Chapter 44: Questioning

“No need,” Chen Ling said, putting away his dagger and taking a deep breath. “I’ll think about it first.”

Chu Muyun slowly leaned back in his chair, seemingly unsurprised by the response. He didn't try to stop Chen Ling, simply stating, “No problem. When you’ve made up your mind, come find me at Xiaofang’s General Store anytime… I’ll be waiting for you here all day today.”

Chen Ling was about to leave when Chu Muyun pulled a small silver cube from his pocket and handed it to him.

“What’s this?” Chen Ling asked.

“A gift from my superior,” Chu Muyun said calmly. “Through it, you might understand us better…”

Chen Ling took the cube, examined it for a moment, and nodded slightly. “Okay, thank you.”

“Also, pay attention to your mental state. Don’t let yourself be influenced by the distorted divine path… your path is very eerie.”

Chen Ling didn't respond. He had also noticed that his emotions had become somewhat strange since embarking on that path. He needed to calm down and think things through.

Leaving the room, Chen Ling went up the stairs and eventually arrived at a small shop. Behind the counter, a woman sleeping face down looked up at him, then went back to sleep.

Chen Ling had some memory of this Xiaofang’s General Store. Although it was far from Cold Frost Street, the items sold there were very cheap. He used to occasionally bring Chen Yan here to buy things during the New Year. He never imagined it would be a base for Chu Muyun and his organization. Chen Ling had no intention of talking to the woman; he pushed the door open and left.

The heavy snow had not stopped with the end of the First Act; it continued to fall heavily, blanketing the world. The snow was now deeper than ankle-high, making walking increasingly difficult.

Chen Ling oriented himself and walked straight towards Cold Frost Street. He didn’t know why he was returning; there was nothing left there. But where else could he go besides Cold Frost Street? Unbeknownst to Chen Ling, the small house on Cold Frost Street was his only sanctuary in this world, even if it held no pleasant memories for him.

“Chen Ling!!” Just as Chen Ling neared his house, a voice called out from not far away.

Wu Youdong, light-footed and quick, glided effortlessly through the snow and approached him. “Chen Ling, where were you? Are you feeling better?”

“Why are you here?” Chen Ling looked at Wu Youdong in surprise. Just hours ago, he had been hobbling on crutches, half-dead, but now he was moving freely and looked vibrant.

“I came to thank the miracle doctor!” Wu Youdong exclaimed excitedly. “The man who stayed at your house, he’s amazing! I just remember talking to him, and then suddenly my vision went black. When I woke up again, my leg was completely fine! The doctor at the clinic said I’d need half a year of bed rest and would likely have lingering issues… but he cured me instantly! I used to get knee and joint pain from old injuries when it was cloudy or rainy, but now I don’t feel anything at all, and the most important thing is… I feel like I’ve grown taller!”

Chen Ling scrutinized Wu Youdong, clearly noticing that he had indeed grown taller. Previously, his head only reached Chen Ling’s chin, but now it was almost at his nose. *Chu Muyun, that powerful?*

“He’s already left,” Chen Ling paused for a moment before adding, “and most likely, he won’t be coming back.”

Wu Youdong froze, a clear look of disappointment appearing on his face. “Alright, I’ll head back then.”

After watching Wu Youdong leave, Chen Ling returned to his doorstep. Just as he was about to push the door open, his hand, suspended in mid-air, suddenly stopped. He gazed at the old door frame, his eyes narrowed, and a faint glimmer passed through his pupils. His 'Mystic Eye' ability, which granted extreme observational detail, instantly focused on the tiny snow stains on the door frame.

*No…* Someone had entered the house after he left. And most likely, they hadn’t left.

Chen Ling cautiously withdrew his arm and silently retreated two steps in the snow. Just then, a voice slowly emerged from inside the house. “Good observation skills. Come in.” It was Han Meng’s voice, as low as ever. “You didn’t think you could avoid coming home forever, did you?”

Seeing his presence exposed, Chen Ling frowned. After a moment of hesitation, he forcefully pushed open the front door. “What are you doing in my house?” he asked, his voice grave, looking at Han Meng, who was sitting by the dining table.

“Investigation.”

“How is this different from a burglar breaking in?”

“Law enforcers possess the right to enforce and investigate. Do I really need to explain this to you?” Han Meng lightly tapped the table with his knuckles. “Let’s say I didn’t just come in to investigate; what would you do even if I burned the house down?”

Chen Ling’s gaze grew colder.

“Still, I truly didn’t expect you to know Chu Muyun… How did you meet?”

“Does it concern you?”

“I’m questioning you now as the Chief Enforcer of District Three, Chen Ling. Watch your tone.” Han Meng’s gaze sharpened slightly, and an inexplicable sense of oppression suddenly enveloped the living room.

Chen Ling met his gaze for a long moment before slowly speaking. “Dr. Lin from the clinic on the corner introduced him.”

“Why did you go to the doctor?”

“I wasn’t feeling well at the time.”

“Not feeling well enough to need Chu Muyun? Were you truly unwell, or… has your mind been polluted by the Gray Realm?” Han Meng’s gaze sharpened, like an eagle with insight into the human mind.

“I…” Chen Ling’s mind reeled. In front of Han Meng, he suddenly felt as if there was nowhere to hide.

“The night the calamity appeared, you spoke to Jiang Qin, saying your brother was squatting on the street corner. But today, I was investigating Ice Spring Street in District Two and found that your brother, Chen Yan, had all his organs removed and died a few days ago. So, who was the brother you spoke of that night? I searched the entire house, and there were only traces of two people living here: you and Chu Muyun. But why are there three bowls in the sink? Who was that third bowl for? Before coming here, I spoke with Wu Youdong. He said you were lighting candles by yourself in the house, and then…”

“Enough!!” Chen Ling suddenly stood up, his eyes bloodshot. “Yes! Is it enough if I’m crazy?! My mind is broken! I can see A-Yan! I feel like he’s right beside me!! Just recently! He was building a snowman by the door! He blew out candles with me in the house! He said he wanted to go back to school, to perform in the New Year’s Eve gala! To me, he’s a living, breathing person! He was just a normal kid! He got sick! He wanted to get better! He wanted to someday stand on stage and perform openly! What did he do wrong?! Han Meng! You’re here now, aggressively interrogating me, but where were you when those people from Ice Spring Street killed my brother?! Where were you when they colluded with enforcers to force one ordinary person after another to their deaths?! Where was your right to investigate?! Your right to enforce?!!”

Han Meng’s body suddenly stiffened. Chen Ling’s chest heaved violently as he stared intently into Han Meng’s eyes. Han Meng’s usually calm eyes slightly narrowed, and he unconsciously averted Chen Ling’s gaze. He simply sat there in silence, his head bowed, like a statue.