The iron gate slowly opened, revealing three large men in bulletproof vests holding guns. “Na Sheng” walked up from behind them, clapping casually. “Welcome, Officer Ling.”

Ling Lie scanned the area. “Where is Ning Xiechen?”

From an unseen corridor came the sound of footsteps and wheelchair wheels turning. “Na Sheng” stepped forward. “No need to rush, Officer Ling. Since we’ve agreed on the exchange terms, I’ll naturally return Captain Ning to you. Come, you must want to speak with Captain Ning too, right? His health isn’t great; staying at the doorway too long might give him a chill.”

Ling Lie stepped through the main gate. The three large men immediately walked behind him, temporarily closing the iron gate and checking him with detection equipment.

Ling Lie said, “I want to see Bo Lingxue.”

“Na Sheng” replied, “No rush. ‘Gray Peacock’ has been waiting for a long time. He also has important things to say to you. Once we finish the security check process, I’ll take you to him immediately.”

Suddenly, one of the large men spoke loudly to “Na Sheng” in E country language, holding a bug found on Ling Lie’s belt.

Ling Lie raised an eyebrow, seemingly unsurprised.

“Tsk tsk tsk!” “Na Sheng” took the bug, which was only the size of a fingernail. He played with it in his hand, then crushed it and threw it on the ground, laughing. “Officer Ling, still thinking of tipping off your lover?”

Ling Lie smiled too. “Guess I can’t now.”

The search continued, but the large men didn’t find anything else.

“Na Sheng” said regretfully, “I thought there would be more.”

Ling Lie said, “You block signals out here anyway. It’s useless no matter how many gadgets I bring.”

“Na Sheng” was a bit surprised by his reaction. “Then why did you bring them?”

Ling Lie said, “I’m a police officer after all. I had to make a gesture, right?”

“Na Sheng” laughed loudly. “You’re very interesting, Officer Ling. No wonder ‘Gray Peacock’ appreciates you so much.”

Ling Lie asked, “Where is he?”

“Na Sheng” looked towards the corridor. “You will see him.”

Ling Lie lifted his chin slightly. “He’s not actually here, is he?”

“How is that possible? If ‘Gray Peacock’ isn’t here, where else could he be?”

“Why ask me? You should ask yourselves.”

“Na Sheng” smiled but didn’t answer. Just then, a nurse pushed Ning Xiechen out. A video couldn’t fully capture a person’s pain and helplessness; any lens acted like a filter, far less shocking than seeing it with one’s own eyes.

The moment Ling Lie lowered his head and locked eyes with Ning Xiechen, he felt as if a needle had been stabbed fiercely into his spine, and half his body suddenly went numb.

He had heard Ji Chenjiao talk about Ning Xiechen many times—a decisive and powerful captain of the Major Crimes Unit. But now, Ning Xiechen was huddled in a wheelchair, hunched over, hands trembling, unable to even straighten his neck. Those withered eyes were full of despair and helplessness, and his throat emitted intermittent sounds of “Ah—ah—”.

Ling Lie walked over and squatted down. Ning Xiechen leaned forward even more, as if trying to see him clearer.

Ning Xiechen’s lips moved as if he wanted to speak, but just then, “Na Sheng” suddenly walked over and smiled. “Captain Ning injured his throat and can no longer speak.”

Ling Lie expressed regret. “Is that so?”

Then, he looked into Ning Xiechen’s eyes and said seriously, “Captain Ning, my name is Ling Lie. You haven’t met me, but I’ve heard Captain Ji talk about you. He mentions you often. He is now the captain of the Major Crimes Unit.”

Tears welled up in Ning Xiechen’s eyes, and the muffled sound in his throat seemed to gain a trace of vitality.

“He’s waiting outside for you, along with your teammate Old Cao. Wen Zhengchao is here too.”

Ning Xiechen’s eyelids trembled even more violently.

“You’ll be safe soon. They are all here.”

“Na Sheng” whistled and teased, “Officer Ling, I didn’t expect you to be such a gentle person. You’re quite good at comforting people.”

Ling Lie ignored him. He continued, “However, catching up is fine, but don’t keep ‘Gray Peacock’ waiting too long.”

Ning Xiechen struggled to extend his hand. “Ah—”

His hand trembled severely, and he could only raise it slightly, as if someone were lifting him with invisible threads.

“Na Sheng” said, “Oh, Captain Ning wants to shake hands with Officer Ling?”

“Ah—”

Ling Lie immediately extended both hands. When he gripped that dry, twig-like hand, he suddenly sensed something. But Ning Xiechen still looked like a terminally ill person, eyes downcast, not looking at anyone.

Ling Lie stood up, turned his back to Ning Xiechen, and said to “Na Sheng”, “Take me to see ‘Gray Peacock’.”

“Na Sheng” lifted his chin at his subordinates. Two of them stepped forward and escorted Ling Lie towards the second floor. As he stepped onto the stairs, Ling Lie glanced back at Ning Xiechen in his narrowing field of vision; the nurse was pushing him towards the iron gate.

Just as Ling Lie reached the second floor, he suddenly heard a commotion from below. He immediately asked, “What’s going on?”

“Na Sheng’s” face turned ugly. “Did you bring others?”

Ling Lie said innocently, “Can’t you see if I brought anyone?”

He came in alone and was searched alone. Unless “Na Sheng” was blind, he saw it clearly.

“Na Sheng” had his men watch Ling Lie while he went downstairs to check the situation. The commotion was caused by Ning Xiechen; he had fallen out of his wheelchair, and the nurse was restraining him. What made him lose control was the person who appeared outside the door at this moment—Wen Zhengchao.

Wen Zhengchao’s eyes were red as he looked at his old teammate behind the iron gate. He couldn’t believe Ning Xiechen had been tortured into this state. After Ling Lie went in, the iron gate hadn’t opened again. Worried about changes inside, he ignored the younger officers’ objections and insisted on running over wearing a bulletproof vest, just in time to see Ning Xiechen being pushed over.

The moment he saw him, Ning Xiechen went crazy, howling and struggling desperately in the wheelchair, falling out during the tussle.

Wen Zhengchao didn’t understand what was happening, while Ning Xiechen emitted monotonous syllables at him like a beast.

“Captain Ning, what are you trying to do?” “Na Sheng” said impatiently. “Your police friend is willing to exchange himself for you, and you pull this stunt? Do you want the people outside to take the opportunity to attack?”

Ning Xiechen glared angrily, pushing him away while making hand gestures to Wen Zhengchao.

Wen Zhengchao was bewildered. They had indeed learned secret police hand signals back in the day, but what Ning Xiechen was signaling wasn’t any of them; it was just random flailing. What was Ning Xiechen trying to say?

“Na Sheng” became vigilant. Ning Xiechen’s abnormal behavior confused him. He could leave clearly, so why suddenly draw attention? What was Ning Xiechen signaling? Why did the police officer outside look so strange? What on earth were they communicating?

If the door opened, would something happen?

“Na Sheng” tensed up. he didn’t trust the police to begin with, and now he felt they definitely had a conspiracy.

For caution’s sake, the iron gate couldn’t be opened now. Ning Xiechen couldn’t be let go!

“Captain Ning, you’re making things difficult for me.” “Na Sheng” patted the back of the wheelchair several times. “What are you telling the outside? Leaking secrets? Then how can I let you out?”

Ning Xiechen suddenly stopped and looked at “Na Sheng” in fear.

“Na Sheng” snorted contemptuously in his heart. As expected, he guessed right. This paralyzed trash was indeed signaling something to the outside.

This was a critical moment; there could be no mistakes. “Na Sheng” made a prompt decision. “Captain Ning, sorry for now. You wait here for a while. Once ‘Gray Peacock’ and I finish dealing with other matters, I’ll let you go back.”

Ning Xiechen shouted imploringly, “Ah—”

“Na Sheng” backed away shaking his head. “You’re the one making trouble at this juncture. Captain Ning, behave yourself. ‘Gray Peacock’ doesn’t want to hurt you.”

Three large men with guns stepped forward to surround Ning Xiechen. Seeing this, Wen Zhengchao suddenly stopped shouting.

“Na Sheng” returned to the second floor. Ling Lie glanced at him. “Breaking your promise?”

“Na Sheng” spread his hands. “Can’t blame me for this. He suddenly went crazy. Hey, what are you plotting?”

Ling Lie scoffed coldly. “Asking me? Who should I ask? I’ve been sent here as a hostage. Even if the police have ideas, they wouldn’t tell me, would they?”

“Na Sheng” observed Ling Lie for a long time, feeling that even if the police had a conspiracy, they couldn’t threaten them for now. Almost all the towns in Qianbing County were in chaos, police forces couldn’t be transferred, and they still held two police officers and four other hostages.

Thinking this, “Na Sheng” smiled again. “Let’s go. Take you to see ‘Gray Peacock’.”

Passing the second-floor corridor, Ling Lie heard crying and screaming. Looking into a nearby room, wasn’t that the four men in leather jackets? They were tied together, with people dressed as nurses pointing guns at their heads. Seeing Ling Lie, they disregarded their fear and whimpered, begging the police to save them.

“Na Sheng” sneered. “Now you know to beg Officer Ling? What were you doing earlier? Don’t you agree, Officer Ling?”

Ling Lie didn’t respond and continued walking forward.

“Na Sheng” opened a door for him. Inside was empty; no one was there.

Ling Lie turned around. “Where is Bo Lingxue? What do you mean by this?”

“Na Sheng” made a “please” gesture. “‘Gray Peacock’ is right inside. Look over there if you don’t believe me.”

Ling Lie followed his hand. It was a wall, or more precisely, not just a wall, because a projection was displayed on it. After intermittent flashes of light, Bo Lingxue appeared on the projection.

Ling Lie raised an eyebrow.

“Na Sheng” shrugged. “I didn’t lie to you. ‘Gray Peacock’ is indeed here.”

Ling Lie was somewhat angry, frowning at the projection. “I came here personally because you said you wanted to see me. A’Xue, you’re not being authentic. Did you slip away alone long ago?”

Bo Lingxue laughed. “A’Dou, did you really come just because I wanted to see you? I’m afraid not. You wanted to come catch me. I had to leave myself a way out.”

Ling Lie looked back at “Na Sheng”. “Then you, as the leader, are very cunning. Why only care about running away yourself?”

Bo Lingxue said, “Sowing discord isn’t a good habit.”

“Na Sheng” leaned against the wall, looking indifferent.

Seeing that sowing discord didn’t work, Ling Lie simply pulled up a chair and sat down. “Speak. What do you want to chat about?”

Bo Lingxue countered, “Don’t you have questions for me?”

Ling Lie’s gaze deepened slightly. After locking eyes with Bo Lingxue for a moment, he suddenly thought of something—the photo he saw in Guiweng Town.

Events had developed too fast in the past dozen hours for him to carefully think through the cause and effect and deeper relationships. Now, looking at Bo Lingxue’s meaningful expression, he gradually understood that letting him know about A’Rou seemed to be part of Bo Lingxue’s plan.

Because of A’Rou’s existence, and because of the geographical location, “Floating Lights” had chosen this place.

Ling Lie asked calmly, “Who is A’Rou?”

Bo Lingxue clapped his hands. “You’ve finally started caring about yourself. Good question. Who do you think someone who looks so much like you could be?”

Ling Lie frowned slightly, paused for a moment, and said, “My relative?”

“Isn’t blood relation wonderful? Ji Chenjiao inherited Wonder’s ruthlessness, and you inherited A’Rou’s looks,” Bo Lingxue said. “A’Rou, he is your father.”

The corners of Ling Lie’s mouth pressed down, and his heartbeat accelerated, but his face didn’t show much expression. He sneered, “Since when did Ji Chenjiao inherit Wonder’s ruthlessness?”

Bo Lingxue feigned surprise. “You don’t think so? Then how could he bear to send his adoptive father to prison? How could he bear to let you risk danger alone?”

Ling Lie said, “Wasn’t this all forced by you?”

Bo Lingxue: “You’re good at making excuses for him. Let’s get back to A’Rou. Don’t you want to know where he went after leaving Guiweng Town, and how he had you?”

Ling Lie had long guessed about his background. “You want to tell me A’Rou was a member of ‘Chen Jin’ (Sinking Gold)?”

Bo Lingxue snapped his fingers. “Otherwise, why would you be in ‘Chen Jin’ as soon as you were born?”

Ling Lie asked, “Where is he now?”

“Of course, he’s gone. You, me, sister, our fates are similar. Our parents were killers for ‘Chen Jin’. Killers did things ordinary men and women do, and then there was us.”

The room was quiet for a moment; the sound of electric current became abruptly harsh.

After a moment, Ling Lie asked again, “How did you find out about this person?”

Bo Lingxue said, “To become the successor of ‘Chen Jin’, one should naturally understand every part of ‘Chen Jin’s’ history and everyone who has appeared in ‘Chen Jin’. What I say next might surprise you.”

Ling Lie raised the corner of his eye. “Hmm?”

“A’Rou wasn’t an insignificant figure in the organization. He was a very famous killer within ‘Chen Jin’.”

“Is that so? When I was born…”

“He wasn’t dead yet. He just didn’t want to carry a burden like you.”

Ling Lie fell silent.

Bo Lingxue laughed. “I’m different from you, and sister is different from you too. My parents were truly nobodies, cannon fodder. Sister was snatched by the organization. Only you… your father A’Rou could have taken you to enjoy glory and wealth in the capital of Country E. But he didn’t. Your existence would have been his weakness, so he preferred to dump you in a small border village and let you fend for yourself.”

Ling Lie lowered his head. The projection light fell on his face, shadows obscuring his expression.

Bo Lingxue said, “Angry?”

Ling Lie’s shoulders began to shake, but laughter came from his throat.

Bo Lingxue: “A’Dou?”

“Why would I be angry at someone I’ve never met?” Ling Lie raised his head, a trace of disdain in his eyes. “What, trying to use such a person to strike at me?”

Bo Lingxue was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head. “A’Dou, you still don’t understand what I want to tell you.”

Ling Lie finished laughing and crossed his legs. “What is it?”

Bo Lingxue said, “You have ‘Chen Jin’s’ blood flowing in you. Your father was a killer for ‘Chen Jin’. You should come with me. I’m waiting for you across the border.”

Ling Lie said, “No, my boyfriend is still here.”

“But you saw it too. He pushed you into the fire pit. He decided himself to let you exchange for Ning Xiechen.” Bo Lingxue seemed to remember something, tapping his index finger on his temple. “By the way, what did you say to him when you hugged him? Why did he suddenly decide to let you come in?”

Ling Lie said mysteriously, “You wouldn’t want to know words between lovers.”

“Mushy?”

“Just enough to make you sigh that we should be burned to death.”

Bo Lingxue laughed, passing over the topic. He continued, “Your boyfriend doesn’t understand you at all, and you also have reservations about your boyfriend.”

“Oh? How so?”

“Did you tell him about A’Rou?”

Ling Lie stopped shaking his leg and looked thoughtfully at the projection.

“See, you didn’t say. You weren’t willing to tell Ji Chenjiao. You found photos of your father when he was young in Guiweng Town, and you guessed long ago that A’Rou might be a member of ‘Chen Jin’. Before your important operation, you didn’t inform Ji Chenjiao of this clue. Tsk tsk, A’Xue, it seems you are very clear about your positions; you have concerns.”

Ling Lie didn’t speak.

Bo Lingxue: “Only facing ‘Floating Lights’, your old friend me, could you ask about A’Rou right away. Haven’t you figured out what this means?”

Bo Lingxue spoke cutting words in a gentle tone, “Because subconsciously, you identify more with us than with the righteousness that has bound you for ten years.”

Ling Lie rubbed his brow wearily. After a long while, he said, “Maybe it’s as you said.”

The electric current buzzed, as if adding a nostalgic flavor to the silence.

Ling Lie said, “A’Xue.”

“Hmm?”

“You went in such a big circle just to make me return to ‘Chen Jin’?”

“What else? Would I want to harm you?”

Ling Lie smiled at the projection. “But you’re very insincere. Not coming to pick me up personally, just sending an image and that’s it?”

Bo Lingxue said helplessly, “You have to understand my difficulties. Dare I appear directly? What if I couldn’t persuade you, and other towns failed to tie up the police forces? Then what? Go to jail?”

Ling Lie said, “You certainly eliminated all dangers.”

Bo Lingxue said, “In our line of work, what can we do without caution? If I weren’t cautious, I couldn’t have let you go back last time in Xiarong City.”

Ling Lie stood up. “You didn’t dare to take me then.”

Bo Lingxue admitted frankly, “Yes, last time was in Ji Chenjiao’s territory, and far from the border. It wasn’t impossible to take you, but if Ji Chenjiao chased like a mad dog and you caused trouble internally, what if I couldn’t escape?”

Ling Lie laughed. “Your guts are still a bit small.”

Bo Lingxue didn’t mind his sarcasm. “This time it’s foolproof. A’Xue, this is your hometown. Your father left from here. I accompanied you to find your hometown.”

Ling Lie was silent for a while again. “Foolproof? But what if I don’t want to go? What if I still want to stay and track you ‘Floating Lights’ to the ends of the earth as a police officer?”

Bo Lingxue’s face turned cold. He stared at Ling Lie and finally let out a cold laugh. “If, after all this, you still aren’t willing to return to where you belong, then I’ll have to let you… die here.”

As soon as the words fell, Ling Lie heard the sound of a bullet being chambered. The gun muzzle pressed against the back of his head. “Na Sheng” said, “Don’t move.”

Bo Lingxue shook his head regretfully. “A’Dou, you had many choices. I’m giving you a choice now too.”

Ling Lie said, “Do you know the consequences of shooting? You escaped, but can your subordinates escape too?”

“Na Sheng” laughed strangely. “I think I have a way to get away. Even if I can’t, at least you can’t catch ‘Gray Peacock’.”

Ling Lie raised his hands in surrender, his expression torn and painful. “Can you give me more time?”

Bo Lingxue looked down at his watch. “Okay, but don’t make me wait too long. And don’t play stalling games with me. I know better than you what the situation is in those villages and towns. Once SWAT heads to Basun Village, I’ll immediately have ‘Na Sheng’ act.”

Ling Lie nodded. “Thanks.”

The gun on the back of his head moved away, but it was not far. Ling Lie knew.

This room had no windows, so he couldn’t see outside, but Ling Lie could hear the messages Bo Lingxue was receiving—local police were controlling crowds driven mad by “Snow Child” in various villages. The situation was tense for the locals, but a good opportunity for “Floating Lights” to seize.

Ling Lie suddenly asked, “A’Xue, where exactly are you hiding?”

Bo Lingxue shifted his gaze. “Didn’t you search him?”

“Na Sheng” said, “Searched. The bug has been removed.”

Bo Lingxue smiled. “Then what’s the point of asking this now? Even if you escape intact and tell Ji Chenjiao, I would have escaped long ago.”

Ling Lie said, “It’s precisely because it’s pointless that asking has meaning. You escaped anyway, what does it matter if you tell me?”

Bo Lingxue looked at him with amusement. “Let’s forget it. You’re a tricky cop.” After saying that, Bo Lingxue checked the time again. “About time. Tell me your choice.”

Ling Lie took a deep breath. “Then I’d better die here.”

Bo Lingxue’s face showed obvious hostility, as if tearing apart his gentle mask.

“Na Sheng” said, “Then I won’t be polite.”

His finger pressed on the trigger; the gunshot seemed imminent. Ling Lie stared at Bo Lingxue and suddenly saw a trace of disbelief in Bo Lingxue’s eyes.

But before Bo Lingxue could make a sound, a gunshot rang out abruptly!

“Bang—”

Blood splattered. The bullet, carrying the whistling wind, pierced the fragile skull.

Ling Lie closed his eyes but did not fall.

Falling into the pool of blood was “Na Sheng”. The tall, sturdy man convulsed twice on the ground and then lay still.

Outside the door, Ning Xiechen gripped the wall with one hand and a gun with the other. His eyes were still blank, as if he hadn’t been the one who fired just now. But when he raised his eyes, Ling Lie clearly saw a deeply hidden sharpness within them.

Ling Lie quickly picked up “Na Sheng’s” gun, removing the rifle and bulletproof vest from the corpse.

His confidant killed, Bo Lingxue revealed a ferocious expression, gritting his teeth: “Ning, Xie, Chen!”

Ning Xiechen’s reaction seemed very slow, looking blankly at the projection. But since he could appear here and kill “Na Sheng” with one shot, he couldn’t truly be slow!

Gunshots and the sound of breaking glass came from downstairs. Backup had arrived—whether SWAT or the Special Action Team. Ning Xiechen leaned against the door, panting loudly.

“You tricked me!” Bo Lingxue calmed down quickly after a brief frenzy. He looked at the blood and the corpse and laughed again. “A’Xue, you know, my goal isn’t necessarily to take you away. You’re lucky you didn’t die here today.”

Ling Lie put on the bulletproof vest and mimicked Bo Lingxue’s tone, “But maybe you don’t know, our target from beginning to end has been you.”

Bo Lingxue suddenly froze, his peripheral vision sweeping behind him.

He clearly felt a gun muzzle aimed right at his head.

Ji Chenjiao, who absolutely shouldn’t have appeared at this time, said, “Don’t move.”

Bo Lingxue’s eyes widened, almost unable to react to what was happening.

Only then did Ling Lie say, “Otherwise, why would I waste effort stalling for time with you?”