Chapter 472: I will possess you now!

Just as both sides were on the verge of drawing swords and nocking arrows……

An Yunxi suddenly grabbed Zhao Yuyan's arm, lowering her voice to advise: "Zhao Mei Mei, keep a low profile. We haven't broken any law; being invited for tea is no big deal—just stay calm."

An Yunxi turned her head and raised her hand toward the members of the Goddess Bar.

An Yunxi said lightly, "Everyone, relax—just treat it as a visit to the police station. Cooperate with the police officers' work; it's no big deal."

Having said that, An Yunxi proactively extended her wrist, smiling at the approaching detective: "Put the handcuffs on me—it'll save you the trouble."

Lin Yuan watched the cooperating An Yunxi, then glanced at Mu Lingxue, whose face remained tense……

Lin Yuan let out a soft sigh and also extended his hand: "I'll go with you."

With Lin Yuan and An Yunxi taking the lead……

Zhao Yuyan was unwilling, yet An Yunxi stopped her retort with a glance.

You Nianchu even pouted, released Lin Yuan's arm, and obediently extended her hand.

Seeing this, the other old-faction members likewise lowered their guard and cooperated with the detectives, putting on handcuffs.

An Yunxi, being a seasoned hand, knew that in this situation, resisting the police would only make things harder to resolve; it was better to cooperate meekly.

Anyway, they hadn't broken any law, so the police had nothing to hold against them.

The police sirens wailed again, and Lin Yuan, along with a group of the old faction's core members…… were taken away in batches to police cars.

They were taken directly to the City Public Security Bureau for investigation.

Mu Lingxue sat in the driver's seat of the police car, watching in the rearview mirror Lin Yuan's blood-soaked figure……

Mu Lingxue held back the urge to cry, but she fought back the tears, not letting them fall.

Her grip on the steering wheel never loosened.

Although she felt heartbroken for Lin Yuan.

But she could not forgive a man who had deceived her!

……

Night fell.

City Public Security Bureau, inside the detective squad.

The interrogation room's incandescent light blazed painfully bright.

Lin Yuan sat on the metal chair; his wound had been simply treated, but the fatigue on his face could not be concealed.

Two interrogators sat opposite each other, with a thick dossier spread before them……

Inside were all the investigation materials concerning the 'Priest' and the Divine Phoenix Group.

"Lin Yuan, we already have the evidence—you are the core member of the Divine Phoenix Group known as the 'Priest,' right?" the chief interrogator pushed up his glasses, his tone stern.

"The Changsheng Group was smashed, the New Faction suffered repeated blows—all linked to you. Tell us, what is the Divine Phoenix Group's organizational structure, its funding sources, and the details of those violent clashes?" the interrogator asked gravely.

Lin Yuan lifted his gaze, his eyes calm as he said:

"I admit I am a member of the Divine Phoenix Group, but I have committed no crime. The Changsheng Group engaged in drug trafficking, illegal lending, etc.; I reported it and assisted the police in gathering evidence. Eliminating the Changsheng Group was also a service to the public, wasn't it? This shouldn't count as a crime, should it?"

"Furthermore, when the New Faction gathered to surround and kidnap police, my intervention was legitimate self-defense. As for the so-called violent clashes, it was always they who struck first; we merely acted in self-preservation."

Lin Yuan said in a calm tone.

He refused to disclose any alleged underworld activities.

No matter how the interrogators hinted or presented related clues……

However the interrogation proceeded, Lin Yuan refused to confess and would not admit to any underworld involvement.

Lin Yuan only ever stressed that his actions were lawful.

He kept silent about the internal workings of the Divine Phoenix Group……

The interrogation lasted into the late night, but the officers made no breakthrough.

In the end, the interrogator helplessly announced a recess.

The police placed Lin Yuan in a temporary detention cell.

As the cold iron door slammed shut, Lin Yuan leaned against the wall and closed his eyes……

That night he spent in the cramped detention cell……

……

The next morning, the City Public Security Bureau issued an announcement.

The Bureau formally rescinded the suspension decision against Mu Lingxue.

Furthermore, the Bureau also issued a new appointment:

Mu Lingxue was appointed as the Hangcheng Anti-Organized Crime Special Task Force Leader, taking full responsibility for the subsequent interrogation and deep investigation of underworld groups.

At the same time, she was granted greater law-enforcement authority.

……

In the office, Mu Tiecheng watched his daughter, dressed in police uniform, sorting documents.

Mu Tiecheng couldn't help but sigh, then privately advised: "Lingxue, Dad knows you feel wronged, but this kid Lin Yuan… although he concealed his identity from you, he has never harmed you; this time he even risked his life to save you. The matter of the Divine Phoenix Group isn't as simple as you think—don't get fixated on it."

"Dad, I'm a police officer," Mu Lingxue said, raising her hand to cut off her father's words.

Her beautiful eyes solemn as she said, "No matter who he is, concealing one's identity and involving oneself in the underground order falls under my jurisdiction. Public and private must be distinct—that is a police officer's basic principle."

Mu Lingxue lowered her gaze to the appointment document for the Anti-Organized Crime Squad Leader in her hands……

Her beautiful eyes were complex, her lashes shading the tangled emotions at their depths.

Only Mu Lingxue herself understood……

What truly angered her was not Lin Yuan's involvement with the underworld.

But rather the person who would cook for her, stand up for her when she was pestered, and tenderly care for her when she was hurt—someone who had countless opportunities to be frank……

Yet Lin Yuan, that scoundrel, chose instead…… to keep deceiving her.

This deception makes her feel worse than any blade or spear threat.

……

At eight in the morning, Mu Lingxue carried an insulated bag and personally walked toward the temporary detention room.

The iron door of the detention room was opened.

Lin Yuan was leaning against the wall corner, eyes closed, cultivating his spirit; hearing the movement, he slowly opened his eyes……

When he saw the figure at the doorway, a flicker of surprise crossed Lin Yuan's eyes.

The person who came was Mu Lingxue.

Mu Lingxue walked into the interrogation phone, placing the insulated bag on the interrogation table.

She stiffly opened the bag; inside was a portion of millet porridge, two tea eggs, and a small plate of stir-fried vegetables.

This was breakfast she specially packed from the police station cafeteria.

"Eat breakfast first." Mu Lingxue said in a flat voice, not looking at Lin Yuan.

"When you're done, we'll continue the interrogation."

Lin Yuan wasn't polite either; he got up and walked to the table to sit down.

He picked up the spoon, scooped a mouthful of millet porridge; the warm texture slid down his throat, dispelling the chill of the night.

Lin Yuan lowered his head and ate silently, without speaking.

Only the light clinking of bowls and chopsticks echoed in the interrogation room.

Mu Lingxue sat opposite, her hands clasped beneath the table.

Her gaze fell on Lin Yuan, her eyes complex and hard to read.

Ten minutes later, the food in the insulated bag was eaten clean.

Lin Yuan put down the spoon, just about to speak……

Mu Lingxue then spoke first, her tone instantly turning cold: "Why did you deceive me?"

"I didn't want you to worry." Lin Yuan lifted his gaze, eyes sincere: "My identity is special; the people and things I come into contact with are all dangerous. Telling you would only add to your concerns, possibly even drag you in."

"Is that really not wanting me to worry?" Mu Lingxue slammed the table, her voice suddenly rising, anger surging in her eyes.

"Do you know how worried I was for your safety when the New Faction surrounded me, thinking you were just an ordinary office worker? Do you know how shocked I was when I heard them call you 'Priest'? Lin Yuan, you bastard! Your so-called not worrying is just keeping me in the dark, making me a fool you toy with!"

The angrier Mu Lingxue got, her beautiful eyes reddening: "You're nothing but a complete liar!"

She took a deep breath, suppressed her surging emotions, pulled out an interrogation record from the folder, and pushed it toward Lin Yuan:

"Tell me, what position do you hold in the Divine Phoenix Group? What illegal activities have you participated in? The Changsheng Group was destroyed—was it you guys eating each other? Members of the New Faction say your methods are ruthless, that you've forced many opponents to their deaths—is that true?"

Lin Yuan glanced at the interrogation record, then slowly repeated:

"I'll say it again: although I'm a member of the Goddess Bar, I am law-abiding and have never committed any crime."

Thereafter, no matter how Mu Lingxue pressed, he remained silent.

Lin Yuan repeatedly emphasized…… that his actions were self-defense, and the Divine Phoenix Group had never engaged in illegal activities.

Seeing his refusal to cooperate, Mu Lingxue's face darkened further; she pulled out two more records: "Fine, you won't talk about the illegal activities—then I'll ask: what's your relationship with Zhao Yuyan and You Nianchu?"

"Nothing special, just friends and partners." Lin Yuan answered bluntly.

"Friends?" Mu Lingxue scoffed, slapping Zhao Yuyan's interrogation record in front of him: "Her record says you're her man, a future partner of Nine Honors International, and the person she's chosen. How can you call that just friends?"

Her voice trembled slightly: "You scumbag, what else are you hiding from me? On one hand you show me concern, on the other you're ambiguous with other women."

"I really have no relation with Zhao Yuyan." Lin Yuan explained helplessly: "Nine Honors International and the Divine Phoenix Group do cooperate, but my private relationship with Zhao Yuyan is merely friendship; her words might be a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? What about You Nianchu?" Mu Lingxue pushed another record over: "Her record says you and she are in a teacher-student romance, and she claims she can change herself to become whatever you want. Is that also a misunderstanding?"

Lin Yuan looked at that record, opened his mouth, and finally only let out a helpless sigh: "……"

Lin Yuan truly doesn't know how to explain his waist.

Those two women were never easy to deal with.

Can we believe what those two women say?

But Lin Yuan explains, and Mu Lingxue still won't listen!

The more they argue about these matters, the messier it gets, instead resembling a futile attempt to cover up.

Lin Yuan simply leaned back, relaxing his furrowed brows.

His tone carried a hint of resigned frankness: "If you think it's so, then it is."

That sentence was like a match, instantly igniting all the pent-up emotions in Mu Lingxue.

She sprang up from her chair, sending the documents on the table flying to the floor.

Mu Lingxue's beautiful eyes reddened, her voice trembling with anger: "You dead scumbag! I knew it! You're indeed juggling three lovers—being good to me while stringing along Zhao Yuyan and having a teacher-student romance with You Nianchu! What do you think we are?!"

"I didn't—" Lin Yuan began to retort, but swallowed the words again……

After days of fatigue and being misunderstood, Lin Yuan also grew angry.

Lin Yuan simply went along with her words, his tone deliberately provocative: "Yes, you think it's so, then it is. I'm not just juggling three lovers; I even have several backups outside. Does that satisfy you?"

"You!" Mu Lingxue trembled all over, her finger pointing at Lin Yuan shaking.

The atmosphere in the interrogation room instantly turned tense, their voices growing louder……

From argument it turned into pure emotional confrontation……

The sound of tables and chairs colliding was especially harsh in the confined space.

Anger clouded Mu Lingxue's judgment; she suddenly turned and snatched an electric baton from the equipment box in the corner.

With red eyes she walked toward Lin Yuan: "Say it again—how many boats are you stepping on?!"

Lin Yuan sneered, "You still dare to torture me? I'm stepping on five boats—satisfied?! I have many lovers outside!"

Before he could finish speaking…… the cold electric baton pressed against his arm@!

Mu Lingxue trembled as she pressed the switch……

She was really goaded.

Electric current instantly surged through Lin Yuan's whole body!

The pain at the wound suddenly intensified, as if countless needles were pricking it.

Lin Yuan let out a muffled groan, cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead, and his body began to spasm uncontrollably.

After barely holding on for a few seconds, Lin Yuan's vision went black and he collapsed heavily onto the chair, completely losing consciousness.

"Lin Yuan? Lin Yuan!" Mu Lingxue exclaimed in fright and immediately shut off the switch.

The electroshock device clanged to the floor.

She lunged to Lin Yuan's side, looking at his ashen, paper‑white face…

Mu Lingxue truly panicked; the anger she had just felt was instantly replaced by fear.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks as she clung to Lin Yuan's body, choking out: "You'd better be all right… I'll call an ambulance right away!"

Just as she reached for the walkie‑talkie, the previously unconscious Lin Yuan suddenly opened his eyes…

Lin Yuan raised his hand and grabbed her wrist, saying helplessly: "It's fine, no need for an ambulance—I was just pretending to pass out."

Mu Lingxue's motion froze abruptly, tears still hanging on her face.

Looking at Lin Yuan's clear eyes, all her worry instantly turned into a surging fury.

Mu Lingxue roughly shook off Lin Yuan's hand and snapped: "Lin Yuan! Is it fun to toy with me?!"

Lin Yuan leaned on the chair and slowly sat up, rubbing his numb arms.

Lin Yuan shrugged helplessly: "Your emotions are completely out of control; I think you need to calm down and think rationally—continuing the interrogation would be pointless."

"Deadbeat scum, what's it to you!" Mu Lingxue wiped the tears from her face, eyes blazing with anger: "You just wait—I'll make you confess every crime honestly!"

Having said that, she turned and stormed out, kicking the interrogation room door hard; with a loud "Bang!", she flung the door shut and left.

Only Lin Yuan remained, sitting alone in the interrogation room.

He helplessly shook his head and sighed, "Ah, this woman, she's crazy……"

……

Mu Lingxue hurried back to her office.

She had just pushed the door open when she saw her father, Mu Tiesheng, sitting in her chair, flipping through the preliminary interrogation report of the New Faction.

"Dad, what are you doing here?" Mu Lingxue took a deep breath, trying to calm her breathing.

Mu Tiesheng set down the documents, lifted his head, and looked at his daughter's red-rimmed eyes and tense expression.

Mu Tiesheng let out a soft sigh: "Let Lin Yuan go."

"No way!" Mu Lingxue shook her head without thinking, her tone icy and angry: "He concealed his identity, is involved in the underground order, and has major gang-related suspicions; I want to arrest this bastard, detain him, interrogate him slowly, and definitely uncover all his problems!"

Mu Tiesheng sighed, "Ah, why go through all this…… Give Lin Yuan a chance…… He's really not a bad person."

"Dad, stop talking, I know myself!" Mu Lingxue angrily interrupted her father's words!

Father Mu Tiesheng could only sigh helplessly and shake his head.

Who knows about his daughter's explosive temper? No matter how he tries to persuade, it's useless.

It's just, poor Lin Yuan, that young man.

Ah, what a fine young man.

Mu Tiesheng looked at his daughter's unmoving demeanor and didn't press further with persuasion.

He simply placed a document on the table: "This is the investigation result of Zhao Yuyan and An Yunxi; all evidence shows they were merely acting in self-defense, with no gang-related activity. As the head of the anti-gang unit, you must speak by evidence, not act on emotion. Release them."

Mu Lingxue silently opened the file; the investigation records inside were clear and detailed……

The business license of the Goddess Bar and the legal operation certificate of Nine Honors International.

Even there were Lin Yuan's earlier…… anonymous tip records of assisting the police in cracking down on the Changsheng Group.

Her fingertip traced those cold words, and in the end she still sighed, picked up a pen, and signed the release order.

……

At dusk, the entrance of the City Public Security Bureau.

Zhao Yuyan, An Yunxi, You Nianchu, and others walked out of the gate……

These members of the old faction were all released without charge.

Outside the police station, the lot was filled with vehicles of the Jianghu Group.

But You Nianchu, Zhao Yuyan, and the others did not immediately get into the cars.

"Lin Laoshi hasn't come out yet." You Nianchu scrunched her small face, looking toward the police building, "We can't leave him alone inside."

"Don't worry, he'll be fine." An Yunxi patted her shoulder and spoke gently, "Although Mu Lingxue is angry, she's a good officer and won't act recklessly. Let's go back first to prepare the bail materials, and come again tomorrow."

Zhao Yuyan also nodded, her icy gaze sweeping over the police station gate, then turned and got into the car first……

The core members of the old faction, aside from Lin Yuan, were all released without charge.

……

The night grew deeper.

The incandescent light in the interrogation room remained on.

Lin Yuan leaned against the wall, closed his eyes to rest……

He had been hungry for a day, having eaten nothing.

Just then, Lin Yuan suddenly heard familiar footsteps.

He opened his eyes and saw Mu Lingxue walking in carrying an insulated bucket……

She had changed out of her police uniform into casual clothes—a simple white T-shirt and jeans—losing some of her sharpness and gaining a bit of softness.

"All the other old faction members have been released without charge." Mu Lingxue said in an icy voice.

Upon hearing that, Lin Yuan let out a breath.

He was about to get up.

As a result, Mu Lingxue added emphasis again, saying, "But you, Lin Yuan! You still can't be released! My investigation of you isn't over yet!"

Lin Yuan hearing this, instantly speechless.

This woman, she's deliberately targeting her.

"When can you let me go?" Lin Yuan asked.

Mu Lingxue said coldly, "Only after I finish the interrogation and confirm you have no charges can that happen! Right now, you're still a suspect, got it?!"

"Understood." Lin Yuan pursed his lips, sat on the interrogation chair, too lazy to rebut further.

Mu Lingxue placed the thermal bucket on the table, opened the lid, inside were steaming hot wontons, "My mom made them, eat them while hot."

Lin Yuan looked at the fragrant wontons, didn't move.

The interrogation room was so quiet that one could hear the wind outside the window.

Mu Lingxue was the first to break the silence.

Her voice was much softer than during the day, yet carried a barely perceptible tremor: "Why did you deceive me? You clearly know I'm not the type to treat people differently based on identity."

She lifted her gaze to look at Lin Yuan, complex emotions surging in her eyes.

At this moment, Mu Lingxue's beautiful eyes… no longer held the daytime anger, but more grievance and confusion: "And… did you ever really like me? Was all your kindness toward me fake?"

Lin Yuan lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze, after a moment of silence he gently shook his head, his voice light as a sigh: "No, I never liked you."

"No…" Mu Lingxue repeated those three words, as if all her strength had been drained…

Her eye sockets instantly reddened, the pent-up emotions burst completely.

Mu Lingxue's tears, like beads from a broken string, rolled down…

She covered her mouth, shoulders trembling slightly, choked out curses: "You bastard! Dead scumbag!"

The emotional outburst caused her to lose rationality…

Mu Lingxue raised her hand, her jade-like hand whistling with wind… and slapped toward Lin Yuan's cheek.

Lin Yuan reacted extremely quickly, reaching out and firmly gripping her wrist.

The warmth from his palm transmitted through her skin, causing her motion to freeze mid-air.

"Let's not let our feelings escalate into impulsiveness, okay?" Lin Yuan's voice carried helplessness, yet his grip on her wrist was gentle.

"Bastard! If you don't like me, why are you entangling me?" Mu Lingxue struggled fiercely, her tears flowing more intensely.

Her anguished cries echoed in the interrogation room: "You cooked noodles for me, tended to my wounds, rushed to my aid when I was in danger… are all those fake? What did you make of my sincerity?"

Lin Yuan looked at her eyes, red from crying, and finally let go.

Lin Yuan softly sighed: "It's not that I don't like you."

He paused, tone sincere: "Mu Lingxue, I admit, I do like you. You're beautiful and sexy, plus a beautiful police flower, with such great conditions—who wouldn't like you?"

"Then why…" Mu Lingxue's sobbing paused, she asked with a choked voice.

"But liking cannot turn into possession." Lin Yuan interrupted her, his eyes full of heaviness.

"The jianghu I'm in is too dark; every day I face fighting and killing, I don't know if I'll be alive tomorrow. Moreover, my family's circumstances are too poor, we could never be together. I can't drag you into this mire, nor can I delay you."

"Liking is possession!" Mu Lingxue suddenly stepped forward, rising onto her tiptoes!

Her lips, wet with tears… fiercely pressed against Lin Yuan.

Her motion carried the resolve of a desperate gamble…

Mu Lingxue gripped Lin Yuan's collar with both hands and shoved him hard onto the interrogation table behind him.

The documents were knocked scattered all over the floor.

Mu Lingxue lay atop Lin Yuan, kissing him fiercely and hastily, her voice muffled:

"I want to possess you right now!"