Chapter 67

“How have you been lately?”

On the way to the police station, Luo Le had already pieced it together. This had to be Du Lengding stabbing him in the back, trying to get rid of him for good so she wouldn’t have to split the hefty profits with him anymore.

But Luo Le just found it laughable. He had thought Du Lengding knew which side her bread was buttered on, that she would always weigh the interests at stake and prioritize the bigger picture. He never imagined she would do something so spiteful and self-defeating—sending him to prison. Did she really think he would let her off the hook?

“Officer, who reported me?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Just cooperate with the interrogation and confess your crimes honestly.”

“Fine. Then what grounds do you have for suspecting me of trafficking bodies?”

“You transported the bodies right to the entrance of the funeral home. Doesn’t that make you suspicious?”

“Someone told me to move the bodies outside the funeral home. I was just following orders!”

“Who?”

“Officer Du Lengding from the North County Police Station!”

“Do you have proof of that?”

“Of course I do. It’s saved on my phone, but the full set of evidence is on a flash drive in my break room. This isn’t the first time. She’s been ordering me to help move bodies for a while now, claiming it’s for official experiments and dissections.”

The interrogating officers exchanged glances and reported it to their superior.

Following Luo Le’s tip, the police located the relevant video footage. It confirmed the car belonged to Du Lengding, proving his claims true.

That same day Luo Le was arrested, Du Lengding was hauled in too. The difference was that her case, along with Luo Le’s, was transferred to the police station for internal handling—to streamline the joint investigation and save some face for the station.

…

Although He De had agreed to Ji Tingxi’s suggestion to delay releasing the suspect, he still lacked full confidence deep down.

If they couldn’t produce solid evidence in the end, the fallout from “detaining a Kangman tourist by force” would be no less damaging than the Swan Palace Incident. Worse, the shadowy forces behind it were likely from Gailie Country.

That nation topped the Guard Institute’s blacklist. They excelled at stirring up trouble, manipulating domestic and international opinion. If they didn’t handle this right, neither the Guard Institute nor the Rui’er Platform would have any peace.

Because the matter was so critical, Yesuiying—who usually oversaw training and logistics—joined in to help He De strategize. No sooner had she arrived than she delivered some pointed news.

“Dean He, word from the police station: Du Lengding is in custody for the illegal use of cadavers.”

“I was just about to contact Director Ji at the station to check on her status. She showed her hand first?”

“Maybe Tingxi’s suspicions were spot on. Du Lengding, and that Kuper she seems to have met with—they both need thorough investigating!”

…

On the afternoon of June 13, Wen Du gathered her materials and headed to the police station again. This time, she came fully prepared with her laptop and files. Previously, she had just been reviewing past work, but starting today, she would track the criminal organization’s real-time movements in close coordination with the task force. She braced for a stay of three hours or more.

As she retrieved her things from the locker, Ji Tingxi emerged from the institute director’s office. The two crossed paths and exchanged greetings as before.

“Is Director Wen heading out?”

“Yes, I have some tasks outside.” Wen Du kept walking, turning sideways toward the room.

“Is it for the joint investigation with the police station?” Ji Tingxi paused by the door, clearly hoping to chat more.

“Yes. Chief Ji’s intel is always so up-to-date.”

“You’d better check with the station first to see if they still need you,” Ji Tingxi said, a hint of regret at her lips, though her eyes held an enigmatic glint. “I hear there’s been some trouble there. One of their officers got in hot water, and the Patrol Police Team is swamped. They might not be able to link up with you properly.”

Wen Du halted too. Her first thought was that Du Lengding was in trouble. She had messaged her that morning with a check-in, but got no reply—which was why she planned to go confirm in person. Now Ji Tingxi’s “helpful tip” made it all but certain.

Suppressing her inner turmoil, Wen Du nodded toward the door in thanks. “Alright, I’ll call to confirm.”

That should have been the end of it, but Ji Tingxi showed no sign of leaving. Her gaze traveled from bottom to top once more.

“How have you been lately?”

“Pretty good,” Wen Du forced a smile. “With all the dangers cleared away, commuting to work feels a lot safer now.”

Ji Tingxi’s eyes finally settled on her cheek, studying it intently—as if genuinely concerned about her complexion and well-being.

“That’s good to hear. Looks like I need to work even harder to keep everyone safe.”

…

The pressure from the Kangman Consulate came not just fast, but with real force.

After two nights with no release for their citizen, they went straight to the Guard Institute, urging fair handling and the tourist’s release—or the presentation of concrete evidence.

In plain terms: Don’t make us tear off the kid gloves, Guard Institute.

Meanwhile, Gu Youjin’s family showed up at the North County Station office to petition the government leaders for intervention and to safeguard their citizen’s safety.

The North County Station felt the heat, and promptly passed it—doubled—onto the Wei Investigation Institute.

Thus, triple pressure from Kangman Country, local citizens, and the North County Station bore down on the Wei Investigation Institute, a sword at their throats demanding immediate release.

When it was just one front, He De had wanted to let the suspect go and be done. But now, cornered by outsiders, his blood boiled. The expensive ornaments in his office weren’t for smashing, so he vented his fury into the air.

“When we at the Guard Institute did our jobs before, who dared howl in protest like this? National security was on the line—whoever stood in the way died! But now the country’s doors are flung open, trade and tourism are booming, and every side presumes to point fingers. The North County Station doesn’t even shoulder any pressure for us—they join the fray! Flaunting their equality, freedom, and democracy, are they?”

After letting it out, He De knew it wasn’t exactly proper, but he snapped anyway, “Even if we’re riding the wave of equality and democracy, that has to rest on a foundation of security, following rules and procedures. With our own safety under threat, harmonious coexistence can go pound sand!”

Screw it—if things were improper, so be it. They were riding roughshod over him; did he have to pretty up his words?

Yesuiying waited until he finished venting, then slid a cup of calming tea—disguised as coffee—across to him, helping douse the flames.

“What they’re doing this time… isn’t right. Cooperating with investigations is every citizen’s duty. But we can’t deny the winds have shifted. The old Rui’er Platform prioritized our own security first, but now development takes precedence. On some matters, we have to cede ground. Still, we investigate what needs investigating. Let’s announce the reasons publicly, attach all our evidence. Even if the North County Station wants to save face, they’ll have to weigh the pros and cons.”

Though Yesuiying held a deputy position, He De held her in high regard. She was the institute’s pillar for emotional stability; even if he dropped dead tomorrow, she could step up gracefully and take charge.

At her direction, the General Affairs Office drafted the case bulletin within three hours and submitted it to the North County Station for review.

…

With nowhere else to unleash his frustration, He De channeled it into drive. He pushed the investigation team to speed up while hounding the police station to do the same. Both sides had to wrap it up fast; the laggards would face official reprimands!

He hadn’t minced words in chewing anyone out yet—whoever dropped the ball got an earful!

The pressure now trickled down to every grassroots operative and cop. On Kuper’s end, progress stalled. He insisted he didn’t know Du Lengding and had no suspicious photos. His interrogations often veered into nonsense, frustrating the questioners to the point of internal injury.

But as a foreigner who’d been in Bailunting just a week, his info was limited—and all of it now lay before He De.

The breakthrough had to come from Du Lengding.

To boost efficiency and oversight, the Guard Institute and police launched a joint investigation.

From the institute’s side, Ji Tingxi—who had uncovered the lead—took charge, coordinating with the police.

When Bai Zhuo and the others heard, they were dumbstruck again. Ji Tingxi was a force of nature, popping up everywhere. Even cases not under her purview somehow circled back into her wheelhouse.

She was omnipresent.

Passing Ji Tingxi’s office, Bai Zhuo gave her a respectful bow. “If you need anything, just say the word. Little Bai’s at your service anytime.”

Amid the Guard Institute’s feverish push to crack the case, the police station was like ants on a hot pan.

Du Lengding’s alleged crimes were tangled. On one hand, per Ji Tingxi’s theory, she might be a Sern Organization member using cadavers to stage crime scenes and help Sern people escape. On the other, she stood accused of colluding with foreign powers to steal national secrets.

When Captain Xian of the Patrol Police met with Ji Tingxi, he questioned that angle. “Officer Du’s background clearly marks her as Homer ethnicity, and she looks the part too. How could she be with the Sern Organization? Colluding with foreigners?”

“Captain Xian, these days, factions can’t be judged by race alone. Before the new policies, we Homer People got along fine with most Sern People—some even intermarried and formed families. It took the Rui’er central leadership coming in to clarify things, preserving our purity and national security. Now most Homer People see the light and act accordingly, but some stubborn holdouts cling to old traditions, harboring illusions about the Sern People and even sacrificing themselves to help.”

Ji Tingxi gave a wry smile. “To be honest, one of the traitors we nabbed recently was a Homer Person tangled up with Sern forces, which complicated our probe no end.”

“After three years of your crackdown, the Sern forces are still this bold?” Captain Xian frowned. He itched for a cigar, but with an outsider present, he pinched his fingers and let it go.

“It’s not boldness—their humility is traditional. But rallying diverse forces is their strength. Didn’t they build the Yingli Faction with Gailie backing before? Now that they want to flee, they’ll leverage every ally possible—including Gailie Country.”

Captain Xian corrected her. “The ones pressuring us are from Kangman Country.”

“This foreign suspect holds dual citizenship; his Kangman one is brand new. Strictly speaking, he’s a Gailie Person. And that blustery pressure tactic? Pure Gailie style. Kangman’s just the front.”

“So you’re saying Du Lengding’s tangled up with that sort of Gailie element?”

“No,” Ji Tingxi shook her head. “We’re just raising reasonable suspicions based on evidence. Suspicion guides action. The real details depend on your fair and rigorous investigation, Captain Xian!”

With scandal brewing internally, Captain Xian had half a mind to cover it up. But after Ji Tingxi’s subtle “ideological nudge,” he realized they had to go all-in—or the Guard Institute would take him down too, pinning “suspected of shielding” on him.

With Ji Tingxi around, he couldn’t shield a thing.

…

The joint Guard-police investigation set clear divisions.

Captain Xian’s Patrol Police task force handled Luo Le’s interrogation; the Guard Institute took Du Lengding’s.

Outside the interrogation room, Ji Tingxi didn’t rush in. Through the one-way glass, she sized up Du Lengding carefully, her gaze lingering.

Ruo Xing glanced at her, then at Du Lengding, puzzled. “Are you studying her looks? Definitely classic Homer features.”

He added with a chuckle, “What a beauty. She makes the interrogation room look classy just sitting there.”

Ji Tingxi looked away and sat down with a sigh. “When you go in, put on the Bluetooth earpiece and follow my instructions.”

“You’re not coming in?”

“Not yet. I’ll step in if needed.”

Inside the interrogation room, Du Lengding’s line on Kuper echoed his on her: no acquaintance, no recognition, no familiarity.

She had just happened to eat at the restaurant, sitting nearby, but had no interaction. Without the surveillance footage, she wouldn’t even recall him.

Ruo Xing: “What about Sunset Funeral Home? You remember that, right?”

“I do. I handled transfers for many case bodies. But as for Luo Le’s accusations—me going there at night? I deny that.”

“We have photos each time, clearly showing your license plate and exact timestamps.”

“I don’t know why he has those. Forged to frame me for moving bodies?”

Du Lengding spoke evenly, her tone measured—years of patrol cop aura making her nearly turn the tables, seizing control of the questioning.

Ruo Xing’s mouth went dry; he licked his lips. “You claim he’s framing you. Got proof?”

“He asked me once if I wanted some extra cash, said he had connections. I sensed something off and warned him against crooked paths.”

“Anyone else witness that?”

“No, he’d ask behind closed doors.”

“No witnesses, no cameras or recordings—that’s no evidence.”

“Then by your logic, Luo Le’s ‘evidence’ isn’t either. Photos can be faked, timestamps altered. If he’s accusing me, bring harder proof!”

With that, she turned her head sharply toward the one-way mirror. “And you lot—come talk when you have real evidence!”