C21 When the Flying Dragon Saw the Head, It Was a Petty Thief.

Hsu Lili sneered dismissively, "You're being naive. Even if I could save him, I wouldn't bother! Why should I, after what he did to your face?"

"Exactly, we shouldn't save him. Let him get what he deserves!" Lin Xin, touching the bandaged wound on her forehead, seethed with anger.

After leaving the detention room, Hsu Lili deliberately slowed her pace. Unexpectedly, Hu Yang didn't plead for her help, nor did he call after her to stop.

In a hushed tone, Lin Xin asked, "Mom, he seems reluctant to give up the golden silk armor. What's our next move?"

Hsu Lili let out a cold laugh and replied, "He's aware we'll be back in half an hour, so he's probably not worried yet."

Upon returning to Lyu Jun's office, before they could even sit and have a drink of water, Lee Yiming entered with two men dressed in distinctive uniforms.

Their attire resembled police uniforms but wasn't quite the same. They wore no hats, and on their sleeves was a peculiar emblem—a green dragon soaring amidst the clouds.

Lyu Jun greeted them with utmost courtesy, though he was still in the dark about their identities.

The men were on the older side—one in his fifties, lean yet with piercing eyes that seemed to penetrate one's soul. The other, in his forties, sported a crew cut and a square jaw, exuding strength.

The lean middle-aged man gave Hsu Lili and Lin Xin a cold glance and inquired bluntly, "Who are these two? Why are they here?"

Hsu Lili bristled at being overlooked. Despite suspecting the men had significant clout, she was not without her own social standing, especially as an old classmate of Lyu Jun's.

Unsure of the men's status, Lyu Jun paused before explaining that Hsu Lili and Lin Xin were informants who had provided crucial intelligence for Hu Yang's capture.

The middle-aged man gave a curt nod and said brusquely, "Are they here for a reward? Have them wait outside."

Hsu Lili felt a sudden tightness in her chest and immediately lashed out, "Why should we have to wait outside?"

"Does national security suffice as a reason?" the middle-aged man retorted with an icy demeanor.

"Not good enough..." Hsu Lili was about to push back when Lyu Jun quickly ushered her out, catching Lee Yiming's urgent signals from the corner of his eye.

"Wait for me outside," Lyu Jun murmured to Hsu Lili, who, fuming, led Lin Xin to the outer reception room and plopped down with a huff.

Lyu Jun had been aware that someone from higher up was coming, but their identities were a mystery to him. When Lee Yiming discreetly revealed who they were, Lyu Jun was utterly shocked.

These men were from the renowned Flying Dragon Group of Jinxia Country. The elder was Hsing Feng, and his companion, Du Guohao.

The Flying Dragon Group was shrouded in secrecy, its members seldom seen in public. Each one was said to possess exceptional skills, with many being formidable meta humans.

Hsing Feng, the deputy leader, held a prestigious rank of major general.

Du Guohao was also highly regarded. Though he held no official title within the Flying Dragon Group, he carried the rank of colonel.

As the deputy chief of the police station in Hailin City's Baiyan District, Lyu Jun had never encountered anyone from the Flying Dragon Group before.

Today, not only had he met members, but he had also come face-to-face with a deputy leader of major general stature. The impact of this realization was profound.

Lyu Jun felt a chill run down his spine. Hsu Lili had just brazenly defied Hsing Feng, and it was sheer luck that he was unaware of her being Lyu Jun's classmate; otherwise, a reprimand would have been inevitable.

A scolding was the least of his worries. Known for his temper, Hsing Feng was not someone to cross without consequence. Lyu Jun was certain that provoking him would lead to no good end.

Just days before, Hailin City had seen a similar incident. A police chief from a major district had mishandled a case and inadvertently crossed the Flying Dragon Group on a covert operation. By the next day, he had been stripped of his duties.

Every time Lyu Jun thought about that incident, he had the urge to smack himself. He was well aware that the higher-ups would send someone, yet he had foolishly agreed to Hsu Lili's request to visit the prison. If Hsing Feng got wind of it, Lyu Jun's career could be in jeopardy.

But Hsing Feng wasn't dwelling on Hsu Lili's visit. He demanded an immediate meeting with Hu Yang—and he insisted on meeting him alone, with no one else present.

Lyu Jun sensed the gravity of the situation. Hu Yang was implicated in multiple murder cases, and there was no room for error. He personally escorted Hsing Feng to the interrogation room and had Lee Yiming bring Hu Yang in without delay.

Once the iron door clanged shut, Lyu Jun finally breathed easier, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Hsu Lili was a ticking time bomb. He hurried back to the reception room.

"Old friend, you should head home. I'll take you out for dinner another time," he said.

"Chief Lu, you remember I'm an old friend?" Hsu Lili shot him a sharp look and rebuked him, "You were silent while I was being scolded earlier. Didn't you care at all about my dignity?"

Lyu Jun offered a wry smile and replied, "Hsu Lili, you're overthinking it. It's not that I didn't want to defend you; I simply couldn't. Do you have any idea who that man was?"

"I don't know, and frankly, I don't care," Hsu Lili retorted defiantly.

"He's from the capital, with a rank significantly higher than our mayor's," Lyu Jun explained.

"Is that so? What kind of serious crimes has Hu Yang committed to attract the attention of such a high-ranking official?" Hsu Lili asked, astonished.

"I'm not entirely sure of the details yet, but one thing is clear: Hu Yang's prospects are grim, and he's likely facing the death penalty," Lyu Jun said gravely.

"My goodness, Hu Yang is that dangerous! I'm so relieved we broke up. Otherwise, who knows if I would have been his next victim?" Lin Xin exclaimed, shaken by the thought.

Hsu Lili, however, just sneered and said to Lyu Jun, "When he's executed is none of my concern. I have just one request—I need to see him before he dies."

"Old classmate, I might not have the authority to decide on this, as the higher-ups are likely to whisk Hu Yang away immediately after they finish the interrogation."

Hsu Lili clenched her teeth and said, "Before they take him, I need three minutes! I must pry the answer out of him!"

"We'll see when the time comes," Lyu Jun replied with a sense of resignation.

...

Inside the interrogation room, Hu Yang regarded Hsing Feng with a frosty gaze. The middle-aged man wasn't clad in a police uniform, nor had he brought anyone along to document the proceedings.

Furthermore, Hu Yang sensed something off about Hsing Feng; his demeanor was starkly different from that of Lyu Jun, Lee Yiming, and the other officers.

"You're Hu Yang, aren't you, young man?"

Hsing Feng appeared at ease, his expression not one typically associated with conducting an interrogation, which only added to Hu Yang's bewilderment.

"Yes, and who might you be?" Hu Yang inquired with caution.

"I'm Hsing Feng," he said, eyeing Hu Yang with a mix of curiosity. "I'm a bit puzzled—how did you end up getting caught?"