Chapter Thirty-Nine: Murderer?

In the early morning, after finishing his cultivation, Chen Hongxu picked up some breakfast for Xue Xi on his way back from exercising. After they ate, the two of them analyzed a series of possible backup plans that the mastermind behind recent events might have in store. Yet, for some reason, Xue Xi kept giving him a strange look.

Just then, Xue Xi’s phone suddenly rang, interrupting their discussion.

Puzzled, Xue Xi wondered who could be calling at this hour. She handed the breakfast trash bag from the table to Chen Hongxu, then took out her phone and glanced at the screen. A smile broke on her face, and she said, “The outcome is already decided.” With that, she passed the phone to Chen Hongxu.

Chen Hongxu glanced at the number and instantly recognized it as Fan, the braggart who’d promised him something just yesterday. He answered with a chuckle, “You’re up early. If you have something to say, make it quick—I’m heading to school.”

There was a clear pause on the other end, and then Fan replied, “I’m on my way to HJ right now. Are you deliberately going to school to show your face and then slap theirs? Did you catch wind of something?”

Chen Hongxu squinted, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Just a guess. I saw Su Xiaoxiao yesterday. I’d say my identity is confirmed.” He reasoned that since Su Xiaoxiao was still injured and unlikely to take the risk of attacking him outright, her reappearance after a month’s absence must have a purpose. The only plausible reason for her to seek him out was to verify his status as a reserve member—nothing else seemed likely. So Chen Hongxu was quite certain.

Even if Su Xiaoxiao didn’t come, matters like recruiting talents wouldn’t be delayed by the state for too long. Since nothing had happened for over a month, he was sure someone would come for him soon. This was also his contingency plan. After all, those he’d killed were all wrongdoers, and with the abilities he’d shown in Japan, the organization would know what to do.

He had only called Fan because his connections seemed strong and he wanted him to gather some information. He hadn’t expected Fan to take on the task himself and even come to HJ in person—this was a pleasant surprise.

“That crazy woman… Who knows what she’s thinking. A renowned figure on the Blacklist, yet she’s sent to verify the identity of a mere reserve member like you. But brother, take my advice: stay away from her. She’s a lunatic—like a pit viper. Once you get involved, you’re in trouble,” Fan said earnestly.

“Let’s leave it at that, I’m in a hurry…” Chen Hongxu replied bitterly, hanging up. Trouble had already found him, whether he wanted it or not.

Xue Xi took the phone back with a suspicious look, pursing her lips and remarking sourly, “Su Xiaoxiao, huh? Your fair lady confidante!”

“Are you sure they didn’t put vinegar in your soymilk this morning? Why are you being so sour?” Chen Hongxu teased.

“Yes, yes, I’m jealous,” Xue Xi pouted, feigning petulance.

Chen Hongxu glanced at the clock on the wall, then wrapped his arms around Xue Xi, who would not relent without getting an answer. “We’re going to be late. Let’s go to class.”

Xue Xi grumbled, pinching him once before letting herself be dragged out toward campus.

...

The first Chinese class had just begun, and Summer Ruohui hadn’t yet found an opportunity to pick on Chen Hongxu as she usually did. Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the hallway. Moments later, a group of police officers burst into the classroom, followed by campus security and several teachers and administrators.

Standing at the podium, Summer Ruohui displayed her queenly composure. Facing the law enforcement officers without a trace of fear, she glanced at the chubby policeman in the lead and calmly said, “Your disturbance is affecting my students. Please leave.”

The lead officer glared at her in irritation and replied sternly, “This is police business. Please cooperate. Something happened on the outskirts last night. We received a tip-off that a student in your class was involved…”

Summer Ruohui was puzzled. So many officers just to apprehend one of her students? She frowned, ignoring the policeman’s displeasure, and quickly walked over to him. “What happened?”

The chubby officer snorted and swept the classroom with a cold, searching gaze. He said, “We have our procedures. Such matters can’t be disclosed to outsiders.”

Summer Ruohui’s eyebrows arched, and she seemed about to erupt when a voice interrupted her. “Xiao Wang, come here for a moment.”

The words caught in her throat as she looked for the source. It was the director of student affairs, who had hurried over, and “Xiao Wang” must be the policeman’s surname.

Sure enough, the chubby officer, hearing his name, looked over irritably, searching for the disrespectful caller. Upon seeing the white-haired old man, he hesitated, then hurried over to the director and spoke in a low voice. The two seemed quite familiar.

After a moment, the officer seemed to have received some instructions. When he returned to the classroom, his attitude toward Summer Ruohui, if not entirely transformed, was at least much more courteous. He glanced at her and sighed, then quietly explained the situation.

“Murder?” Summer Ruohui suddenly exclaimed, startling the officer beside her.

He was visibly annoyed, but having just learned of her deep background—though her connections weren’t in HJ City, there was no point in making enemies over something so trivial. He decided not to take offense.

Withdrawing his gaze from Summer Ruohui, he surveyed the class again. Many students, frightened, bowed their heads as if they themselves were suspects. Sitting near the door, Chen Hongxu’s expression remained unchanged; he inwardly scoffed at how quickly the police had moved.

“Chen Hongxu, please come with us to the station to assist with our investigation.” Since the officer stood at the back door, he could only see the students’ heads, so he called out Chen Hongxu’s name directly. This was apparently a step personally instructed by the chief—was it to ruin his reputation? The officer didn’t know; he was just following orders.

Chen Hongxu?

The previously silent students now all turned to stare at him. After all, Summer Ruohui’s exclamation had been loud.

Even if Chen Hongxu hadn’t stood up, the officer would have known who to look for. He gestured to his two colleagues, then stepped forward and placed a hand on Chen Hongxu’s shoulder. “Please cooperate and come with us.”

The two other officers entered, reaching for their handcuffs as if intending to take him away in chains.

“Wait…” Summer Ruohui suddenly intervened, blocking their path. “Isn’t there some mistake? Look at how frail my student is—how could he be involved in a gang fight?”

The officers hesitated and looked to their leader. Given his earlier caution, they were wary of causing unnecessary trouble.

The chubby officer cursed inwardly. Still, this was a direct order from the chief, and while this teacher might be well-connected, orders were orders.

He put on a businesslike demeanor. “I’m sure you understand the seriousness of obstructing justice. We came because of a verified tip-off. We’re only asking Chen Hongxu to assist with the investigation, not declaring him guilty.”

The two officers, understanding the situation, moved around Summer Ruohui and approached Chen Hongxu, reaching to handcuff him.

At that moment, Chen Hongxu finally moved. With a casual gesture, he brushed their hands aside, stood up slowly, and glanced at the officer whose hand still rested on his shoulder. “If it’s just for an investigation, there’s no need for handcuffs—unless you’ve already decided my guilt internally?”

The officer had a decade of experience and had seen much. From yesterday’s confrontation, the tip-off, the rapid police arrival, and now the chief’s insistence on a public spectacle, the sequence of events felt unnaturally precise. Coupled with Chen Hongxu’s composure, he suspected there was more to this than met the eye.

Such high-level games were beyond the reach of a small-town cop. He forced a smile and withdrew his hand. “Of course.”

Chen Hongxu glanced at his speechless classmates, then headed out. As he passed Summer Ruohui, he said softly, “You’re a good teacher who stands up for her students. Thank you. But don’t worry too much…” He paused, a glint in his eye. “Even if I did kill someone, what can they do to me?”

Summer Ruohui gave him a complicated look, determined to get to the bottom of this. The chubby officer, following close behind, happened to catch Chen Hongxu’s muttered words. He shuddered, realizing he’d guessed right: this was indeed a contest among higher powers, and the student before him was no ordinary figure—his real identity was far more complex than the records suggested…