A Different New Year's Eve

Murong Qing continued, "We checked your information again and found that your wife's surname is Nie. Now the truth is obvious... We have to admit, your disguise is very clever, your temperament is very calm, and you're also lucky that you weren't sitting in section A of the audience, thus failing to detect our plan. So you used a scheme to deceive everyone. If you had just left, we wouldn't have been able to do anything about it. Therefore, we could only gamble, hoping that you wouldn't be willing to leave like this, hoping that you would still want to see your child one more time. After all, if you miss this opportunity, who knows when you'll be able to see him again. Fortunately, our luck wasn't bad either."

Qi Yunfei sighed and said, "I underestimated you. I thought you young people were impetuous and would shirk responsibility and blame each other if you failed. I didn't expect you to come up with a solution so quickly. Young people these days are not to be underestimated. I admit defeat wholeheartedly."

Despite verbally expressing his complete submission, Qi Yunfei did not give up on escaping. Judging from his perception, while the couple was indeed very strong, comparable to the ace of the Tange Martial Arts Hall Alliance, they were not without any chance. After all, they were currently in a crowded area, and the other party would have to consider whether to harm innocent bystanders. If he could briefly get rid of the two and grab a passerby as a hostage, he would still have hope of escaping.

"Now the truth is out... Although I want to say this, there is still one issue that bothers me. After investigating your case file through special channels, I discovered that the reason why the company owned by Nie Wanzhi's nominal father, who is also her uncle, went bankrupt and incurred a large debt was because you interfered, causing his projects to fail one after another. In particular, various bloody incidents always occurred during the demolition, resulting in a large amount of investment being tied up, his reputation being ruined, no bank being willing to lend him money, and ultimately his cash flow being cut off."

Si Ming used the authority granted by the Heaven's Will Palace to access the classified intelligence collected by the Shadow Hero Guard.

"It's strange. Judging from your experience, you're clearly someone who settles all scores, not someone who repays kindness with enmity. Why would you repay a relative who adopted your daughter over ten years in this way? Even at the cost of letting your daughter bear debts, suffer hardships, and be looked down upon by others."

Qi Yunfei wanted to stall for time and find an opportunity, so he replied, "It was indeed my fault for implicating Wanzhi. I didn't expect that man to be so weak, actually jumping off a building and abandoning his orphan and widow. But I don't regret taking revenge on him, because back then he was the one who betrayed his own sister and helped that villain confirm the rumors, thus earning his first pot of gold."

Even after many years, Qi Yunfei's hatred has not diminished. When talking about this matter, he still grits his teeth. "He used my wife's life to take the first step in his career, so I'm going to destroy his career and make him lose everything."

Murong Qing couldn't help but say, "But after all, he raised your daughter for more than ten years and treated her as his own, without mistreating her. Otherwise, why would Nie Wanzhi be willing to pay off his debts?"

Qi Yunfei sneered, "If it weren't for this matter, I would have gone to his door and killed him long ago. Why bother ruining his career? I just didn't expect the result to be the same. It's clear that even Heaven can't tolerate such a despicable person living... Besides, do you think he takes care of my daughter out of guilt? Wrong, completely wrong. He's afraid I'll come back for revenge, so he's using my daughter as a shield. Unfortunately, he underestimates how much my wife means to me."

Si Ming sighed inwardly. Even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes; the rights and wrongs in this matter are truly difficult to discern.

Does Nie Wanzhi's uncle really feel no remorse at all? According to personal information, Nie Wanzhi is an only child, which means that her uncle did not have any other children after adopting her. This is clearly raising her as his heir.

Did Nie Wanzhi's uncle jump to his death because he couldn't bear the blow of the company's bankruptcy? Or had he already realized who was behind it all...?

But the person is already dead, so the truth is impossible to know. Si Ming shouldn't speculate. All he can do is solve the problem at hand.

"Now, you have two choices: one is to surrender obediently and come back with us, and we will treat you leniently as if you had turned yourself in; the other is to resist and see if you can take a hostage and force us to let you go."

Qi Yunfei tensed up immediately when his intentions were exposed. But before he could act, the young man on his left continued, "But I have to remind you of something. That bus isn't far from here. If we start fighting and make a huge commotion, it will definitely attract attention. Do you want to take a gamble and see if your daughter can recognize you after you've torn off your disguise?"

Qi Yunfei's body trembled, and his mind wavered. If Si Ming's goal was to capture the person, this was the best opportunity. However, neither he nor Murong Qing made a move, which was not the outcome they wanted.

Murong Qing, "Perhaps out of a sense of compensation, Nie Wanzhi's uncle treats her extremely well, truly like a father to her. Do you want to reveal the truth and tell her that her uncle was actually one of the accomplices who drove her mother to her death, and that her biological father is a ruthless criminal whose hands are stained with the lives of many innocent people?"

Qi Yunfei spat out his rebuttal through gritted teeth. "Those people all deserved their fate. None of the people I killed were innocent!"

"But some people don't deserve to die. Maybe you don't think so, but others will. Then they'll think that Nie Wanzhi is the daughter of a murderer, that she has the blood of a murderer in her veins, and that she will definitely commit the same crimes in the future. Then they'll distance themselves from her, isolate her, and slander her... Yes, just like what her mother went through back then."

Qi Yunfei clenched his fists, his arms trembling.

"Of course, given Nie's mental fortitude, I believe she can pull through and won't make the same decision as her mother. But as a father, do you really want your daughter to suffer the same pain as her mother?"

Qi Yunfei's disguised face twisted into a grimace, becoming inhuman, and a low growl escaped his throat, like a lion cornered.

After a long while, he released his hands, lowered his head, and resignedly Fate Dao, "You must promise me that this matter will not be made public. Even the execution must be carried out in secret."

We promise you.

Qi Yunfei raised his hands, signaling the other party to handcuff him. At the same time, he turned his head and looked around. The bus had just turned a street corner and disappeared from his sight.

Chapter 741 A Different New Year's Eve

Si Ming escorted Qi Yunfei back to the Mohist Knight Guard base. Such a vicious person couldn't be kept in the police station. Although he believed that Qi Yunfei would not resist again for the sake of his daughter, there was no need to give him a chance to make a mistake.

In addition, after giving his statement, he made a copy and sent it to Chen Xiangduan, the leader of the Shadow Hero Guard, to prove that Qi Yunfei had turned himself in. This was the only thing he could do for Nie Wanzhi.

The Shadow Hero Guard doesn't accept just anyone. They won't accept those who indiscriminately kill innocent people or commit heinous crimes. At the very least, they must have a basic human conscience. This is why Si Ming and Murong Qing deliberately lowered their cultivation levels, making the other party think they had a chance to escape.

The difference between surrendering to an insurmountable enemy and surrendering when there is an opportunity to escape is significant. Qi Yunfei's actions were extreme; he killed many citizens who should not have been executed according to the law. Even if there were reasons for his actions, if he were to be arrested and brought to justice, he would only be sentenced to death without any leniency. However, with the mitigating circumstance of surrendering, he might be taken away by the Shadow Hero Guard if he is lucky, or he might have his Cultivation Body abolished and be sentenced to life imprisonment if he is unlucky.

However, becoming Shadow Hero Guard does not equate to a new life. They still lack personal freedom and are constantly monitored. They are subject to a form of imprisonment similar to a "life—or -Life and Death Talisman." If they dare to disobey orders or fail to return on time, they will suffer excruciating internal energy torture. Furthermore, to sever all past relationships, practitioners of Bone-Altering Art will alter their appearance, physique, and even their voices, ensuring that they are unrecognizable even to their loved ones.

This information was only obtained by Si Ming after he became a member of the Heaven's Will Palace. It's hard to say whether becoming Shadow Hero Guard or being imprisoned for life is better. In the past, more than one person gave up becoming Shadow Hero Guard and chose to spend the rest of their life in prison.

Of course, not all Shadow Hero Guard are selected from criminals; some join voluntarily. These individuals are naturally treated much better, are not subjected to hidden martial arts techniques, and retain a certain degree of personal freedom.

Si Ming watched Qi Yunfei's figure disappear behind the iron gate and sighed, "If Nie Wanzhi ever finds out the truth, I hope she won't resent us... But saying this makes me feel like I'm setting a bad example. Generally speaking, secrets that are meant to be hidden will eventually be discovered. Or, maybe we should just tell Nie Wanzhi the truth ourselves."

Murong Qing, "Then what's the point of all this trouble without making a fuss? Besides, it's tantamount to breaking our agreement with Uncle Qi. He only agreed to surrender because he didn't want Nie Wanzhi to know the truth. We can't just abandon him after we've served our purpose."

"That's true," Si Ming sighed. "Even if you become a member of the Heaven's Will Palace and possess immense power, you still can't do whatever you want."

"You're wrong. It's precisely because you have enormous power that you need to restrain yourself and strictly abide by the rules. Ordinary people can act recklessly without making any mistakes, but if someone in a position makes a mistake, it could implicate the entire nation. You've already done your best in this matter; there's no need to be any more demanding of yourself."

Murong Qing reached out to straighten Si Ming's clothes, brushing away the petals that had fallen on his shoulder.

May I take this as a compliment and encouragement?

"It must be done."

The two exchanged a smile, sharing a tacit understanding that stemmed not from romantic love, but from the recognition and support of like-minded individuals.

"Puff puff puff..." Hongdou, standing to the side, blew on her lips unhappily, making a sound like a motorcycle starting up. "Don't ignore me! We came as a group of three, but in the end, you left me out and only the two of you went to complete the task. I'm asserting my rights and demanding fair treatment. No favoritism allowed."

Si Ming smiled and said, "Are you jealous?"

Hongdou said in a serious tone, "Century-old vinegar."

Si Ming and Murong Qing exchanged a glance, then Si Ming took Hongdou's hands, one on each side, and said, "From now on, we'll do whatever you say. Wherever you want to go, we'll go."

"You're treating me like a child again," Hongdou pouted, seemingly dissatisfied, but then her face lit up with a smile. "I'm going to the Glutton Street and trying all the snacks on the whole street. You're not allowed to refuse."

"Then of course we'll play along to the end." Si Ming suddenly had a strange feeling, looked up, and saw specks of white snow falling from the sky. "It's snowing."

Reach out and catch a snowflake, letting it melt in your palm, bringing a touch of dampness.

"Speaking of which, if you look at the time, the New Year is almost here."