Sometimes, the emotional power of a Qiong Yao drama can rival, if not surpass, that of a Japanese AV—particularly when one seeks to coerce confessions or instill terror.
And so, in an awe-inspiring display, the entire crowd collapsed to their knees, a densely packed sea of bowed heads.
Truth be told, for those like Chang Jinya who have long roamed the underworld, fear of blood or death is a foreign concept.
Yet, there are fates more dreadful than death itself—like witnessing a bed scene... between two men.
"It's mine! All mine!" shouted Guo Guo, bouncing with glee as he pounced on the jade artifacts and antiquities before anyone else could act, claiming them for himself without waiting for Chen Mo's command.
Of course, in his noble pursuit of fulfilling life's purpose, he didn't forget the trembling victims of the heist.
Minutes later, under Chang Jinya's lead, everyone was stripped down to nothing but their underpants. Their suits, sunglasses, wallets, weapons—and even QQ passwords—had been claimed by Guo Guo.
Yet, Guo Guo remained unsatisfied. His gaze drifted, predictably, to—
"No! Not the rest!" Aware of his lascivious look, the near-naked men clutched at their modesty, faces pitiful with dread.
"Enough!" Chen Mo, stunned into speechlessness, finally shook his head. Tears welled in the gangsters' eyes—they were one step away from falling prostrate and crying out "Hero!"
"But..." Before they could even begin to sing his praises, Chen Mo retrieved a stack of talismans from his coat. "If you want to keep your underwear, swallow one of these. Don't worry—it won't hurt you. I simply want you to keep a little secret."
"What... is this?" Chang Jinya eyed the faintly glowing talisman with growing unease.
"You don't need to ask," Chen Mo said cheerfully, his eyes sweeping across each face. "Just forget everything that happened tonight. Of course, if anyone doesn't believe me, you're free to shout it out—then we'll see what happens..."
A collective shiver ran through the group. None dared test him. After much hesitation, they all approached with reluctant smiles, slipping the talismans into their mouths.
Meanwhile, the two monks still passionately locked in an embrace were also force-fed talismans by Che Che and Nuo Nuo—only to resume kissing immediately after.
"All right, we're done here." Moments later, Chen Mo lit a cigarette, and with a roaring wheeze, the electric scooter reared and sped away in a cloud of dust.
Nuo Nuo poked her head from the trunk. "Boss, were those vow talismans from Xun'er?"
"Those exist?" Chen Mo removed his helmet and gave a response that would've made Chang Jinya cough blood: "I was bluffing. It's the only way to keep them off our backs. Sure, I had my face hidden—but Xun'er didn't. So..."
Unaware of the ruse, the kneeling crowd remained in suspense in the chilly wind by Fisherman's Wharf, waiting for the mysterious talismans to take effect—completely clueless as to what, if anything, they actually did.
In the eerie silence, Chang Jinya shivered and suddenly realized something even more terrifying.
"Wait... how are we supposed to get back?"
"Uh..." No one had an answer. And no, there was no solution either.
Their car had been stolen. They stood there half-naked, and the city center was more than ten kilometers away.
Never before had Chang Jinya hated himself so much—for choosing such a remote meeting spot.
"Are we really going to run back like this?" The image of a group of grown men streaking through the night chilled him to the core. He doubted whether he had the courage.
Just then, the sound of an engine returned. The scooter that had vanished moments earlier blazed back with its headlights flashing.
"No! Don't kill me!" Chang Jinya turned pale, his mind conjuring a brutal execution.
But to his surprise, as the scooter spun away, a fifty-yuan bill fluttered down like a feather, landing gently in the dust.
"Take it—catch a bus. Walk two hundred meters east. There's a station. Last bus comes in fifteen minutes."
At that moment, under their misty eyes, the helmeted figure ascended to the ranks of angels.
Grabbing the note, they sprinted for the station.
Yet just a few steps in, the biting wind nipped at their bare skin. Chang Jinya slammed to a halt, spread his arms wide and declared, "Wait! A man may be killed, but never humiliated. We can't show up like this!"
Instantly, the bodyguards gazed at him with reverence. Truly, the boss is indomitable... unwavering in dignity... or... whatever...
Ignoring their silent praises, Chang Jinya struck a contemplative pose. "We must consider: how can we walk out of here with dignity—and win the admiration of all?"
It was no easy feat, but the man hailed as the underworld's brightest mind would not be defeated by mere embarrassment.
Moments later, on the wide road beyond the wharf, a spectacular and blood-stirring scene unfolded—
A procession of half-naked men marched with heads held high, chanting in unison:
"Support the Olympics! Support Beijing! Embrace green living! Reject animal fur—change starts with me!"
"Whoa... impressive," murmured bystanders, torn between laughter and solemn respect.
Several impassioned youths tore off their own clothes and joined the parade without hesitation.
Even the bus driver was so moved that he waived their fare—meaning Chang Jinya had effectively earned fifty yuan. For once, he felt a sense of genuine accomplishment.
"I've decided! Truly decided!" Overwhelmed by admiration, Chang Jinya's blood surged with excitement.
As his bodyguards braced for the worst, he raised a fist and declared, "Tomorrow, we shut down for a month. We'll march to Beijing—naked! Support the Olympics! Support green living!"
"Dammit!" the bodyguards groaned, collapsing onto the bus in despair.
As they departed Fisherman's Wharf, none noticed one curious detail—
On the rippling water, a tentacle crept over the concrete slab. Thomas, who had been knocked into the sea by Che Che, now floated to the surface.
"A monster?" Soaked in icy water, Thomas muttered, scanning the signs of struggle.
Moments later, he frowned and dialed a number with a tentacle. "Boss, the artifacts and the jade... yes, I'll stay in South City to investigate. As for the other task... I have a lead."
Meanwhile, oblivious to Chang Jinya's tearful journey, Chen Mo streaked past the exhibition hall on his scooter.
Inside, Inspector Wang Jun'an and several detectives discussed their case. Judging from the haze of cigarette smoke, the mood was far from light.
"A monster? Are you sure that's what it was?" Captain Lin Lei rubbed his temples, unwilling to accept the absurdity—yet forced to, by mounting evidence: cattle demons, haunted electronics...
For a fleeting moment, Lin Lei wished something like the Dragon Squad existed—so ordinary police wouldn't be tasked with the supernatural.
But no such squad existed. He sighed and resumed combing through the meager clues.
"Captain Lin, I believe the creatures left a message," Security Chief Wang Jun'an offered hesitantly. "Something about the Four Auspicious Beasts of Fufang Street. And apparently, they arrived... in a scooter."
"I know. That's why I called the local precinct." Lin nodded, then turned to the corner. "Officer Mu Yun, Fufang Street is under your jurisdiction. I'll leave this to you."
"Understood." The woman in the shadows nodded, her words chillingly even in tone.
Beautiful she may be, yet few could look her in the eyes. Her skin was pale as snow; her expression vacant, like a lifeless doll. Her hauntingly beautiful eyes... hollow, disturbingly deep.
Wang Jun'an shivered after a brief glance.
His shock only deepened when Mu Yun asked, deadpan, "If I find him—shall I eliminate him?"
"Is... is she really a cop?" Wang Jun'an and the guards exchanged alarmed glances, a frigid unease settling over them.
Meanwhile, Lin Lei let out another sigh. Rumors about Officer Mu Yun resurfaced in his mind. If those whispers were true... she may indeed slit a suspect's throat on sight. Perhaps... just a professional habit?
"Alright, let's focus on calming public fears," Lin Lei clapped his hands.
But just as he reached for a file, a guard burst in. "Captain! Officer Lin! The jade... it's back!"
"What?!" Everyone shot up in shock.
Without a word, the guard pulled them outside—where, on the bare pavement, sat a few crates.
And atop them, bathed in sunlight, gleamed the two missing jades.
"Uh..." They blinked in disbelief.
It was Lin Lei who first reacted, picking up a note pinned beneath one jade.
"Last night was just a joke. Items returned—with interest."
"Interest?" Lin Lei murmured.
The exhibition hall director, trembling, picked up a few antiques. "My god! Genuine Tang sancai! And Song dynasty Ru ware!"
Suddenly, a crazy thought flashed through his mind—if those jades were stolen again, would the "interest" multiply...?
As everyone stood stunned, Mu Yun coughed lightly. "Captain Lin, shall I proceed with the investigation?"