“Who is it?” Han Lie asked cautiously.

“Open up! Law Enforcement Hall!” came a low, gruff voice that brooked no argument.

“So they’ve come after all…” After a moment’s hesitation, Han Lie rose and opened the door.

Standing outside were seven or eight Law Enforcement Hall disciples. At their head was a burly man with the build of a bear and a waist as thick as a tiger’s—he was a veritable iron tower of a man. With a dense, unkempt beard and a fierce, menacing visage, he looked like he could scare a child into hysterics just by standing there.

Han Lie recognized him instantly. It was Captain Iron Hand of the Black Tortoise Squad.

“To what do I owe the honor of a visit from the Black Tortoise Captain?” Han Lie asked, narrowing his eyes as he feigned ignorance.

He couldn’t help but wonder: Is Iron Hand really this bold? Ye Qingxuan is right inside the Violet Heaven Palace. He actually dares to bring men here to enforce the law on her doorstep?

“What do you think?” Iron Hand’s brows knitted together, his expression hostile. “Yesterday, disciples Cai Zhen and Yunxia of the Overlord Hall were found dead on the outskirts of the sect.”

“There are multiple witnesses who saw you with them shortly before their disappearance.” Iron Hand stepped closer, his shadow looming over Han Lie. “That makes you the prime suspect in their deaths. Do I make myself clear?”

Han Lie smiled thinly, feeling a strange sense of relief. Saintess Bai Ling’s methods were like a matryoshka doll—layer upon layer of schemes. Even before Iron Hand had arrived, he had already anticipated this play.

Tap, tap, tap!

Just as Iron Hand was about to order an arrest, Zhuo Hongyi and Su Mei arrived on the scene.

“Senior Brother Iron Hand!” Zhuo Hongyi’s stern shout cut through the tension.

“Junior Sister Hongyi? Junior Sister Mei? What brings you two here?” Facing the two women, Iron Hand’s fierce expression melted instantly into a playful, awkward grin.

“Come over here for a moment,” Iron Hand muttered after a brief hesitation. He walked aside with Zhuo Hongyi and Su Mei to confer in private.

“It won’t work, Junior Sisters. There are actual witnesses…”

“The Overlord Hall Master has already issued personal instructions. You’re making this very difficult for me.”

Han Lie caught fragments of their conversation. Zhuo Hongyi and Su Mei were arguing that while witnesses saw Han Lie with the victims, no one actually saw him commit a crime. However, though Iron Hand spoke calmly to the women, his resolve was unshakable. Protocol dictated he had to take Han Lie back to the Black Tortoise Squad’s office for interrogation.

After a long discussion, Iron Hand returned. At his command, several disciples stepped forward and restrained Han Lie.

Han Lie didn’t struggle. He knew Ye Qingxuan was aware of everything happening outside her doors. Since she hadn’t appeared, it meant she had no intention of interfering. Resisting now would only give them an excuse to use lethal force. Ultimately, the only evidence they had was a sighting from two days ago. The situation still had room for maneuver.

“Han Lie, don’t worry. As long as you didn’t do it, no one can falsely accuse you!” Zhuo Hongyi called out as they led him away.

“Don’t lose your cool at the Black Tortoise office, little old man. Senior Sister Hongyi and I will find a way out of this,” Su Mei added quickly.

“Thank you, Captain Hongyi, Captain Mei. I understand,” Han Lie replied with a small smile, signaling them not to worry.

Left with no other choice, the two women could only watch helplessly as Iron Hand marched Han Lie away.

Black Tortoise Squad Office, Interrogation Room

After locking Han Lie inside, Iron Hand left without starting the interrogation immediately. Sitting in the “regret chair,” Han Lie surveyed the room. It was filled with various sinister-looking torture implements.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Han Lie muttered, a frown deepening on his face.

He had heard rumors of Iron Hand’s notorious reputation. Disciples who fell into the hands of the Black Tortoise Squad rarely emerged unscathed. If a suspect wouldn’t confess, Iron Hand was known to administer a session of the “Great Memory Restoration Technique”—a brutal series of tortures that few could withstand.

I need a plan, Han Lie thought. He certainly didn’t want to experience Iron Hand’s hospitality firsthand.

Breaking out by force was out of the question; he wasn’t foolish enough to declare war on the entire Law Enforcement Hall unless he planned on fleeing the Heavenly Void Sect forever.

As for Zhuo Hongyi and Su Mei… I probably shouldn’t count on them to save me. The fact that Iron Hand could arrest him right in front of them proved that the political pressure from the Overlord Hall was immense.

Just as he was weighing his options, Su Mei came to visit. She couldn’t spring him from custody, but as a fellow Captain, getting past the guards for a visit was easy.

“Little old man, what exactly happened?” Su Mei asked after a few quick pleasantries. “You shouldn’t even know those two from the Overlord Hall. Why were you with them?”

“It’s a long story, Captain Mei. What’s done is done; talking about the ‘why’ doesn’t change much now,” Han Lie said, shaking his head.

In that moment two days ago, he had been trapped. If he had refused Cai Zhen, she and Yunxia would have simply caused a scene or screamed “assault.” In the eyes of the sect, a Servant Disciple accosted by two high-ranking female disciples would never be believed. It was a blatant open scheme. He had gone with them simply to see what their endgame was, believing he could turn the tables once they were alone.

“I see.” Su Mei shared what she knew. She and Zhuo Hongyi had already petitioned Su Meiyu, but the Hall Master had her hands tied. The Overlord Hall Master was demanding blood and a thorough investigation; Su Meiyu couldn’t simply ignore the request.

“Little old man, do you have a plan?” Su Mei asked, her eyes full of worry.

Han Lie’s eyes shifted thoughtfully. “Captain Mei, tell me… what kind of man is this Iron Hand, really?”

“Let me think…” Su Mei pondered for a second. “Senior Brother Iron Hand is actually quite dull. Don’t let the scary face fool you; around Senior Sister Hongyi, he gets all shy and awkward—just like a little boy. Also… he responds much better to honey than vinegar. He likes ‘taking small advantages’ where he can.”

“Why do you ask?”

“Heh heh… no reason.” Han Lie suddenly revealed a confident, predatory smile. “I have an idea now.”