"You investigated me beforehand?"
Li Rufeng showed no obvious emotion—he looked as if he'd expected Revy to dig into his background.
"Chief Li, you're joking. I only considered you a potential counterpart in this negotiation, so I did a bit of preliminary research."
"But from what I know, Mr. Regulus, your most famous title isn't as a negotiator, but as a Catastrophe Messenger—certainly not a diplomatic expert."
"Rhodes Island is a greedy company. It's common for operators to get paid for one job and end up doing two."
Revy shrugged casually.
"I see. Then I suppose this 'temporary military attaché' identity you mentioned earlier... that's real too?"
"Does it really matter whether it's real or fake?" Revy replied."An 'identity' is defined by people. Like that fat officer earlier—if you say he's legitimate, then he is. Same goes for me. If I say this identity is real, then it is."
"Hmph…"
Li Rufeng was genuinely surprised.
The young Sarkaz across from him spoke with biting sarcasm yet clear logic. He wasn't like a brash youth—he carried the presence of a seasoned negotiator.
"Fine then. I suppose this little back-and-forth ends here."
Li Rufeng was the first to step back, summarizing the standoff with a closing statement and steering the conversation back to its original purpose.
"Pity. I could've kept going. I'm pretty good at riddles."
Revy yawned, feigning regret.
"...Don't push your luck."
"I don't think I am."
Revy's expression darkened.
"After all, our operator is still cuffed back there. Tell me—what crime did he commit?"
The shift in his demeanor was deliberate—meant for Li Rufeng to see.
"Even if there was a crime, Rhodes Island operators are protected under extraterritorial law unless they commit an extreme offense. You, of all people, should know that."
"Enough!"
Li Rufeng slammed his hand on the table and stood.
"Don't think that just because you're from Rhodes Island, you can do whatever you want! Based on the goods your team is transporting, I could easily charge you with attempting to overthrow the state! You think that silver tongue of yours is going to get you out of East Capital?"
"Attempting to overthrow the state, huh?
Revy's tone turned cold.
"Then show me the evidence."
"Based on—"
Li Rufeng began to shout—but then abruptly fell silent.
"Based on the fact that you don't have any evidence, and you were hoping to scare a confession out of us. That way, you could use it to justify a charge you know won't stand."
With a loud bang, Revy kicked back his chair and stood to face Li Rufeng, unflinching.
"What's next, Chief Li? Gonna torture us like they do in Columbia? You planning to waterboard us? Or bring out the traditional Yan 'tiger bench'?"
"Tch."
Li Rufeng still glared fiercely, but his pupils contracted slightly—he'd been shaken.
"If you already understand, then I'll just say this—get out. I'll release your people, I won't press charges, but if you keep pushing, you should know—my patience has a limit."
"So does mine, Chief Li."
Revy's voice dropped."You've already tainted my ideal image of Yan law enforcement—twice. I hope there won't be a third time."
"To protect the greater order, I—as a police officer—can become a devil."Li Rufeng's words were cold and absolute, like a judge pronouncing sentence.
"Good guy or bad guy—I don't care. What I do know is that you, and Rhodes Island, are outsiders to Yan."
"There's a saying in Yan: 'Those who are not of our race are sure to be of a different heart.' I've already shown you the limits of my mercy. If you still refuse to back down…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Then prepare to be swallowed whole by Yan."
"Funny. I thought Yan had already abolished racial discrimination a long time ago."Revy smirked."If this gets reported, the disciplinary commission will be inviting you in for tea, not me."
"Losing my rank? My career? You think I care?"Li Rufeng shook his head without hesitation."So—what's your answer?"
"You can try."
Those three words made Li Rufeng blank out for a second.
What… did he mean?
Was he daring him to try?
What kind of trump card did this man hold?
No one would answer those questions.
And Li Rufeng decided—he was done talking to this man.
"Regulus Harvey—based on Rhodes Island's acquisition of contraband goods, I now suspect you of attempting to subvert the state!As chief of the East Capital Guard Bureau—I place you under arrest!"
He was confident.
That confidence came from power. After all, he was a three-time champion in the Bureau's internal combat tournament. Why should he fear a Catastrophe Messenger?
Li Rufeng had already worked it all out in his head. He was just about to move.
But upon seeing that—
Revy sighed.
Softly.
"Why... are there always people who so thoroughly overestimate themselves?"