Chapter 136: Calculated Gambit

Upon witnessing the police officers preparing to make an arrest without even inquiring about the situation, Lin Xiao’s expression turned icy.

He sternly questioned, “You haven’t even ascertained the details of the incident. On what basis are you arresting me?”

Zhao Cheng was, indeed, equally astonished. The surrounding thugs, who were wailing in agony, the scattered metal rods, and Le Fangyun’s face marked by two slap prints all testified to Lin Xiao’s formidable combat prowess.

However, Zhao Cheng was merely a little surprised.

In his view, Le Fangyun hailed from an exceptionally influential background, whereas Lin Xiao was merely a low-ranking bodyguard. Even if Lin Xiao was a competent fighter, he couldn’t beat firearms.

Zhao Cheng knew exactly where his allegiances should lie. If he could align himself with someone as connected as Le Fangyun, wouldn’t climbing the ranks and amassing wealth become a cakewalk?

Thinking this, Zhao Cheng felt a surge of excitement. Assuming a facade of righteousness, he declared, “On what basis? On the basis that there are multiple people here who have been assaulted by you, and the fact that I am a police officer dedicated to serving the public.”

“Yes, Captain Zhao, arrest him immediately. He didn’t just assault people, he’s killed someone. The man he killed is lying right there,” chimed in Le Fangyun, pointing at Chen Xiao, who lay motionless about ten meters away, surrounded by a large pool of blood.

Chen Xiao was in a deep coma and remained unmoving on the ground.

Zhao Cheng followed Le Fangyun’s gesture and felt a surge of triumph. Gaining confidence, he quickly drew his handgun, aimed it at Lin Xiao, and commanded, “Raise your hands!”

A glint flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes. Zhao Cheng’s stance was riddled with openings. Lin Xiao could think of dozens of ways to disarm him effortlessly.

Yet Lin Xiao refrained from using force. He had already deduced that this officer was likely in collusion with Le Fangyun. Taking a weapon from a police officer in broad daylight would unquestionably alter the situation’s gravity.

Obediently, Lin Xiao raised his hands and calmly stated, “The man is not dead, and I acted in self-defense.”

Hearing Lin Xiao’s justification, a disdainful smirk formed at the corners of Zhao Cheng’s mouth.

Regardless of the truth or falsity of Lin Xiao’s words, Zhao Cheng, who was intent on currying favor with Le Fangyun, had no intention of letting him off the hook.

“Whether it was self-defense will be determined after a thorough investigation. But for now, you’re suspected of deliberate assault and are, therefore, under arrest,” he gestured, signaling the officers behind him to move toward Lin Xiao.

With the audible click of handcuffs, Lin Xiao’s hands were secured.

Sitting inside the Rolls-Royce, Wan Caixuan observed the unfolding scene, her expression subtly shifting. Just as she was about to step out of the car, Lin Xiao gave her a slow yet firm shake of his head.

Lin Xiao had no desire to entangle Wan Caixuan in this complicated situation. From beginning to end, the matter had nothing to do with her, It was strictly a grudge between him and Le Fangyun.

Wan Caixuan took a deep breath to compose herself, realizing that exiting the car at this moment would serve no purpose.

Her keen perception allowed her to discern that these police officers were likely colluding with Le Fangyun, the pampered young master.

Regardless, Lin Xiao had injured someone, and even if it was in self-defense, the police had a valid reason to take him in for questioning. Instead of wasting time here, it was more pragmatic to figure out how to swiftly secure Lin Xiao’s release from the police station.

For someone like Wan Caixuan, extracting a person from police custody was something she could easily handle.

“I hope you have the wisdom to reconsider, otherwise…” Wan Caixuan cast a profound gaze at the smug-looking Le Fangyun through the car window.

Although unaware of Le Fangyun’s specific identity, she was confident. As one of the heirs to the prestigious Wan family in the capital, she believed that even if Le Fangyun were the most prominent young master in Jinghai City, neutralizing him would be child’s play, given her social standing and connections.

On the flip side, spotting Lin Xiao in handcuffs brought a deeply concealed smirk to Le Fangyun’s face, his mind teeming with nefarious plots.

With Lin Xiao in custody, Le Fangyun felt he had complete freedom to manipulate the situation as he pleased. This thought set Le Fangyun’s heart aflame with eagerness as he was itching to return to the station immediately.

Perhaps sensing Le Fangyun’s impatience, Zhao Cheng directed one of the officers, “I’ll take the suspect to the station first. You stay here and wait for the ambulance to treat the injured.”

“Understood, Captain.”

Lin Xiao entered the police vehicle without resistance. Enclosed in the back seat by impenetrable steel plates, the atmosphere felt intensely suffocating.

Nevertheless, Lin Xiao remained unflustered, sitting serenely.

He was well aware that if these officers were truly aligned with Le Fangyun and he was just an average individual, there would be no return. A grim situation with no room for resistance.

But was Lin Xiao just an average individual?

No, he most certainly was not

Lin Xiao was intrigued to see how this group planned to navigate the situation. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes. If these lowlifes truly sought to distort the facts and collude, they’d better brace themselves for his wrath.

‘When the Night Emperor gets furious, corpses lie in his wake.’ This saying had circulated in the underworld not long ago.

Lin Xiao, revered as the Night Emperor in the criminal underworld, was not one to repay evil with kindness. Instead, he dealt with his enemies in a manner that could only be described as unflinchingly thorough and ruthless.

Seated in the driver’s compartment, Le Fangyun and Zhao Cheng suddenly shivered from an inexplicable chill. However, they quickly shook it off and thought nothing of it.

Zhao Cheng asked with a smirk, “Young Master Le, what plans do you have for handling that youngster?”

“I want to make his life a living hell, tormented forever,” Le Fangyun responded, his face twisted in malice.

Zhao Cheng pondered briefly. “Young Master Le, achieving that might be challenging. At most, this incident could be classified as a street brawl. Even if the kid is fully at fault, he’d likely face only a few months of imprisonment.”

“I couldn’t care less. I want that waste of space to rue his existence!” Le Fangyun spat, seething with venom. After a moment, he collected himself and said, “Captain Zhao, rest assured, if you manage this situation adeptly, you won’t be left out of the rewards. I’ll also put in a good word for you with my uncle.”

At these words, Zhao Cheng’s heart soared. This was precisely the assurance he had been awaiting. He hastily bowed and nodded, “Don’t you worry, Young Master Le. What’s a mere bodyguard, after all? I’ll arrange for him to get a sentence of at least a decade. You can then do with him as you please.”

Gazing at Zhao Cheng’s subservient expression, Le Fangyun felt a twinge of contempt. In his eyes, Zhao Cheng was just a servile dog, useful solely due to his connections.

Yet when he thought of his own family background, a shadow momentarily clouded Le Fangyun’s eyes.

To the outside world, Le Fangyun was the apex young master of Jinghai City, bolstered by his powerful family in the capital. The new mayor of Jinghai City was his uncle.

The truth, however, was different. He was merely a distant relative of the illustrious Le family from the capital. As for the so-called uncle, the new mayor, he was a distant relative.

He had been leveraging these connections merely as a smokescreen for his influence.

“Ensure that this matter stays between us, and above all, keep it from my uncle,” Le Fangyun cautioned.

He was fully aware of his distant uncle’s temperament. If the man were to discover his actions, it wouldn’t just be his high-flying social status at risk, his entire family would face ruin.

“Rest easy, Young Master Le. I know how to keep things discreet,” Zhao Cheng assured, his expression ingratiating.

“Good,” Le Fangyun nodded, content with Zhao Cheng’s response.