# 283
**Chapter 283: You're Under Arrest**
Cangnan City.
In the underground cavern.
*Boom—!!*
A sudden, deafening roar echoed through the hollow space as a metallic coffin lid was blasted into the air, scattering the rats that had gathered nearby. At the center of the open space, a silver-white metal crate lay like a sarcophagus, cold and still.
Pale mist poured from the coffin. Moments later, a fair arm reached out, gripping the edge. A figure, completely naked, slowly rose from within.
The figure looked down at his hands, a gray glint flickering in his eyes. He muttered to himself:
“It’s finally complete…”
He stepped out of the sarcophagus, casually picked up clothes from a nearby surgical table, dressed, and put on a pair of glasses. Then he walked to a cluster of instruments and began carefully checking the readings.
After a long while, a faint smile appeared on his face.
He lifted his head, squinting at the faint sunlight filtering down from the top of the cavern—his eyes still unaccustomed to the brightness.
“Time to leave.”
---
“Suspected mysterious entity?”
At Peace Detective Agency, Hongying looked up in surprise at Wen Qimo.
“The aftermath of the divine war hasn’t fully faded. There shouldn’t be any mysterious activity…”
Wen Qimo helplessly handed her a file. “Captain, would I joke about this? This came from the police. The rats in the eastern district are swarming—it’s not something natural could cause.”
Hongying took the file and read it carefully, suspicion flickering in her eyes.
“Then let’s go take a look.”
Half an hour later, a black van slowly pulled up in front of a newly built factory in the eastern district.
Hongying stepped out of the passenger seat, a long case strapped to her back. A few rats scurried past her feet and slipped into a side door of the factory.
She looked up at the factory, frowning slightly.
“This factory started construction a year ago. It was supposed to be completed this July, but due to the sudden rat infestation, the project was delayed. There shouldn’t be anyone inside now,” Wen Qimo said, flipping through the file.
“A rat-type mysterious?” Hongying murmured. “Usually, they’re not very strong. The two of us should be enough. Let’s go in.”
She took the lead, her dark red cloak fluttering slightly. She stopped at the side door the rats had entered, kicked it open with a bang!
*Squeak squeak squeak…*
A flood of rats poured out like a black tide, crawling past the two of them.
Hongying snorted coldly. The side of the long case on her back popped open, revealing a spear. Rose-red flames flickered around her, lighting up a corner of the dim factory.
She stood at the doorway, spear in hand, eyes locked on the staircase to the second floor, and shouted:
“Come out!”
Her voice echoed through the empty factory. After a moment, a figure in a windbreaker and hood slowly emerged.
“These rats—this is your doing, isn’t it?” Hongying aimed her spear at the figure, eyes narrowing.
The figure raised his hands and pulled back his hood, revealing a clean, pale face.
Hongying froze when she saw it. “You?”
“It’s me, Captain Hongying,” An Qingyu said with a bitter smile. “I’m sorry. This was the only way I could get a chance to see you.”
“You’re the boy who fought with us a year ago,” Wen Qimo now recognized him. “What do you want?”
“I’m looking for Lin Qiye,” An Qingyu said earnestly. “Please tell me where he is.”
Hongying and Wen Qimo exchanged glances, both showing helplessness. Hongying shook her head. “He’s not in Cangnan. A year ago, he was taken to the Purification Chamber.”
“The Purification Chamber?” An Qingyu was stunned. “That prison? He was locked up? What did he do wrong?”
“He didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just… he had some mental issues. He’s still undergoing treatment,” Wen Qimo explained.
An Qingyu frowned. “Mental issues… treated in prison?”
Hongying opened her mouth as if to say more, but Wen Qimo quickly added, “Anyway, he’s not here. If you want to find him, it won’t be anytime soon.”
An Qingyu lowered his head, lost in thought.
“Next time, just come straight to Peace Detective Agency. Don’t stir up a rat swarm,” Wen Qimo said as he and Hongying turned to leave.
Just as they were about to walk away, An Qingyu suddenly called out:
“Wait!”
Both stopped.
An Qingyu stepped forward and held out both wrists.
“What are you doing…?” Wen Qimo asked, puzzled.
“I’m the Corpse Thief,” An Qingyu said.
“We know you’re the Corpse Thief. But since you helped protect Cangnan, we won’t hold the past against you. Don’t worry,” Hongying said, patting his shoulder.
“No. I’m the Corpse Thief. I stole several mysterious corpses, interfered with Night Watch missions. I’m a dangerous superhuman who endangered public safety,” An Qingyu said seriously. “According to Night Watch regulations, I should be arrested and sent to the Purification Chamber.”
“You… want to go to the Purification Chamber to find Lin Qiye?” Wen Qimo was stunned. “That’s a prison. Once you’re in, you don’t come out.”
“I owe him a favor,” An Qingyu shrugged. “If he really is mentally ill, I might be able to help. I’m pretty good at brain surgery. And if he’s not sick, just imprisoned… maybe I’m the only one in this world who can break him out.”
Hongying and Wen Qimo looked at each other again, both visibly shocked.
“Why would you go this far for him?” Hongying couldn’t help asking.
“I owe him a favor,” An Qingyu said calmly. “And my favors carry weight.”
“Just for that?”
“Not entirely…” An Qingyu seemed to recall something, the corner of his mouth curling slightly, a strange light in his eyes. “My research is complete. My home in Cangnan is gone. There’s no reason for me to stay. Since that’s the case, I might as well go see Great Xia’s top superhuman prison. That puzzle… is probably more challenging than anything I’ve ever faced.”
Wen Qimo gave him a strange look and whispered to Hongying, “He’s insane.”
Hongying nodded in agreement.
She turned to An Qingyu, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “If you want to go to the Purification Chamber, I’ll send you there. If you see Lin Qiye, say hi for us.”
An Qingyu smiled and nodded.
Hongying patted her pockets, looking for handcuffs, but found none. She bent down, plucked a blade of grass, and wrapped it around An Qingyu’s wrists, then said solemnly:
“Dangerous superhuman An Qingyu, I hereby declare… you are under arrest.”