Chapter 405: I Believe You? My Ass!

“Ah—!” Staggering backward, Guan Changxuan roared in fury, “You—!”

“What about me?” Xiao Yu stared at the retreating Guan Changxuan, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes. “I really don’t know whether to call you smart or just plain stupid. I dared to stand right in front of you alone. Did it never occur to you to ask why?”

Guan Changxuan froze for a moment, the pain wracking his body.

Then, a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he abruptly twisted his body, delivering a vicious kick toward Xiao Yu.

It was sharp and swift, backed with the force of a full twist. Had it landed on an ordinary person, their neck could have snapped clean.

The foot collided—not with flesh, but with Xiao Yu’s forearm.

Guan Changxuan’s leg was blocked by one arm.

Charging into danger knowing you’ll fail isn’t courage. It’s masochism.

Xiao Yu lifted his leg.

His strike was as fast as lightning, slamming into Guan Changxuan’s waist.

“Urgh!”

The force knocked the wind clean out of him, agony flooding through his nerves. It felt like Xiao Yu’s kick had nearly split his spine in half. He stumbled back. If he didn’t retreat now, he’d die.

This strength… wasn’t human.

But he’d only managed two large steps back when—

That terrifying silhouette surged toward him with a ferocious gust of wind. A knee rammed straight into Guan Changxuan’s abdomen.

The impact launched him off the ground.

“No—!”

Suspended mid-air, Guan Changxuan screamed.

Terror. Pain.

And the precision of Xiao Yu’s technique told him exactly what was coming. A storm of violence.

Sure enough, he saw Xiao Yu’s leg, rising fast. His pupils dilated. Panic flooded his face.

A leather shoe struck his chest and stomach with crushing force.

“Ahhh!” Guan Changxuan screamed again, nearly passing out. His body was lifted once more into the air.

Then, just as he was about to hit the ground—

Xiao Yu’s leg swung again.

This time from above, crashing down onto Guan Changxuan’s lower back.

Guan Changxuan crumpled to the ground like a ragdoll slammed against concrete.

Time seemed to slow. Lying motionless, his vision blurred. The pain didn’t fade. It was just that his nerves had gone numb after such brutal torment.

Looking up at Xiao Yu’s face, Guan Changxuan felt as if he were staring into a block of ice.

His heart sank.

Fear oozed from his bones.

He tried to sit up.

Xiao Yu’s leg lashed out again, this time striking him in the head.

And everything went dark.

When he finally came to, Guan Changxuan felt like his body had shattered. His limbs were trembling uncontrollably from the pain. His eyes snapped open. His arms and legs were shackled to an interrogation chair.

Across the table sat Xiao Yu, staring at him coldly.

Memories of what had happened before blacking out came rushing back.

He had been exposed.

He had a plan. Take Xiao Yu hostage. Use him as leverage.

Guan Changxuan had been very confident. With his skills, subduing a regular cop should’ve been easy.

But his pride, his training, meant nothing.

Compared to the monster in front of him, he was no more than a punching bag.

His eye twitched. Looking at Xiao Yu, despair filled his gaze.

Xiao Yu returned the look coolly. He’d seen this expression before. Criminals always looked the same when caught.

Before getting caught? Arrogant. Defiant. Full of swagger.

After? Begging for forgiveness. Playing the remorseful lamb. Some even prayed for mercy.

“Not planning to say anything?” Xiao Yu’s voice was cold.

“Say what?” Guan Changxuan trembled.

“The family massacre from five years ago, that was your doing, wasn’t it?” Xiao Yu enunciated each word. “The Five Elements to open the path, the Red Garment to extend life?”

A complex light flickered in Guan Changxuan’s eyes.

“Can you tell me… how did you figure it out?” he asked in despair.

“That case was perfect.” Xiao Yu’s voice was devoid of emotion. “The crime scene was spotless. You made it look like the father went insane and killed his wife and child. What tipped me off was Che Yu.”

“What… was wrong with him?” Guan Changxuan’s expression twisted with rage, teeth clenched.

“His suicide made no sense.” Xiao Yu said calmly. “A man who clearly didn’t want to die, took his own life. The only explanation is some unspeakable terror forced his hand. And from there, I remembered that case five years ago. The grotesque way the victims were killed. Eventually, I discovered the ritual.”

“So that’s it…”

A flicker of hatred passed through Guan Changxuan’s face. Then it collapsed into despair.

“I never should’ve used him.”

“If you hadn’t, how else would you have lured in people to sacrifice?” Xiao Yu’s voice was filled with contempt. “You’re not regretting what you did. You’re just mad we still managed to find you.”

His words struck Guan Changxuan like a dagger. His pale, hopeless face contorted. He tried to hold himself together. Tried to stop himself from breaking down.

But he couldn’t.

He knew he wouldn’t live long enough to die of cancer. He’d be sentenced, walked to the execution ground, and face justice for his crimes.

“I… I wasn’t always a bad person.”

He trembled, looking at Xiao Yu.

“Do you believe me?”

There are no perfect good people in the world. Just like there are no perfectly evil ones. Heaven and hell are separated by a single step.

Five years ago, he was a spirited young man. Now, he was a cold-blooded killer.

“…Yeah,” Xiao Yu said.

He stood and walked toward the door.

Hand on the handle, he turned back. Face perfectly calm, he looked Guan Changxuan in the eye.

“Yeah, I believe you my ass.”