'Xue Rui? No... then who?' the voice sounded very familiar to Li XinWen but at the same time, he knew something was off. The spiritual signature that came from the new person was different from Xue Rui's. Li XinWen turned around and saw the man. The similarity between the man and Xue Rui was truly uncanny. If Li XinWen did not have the ability to detect a spiritual signature, he himself would've thought that this was Xue Rui.
"And you are?" the officer from before asked the newcomer, not hiding the disdain from his voice.
"Me? I am a man who can simply end your career with a snap of my finger. Would you like to make a bet?" the man answered with a bored expression. "I will count to three, Officer Duan. If you don't let him go and scram, then you can start thinking of a way to put rice on your family's table."
"Is that supposed to be a threat? Should I cower and hide? And how do you actually know my name?" the officer roared, his chest heaved up and his eyes were glaring daggers at the man.
"No. I am only 'advising' you," the man calmly replied, emphasizing the word 'advise' heavily.
Just as the officer was about to say more, the phone in his pocket vibrated. He took it out to see that it was a call from his superior. His superior rarely called him, and this call somehow made him feel a bit suspicious.
"Aren't you going to answer that?" the man asked. "I believe that is from Chief Tao. If you don't answer, you might... get in trouble."
Officer Duan glared in response before answering the phone call. "Hello, chief?"
"Duan Ming... where are you right now?!" the voice of a middle-aged man sounded from the other side. With his level of cultivation, Li XinWen could hear the conversation clearly even though he didn't mean to. From the tone alone, Li XinWen could tell that the person on the other side seems to be worn out.
"Sir, I am at..."
"Hundred Treasure Antique Shop, am I right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Officer Duan Ming... how many times have I told you that you are not to stick up your nose where it doesn't belong! Are you trying to get me in trouble?! Pull out now!"
The call was cut off even before Officer Duan could say anything else. He looked at his phone before letting out a series of colourful curses under his breath. Taking out a key from his pocket, he then uncuffed Li XinWen's wrists. "Well, well, aren't you one lucky son of a bitch!"
At first, Li XinWen was just going to let the officer go for his misunderstanding but upon hearing the comment, his mood suddenly turned sour. He grabbed Officer Duan's arm who was just about to leave. "Apologize."
It was just a single word, but Officer Duan felt the pressure pressing down on him. He started to sweat, feeling threatened by Li XinWen's demeanor. He didn't expect the man he had cuffed earlier could appear this scary.
"W-Why should I apologize to someone like you?! I am an officer of the law! I serve the people and the country, protecting them from the likes of you!" Officer Duan said, trying to sound as if he wasn't intimidated.
"Officer, I don't care if you misunderstand me or even insult me. But I will not stand for it if you insult my mother. Apologize now and I will let you off. If not, then do not blame me if I become ruthless..." Li XinWen's hold around Officer Duan's arm tightened and Officer Duan felt that if this continues, his bones would be crushed.
"Bah! Fine, I apologize. And I also feel sorry for your mother for having such a useless son like you! Did you ever think of how she would feel if she finds out that her son has dealings with the underworld?!"
Hearing the apology, Li XinWen released Officer Duan's arm even though it was not as sincere as he was expecting. "You do not have to worry, officer. My mother is very happy to have such a capable son. She has a loving family who takes good care of her. Maybe you should worry more about your own family... that man's expression didn't look good. You might end up losing your job," as Li XinWen said this, he glanced over to the man who looked like Xue Rui. The officer clicked his tongue before he left in a hurry, leaving Li XinWen and the other person alone.