Chapter 383: I Want to Eat You

"Ah—!" Gao Qijiang's leg gave out, and he heavily knelt onto the ground!

His knee struck the concrete floor with a dull thud, cold sweat instantly soaked the back of his shirt.

Lin Yuan walked over leisurely, looking down at Gao Qijiang curled up on the ground.

Lin Yuan's tone was flat yet suffocating: "What are you running from?"

He lifted his foot and lightly stepped beside Gao Qijiang's uninjured knee.

"Can you get away?"

The wailing in the office hadn't subsided when Gao Qijiang's phone in his pocket suddenly rang, the sharp ringtone cutting through the silence.

Lin Yuan heard the sound, lowered his head to glance at Gao Qijiang's bulging pocket, raised his brow slightly: "Oh, your backup arrived?"

He lifted his foot slightly to ease pressure on Gao Qijiang's uninjured knee, tone teasing: "Take your time, answer the call—shout for as much help as you can."

Gao Qijiang's fingers trembled like sifting chaff; for a while he couldn't find his phone in his pocket, cold sweat trickling down his neck.

After much effort he pulled out the phone; the screen showed a mysterious incoming number.

Gao Qijiang blinked—he didn't recognize that number, did he?

But Gao Qijiang still answered the call.

"Hello, who's this?" Gao Qijiang asked softly, holding the phone.

From the other end came a detached woman's voice: "I am the Phoenix God, Goddess."

Boom!

Hearing that, Gao Qijiang turned deathly pale from fright!!

Frightened, his hand shook and the phone almost slipped to the ground.

He stammered, voice trembling uncontrollably: "G-God... Phoenix God... you're looking for me, what do you want?"

Huh??

Lin Yuan hearing this dialogue was also taken aback??

How did the Phoenix God call Gao Qijiang?

But Lin Yuan didn't interrupt, just listened.

Anyway, his hearing was good enough; even if Gao Qijiang's phone wasn't on speaker, he could hear clearly.

From the other end came the Phoenix God's icy, oppressive voice, devoid of warmth: "Gao Qijiang, I heard you sent people tonight to deal with the Priest? This matter—give the Priest an explanation."

The Phoenix God paused, her tone hardening, carrying an unyielding ruthlessness: "Otherwise, tomorrow morning, Qiangsheng Group will await its destruction—I say what I do."

After hearing that, Gao Qijiang's head buzzed, the phone "clanged" to the ground, the screen shattering into a spiderweb of cracks.

He slumped sitting on the ground, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat, muttering: "How could... even the Phoenix God, that female demon, be stirred?"

Lin Yuan bent to pick up the phone from the ground, glanced at the call log, a flicker of subtle surprise crossing his eyes.

He lifted his gaze to the prostrate Gao Qijiang, voice icy: "Looks like your backup didn't show up—instead, you got someone who wants you dead."

Gao Qijiang lifted his head, face ashen as paper, eyes full of despair, not daring to sob.

He never imagined he'd provoked not only the Priest but also stirred the Phoenix God, a figure even more formidable on the path.

Lin Yuan tossed the phone back beside Gao Qijiang, lifted his foot to press again beside the injured knee: "Now, still thinking of finding someone to save you?"

However, Lin Yuan actually had some doubts about the Phoenix God's call.

Because his hearing is good, he found the woman's voice on the call somewhat strange.

That woman's voice didn't sound like the Phoenix God's boss, Lin Yun'er's voice, did it?

On the contrary, that voice sounded somewhat familiar?

Lin Yuan seemed to have heard it somewhere before.

But Lin Yuan didn't dwell on it, figuring he was overthinking.

"Gao Qijiang, if you've done wrong you must own up—think about how to give me an explanation; otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead." Lin Yuan sneered.

At that moment, the kneeling Gao Qijiang's body shuddered, he suddenly cried out in terror: "Lin Yuan! You can't touch me! I know Hong Bai Tian, Chairman of K Group! I also have business dealings with his group! Try moving me—Hong Bai Tian won't let you off!"

At the crucial moment, Gao Qijiang invoked Hong Bai Tian's name, trying to intimidate Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan looked at Gao Qijiang slumped on the ground, soulless, curled his lip in a cold smile, and drawled: "Oh, K Group?"

He pointed at the phone with its cracked screen on the ground, tone tinged with mockery: "Then go ahead and call him—see if he'll protect you."

Hearing that, Gao Qijiang's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he'd seized the last straw of salvation.

Ignoring the excruciating pain in his knee, he struggled to rise from the ground and reached to pick up the phone with the shattered screen.

His fingers shook badly; he pressed the power button several times before barely managing to light the screen, the cracks making his vision swim.

He laboriously scrolled through the contacts, finally pulled up Hong Bai Tian's number, his fingertips trembling as he pressed the call button.

The phone rang three times before being answered; from the other end came Hong Bai Tian's deep, authoritative voice: "Qiang? Why are you calling me so late? What's up?"

Gao Qijiang sounded like he'd seen a savior, voice choked with tears, speaking rapidly: "Brother Tian! Save me! I'm blocked in the Qiangsheng Group office!"

He hastily added: "It's a punk named Lin Yuan! He even dares to call himself the Priest, beating my brothers to a pulp! Quickly send some people to rescue me!"

On the other end, Hong Bai Tian suddenly fell silent; the air went still, only the hiss of current echoing in the earpiece.

After two seconds, Hong Bai Tian's voice turned icy, undisguised anger: "What did you say? You offended Lin Yuan?"

Gao Qijiang blinked, not grasping why Hong Bai Tian's tone shifted, still thinking he was angry on his behalf: "Yeah, Brother Tian! It's him! You gotta stand up for me!"

"What do you mean 'stand up for me'? What am I supposed to decide?" Hong Bai Tian's angry shout exploded from the earpiece, making Gao Qijiang's ears ring.

Hong Bai Tian's voice was full of exasperated disappointment: "Are you crazy? Lin Yuan is someone you can provoke? Is he someone you can afford to offend?"

Gao Qijiang was utterly dumbfounded, holding the phone frozen in place, mouth open, unable to speak, his mind blank.

"I can't handle this! I won't!" Hong Bai Tian's voice continued from the earpiece, carrying an unquestionable finality.

"Come on, this Lin Yuan is Hong Bai Tian's 'little brother'!"

Hong Bai Tian is currently pursuing Su Mo Nong, and still needs Lin Yuan's support.

How could he possibly help deal with Lin Yuan?

Hong Bai Tian paused, his tone growing even graver: "Apologize to Xiao Lin right now! The money you owe and the mistakes you must admit—none can be lacking! If he's not satisfied, you figure it out yourself!"

With a "pa" sound, Hong Bai Tian hung up the phone directly; only the "dudu" busy tone remained in the receiver.

Gao Qiang still held the pose of raising his phone, his whole body seeming to have been drained of all strength; he swayed, almost collapsing to the ground.

His biggest backer, Hong Bai Tian of the K Group, actually wasn't helping him anymore? And even had him apologize to Lin Yuan?

Just what background does this Lin Yuan have? Even Hong Bai Tian is so afraid of him?

Gao Qiang stared at the phone in his hand, then lifted his gaze to the calm-faced Lin Yuan, his eyes full of shock and despair.

……

Meanwhile, at this moment, downstairs of the Strong Prosperity Entertainment Casino.

Suddenly, a sharp siren sounded downstairs, and the red-and-blue flashing lights illuminated the outer wall of the casino.

Several police cars screeched to a halt at the entrance with a "gaga" sound, the braking noise piercing the night's silence.

Mu Lingxue wore her police uniform, one hand resting on her sidearm at her waist.

She led a large group of City Public Security Bureau criminal detectives charging swiftly into the casino, their hurried steps kicking up wind.

Fei Fanjin followed behind her; tonight was her who made the police report.

She was worried Lin Yuan might come to harm, so she reported it immediately.

Mu Lingxue shouted into her walkie-talkie while running: "Everyone, pay attention! Prioritize Lin Yuan's safety and control the on-site suspects!"

The gamblers inside the casino, seeing the detectives rush in, were frightened and all crouched down covering their heads; the formerly noisy hall fell instantly silent.

Mu Lingxue ignored the panicked gamblers, leading the people straight to the top floor, her heart full of anxiety—

Fei Fanjin said Lin Yuan was fighting the Underworld, and she feared that if she arrived late, something would happen.

Mu Lingxue, Fei Fanjin, and the others had just rushed to the top-floor corridor when they heard Gao Qiang's voice, trembling with tears, coming from the office……

And the ground was littered with mutilated bodies wailing in agony.

Mu Lingxue's heart tightened; she shoved the door open, and the detectives behind her followed, brandishing their batons as they charged in, the red light of the law‑recording device flashing nonstop.

But the instant the door was pushed open, everyone froze.

Inside the office, the floor was full of collapsed thugs wailing in pain—some clutching broken legs, some covering their arms—while Lin Yuan stood in the middle, his suit spotless, his expression calm as if nothing had happened.

Gao Qiang knelt before Lin Yuan, his head bowed low, his back still trembling, the bloodstains on his knees scraping the floor, especially glaring.

Gao Qiang kowtowed repeatedly, meanwhile begging for mercy: "Mr. Lin Yuan, I was wrong! Please spare me! I'll never dare again!"

Mu Lingxue's hand, holding the baton, froze mid‑air, her eyes wide round, the law‑recording device almost slipping from her grasp—

This was completely unlike what she had imagined!

She had expected to see Lin Yuan injured and trapped, but instead Lin Yuan was unharmed, with Gao Qiang kneeling and apologizing?

Fei Fanjin, following behind, also rushed in; seeing Lin Yuan standing there unharmed, her heart that had been in her throat instantly dropped—but upon seeing the ground covered in carnage and Gao Qiang kneeling, she couldn't help but cover her mouth, her eyes wide with astonishment.

The air in the office instantly solidified, with only the thugs' anguished cries still echoing intermittently.

Mu Lingxue waited a good while before lowering her baton, cleared her throat, and tried to keep her voice steady:

"Lin Yuan, you… you alright?"

Lin Yuan turned his head to look at Mu Lingxue, gave a slight nod, and spoke in a flat tone: "I'm fine; they struck first, I was just defending myself."

Lin Yuan gazed at the suddenly rushing in Mu Lingxue and the police officers, raised his eyebrows slightly, and asked: "Officer Mu, how did you come here?"

Fei Fanjin stepped out quickly from behind Mu Lingxue, her rims still red, her voice tinged with lingering fear: "I was the one who called the police; I was worried something might happen to you, so I hurried to contact Officer Mu."

Mu Lingxue swept her gaze over the wailing thugs strewn across the office floor, then glanced at Gao Qiang kneeling on the ground, her expression instantly darkening.

She ordered the officers behind her: "Control Gao Qiang, and bring all other suspects back to the police station—don't let a single one slip!"

Gao Qiang looked at Mu Lingxue's obvious bias toward Lin Yuan, his whole mind went blank, his heart howling wildly:

Just what background does this Lin Yuan have? Not only can he stir the Underworld's Phoenix God, but even a Police officer is backing him up?!

Gao Qiang knew that once the police took him away, his running of a gambling den, loan‑sharking, and gang‑related crimes… would inevitably be exposed, and then he'd end up rotting in prison!

Taking advantage of the moment when two officers moved forward to cuff him, Gao Qiang suddenly shoved the officers aside and sprinted madly toward the office's floor‑to‑ceiling window—

This is the fifth floor; jumping down might let him escape—better than being caught!

"Stop him!" Mu Lingxue shouted sternly upon seeing the scene!

The officers hurried after him, but were still a step too late.

Gao Qiang yanked open the floor‑to‑ceiling window's latch, and the night wind rushed in with a "whoo"!

He glanced back at the approaching crowd, his eyes filled with madness, and without hesitation clambered onto the windowsill.

"Don't jump! That's the fifth floor!" Fei Fanjin cried, covering her mouth, her voice trembling.

Lin Yuan stood still, his fingertips already silently pinching a silver needle, his eyes locked on Gao Qiang's leg hanging in mid‑air—

He couldn't let Gao Qiang escape.

Gao Qiang gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, leaned forward, and his whole body plummeted toward the concrete ground below!

At the instant he was about to hit the ground, Lin Yuan flicked his wrist, and the silver needle shot out with a "swish", precisely striking Gao Qiang's right‑leg knee acupressure point.

"Ugh—!" The intense pain surged; as Gao Qiang landed, he lost balance and crashed heavily to the ground!

His right leg twisted at a bizarre angle upon impact, shattering the knee outright!

The anguished scream echoed throughout the casino's backyard.

Mu Lingxue and the officers rushed downstairs, only to see Gao Qiang lying on the ground, writhing in pain, unable even to crawl, let alone flee.

"Put him in the police car, first send him to the hospital to treat his injuries, and interrogate him as soon as he can speak!" Mu Lingxue instructed the officers, her voice tinged with residual fear—

Fortunately, Lin Yuan acted in time, preventing his escape.

Lin Yuan walked downstairs, watching as the officers lifted Gao Qiang onto a stretcher, his eyes showing no ripple: "I told you, you can't get away."

Gao Qiang was in so much pain he couldn't speak, only able to glare at Lin Yuan with hatred, yet he had not even a shred of strength left to resist.

……

Back at the police station.

After Gao Qiang's condition stabilized slightly, Mu Lingxue immediately arranged an interrogation.

But Gao Qiang stubbornly clenched his teeth and kept his mouth shut, refusing to utter a single word.

Mu Lingxue had no choice but to let Lin Yuan give it a try.

In interrogating suspects, Lin Yuan's Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Technique really works wonders.

In the interrogation room, the light was harsh and blinding.

Gao Qiang sat on the iron chair, his right leg in a cast, yet he stubbornly held his neck stiff; facing Mu Lingxue's questions, he simply refused to speak.

Mu Lingxue rubbed her brow, feeling helpless.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door; Lin Yuan pushed the door open, holding three silver needles between his fingertips, the needles glinting coldly in the light.

Swish! Gao Qiang caught a glimpse of those few silver needles, his pupils contracting sharply!

His right hand unconsciously clenched his trouser leg, and the old wound in his knee seemed to throb in sympathy.

Lin Yuan said nothing, walked straight up to Gao Qiang, bent down, and placed a silver needle on the corner of the table.

He lightly twisted his fingertip, and the silver needle spun upright on the tabletop, trembling but never falling.

"Boss Gao, still won't talk?" Lin Yuan's voice was soft, yet it felt like an ice pick stabbing into Gao Qiang's heart,

"You set up gambling dens, loan sharking, colluded with your brother Gao Qiming, engaged in illegal underworld activities, and even sent people to deal with me? These things, should I help you recall them one by one?" Lin Yuan asked sarcastically.

Gao Qiang swallowed, forcing out a harsh voice: "You're talking nonsense! I didn't! If you have evidence, produce it; don't use these heretical ways to scare people!"

Lin Yuan smiled, reached out and picked up the silver needle on the table, pinched the needle tip between his fingertips, and slowly brought it to Gao Qiang's uninjured left knee.

"Scare you?" He sank his fingertip slightly, the tip of the silver needle lightly pressing against Gao Qiang's knee acupressure point:

"This needle, when inserted, won't harm your muscles or bones, but it will make you feel a pain ten times worse than jumping off a building—soreness, numbness, swelling, and pain will seep into the bone marrow like countless ants gnawing at it."

Gao Qiang's whole body tensed, cold sweat instantly soaking the back of his hospital gown, yet he still gritted his teeth and shook his head: "I don't..."

Before he could finish, Lin Yuan exerted a little force with his fingertip, and the silver needle sank half an inch into the acupressure point!

Gao Qiang jerked violently, his left hand gripping the iron chair's armrest so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Uh... don't..."

Gao Qiang's voice began to tremble, cold sweat on his forehead trickling down his cheeks and dripping onto his collar, spreading dark stains.

Lin Yuan didn't stop; with his other hand he picked up another silver needle, aiming at Gao Qiang's elbow acupressure point.

He subtly rotated his fingertip, and the silver needle already in the knee went in another half a fen.

Gao Qiang let out an anguished "Ah!", his body uncontrollably lurching to the side, the iron chair scraping the floor with a piercing sound.

Gao Qiang's tears mixed with cold sweat streamed down, his plastered right leg scraping the ground, yet he ignored the pain, "I... I confess! I confess everything!"

Gao Qiang collapsed completely!

Under Lin Yuan's ruthless interrogation, he confessed everything!

His underworld criminal evidence, together with his brother Gao Qiming's joint underworld crimes, were all confessed……

Lin Yuan asked in a faint voice, "Gao Qiang, you've finished confessing your evidence; now let's talk about your brother."

Gao Qiang trembled as he confessed, "My brother... his Gao De Pharmaceutical Group is nothing but a shell... only because I'm behind him as a protective umbrella does he dare to act arrogantly in the market!"

"He deliberately withholds payment to suppliers, owing anywhere from a few hundred thousand to several million; whoever comes to collect, he sends my people to block their door!"

"Moreover, last year, a rival pharmaceutical company in Chengxi stole his business; he had people fabricate evidence, reported them for selling fake drugs, and literally drove that company into bankruptcy, its boss even forced into a pile of debt."

Lin Yuan sat in the chair, listening to Gao Qiang's confession, his fingertips lightly rubbing the remaining silver needles.

Gao Qiming dared to owe the Su Group 20 million; looking at this, he's clearly a habitual offender.

Mu Lingxue finished the transcript and had Gao Qiang sign and press his fingerprint!

At the moment his fingerprint was pressed, Gao Qiang went completely limp.

His underworld career is totally ruined!

Mu Lingxue said to the officer beside her:

"Based on Gao Qiang's confession of underworld facts—including organizing thugs for violent collection, shielding his brother Gao Qiming's illegal crimes, monopolizing regional gambling dens, etc. —there is sufficient grounds to charge him with organizing and leading a mafia-type organization, plus prior intentional injury and operating gambling dens, to be punished cumulatively."

She lifted her head to look at Lin Yuan, her tone somewhat stern: "Although using silver needles to extract confessions is against regulations, these pieces of evidence will later be verified through proper channels to ensure a lawful conviction."

Lin Yuan nodded: "As long as they get what they deserve, the process doesn't matter; the result is what counts."

The interrogation room's light remained harsh and bleak; as Gao Qiang was led away by the officers, his steps were unsteady, his eyes holding only utter despair.

Mu Lingxue looked at the transcript in her hand, filled with evidence, her fingertip tracing the words "Gao Qiming Gao De Pharmaceutical Group," her brows slightly furrowed——

I never expected Gao Qiang's brother to be involved as well.

She turned her head to look at Lin Yuan standing by the window, her eyes showing clear approval, hesitated a few seconds, then stepped forward and said: "Lin Yuan, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Lin Yuan turned his head, seeing Officer Mu's solemn expression, and lightly nodded: "Officer Mu, please go ahead."

"If it weren't for your silver-needle technique, Gao Qiang would never have confessed this quickly; the efficiency far exceeds our regular interrogations." Mu Lingxue spoke earnestly, her eyes full of anticipation:

"I still want to invite you to join the city criminal police brigade as our special consultant, specifically to assist with tough interrogation cases; what do you think, can you do it?"

She feared Lin Yuan would refuse, and added: "You don't need to clock in every day; just come when needed to help. The bureau will definitely not shortchange you on benefits, and you can also legally use your interrogation methods to avoid later trouble."

After hearing that, Lin Yuan directly shook his head: "Sorry, Officer Mu, I can't agree."

Mu Lingxue's anticipation faded instantly, and she asked, puzzled: "Is it the compensation? Or do you have other concerns? You can tell me; I'll try to coordinate."

"Neither." Lin Yuan said calmly, his eyes showing a hint of composure:

"I'm used to being free; I don't like being bound by rules. The police force has its own procedures and discipline; I fear my methods would disrupt your rhythm and instead cause chaos."

He paused, then continued: "Besides, I usually have my own matters to attend to; I can't guarantee being on call at a moment's notice, and if I delayed your cases, that would be worse."

Just kidding, he's someone who roams the martial world.

"He's a mouse; how could he join the black cat police chief's team?"

Lin Yuan didn't dare.

Mu Lingxue still wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Lin Yuan's firm gaze, the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back—

She knew Lin Yuan's character; once he decided, it was hard to change.

"Alright, I respect your decision." Mu Lingxue let out a soft sigh, her tone tinged with a hint of regret, "But if you ever encounter a case you truly can't judge in the future, I'll still come to you for help—don't refuse."

Lin Yuan felt somewhat helpless, nodding: "Alright…… if I have time, no problem."

……

The next morning, Lin Yuan was sitting in the Su Group office, working.

Suddenly, he received another call from Mu Lingxue.

"Lin Yuan, this morning our police also sealed Gao Qiming's Gao De Medical Group. Gao Qiming is suspected of illegal crimes and was also arrested." Mu Lingxue said over the phone.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Yuan blinked, "Really? Thank you for your hard work, Officer Mu."

"It's no trouble; since I've helped you this much, remember to treat me to a meal next time." Mu Lingxue's voice came over the phone, lightly laughing.

"No problem." Lin Yuan replied.

Only then did Mu Lingxue hang up.

Lin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief; from then on, both Gao Qiming and his brother Gao Qiang were arrested, eliminating a lingering worry.

……

In the afternoon, Lin Yuan specially went to a fruit shop to buy a box of durians and cherries, then made a trip to the Legal Department office.

These past few days, Fei Fanjin has been running around helping him, doing quite a bit. Lin Yuan planned to go thank her.

Fei Fanjin's office is on the 30th floor of the group; from the floor-to-ceiling windows one can see the street bustling with traffic, and on the desk sat the coffee she hadn't finished this morning.

When Lin Yuan pushed open the door, Fei Fanjin was sitting at her computer processing documents.

Sunlight fell on the tips of her hair, casting a soft glow. Hearing the movement, she looked up and saw Lin Yuan?

Fei Fanjin's beautiful eyes lit up instantly.

"How did you come here?" Fei Fanjin set down her mouse, her lips pursing slightly as she spoke.

Lin Yuan placed the fruit on the desk, his voice softer than usual: "Director Fei, thank you for your hard work these past days; thanks to your help, we were able to resolve the Gao De Medical Group issue."

Upon hearing the three words "Director Fei," Fei Fanjin's hand holding the pen paused; as she lifted her head to look at him, the faint smile on her face faded.

She set the pen down, her fingertips lightly poking the mesh bag holding the durian, her tone hinting at a subtle grievance mixed with a touch of anger: "You still call me Director Fei?"

Lin Yuan blinked, not realizing what was wrong, and scratched his head: "What should I call you then?"

"Addressing me so formally makes it seem like we're just superior and subordinate, as if the person who worried about you until midnight wasn't me."

Fei Fanjin slightly pursed her lips, her gaze landing on him with a hint of accusation.

Only then did Lin Yuan belatedly realize his slip; seeing the disappointment in Fei Fanjin's eyes, his heart inexplicably tightened: "Sorry, I…… I'm just used to calling you that at the company, I didn't mean anything else."

"Then what about in private? Do you still call me Director Fei in private?" Fei Fanjin pressed, her tone softening a bit but still carrying a hint of insistence.

Lin Yuan looked at her earnest gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing, and hurriedly corrected himself: "Fanjin..."

Upon hearing that address, Fei Fanjin's eyes brightened instantly.

Her previously furrowed brows relaxed, the smile at the corners of her mouth returned, the earlier anger and grievance completely dissipated, and she nodded satisfactorily.

Her tone carried a playful probe, yet hid an earnest seriousness: "I've helped you a lot these days, haven't I? Yesterday, worried something might happen to you, I panicked at midnight and called Officer Mu to report it—how do you plan to thank me?"

Lin Yuan thought she just wanted ordinary thanks, breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately said: "Let me treat you to dinner tonight—what would you like? Chinese, Western, or that Japanese place you mentioned before? You pick the spot."

Fei Fanjin, however, gently shook her head, stepped a little closer, bringing herself nearer to Lin Yuan, a faint gardenia scent drifting from her into his nostrils.

Her eyes also gained a bolder gleam: "Dinner is too ordinary; I don't want that."

Lin Yuan blinked, puzzled, and asked: "Then what do you want to eat?"

Then Fei Fanjin's voice dropped, laced with an ambiguous warmth, brushing his ear: "I... want to eat you."