"What's that supposed to mean?"

The officer at the wheel asked Zhong Huilan with interest, "Could it be he's taken a fancy to the girl's looks?"

"How could that be!" Zhong Huilan let out a rare chuckle. "The women associated with Su Xuan, isn't every single one of them drop-dead gorgeous? That Qi Li might have the looks and aura of a goddess, but Su Xuan probably isn't interested in her."

"Really, Chief Zhong?" the officer teased. "Deep down, doesn't every man want more rather than less? Why else would emperors keep three thousand beauties in their harems? I've gotten a good look at that girl Qi Li a few times myself, and even I've thought about... COUGH, COUGH."

"Is there any girl you're not interested in?" Zhong Huilan glared at him. "But then again, is there any girl who's interested in you?"

"Chief Zhong, don't kick a man when he's down!" the officer said with a wry smile.

"Here's the thing. Su Xuan isn't interested in her. Her background and origins don't align with his personality. Su Xuan is the type of person who just goes with the flow, seeking a free and easy life. That girl, however... she carries too many burdens. Su Xuan would definitely want to avoid her like the plague."

"Then why is Su Xuan helping her?" the officer wondered.

"Because..." Zhong Huilan furrowed her brow. "Lu Dongshan said he's Su Xuan's friend."

"Just for the word 'friend'?" the officer asked in surprise. "In today's society, that's just a casual term."

"Not to Su Xuan," Zhong Huilan stated confidently. "He's sincerely devoted to anyone he considers a friend. He values friendship that much. Besides, there's another reason, and it involves someone else."

"Who? A woman?" the officer pressed.

"Why is it always about women with you? You really should find a girl and get married," Zhong Huilan laughed. "It's a man, Cen Haonan."

"Oh, Cen Haonan!" the officer said. "The prodigal son whose return is more precious than gold. He's also had the most promising career after going straight."

"That's right," Zhong Huilan nodded. "When Cen Haonan was young, he gave me no end of headaches. Every time a major case broke, I'd worry that kid was behind it. Fortunately, he still had some limits and never did anything too outrageous."

"Please continue, Chief Zhong."

The officer turned the steering wheel sharply, guiding the car onto another street. Several police cars followed close behind. Tonight, they were determined to take down Yan Xiaosong and his crew. Yan Xiaosong daring to commit murder in the middle of the street was an unforgivable crime.

"A lot of people held a grudge against Cen Haonan. Someone once broke his father's leg, and he made a blood oath to kill the man's entire family," Zhong Huilan said. "When I found out, I tracked Cen Haonan down that very night to talk some sense into him. It wasn't easy, but I finally convinced him to drop the idea, preventing a massacre. In the end, we handled it through legal channels and brought his enemy to justice."

"When his enemy was arrested, he actually thanked me. He said that if I hadn't stepped in, his entire family would have been wiped out. That incident was the turning point for Cen Haonan, when he finally started to turn his life around..."

As Zhong Huilan spoke, she glanced vaguely in a certain direction. It was the direction of Cen Haonan's bar.

"Chief Zhong, you still haven't explained how Su Xuan's situation relates to Cen Haonan," the officer asked. At the same time, while keeping one hand on the steering wheel, he drew his gun with the other and flipped off the safety. He saw Su Xuan's car slowing down in the distance.

"Qi Li also gave up on avenging her brother, so she stopped causing trouble for Long Xiwen and her team," Zhong Huilan said, getting straight to the point. "Her choice was similar to Cen Haonan's; they both pulled back from the brink. Su Xuan must know about Cen Haonan's story, and he probably understands the rules of Qi Li's world of cultivators. He knows it wasn't an easy decision for her to make, so he sees her as a reasonable person. He's just doing what I did—helping another 'Cen Haonan' and keeping them from falling into an abyss... Stop the car! They've arrived at their destination!"

The officer quickly brought the car to a stop.

"Besides, from our perspective..." After the car was parked, Zhong Huilan gazed ahead and said, "Su Xuan didn't stop Qi Li from killing. He has to take responsibility for that."

"Chief Zhong, what you're saying is so complicated." The officer pulled the handbrake and checked the rounds in his gun.

"It's not complicated," Zhong Huilan said, holding a walkie-talkie and giving the officer a meaningful look. "When it comes down to it, Su Xuan is still doing this for Long Xiwen's team. He doesn't want them to get tangled up with people from the world of cultivators. He wants them to live in peace. So, he's seeing his help through to the very end!"

The officer visibly tensed upon hearing this, a look of gratitude flashing in his eyes. He was a member of Long Xiwen's team. His name was on Qi Li and Lu Dongshan's revenge list. Su Xuan was helping him, too!

"I definitely have to treat Brother Su to a meal," the officer said earnestly.

"You'll have to get in line," Zhong Huilan said. "Lu Dongshan hasn't even treated him to a drink yet! That big fellow was moved to tears by Su Xuan."

At this, Zhong Huilan picked up the walkie-talkie and commanded, "All units, stand by! Await my signal!"

In every patrol car, officers loaded their weapons.

"Young Master Yan, what's the plan?" After parking, Su Xuan glanced at Yan Xiaosong, who was holding the metal sphere. The dark smoke from the sphere drifted straight toward a building.

Su Xuan was no stranger to that building. It was where Jiang Guinong had rented an apartment. However, after Qi Li killed Jiang Guinong, the place had been sealed off by the authorities.

If Qi Li is really hiding here, she's got some nerve, Su Xuan thought to himself. Hiding in the most obvious place. Even I didn't think of it!

"Just follow me," Yan Xiaosong said, looking Su Xuan up and down. "I'll show you how we people from the mountains do things."

"Sounds good," Su Xuan nodded with a grin. Yan Xiaosong's words were exactly what he wanted to hear.

"Protector Qiao, let's head up!" Yan Xiaosong got out of the car, waved to Qiao Yongshou and the others who had followed them, and slipped into the building.

Yan Xiaosong couldn't help but curse inwardly. Qi Li, you cunning bitch, hiding here of all places. You really made me work for this! Once I get my hands on you, I'm not going to kill you right away. First, you're going to serve me well tonight!

Su Xuan followed Yan Xiaosong and his men to the door of the apartment Jiang Guinong had once rented. The door was shut tight, with two strips of official sealing tape across it. But the lock looked like it had been broken, and the door was not completely closed.

"Hmm…" Yan Xiaosong scanned the people around him, his gaze finally settling on Su Xuan. "That girl doesn't know you. You go in first and check things out!"

He was essentially using Su Xuan as cannon fodder to test the waters. Qi Li was the daughter of the Floating Cloud Sect's Leader. Even if her combat strength was low, she was bound to have ways to protect herself. If his own men rushed in rashly, they could easily fall into a trap.

"I don't think that's a good idea!" Su Xuan said, suppressing his inner delight and feigning reluctance. "Isn't she one of your mountain folk, too? And I'm just a weakling who can't even fight. What if…"

"Take this." Before Su Xuan could finish, Yan Xiaosong shoved a dagger into his hands. "We injured her during the chase. She's in no condition to hurt you."

"This feels a bit like a crime," Su Xuan said, not taking the dagger.

"I'm just asking you to find someone, not to kill her," Yan Xiaosong said, pulling out a wad of cash. He stuffed it into Su Xuan's hand along with the dagger. "Now get in there!"

Pleased with himself, Su Xuan squeezed through the taped-up doorway and into the room, where the floor was still stained with blood.

A frail figure was curled up in a corner, shivering uncontrollably…

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