The police car finally halted in the station parking lot. I glanced up at the police emblem gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight at the building's center, and a surge of strength filled me. I turned back to give Chen Yujia a cold look, only to find him staring at the same emblem, which sent a chill down my spine: he was like a tapeworm in my gut—was he truly 'me'?

Suddenly, the stout old demon king Ming Xue appeared, shouting at me, "Wang Lei, what are you doing?"

I froze. How did he know about this?

This detention of Chen Yujia was supposed to be a secret operation. Given his connection to several major serial murder cases in An'yin City over recent years, and his involvement in the murders of two police officers, the department's stance was exceptionally cautious, limiting knowledge to only a select few leaders.

If that were the case, how could the stout old demon know?

Could it be that Chen Yujia, anticipating everything, had informed him in advance?

I felt Chen Yujia's inscrutability all over again. It was like being a chess player facing a master several ranks above you; every move was made on thin ice, every step fraught with terror, every action seemingly entirely under the opponent's control.

Just then, Director Li appeared. He addressed the stout old demon, "Old Wang, we've just asked Mr. Chen to come in for a chat, routine procedure only. What's all the fuss about? Come on, come on, it's been a while since we talked. After the questioning, I'll have someone escort Mr. Chen back personally."

Director Li was a powerful figure who commanded great respect, yet the stout old demon, having cultivated his essence for ages, completely ignored him. He walked straight up to Chen Yujia and said, "Little Chen, don't be afraid. Whatever happened, tell the truth. If anyone dares to administer extrajudicial punishment, I will absolutely not let them off!" With that, he glared at me and barked, "Little Leizi, you listen carefully: if it is, it is; if it isn't, it isn't. Do you understand me?"

Though the stout old demon held great respect for Chen Yujia, he had been a police officer for decades. His temper could be fiery, but one fundamental point remained unchanged: his deference to Chen Yujia was based on the premise that Chen Yujia was innocent. If that premise crumbled, I believed the demeanor of this decades-long policeman would instantly shift.

To the stout old demon, I was nothing more than a little monkey on the mountain, never daring to act presumptuously, so I just nodded and agreed.

Director Li quickly grabbed his arm, speaking with forced warmth, "Old Wang, I heard you were sick a while back. I intended to visit, but work was just so..."

"Spare me the platitudes. You didn't visit, you didn't visit. Do you think I care about that!"

At this moment, Elder Jiang and Zhang Jiewei followed in another car from behind. To ensure the smooth execution of this operation, Elder Jiang had made a personal appearance, standing guard downstairs with Zhang Jiewei. This was Elder Jiang's first involvement in an operation since his breakthrough, indicating the high importance he attached to the matter.

Yet, Chen Yujia's level of cooperation surpassed everyone's expectations. I even suspected that a single phone call might have brought him to the station immediately. But precisely because of this, my confidence wavered; I didn't know how to face this man whom I had confirmed was the killer.

Sitting in the interrogation room, Chen Yujia was perfectly composed, as if this were a clinic and the person before him was merely a patient.

Elder Jiang did not participate in the questioning, instead watching the live feed in an adjacent room. Zhang Jiewei was the lead interrogator, as this was his specialty, but I worried he might fail spectacularly this time.

Because when he and Chen Yujia sat opposite me, I was shocked to see that Zhang Jiewei, usually as hard as stone in my presence, had subtly changed. This transformation was not due to me, but to the person sitting across from him.

Chen Yujia, however, hadn't changed at all. He sat there naturally, without a trace of forced expression, yet his aura steadily overpowered Zhang Jiewei. This was something I could never have imagined before, and I couldn't fathom that such a day would ever arrive.

Finally, Zhang Jiewei spoke: "Name?"

"Chen Yujia."

"Age?"

"28."

...

After a round of procedural questions, Zhang Jiewei cut straight to the chase: "According to patient records we possess, you have some connection to the Qi Wan Brain-Eating series, the You Qiaolin Dismemberment series, the Changqing Road Powdered Corpse case, and the Wanxiang Street Rental Apartment Dismemberment case. Can you tell us why?"

Good question! I inwardly exclaimed. It seemed Zhang Jiewei was thoroughly prepared. This opening statement, though direct, concealed several traps... Wait, if I could spot these traps, how could Chen Yujia possibly miss them?

"I apologize, but I'm unclear on what default expression you expect for your inquiry regarding 'why'."

Chen Yujia's single sentence shattered all the traps. This was his only correct path, the way to escape every snare, and he found it without the slightest hesitation. Sweat beaded on my palms.

Zhang Jiewei remained relatively calm. He repeated a statement I had made earlier during hypnosis, then his expression hardened, and he barked, "Are you daring to say these people have nothing to do with you?"

Seeing Zhang Jiewei flare up gave me a small measure of reassurance, though my heart still fluttered uneasily.

Chen Yujia smiled faintly, "As you say, the individuals you mentioned were indeed my patients."

"Very well. If that's the case, can you explain the reason behind it? Why are your patients involved in multiple serial murder cases? What role do you play in all of this!?" Zhang Jiewei leaned both hands on the table, adopting a condescending posture toward Chen Yujia.

This powerful reasoning made Zhang Jiewei seem formidable. Although there was no direct evidence of Chen Yujia's criminal actions yet, based on experience, the preceding points were damning—implying he was the murderer. Not just Zhang Jiewei, but Elder Jiang, and the bureau leadership, upon learning this information, had immediately approved the detention order for Chen Yujia. This shared, experiential certainty gave Zhang Jiewei an aggressive momentum, momentarily overwhelming Chen Yujia.

However, Chen Yujia seemed completely unfazed by the pressure, remaining as serene as a small boat gliding undisturbed on Dongting Lake under the moonlight.

He stated calmly, "Oh, this is what leads you to suspect me. But I can help you resolve this doubt."

I was stunned.

Chen Yujia hadn't answered the question directly, yet the usually exacting Zhang Jiewei, who insisted on 'results for every question,' didn't press further. Chen Yujia had introduced something far more compelling, firmly capturing his attention.

For Zhang Jiewei, Chen Yujia was merely a suspect, possibly the killer, possibly not. Doubt perpetually lingered in his mind, and Chen Yujia's offer to clarify was precisely what his deepest self craved.

Chen Yujia’s mesmerizing voice drifted through the air currents of the confined space, "It is actually quite simple. You only need to do two things, and you will immediately witness something incredible." Here, Chen Yujia paused, glanced at me, and my tension spiked instantly.

I was suddenly overwhelmed by a feeling of extreme powerlessness, knowing he could effortlessly dismantle everything I had painstakingly built, just as he had destroyed others' lives before.

Chen Yujia’s voice continued to resonate, pulling one into a dreamlike state. Recalling the scene years later, the shock within me still hasn't subsided.

"The first is to find the most renowned doctor in the city, regardless of specialty. The second is to select any major or important case, then expand the interpersonal network of every person involved in the case. You will then discover that every doctor is a suspect in every case, including the ones you just mentioned."

Chen Yujia spoke at his usual measured, gentle pace, but the meaning carried the destructive force of an atomic explosion. The seemingly solid castle could not exist for a moment before it was uprooted and turned to ash in the blink of an eye.

My heart collapsed, yet Chen Yujia’s words felt like irrefutable divine decree. It was a principle, so simple that no one paid attention to it, yet so complex that until it was pointed out, you could never grasp it.

It was a principle I myself couldn't refute unless I abandoned human logic; otherwise, I had to admit he was right. If his principle was correct, it meant he was innocent.

I acknowledged his logic, but I refused to believe he was innocent.

I watched him like a trapped beast, and Zhang Jiewei looked no better. I imagined this was the most absurd interrogation of his life; defeated in a single exchange, yet forced to admit the opponent’s superiority.

The interrogation room fell silent. Chen Yujia made no move, simply sitting there quietly, watching the two trapped beasts make their final struggle.

However, I racked my brain but could find no solution to refute him; neither could Zhang Jiewei. Furthermore, just as our brains began to suffer oxygen deprivation, Elder Jiang pushed the door open, walked over, grasped Chen Yujia's hand, and said repeatedly, "Dr. Chen, I am truly sorry. You are free to go now."

I wanted to scream no, don't let him leave, but I couldn't utter a sound, because my reason told me Chen Yujia was innocent and should depart.

But my heart was screaming: He is the criminal!

Chen Yujia didn't leave. His thoughts, intentions, and actions were beyond my comprehension; I could only accept, not surmise, just like in the previous 'game' where he was the true sovereign and I merely a pitiable character.

Chen Yujia's expression grew grave: "Officer Wang's condition is very serious. I hope he receives prompt treatment, otherwise, it will endanger public safety."

Elder Jiang and Zhang Jiewei both turned to look at me. Panicked, I blurted out, "No, I'm not sick! This is all something he deliberately fabricated!"

But faced with my panicked state and Chen Yujia’s composed demeanor, even a pig would know whom to believe. What they never imagined was that this choice might truly turn them into pigs.

Yet, the looks on their faces made it clear: they were willing to be pigs if it meant thinking that way.

Not only them, but every bureau leader privy to the matter thought the same, and my fate was thus sealed—I was once again placed on mandatory leave, with a designated hospital for treatment.

Chen Yujia remained nearby, witnessing the entire process, just as he had during my last leave—and just as he had orchestrated it.

I imagined he must be very pleased now. Our month of meticulous preparation with Michelle was utterly useless against him; we were completely crushed upon first contact.

Yet, as he stood up to leave, I saw no joy on his face, only a sense of gravity and dejection, like a wild goose that had lost its target high in the sky. His slightly vacant gaze lacked the brilliance he displayed in the interrogation room, and his complexion was pale, looking utterly haggard. It was the first time I had ever seen him like this. As we brushed past each other, his eyes held a peculiar expression, a mixture of helplessness and doubt. He suddenly paused within my line of sight, his gaze sweeping over everyone present with a stillness like deep water. I didn't know why he looked that way, but three seconds later he was gone. I will never forget that look... but I truly couldn't imagine what could possibly puzzle someone of his "supreme genius."

While I felt indignant about my own plight, I was also intensely curious about his demeanor. But how could I possibly penetrate his thoughts?

Perhaps he was too self-assured, so arrogant that he couldn't allow anyone to glimpse even a sliver of his secrets. Michelle and I had undoubtedly learned most of them, and he wouldn't forgive us, nor would he forgive himself.

As I walked out the police station doors, Elder Jiang followed me. He told me that the superiors originally intended for me to resign, but Chen Yujia had intervened to save my job, claiming my illness was acute paranoia brought on by excessive stress, and that I would gradually recover by taking on clerical duties.

"Wang Lei, I understand how you feel, but I can only offer you one piece of advice: life is long. Forgetting the past doesn't mean betrayal; perhaps it's another beginning."

I suddenly asked, "What about you? Can you forget the past?"

Elder Jiang froze, his expression immediately darkening. "What nonsense are you spouting?" With that, he turned and left.

Back home, I immediately booted up my computer and logged into MSN, which I had registered specifically to contact Professor Michelle.

Michelle responded quickly: "Just got back to the office. Any good or bad news?"

Because of the long distance, the signal was unstable. Voice or video calls would have been unreliable, so Michelle and I communicated only via text. Although slower, the meaning could be conveyed clearly. This was essential because our opponent was an intellect a hundred times more cunning than a fox; a single misconstrued phrase could lead to catastrophic consequences.

"They believed Chen Yujia's explanation. I've been placed on mandatory leave again."

"You're quite lucky, taking two leaves in one year. Why don't you come over? I guarantee you won't regret the trip."

"Forget it. I'm worried sick now; I have no mood to sightsee in the US!"

"Haha, you took me seriously. Just teasing you."

Dealing with this foreigner left me somewhat speechless, but I could also imagine how stifling it must be for someone like him to live in a strictly disciplined environment for decades, and how fortunate he felt to encounter me!

"Tell me, how did he defend himself?"

I recited his defense verbatim. The words were so few, and my impression so deep, that I didn't even need to recall them; my fingers were already typing them out.

The other side of the line went silent. It seemed he, too, felt the pressure. According to his initial calculations, even if Chen Yujia managed to escape, it would have been a difficult struggle. He hadn't expected Chen Yujia to succeed merely by articulating a principle in a few sentences. This was undoubtedly a real-life performance of breaking out of a cage, and Chen Yujia’s performance was nothing short of god-tier.

Michelle felt the pressure, and a string of heavy characters came through: "I still underestimated him..."

As I was thinking of something to say, another set of words arrived from Michelle that made me feel even more burdened: "Do you believe there is anyone in this world who can surpass the entirety of human society?"

I began to feel uneasy. Was Michelle suggesting I abandon this pursuit?

"No, I don't believe it. A person is a person; how can they transcend their own species?"

"Then how do you explain Shakyamuni in Eastern Buddhism or Jesus in the West? They were all mortals, yet they transcended all of humanity to become supreme beings, existing even after centuries."

"He is not a saint; he is a criminal!"

"That is the other extreme, like day and night. Unipolar things do not exist."

"Are you telling me to quit?"

Silence again. Just as I was losing heart, a line appeared: "No, we cannot give up! Don't forget, our mission is to uphold justice."

I finally understood. Michelle had hesitated too, but for some reason, he had changed his mind and decided to continue fighting Chen Yujia. This was, after all, a battle between a master and his student; we were merely innocent bystanders swept up in it unintentionally.

Strangely, Michelle also possessed that ability to perceive people's hearts that Chen Yujia had. He typed suddenly from a thousand miles away: "Do you feel like this matter doesn't concern you? Don't forget, you are now considered my student, my last disciple in Chinese terms. The outcome of betraying one's master is quite grim, you know."

I was truly impressed with Michelle's ability to joke at a time like this. It seemed he was the one truly detached from the outcome.

I suddenly recalled Chen Yujia's dejected expression and immediately typed: "After achieving total victory, he suddenly showed a very despondent expression. Why?"

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely certain!"

I clearly remembered Chen Yujia's expression: dejected, slightly unwilling, and filled with deep regret.

Michelle was silent for a moment, then sent back a line: "There may be something about him that we cannot possibly imagine."