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墨書 Inktalez
I didn't know how long the journey took; all I knew was that I felt dazed the entire way. My hands and feet were shackled with iron chains. I listened to the whispers of those around me, and at that moment, all I wanted was to face my fate quickly. I had done so many bad things, and I hoped for a swift end to this sinful life.
But that was not the case. When I was locked up in prison, I felt an eerie familiarity with this place, as if I had been here before.
Finally, I saw my opponent. I had heard this person's name more than once; they were called Shao Shilin. For some reason, there was a strange sense of familiarity about them. Next to Shao Shilin sat the rest of the Special Operations Group: Guan Zengbin, Mary, Gu Chen, and most importantly, Wu Meng.
Everyone was present except for Liu Jian, whom I had killed.
Shao Shilin stared at me for a full five minutes before speaking. "Wu Zui, we finally meet."
"Yes," I replied.
Shao Shilin looked at me without a hint of emotion on their face. "Wu Zui, I truly did not expect you and Wu Meng to look exactly alike. I considered many possibilities when setting this trap; I envisioned this moment when you would be in your cell listening to me speak. But I never imagined that you and Wu Meng were twin brothers."
I had no words.
Shao Shilin continued, "However, you and Wu Meng are worlds apart. During this time, I have been trying to understand why you always targeted Wu Meng. So, I investigated Wu Meng's background, which led me back over twenty years. Your parents were police officers; if it weren't for a twist of fate that led your parents to hand you both over to Shi Huacheng..."
Shao Shilin sighed and continued, "Things would not have turned out this way. The higher-ups would know that the two fallen comrades actually had two children—Wu Zui, you wouldn't have ended up in this situation."
I remained expressionless and replied, "But things have come to this point. I've killed so many people; all I want is to die quickly. You don't need to pity me; I don't need pity. I'm guilty; just kill me—it's that simple. Stop dragging this out."
Shao Shilin shook their head slightly. "It seems you've made up your mind about death."
"Enough with the small talk," I said.
Shao Shilin nodded. "Then let's begin from the start of your crimes until now..."
For the next few moments, I recounted how I had turned Wu Meng into a mental case from the first incident all the way to when I killed Liu Jian and was captured. During this time, I smoked two cigarettes and drank three bottles of water. I'd killed too many people; by now, my throat was dry and parched.
After listening to my words, the members of the Special Operations Group fell into silence. After a long moment, it was Mary who spoke first: "Killing so many people, even a hundred executions wouldn't be enough."
Guan Zengbin, filled with rage, responded, "That's right. I was captured by him for three months, and those days were truly worse than death. Fortunately, if it weren't for Wu Meng, I..."
At this point, Guan Zengbin began to sob.
"But all of that is over now." Wu Meng gently patted Guan Zengbin's arm and said, "It's all over. Good days are coming; everything has ended."
Gu Chen sighed lightly at this moment and said, "I'm going outside for a smoke. It's really oppressive in here."
Shao Shilin glanced at Gu Chen and smiled, "Go ahead."
"Shi Huacheng is dead, and Wu Zui has been caught, but there's still one person left." Shao Shilin seemed to be talking to himself, but his voice reached each of our ears: "Now only Zhao Mingkun is still at large. But don't worry; we will catch Zhao Mingkun soon."
For some reason, when Zhao Mingkun's name was mentioned, I felt an inexplicable flutter in my heart, as if this person was particularly important to me.
"Can we catch her?" Wu Meng asked.
"I know you've been close to her during this time," Shao Shilin looked at Wu Meng. "But considering you caught Wu Zui, I won't hold that against you; let's call it even. However, if you try to obstruct me from catching Zhao Mingkun, then your thoughts will be very dangerous. Do you understand?"
With that, Shao Shilin patted Wu Meng on the shoulder: "You need to understand that this world doesn't allow for a sudden change of heart after committing atrocities. It's unfair to those who have worked hard to become better people. No matter how many good deeds she does afterward to make up for it, what happened before is done; once it's done, there's no way to regret it."
"I understand," Wu Meng nodded heavily.
"Since everything has been clarified, we will hand over Wu Zui to the court in two days. Our mission will be complete." Shao Shilin looked at everyone and said, "After this case, I'll give you all a month off. Go out and enjoy yourselves; have some fun. Afterward, the Special Operations Group will regroup..."
At this point, Shao Shilin suddenly smiled wryly: "It's just that Liu Yongyuan won't be able to come back either. After graduating from the police academy, he went undercover and finally got reassigned but didn't even have time to rest. Liu Jian is truly a role model for all of us."
"Come on, let's go have a few drinks," Shao Shilin said as he walked outside.
"By the way," Shao Shilin asked Mary, "Is your partner's mission almost over? It's been a while since we've seen him."
Mary nodded. "He'll be back in two days."
"Good," Shao Shilin smiled. "We're all in our thirties and forties now; sooner or later, it's going to be the younger generation's turn."
For some reason, I always felt that there was sadness hidden in Shao Shilin's laughter.
Two days later, I was taken to court. I had already confessed everything I knew, and if things went as I expected, it wouldn't be long before I faced execution by gunfire, completely disappearing from this world. Perhaps I shouldn't have been born into this world; all I brought to others was disaster and death. Only by dying could I atone for these wronged souls with my life.
The prison was quite a distance from the courthouse, about a two-hour drive.
It was raining when we left, and the temperature was a bit cold.
Sitting in the vehicle with me were armed police officers responsible for ensuring my safe transport to court.
"So this is the infamous Wu Zui?" one of the officers remarked.
"He looks dazed; you can't tell he's a killer at all," another officer replied.
"You can never judge a person by their appearance," the first officer said again.
"But this trip should go smoothly..."
Just as he finished speaking, an explosion suddenly erupted outside, so loud it felt as if it had gone off right beside me. In an instant, thick black smoke billowed out, accompanied by a pungent odor.
I heard the intercom in the vehicle shouting: "We've encountered an attack from unidentified assailants ahead! All units, proceed to assist! All units, proceed to assist!"
The driver shouted, "We have the murderer Wu Zui locked up in our vehicle!"
"Did you not hear my orders?" the voice crackled through the intercom. "All personnel, do you know what that means?"
"Is someone coming to rescue me?" I wondered, confused. I had killed all my subordinates; who could possibly be coming to save me?
"Go!" Several armed police exchanged glances and hurried away.
Outside, gunfire and shouts echoed relentlessly, and thick black smoke billowed into the air. The sounds of explosions came in waves, suggesting that a reinforced unit was arriving. I strained to look outside, but the handcuffs binding me to the vehicle restricted my movement. I could barely see what was happening beyond my immediate surroundings.
The gunfire intensified ahead, and the cars around us came to a halt.
Chaos erupted as people ran in every direction, creating a scene of utter confusion.
Some even fell dead on the street, blood pooling around them.
My mind was a whirlwind; I couldn't comprehend what was going on.
At that moment, a woman clad in a tight black suit leaped onto the vehicle. As I focused on her, I realized it was Zhao Mingkun. Could it be that Zhao Mingkun had come to rescue me? But that didn't make sense; she should despise me for being the brother of a murderer. Why was she here now?
"Zhao Mingkun?" I asked hesitantly. "What are you doing here?"
Zhao Mingkun held a piece of wire in her hand. While she worked on picking the lock, she replied, "I'm here to save you, Wu Meng."
I shook my head vigorously. "You've got the wrong person. I'm not Wu Meng; I'm Wu Zui."
With a click, the handcuffs around my wrists fell away.
Zhao Mingkun said, "Even if others can't recognize you anymore, I can. But I didn't expect that Shao Shilin would also be fooled by Wu Zui. Come with me."
"I really am not Wu Meng," I insisted, unwilling to move. "I have sins to atone for; all I want is to die."
Zhao Mingkun slapped my head and pulled me outside. The thick smoke surrounded us, and gunfire echoed in the distance. Zhao Mingkun led me through the crowd, and soon we reached a manhole cover. He glanced around before lifting it up.
We both entered the sewer, and Zhao Mingkun covered the opening behind us.
"I've already scouted the layout of the nearby sewers. Follow me. I told you not to get involved in these matters, but you wouldn't listen," Zhao Mingkun said as we walked. "Wu Meng, you're going to be the death of me."
I shook my head. "I've told you many times, I'm not Wu Meng."
Suddenly, Zhao Mingkun executed a quick move, twisting my arm behind my back, then yanked down my pants. At the same time, he said, "I've watched you two grow up. Even if you look and sound alike, you have a birthmark on your backside that Wu Zui doesn't have. Get your act together! Your self-blame delusion is nonsense; it all depends on how you think!"
"You are Wu Meng!"
Zhao Mingkun spoke quickly and firmly. "You are Wu Meng! I don't want you to die. If you die, there will be no one left to remember me in this world, and I won't be able to fly off and become a star anymore."
"Wu Meng!"
My head was spinning, memories swirling chaotically in my mind—faces and moments flashing before me.
"Let's go!" Zhao Mingkun urged.
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