Zhao Yuan recounted the entire incident to Xian Hong from beginning to end, naturally leaving out the part about using the Enchanting Talisman. Even so, the police officers at the station were utterly shocked.
'Jeez. Kidnapped and robbed by a gang of armed criminals, yet he stayed completely calm. Then he used his own skills to beat the odds and take them all down… How can a story like that be real? Are you sure he isn't describing the plot of a superhero movie?'
Xian Hong, however, sized up Zhao Yuan thoughtfully for a few moments before speaking. "I never would have guessed. You're a trained martial artist, Zhao. To be able to subdue Yan Hong and his entire gang by yourself, your skills must be at the Cyan Dragon Level or even higher, right?"
The Cyan Dragon Level Xian Hong spoke of was a rank within the system used by the Chinese Martial Arts Community, similar to the belts and dan ranks of South Korean Taekwondo. The system used Eagle, Tiger, and Dragon to represent the low, medium, and high tiers, respectively. Cyan Dragon was a specific level within the high tier. Anyone who reached this level was a true master, capable of fighting off multiple opponents single-handedly.
Zhao Yuan knew nothing about martial arts ranks, so he simply smiled without replying.
But his reaction only confirmed Xian Hong's suspicions. It also resolved a lingering question in his mind: why Zhao Yuan had been brave enough to chase after the drug dealers alongside Lu Qing. 'It was a case of supreme skill breeding supreme confidence!'
"Those guys got what they deserved. Trying to kidnap and rob a master like you... They're lucky you didn't cripple them." Xian Hong joked as he ordered his officers to escort Yan Hong and the others to the interrogation rooms. He also had someone notify the municipal bureau.
The officers here were all deeply grateful to Zhao Yuan. There was no doubt that Yan Hong and his men were in for a world of hurt during the interrogation...
After exchanging a few more words with Xian Hong, Zhao Yuan asked, "Do you need me to give a formal statement? If so, could we make it quick? I need to get back to school."
Xian Hong waved a dismissive hand. "No need for that. You've already given us a very detailed account of what happened. I'll just have someone summarize it later." He then added, "You're going back to school? Let me give you a ride."
"There's no need. You're still busy here," Zhao Yuan demurred.
"They can handle things just fine, even if I'm not here," Xian Hong said, ducking into a Jetta. "Come on, get in. Don't be difficult."
"Alright." Zhao Yuan didn't argue further, grabbing his duffel bag and getting into the car.
Seeing this unfold, Yan Hong, who was being escorted to an interrogation room, started yelling, "You can't let him leave! He robbed me! The money in that duffel bag—it's all mine! He stole it from me..."
Yan Hong had already accepted his fate. He knew that now that the police had him, there was no chance of escape. But he wanted to drag Zhao Yuan down with him! The money in the duffel bag was the proof! If he could make a robbery charge stick, with such a large sum of money involved, then no matter what credit Zhao Yuan had earned, he'd still have to serve time in prison!
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Before Yan Hong could finish, the officer escorting him smacked him on the back of the head and barked, "Zhao robbed you? What a joke! It's obvious you're just holding a grudge and trying to frame him! You think we'd believe a word you say? How naive! Get moving, and stop spouting nonsense! Or you'll really be in for it!"
The other officers all felt the same way, completely disbelieving Yan Hong.
It was Zhao Yuan, however, who held up the duffel bag and asked the police, "Would you like to inspect it?"
Xian Hong leaned out of the Jetta's window. "What's there to inspect? Of course we trust you. Besides, even if that bag is full of money, you've earned it. It's only right to get a reward for your bravery in catching these thugs! Now, stop wasting your breath on scum like him and get in the car."
Zhao Yuan shot a wink at Yan Hong, then tucked the duffel bag away and got into Xian Hong's car.
Watching the car pull out of the station, Yan Hong was so frustrated he felt like crying. "I'm telling the truth!" he pleaded. "Why won't any of you believe me? He really did rob me! He took every last cent of the emergency money I'd saved for years..."
The officer escorting him kicked him squarely in the lower back, sending him stumbling forward several steps and nearly toppling over.
"Damn it, you still dare to frame Zhao? Just you wait. I'm going to give you a special 'welcome' later!"
WAH! Yan Hong burst into tears, the waterworks flowing freely as he wailed in aggrieved protest, "Criminals have no human rights!"
About twenty minutes later, Xian Hong dropped Zhao Yuan off at the gates of West Hua Medical University.
"Thanks!" Zhao Yuan said politely as he got out.
Xian Hong waved it off. "We're the ones who should be thanking you. You handed us a major case on a silver platter! When this is all wrapped up, I'll treat you to dinner."
"Sounds good," Zhao Yuan agreed with a nod. "But just so you know, I've got a huge appetite. You better be prepared."
"Oh really? I've got a big appetite myself. We can see who can eat more," Xian Hong said, assuming Zhao Yuan was joking and not taking him seriously.
Zhao Yuan suddenly thought of the spirited female officer and asked, "By the way, how's Officer Lu doing?"
Xian Hong replied, "Thanks to you, she's recovering very well. The only thing is, she'll probably be left with a scar. She says it doesn't matter, but I can tell she's a bit down about it. After all, what woman doesn't want to look her best?"
'A scar?' Zhao Yuan thought of the Blood Circulation Soup. 'When I was injured, I soaked in this medicinal soup and made a full recovery. And my three dorm mates in 301 also healed without a single scar after applying it. This soup must be miraculously effective at preventing and removing scars!'
So he said, "Director Xian, the next time you visit Officer Lu, please give her a message from me. Tell her not to worry about scarring. I have a way to make sure she won't be left with a single mark."
"Really?" Xian Hong was overjoyed. He laughed heartily. "Lu Qing will be ecstatic to hear that! Let me thank you on her behalf right now!"
After bidding farewell to Xian Hong, Zhao Yuan turned and walked through the gates of West Hua Medical University.
A few wisps of Wish Power flowed into his body, originating from Xian Hong and the other officers. It wasn't much, but Zhao Yuan believed that once the news of Yan Hong's capture hit the press, he would be able to harvest a huge amount of it.
'What a bountiful harvest tonight!'
Humming a cheerful tune, Zhao Yuan carried his duffel bag back to Dorm 301. The moment he walked through the door, a mournful voice called out, "Where have you been, you devil? I was getting tired of waiting."