Translator: CinderTL
"That won't do! What if you all run away?" another officer, as thin as a bamboo pole, shouted loudly, trying to sound intimidating.
The case had just started to take shape, and time was of the essence. They couldn't afford to waste time on this. Moreover, everyone could clearly sense something fishy about the situation.
As the Bearded Man had said, Boss Sang had died less than half an hour after they left.
It looked suspiciously like a trap set for them.
Realizing this, they were even less likely to surrender. A dozen officers posed no real threat to them.
The real challenge was how to handle the aftermath. Perhaps they could seek help from Director Qiao. After all, he had asked them to handle the case, so he couldn't just wash his hands of the matter now that something had gone wrong.
Seemingly sensing that these men wouldn't be easy to handle, the Bearded Man hesitated for a moment before softening his tone slightly. "Look, we're only suspecting you of involvement in the photographer's death. The final outcome still requires further investigation."
"At least one of you needs to come with us for questioning. I can let the rest of you go," the Bearded Man said in a low voice. "I won't make things difficult for you, and you shouldn't make things difficult for me either."
It was clear this was the greatest concession they would make.
Luo He smiled freely. "So, the person you're taking is me."
The Bearded Man didn't deny it. "Someone saw you arguing with Boss Sang at the photography studio, so you're a prime suspect."
"Alright," Luo He said. "I'll go with you, but I have a request."
The Bearded Man hesitated for a moment, his grip on the wooden club never loosening. He asked warily, "What request?"
"You all back out first. I have a few words to say to my friend. Once I'm done, I'll go with you," Luo He said, looking at the Bearded Man. His expression remained unchanged throughout, less calm than indifferent.
"That's out of the question!" one of the officers protested. "What if you try to escape?"
But when Luo He turned to look at him, the officer, who had been in the dominant position, suddenly wilted. He didn't know why.
It was just a pair of calm eyes, yet he felt the eerie stillness before a storm.
As if refusing Luo He's request would bring about something terrible.
"Fine, I'll give you time," the Bearded Man said, surprisingly straightforward. He turned and closed the gate behind him.
Pi Ruan peeked out the window and saw several police officers standing below, their eyes fixed on the window, clearly to prevent them from escaping.
Chen Qiang stared at Luo He's face with a strange gaze, as if trying to read something there. "They're after you," he said with certainty.
This was obvious. They had just left the photography studio when Boss Sang was found dead, and then a group of police officers had come knocking at their door.
Even stranger, everyone noticed a crucial detail: the first thing the police officers had asked upon entering was, "Who is Luo He?"
Why would they ask that?
In other words, how did they know Luo He's name?
According to the Bearded Man's explanation, someone had seen Luo He arguing with Boss Sang in the studio, leading them to suspect him of murder.
But on closer examination, this explanation didn't hold up.
First, Luo He and Boss Sang hadn't had any serious argument.
Second, and most puzzling, how did the person who witnessed the argument and called the police know Luo He's name?
The name "Luo He" wasn't written on his face.
Pi Ruan's eyes widened. "So... someone framed you?"
Anything can happen during a mission, but the fact that this incident was so specifically targeted at Luo He couldn't help but make them suspicious.
"Why are you the only one being targeted?" Huai Yi couldn't help but ask.
Luo He didn't hide anything. He glanced toward the door, as if he could see through it. "It's probably related to the ability of the Gate within me. As long as I'm here, this Ghost's plan to wipe us out is basically impossible."
His words were bold, but his calm tone made it impossible to doubt their truth.
Huai Yi and Chen Qiang's eyes gradually took on a strange glint. They weren't surprised by Luo He's identity as a Disciple of the Door.
But the fact that the Gate within him could actually counter the Ghost's dream realm piqued their interest.
This was a guy even Ghosts found troublesome. What kind of heaven-defying ability did the Gate within him possess?
As Luo He spoke, the events they had experienced began to connect. Fu Fu stroked her chin, adopting a mature analytical expression. "The one framing you is the Ghost. It knew that with you around, things would become complicated. That's why it used the police to lure you away, making it easier to target us."
"That's probably it," Luo He said, tapping his forehead lightly.
This explained why Boss Sang had survived his encounter with the dream. The Ghost had spared him because it wasn't his time to die yet. His death only became meaningful after Luo He and his group appeared.
"This Ghost drags people into dreams to kill them. To avoid this, I have two suggestions," Luo He said slowly. "First, stay vigilant at all times, day or night."
This sounded simple enough, but for those who had experienced many supernatural events, it was practically useless advice.
The Ghost's attacks were always sudden and unpredictable. A moment of distraction could be enough to be dragged into a dream. Boss Sang's death also conveyed a crucial message: the Ghost didn't necessarily kill only at night. People could doze off or lose focus during the day too. Once you entered the dream, you were doomed.
Huai Yi asked cautiously, "What about the second point?"
"I have a hypothesis, but I haven't had time to verify it yet," Luo He said. "Perhaps a forced coma induced by external means could allow us to avoid being dragged into the Ghost's dream."
"You mean knock ourselves out?" Pi Ruan's face was etched with doubt. "Do you really think that would work?"
"That's why I said it's just a hypothesis. I can't guarantee the outcome," Luo He replied.
Hearing this, everyone's expressions turned conflicted. This method was essentially a gamble, and no one would likely resort to it unless absolutely necessary.
After all, a person in a coma has zero self-defense capabilities. If an emergency arose, there wouldn't be time to escape.
Compared to that, most would prefer to enter the dream. Even the most powerful and bizarre Ghost had its weaknesses. As long as they could pinpoint those weaknesses, they could complete the mission.
Footsteps echoed through the room as the door swung open. The Bearded Man entered with several others. "It's about time, Luo He. Come with us."
As if they didn't trust him, they produced an old-fashioned black iron handcuff and secured it around Luo He's wrist.
Just before leaving, Luo He paused, turned his head, and looked at everyone. "I'll be going now. I wish you all the best of luck."
(End of the Chapter)
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