C20 The Intention of the Drunken Wine Was Not in Wine.

Just as he made his move, a sudden numbness shot through his wrist.

Hu Yang had effortlessly seized his wrist and deftly pushed him aside!

Lee Yiming's heart skipped a beat. The speed was astonishing; he hadn't even seen Hu Yang coming. If Hu Yang had intended to attack, Lee Yiming realized the gun would already be pointed at his head.

While Lee Yiming was still reeling from the shock, Hu Yang casually released his grip and strolled away, unconcerned about turning his back to him.

Lee Yiming's face paled as he remembered the surveillance footage Lee Yuanba had left behind. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. With Hu Yang's prowess, even if it were only half of Lee Yuanba's, Lee Yiming knew he wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Lee Yiming pondered further; if Lyu Jun believed Hu Yang was the mastermind, his martial arts might well rival Lee Yuanba's.

This thought made Lee Yiming shudder; he had narrowly escaped death. If Hu Yang had wanted him dead, he might already be on his way to the afterlife.

Another thought struck Lee Yiming: someone as formidable as Hu Yang shouldn't have fallen prey to Lee Mangniu in prison!

He motioned for the officers to escort Hu Yang to the visitation room and summoned Lee Mangniu.

When Lee Mangniu emerged, clutching his bloodied palm, his eyes bulged, and a rueful smile crossed his face.

"Lee Mangniu, you're usually so tough. What's got you so spooked today?" Lee Yiming taunted.

Defiantly, Lee Mangniu retorted, "Officer Lee, if he had come at you the way he came at me, you'd be no better off right now."

Fuming, Lee Yiming barked, "Back to your cell!"

At that moment, Hu Yang entered the visitation room and was greeted by two familiar faces—Lin Xin's seething with resentment, and her mother, Hsu Lili's eyes glinting with guile.

With a resounding clang, the iron door shut behind him. Hu Yang faced them with an icy stare.

Hsu Lili regarded Hu Yang with her usual air of superiority.

"Do you know why we're here to see you?"

Hu Yang glanced at her impassively and replied, "I don't."

"Hmph, after all the years Lin Xin has been with you, you've left her in this state. Don't you feel any remorse?"

Hu Yang's gaze grew icy as he responded firmly, "Your visit isn't just about wanting to see me wracked with guilt, is it?"

Hsu Lili was taken aback, glancing at Lin Xin, she remarked, "He's not as straightforward as you made him out to be! Could he have been masquerading as a poor man all along?"

Lin Xin scoffed, "Exactly! If he were truly poor, how could he have charmed Hsiao Xinya? I saw her at his place last night, perfectly unharmed! Mom, you wouldn't believe me and insisted on calling the cops! Isn't that just asking for trouble? What good does his arrest do us?"

"Lin Xin, you witnessed him giving Hsiao Xinya a set of golden armor yesterday, didn't you?" Hsu Lili countered with a question.

"Yes, so what?" Lin Xin asked, puzzled.

"That golden armor belongs to our family!" Hsu Lili's smile turned sly.

Hu Yang was momentarily taken aback, then quickly surmised that Aunt Xu was likely scheming.

Lin Xin blurted out in astonishment, "Since when do we have golden armor in our family?"

"It's a legacy from your great-grandfather, a treasured heirloom of the Lin family. It mysteriously disappeared a few days ago, and I never imagined it would end up with Hu Yang," Hsu Lili explained earnestly.

Lin Xin's expression grew increasingly bewildered, "Is that true?"

Ignoring her, Hsu Lili turned to Hu Yang with a warm smile, "Little Hu, your current predicament is partly my responsibility. Deputy Director Lu is an old classmate of mine. If you agree to one condition, I'll ask him to help release you. Moreover, I'll stop meddling in your affairs with Lin Xin. What do you say?"

Hu Yang stared at her coldly. He had a hunch about her intentions but maintained his composure, "What's the condition? Go ahead, I'm listening."

Despite having mastered the Great Way of Infinity and breaking through to the late stage of a man of prowess, nearly unlocking the Earth Spirit's domain, Hu Yang knew that in a modern society dominated by firearms and state control, he couldn't rely on ancient heroics or his increasing agility to stand against the nation. His priority was to get out of prison, then figure out his next move.

A smug look crossed Hsu Lili's eyes as she said, "Return my family's ancestral golden armor, and I'll ensure your release from prison."

She was indeed after the golden armor, which had vanished on its own the previous night. Even if it hadn't, Hu Yang wouldn't have handed it over to this crone.

"It's not with me."

"I know you've hidden it. I was right there, watching them search your house today, but they found nothing! Hsiao Xinya didn't take it either when she came out last night. So, I'm certain you stashed the golden armor away," Hsu Lili deduced confidently.

Hu Yang mused that admitting the armor wasn't in his possession would likely fall on deaf ears, and she might even conspire with Deputy Director Lu against him.

With that in mind, Hu Yang replied, "I've hidden it somewhere no one can find."

Greed flickered in Hsu Lili's eyes. "Where? Tell me now!"

"First, get me out, then I'll tell you," Hu Yang retorted, his expression icy.

"No way! You're in no position to bargain with me! Listen, Hu, if you don't reveal where that golden armor is hidden, I assure you, you'll never leave this place," Hsu Lili threatened.

Hu Yang knew that even if he did know the golden armor's location and told her, she wouldn't release him. With this realization, he scoffed, "Whether I get out of here is my concern. As for you, forget about ever seeing that golden armor again."

Hsu Lili's expression turned sinister. "Xiao Hu, remember, without my help, they'll make sure you don't survive this."

Hu Yang spoke with a dismissive tone, "My affairs are none of your concern."

Lin Xin let out a mocking laugh. "Uncle Lu just mentioned you're implicated in several murder cases and you're likely to face the death penalty soon! Beg my mother now, and you might just have a sliver of hope. Otherwise, once you're found guilty, not even a deity could save you!"

A shiver ran through Hu Yang's heart. History had shown that those who sought to condemn a man could always fabricate a charge.

A glint of icy resolve flickered in his eyes. If it came to that, he'd find a way to break free.

"You have half an hour to decide," he said. "Lin Xin and I will be waiting outside. Your fate—life or death—hinges on your decision."

Hsu Lili rose to her feet and strode out without a backward glance, convinced that Hu Yang would plead with her.

She believed that the more resolute her departure, the more fearful Hu Yang would become, eventually leading him to weep and desperately beg for her return.

Trailing behind, Lin Xin whispered, "Mom, if Hu Yang surrenders the Golden Silk Armor, can you truly save him?"