Chapter 37: Strike First to Gain the Advantage

"What if Zhuang Dong claims that all of Zhuo Yan's injuries were self-inflicted and have nothing to do with him?"

Wen Ke was worried about this point.

Lu Yuan took the lead, "Then that is the perfect opportunity to have him describe the process of her self-harm. The more he says, the more flaws he will reveal."

The most important thing was to find a legitimate reason to restrict Zhuang Dong from leaving S City.

Currently, Zhuang Dong was not leaving S City simply because he didn't want to; but once he decided to leave, how could the police station force him to stay?

Zhuang Dong had not committed any crime, nor was he a fugitive; there was simply no grounds to restrict him.

Domestic violence, however, was an excellent reason.

Moreover, the bruises on Zhuo Yan's face and arms were real; thus, it was entirely reasonable for the police to suspect domestic violence.

The police would propose a reasonable hypothesis, and Zhuang Dong would be required to provide a reasonable defense. This followed protocol and did not violate any police department regulations.

"What do you all think?" Wen Ke looked at the other colleagues in the conference room.

Some of the older officers felt Lu Yuan's approach was sound. Since Zhuang Dong was the prime suspect, they naturally needed a reason to restrict his freedom. Lu Yuan's method was the optimal solution within the permitted scope.

Some of the younger officers were somewhat dissatisfied with Lu Yuan, questioning why someone outside their department was interfering in their business. However, out of respect for Wen Ke, they kept their complaints to themselves.

Wen Ke made the final decision: "Lu Yuan's method is good. Let's proceed with it. Xiao Wang, you will be in charge of this. The rest of you continue with the normal investigation and look for clues."

Xiao Wang stood straight: "Yes, Team Leader Wen."

Lu Yuan could sense the dissatisfaction from the younger officers, but he didn't take it to heart. It was understandable for young people to be hot-headed.

Wen Ke saw Lu Yuan out of the police station. As they parted ways, Lu Yuan suddenly asked, "Team Leader Wen, if Zhuang Dong really is the murderer, will he be sentenced to death?"

"That depends on whether he has a mental illness. If he does, then no; he might not even have to go to prison, just be sent to a psychiatric hospital," Wen Ke replied truthfully.

Murder committed by the mentally ill was considered not guilty.

As long as it could be proven that Zhuang Dong suffered from a mental illness and that his consciousness was impaired during the act of murder, leaving him without autonomous capacity, he would not face the death penalty and would only need to be confined in a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

Lu Yuan was stunned.

In other words, if he wanted to drag Zhuang Dong into the Dream World, he had to prove that Zhuang Dong was the murderer and that he did not have a mental illness.

This...

Lu Yuan sighed inwardly.

It seemed that pulling Zhuang Dong into the Dream World would not be an easy task.

"I'm leaving now."

Lu Yuan left the police station alone.

As he neared his psychological clinic, Lu Yuan had a sudden intuition. He looked toward the corner of the street, where a figure stood under a streetlamp, watching him from afar.

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes. It was Zhuang Dong. He had actually managed to find the address of the clinic.

Lu Yuan checked the time on his phone: 9:00 PM. He had one hour left.

It was clear that Zhuang Dong was waiting for him.

Lu Yuan walked over and stopped two meters away from Zhuang Dong: "I'm impressed you could find my address."

Zhuang Dong's expression was somber. Most of his face was covered by his hair, and the light from the streetlamp could not reach his features, leaving them in deep shadow.

"An Shi told me." Zhuang Dong was surprisingly honest.

Hearing An Shi's name, Lu Yuan fell silent for a second: "It seems you want to talk. Let's find somewhere to sit."

Zhuang Dong shook his head: "I'll just say a few words and leave."

In such a hurry? Lu Yuan had assumed Zhuang Dong would have a lot to say.

Lu Yuan was also willing to save time: "What do you want to say?"

Zhuang Dong stared at Lu Yuan, his eyes revealing a hatred similar to that of a specter: "An Shi told me that if I want to cure my illness, I need to kill you."

That short sentence revealed two things: Zhuang Dong was indeed ill, and An Shi had once incited Zhuang Dong to kill Lu Yuan.

"Are you going to do it?"

Lu Yuan remained calm on the surface, but his heart was racing. He had no defensive weapons on him, and the probability of losing a fight against someone with mental issues was high.

Zhuang Dong was silent for a long time: "If I wanted to do it, I would have done it six months ago."

Lu Yuan was puzzled: "Then why did you come to find me now?"

Zhuang Dong's emotions grew agitated, but his voice lowered: "I can't contact An Shi anymore. Help me find him. He promised to take me into the Dream World."

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered.

So that was it... Zhuang Dong knew about the existence of the Dream World. But why did he want to enter it?

"I can't contact An Shi either," Lu Yuan said, choosing not to mention that An Shi was already dead.

Zhuang Dong grabbed his hair in frustration, his expression verging on a breakdown.

In the distance, a figure was watching from the shadows. Lu Yuan knew it was the officer from the police station sent to tail Zhuang Dong. With police nearby, Lu Yuan felt much safer.

"Why do you want to enter the Dream World?" Lu Yuan wanted to know the reason; most normal people would want to stay as far away as possible, yet Zhuang Dong was desperate to go in.

Zhuang Dong chuckled: "Because of freedom."

Lu Yuan frowned slightly. He only felt the heavy restraints and shackles of that place.

Zhuang Dong's expression shifted: "Do you know how to get in? I've been waiting for half a year. I don't want to wait any longer!"

Lu Yuan shook his head.

He certainly knew. All it took was dying.

Although not everyone who died would enter the Dream World, given Zhuang Dong's mental state, there was a high probability he would end up there after death. However, Lu Yuan did not suggest this method, as it felt too much like encouraging someone to commit suicide.

Zhuang Dong looked dazed for a moment, then spoke in a sinister tone: "Zhuo Yan must have become a specter by now. Tell her to wait for me. I will find her."

Having said this, Zhuang Dong wrapped his coat tighter around himself and hurried past Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan looked back at Zhuang Dong's retreating figure.

After this brief conversation, Lu Yuan could sense that Zhuang Dong indeed suffered from a mental illness; his delusions were severe. A moment ago, Zhuang Dong had actually considered attacking him, but the presence of the officer trailing him in the distance had suppressed that impulse.

A sense of crisis welled up in Lu Yuan's heart. Being targeted by a madman was certainly no good thing.

Lu Yuan nodded at the plainclothes officer as a greeting. The officer offered a friendly smile before hurrying off to follow the disappearing Zhuang Dong.

"It looks like I need to strike first."

Lu Yuan could not afford to wait any longer. Now that he was being targeted by Zhuang Dong, there was no telling when he might attack. Since Zhuang Dong had already killed Zhuo Yan, killing Lu Yuan wouldn't be difficult for him.

The first step is always the hardest, and murder is no exception.

"Since Zhuang Dong wants to enter the Dream World so badly, I suppose I'll have to help him along."

Lu Yuan hurried back to his clinic and locked all the doors and windows.

The key to Zhuang Dong lay with An Shi. To eliminate this threat, he would have to start with An Shi.