The elevator doors slid open with a soft, expensive chime, revealing the "Dragon's Den"—a VIP lounge where the air was filtered to a crisp mountain chill and the city of Jinghai sprawled like a carpet of diamonds below. Su Qing stepped out first, her Presence alone causing the room's elite inhabitants to pause. Lu Cian followed, his heavy boots clunking on the plush carpet, a stark contrast to the refined elegance of the room.
In the center of the lounge, surrounded by a dozen socialites and "Young Masters," sat a man in a bespoke white suit, swirling a glass of vintage cognac. This was Zhao Jun, the second son of a prominent shipping magnate—and the primary suspect identified by the drone's signal.
"Superintendent Lu," Zhao Jun drawled without looking up, his voice oily with unearned confidence. "To what do I owe this... unkempt visit? Did you lose your way to the lost and found?"
The socialites erupted in tittering laughter. This was the Suppression phase. Lu Cian stood silently, letting the mockery wash over him as the Omniscient Detective System (ODS) began to scroll.
[System Notification: Suppression Level: High.] [Current Audience: 400,000+ (Precinct Feed Leaked to 'Blue Star' Social Media).] [System Note: Look at him. He thinks his father's money is a bulletproof vest. It's time to show him that even a dragon can be skinned.]
Lu Cian didn't reach for his handcuffs. Instead, he pulled out his smartphone and tapped a command, triggering a localized signal ping he had prepared during the chase. Suddenly, a high-pitched electronic whine emitted from the vents above Zhao Jun's head.
"The micro-drone used to kill the celebrity in the Azure Dragon penthouse used a very specific quantum-encrypted frequency," Lu Cian began, his voice cold and analytical, marking The Turn in the narrative. He walked toward the bar, ignoring the bodyguards who tensed as he approached. "A frequency that just happened to 'handshake' with the transmitter in your pocket the moment I entered this floor."
Zhao Jun's hand twitched, his glass of cognac trembling. "Nonsense. I buy toys. Everyone buys toys."
"This isn't a toy, Young Master Zhao," Lu Cian countered, moving into the Explosion phase. He activated Micro-Expression Reader (Level 1).
[Analysis: Subject's pupils are dilated. Heavy perspiration on the upper lip. Probability of 'Guilt-Based Panic': 94%.]
"You didn't just kill her for the thrill," Lu Cian said, leaning over the table until he was inches from Zhao's face. "You killed her because she found the ledger for 'The Cleaners'—the organization you've been using to hide your family's smuggling debts".
The room went deathly silent. Su Qing watched with a sharp, newfound interest, her eyes flickering to the screen where Netizen comments were exploding in real-time.
[Netizen Comment: 'HE ADMITTED IT! The Jinx just cornered a Young Master!']
[Netizen Comment: 'Look at Zhao's face! He's about to cry! 50,000 RP says Lu Cian makes him snap!']
"You have no proof," Zhao hissed, his voice cracking.
"I have the flight logs, the toxin signature from the HVAC, and the biometric lock you forgot to wipe from the drone's controller," Lu Cian lied smoothly, utilizing his Shamelessness trait to bluff the suspect into a corner. "But more importantly, I have half of Jinghai watching you lose your 'Face' right now."
Zhao Jun snapped. He lunged for a hidden compartment under the table, but Lu Cian was faster. With a burst of speed from his CQC Mastery, he caught Zhao's wrist, twisted it until the bone groaned, and slammed his face into the mahogany table.
[Quest Completed: Secure a Confession!] [The Harvest: +50,000 Justice Points! +100,000 Reputation Points!] [Skill Unlocked: 'Terror Aura (Intermediate)'.]
As the real police units finally burst through the doors, Lu Cian stood up, adjusting his rumpled tie. He looked directly into a nearby socialite's smartphone camera.
"I told you," Lu Cian whispered to the millions watching. "I'm the spider. And this was just the first fly"