Meanwhile, at the Provincial Criminal Investigation Department…
{Melodious ring…}
A young woman answered the call. "Hello, Yan Mei. How are you?"
She had a fit, curvaceous figure and carried herself with natural confidence. Her posture was poised, her back graceful, and her dark, wavy hair framed a face where deep eyes met a calm, alluring beauty.
"I'm fine. What about you?" Yan Mei replied in a gentle yet friendly tone.
"I'm good. But, Yan Mei, stop beating around the bush. Tell me why you really called," asked the young woman, impatience flickering across her face.
Both were busy women—Yan Mei, a journalist, and her friend, an officer. There was no reason for a casual check-in; they had just met three days ago. This call meant something serious.
"There's a major scandal—human trafficking in Xuhui District, under your jurisdiction," Yan Mei whispered.
"What?" The young woman stood abruptly, stunned. It took her a few seconds to gather herself before she frowned and asked, "Where?"
After a brief pause, Yan Mei's voice came through the phone. "1331 Fuxing Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai—Blackstone Apartments, also known as Fuxing Apartments. Be careful. If my source is correct, the people behind this aren't ordinary. They're powerful, with deep government connections."
"Connections in the government…" the young woman muttered, but Yan Mei's voice quickly cut in again.
"Oh, I almost forgot—an A-list actor went in to rescue one of the kidnapped women. He's already inside the apartment where the victims are being held. You need to get there fast before something happens to him. Wait… what?"
Yan Mei suddenly fell silent, clearly shocked.
"What happened?" the young woman asked, confused.
After a moment, Yan Mei replied, "I gave you the address. Go there and see for yourself. I'm heading there too."
Meanwhile, inside the old apartment…
Like a tiger unleashed, Chaithanya charged at the thugs, knocking them down one by one. He sent them flying out of the window like footballs, their cries of pain echoing through the building. One by one, the residents—who had been hiding behind locked doors—peeked out through their windows, terrified yet curious.
"Ptui." Chaithanya spat through the window, glaring at the groaning men below.
"Hehe… interesting… very interesting…"
A strange voice drifted through the room. Chaithanya turned sharply, searching—but saw no one.
"Who's there? If you've got guts, stop hiding and face me head-on!" he shouted.
"Oh… hehe… very well."
The thug who had been lying unconscious on the ground now stood before him, his face pale and emotionless, eyes empty like a corpse.
Chaithanya froze, taken aback. The man smiled eerily. "Kid, you have spiritual energy within you. Who is your master?"
"I don't have any damn master! And how do you even know about spiritual energy? Who the hell are you?" Chaithanya roared, his face flushed with anger.
"You don't have a master? Interesting… very interesting… hehe. Until we meet again."
The thug's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, unconscious once more.
"What the hell just happened?" Chaithanya muttered, slapping the man's face.
Slap. Slap.
The sound echoed down the corridor. The thug suddenly stirred, snarling, "You bastard! I'll kill you!"
Thud.
Chaithanya's swift kick sent him back to the floor, unconscious again.
"It wasn't him who spoke earlier… was he possessed or something?" he murmured, frowning. After a few seconds of thought, he brushed it off and stood up.
Outside the old apartment…
Several police vehicles arrived, blocking the area and keeping reporters at bay.
A middle-aged man with a round belly stepped out of his car and turned to his subordinates. "What's the situation?" he asked, eyes scanning the unconscious thugs on the ground.
"Reporting, sir," said a young officer, standing at attention. "According to witnesses, these men were thrown out of the building. We don't yet know what happened inside. We'll need to question them before taking further action."
"Call an ambulance, check for serious injuries. If they're fine, take them into custody and start questioning immediately. Post officers here to control the scene. And… that A-list actor is still inside?" he asked, frowning.
"Yes, sir."
"What a headache." The man rubbed his forehead in frustration.
As he sighed, a clear voice came from behind.
"Uncle Wei, leave this case to me. I'll handle it from here."
He was about to snap back—until he turned and saw the young woman standing before him in her crisp uniform. His expression shifted instantly.
"Section Chief Fang! You should've called ahead—I'd have come to receive you personally. Of course, please take charge."
Section Chief Fang nodded and began questioning the officers who had just finished interrogating the thug who had recently regained consciousness. The more she listened, the deeper the disbelief etched across her face.
"Are you certain it was the A-list actor who fought them all?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," replied the young officer.
"What's wrong with this world? Since when do actors turn into fighters?" she muttered under her breath, a complicated look crossing her face.
"What are you all waiting for? Follow me. Let's rescue the victims—we can't let that actor take all the credit," she ordered, moving toward the building.
"Yes, ma'am!" the officers replied in unison, hurrying after her.
"Fang, I told you to wait for me, yet here you are going into the old apartment without me," Yan Mei complained playfully.
"Ma'am, please. This is a restricted area—unauthorized personnel aren't allowed inside," said a young officer, blocking her path.
"It's fine. Let her in," Section Chief Fang said firmly, turning to glance at her friend.
Yan Mei shot her a grateful look, then hurried over to stand beside her.
"You helped me with the information and I secured you the permission. Now we're even. Let's go," Section Chief Fang said, striding toward the old apartment, Yan Mei and the young officers close behind.
Inside the old apartment…
Chaithanya crouched beside one of the thugs and slapped him lightly. "Come on, bro. I know you've been awake for a while. Get up."
"Waaah… waaah… you bastard—I've already been knocked twice. Isn't that enough?" the thug cried, flailing his arms and legs on the floor like a child.
Chaithanya, amused by the display, raised his hand as if to strike the man's head. "If you don't do as I say, I won't just knock you this time — I'll send you straight to King Yama in hell."