Myth Beyond Heaven

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a sterile sheen on the bare interrogation room.

Officer Qin Qi stared across the metal table at Zhu Tianlong, the former director of the National Security Council. Fatigue and defiance etched lines on Zhu Tianlong's face.

"Mr. Zhu," Qin Qi began, his voice clipped and professional. "We've uncovered significant financial data linking your personal accounts to a series of anonymous shell companies. These companies, in turn, have been funneling money to various entities connected to the Hell Church organization. Do you want to explain?"

Zhu Tianlong met Qin Qi's unwavering gaze calmly. "I have nothing to say."

On his way to the interrogation, Zhu Tianlong had analyzed the previous incident, uncovering its flaws.

The livestream by the so-called Sister Phoenix, the convenient arrival of reporters, and Li Zong's involvement - everything seemed too perfectly timed. It hinted at a puppeteer behind the scenes.

He realized there was still a chance. Li Zong's evidence wouldn't secure a strong conviction; abuse of power charges at most.

A flicker of regained composure ignited a fighting spirit within him. As long as he escaped this predicament, he could recover.

"We have evidence contradicting your silence, Mr. Zhu," Qin Qi pressed. "Witness testimonies, coded messages - the trail leads straight to you."

"Witnesses can be mistaken," Zhu Tianlong offered a faint smile. "And coded messages misinterpreted. Little Qin, why don't you summon your superior? This is a waste of everyone's time."

Qin Qi ignored the pointed remark. "Perhaps," he conceded. "But the sheer volume of evidence is undeniable. What was your motive for aiding the Hell Church?"

He tapped a file on the table. "Political gain? Financial benefit? Or something more… sinister?"

Zhu Tianlong raised an eyebrow, choosing silence. His mind raced, suddenly considering the Hell Church's modus operandi. Now that he'd fallen from grace, they would surely make a move.

A flicker of emotion crossed Zhu Tianlong's face, a mix of fear laced with something else.

"You might be unaware," Qin Qi continued, "but your grandson, Zhu Ding, brought his men to Hangzhou and endangered civilians. He's currently in our custody. Perhaps I should attend to him now."

Zhu Tianlong's expression flickered at this news. He hadn't anticipated such reckless behavior from his grandson despite his warnings.

Just as he was about to speak, a warden approached Qin Qi and whispered urgently. "Officer Qin, there's a situation. We need you in the control room immediately."

Qin Qi's brow furrowed. "What kind of situation?"

"We'll explain later," the warden insisted, his urgency palpable. "This can't wait."

With a frustrated sigh, Qin Qi glanced back at Zhu Tianlong. "This isn't over, Mr. Zhu. We'll get to the bottom of this, one way or another."

Zhu Tianlong watched him leave, a flicker of uncertainty replacing defiance in his eyes.

As a seasoned official, he knew something more serious than a routine matter must have pulled Qin Qi away. The sudden interruption could be a coincidence or perhaps a calculated move by the Hell Church to silence him.

Zhu Tianlong, stripped of his watch and belt, felt a primal jolt of fear course through him. Unlike the previous occupants of this chair, he wasn't handcuffed. A small mercy, perhaps, yet it did little to ease the knot of apprehension tightening in his gut.

Qin Qi exited the interrogation room, his brow furrowing in puzzlement. He hurried straight for the control room, the metallic clang of the door echoing down the sterile hallway. Bursting through the doorway, he addressed the officer on duty.

"What's the situation?" he demanded, his voice clipped with urgency.

The officer, a young man with a face etched with concern, responded quickly. "We just received news, sir. Zhu Tianlong's other children... they've been killed. All of them, apparently while vacationing in different locations."

Qin Qi's face hardened. A chilling premonition settled in his gut. He already had a suspect, but confirmation was needed. "Any leads?" he asked, his voice low.

The officer shook his head. "Their operations were incredibly secretive. No leads and all the deaths were staged as suicides."

"Reported it to the superiors?" Qin Qi inquired further.

"Yes, sir. They instructed us to maintain surveillance on Zhu Tianlong and await further instructions."

Qin Qi nodded curtly. "Understood."With a grim expression, he turned and retraced his steps back to the interrogation room.

The air hung heavy as Zhu Tianlong watched Qin Qi return. The detective's usually calm expression was now a mask of grim concern, sending a cold dread spiraling down Zhu Tianlong's spine. A bad premonition, icy and sharp, clawed at his heart.

Qin Qi settled into the chair across from him, his gaze heavy. He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice low and measured.

"Mr. Zhu, I have some unfortunate news. It appears your other children..." he trailed off, his eyes boring into Zhu Tianlong's.

A tremor ran through Zhu Tianlong's body. The news hadn't come as a surprise, not entirely. But the confirmation, blunt and heavy, stole the breath from his lungs.

"They're dead," Qin Qi finished, his voice laced with a hint of sympathy. "All of them. Vacationing in different places, apparently. Their deaths were staged to look like suicides, but..." he paused, letting the silence hang heavy.

"The Hell Church," Zhu Tianlong rasped, the words scraping raw against his throat. It was a statement, not a question.

"Mr. Zhu," Qin Qi began solemnly, "we both understand the truth here. You know your current situation more than anyone. I'm not going to say anything further." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "The choice is yours."

Zhu Tianlong slumped back in his chair, sweat beading on his forehead. His eyes darted from side to side, betraying the turmoil within. Though his mind raced with thoughts, the reality was he had no choice. Surrender was his only path forward.

Taking a deep breath, he lifted his head and met Qin Qi's gaze. "I want to see General Li."

Qin Qi offered a heavy nod. "Your request will be conveyed."

Recognizing the situation's gravity and the case's complexity, Qin Qi knew this was beyond his purview.

***

At Hangzhou Central Hospital, a doctor emerged from the surgery room and addressed the police officers waiting outside.

"The patient is safe, but there are concerns about his legs," the doctor explained.

"Thank you, doctor," the team leader replied gently.

With a nod, the doctor said, "He should be waking up within the next hour." He then departed.

Moments later, Zhu Ding was wheeled out of the surgery room...