Xia Hong looked at Long Yeyue and waved her hand. A spirit-sealing helmet that restricted mental power and soul-sealing handcuffs that suppressed soul power fell onto her.
"My soul power… my mental power… How is this possible?" Long Yeyue was once again shocked.
Although the spirit-sealing helmet and soul-sealing handcuffs were designed to restrict soul power and mental power, as far as she knew, the highest-grade ones in the Federation could only suppress a Hyper Douluo at most—specifically, those below rank 98. Once a soul master reached rank 98, even the highest-grade versions of these devices would be ineffective.
"If I were to capture someone like you, of course, I would upgrade the spirit-sealing helmet and soul-sealing handcuffs," Xia Hong said indifferently.
"Impossible! Even if you have ties to the God Realm and can briefly unleash power beyond that of a Limit Douluo, there is no way you, at your age, could have such profound knowledge of soul devices!" Long Yeyue sneered, unwilling to accept the truth.
"Think whatever you like. I have no need to explain myself to you." Xia Hong shook her head and turned to the officers who had accompanied her. "Take her back to the police station and notify the higher-ups to send people to handle this."
The officers, who had been utterly stunned up to this point, snapped out of their daze upon hearing Xia Hong's command.
"Understood, Captain—wait, no! Captain, we can't turn her in!" One officer responded instinctively but immediately realized the problem. Long Yeyue was their capture—how could they just hand her over?
The Sun-Moon Federation government was ambiguous about this entire matter. If they handed Long Yeyue over, all their efforts could be wasted.
"If we don't turn her in, what do you propose we do? I'm just a squad captain. A fugitive of Long Yeyue's level—do you think we have the authority to interrogate her?" Xia Hong shook her head and said, "According to Federation law, criminals of Long Yeyue's caliber must be judged by the Supreme Court. We're just police officers—our job is to make the arrest. How she is interrogated and sentenced is up to the Supreme Court."
Xia Hong's gaze was calm, devoid of any emotional fluctuation. "We are police officers. Are you suggesting we break the law?"
"But..." The officers were still unwilling.
Each of them had followed Xia Hong into this operation with full knowledge that it was a near-suicidal mission. Every one of them was a true police officer, driven by passion for justice.
They had prepared to sacrifice their lives to uphold the honor of the Federation police.
Their goal had never been to succeed in arresting Long Yeyue—they had simply wanted to use their own lives to send a message: that the number one fugitive of the Sun-Moon Federation should not be allowed to roam freely through Mingdu.
Yet, against all odds, they had actually succeeded.
And now, Xia Hong wanted to hand Long Yeyue over.
If the higher-ups manipulated the situation and released her, wouldn't all their efforts be in vain?
"If you want to handle criminals of this level personally, then work hard. When your rank is high enough, you can do as you wish." Xia Hong smiled faintly. "While we lack the authority to interrogate Long Yeyue, we are more than capable of questioning others."
"Others? Captain, who are you referring to?" one of the officers asked curiously.
Xia Hong looked toward a nearby rooftop, where a figure dressed in white with a white cloth covering his face stood. "I don't care who you are. You may have challenged the Spirit Eyes Douluo, but your actions violate the Federation's public security laws. What you've done is no different from when the students of Shrek Academy challenged the Royal Sun-Moon Soul Master Academy. I ask that you come with me to the police station for an investigation."
Yun Ming's expression flickered with uncertainty. After a moment of silence, he finally nodded, letting go of the wooden staff in his hand. "Alright, I'll cooperate."
With that, Yun Ming took a single step forward, appearing inside a police vehicle beside Xia Hong.
Yun Ming was quite wary of Xia Hong.
If he continued to fight against her, his identity would undoubtedly be exposed. Yali had gone through great efforts to sever Long Yeyue's connection to Shrek Academy.
Now, Long Yeyue had attacked law enforcement. If he were to engage in a battle with Xu Cangyu and Xia Hong, all of Yali's efforts would be for nothing.
Shrek Academy was no longer the powerful institution it had been decades ago when he had single-handedly stormed into Mingdu.
Now, Shrek Academy was on the brink of destruction. Once, he had forcibly taken Yali from Mingdu.
But today, he dared not break Long Yeyue out.
Besides, he had already thought of a way to save her.
There was no need to let emotions dictate his actions.
Not long after Xia Hong took Long Yeyue and Yun Ming back to the police station, Minister of Police, the Judgment Douluo Lang Tian, arrived with a group of officials and took Long Yeyue away.
As for Yun Ming, his offense was merely "provoking disorder." Since he cooperated fully, Xia Hong handled the matter herself.
Following protocol, she gave him a lecture on legal responsibility and issued a symbolic fine of 500 Federation coins before releasing him.
When Wu Zhangkong had been sentenced to three years in prison, the main reason had been his refusal to cooperate with the authorities.
He had repeatedly attacked police officers.
Even Tang Wulin and the others had been sent to juvenile detention for a few days because of that.
After leaving the police station, Yun Ming quickly found Chen Xinjie, who was waiting outside Mingdu.
He told him everything that had happened.
"Xia Hong!" Chen Xinjie ground his teeth and turned to walk toward Mingdu.
"What are you doing?" Yun Ming immediately stopped him.
"Yeyue has finally returned to my side. No matter who tries to take her away from me, I will not forgive them," Chen Xinjie said coldly.
"It's useless. She was arrested in broad daylight, in full view of the public. Even if the Federation wanted to secretly release her, they wouldn't be able to," Yun Ming said with a bitter smile.
"I have my own ways!" Chen Xinjie's eyes were filled with fury.
"Are you planning to storm the prison?" Yun Ming asked sternly. "Do you know what the consequences of that would be?"
"My affairs are none of your concern," Chen Xinjie responded icily.
As far as he was concerned, Shrek Academy was not worthy of his goodwill.
Never mind whether Shrek Academy was responsible for the death of his and Long Yeyue's child.
The way Shrek Academy had treated Long Yeyue was enough. She had devoted everything to the academy, and yet, they had abandoned her.
Even Yun Ming had stood by and watched as she was arrested, doing nothing to help.
Yun Ming did not get angry at Chen Xinjie's hostility. Instead, he solemnly said, "I came to find you because I have a way to save her."
"You have a way?" Chen Xinjie's eyes lit up with hope.
"Would I have come otherwise? But..." Yun Ming's expression turned grave, as if he were struggling internally.
"But what?" Chen Xinjie urged impatiently.
Seeing Yun Ming's hesitance, he knew the plan must be something unethical.
But to save Long Yeyue, he no longer cared.
"Long Yeyue spread disease among civilians and attempted to kill law enforcement officers. In the eyes of the public, she deserves nothing less than death. Unless we break her out, the Federation will likely sentence her to death to appease the people," Yun Ming said gravely. "But the ones who truly want her dead are the common people. If we can resolve their resentment and gain their forgiveness, we can save her."
"You make it sound easy. Why would the people forgive her?" Chen Xinjie's hopes were instantly dashed.
Yun Ming looked up at the sky and closed his eyes in pain. "I've already contacted Tang Sect. Ruthless Douluo has secretly lured Abyssal creatures toward the Endless Mountains. By tonight, a brutal battle will take place there. When he requests help from the Federation, he'll send us footage of the carnage. We'll release the footage, creating mass panic. Then, we'll rally every official we can and propose sending Long Yeyue to the Blood God Legion to fight against the Abyss. That way, the people will have no choice but to agree."
"Many people will die," Chen Xinjie said grimly.
"I will bear all responsibility. You only need to cooperate," Yun Ming said painfully.
"Bear responsibility? How?" Chen Xinjie snapped. "The Abyssal passageway is the result of thousands of years of effort. If it's broken, the consequences could last for generations. Have you even considered that?"
"Not to mention, have you thought about Shrek Academy? As the true leader of the Sea God's Pavilion, you're willingly inviting the Abyss onto Douluo Continent. If your predecessors saw this, wouldn't they be heartbroken?"
Chen Xinjie's anger flared.
"You only need to answer one question—will you help or not?" Yun Ming gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with pain but unwavering determination.
After a moment of silence, Chen Xinjie slowly said, "I agree."
Looking at Yun Ming, he added, "As long as it saves Yeyue, I'll do anything."
With those words, he closed his eyes in agony.
(End of Chapter)