Chapter 138: The Garage Interrogation
by xennovelWhat had been a reasonably pleasant atmosphere suddenly became tense with a single cat’s meow. The surrounding people looked surprised but no one dared to relax. Behind the blindingly bright lights countless dark muzzles were aimed at Lu Xin and Gecko. Some people had even shouldered rocket launchers specifically targeting the massive imposing steel beast behind Gecko.
Lu Xin however frowned slightly remembering the strange look in the orange cat’s eyes earlier. It seemed a bit odd.
He glanced thoughtfully at the orange cat then back at Master Snake.
…
…
“It’s nothing…”
Getting scratched by the cat finally snapped Master Snake back to reality.
She glanced at the scratch on her arm her expression unchanging.
With a light wave of her hand she extended her soft tongue and slowly licked the wound.
Gecko sensed something was off. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what was wrong but he reacted nonetheless.
“Master Snake it’s really not that we’re being unreasonable there are regulations from above…”
Smiling he pulled an ID from his pocket displaying it before Master Snake. “Recognize this?” he grinned.
…
Master Snake stared at the emblem on the ID her expression flickering with surprise.
The smile reappeared on her face softening slightly as she looked towards Lu Xin.
She spoke softly “For you to come all this way just to arrest him his crime must be significant wouldn’t you say?”
Lu Xin considered it decided he could answer and nodded. “Significant.”
“No wonder they want to catch him then…”
Master Snake nodded seemingly satisfied as if that question settled everything.
Her composure returned and she gestured gently to the person beside her.
Her subordinate looked confused apparently not understanding.
Master Snake slapped him impatiently and whispered something in his ear.
The subordinate finally understood and strode towards Gecko.
Amidst Gecko’s brilliant smile however they walked straight past him and seized the tall burly Peacekeeper.
The Peacekeeper was both shocked and furious struggling with all his might.
But before he could even utter a word he was slapped. Then the subordinates grabbed a handful of pebbles from nearby and shoved them directly into his mouth. They hauled him away his pitiful appearance making the onlookers feel like they were brutally separating lovers.
“Don’t arrest me…”
“Master Snake I beg you for the sake of my loyalty spare him…”
“Please you have to help him… *sob*…”
…
The desperately shouting Peacekeeper was dragged off. Master Snake also smiled took two steps forward and signaled for everyone to lower their guns.
The people beside her exchanged glances but seeing Master Snake’s clear intention they slowly lowered their weapons.
Gecko also smiled lowering his gun. Simultaneously he made a hand gesture and the multi-barrel rotary gun on the car’s roof retracted.
“Truth be told Blackwater Town and Qinggang City are practically family. We rely entirely on Qinggang City’s grain to get through the winter and its alcohol to feel human. So Qinggang’s business is our business we’re one and the same.”
“As for what happened with my subordinate I offer my apologies little brother…”
Master Snake spoke while stroking the black cat in her arms smiling gently at Lu Xin. “I hope you can understand. When you have many subordinates some are bound to be clueless. Look at this bastard he’s always staring at my ass. Who knew he was actually into *that* sort of thing… Honestly it’s quite infuriating… But really what can you do about stuff like this…”
Watching Master Snake’s soft laughter the surrounding crowd looked slightly bewildered.
Gecko watching from the side also seemed a bit stunned his gaze fixed.
Lu Xin listened and chuckled happily replying “It’s alright I understand too. Thank you.”
“Oh please don’t mention it…”
Master Snake smiled gracefully. “I should be the one saying I’ve caused you trouble!”
The polite exchange between them one apologizing the other insisting it was unnecessary left the onlookers with rather peculiar expressions.
When did Master Snake become so agreeable?
Why was she being so reasonable?
…
…
Amidst everyone’s surprised gazes Master Snake smiled saying “Furthermore we will fully support your work. If you need men we have men. If you need guns we have guns. If you need gas well that’s 15% off. So rest assured anyone who dares oppose Qinggang City will find no shelter here in Blackwater Town… Now is there anything we can help you with?”
Hearing this Gecko could only manage a dry laugh. “You’re too kind Master Snake you’re truly a good person…”
Smiling he glanced towards Lu Xin.
“Yes there is.”
Lu Xin now seemingly holding a better opinion of this Master Snake nodded. “I need to borrow this garage.”
Saying this he turned to look at the man in the red suit. “I need to ask him some things.”
“Use it…”
Master Snake agreed instantly. “Shall I bring the chainsaw over for you?”
“Nails work too…”
“We have plenty of pepper spray…”
“Thorny whips are also available…”
…
Hearing Master Snake’s helpful suggestions Lu Xin quickly shook his head smiling. “No need no need for all that trouble…”
“We’re already very grateful that you waived our fine…”
…
?
Master Snake paused slightly clearly not quite understanding that last sentence.
…
…
Seeing that matters here were concluded Lu Xin under the watchful eyes of the crowd turned and walked into the garage behind him. Compelled by Lu Xin’s intense gaze the man in the red suit offered no further resistance and obediently followed him inside.
“I told you it’s useless…”
The Puppet-type ability user sounded somewhat resigned smiling. “I can make myself feel no pain. Any form of torture is useless against me. Besides judging by your appearance you don’t seem to be the Dream Weaver or Hypnosis type do you…”
“Of course even if they showed up it would still be useless!”
…
Lu Xin turned around and slowly pulled down the roller door.
The light from outside shone through the lowering door shrinking steadily as darkness enveloped the warehouse like a descending curtain.
“I told you it’s okay.”
He turned his back to the roller door lit only by the tiny pinpricks of light piercing through it.
This however obscured his face even more completely shrouding it in darkness.
Only his voice remained remarkably calm almost gentle. “I don’t plan on using torture on you.”
Staring into the darkness at Lu Xin whose form was only a vague shape the man in the red suit suddenly felt his heart clench.
He wasn’t sure why but an inexplicable nervousness crept over him.
His throat felt slightly dry and his voice wavered slightly. “Then… how do you intend to… interrogate me?”
“I’m just an ordinary office worker where would I have learned interrogation techniques?”
Lu Xin stood motionless by the roller door replying softly “That’s why I hope you’ll tell me everything voluntarily.”
“Only what you say yourself will be truly complete.”
…
This bizarre line of conversation made the man in the red suit’s heart pound with unease.
The answers were so normal yet they filled him with a strange bone-chilling dread.
Before he could say anything else he suddenly heard Lu Xin standing by the door call out softly:
“Sister.”
…
The man in the red suit frowned deeply uncertain of the meaning behind those two words.
The warehouse was oppressively dark fostering a suffocating feeling.
This overwhelming pressure felt like it could create illusions making it seem as though they weren’t the only two people present.
At this moment he only grew more tense his eyes fixed rigidly on Lu Xin near the roller door.
But just then he abruptly felt a small ice-cold hand touch his face.
Simultaneously a faint almost imperceptible giggle seemed to echo in his ear.
In that instant the man in the red suit felt his blood run cold. His heart felt like it would hammer its way out of his chest his scalp tingled as if electrocuted and each strand of hair stood on end amidst a numbing sensation. He could feel goosebumps erupting all over his skin. An indescribable wave of panic and strangeness crashed into his mind…
His eyes were still locked on Lu Xin by the roller door.
He was clearly standing right there he hadn’t moved an inch…
…Then who… who touched me?”