Darkness, firelight, and high-pressure water jets enveloped Rongmei. Police forces from the main city rushed continuously toward Zhaoxia County. Ling Lie’s whereabouts were still unknown, and the identification of the bodies was underway.

One of the bodies was very likely Yu Qin.

There was no Ling Lie.

Special police rescued a man whose face was covered in black soot. He cried until his voice was hoarse, incoherent with terror. He was the only living person found in the explosion and was quickly sent to a waiting ambulance.

“I’m not injured! I want to see Ji Chenjiao!” Yu Yesheng screamed and shouted, refusing to be strapped in. “I was just with Ling Lie! Go save him quickly!”

The fire burning in the ruins seemed to spread to Ji Chenjiao’s internal organs. As he watched bodies being carried out one by one, with every glance, his heart pumped out intense dizziness. He had to stand his ground at the scene, but his spirit was filled with fear, self-blame, and anger. Those clamoring emotions were like an oncoming tsunami, leaving him breathless.

“Captain Ji! Captain Ji!” A SWAT officer ran over. “We found a survivor at the scene. He refuses treatment, saying he was with Ling Lie!”

A buzzing sound exploded in Ji Chenjiao’s brain. Before the SWAT officer could finish speaking, he sprinted toward the ambulance. But as he approached the ambulance, his steps felt as heavy as lead. His heart was gripped by a rough hand, his breath stifled in his throat, unable to be spat out or swallowed down.

He didn’t know what news awaited him ahead.

The soot on Yu Yesheng’s face hadn’t been wiped clean. Seeing Ji Chenjiao, he was so anxious he rolled off the gurney. “Ling Lie was taken away! Go save him quickly!”

Taken away?

A huge rock fell from Ji Chenjiao’s heart. As long as he wasn’t at the explosion site, there was a glimmer of hope!

He rushed over, grabbed Yu Yesheng’s shoulders, and shouted, “Who took him? Where?”

Having survived a disaster, Yu Yesheng finally recovered from his fear. Grabbed so hard he cried out in pain, tears falling incessantly. “It was ‘Floating Light’! I heard Ling Lie say ‘Floating Light’! There were so many people. Someone who looked like a leader said he wanted to catch up with Ling Lie, so he took Ling Lie away.”

“Floating Light,” catch up!

Lingxue’s profile immediately appeared before Ji Chenjiao’s eyes.

“They wanted to blow me up! It was all Yu Qin’s conspiracy!” Yu Yesheng’s mind wasn’t clear, his speech disjointed. “Yu Qin wanted to blow up Ling Lie and make ‘Floating Light’ and me take the blame, but Ling Lie saved me. Boohoohoo, Ling Lie is my benefactor! Ling Lie took me on the run and we bumped into ‘Floating Light.’ So much blood, so many bodies! ‘Floating Light’ already killed Yu Qin! The building was about to explode, that leader wanted to take Ling Lie, and Ling Lie made him spare my life!”

Ji Chenjiao forced himself to calm down. Ling Lie being taken by “Floating Light” was at least good news. “Floating Light” didn’t kill Ling Lie on the spot and even released Yu Yesheng, so the police had a chance.

Where would Bai Lingxue take Ling Lie?

Together with the special police, Ji Chenjiao pushed Yu Yesheng into the ambulance and forcibly sent him to the county hospital.

The fire at the scene was finally completely extinguished, and the remaining bombs were properly disposed of. But the smell of scorched flesh and bones still floated in the cool autumn night breeze. The evacuated people gathered outside the cordon, refusing to leave for a long time.

The vast majority of them were not patients of Rongmei, but residents born and raised in this small county town. Years ago, what stood here was Zhaoxia County’s largest general market. A fire caused by an accident turned it into ruins. The scorched earth seemed to become fertilizer, and Rongmei brought wealth and opportunity to the backward small county town.

But now, it was like a bubble that had expanded to the limit and suddenly burst, also destroyed in the firelight.

Shen Qi and other technical investigation team members were urgently searching for a signal. Ling Lie’s mobile phone signal had appeared for a moment, roughly located to the west of the main urban area.

A detailed map of the West District quickly appeared in Ji Chenjiao’s mind. The Yu Group had a project there, Yurong Tange!

At this time, news came from the fire department that the bodies and severed limbs in the building had been collected, and there were no signs of life in the ruins. Liang Wenxian’s white shirt had long been soaked with sweat and covered in black soot. His Buddhist spirit was gone. He pushed Ji Chenjiao’s back hard. “I’ve got this here. The special police are on standby. Go save Ling Lie!”

“Thanks, Brother Liang!” Ji Chenjiao sprinted toward the SWAT vehicle. However, just as he jumped into the car and closed the door, he saw a figure in the rearview mirror that burned into his eyes.

Ling Lie!

Ji Chenjiao felt himself welded to the seat. His voice was stuck in his throat, unable to come out. He thought he had seen wrong. He closed his eyes hard, clung to the car door, and looked back. It really was Ling Lie!

The SWAT officer in the driver’s seat shouted, “Captain Ji! Buckle up! We’re leaving!”

Before the SWAT officer could slam on the gas, Ji Chenjiao finally shouted, “Stop! I want to get off!”

Traffic on the entire road had been controlled. Ling Lie was almost the only pedestrian on the road. He had run a long way and was a bit out of breath.

Suddenly, a dazzling beam of light hit from the side. He subconsciously squinted, blocked his vision with his hand, and looked toward the source of the light.

Someone ran from the light source. Against the light, he couldn’t see his eyebrows and eyes clearly, but he could clearly hear his violent panting.

Three meters away, Ji Chenjiao stopped, but his gaze was firmly fixed on Ling Lie.

Ling Lie knew he must look very wretched right now. “Floating Light” had searched and taken all electronic devices on him. Bai Lingxue evacuated from Yurong Tange, whereabouts unknown, while he was sent back to Zhaoxia County by “Na Sheng” and other “Floating Light” members.

They weren’t arrogant enough to drive directly to the police. For the remaining distance, he could only run at full speed.

He had a lot of information to report to the Major Crimes Unit and the Special Action Team as soon as possible.

But why did Ji Chenjiao look even more wretched than him?

Ling Lie opened his mouth. Just as he uttered a syllable, his body was pushed backward by a fierce force on his shoulders. He staggered two steps, still couldn’t stand firm, and hit the flower bed behind him.

Ji Chenjiao pounced like a beast that had lost its reason, his hands pressing on Ling Lie’s sides. Those eyes seemed to contain fire, igniting the surrounding hot air.

Both of them seemed to be wrapped in raging fire. Ling Lie was briefly stunned for a moment, then kicked Ji Chenjiao’s leg. “What are you doing?!”

Ji Chenjiao seemed unable to feel pain at all. All his senses were consumed in feeling the person Ling Lie.

Ling Lie’s breath, silhouette, features… When staring too intently, the most familiar images often become distorted. He didn’t know if the person he was holding down, whose breath he could touch, was Ling Lie.

In Ling Lie’s pupils, Ji Chenjiao’s face revealed an anger never seen before. Suddenly, he pinched Ling Lie’s chin, gritting his teeth. “How did you promise me?”

Ling Lie frowned in pain. He had never feared pain, but for some reason, the pain Ji Chenjiao gave him was always particularly profound. That push just now was the same. He was like an instrument overly sensitive to Ji Chenjiao. “Hiss—”

Not only did Ji Chenjiao not let go, but he used even more force. Ling Lie almost heard the sound of bones rubbing against each other. He kicked again. “Xia Chengshi, what madness has gotten into you?”

“Ling Lie, you promised me that if you found any clues, even if you had to take risks, you would let me know in advance!” A look of pain appeared in Ji Chenjiao’s eyes, not from where he was kicked, but from the softest part of his heart.

“I…” Ling Lie suddenly misfired, not because of the accusation, but because when he saw that trace of pain, his heart softened without warning.

Even when facing the strafing of Shaman’s group of killers, jumping out of the window, surrounded by “Floating Light,” and facing death at any moment, his mind had never been as chaotic as it was now.

At this moment, he actually didn’t know how to explain to Ji Chenjiao, how to comfort the incomparably heartbroken Xiao Ji.

He didn’t think he had done anything wrong. If time went back, he would still go alone. That had always been his style of action. He thought Ji Chenjiao was so petty. What was there to be angry about? Wasn’t he back in one piece? And he brought key clues about “Floating Light” and Ning Xiechen.

But looking into Ji Chenjiao’s eyes, this bit of rationality seemed to die down, and words of argument stuck in his throat.

Ji Chenjiao’s thumb rubbed against his cheek. One end of the long street was pitch-black night, the other end was ruins, cordons billowing in the wind, and police cars flashing red and blue lights. One sat slumped on the ground, the other knelt on the ground, their wretchedness indistinguishable.

It seemed like a long time passed before Ji Chenjiao finally confirmed that this person was Ling Lie. Aside from being a bit dirty, there were no other injuries. He let out a long breath, then pressed Ling Lie into his chest.

Two hearts beat entangled. Ling Lie, very unskilled in this business, patted Ji Chenjiao’s back twice.

Strange, he was originally very good at teasing Xiao Ji. Why couldn’t he find anything to say now?

Footsteps came from not far away. Several SWAT officers rushed over.

Ji Chenjiao let go of Ling Lie. Ling Lie wanted to call him, but was stung by his suddenly cold eyes.

Ji Chenjiao stood up and said indifferently, “The ambulance is over there. Go to the hospital for a checkup.”

Ling Lie reached out his hand. “Xiao…”

But Ji Chenjiao swatted his hand away. “Check first. We’ll talk about other things later.”

After speaking, he turned and left. Ling Lie was still sitting on the ground, looking at Ji Chenjiao’s back, blinking blankly.

For Zhaoxia County, this was destined to be a sleepless night. The cleanup and evidence collection at the scene continued until dawn and was still not over. Police cars and fire trucks almost surrounded the Rongmei Rehabilitation Center and its surroundings.

Ling Lie finished his physical examination at the county hospital. Except for a few soft tissue contusions on his arms and waist, there were no other injuries. Yu Yesheng was also at the county hospital. Learning he was fine, he came over holding an IV bottle, wailing and crying.

Ling Lie originally wanted to mock him a bit, but seeing that face that bore a slight resemblance to Ji Chenjiao, his heart suddenly sank.

Ji Chenjiao was angry, but he couldn’t fully understand the reason.

Yes, he promised Ji Chenjiao he would report anything, but everyone alive is an independent individual. For almost thirty years, he had lived like this, making decisions alone and paying for the consequences of every decision. Even in a place with strict discipline like the Special Action Team, he had the freedom to decide independently during operations. Why was it that when it came to Ji Chenjiao, him going to see Shaman became an unforgivable crime?

He understood that Ji Chenjiao would worry and be angry. He could explain, he could coax. But how did Ji Chenjiao get so angry? Denying all relations, like he’d gone mad. It made him angry too.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kicked Ji Chenjiao twice as soon as they met.

He kicked hard. Did it hurt? But Ji Chenjiao didn’t even utter a sound, only caring about pushing him and pinching his chin.

What was that incredibly tight hug later about? If the SWAT team hadn’t arrived, was Ji Chenjiao going to strangle him to death?

After staying in the hospital for a few hours, the anger provoked by Ji Chenjiao had mostly dissipated. A trace of guilt surfaced, and there was an indescribable unsettled feeling in his heart.

If he was so worried, why didn’t Ji Chenjiao personally send him to the hospital? Or take time to come look at him. No one else from the Major Crimes Unit came either. He understood that every one of them was busy running around in circles at the scene.

As the captain, Ji Chenjiao had even less time.

But even knowing the objective situation was like this, he still solely blamed Ji Chenjiao for not coming.

He thought to himself, What are you still angry about? I’m not even angry at you anymore.

When Yu Yesheng wiped his tears, the needle on his hand poked his blood vessel, causing him to scream in pain. Ling Lie found him noisy and hurriedly shooed him away. Yu Yesheng wept and said, “I’ll remember this matter for the rest of my life. The Yu family will always have a place for you.”

Hearing “Yu family,” Ling Lie’s head got even bigger. The Yu family was about to be finished. He didn’t want a place in the Yu family! Wasn’t this cursing him!

After dawn, a Procuratorate car stopped at the county hospital. The people who came to the ward were unfamiliar, their uniforms worn meticulously. They verified Ling Lie’s identity as soon as they entered.

Although Ling Lie didn’t know them, he guessed they were from the Procuratorate’s Inspection Team. Makes sense. With yesterday’s commotion, if the Inspection Team didn’t come out to work, they’d be unworthy of the uniforms they wore.

But before getting out of bed, Ling Lie asked, “Does Captain Ji know?”

The other party sized Ling Lie up for a few seconds, tone cold. “Ji Chenjiao has already gone back first to accept investigation.”

Ling Lie frowned. “Why investigate him?”

“That’s not what you should be inquiring about right now.”

Listening at the door, Yu Yesheng was furious, shouting, “Officer Ling risked his life to save people and is now heavily injured. You still want to arrest him? Why don’t you go arrest the people from ‘Floating Light’!”

Ling Lie was pondering the reason for Ji Chenjiao’s investigation when he suddenly heard “heavily injured” and looked at Yu Yesheng speechlessly.

Shut your damn mouth!

That inspector was obviously also attracted by “heavily injured,” his eyes carrying a trace of disdain. “This counts as heavily injured?”

At this moment, a police car rushed downstairs. Liang Wenxian ran up quickly, just in time to catch Yu Yesheng blocking the Inspection Team from taking Ling Lie away. Too out of breath to speak, Liang Wenxian hurriedly stepped forward. “Hello, I’m Liang Wenxian from the Major Crimes Unit.”

The name Liang Wenxian was sometimes more useful than Ji Chenjiao. His seniority was there, he was very laid-back, and his reputation was excellent. Most people would give him some face.

Sure enough, the inspector who had a cold face just now squeezed out a smile. “Xu Jiang from the City Procuratorate Inspection Team.”

“Inspector Xu, hello, hello.”

“Captain Liang, you also know the reason for our visit. Ji Chenjiao and Ling Lie are heavily involved with the Yu Group and overseas criminal organizations and must accept investigation. I’m acting according to regulations. Captain Liang, don’t intervene at this time, right?”

Ling Lie raised his right eyebrow. Yu Yesheng got even angrier listening. “Is there a mistake? What do you mean Ling Lie is heavily involved with criminal organizations? Is this how you treat good police officers who serve the people? I think you guys are the ones with major suspicion!”

Xu Jiang looked at Yu Yesheng unhappily. “You’re the Yu family member who escaped from the scene yesterday, right? Just right, you also need to give a statement.”

“Holy shit! I haven’t even pulled out my IV tube yet!”

Liang Wenxian stood between the two sides. “Inspector Xu, I didn’t come to stop you. Ling Lie is one of our Major Crimes Unit’s people. He was injured and sent to the hospital; I should have come to see him anyway. Just happened to meet you picking him up.”

Xu Jiang gave Liang Wenxian face and nodded. “Then I’ll take him away first.”

But Liang Wenxian suddenly reached out his hand, blocking Xu Jiang. His gaze sank instantly.

“I have one more thing to say,” Liang Wenxian said. “Inspector Xu, investigate all you want, but you should also pay attention to special handling for special situations. Ling Lie is temporarily working in the Major Crimes Unit, but he actually belongs to the Special Action Team.”

Xu Jiang: “Captain Liang, what do you mean by this? Threatening me?”

Liang Wenxian laughed. “Inspector Xu, where is your mind going? Isn’t the Special Action Team also our brother unit? How about this, I see Ling Lie’s mood isn’t quite right. Let me chat with him for a few sentences first? Once the work is talked through, it will be easier for you to investigate.”

Xu Jiang’s gaze swept back and forth between Liang Wenxian and Ling Lie’s faces. “Then I’ll trouble Captain Liang to bring Ling Lie down in a while.”

“Okay, thank you, Inspector Xu.”

As soon as the people left, Ling Lie immediately asked, “Brother Liang, what’s going on with Ji Chenjiao being taken away?”

Liang Wenxian put away the smiling face he used for outsiders. “Yesterday’s explosion at Rongmei, all the people Yu Qin brought died. ‘Floating Light’ was present, you were present. ‘Floating Light’ took you away, but you came back safe and sound, with almost no injuries.”

Ling Lie raised his chin slightly. He understood the stakes involved. Because he was a survivor, and survived very strangely, he became a thorn in the Inspection Team’s side. And the Yu Group was already tied to “Floating Light,” plus he used to be a child of the Yu family. This made him look even more suspicious, simply like a criminal organization had played a big game early on, hiding him in the public security system.

Investigating him didn’t matter, but on what grounds were they investigating Ji Chenjiao?