Villain? No, I'll catch up with the protagonist after passing the civil service exam.

The door to the special investigation team's office was suddenly pushed open, and Zhao Tiezhu's burly figure blocked the doorway like a wall, his face more solemn than ever before.

"Captain Lu, what's going on? Level 1 combat readiness? Could it be that Su Man's backup plan?"

As he spoke, he skillfully hung spare magazines and stun grenades on his tactical vest. The menacing aura he exuded made the temperature in the entire office drop several degrees.

Lu Jingyan did not answer immediately.

He simply stood in front of that huge electronic map, looking at the area in the East District that was reddish-purple with a complicated expression.

That area, like a festering, oozing wound, abruptly appeared on the clean and tidy "face" of Jinghai City. Countless red dots, orange dots, and even that extremely glaring deep purple dot intertwined, forming a shocking "star map of sin."

"A zombie apocalypse?"

Zhao Tiezhu leaned over for a look and was immediately stunned by what he saw on the screen. He instinctively swore, "Holy crap! What the hell is this? Is it the end of the world? When did our Jinghai City become Gotham?"

In his more than 20 years of police service, he had never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it.

Hundreds of criminal cases breaking out simultaneously in one area? This is no longer a public security issue, this is war!

"It's more troublesome than a zombie apocalypse."

Lu Jingyan pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, a cold glint flashing behind the lenses. "Zombies have no brains, they only know how to bite. But these things..."

He pointed to the blood-red area on the screen.

"They not only have brains, but also traffic, fans, and even consider themselves 'opinion leaders'."

"Captain Lu, where exactly is this place?"

Zhao Tiezhu stared wide-eyed, trying to make out the place name that was obscured by a red dot.

"Jinghai City, International Convention and Exhibition Center."

Lu Jingyan's voice was soft, yet it struck Zhao Tiezhu's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Today, the first 'Global Internet Celebrity Festival' of Jinghai City is being held there."

"An online influencer festival?"

Zhao Tiezhu was stunned, his fleshy face filled with utter confusion. "You mean...you mean those guys who do rapping, dancing, and selling products online?"

"Yes, those guys."

Lu Jingyan's tone was full of sarcasm, "A grand event that claimed to be a gathering of the top internet celebrities now seems more like a carnival of demons and monsters."

He pointed to the constantly flashing alarm on the screen.

[312 cases of fraud detected.] — This is a livestreamer selling counterfeit and substandard products.

[158 cases of disorderly conduct detected.] — This is a "scripted anchor" who staged fights on the spot to attract attention.

[Illegal transactions detected: 89 cases.] — This refers to streamers who are privately engaging in sex-for-power transactions or buying and selling contraband.

[41 cases of drug-related behavior detected.] — This needs no explanation.

"How could a mere few hours of a social media influencer festival breed so much evil?"

Zhao Tiezhu's worldview was greatly shaken. He had always thought that internet celebrities were just a group of young people who laughed and joked in front of the camera, but he never expected them to be so dirty behind the scenes.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg."

Lu Jingyan's gaze finally fell on the spot on the second floor that was flashing an ominous purple light.

[Warning! Intentional homicide detected!]

"The most terrifying thing is that they are not only rotten themselves, but they are also spreading this decay and distortion to tens of millions of viewers through the internet."

Lu Jingyan's voice was not loud, but it was firm and resounding.

"They mistake vulgarity for humor, flaunting wealth for success, and trampling on rules for individuality."

"They appear glamorous and popular in front of the camera, but behind the scenes they do the dirtiest and most shameless things."

"They are eroding the values ​​of this society, especially those teenagers whose minds are not yet mature."

Lu Jingyan turned around and looked at the indignant members of the special investigation team who had already assembled, his eyes sharp as knives.

"In the past, when we arrested drug dealers and ruthless criminals, we were facing tangible enemies."

"But today, we are facing a group of invisible 'spiritual viruses'."

"They hide behind the screen, weaving a vast net of traffic and lies to capture empty, confused souls, and then drag them into the abyss."

"Therefore, tonight's operation is not just an arrest."

Lu Jingyan picked up his police cap and slammed it down on his head.

"It's also a form of 'disinfection'."

"We must, in front of the entire internet, uproot this most glamorous yet most foul-smelling cancer that has grown on Jinghai City!"

"We want everyone to see clearly what those internet celebrities, whom they worship as 'gods,' really like—a monster—after the filters and beauty effects are removed!"

"Zhao Tiezhu!"

"arrive!"

"Pass down the order: Group A is responsible for the outer perimeter blockade, Group B is responsible for the breakthrough and control, and Group C... is responsible for preparing urine cups for all those arrested."

A cold smile curled at the corners of Lu Jingyan's lips.

"Since it's an 'Internet Celebrity Festival,' there must be some 'fan benefits.'"

"Let them experience what a 'one-stop' service is like in front of the camera."

"besides."

He took one last look at the flickering purple dot, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.

"Tell the commando team that there might be tough guys at the murder mystery game venue on the second floor. They are authorized to use the highest level of force."

"clear!"

……

The sound of sirens pierced the night sky once again.

A steel torrent of more than a dozen police cars, like a sharp sword in the night, plunged straight into the brightly lit "city of sin" in the eastern part of the city.

Inside the car, Lu Jingyan looked at the street scene rushing past the window, his expression cold and stern.

He originally thought that after a series of "iron-fisted crackdowns," the public security situation in Jinghai City would enter a long period of calm.

But he was wrong.

As long as desire exists, evil will not disappear.

It simply moves from one place to another; it evolves from one form to another, more covert and deceptive one.

From the offline domineering CEO Dragon King to the online internet celebrity Bull Demon.

"Captain Lu, we'll be at the scene in five minutes."

Su Xiaoxiao's voice came through the walkie-talkie, "The live stream is now live, and the number of viewers is skyrocketing. People are going crazy when they see the red dots on the map; they think it's a game effect."

Lu Jingyan picked up the walkie-talkie, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Tell them."

"This is not a game."

"This is reality."

"Tonight, our special investigation team will show them just how many demons and monsters are lurking behind this glamorous world."

"Everyone, prepare for action."