Chapter 206: 199: It’s Illegal to Abuse Prisoners, but Not to Offer Them a Meal
Time imperceptibly reached the evening, and Yue Linger finished her dinner before taking over for Jiang Cheng so he could have his meal.
With their nerves strung tight all day, the folks from the Hehuan Sect were now somewhat exhausted.
Yue Linger, sitting at the counter of the Miaodan Workshop, propped her cheek in her hand, listlessly drawing circles on the tabletop with her slender jade fingers.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, she lifted her head and her eyes met those of a customer who had just walked in.
As usual, this spirited Qi Cultivation Stage male cultivator was likely not a disciple of the Hehuan Sect but rather another “capable person” who had discovered the benefits of the Perception Transmission Talisman.
However, this particular customer gave Yue Linger an unusual feeling.
As a female cultivator, her subconscious immediately detected something; the man’s gaze was extremely lewd.
Although his expression seemed quite serious, that dirty look in his eyes made her very uncomfortable.
Yue Linger quickly transmitted her thoughts: Jiang Cheng! Something isn’t right about this man!
Jiang Cheng put down the steamed bun he was holding, took out a talisman, and replied with his divine sense: Stay calm. Stick to the plan.
Yue Linger was not Jiang Cheng; she did not possess such a strong mental fortitude.
But still, she did her best to maintain her composure, engaging in normal conversation with the male cultivator.
“The Perception Transmission Talisman is currently only being sold to customers who possess a Willpower Empowerment Talisman,” she said.
“Is this it?” The male cultivator took out a reusable type Willpower Empowerment Talisman and placed it on the table.
Yue Linger replied, “Yes, I need to examine it.”
“Please, go ahead.”
Yue Linger reached out to take the Willpower Empowerment Talisman on the table, but the man did the same, clearly trying to take advantage of her.
Fortunately, she was prepared and swiftly withdrew her hand.
“Little beauty, don’t you want to check the talisman? This talisman here is a fine item,” the male cultivator spoke in a husky voice, his intent to seduce quite obvious.
Yue Linger forced a smile: “Is that so?”
The male cultivator revealed an ambiguous smile: “Of course. Don’t believe me? Want brother to prove it to you? I guarantee you’ll want it again.”
Yue Linger was on the verge of losing it.
Internally, she complained: Do you really think you’re that charming? Do you think you’re Jiang Cheng or something?
The male cultivator leaned forward, resting his arm on the counter: “Brother’s not lying to you, when do you get off work?”
Yue Linger, holding her teacup, replied: “Now!”
The teacup hit the ground, and in an instant, Jiang Cheng and the others rushed out from the back of the Miaodan Workshop!
Two third-ranked and two second-ranked talismans were activated in a flash.
The ground sunk swiftly, trapping the male cultivator’s legs, followed by a cage of vines, plus an Immobilization Talisman and a curse talisman that added negative effects.
The four talismans instantly subdued the male cultivator, ensnaring him in a tight net.
But that wasn’t the end; the steady Jiang Cheng immediately used a magical treasure for interference, temporarily isolating nearby communication talisman signals.
Then he used a Trace Duplication Talisman to erase any trace of the male cultivator’s visit to the Miaodan Workshop.
Next, he used a Special Effect Purification Talisman to remove any potential “blessings” or “curses” that might have been on the male cultivator.
Subsequently, he conducted a manual search, taking the male cultivator’s storage bag, and checked whether any poison sacs for suicide had been planted on his body.
Jiang Cheng’s thorough procedures not only shocked Yue Linger and Shen Menghan, but even the experienced members of the Talisman Master Association, Wu Renshan and Xia Changfu, were staggered.
“Miss Shen, did Jiang Cheng study case investigation before?”
As the newbie beside Jiang Cheng, Shen Menghan didn’t know about this, and could only turn to her Senior Sister Yue.
Yue Linger shook her head repeatedly.
Wu Renshan scratched his head: “If he didn’t study it, why is Jiang Cheng so familiar with this procedure? Doesn’t his technique seem a bit too professional?”
Yue Linger said, “Maybe it’s just natural talent.”
Once Jiang Cheng confirmed the male cultivator was harmless, he called on Wu and Xia, who had assisted him, to move the male cultivator to a warehouse provided by the Talisman Master Association.
“Name?” Jiang Cheng asked as he held a pen.
“This is illegal detention! Once I get out, I will sue you into bankruptcy!” The male cultivator was tied to a chair yet still screaming defiantly.
Jiang Cheng with an impassive face: “Catching a Demonic Tao disciple doesn’t count as illegal detention, it’s considered an act of valor and may even be commended, possibly earning you the title of ‘Outstanding Citizen.’
The male cultivator continued to yell, “I am not a disciple of the Demonic Tao! You have no proof!”
Jiang Cheng then pulled out a colorful stone: “I took the liberty of conducting a diversity test on your spiritual energy just now. The result came back positive, meaning your spiritual energy is quite mottled, which is consistent with the results of cultivating the Hehuan Sect’s techniques.”
The male cultivator still argued: “That’s not evidence!”
“But it’s grounds for further investigation. Name?”
“Bullshit!”
Jiang Cheng nodded and wrote “Bull Shit” on the record sheet.
“Gender?”
“You’re asking deliberately! What do I look like to you?”
“It’s hard to say.”
“Damn it!”
The male cultivator felt he was being insulted like never before.
“Gender?” Jiang Cheng asked again.
“Male!”
Though extremely reluctant, the male cultivator still gave an honest answer to Jiang Cheng’s question to avoid misunderstandings.
“Place of origin?”
“Jingzhou.”
“Political affiliation?”
“The masses.”
…
To the side, Wu Renshan and Xia Changfu were beyond astonished.
In the past, although the Tongtian Sect had caught disciples of the Demon Sect, it always took a great deal of effort to extract any information from them.
But Jiang Cheng, with just a few words, made the Demon Sect disciple compliant, even actively cooperating in filling out his personal information.
What kind of ability was this?
“Friend Bull Shit, we’ve recorded your details,” Jiang Cheng said.
The male cultivator’s head was spinning.
This “Jiang Cheng” was truly outrageous, believing and declaring whatever he wanted! He probably even dared to officially record “Bull Shit” for posterity, etching it into history for all time!
From now on, no matter what he did, others would call him “Bull Shit.”
He was truly afraid of people calling him “Gou Shi.”
Even disciples of the Demonic Tao care about their reputation!
“My name is Qian Feng, not Gou Shi!”
For the sake of his reputation, Qian Feng had no choice but to confess.
“Fellow Daoist Qian Feng, we have registered your information,” Jiang Cheng continued.
“It’s all in vain.”
Jiang Cheng ignored him and continued to ask, “Can you please briefly describe the Hehuan Sect from your memory?”
“I am not a disciple of the Hehuan Sect!”
“Then which Demon Sect are you a disciple of?”
“No comment!”
Jiang Cheng frowned and said, “I think it’s in your best interest to cooperate with my work, so we can all save a lot of effort.”
Qian Feng revealed a mocking smile and said, “Haha! If you have the ability, go ahead! Your grandpa will accompany you all the way!”
Seeing Qian Feng’s arrogant demeanor, Yue Linger asked curiously, “He’s been captured; why does he still dare to be so rampant?”
“Mainly because the Immortal Sect is too humane. For demonic disciples without conclusive evidence, there is basically nothing that can be done,” Wu Renshan explained.
“But he has already been proven to practice demonic cultivation techniques.”
“The test results only prove that his spiritual energy is mottled, not that he definitely practices demonic techniques. Even if we knew he practiced demonic techniques, we couldn’t prove he is a demonic disciple. Moreover, even if we knew he was a disciple of the Demonic Tao, we couldn’t prove that he has committed any crimes.”
“Ah?” Yue Linger widened her eyes and said, “Doesn’t that mean we have no way to deal with him?”
Wu Renshan said with a wry smile, “Being unable to convict has always been one of the reasons why the Immortal Sect is hindered from eradicating the Demonic Tao. The Demonic Tao does not play by the rules, but the Immortal Sect has to adhere to them. That’s why many from the Demonic Tao will turn around and use the Immortal Sect’s rules to restrain the Immortal Sect.”
“We had better get the results within a day; if we drag on for too long, the Hehuan Sect might notice Qian Feng’s disappearance and become cautious,” Xia Changfu added.
One day, to extract information through legal means, the difficulty is indeed quite high!
Yue Linger looked at Jiang Cheng anxiously.
But Jiang Cheng’s face was surprisingly calm.
“You’re from Jingzhou, and I had a roommate from there who should like spicy food,” Jiang Cheng said.
“What are you trying to do? Even without evidence, using torture to extract a confession is illegal! I advise you to think twice,” Qian Feng warned Jiang Cheng.
“You’re thinking too much. It’s midnight, aren’t you going to have a midnight snack? So, do you eat spicy food or not?”
“I do.”
“Good. Fellow Daoist Yue.”
“Present!”
“Go buy some rice noodle rolls, and remember to make Fellow Daoist Qian’s portion extra spicy.”
Yue Linger was dumbfounded and said, “Are you really going to buy it?”
“Of course.”
“Oh.”
Watching Jiang Cheng casually order Yue Linger around, Qian Feng’s face couldn’t help but reveal a hint of envy.
“You young man are quite the ladies’ man. I see she’s still a maiden; you must have a lot of self-control, or is it that you’re … impotent?”
Jiang Cheng’s expression remained unchanged, “Would you like some water?”
Qian Feng scoffed and said, “Sure, but do you dare to let me go?”
“Senior sister, get me a bottle of water.”
Shen Menghan ran over and handed the water to Jiang Cheng.
Seeing Shen Menghan, the envy in Qian Feng’s eyes intensified.
He could not resist mocking, “Another virgin. Jiang, you’re not really a eunuch, are you?”
“Please untie Fellow Daoist Qian Feng,” Jiang Cheng requested.
Wu and Xia obeyed and untied Qian Feng.
Qian Feng flexed his fists, his eyes filled with even thicker scorn for Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng glanced at Qian Feng and said in a low voice to Shen Menghan, “Senior sister, I apologize for the offense.”
After speaking, he took her hand and brought the water to Qian Feng.
Shen Menghan, already smitten with Jiang Cheng and like Yue Linger a sufferer of ‘Jiang Cheng syndrome’, plus having never been touched by a male cultivator, was all of a sudden led by the hand by Jiang Cheng in front of everyone. She immediately became shy and timid, blushing deeply.
Although Qian Feng knew this was Jiang Cheng provoking him, he couldn’t help but feel angry.
“Water.” Jiang Cheng handed the water to Qian Feng.
Qian Feng took the water, twisted his wrist, and a stream of water squirted out of the bottle straight at Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng dodged to the side, but as a result, he pulled Shen Menghan closer to Qian Feng.
With lust clouding his thoughts, Qian Feng’s “Black Tiger Heart Pluck” headed straight for Shen Menghan.
He was looking forward to the beauty’s reaction after being attacked, and Jiang Cheng’s response.
But what awaited him was Jiang Cheng’s well-prepared knee strike!
Direct hit to the vital organs!
Qian Feng felt a surge of stomach acid, but before he knew what happened, Jiang Cheng’s fist had already hit his face!
After taking two hits, Qian Feng tried to react, but Wu and Xia pressed him back into his seat.
Furiously impotent, he raged, “You assaulted a civilian! I’ll accuse you of provoking trouble!”
Jiang Cheng released Shen Menghan’s hand and said, “You struck first, and I only responded to prevent a crime from happening. That’s called justified defense.”
Standing behind Jiang Cheng, Shen Menghan watched him protect her intentionally or not, with her heart pounding nonstop.
Done for, now she would be more infatuated with Jiang Cheng!
Then she resignedly thought: What’s a bit more? I couldn’t quit anyway.
“Jiang Cheng, I’ve bought the rice noodle rolls.”
Yue Linger had just returned, completely unaware of what had just transpired.
Jiang Cheng took the rice noodle rolls and nodded, “It’s late, let’s not question anymore. Have a nighttime snack first. This one is yours.”
Jiang Cheng placed the rice noodle roll Yue Linger bought next to Qian Feng’s feet.
Qian Feng glanced at the rice noodle rolls but didn’t move.
“Afraid we’ll harm you? There’s no need for that, we still need you to talk about the Hehuan Sect. If you don’t trust it, I’ll swap with you. Mine is also extra spicy.”
Jiang Cheng switched his rice noodle roll with Qian Feng’s.
Then, in front of Qian Feng, he started eating his midnight snack.
Qian Feng thought, why not? Eat if it’s free, especially since it’s Jiang Cheng buying.
So, he picked up the rice noodle roll and began to eat.