My left and right hemispheres fight each other.

"Time for dinner." The guard's voice was short and concise, echoing in every corner of the cell.

The unified passwords came from afar, getting closer and closer until they reached Chen Xin's cell.

Chen Xin slowly got up and somewhat woodenly picked up the heavy plate.

He was somewhat thin, and the uniform looked rather loose on him.

The pale light of the corridor shone on his face as he approached, making his unusually pale complexion and lighter lips even more apparent.

His eyes were filled with fatigue, but he showed no signs of weariness. He walked to the iron window without any mechanical movement and looked down at the food delivery point.

His expression was calm, and although he didn't smile, he gave off a warm feeling.

Chen Xin waited and waited, slightly shaking her head, but the sound of the food cart rolling on the floor didn't come. Instead, the disciplined man spoke calmly and clearly:

"Chen Xin, pack your things and get released."

Chen Xin was taken aback, his plate paused, and whether it was the reflection of the incandescent light or the sunlight falling on him, a very faint light quietly spread in his eyes.

He tossed aside the iron plate in his hand, having no desire to eat that unpalatable stuff one last time. He quickly turned around, packed some simple daily necessities into a plastic bag, and walked back to the iron gate.

"Click." The iron gate that had imprisoned him for five days gave a crisp groan, and the heavy barrier finally opened before him.

A tall, burly middle-aged man in uniform glanced at him with little expression.

Chen Xin casually took off his prison gown and handed it to the guard, laughing, "I'm much more comfortable in a hospital gown. I'm really not used to this."

The warden remained expressionless; he simply smirked and said, "Come with me."

After being led to the duty room, Chen Xin had her identity verified, signed her name, and pressed her fingerprint. The release procedures were completed quickly, and she received her certificate.

There were no further words exchanged until he reached the prison gate, and just before the guard let him through, he finally spoke:

"Dr. Chen, Officer Su is waiting for you outside."

The somewhat rough voice made Chen Xin pause. His eyes flickered, and he felt that the guard's face seemed somewhat similar to one of his former patients.

"Are they father and son?" Chen Xin didn't think too much about it; he simply nodded.

"I wish you a speedy recovery." Without saying goodbye, the guard's last words faded into the distance with the wind blowing in from the outside.

"Freedom..." Chen Xin murmured, looked back, and continued walking forward.

"Mr. Chen." Before he could enjoy the world's breeze for long, that deep call brought him back to reality.

Chen Xin steadied her pupils and looked toward the source of the sound.

It was an unremarkable old car, and an acquaintance was leaning against it.

He was slightly hunched over, with a few gray hairs at his temples. His police uniform, which wasn't fastened tightly, was loose on his body, and his face, weathered by years of wind, was full of fatigue and dejection.

With a stubble beard and dark circles under his eyes, he looked like a pathetic loser who stayed up all night playing video games.

But the moment those eyes were raised, a poisoned light, sharp astonishingly, pierced through the murky pupils and into the darkness of the heart.

He scrutinized Chen Xin, nodded slightly, and spoke in a low, hoarse voice:

"Are the formalities complete? Get in the car, I'll take you back to the hospital."

A strong smell of smoke wafted over, but Chen Xin's gaze didn't fall on the few stubbed cigarette butts at his feet. Instead, she gave him a calm smile and stepped into his car with an unperturbed expression.

Captain Su deliberately delayed for a moment, opened the driver's side door, and casually sat down.

A faint but persistent smell of smoke filled the car. Captain Su lazily fastened his seatbelt, adjusted the seat angle, and inserted the key.

He awkwardly straightened his back, leaned back slightly, and reached out with his right hand to turn the key.

The engine immediately gave a low hum, and the car gradually came to its senses.

He didn't immediately let go; his wrist sank slightly as he prepared to shift gears and release the handbrake.

His movements were all redundant and lacked any sense of proficiency. Chen Jing just sat and watched quietly, without even raising an eyebrow.

Captain Su gripped the steering wheel, felt the controls, then glanced at the rearview mirror and said calmly, "Mr. Chen, you've done very well, just like someone on the verge of recovery. No one could tell you were mentally ill while you were in the detention center, including the hospital surveillance footage we reviewed."

Chen Jing didn't speak, but simply moved his eyes to meet the gaze coming from the rearview mirror.

"Aside from the fact that you saw a man and a woman in the ward the day before the incident and suddenly started showing signs of losing control, your performance in the hospital was outstanding, practically perfect." Captain Su took out a green box from his pocket, picked up a cigarette and put it in his mouth, and asked vaguely, "Mr. Chen, you don't mind, do you?"

Chen Jing shook his head slightly, seemingly unconcerned.

"And even if things got out of control that day..." Captain Su lit a cigarette, took a light drag, and quickly exhaled, then added, "it was all an act, wasn't it?"

Chen Jing remained silent, shrouded in swirling smoke, while Su Liaojin's gaze seemed to grow even more piercing.

Whether it was because of the spiciness or the pressure of being stared at, Chen Jing avoided his gaze and blinked.

"Why?" Captain Su took a deep breath this time, tilted his head back, and stopped scrutinizing Chen Jing. After savoring the moment, he exhaled a puff of smoke: "Among the dead, there just happens to be one of that couple. What exactly do you know?"

Chen Jing raised an eyebrow, seemingly deep in thought. As he looked back at the rearview mirror, he casually asked, "Didn't I tell you everything?"

Captain Su shook his head: "I don't believe your testimony, Mr. Chen."

"You said you didn't know the man and woman, and that you lost control subconsciously due to immense fear, without knowing the source of that fear."

"Director Li of the hospital also told me that you suffer from dissociative identity disorder. It was because you saw some terrible scene that caused your protective personality disorder, making you temporarily forget that memory."

Chen Jing spread his hands innocently: "Isn't everything connected? I might remember them, but I've forgotten them now."

"I don't know what happened that night; I can only describe what I saw."

"That was Mi Tian Gong and four other people who broke into my hospital room at night, pointing and whispering at me. In the ensuing argument, a fight broke out, resulting in four deaths and one escape."

"I have nothing more to say, officer. I have told you everything I know, and I hope you can solve the case as soon as possible."

Captain Su stared silently out the car window as the cigarette butt resting on his fingertip gradually burned out.

Soon, he seemed to wake up from a dream and moved his body, casually stubbing out the cigarette butt in the nearly full ashtray. Chen Jing noticed that his rough fingers pressed hard until they turned white.

"No, you know more." Captain Su glanced at Chen Jing through the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with certainty.

"Because the person I'm talking to right now is your protective personality, isn't it?"

The air fell silent. Chen Jing remained noncommittal, merely offering a faint smile. It was unclear whether he was tacitly acknowledging Captain Su's guess or expressing disdain for the other's misjudgment.

"When the couple visited you in the hospital, they said they were Su Ruier's parents, but when we went to Su Ruier's house, we found that Su Ruier's parents had been brutally murdered at home, and she herself had disappeared."

"We compared the photos, and the couple clearly don't resemble Su Ruier's parents at all. Why didn't anyone notice beforehand?"

"How did Su Ruier's parents die?"

"The forensic examination revealed they'd been dead for so long, why did it take us so long to discover it?"

"Why are Su Ruier's parents still seen going out in the street surveillance footage after the time of their deaths?"

"Where did Su Ruier go?"

"Who exactly were the woman who died in your hospital room that day, and those two men?"

Why did the entire hospital's surveillance system suddenly malfunction that day?

"Was the last guy who escaped the burly man who visited you before?"

Captain Su suddenly fired off a series of questions, but Chen Jing did not answer them, nor did he seem to be waiting for Chen Jing's reply.

The dejected middle-aged man took a few deep breaths, exhaled slowly, closed his eyes, and started the car.

"The prosecutor's office's review of your arrest warrant was not approved, and you have been released, Mr. Chen."

His voice paused for two seconds, then he said, "Although you will not be released on bail, you will still need to be available for questioning at any time due to the seriousness of the case."

I have personally applied to have a national-level psychologist appointed; I believe he can help you remember everything.

"I will cooperate, Captain Su," Chen Jing replied obediently.

"most."

"I haven't asked your name yet."

Captain Su gave Chen Jing a deep look: "Su Liaojin."

The speeding car sped away, the old engine still roaring powerfully, and soon brought the two speechless people to the Xinxi Mental Rehabilitation Center.

Several police officers were already monitoring the scene at the hospital, and Chen Xin had been moved to a different ward.

Su Liaojin personally escorted Chen Jing into the new ward. After being welcomed and greeted by many medical staff, the two went underground.

Chen Jing lay back peacefully on the big white bed, covered himself with the quilt, and looked completely at ease.

"I'm leaving." Su Liaojin took out another cigarette, but didn't light it. He put it in his mouth as he pushed open the door.

"Captain." A voice called out, and Su Liaojin turned around in confusion.

Chen Jing smiled as he looked at Su Liaojin's profile, his gaze slightly narrowed, and said in a soft voice, "You will soon discover the truth."

Su Liaojin nodded in response. He frowned slightly and was about to leave again when Chen Jing interrupted him: "Captain, there are some things I only want to say to you right now."

Su Liaojin froze, hesitated for a moment, then gently closed the door: "What do you want to say?"

……

"Captain, what did that guy say to you?" the young officer leaned over and asked discreetly.

Having just come out of Chen Xin's ward, Su Liaojin recalled for a moment, then gently nudged the young comrade, adjusted the cigarette in his mouth, and chuckled, "Nothing useful information. Go back to your work."

Listening to the faint sounds outside the room and the footsteps of Su Liaojin gradually fading away, Chen Jing, lying on the white bed, finally yawned.

"What are you trying to do? Why are you suddenly doing this?!" Chen Xin asked nervously.

"Isn't the answer obvious?" Chen Jing smiled as he got up, pulled back the cloth covering the fruit basket beside the bed, revealing the shiny black things on the fruit.

"Chen Ying, use the basic identification method."

"Basic identification is underway."

Basic identification successful:

arms--

"L190 Police Semi-Automatic Pistol"

Quality: Ordinary.

Basic capabilities: Actively pull the trigger to fire a 9mm hollow-point bullet, automatically chambering.

background:

The standard-issue pistol for contemporary police use in Chenguo is a modified version of the military pistol of the same model, with some reductions in power and range, but improvements in shooting accuracy and recoil.

Most importantly, due to the use of hollow-point bullets, the probability of dangerous ricochets and excessive penetration is greatly reduced, the sound is quieter, and ammunition is more conserved.

It is one of the best firearms for close-range self-defense and urban law enforcement.

Remark:

Despite undergoing extensive modifications and reductions, this kinetic weapon is still far beyond the capabilities of ordinary players.

Warning! Don't mistake ordinary products for truth! Quality does not fully represent power or effectiveness!

... "

Chen Jing did not touch the gun; he merely glanced at it before immediately covering it with the cloth.

"Do you know... what this means?" Chen Xin's voice trembled slightly.

"I know," Chen Jing said casually, then stroked the gun through the cloth: "Seven bullets, under normal circumstances, that's seven lives in my hands."

"In other words, it can save you up to seven times in critical moments."

"Whether it's the upcoming hunting missions or the potential retaliation from the Wolf Kiss organization, we need it to save our lives."

"Those travelers definitely had firearms. Wolf Kiss and his group didn't, but that's only because they couldn't carry them with them, or because they were packed in that inconvenient 'traveler's bag.'"

"Perhaps it's because guns are banned in Chen Kingdom and they are too confident in their own strength, so they didn't carry any with them, but we can't conclude that the tourists are all a bunch of fools based on one experience."

"Until they transform their power through missions, firearms will remain the eternal truth for slaughtering them."

"A body of flesh and blood, one bullet is enough."

"But what if you get caught? With your hypnosis? How long can you keep this up?" Faced with Chen Xin's barrage of questions, Chen Jing simply smiled mockingly.

"As long as we don't get caught, that's fine, isn't it?"

"If it's not discovered, it's as if it never happened."

"Don't worry, it's just a small transition in our initial stage. Soon, I will send it back to Su Liaojin."

After a brief silence, Chen Xin asked again, "You can guarantee that this gun won't be discovered, but what about Su Liaojin? How can you keep the fact that he lost a service weapon a secret?"

"Of course I can't hide it, because I wouldn't try to hide it anyway," Chen Jing said nonchalantly.

Chen Xin stared in disbelief: "What? What should he do? Losing a gun is a serious mistake in our country!"

"So what?" Chen Jing glanced sideways and sneered. He noticed Chen Xin's mood and said with disdain, "Chen Xin, don't pretend to be some saint. We need this gun, so what happens to him is none of your business."

Chen Xin clenched his fists so tightly that the veins on his hands stood out.

"A half-empty bottle rattling around, what are you pretending to be a good person for? Trying to enrich others while you're already empty-handed is pure foolishness." Chen Jing's gaze narrowed slightly. He loosened Chen Xin's clenched fist, opened his palm, and carefully observed the patterns on it:

"You clearly have a tap in front of you, why not fill yourself up first? Then, what overflows from you will be like a torrential downpour."

Chen Jing changed the subject: "After I catch my breath, I will give Su Liaojin a generous gift."

"And you, hypocritical fool, if you truly had compassion, what you should have done was not to whine and accuse yourself of incompetence, or grumble and condemn the morality of others, but to, in the process of struggling to survive, acquire enough surplus to compensate those few security guards in the control room, the hospital staff, and all those you may owe in the future."

"And what about the excrement? He's already dead." Chen Xin's voice was weak as a whisper, low and muffled: "And how are you going to make it up to him?"

Chen Jing sighed softly, bending each finger one knuckle at a time, as if toying with his own hands:

"May he rest in peace, for he died as ashes."

"Is that all?" Chen Xin's voice was so soft that it was impossible to tell whether she was happy or angry.

"What else can you do? If you like, perhaps you could try to comfort the living, like his family? Although I personally don't think this ridiculous thing is a way to compensate the dead, you just need to comfort yourself." Chen Jing whispered with his eyes closed.

"Chen Jing, I thought you were utterly cold-blooded. You actually went and made amends to someone?"

"Hehe...you're wrong." Chen Jing smiled faintly, without opening his eyes: "Whether he is punished or not, this big gift is going to be given to him. This is part of my plan and has nothing to do with compensation."

"I need to use him to do some things, so this generous gift naturally falls to him, without much influence from emotions or preferences."

"It's like if I were to open a factory, I would need manpower and would need to provide jobs, but that has nothing to do with saving the employment rate."

"It just happened naturally, nothing more."

"..." After calming down, Chen Xin returned to normal: "Why him? Because he understands psychology and saw the difference between you and me?"

"How could that be? I didn't deliberately pretend, so it's not surprising that he saw through me." Chen Jing denied, "Besides, he doesn't understand psychology, but he does understand criminal investigation, and there's some overlap between the two."

"Criminal psychology belongs to both criminal investigation and psychology."

"I chose him simply because..."

Chen Jing opened his eyes: "He has the qualifications, the background, and the ability."

"Chen Xin, tell me, in this vast country and this vast world, is it truly possible that we know nothing about wanderers, or rather, supernatural beings?"

Without waiting for Chen Xin's reply, Chen Jing gave a cruel smile and answered himself, "Impossible, I'm sure of it!"

"There must be an organization or department that specializes in dealing with this kind of thing."

"As for Su Liaojin, I will personally nurture him with the great achievements of various special events, cultivating him into a qualified stepping stone."

"I will use this immense power to exercise my authority as a hunter."

"Exterminate every single one of those who dare to invade our world!"

His voice was chilling, and his smile was terrifying.

The methods he used were absolutely ruthless.

Chen Xin watched silently, a sudden feeling stirring within her.

Chen Jing's motive for wanting to kill all the invading travelers was absolutely for his own selfish reasons.

But why does it sound as passionate as defending one's country?

"Is there something evil that cannot be done good? Is there something good that cannot be done evil? Is there something to do that cannot be done? No matter how you look at it, it doesn't make sense."

"A cup overflows when it is full; if I were big enough, what would overflow would be a torrential downpour." Chen pondered, lost in thought.