Chapter 314: Unsettling Ride

In the police car two officers flanked Lu Xin as per standard procedure, one on each side.

Lu Xin wore handcuffs his bag confiscated sitting obediently in the middle. Both officers were larger than him, squeezing him into a small space that made him look rather pitiful. His already unimpressive frame seemed even thinner and weaker now. His gaze occasionally drifted out the car window, seemingly finding the view somewhat novel.

The two officers ignored him, sitting silently with straight backs and tense muscles.

The atmosphere in the car was somewhat tense.

“Huh? Don’t move…”

Lu Xin suddenly looked up at the car roof speaking abruptly.

The two officers felt their scalps tingle instantly. They whipped around staring nervously at him.

Lu Xin offered them an apologetic smile then turned his head back to the roof. “Don’t be angry this is normal. While Zhao Hui was definitely in the wrong, shooting him was also against the law. How could I not accept punishment?”

“We don’t like it when others break the law, but if we don’t follow the rules ourselves, that wouldn’t be right would it?”

“Those two were just following orders. Why did you have to try and gouge out their eyeballs?”

…

The two officers’ faces turned green.

Lu Xin sighed again. “I don’t like others breaking the law, so naturally I have to abide by it too!”

“Otherwise that would be a double standard…”

“It’s fine just think of it as adding more experience to life…”

…

The young police officer on the left looked terrified subtly shifting his body away.

“Oh dear…”

Lu Xin suddenly lowered his head his expression grave. “You are not allowed to act. I’m in charge of this matter.”

The two officers watched realizing he was talking to his own shadow.

The shadow of course just lay quietly before him, constantly shifting with the flickering lights outside.

But he stared fixedly at one spot his gaze unchanging, as if listening intently to something.

After a moment he shook his head.

“It’s fine it’s not their fault. They didn’t bully me.”

Lu Xin patiently persuaded, “Receiving a report and coming to check the situation is just their job. It’s okay… Not everyone is as bad as you think. They might not even know the details let alone whether they’re in cahoots with that Zhao guy.”

“Of course if they really are working together, it won’t be too late to act then right?”

“I think you’re just deliberately trying to stir up trouble right now!”

“If only Mom were here she would definitely be reasonable…”

“Look how scared they are. Because I’m forced to talk to you they already think I’m crazy…”

…

“He knows he’s crazy himself…”

The two officers exchanged glances. The one on the right also tried hard to shift further away.

The already cramped back seat now had a large space cleared out for Lu Xin in the middle.

The two of them were about to lose their minds.

Originally they were skeptical about Ability Users. But earlier when they fired, Lu Xin had dodged the bullets with that bizarre ability severely impacting their understanding of the world. Seeing the calm expression and gentle eyes with which Lu Xin unloaded two whole magazines into Zhao Hui felt even more like a nightmare.

But now they actually had to sit in the same car with such a person, personally escorting him back to the police station…

For their salary for their faith, they had to grit their teeth and do it.

But this person had been talking non-stop since getting in the car. His constant muttering was terrifying…

“It’s okay…”

After finishing his persuasion Lu Xin smiled kindly at the officer beside him. “I’ve convinced them. Don’t be afraid.”

Being looked at by Lu Xin the officer on the right desperately wished he could jump out the window and run.

The officer on the left was slightly braver. Maintaining a serious expression he asked, “Who… who are you talking to?”

Lu Xin sighed. “Father and Sister. They don’t quite understand me turning myself in.”

“Father and Sister?”

The two officers became extremely alert. “Where are they?”

“Right beside you…”

Lu Xin smiled sheepishly. “Sister is hanging onto the car roof staring at your necks. As for Father…”

He hesitated worried about scaring them, too embarrassed to say.

“You…”

The officer wanted to question him but what came out was: “What do they want to do?”

Lu Xin sighed hesitating, seemingly unsure if he should lie. But thinking how he had already spoken to his family in front of them, hiding it was pointless. So he answered frankly: “Father wants to flip this police car find that Zhao Hui, put another bullet in his head, kill that Manager Wang, and also kill your old captain…”

“Sister’s temper is a bit better than Father’s.”

“She’s just thinking about grabbing both your arms twisting them like pretzels, then ripping off your heads and sewing them back on—but swapping them. Your head on his body his head on yours. Then slicing them open diagonally…”

…

“You…”

Every hair on their bodies stood on end. The two officers instinctively slammed their hands onto the guns at their waists.

“Don’t be nervous don’t be nervous…”

Lu Xin quickly comforted them “I had a hard time convincing them. It wouldn’t be good if you provoke them again…”

“Then could you please not say things so terrifyingly…”

The officer on the left almost shouted his voice trembling on the verge of tears.

Lu Xin fell silent for a moment then nodded. “Alright.”

After a pause he added “But I’m telling the truth. Although I could hide it from you…”

“In front of law enforcement officers I really don’t want to lie.”

…

The two officers had only one thought: “Thanks so much for your honesty…”

…

Normally for such a serious assault case, upon arrival at the police station one would need to surrender personal belongings, undergo a body search for injuries or hidden items, then be forced to shower and disinfect before being locked in the detention center. However the old police officer seemed to have confirmed something via phone on the way back and didn’t directly put Lu Xin through this process.

After being taken to the detention center they merely confiscated Lu Xin’s personal items and his belt before locking him up.

Quite a few people were already detained in this center. Black iron bars divided the space into three cells left, right, and center, each about seven or eight meters wide and three or four meters long. Many were already inside—some with shaved heads others covered in tattoos, one flashing a dazzling gold tooth. Their gazes were defiant as they hitched up their pants and paced back and forth behind the bars.

They looked like beasts patrolling their territory.

Most people held here committed minor street offenses and were usually released after a few days. So Lu Xin guessed the Security Hall might have classified his shooting of Zhao Hui as merely disorderly conduct or fighting.

“Don’t put him with the others. Clear out a separate space.”

The old police officer personally instructed opening the bars and herding the people inside into the other two cells.

Lu Xin entered the middle cell alone his handcuffs removed.

“I’ve received a call. Someone specialized will come to question you about this matter so you’d best not cause any trouble either.”

The old police officer personally advised Lu Xin lowering his voice: “I know you’re an Ability User, but even Ability Users must follow Central City’s rules. When I went over earlier I didn’t know you were one, but thinking back I didn’t offend you. Now we’re handling this officially please understand. If someone really comes to pick you up you go your way. While you’re staying here if you have any requests you can mention them…”

Lu Xin paused for a moment. “Really?”

The old officer nodded. “Of course but unreasonable requests…”

“Is dinner provided? I haven’t eaten yet.”

Lu Xin asked “This request isn’t unreasonable right?”

The old officer fell silent for a moment then told the young guard beside him “Go buy him a boxed meal.”

A grateful expression appeared on Lu Xin’s face. He quickly asked “Can I smoke in here?”

“Absolutely not.”

An annoyed look crossed the old officer’s face. Then he told the young guard “Buy him a pack of cigarettes too!”

Lu Xin quickly opened his mouth again.

The old officer was already getting angry. “Isn’t that enough?”

Lu Xin looked slightly helpless. “I just wanted to say thank you.”

…

The old police officer gave Lu Xin a long deep look. “You’re welcome.”

After speaking he glared at the prisoners in the two adjacent cells and turned to leave.

He seemed to walk away quickly almost as if fleeing.

…

…

*Whew…*

Lu Xin hitched up his pants and sat on the hard wooden plank bed in the cell curiously examining his surroundings.

Oppressive heavy concrete walls. Thick dark iron bars on both sides and in front with gaps only a fist wide. On the back wall a small window only the size of a basketball. The air held a damp musty smell. From the cells on either side cold dull or fierce unfriendly gazes stared fixedly at him, making no effort to conceal themselves.

“Not a bad place…”

After observing for a while Lu Xin thought to himself.

He just wondered if being locked up would leave a criminal record and if a Central City record would affect his job in Qinggang.

He shot Zhao Hui… he didn’t know if this matter could be easily resolved…

…Seriously he had always been a good person who worked hard didn’t cause trouble and followed the law. This time he lost control of his temper for a moment and actually shot someone. Now being locked up in this place he couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy.

But amidst this unease Lu Xin leaned back against the cold concrete wall.

He thought about the feeling of unloading two magazines of bullets into Zhao Hui.

Unconsciously a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. The hand that fired the gun was even trembling slightly with excitement…

…So enjoyable!