Volume 1, Chapter 120: Never Killed a Soul.

The answer doesn’t reveal itself on its own, but if someone is impatient enough, it will come out—it's just a matter of time.

Time flowed slowly, yet Jiang Chen kept himself busy flipping through the case files. He could piece together the final truth of the case himself, but verification was needed—this was where Lin Mo would prove useful.

A chosen one wouldn’t take long to crack a case, and having Lin Mo solve it seemed like overkill. Most likely, Lin Mo was currently under the command of Xu Ping’an, director of the Kyoto 509 Unit.

Since he had nothing else to do, Jiang Chen figured it wouldn’t hurt to exercise his mind a bit.

That was his line of thought.

Once all the clues surfaced, he could deduce the answer, then call Lin Mo to verify its accuracy.

Snapping back to reality, five hours had already slipped by unnoticed, the time passing as swiftly as a flowing river.

Jiang Chen lay back in his chair, half-dozing.

“Jiang Chen, Wu Gang just asked when we’re going to release him,” Li Changsheng said, then added, “I thought about it, and it makes sense. We lack sufficient evidence to prove he’s a murderer. He’s still within our surveillance range. Why not just set him free?”

Jiang Chen opened one eye. “Since when did you become so kind-hearted? Liuli’s not here either. What are you playing at?”

“I... I’m not saying this for Liuli’s sake. I’m just thinking, does it really matter where he is? As long as something unusual happens, we’ll catch it immediately,” Li Changsheng replied, blushing.

Jiang Chen nodded but said nothing further.

Releasing him was out of the question. Jiang Chen insisted on keeping him locked up. If he didn’t confess, no problem—they all had time, so they could wait patiently. When he finally told the truth, things would become easier; if not, they would just wait.

Li Changsheng sighed and silently crouched down to send a message to Liuli.

Actually, the idea of releasing Wu Gang was Liuli’s suggestion. Since Wu Gang waiting here offered no leads, it might be better to set him free and monitor him covertly.

But Jiang Chen immediately crushed that notion.

Within this small group, Jiang Chen was undoubtedly the king. Everyone else was second best—this had been established through their recent handling of matters.

Jiang Chen was highly capable, with strong analytical skills and formidable strength. No one yet knew the limits of his power. On these grounds alone, he was more than enough. Moreover, for some unknown reason, Shen Huaizhu unconditionally supported Jiang Chen, further cementing his supreme position.

Ten hours...

Fifteen hours...

Twenty hours...

Twenty-three hours...

Inside the interrogation room, Wu Gang spoke up, “Time’s up. Can I be released now?”

“Sorry... Our leader said the time’s not up yet. It’s only been 23 hours,” a young officer replied.

The officer didn’t even look up, eyes fixed on the transcripts and computer.

Wu Gang clenched his fists silently, his legs trembling as if waiting for something.

Jiang Chen whispered, “See? Some people just can’t hold still and start fidgeting.”

Li Changsheng also sensed something was amiss. Normally, no one could endure sitting for hours on end, especially someone like Wu Gang, who was already fifty-one. He should have been restless after three or four hours. How was it that he only just now planned to move after nearly a whole day? This was abnormal.

“Wait a little longer. He’s about to tell the truth, or someone will speak for him.”

...

Outside, the bitter wind howled as Shen Huaizhu and Liuli stood atop a large tree watching Wu Gang’s house.

Though Shen Huaizhu kept her gaze fixed, her eyes held a distant, dreamy look.

“Senior Sister, what are you thinking about?” Liuli asked curiously.

In her memory, this world had always been cold and indifferent, dismissive of everyone—especially those her age.

Her senior sister had always seemed cold, aloof, and unapproachable.

But ever since she sparred with Jiang Chen, it was as if she had changed completely.

Shen Huaizhu ruffled Liuli’s hair and said, “I was just wondering if I’ve been too harsh on you kids before.”

Liuli blushed warmly at the unexpected gesture. “Senior Sister... you seem different. Are you still the same person I knew?”

“I’ve always been that senior sister you knew. You must be curious why I seem so different now, right?” Shen Huaizhu tucked her hair behind her ear.

Liuli nodded obediently, looking up at her. “Tell me, Senior Sister.”

Shen Huaizhu spoke softly, “Because in the Qingyun Sword Sect, I had no rivals. Except for my master, no one could beat me. So, over time, I developed this personality. But after meeting Jiang Chen, I realized he’s formidable—strong in every way—and able to suppress me. In other words, I admire strength.”

Realizing she hadn’t expressed herself clearly, she quickly added, “I came to understand there’s always someone stronger, the sky has no limit. No matter how fierce or proud I am, without strength, I’ll be looked down upon. Jiang Chen showed me that those with strength don’t need to be arrogant or cold; they can just be themselves.”

“So... I only admire him. It’s not the same as liking him...”

The girl’s heartfelt words seemed especially warm and sincere amid the biting winter wind. But Jiang Chen couldn’t hear them, so he had no way of knowing the profound impact he had on a girl’s character.

After hearing this, Liuli slowly asked, “Senior Sister, what do you want to do now?”

Shen Huaizhu replied calmly, “Be myself.”

As the two spoke, a figure suddenly appeared at Wu Gang’s doorstep and climbed over the wall.

The sudden development instantly tensed their emotions, but Shen Huaizhu reacted quickly and leapt away with a light step.

The limping Wu Gang, upon seeing Shen Huaizhu again, dropped down from the wall and stood firmly where he was, showing no intention to attack.

Liuli quickly followed behind Shen Huaizhu.

Shen Huaizhu said, “Don’t move. You dare come back? You really don’t fear death. You killed so many people and ruined so many families, yet you still won’t give up. Tell me, what exactly do you want?”

Though this man looked exactly like the imprisoned Wu Gang, knowing he had been killing since 1998 and destroying countless lives, Shen Huaizhu couldn’t remain calm or speak with him peacefully.

“Speak! Don’t think I’ll let you go just because you stay silent. Don’t think your little strength scares us. Even if you run today, I’ll risk injury to catch you!” Liuli said passionately.

The limping Wu Gang stared at them solemnly, his eyes filled with softness and innocence.

“I... I haven’t killed anyone! Never!”