"Of course, do you think I don't have that capability? Alright, I don't want to waste your time. I'm leaving now. Before I go, I'll let you experience a feeling far worse than death!"
"What do you want to do?" I looked at the rushing water below, my mind already predicting his intentions.
"Nothing much. Detective He, aren't you very smart? Can't you see my intent? Since you're here, you'll do as I say!"
Yicheng Wen said this and took out the ink-line again. He had intended to hypnotize me, but I shoved his hand away forcefully. The ink-line was flung into the water below. He cursed me for seeking death, and I immediately grappled with him, pushing each other on the high platform.
If I didn't act now, it would truly be too late. I couldn't possibly be hypnotized and jump into the water. At such a height, even if I survived, my head would likely suffer a massive impact. From this height, my limbs would be numb for a long time, and if I couldn't react quickly, I wouldn't be able to swim back up. If I had prior diving experience, it might be better.
But without it, jumping from here would be no different from suicide, especially with the swift current. Even if I could react, I'd likely be swept away.
We grappled and tangled with each other. I admit my combat skills aren't great, but Yicheng Wen was also just a scholar. Without hypnosis, he was a weakling. We wrestled together on that high platform, with the constant possibility of both of us falling into the water.
But at this moment, neither of us backed down. Even though both our faces were bruised, we eventually grew tired and separated slightly, creating some distance, and leaned against a baffle on the high platform.
"Haha, Detective He, I didn't expect to fall into your hands today, you bastard!"
"Yicheng Wen, you've been completely arrested by our Gao Gang City police!" I struggled to move behind him and cuffed him.
Yicheng Wen was already exhausted, his body trembling slightly. I held his shoulder, secured the handcuffs, and then carefully pulled him back, re-entering the office above the water gate. kanδん
Coming down from here, I finally rejoined Liu Yuning and the others. With Yicheng Wen captured, everyone else returned to normal. Seeing me bring the criminal down alone, they looked as if they were dreaming, not understanding what had happened.
"All done? Why didn't we go up?" Liu Yuning asked curiously.
"No, ah! I said I'd go up to scout, and before you could act, I arrested the criminal!"
I didn't want to mention that they had been hypnotized, so I deliberately lied.
Who knew Yicheng Wen would burst into laughter, "That's not what happened at all!"
As soon as he said that, I slapped him hard across the mouth. He was stunned and dared not speak again.
"Let's go back," I said to Liu Yuning. She clapped her hands, "The case is finally solved!"
Since Yicheng Wen was from Gao Gang City, the criminal was eventually taken back to the Gao Gang City Police Station by us.
In the interrogation room, Liu Yuning and I faced the demon who killed with literature.
"Yicheng Wen, explain how you hypnotized those fans to help you."
"Uh, regarding that, it all started when I first joined the Black Night Forest."
"What? What's Black Night Forest?" Liu Yuning asked curiously, and I looked at Yicheng Wen in confusion.
"Ah, you don't know? I thought you had already investigated the association. Well, since I'm going to tell you, I won't beat around the bush. After all, I'm a scholar, I can't shame scholars!"
I urged him, "Then tell us quickly!"
Yicheng Wen nodded, tilted his head as if in thought, and after a while, he recalled, "Actually, I didn't learn my hypnosis and physics myself. It's been about 2 years. I used to make a living by writing. One day, I felt bored and was browsing online, and I was accidentally pulled into a group by someone named 'Black Humor'."
"He said he really appreciated my literary works. I initially thought he was a reader and chatted with him for a bit. Unexpectedly, he started sending strange photos in the group, asking if I was interested in making big money. At first glance, I knew it was illegal, but 'Black Humor' told me it was just an association for venting inner stress, not what I imagined. I casually opened a few files and photos and looked at them carefully. I found writings about using everyone's strengths to carry out various criminal tasks. Once tasks were completed, everyone would receive corresponding rewards. I saw the bonuses were quite good, and there were also various, well, you know, benefits, like women, mansions, etc. After years of writing, I was so poor, so I couldn't resist the temptation and asked 'Black Humor' for an application file."
"When I opened it, it asked me to go to a place to meet their people. I went to a narrow street. I was heavily disguised and carrying my laptop with me, as 'Black Humor' said I should bring my most powerful possession for the interview. I thought that besides writing novels, I was average in other aspects, so I brought my computer, which contained all the drafts of my works up to that point. He said he appreciated my talent, so I thought bringing this would work."
"I wandered alone in the dark alley. It was around 8:45 PM then. They arranged to meet me at 9 PM."
Yicheng Wen paused here, and I interrupted him, "So, what date was it?"
"It was April 25th, 2 years ago."
I asked Liu Yuning to record it, and Yicheng Wen continued.
"For the previous ten-odd minutes, there wasn't a soul on the street. But at 9 PM, I suddenly noticed that from all four directions of the street, many people appeared. They were all dressed strangely, wearing Santa Claus costumes, complete with the iconic white beard. They also had red cloth bags on their backs. There were about a dozen of them. As soon as they saw me, they rushed over. One with a shorter beard asked me, 'Are you Big Bear?'"
"This 'Big Bear' was actually my online alias in the association. I nodded and said yes. The short-bearded man then said, 'Alright, 'Black Humor' told us you would appear here tonight!'"
"'Yes, I've brought my things. Can you take me to see the boss now?'"
"'Just follow us! Don't make any noise later,' the short-bearded man replied."