Chapter 31: Who Is This, Stirring Up Both Titans

Upon hearing that it was the Disciplinary Squad from the Martial Authority, and that they'd come because of the Exotic Beast Preserve, Zhang Chu immediately realized it must be due to his overzealous antics last time—slipping through a gap in the high-energy iron grid, taking down a Level 2 Tyrant Tiger, and thereby arousing suspicion.

The Martial Authority was Binzhou’s top administrative body, with numerous subsidiaries: the Warrior Center, Warrior Hospital, Exotic Beast Preserve, and even the Thunderstrike Auto 4S dealership all fell under its jurisdiction. The Disciplinary Squad was its inspection arm, rigorously rooting out corruption at the top and cracking down on all kinds of violations among warriors at the grassroots. They didn’t concern themselves with warriors frequenting the black market, but if a warrior broke the rules within any official subsidiary, and it came to light, the Disciplinary Squad would be at the door.

“Please wait a moment, I’ll fetch some clothes,” Zhang Chu said. He wasn’t foolish—going head-to-head with the Disciplinary Squad was suicide. Judging by their armbands, both men in front of him were Level 3 warriors; two against one, Zhang Chu had no chance. Besides, to lay a hand on Martial Authority personnel was to end his career.

Besides, stealing exotic beast corpses and cores from the preserve was just misappropriating public property. At worst, he’d face a hefty fine, not the firing squad.

Zhang Chu gathered some belongings and followed the squad out. He was loaded into a vehicle and had restraining cuffs placed on his wrists. These were high-tech products developed by the Martial Authority—by means of microcurrents, they suppressed a warrior’s bloodline power, preventing any violent outbursts. With those on, he was no different from an ordinary man.

No sooner had the squad car departed than a figure, scantily clad and alluring, appeared at the entrance to Zhang Chu’s villa. Checking the house number on her phone, Su Mingyue confirmed this was his home. She crept to the door and called softly, “Zhang Chu, it’s me, Su Mingyue.”

There was no response inside. Gently tugging the door, she found it ajar. Entering, Su Mingyue cast an envious glance around the place, searching the entire villa but finding no sign of Zhang Chu.

“Hello, Mr. Zhang. Your food delivery has arrived; I’ll leave it at the door for you,” came a security guard’s voice just as Su Mingyue was about to leave.

A food delivery? Then he must be home! Perhaps he was in the garage? Biting her lip, Su Mingyue slipped into the master bathroom, quickly undressed, and began showering.

She waited in the villa all night but never saw Zhang Chu.

Meanwhile, Zhang Chu was perched on a hard chair, facing two Disciplinary Squad officers, silent as stone.

He was holding out.

On the way there, Zhang Chu recalled a thread he’d once seen on a forum: “How to Respond to Disciplinary Squad Interrogations and Minimize Your Charges.” Back then, he’d scoffed at it, believing himself an upstanding, law-abiding warrior.

Yet here he was, just days later, behind bars.

“Zhang Chu, you have the right to remain silent, but the evidence for using a storage ring to steal exotic beasts from the preserve is conclusive,” one officer intoned. “This is your first offense. Confess and you’ll be treated leniently; resist and the consequences will be severe.”

This standoff had lasted four hours. Zhang Chu, already yawning with fatigue, had not uttered a word, only kept his head bowed. He no longer felt nervous. Four hours had passed with nothing but threats and intimidation—no real evidence presented, not even a photo or video, and nothing incriminating was found in the storage ring.

By Martial Authority regulations, they had to release him within seventy-two hours. As a warrior, there were strict protocols for his interrogation: no abuse permitted. In fact, he’d just enjoyed a decent work meal.

“Chief, this kid clearly knows we have nothing solid on him and plans to tough it out for seventy-two hours,” said Jiang He, the squad captain, outside the interrogation room.

Next to him stood Jin Yongsheng, a pot-bellied, balding, middle-aged man—director of the Exotic Beast Preserve. There was a trace of anger on Jin’s face.

Every year, a few beast corpses went missing from the preserve, but only in small numbers—enough to turn a blind eye. But Zhang Chu had stolen over thirty in one go, including three Level 2 beasts. When it came time for the annual audit, if Jin Yongsheng couldn’t account for the loss, his own career would be over.

After several days of investigation, once Zhang Chu’s personal details had been confirmed, Jin Yongsheng reported him to the Disciplinary Squad and requested his detention.

“If he wants to tough it out, let him. Once we trace where those Level 2 beast corpses went, what will he have to say then?” Jin Yongsheng said coldly, eyes narrowed.

On the first day, Zhang Chu did nothing but eat and sit silently in his chair. On the second day, in addition to eating and silence, he learned to watch variety shows on the detention center’s CCTV.

The officers were nearly driven mad, tempted to beg Zhang Chu to just confess.

After all, it was only thirty beast corpses. According to Martial Authority policy, first-time offenders faced a reduced penalty: a hundred thousand per corpse, so three million in fines and he’d be free to go. At worst, his record would have a blemish, but that could be erased once he reached Level 5.

Why drag it out when money could resolve the matter?

On the second night, Zhang Chu slept soundly. Only sixteen hours remained before he’d be released without charge.

...

Meanwhile, in District A of the Warriors’ Home, at Huang Wenzhan’s house, Huang Wenzhan frowned as he listened to the call. “You’re saying the Disciplinary Squad’s car came here?”

After the mobilization meeting, Huang Wenzhan had hurried to find Zhang Chu, only to find his door open but no one inside. Two days without a trace, and his phone switched off—Huang Wenzhan grew worried and had the property management check the surveillance.

“Alright, I understand,” he said, hanging up. He immediately dialed another number. “Brother, it’s Huang Wenzhan. A classmate from our school is in a bit of trouble. I need a favor.”

At the same time, in the director’s office at the Kewell Research Institute, Qin Zaiye was reviewing the fourth-generation test data of the Vital Blood Pill with a satisfied smile. “Wuming, this Zhang Chu is a godsend for us. Arrange for a meeting tomorrow—I want to see him personally.”

“Director, that might not be possible these days,” Zhao Wuming said awkwardly. “I had lunch with an old colleague from the Disciplinary Squad today. He said they recently arrested a warrior for stealing beasts from the preserve—it was Zhang Chu.”

“Has Zhang Chu’s contract and social insurance all been handled?” Qin Zaiye frowned deeply at the news.

“Yes, all handled,” Zhao Wuming replied, unsure why the director was asking.

“That rascal Jin Yongsheng—he wouldn’t dare lay a hand on a Kewell researcher! Prepare a car for tomorrow morning—we’re going to the Disciplinary Squad,” Qin Zaiye declared, slapping the desk.

The success of the Vital Blood Pill, and the listing of the Kewell Institute, all depended on Zhang Chu.

...

On the third day, with six hours left before his release, Zhang Chu still sat in his chair, hands cuffed, facing two familiar officers. He spoke with steely resolve: “Evidence. If you say I stole the beasts, you need to show me evidence!”

“Jin Yongsheng, what are you waiting for? Take off his cuffs at once!”

Before Zhang Chu finished speaking, the interrogation room door burst open. The two officers sprang to their feet at the commotion. Turning around, they froze in shock.

Who on earth was this kid, to warrant the intervention of not one but two heavyweights coming in person to secure his release?