving Bo Lingxue, he was silenced by Sha Man. Bo Lingxue killed Ning Xiechen while investigating the truth. “Sunken Gold” died, “Floating Light” was reborn, entering the borders to take revenge on the initiator of everything.

This was a suffocatingly massive web spanning across time, sprouting countless tendrils—the superstitious Yu Group, the game between Sha Man and Yu Qianming, the childhood ties between Ling Lie and Bo Lingxue, Ji Chenjiao’s blood relation to the Yu family, the brief mentor-student relationship between Ji Chenjiao and Yan Xi…

Actually, neither Ling Lie nor Ji Chenjiao were the main points on this web, but they were like flying insects that had innocently crashed into it, finding it hard to break free.

Ming Shu looked at everything recorded on the paper, then looked up at Ling Lie, momentarily at a loss for words.

Xiao Yuan said, “‘Floating Light’ has vanished without a trace and has likely withdrawn from Xiarong City. Based on your knowledge of Bo Lingxue, what will his subsequent actions be?”

Ling Lie revealed a “finally, this question” smile. “‘Floating Light’ is just lying low for now to avoid the heat. They definitely have big moves planned.”

“Hmm?”

“‘Floating Light’s’ business has always been overseas. Bo Lingxue’s original intention for entering the country was to uncover the truth of Yin Hanshan’s disappearance and then take revenge. But in the process, he saw the prosperity here, a world of difference from the places he controlled, so he wants to transfer operations here.”

“Moreover, Yin Hanshan once told him that one day, he hoped he could walk upright and openly on this land. I guess a seed was planted then. He yearns for this place. Even if he can’t be open and upright, he wants to come back.”

Xiao Yuan said, “‘Snow Child’?”

Ling Lie said, “Maybe more than that. Given ‘Floating Light’s’ volume, the trade of a hallucinogen like ‘Snow Child’ isn’t attractive enough.”

Xiao Yuan said, “You’ve overlooked our massive population base.”

Ling Lie paused, then nodded. “But I still feel that ‘Snow Child’ might just be a tool for his next step.”

The first round of questioning basically ended. Ming Shu winked at Ling Lie from an angle the camera couldn’t catch, signaling him not to worry—Big Brother is with you.

Ling Lie: “…” Mere domesticated Ragdoll.

Compared to Ling Lie, Ji Chenjiao’s interrogation was much simpler. Internal Affairs didn’t suspect him deeply to begin with; he just needed to clearly explain his relationship with the Yu family and Ling Lie.

Ming Shu: “Captain Ji, we meet again.”

Ji Chenjiao’s reaction was similar to Ling Lie’s; both were surprised that Xiao Yuan and Ming Shu had come.

“Captain Ming, Director Xiao, you guys…”

Ming Shu said, “We are here to assist Internal Affairs with their work.”

This wasn’t an occasion for private catching up. Ji Chenjiao quickly sorted out the logic and answered Ming Shu’s questions.

When asked if Ling Lie had informed him before the operation or given any hints, a look of difficulty appeared in his eyes.

A few seconds later, he shook his head, his voice somewhat hoarse. “No. I only deduced what he wanted to do after learning that both he and Yu Qin were missing and finding two test results at home.”

The questioning didn’t last too long. After wrapping up and turning off the camera, just as Xiao Yuan and Ming Shu were about to leave, Ji Chenjiao suddenly said, “Director Xiao.”

Xiao Yuan stopped and turned around. “Captain Ji, is there something else?”

“Before…” Ji Chenjiao asked with some difficulty, “When Ling Lie was your team member before, did he also often disregard safety?”

Xiao Yuan had Ming Shu close the opened door again and returned to the table. “He was a member of the Special Action Team. Every mission carried the possibility of no return.”

Ji Chenjiao frowned tightly.

“Although it sounds cruel, this is the reality he faced over the past ten years,” Xiao Yuan said. “Captain Ji, actually, you are the same as him. It’s just that compared to the Special Action Team, the dangers local criminal police face are slightly smaller.”

“Ling Lie is a lone wolf. I give him freedom of action not because I don’t care about his safety. I hope every one of my team members can return safely.” Xiao Yuan seemed much gentler now than during the interrogation, possessing a peace and composure forged in fire.

“Before, he often encountered situations where he simply couldn’t ask me for instructions or report in. He got used to that life. Now he has found a home, but in his bones, he is still that lone wolf used to the wild. He acts alone not because he doesn’t care about the people around him, but because he isn’t used to it yet.”

Saying this, Xiao Yuan smiled. “I saw just now that he seemed a bit regretful. Once this matter is resolved, maybe he’ll take the initiative to coax you.”

The word “coax” held too much warmth; Ji Chenjiao suddenly shivered. Xiao Yuan had already put back on the face he wore during the interrogation. “Captain Ming and I came here this time only to assist Internal Affairs. Once we verify that you and Ling Lie are clear, our mission is accomplished. However, Captain Ji, you, Ling Lie, Captain Xie, and your Major Crimes Unit—your future tasks will be heavier than now. ‘Floating Light’ is a tough bone to chew.”

Hearing that Xiao Yuan was encouraging him, Ji Chenjiao braced himself. “Director Xiao, I understand.”

While Ling Lie and Ji Chenjiao were being investigated, the Xiarong City Bureau’s investigation into the Yu Group and “Floating Light” continued.

Jade Face Sighing Song, as one of “Floating Light’s” strongholds, was already empty. Yu Qianming denied providing shelter for “Floating Light,” pushing the blame onto Yu Qin. Whether this was true or not, the witness was dead, so there was no proof.

Investigating the web of relationships involving the Yu Group was too vast, even including overseas investments. Xie Qing personally interrogated Yu Qianming, placing Yu Qin’s test results in front of him.

He looked as if he had been hit by a massive blow, unable to speak for a long time. “She… she isn’t Yu Qin? Then who is she? Where did Yu Qin go?”

Xie Qing said, “Didn’t you know long ago that the current Yu Qin wasn’t your relative?”

“I didn’t know! She looks exactly like Yu Qin!”

This was also a messy account, unless they found records of Yu Qianming doing a test on Yu Qin. But even if he had, it would definitely have been abroad, making it essentially impossible to find evidence.

Xie Qing asked about Yu Qin going abroad back then. Yu Qianming shed tears of regret, saying he sent Yu Qin to Country L because the family wanted to invest there and train Yu Qin in advance. He hadn’t expected Yu Qin to give birth to a child, much less that his biological sister might have been murdered long ago.

regarding the dealings between the Yu Group and “Floating Light,” Yu Qianming explained everything clearly, taking responsibility for all crimes.

“This old man is too cunning.” Xie Qing met with Xiao Yuan, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then said, “He’s going to die soon anyway; sentencing him is useless. The Yu Group gets penalized, future development is restricted, but the key projects and the foundation won’t be affected. He even got rid of ‘Floating Light’ and Yu Qin—calling him the winner isn’t an exaggeration.”

Xiao Yuan came to communicate the investigation details. His judgment was that the content confessed by Ling Lie and Ji Chenjiao was basically consistent with the leads held by Internal Affairs. There was no evidence proving they colluded with “Floating Light” or the Yu Group. Ling Lie’s situation was more complex than Ji Chenjiao’s, but considering Ling Lie was a member of the Special Action Team, his identity and experiences inherently required a certain level of confidentiality. In summary, the restrictions could be lifted.

Xie Qing let out a long breath. He was the one under the most pressure these days—arranging the work of the Criminal Investigation Detachment, protecting Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie, going back and forth with Internal Affairs. Midway through, Ling Lie brought news that Ning Xiechen was dead and Yan Xi was “Grey Peacock.” If he hadn’t experienced so many storms, he might not have been able to hold on.

The two discussed how to write the investigation report. Unexpectedly, Xu Jiang suddenly rushed in with a dark face. Seeing that expression, Xie Qing’s heart instantly skipped a beat.

Xu Jiang slammed a stack of papers onto the table. “Ling Lie didn’t tell the truth! He is very likely a spy for ‘Floating Light’!”

Xie Qing’s blood pressure spiked instantly, and the temper he had controlled for days erupted all at once. “Inspector Xu, stop fucking spitting blood!”