Chapter 16: The Detention Center

The icy, dim room was empty, the air conditioner blasting a chill that crept into his bones.

"So this is an interrogation room?" Luo Feng wore a curious grin, scanning the sterile space. Cranking the AC and leaving me alone in the dark—classic psychological warfare. But he already knew he'd won this game: passing the Provisional Warrior assessment made him immune to regular police tactics.

In the monitoring room outside, officers watched the feed. "Captain, why isn't he rattled?" a young policewoman asked. "Most suspects crack within 30 minutes in there—start panicking, imagining the worst."

"Don't underestimate him," the bald, middle-aged captain replied. "His record shows he's a senior gym trainee. And he took down four fellow trainees."

"Four? Could he be a Provisional Warrior already? That'd complicate things," a young officer muttered.

"His ID says no—clear as day." The captain stood. "Come on, Xiao Yang. Let's see what he has to say."

…

Luo Feng had been waiting over half an hour when the two officers entered.

"Took you long enough," he greeted with a smile.

The captain paused, thrown by his calmness. He and the young officer sat across the table. "Apologies—we were questioning the others first. Now, about the incident—"

"Where are the three workers from the decoration company?" Luo Feng interrupted.

"We released them already," the captain said, keeping his tone friendly.

Luo Feng nodded. His father and coworkers were victims—no reason to detain them.

"Witnesses from both sides have testified. The evidence is stacked against you," the captain pressed. "Care to explain your actions?"

Luo Feng shrugged. "Zhang Haobai and his guards are trash for beating my father. I was just teaching them a lesson."

Both officers froze.

Slap! The young officer slammed the table, standing. "Luo Feng, show some respect! This is a police station—no arrogance here!"

"Arrogance? I'm stating facts." Luo Feng smiled. "That's all I have to say."

The captain frowned. "Your attitude will hurt you in court. Assault with intent could mean years in prison. Cooperate while you can."

"Got nothing to add."

With a sigh, the captain waved him away. "Take him to holding."

Luo Feng stood, still smiling, as two officers escorted him out.

××××××

Yian District Detention Center sat beside the police station. With the rise of martial culture, brawls were common, filling the facility with fighters, thieves, and DUI offenders. Luo Feng was processed into a gray uniform and led to a cell.

"299—here. In you go." A guard shoved him in, locking the door behind him.

The cell held a tattooed bald man on the lower bunk, a middle-aged man massaging his shoulders. The bald man leered at Luo Feng. "New meat? Pretty boy. Come rub my legs."

Luo Feng studied him, curious—he'd heard of prison bullies but never faced one.

"Deaf, kid?" The man stood, hand raised to strike.

Luo Feng moved like a viper, grabbing the wrist in an iron grip. The bald man's face paled as he struggled, unable to break free.

"Still want that leg rub?" Luo Feng twisted the arm, forcing him to his knees.

"Mercy, bro! I didn't know—" the man gasped, sweating.

With a flick, Luo Feng tossed him into the wall. "Ask nicely next time." He leaped to the top bunk, leaving the bald man crumpled in the corner.

A guard paused at the door, snickering. "Heard you took down four senior trainees, kid. Bald Huang, don't mess with him." He sauntered off, whistling.

"Thanks for the heads-up!" the bald man called, staring up at Luo Feng in awe. Four senior trainees? This guy's a monster.

Luo Feng lay back, recalling the Genetic Prime Energy Cultivation Method he'd read at the gym. Perfect—night's the best time to try cultivating. Warriors drew the majority of their power from absorbing cosmic energy at night, when the world quieted.

××××××

While Luo Feng planned his first cultivation attempt, Zhang Haobai sat in a small KTV booth near the police station, an arm around a giggling hostess.

"Leave us," he snapped, waving the girls away. Alone with a bespectacled man, he got to the point.

"Brother Zhou, I need your help."

"Name it," the man replied, pouring another drink. "Within reason, of course."

"There's this guy, Luo Feng—he's been messing with me for years." Haobai spat. "He beat my guards and me today. Now he's in detention. I want you to… teach him a lesson."

"Ah, detention center favors." The man smirked. "That'll cost, though."

"Money's no issue. 100,000 yuan now, 100k after." Haobai slid a leather bag across the table.

"Sharp." The man didn't check the cash. "What's the order?"

"Break his arm and leg. Make sure he can't walk for months."

"Easy enough." The man nodded. "But you said he took down your guards? He any good?"

"Relax." The man grinned. "For 200k, even a warrior would have 'accidents' here. Consider it done."

Haobai smiled, already imagining Luo Feng screaming in pain. This time, you won't walk out of here intact.