Chapter 9: The Interrogation

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Zhou Chen was summoned to a nearby police station. Zhou Xiang, Liu Shurong, and Zhou Yuting, the eldest sister, were all frantic and hurriedly took leave to rush to the station. Not only Zhou Chen was called in; there were more than a dozen others who, like Zhou Chen, frequented the bar every night.

The interrogation was related to a recent series of bizarre mental illness cases linked to the bar. People who were perfectly healthy, with no history of illness, suddenly suffered severe convulsions after just one visit to the bar, as if enduring immense pain. After being sent to the hospital, all of them ended up diagnosed with mental disorders.

The police initially suspected this was a premeditated poisoning case, using some kind of drug to induce mental illness. Since all incidents occurred after 10 p.m., the authorities summoned all customers present during that time.

The case drew considerable attention from higher-ups because many victims were second-generation wealthy heirs, whose families demanded severe punishment and applied pressure on their superiors.

In fact, Zhou Chen was a prime suspect, but when the police learned that he was the young hero who had thwarted a previous hostage situation, they treated him with notable courtesy.

“Little brother, the person who will question you shortly is the deputy captain of our city’s criminal investigation unit. He looks fierce and speaks sternly, but don’t take it personally.”

Zhou Chen nodded and gave the auxiliary officer a friendly smile. When plainclothes officers had come to his home to summon him, he thought his actions had been exposed and almost contemplated fleeing into the wilderness. Since there was no evidence, it would be easy to deny everything.

After all, controlling parasitic insects to devour souls and turn people into lunatics was such an absurd and fantastical notion that no police officer would believe it. Even if he confessed truthfully, they probably wouldn’t accept it.

Soon, it was Zhou Chen’s turn. He entered the interrogation room unshackled, not a prisoner after all. As the auxiliary officer had warned, the interrogator was a fierce-looking policeman, radiating an aura of menace, likely having taken a few lives in his career.

“Name!” the officer demanded in a rough, oppressive tone.

But Zhou Chen was unfazed. His soul strength had reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement, far beyond an ordinary person. Not to mention a fierce policeman, even a roaring Siberian tiger wouldn’t intimidate him—provided the tiger was caged.

Of course, Zhou Chen had not yet cultivated powers commensurate with his soul strength.

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Only when his soul strength reached the Foundation Establishment stage would he be able to unlock new seals on the strange insects. Then, he could truly begin the path of cultivation.

“I’m Zhou Chen, a senior student in Class 2, Grade 3 at City No.1 High School. The college entrance exam is coming up soon. Please make your questioning quick—I need to get back to studying.”

The seasoned detective was named Lei Kuan, experienced in interrogation. Usually, a stern tone would rattle young people like Zhou Chen. But what troubled Lei was that Zhou Chen showed no sign of fear from his loud voice; his gaze was calm, even a bit impatient.

This young man had an extraordinarily strong psychological foundation.

That was Lei Kuan’s first impression of Zhou Chen.

“I’ve reviewed your file. Tell me, why does a senior student, about to take the college entrance exam, frequent a bar every night?”

Zhou Chen produced a prepared explanation: “The academic pressure is intense. Seeing people in the bar letting loose helps me relax quite a bit.”

It was a reasonable excuse.

Yet Lei Kuan knew well that someone with Zhou Chen’s psychological resilience wouldn’t need a bar to relieve exam stress. There had to be something he didn’t know.

“You must know why we summoned you.”

Zhou Chen nodded. “Many cases of mental illness have appeared in the bar. But shouldn’t you investigate why they became mentally ill?”

Lei Kuan chuckled. “We haven’t cracked that yet; the perpetrator’s methods are very sophisticated. But we found something interesting about you—guess what?”

Zhou Chen replied bluntly, “I won’t guess. You’re the cop, and you want me to guess? I suspect your professionalism.”

Lei Kuan’s smile stiffened. This young man’s mental toughness was frighteningly strong.

“Before the bar cases emerged, there was an incident in your residential community. The victim was a wealthy lady who had a conflict with you. Also, before you started going to the bar, there were no mental illness cases there. The illnesses all appeared after you began frequenting the bar. Don’t you think that’s quite a coincidence?”

Zhou Chen nodded. “It is quite a coincidence, but the world is vast and full of wonders. Why don’t you check other places for new cases? Maybe it really is just a coincidence!”

Lei Kuan’s expression darkened. He slammed the table hard. “Zhou Chen, I don’t know how you turned these people into lunatics, but I advise you to confess your methods and motives truthfully to get leniency!”

Zhou Chen smiled. “So you’re outright accusing me as the suspect?”

“I just risked my life to save a middle schooler and haven’t even had my stitches removed, yet you cops treat me like this? I think the media will love to report on this.”

He then pulled his phone from his pocket.

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The phone was recording the entire interrogation.

“Your interrogation technique is clever but illegal. I will file a complaint with the local police department, so you’d better apologize to me now.”

Lei Kuan’s face changed.

He was certain Zhou Chen was the culprit, but he had no evidence. Worse, Zhou Chen held leverage that could damage Lei’s career.

Originally, Lei had intended to intimidate Zhou Chen with loud rebukes and a firm tone to make him slip up—his usual tactic, which broke many people with weaker nerves.

But Zhou Chen not only smiled cheerfully but also constantly waved his phone in hand.

Lei Kuan wanted to rush forward and smash the phone, but the interrogation room was under surveillance. If he dared, he might face criminal charges.

“Alright! Alright! Alright! You’re impressive, kid!”

Though Lei Kuan knew Zhou Chen was guilty, he had no choice but to let him go.

Before leaving, Zhou Chen smiled and said, “Lei~ Kuan~ I’ll remember your name, deputy captain of the city’s criminal investigation unit.”

“With my current standing, even if I complain about you, it probably won’t affect you much. But don’t worry—when I become the top scorer in the college entrance exam, I expect you’ll be the one apologizing to me.”

Though still an ordinary person, Zhou Chen’s mindset was already shifting toward that of a cultivator. After all, in recent days, the power of the soul-devouring insects controlling others’ fates had steadily boosted his confidence.

Watching Zhou Chen’s retreating figure, Lei Kuan’s already stern face darkened even further.

“You’d better hope you never fall into my hands,” he whispered coldly.

But Zhou Chen, having heard this, turned back and smiled at Lei Kuan.

“I won’t.”

Seeing this, Lei Kuan felt a chill rise along his spine and could not help but shiver.