I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 280 - 278: Interrogation

Jiang Yishan chuckled while gathering his emotions and sparred verbally with Chu Yunyi.

"I was just surprised, that’s all. Didn’t you say you wanted to travel across the continent after graduation? Why the change of heart?"

Chu Yunyi’s social smile, fitting and courteous in such a setting, couldn’t hide the cold and distant look in his violet eyes, which revealed his inner detachment and disdain.

"Recently, I’ve heard many stories about doomsday prophecies from the Baili Ancestor, and with the frequent activities of Star Beasts, beast tides of various scales have attacked different parts of the Qianyuan Continent — it seems there’s a sign of the prophecy coming true."

"The rise and fall of the world concerns every one of us. Whether the prophecy is true or not, I feel compelled to contribute my humble efforts to the stability of Qianyuan. In comparison to serving my country, traveling seems shallow, so I’ll put it on hold for now."

Jiang Yishan listened and laughed heartily: "My nephew, how noble! I admire you! But—" Jiang Yishan suddenly changed the topic: "You’re only officially graduating next month; isn’t your military appointment a bit premature?"

"My academic performance has been excellent, with numerous achievements and commendations during my school years, so Principal Yuan granted me early graduation. Here are my graduation certificate and appointment decree."

Jiang Yishan meticulously reviewed the two documents before him. The graduation certificate was approved at 6:20 PM yesterday, and the appointment decree was issued at 6:27 PM. If he couldn’t see that Chu Yunyi used financial means, he would’ve wasted decades as the Jiang Family Head.

Jiang Yishan had long heard that Chu Yunyi had an unusual relationship with Li Xing. Coming just when Li Xing was detained for interrogation, and not an earlier or later time, was no coincidence. Jiang Yishan, the old fox, could guess his intentions!

If the criminal were someone else, Jiang Yishan wouldn’t mind doing Chu Yunyi a favor and simply releasing them, but not Li Xing.

Pretending to breathe a sigh of relief, Jiang Yishan returned the two documents to Chu Yunyi and said, "I can’t wait for you to take office, but I’m worried the soldiers below might have objections. Since all the documentation is in order, I’m relieved!"

Chu Yunyi smiled faintly, saying everything without words.

"Yunyi, from now on, you are a formal member of the Second Army. Major General Chu, on behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the Second Army, welcome!"

"Thank you, Commander!"

"Usually, when new recruits join, we notify them at least three days in advance. But you came in without even a notice, and we haven’t prepared your office or rest quarters. If word gets out, people might misunderstand that the Second Army is neglecting its officers!"

"In that case, I’ll give you a three-day leave. Go home and stay for a few days. Once you’re in the military, there aren’t many chances to enjoy family happiness. Take this time to be with your parents. During this period, I’ll have Deputy Zhou renovate a new office for you."

Chu Yunyi declined: "Thank you for your kindness, Commander, but I don’t care about the grandeur of the office, just find me any available room."

"Hey! That won’t do. You’re a general, after all. You should have what others have. Let’s not argue further; it’s an order, and it must be followed!"

"Yes, sir!"

Chu Yunyi stood up and saluted, then left with his trusted aide.

Looking at Chu Yunyi’s upright back, Jiang Yishan revealed a smile of satisfaction: When Chu Yunyi returns in three days, he’ll find that Li Xing’s second hearing has already ended and entered the trial phase. Even with extraordinary abilities, he won’t be able to do anything.

After leaving Jiang Yishan’s office, Chu Yunyi’s face was icy. Zheng Qi followed closely behind him, quietly asking, "Young Master, what should we do now?"

"Let’s go see Li Xing."

Zhou Wu fiddled with the light brain for a moment and said to Chu Yunyi, "Master, I’ve found the room where Miss Li is being held."

"Lead the way."

"Yes, sir!"

Standing in front of the detention room, Chu Yunyi’s expression was terrifyingly grim. This place could no longer be called a room; it was more like a cage, with most of the walls made of steel mesh, exposed to the elements on three sides.

Not only were there no washing facilities, but the toilet was barely concealed by a half-height wall. Thinking about Li Xing living here, unable to maintain even basic dignity, the name of reason rang a dangerous toll in Chu Yunyi’s mind.

Zheng Qi, boiling with anger, grabbed Zhang Feng’s collar and demanded, "Where is she?"

Zhang Feng didn’t know Zheng Qi, but he recognized Chu Yunyi.

Zhang Feng had experienced the Southern Beast Tide, and the Sky Wind Annihilation Array’s impact left him with a profound fear of Chu Yunyi.

Facing Chu Yunyi’s cold, emotionless eyes, Zhang Feng felt as if his neck had been grabbed, reflexively revealing Li Xing’s whereabouts.

"Lieutenant Sun took her away!"

Even though Zhang Feng was cooperative, Zheng Qi still punched him hard, causing half of Zhang Feng’s face to swell instantly.

"Where was she taken?"

"T-to the first interrogation room..."

The three of them turned pale simultaneously. Sun Wei had secretly interrogated the prisoner, bypassing the First Army and the Inspection Bureau, which surely meant he intended to use torture. Zhou Wu’s fingers flew over the screen, quickly locating the position, as he led Chu Yunyi and Zheng Qi to the first interrogation room.

Inside the first interrogation room.

Sun Wei, looking at the young girl tightly bound to the interrogation chair with handcuffs and shackles, wore a sinister smile.

"Li Xing, do you know what I’m about to do?"

Li Xing glanced at the surveillance camera, and as expected, it had been turned off. Fixing her gaze back on Sun Wei’s face, her expression suddenly became lively, and she showed a clever smile, speaking with a crisp voice:

"I know, you’re going to torture me for a confession."

Sun Wei was momentarily surprised, then burst into laughter: "Knowing I’m going to torture you and still acting so calm, you’ve got guts!"

After speaking, Sun Wei slapped the wall, and a large hidden drawer sprang open, revealing a set of surgical-like torture instruments, gleaming with a cold metallic light.

"Considering your commendable attitude, I’ll give you a chance. If you tell me what really happened that day, I’ll let you go back and even give you a more comfortable room. How about that?"

Proving Li Xing’s guilt wasn’t difficult, but what Sun Wei wanted to know most was whether Lin Yin and Xue Han revealed any crucial information about the Immortals’ Cult before they died.

"Alright!" Li Xing blinked and softly said, "That day I saw Lin Yin and Xue Han fighting. Xue Han used Pumo Flower Powder to harm Lin Yin, but Lin Yin wasn’t easy to deal with and stabbed Xue Han to death with a pair of matched blades."

Sun Wei listened intently, replaying the case in his mind.

Footage from another alley indeed captured part of the scene; Xue Han and Lin Yin had a confrontation, and traces of Pumo Flower Powder were found on Lin Yin’s clothing. Li Xing’s words weren’t entirely unfounded.

"Continue, what happened next?"

"After watching the commotion, I planned to leave, but Lin Yin begged me to detoxify him and promised to give me Xue Han’s entire bounty. My heart softened, and I agreed."

Sun Wei crossed his arms, appearing deep in thought. Li Xing’s love for money was well-known, so it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.

"And then?"

"After I detoxified Lin Yin, he didn’t keep his word. He wanted seventy percent, saying he was the one who killed Xue Han. I couldn’t agree to that! To teach him the principle of ’a gentleman’s word is his bond,’ I sparred with him for a few moves."

"Lin Yin’s skills were far inferior to mine; he was quickly defeated. But his self-esteem was oddly strong, and with the Dark Elemental Spirit’s influence, he couldn’t accept failure."

"Seeing how fixated he was, I advised him, ’Brother, you’ll never surpass me no matter how hard you try. If it doesn’t work this life, try your luck in the next.’ Who could’ve guessed he’d take it seriously, shouting ’Let’s see in eighteen years’ and then desperately snapping his own neck to reincarnate as quickly as possible."

Li Xing’s expression was utterly serious: "Believe it or not, that’s exactly how it happened."

Sun Wei was so angry his nose was bent: A whole ten minutes wasted listening to you—do you take me for a fool!