Chapter 57: Abusing Power for Personal Revenge
Liew Ruyan was a clever woman.
The moment she heard Shi LiLi’s venomous words, she was stunned—how could they already be declaring Chen Ning’s death before the interrogation even concluded?
Then it struck her—there was foul play involved, and Liu’s family was behind it.
Though Shi LiLi’s arrogance was appalling, her threat wasn’t empty. If Chen Ning remained here, his fate would be sealed.
Having just been freed from her shackles, Liew Ruyan didn’t hesitate. She turned to her father urgently:
“Father, Chen Ning is innocent! He doesn’t deserve to be treated like this. Please—find a way to bail him out too!”
But Liew Yu was merely a merchant. In this post-apocalyptic world, no amount of wealth could challenge an Imperial Legion commander.
He shot his daughter a furious glare and snapped under his breath.
“Don’t be insolent in front of Major Liu and the Second Madam! Whether Chen Ning is guilty or not isn’t for you to decide. You’ve caused enough trouble already! If not for the City Lord’s favor, do you think you could walk free so easily? Now follow me!”
Liew Ruyan’s temper flared.
“They’re clearly targeting Chen Ning! We’ve already told them everything, yet they still won’t release him—if he can’t go free, then I’m not leaving either!”
“Outrageous!” Liew Yu roared.
Major Liu ZuoWu cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him.
He said evenly, “Miss Liew and Chen Ning have both given full statements. However, we believe Miss Liew’ account—she was struck unconscious during the incident, and when she awoke, everything was over. Her suspicion level is low; she can be released on bail.”
Then he turned to Chen Ning, voice cooling. “As for Chen Ning, we find inconsistencies in his testimony—particularly during the period when Miss Liew was unconscious and Leng JianFeng was killed. He cannot be released.”
Pausing, Liu ZuoWu went on, neatly covering for Shi LiLi’s outburst:
“Mr. Liew , Miss Liew —please don’t take the Second Madam’s earlier words too seriously.
Major Leng once risked his life many times to protect our Legion Commander and Madam. To her, he was like a nephew. Hearing of his death was understandable… unsettled her. Her remarks just now were spoken in grief.”
Shi LiLi’s face twitched with embarrassment, but she played along immediately.
“Yes, yes— Leng wasn’t my son, but he was as dear as one! His death will not go unavenged!”
That last line she spat out, staring daggers at Chen Ning, word by word.
Chen Ning’s expression didn’t change. Shackled and surrounded, he had long expected unfair treatment. He knew this was revenge for Liu Xi’s death. So he no longer bothered to argue.
All he could do was silently hope that Bai Yuhao would find a way to save him—otherwise, his only option left would be to fight together with the Crimson Tyrant to the bitter end.
Liew Ruyan saw how slick Liu ZuoWu’s words were—any fool could see this was personal revenge, but he made it sound watertight.
Liew Yu, unwilling to offend the Liu family, quickly said, “Major Liew is right. We understand the Madam’s grief. Ruyan, come with me—enough foolishness.”
“I’m not leaving,” she bit out, her chin lifting stubbornly. “I’ll wait right here until the truth comes out.”
Liu ZuoWu’s tone hardened. “Miss Liew, if you insist on waiting, you may do so in our reception hall. But if you continue to interfere, I’ll have no choice but to charge you with obstructing an investigation.”
Liew Yu’s face paled, tugging his daughter anxiously.
“Fine,” Liew Ruyan said coldly. “I’ll wait in your reception hall for the results.”
Outside, she found several people—some guards, others Shi LiLi’s attendants, and a few from her own family.
One of them, a nanny, held a chubby little girl—Little Bun.
“Mommy!”
The child’s eyes lit up. She stretched out her tiny arms, and Liew Ruyan quickly took her into her embrace.
Little Bun looked around, searching for the person she missed most. Not seeing him, her lips trembled.
“Mommy, where’s Daddy?”
Daddy?
Liew Yu and the others froze—had Liew Ruyan fallen for someone? Was this “Daddy” her secret lover?
Liew Ruyan’s cheeks flushed crimson. But facing the child’s innocent, hopeful gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to deny it.
“Daddy has something important to do,” she murmured softly. “We’ll wait for him here, all right?”
The little one’s face blossomed into a smile. “Okay!”
Her sweet voice left everyone around them momentarily speechless.
Liew Ruyan stayed in the reception hall, determined to wait. At least this way, she thought, her presence might keep Liu ZuoWu and Shi LiLi from acting too blatantly against Chen Ning.
Liew Yu, worried she’d cause more trouble, stayed as well with a few men to keep watch.
Not long after, another group entered the hall—Bai Yuhao, Su Luo, Big Luo, Little Luo, and another familiar face: Xie YongQiang.
It turned out Xie had run into Bai Yuhao’s team earlier, recognized their Azurebird uniforms, and mentioned knowing Chen Ning.
When they told him Chen Ning had been captured, the honest man hadn’t hesitated—he came with them to the Verocious Wolf base straightaway.
But they were refused entry to the interrogation room, just like Liew Ruyan, and told they could only wait or leave.
Upon seeing Liew Ruyan, Bai Yuhao immediately asked what had happened.
She recounted the entire event again—especially Shi LiLi’s outrageous threats.
Finally she whispered, “Chen Ning and I explained everything. Leng JianFeng wasn’t killed by us, but they don’t believe it. Shi LiLi even swore Chen Ning must die. I feel they’re taking revenge for something else… I’m really worried about him.”
Bai Yuhao sighed. Of course it was because of Liu Xi’s death.
He turned to his companions.
“We won’t make it back to the base on time. Go find someone at Verocious Wolf and borrow a satellite phone. Tell Instructor Butcher we’ll return late and take the punishment when we’re back.”
Su Luo shook her head.
“When you went to see your father, we already told Instructor Jian Qing about Chen Ning’s situation.”
Bai Yuhao nodded in relief. “Good.”
Xie YongQiang couldn’t help but ask, “Your instructor knows Chen Ning’s in trouble—did she say anything? Will she come to help?”
Su Luo sighed. “Instructor Jian Qing said nothing. She just hung up. It’s hard to read her thoughts.”
“Damn it!” Xie cursed. Then, eyes flashing, he said, “My instructor, Rahu, is in Vermilion Phoenix City right now. I’ll find him—maybe he can help.”
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In the interrogation room, Chen Ning remained bound to the iron chair, while Liu ZuoWu kept only his trusted men and the Second Madam. Now that everyone present belonged to the Liu family, there was no need for pretense.
Liu ZuoWu’s eyes glinted coldly. “Chen Ning, you know why we’re after you, don’t you?”
Chen Ning raised a brow. “No idea.”
Shi LiLi exploded. “You filthy gutter rat! You killed my son—you think you’ll walk out alive tonight? I’ll skin you myself!”
She lunged forward, but Liu ZuoWu caught her arm. “Please, Second Madam, don’t work yourself up. Leave him to me. I’ll make sure he begs for death.”
“Fine,” she hissed. “Make him regret ever being born.”
Liu ZuoWu smirked, pulling a folded confession paper from his drawer—a forged document declaring Chen Ning’s guilt. He stepped forward, voice dripping with mockery.
“Here’s the deal, boy. Put your fingerprint on this and confess. Do that, and I’ll give you a clean death. Refuse, and you’ll learn what real despair feels like. So—what’s it going to be?”
Chen Ning looked up at him, and a faint smile curved his lips. Then—ptoo!—he spat straight into Liu ZuoWu’s face.
“You?” Chen Ning sneered. “Trash like you could never even pass Azurebird’s basic selection. Even our rejects are better than you. Do your worst.”
Liu ZuoWu froze, then his fury erupted.
“You’re asking for death!”
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