As if confirming Yin Feng’s words, or perhaps due to someone’s scheming, numerous posts quickly emerged online. People were deeply analyzing whether those who had taken control of the production team and live audience were the same criminal organization that had been repeatedly committing crimes recently, and what exactly had happened at the television station.

Many people were analyzing the stage play’s case. Suddenly everyone became an insider, proposing various possible original cases from different times and places. The most popular theory came from a netizen who mentioned a case from over thirty years ago—the father had indeed been a media worker, the mother a housewife. However, their child was several years old when kidnapped, the police rescue failed, the mother died at the scene, and the child disappeared. The father survived being shot but died from gas poisoning at home several years later.

Few details of this case were public, and there was no mention of environmental pollution or petitioning incidents. But this very vagueness made netizens’ imaginations run wild. Although the child’s age didn’t match, netizens felt this hardly mattered—it was a stage play after all, with fake names, so adaptations were possible. This led to even more people speculating in the comment section.

Someone near Ding Xiongwei noticed this post and showed it to him. Having just watched Yin Chen’s video, his face dark as storm clouds, he quickly scanned the post and simply said: “Investigate.” After a pause, he added: “Find out the little girl’s name?”

His subordinate replied: “It’s all in the post, and I’ve found it in the system. The case is real. The family’s surname was Jiang.”

Ding Xiongwei fell silent for a moment, then said: “Yes, she was kidnapped and disappeared, naturally changing her name and identity. Never mind the investigation. I already have my eye on the person anyway.”

His subordinates all looked at him, not understanding his muttering. However, Yin Chen’s earlier “deal”—a threat—still hung over their heads like a sword.

“Chief, what do we do now?” someone asked.

Yes, what to do now?

Police officers are human too, facing pressure from both superiors and public scrutiny. Without this video, whatever measures Ding Xiongwei took would have been justifiable, even if there were casualties among the hostages—though as police officers, they would risk their own lives to protect the hostages.

But now with this video, which would certainly be shown to their superiors—who knew if Yin Chen would release it online too? If Ding Xiongwei refused to deal with Yin Chen and launched an attack to save people, any casualties would be his responsibility. He might have to take off the police uniform he’d worn his whole life and carry this stigma forever. If he agreed to Yin Chen’s conditions, what if Yin Chen went back on his word? Even if Yin Chen kept his word, the negative social impact would have been enormous. Even if all hostages were eventually released, what would become of the police’s reputation? No matter how you look at it, could police officers agree to criminals’ demands?

“No,” Ding Xiongwei’s voice rang out like a bell, answering his subordinates’ questions. Having spent most of his life amid danger, Ding Xiongwei had seen it all, yet at this moment, he felt a tragic sense of facing what seemed like certain doom. But he was no ordinary man—his will, tempered over many years, was like iron. The emotion passed in an instant, his eyes regaining their clear, steadfast look.

“Ignore what Yin Chen sent. We’ll do what we need to do. Are we police afraid of taking responsibility?” Ding Xiongwei ordered, “Do we have the detailed floor plan of the 50th floor? I need to know the location of every ventilation duct and every window! Xu Mengshan, draft possible assault routes—we’ll attack immediately if they harm any hostages. Luo Ping, are the negotiation experts here? We’ll negotiate alright, but make sure they don’t have it easy! Bring Chen Feng over, see if there’s any way to contact You Mingxu…”

However, as time passed, the situation the police dreaded was expanding online—

People began discussing cases the Punishers had committed over the past few years. After all, no wall is completely sealed, especially after the recent drug enforcement case caused such a sensation. Soon, people began analyzing various disappearances or suspicious deaths of wanted criminals, claiming inside knowledge that these people were killed by the Punishers.

Of course, there were also completely opposing rational voices online, arguing that regardless of whether their victims were criminals, they had broken the law and committed murder—this wasn’t appropriate for a society ruled by law. Many supported this view.

But more people weren’t really taking sides—they were just excited, watching the show. They developed an intense interest in the Punishers, finding their investigation increasingly fascinating and thrilling.

Especially regarding the Punishers’ origins—because of the stage play and the post about the old case, almost everyone following the live stream now knew. Just as Yin Feng had said, although it was just a brief play, everyone thought, “So that’s how the Punishers came to be. Their founder suffered so much, yet became so powerful.” Online, everyone suddenly seemed to know the Punishers personally, telling newcomers where they came from, what they were, and why they existed.

…

At the same moment, in a quiet house in the city, someone wearing glasses sat before a computer, watching the live stream while reviewing every post about the Punishers.

Night had deepened, with only a desk lamp lit in the room, its soft light illuminating the person’s refined, serene face.

All these voices, the public’s reactions, were actually within this person’s expectations. It wasn’t difficult; for this person, it was as simple as child’s play.

However, this person showed no hint of a smile at the public’s current curiosity, enthusiasm, or even praise for the Punishers.

This person understood human psychology deeply—such interest, such excitement among the masses would only last three to five days before being replaced by the next hot topic.

That’s just how crowds are.

But it didn’t matter; this was just the beginning. What this person wanted was exactly this—the whole nation discussing the Punishers right now, capturing sufficient attention.

What came next would be the main event.

You’ve already made your choice, haven’t you?

Do you think that was your heart’s true choice?

No, it wasn’t.

I will quietly dissect your hearts, letting everyone see what ruthless yet profound choices you humans will make.