Girl, you form the head.

Chapter 35 Precepts
"Take a look, this is the information for the movie 'The Wasteland' that will be showing soon." Outside Han Guang Cinema, Bai Chi handed the film materials produced by the police to Yan Le, who was standing next to him. "If the lure is successful, that guy will most likely appear based on the ghost image in this movie."

Yan Le quickly took the documents.

Because it was produced by the police, the focus is very clear, highlighting the key points in the film that are most likely to cause panic among viewers.

The most climactic moment is near the end of the film, when the protagonist is drawn to a truly desolate place and sees countless ghosts surging out of the cemetery like moths.

After quickly reviewing all the information, Yan Le couldn't help but ask, "This doesn't seem that scary."

"That's true in terms of the plot, but the movie uses outstanding 3D technology, so it gives the audience a sense of immersion, as if the evil spirits are right next to them."

"Um, is this really okay?"

“This allows for better control over the audience’s reactions and precise control over every moment,” Bai Chi said. “At least that’s what they think.”

"Okay." Yan Le put the documents away. "At least they don't look too scary, so they shouldn't affect me."

Bai Chi nodded, then turned to look at the Han Guang Cinema not far away.

Tonight, Han Guang Cinema is only showing this one movie. All other staff members have been replaced by police officers to ensure that there are no more civilian casualties in the event of an accident. Special Agents Zhong Ji and Yan Tao are already inside, ready to respond.

"With such a big show of things, won't that guy notice?" Yan Le asked. "Is he really coming tonight?"

"Will do."

"Uh, why are you so sure?"

“Because I’ve fought him before,” Bai Chi said carefully. “I feel like he’s no longer a human being, but more like a wild beast that has no ability to think and only submits to its hunting instincts.”

"what?"

Bai Chi glanced at Yan Le: "Aren't you scared?"

"Of course not! I'm just a little surprised."

Bai Chi looked at Yan Le seriously: "I know you really want to deal with him, but dealing with this guy isn't something you can do with just enthusiasm. Are you really sure there's no one or nothing you're afraid of? If there is, tell me now."

Yan Le knew that Bai Chi was serious, so she didn't dare to joke anymore and answered seriously, "I've never been afraid of anything in my life. My sister and I depend on each other for survival. We've never even seen what our parents look like, and we've never watched horror movies. If I had to say what I'm afraid of, it's my sister. But I'm not afraid of her as a person; I'm afraid of her... no, to be precise, I'm worried about her health."

At this point, Yan Le paused and lowered her voice.

“Officer Deng, do you remember those two sisters last night? Because the older sister was always protecting the younger sister, the younger sister had nothing to fear and was ultimately spared from death. I feel like I am that grown-up younger sister who has always lived under her older sister's protection.” Yan Le's eyes were firm. “Therefore, I believe I am the best choice to defeat that guy!”

"Very good, very energetic."

Bai Chi nodded slightly, feeling somewhat relieved. After all, as things stand, the fear of monster incarnations must have a specific target, rather than manifesting as some kind of event.

For example, the vengeful ghost in the movie, or Ruri's father, the little girl's father.

Therefore, people like him and Yan Le, who don't even know who their parents are, are the best choice to deal with monsters!

The next step is to wait.

Bai Chi checked the time; the movie would start in ten minutes.

Of course, the best outcome would be for Yan Tao and Zhong Ji to kill that guy directly, so that they wouldn't need to get involved, and everyone would be happy.

Now all we can do is wait for the results.

Just then, Yan Le seemed to suddenly remember something and hesitantly said to Bai Chi, "Uh, Officer Deng. I suddenly remembered that I did have someone I was afraid of a few days ago, but I don't know if it counts..."

Bai Chi immediately became alert: "Who is it?"

"Yes, it's you."

Bai Chi was taken aback: "Why me?"

"Uh..." Yan Le said somewhat embarrassedly, "Because I was afraid you would want to sleep with me."

Bai Chi: "?"

……

The film officially begins when the projection falls onto the light gray screen.

Immersed in the scene, the audience held their breath as the colors on the screen grew increasingly intense; in front of the monitors in the projection room, the police officers stared intently at the constantly flashing special monitoring equipment with grim expressions.

Yan Tao and Zhong Ji were also among them, but their expressions were not quite right. Yan Tao had a furrowed brow, while Zhong Ji looked more relaxed.

This contrast made Yan Tao very unhappy. He looked coldly at Zhong Ji, but didn't say anything.

Tonight's operation was approved by headquarters under immense pressure.

If they fail to catch that guy and allow more people to suffer, headquarters will definitely send someone else, and then the case will no longer be his concern. In that case, he might miss the last promotion opportunity of his career.

There was no way around it; the competition in the newest district was just that fierce. His police rank and special class had been fixed for over a decade. It was understandable that the special class was difficult to advance after adulthood. But the fact that his police rank remained at the superintendent level was a sore point for Yan Tao, especially when he saw that young police inspector in the Han Guang district, which only intensified Yan Tao's resentment.

Even though the police ranks in different districts are not comparable, it still made Yan Tao feel a sense of crisis. If he didn't seize this last opportunity for promotion before the mayoral reshuffle, then this would be all he could ever be.

So tonight is his last chance, and everyone in this movie theater is his gamble.

"Have you noticed anything unusual?" Yan Tao asked the police officer on surveillance.

"Not yet," the officers replied. "Apart from the special particles from your two individuals, nothing else has been detected so far."

"That's normal, this is just the beginning." Yan Tao nodded, trying his best to hide his impatience.

This movie has several terrifying moments, and the movie has only just begun, so there's no need to rush.

However, when the movie reached its first terrifying moment, the instruments failed to react.

When the second scene was introduced, the audience reacted, gasping in fright at the scary part, but the equipment still didn't respond.

By the third checkpoint, the audience's reaction was even stronger, with gasps of surprise filling the air, but the instruments remained perfectly normal.

As the movie rapidly approached its end, Yan Tao frowned deeply.

What's going on? Why is there no reaction at all?

That guy... he's not not coming, is he?

As time passed, the two hours were quickly coming to an end, and the movie finally reached its final scene.

As the ghosts, rendered in 3D, poured out of the screen and hovered around the audience, Yan Tao immediately looked at the equipment: "Is there a problem?"

"No, still nothing," the officer replied. "No unusual particles were detected."

Yan Tao's face turned grim, and his tone became harsh: "How could this be?! That guy didn't even come! Where did he go?!"

“Yan, Superintendent Yan.” A pale-faced police officer pointed at the screen. “If I remember correctly, that thing should be visible only with 3D glasses, right?” Yan Tao paused, then immediately realized something and turned his head sharply.

Then they saw a ghost materialize and rip the head off a spectator in the front row.

The bloodshed in the movie intertwined with that in real life, and the audience was still immersed in the fear brought by the movie, unable to extricate themselves.

"Damn it, sound the alarm!" Yan Tao roared. "This guy's here!"

……

Outside the cinema, Bai Chi suddenly raised his head and stared intently at the cinema.

Yan Le was startled by Bai Chi and instinctively wanted to ask something, but before she could speak, the sudden alarm broke the silence of the night.

Her heart tightened.

That guy is here.

……

When one after another people had their heads suddenly ripped off, and blood stained half the screen, the audience finally realized that this was not a 3D effect. In an instant, terror exploded like a muffled thunder in the small theater. Many people were so frightened that they fainted or stopped breathing in the face of immense fear.

This situation was naturally far beyond the police's expectations. They had originally planned to use instruments to detect the monster's location and then take action as early as possible. If all went well, they might even be able to eliminate it without alerting the audience.

But to their utter surprise, the monster transformed into a desolate ghost right before their eyes and began an indiscriminate massacre, while the detection machines showed no reaction whatsoever.

The scene was now in complete chaos. The monster amplified the fear of the people, causing them to run around like headless flies, unable to even see the escape route that was right in front of them.

There is no other way.

Yan Tao kicked the glass of the projection room, which landed in the center of the theater, and then clenched his fists and punched them hard together.

"Boom"!
The sudden sound of the bell resounded throughout the hall, instantly silencing all other sounds.

People turned their heads and stared blankly at Yan Tao.

"Everyone, leave through the emergency exit." Yan Tao spoke slowly, his words carrying an irresistible force.

So the audience, who were on the verge of collapse just a moment ago, now retreated in an orderly fashion towards the safety passage like obedient children. They made almost no sound during the retreat, and even those whose arms were torn off by the monster and were still bleeding seemed to feel nothing as they stood blankly in the line.

This is Yan Tao's unique characteristic—his "iron rule".

After striking his fists, the next words he utters will carry a special power, compelling all who hear them to act according to his words.

Unless someone is of a higher social class or has special equipment to counter it, his special abilities are almost impossible to counter.

Even the monsters that were flying through the air and killing people had stopped what they were doing. They just didn't leave with the others. But looking at their slightly trembling bodies, Yan Tao knew that their minds had not been affected and that they were trying to break free from this strange phenomenon.

Judging from the strength of its resistance, it could definitely wake up before all the audience members left, which would then lead to another massacre.

But Yan Tao was now helpless. If he spoke, this ironclad rule would end, and the audience would fall back into the previous state of chaos.

He can only uphold one rule at a time, and can only say three rules a day, and he has already said the first one.

Fortunately, he wasn't fighting alone. The police officers, who had been prepared with protective gear, had already come out of the screening room and were assisting the audience in their evacuation as planned (by dragging and pulling them). At this moment, Song Joong-ki released his Invisible Devourer, transforming it into a multi-limbed behemoth. The behemoth grabbed an audience member with each hand, smashed through the theater wall, and quickly retreated.

"It's up to you, Superintendent Yan." Zhongji patted Yan Tao on the shoulder and said with a smile, "I'm going to assist with the evacuation, so I won't compete with you for the credit."

Yan Tao didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

Given the significant losses already incurred tonight, if he cannot produce sufficient achievements, the General Administration will not let him off the hook.

After everyone had left the theater, the control of the discipline had reached its limit. The dozen or so ghosts in mid-air were all facing Yan Tao, their ghostly eyes filled with killing intent.

"Heh, you still want to kill me?" Yan Tao sneered. "You still don't understand the situation, do you? Now it's just you and me."

Yan Tao's "precepts" are unique to the group; the target can only be "everyone," not just one person.

So when this guy was the only one on the scene who could hear his voice, the outcome was already decided.

He could still use two commandments, but this guy only needed one.

So, as the previous precept came to a complete end, Yan Tao clasped his fists together again.

The bell rings.

Yan Tao, like a judge who holds the reins of life and death, slowly spoke: "I command you, to..."

However, before he could utter the word "kill," he suddenly felt a pain in his throat.

He paused for a moment, then subconsciously reached for his neck.

Then he discovered that his neck had been bitten through and was bleeding profusely.

how come? !

Yan Tao's eyes widened, and before he could figure out what was going on, he was instantly swallowed up by the monster that had completely broken free.

……

"Hurry up, move faster!"

Zhongji directed the retreating troops, but secretly slowed down the speed of the invisible devourer where no one could see him, while placing some unconscious spectators in a corner where no one could see them.

Before long, a small, blood-stained, invisible creature flew out of the previous screening room and landed on his shoulder.

Song Joong-ki slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

A moment later, a terrifying scream came from the theater again, accompanied by desperate cries for help coming from all directions, which immediately made the police officers' faces change.

"How come there are still people inside?! Shouldn't they have all been rescued?"

"Why is that guy still yelling? What's wrong with Superintendent Iwa?!"

The officers were once again gripped by fear, all turning their gazes toward the only person with special abilities present—Jong-ki.

Zhongji's expression was grave: "It seems that something happened to Superintendent Yan. His special ability has failed, and the evacuating audience is naturally out of control."

"Then, what should we do?"

"Take the people here first. The rest, and Superintendent Yan, are mine." Chung-ki turned and left. "Listen, if I don't hear from you in twenty minutes, call headquarters immediately."

"Are you... are you going by yourself?"

“Of course.” Joong-ki tried hard not to laugh out loud, feigning seriousness, “It’s our duty as police officers.”

　I originally planned to include the appearance of the fully-formed Fiery Knight in one chapter, but that would involve too much detail, like writing an outline, so I'll save it for the next chapter.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)