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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 166: Serving the Tiger
"Stop... Don't move."
The police shouted, but it was no use; the streets were filled with troublemakers. No one was managing the chaos. Those who should run did so, and those who should slip away did just that. Even if you caught one, countless others were still fleeing.
Bang... Bang... Gunshots rang out as several men armed with tools took cover in front of a vehicle, ready for a shootout.
The sound of gunfire brought the situation under control, and more police officers surrounded the area. Reluctantly, the men dropped their tools. A quick glance into the vehicle revealed it was loaded with printed Blank Identification Cards. This kind of thing could easily be used to produce fake IDs in bulk, and once it passed through a printer, it could spread across the country as local identification.
"Stop!"
Several officers were chasing a few individuals in Village South. Some of them hadn’t even taken off their work uniforms and were preparing to jump into a pond. As they reached the edge of the water, they were pushed back by the police and caught red-handed. One of them protested loudly, "What are you doing? Why are you arresting me?"
"And what have you done?"
"I haven't done anything!"
"If you haven't done anything, then why are you running?"
"Why do you care why I'm running?"
"Come on..."
In a habitual exchange, they dragged this individual into the recently opened Courtyard. The Woodblock Printing Press was still operational, clattering away as it printed red Hundred Dollar Bills. One officer pointed angrily and asked, "What is that?"
"I can't read it myself," the captured villager said, holding his head high.
The police officer pulled out a few bills, examining them closely. He glared at the villager, who reminded him, "That's from Mingdu Bank, and it doesn't conflict with the government's notes."
This was truly frustrating. Aside from Mingdu Bank, these were nearly indistinguishable from Hundred Dollar Bills. The officers in the department understood that such poorly printed items had their uses; they could serve as tools for con artists. From the very beginning, the creators intended to deceive rather than to fool spirits.
The obstacles encountered during the investigation were quickly overcome. Seven small printing factories and five paper mills were identified, leading to a large number of farmers engaged in processing, transportation, and packaging—over a hundred people. The items printed included Blank Identification Cards, educational materials, Ghost Money, cigarette packaging, medical box packaging, and more—all of which were unauthorized reproductions.
During a surprise interrogation, detectives apprehended several nervous individuals who were hesitant to speak. In one household's basement, they discovered a workshop with over a dozen inkjet printers still in operation, churning out counterfeit bills of five and twenty dollars. This was the closest lead to the r7 Case Situation they had found; however, upon further inspection, it was still far from the quality of r7's work.
After sorting through the counterfeiters involved, the detectives began showing photos of suspects to the villagers for identification.
Soon enough, results came in. "Isn't that Monk? He just left not long ago. Yes, that printing operation was taught by them! Where did they work? Isn't it over there where they print ghost money? They learned from them."
This lead thrilled Field Duty; they sealed off a printing factory and began searching for any potential evidence left behind...
...
"The person nicknamed Monk is named Wang Lishong from Jiyuan," Guan Yiqing reported while handing over recently printed documents. The photo showed a bald man with a face full of flesh resembling Big Head; it was an old household registration record. Lin Qizhao frowned and asked, "So he has returned to secular life?"
"He's just a lay disciple who studied at Tagou Martial Arts School for a few years and has experience working as a security guard. This ID card hasn't been used for two years," Guan Yiqing replied.
The analysis of big data came to a halt. If the suspect deliberately avoided using their own identity and there were no reliable biometric comparisons, they would have to rely on traditional criminal investigation methods. Lin Qizhao glanced around and said, "The investigation in Bridge Village has confirmed that Wang Lishong indeed stayed there for nearly two months... Field Duty is currently searching for anything that could serve as evidence. Master is truly one step ahead."
"Just compliment him to his face; behind his back, let it go..." a voice chimed in.
Guan Yiqing felt a surge of joy as she walked around the desk and saw Shen Lingchen on the video call screen. She waved her hand, and Shen Lingchen smiled, asking, "Yi Qing, are you getting used to it?"
"After being idle for so long, I really am not used to being busy again," Guan Yiqing replied with a smile.
"Then be prepared for a protracted battle. This situation might exceed our expectations. Since we're all here, let's discuss the direction we should take. Guo Wei will send you the video from this afternoon's interrogation; please help me analyze what this Trafficker King knows," Shen Lingchen said.
"Master, I have a question. The Trafficker King is a professional con artist; how could he possibly know so much about the Counterfeit Money gang?" Lin Qizhao raised a doubt.
"I can't answer that right now. However, if you've studied the counterfeit money gangs along the coast, you should have realized that most of these gangs have familial ties and technical backgrounds. This ensures team unity; after all, they are family—if one thrives, they all thrive; if one falls, they all fall. I suspect this case has similar tendencies. Among these introspective gangs, few have access to counterfeiting technology. But did you notice? Ge Feifei worked at a paper mill when she headed south; Wang Shou also did similar work... I think we need to consider this element in the composition of these gangs and trace their roots... Yes, Li Qian is key. Investigate her background thoroughly—relatives, friends, social connections—all of it. The Trafficker King is very purposeful in his actions; he wouldn't go through all this trouble just to abduct a southern woman for no reason," Shen Lingchen explained.
Guan Yiqing took notes diligently while Lin Qizhao pondered aloud, "In that case, I'll assign a few people to investigate Li Qian's background while you handle things in Luzhou. Once we have leads, we can coordinate our efforts... Also, there's the issue of the Party Instructor being away for some time. Do you think it's time to consider bringing them back?"
This was about finding Xiao Mu's whereabouts but had become frustratingly elusive. This particular point made Shen Lingchen stroke his chin thoughtfully as he remarked, "According to information from Bridge Village, during the arrest in Anhui Province, this Underground Printing House was organizing a transfer. But what connection does it have with Binhai? Isn't it just one printing house?"
"What are you worried about?" Lin Qizhao asked.
"A cunning rabbit has three burrows; if we don't eliminate them completely, it could be troublesome... From now on, I suggest we maintain a balance between being relaxed and vigilant. We must avoid cornering them into desperation and try to clarify the composition of the gang before planning our next steps," Shen Lingchen advised.
"Yes, Master, I understand... Well then..."
"Don't rush; absolutely do not rush. In cases involving complex organizations like this gang, slow is fast. The more detailed our work now, the greater our future rewards will be... Got it? You all take a look first; I need to discuss tomorrow's interrogation with Fan Ke and the others..."
"Make sure to take a break, Master."
"Yeah, that last sentence was unnecessary."
Shen Lingchen laughed at Guan Yiqing and ended the video call. What surprised Lin Qizhao was that Guan Yiqing had already summarized the key points of their conversation. She handed them to Lin Qizhao before hurriedly returning to the Technical Investigation room.
Lin Qizhao had no intention of resting; he was still waiting for the investigation results from Bridge Village. In this anxious moment, he inexplicably thought of Xiao Mu, who had been missing for over a week. What could have happened to him?
...
After driving five kilometers, his breathing began to ease.
After twenty kilometers, his breathing became comfortable.
As he sped onto the highway, waves of earthy air rushed in through the window, making Xiao Mu moan in relief. He had never realized that even a breath of fresh air could feel like a luxury.
The place was still unfamiliar, and his eyes were covered. In a situation where he could not resist fate, submission felt like a decent choice. At least from the relaxed conversation between the two people in front of him, he sensed no danger.
"Hey, kid, what's your name?" Wang Lishong asked.
"Mu Wanbo. I have my ID in my wallet," Xiao Mu replied.
"The problem is, you have more than one ID in your wallet," Wang Lishong retorted angrily.
"Big Brother, my backside isn't clean either, so prepare a couple more just in case," Xiao Mu explained.
"Haha, this kid is getting more interesting the more I look at him. I say, Mu Wanbo, how does Big Brother treat you?" Xu Tonglei chimed in.
The tone suggested a casual atmosphere. Xiao Mu replied, "I didn't say you don't treat me well, Big Brother. It's all up to you."
"Well, that's a good attitude. Monk, do you think it's a bit of a waste to throw this kid out of the car?" Xu Tonglei asked.
"It would be a bit of a shame; he works pretty hard. However, I feel like this kid is a bit unreliable. Is he trying to put on a show for us?" Wang Lishong remarked.
"Absolutely not! Do you think I lack the insight to see that? I have to work hard and perform well. If Big Brother appreciates me, maybe I can enjoy a couple of good days... Actually, Brother Lei, I've been in the Pyramid Scheme for a few years and ended up with nothing but ruin. I think your business is much better," Xiao Mu said, showing that a little greed never hurt anyone; it was only natural.
Haha... Xu Tonglei laughed heartily for a moment before saying, "Alright, as long as you're capable, there will be plenty of opportunities."
The test was interrupted as the car sped up, as if hurrying to get somewhere. But no matter what they were rushing for, Xiao Mu felt relieved. If it meant losing his life, that hellhole would be the perfect place for it. As they drove further into populated areas, he could hear the sounds of passing vehicles; that surely meant he was safe.
Sigh... He relaxed his grip on the weapon in his hand. Damn it, that scared me to death.
Sigh... He began to regret it. Initially wanting to play tough and act like he was in the counterfeit money business to connect with these suspects, who would have thought these people wouldn't even consider intelligence and would knock him out cold?
Sigh... He was filled with remorse. In a situation where personal safety wasn't guaranteed, he realized how childish and ridiculous any emotional issues seemed. As long as he could survive, what wouldn't he dare do? Just thinking about being trapped in that packaging box for days and nights made him shudder; what if someone truly lacking intelligence had given him another whack? His life could have ended right there.
Sigh... I need to live well and be a good person. With Nie Qifeng dead, my heartache is gone too. But why am I torturing myself by asking about these trivial matters? Crooked Toad is dead; what kind of deep feelings could there be? Almost lost my life over it! And those police officers—how dumb can they be? They let Big Gourd summon them without finding anything at all! Wait a minute, did that bastard Big Gourd mess things up again?
He pondered every detail of his interactions with Xu Tonglei, searching for his own mistakes, but what good would it do?
"Damn it, it's better to save yourself than to rely on heaven," he thought as his hand slowly gripped the screwdriver again. Where could he stab to make it fatal? He recalled how fierce Wang Lishong was, just like Baldy, and felt that it would be nearly impossible.
The car came to a screeching halt, and Xu Tonglei's voice rang out, "Get out."
Removing the blindfold, Xiao Mu found himself in a pitch-black field. He stepped out of the car, eyeing the two figures standing nearby with suspicion. After a moment, Xu Tonglei chuckled, "Look at this kid, he's quite bold, isn't he?"
"Anyone involved in a Pyramid Scheme wouldn't have a small heart," Wang Lishong replied.
Oh, so they weren't going to attack. Xiao Mu relaxed his grip on the screwdriver.
Indeed, they weren't. Wang Lishong pointed down the road to a two-meter-wide irrigation ditch and said, "Go wash up; you're filthy."
Xiao Mu was more than happy to oblige. He made his way down the path and stripped off his clothes. Wang Lishong tossed half a bag of laundry detergent into the ditch, and Xiao Mu scrubbed off several days' worth of grime. By the time he returned, he was dressed in clean clothes, and they got back in the car to continue their journey. The outline of the city was gradually coming into view.
Xu Tonglei checked his watch and turned back to Xiao Mu. "Hey, Mu, I've got a job for you. In a bit, you'll go meet a buyer—just a face-to-face to discuss prices and delivery locations."
"What? I've never done that before!" Xiao Mu exclaimed in shock. Not only did they want him to print money, but now they wanted him to sell Counterfeit Money as well.
"There's always a first time for everything. Once you've done it once, you'll know how," Xu Tonglei replied.
"Is that appropriate? Am I supposed to go alone?" Xiao Mu asked, puzzled.
"Dream on! I'm going with you as your Lackey; you're the boss here," Wang Lishong said.
Understanding dawned on him; this was just a test run. Xiao Mu was like the stone thrown out to see what would happen. If he got caught by the police, he wouldn't even be able to explain where he came from. If he didn't get caught, then great—he might as well go along with it. What other options did he have?
Immediately thinking about the strangeness in Understood, Xiao Mu became a little nervous. Xu Tonglei looked back with a smile and said: "I'm afraid, if you print it, you have to sell it. What if you don't sell it? That thing is not even useful for wiping your butt. , her color faded when she saw water, she looked like her aunt." Wang Lishong laughed, Xu Tonglei made a dirty joke, and got out of the car when he got to the edge of the city, Xu Tonglei drove away. Wang Lishong and Xiao Mu stopped a taxi on the side of the road and went straight to the agreed place. On the way, Wang Lishong had already stuffed a stack of Counterfeit Money into Xiao Mu’s arms, letting him He is the boss of today's transaction. "Remember, you can call me Boss Ma, Boss Mu, or Boss Tie. Just say Old Man is your friend." Wang Lishong warned. Where the car parked, in a bustling city, Xiao Mu got off the car and caught a glimpse of the name "Nanyang Grand Hotel", and felt even more awe-struck. He was knocked unconscious and put in a wooden box. He had already been beaten by this group of people. The dog's luck traveled thousands of miles. He glanced at his surroundings, but unexpectedly Wang Lishong saw this subtle movement. Wang Lishong smiled and asked him: "Want to run away?" "What?" Xiao Mu was startled. "What are you pretending to be? Just run away if you want. You can try it." Wang Lishong said disdainfully. This guy is about the same size as Baldy and has a martial arts background. I’m afraid it would take more than a dozen Xiao Mu to fight him. Xiao Mu chuckled and said: "Brother Wang, I actually saved you back then. "If you want to cause trouble, you will definitely be beaten. You can't beat me with two fists. I have never harmed you." "That's why you are alive now." , is no longer the poor guy he used to be. "Oh, thank you, please say a few kind words. I sincerely serve Brother Lei and you." Xiao Mu said. "What do these idiots doing Pyramid Scheme have to say?" Wang Lishong dragged him disdainfully. It makes Xiao Mu depressed, but actually I have done worse things than that. After entering the hotel, Xiao Mu shouted, "Wait a minute." I went to the bathroom. I just took a cold shower and my stomach was upset. Wang Lishong couldn't resist this guy, grinning, so he followed me, entered the bathroom, and kept waiting at the door. After urging Xiao Mu several times, he came out. After he came out, he carefully looked around the place where he was staying, and then he took Xiao Mu upstairs to meet the buyer.
"You see, you don't trust me at all. Just let me handle it, okay?"
"I tell you, Brother Wang, if you want to use someone, you can't doubt them. If you let me do it, you can rest assured. Stop being so uptight."
"Hey, say something! How am I supposed to talk to people? I don't know anything."
Xiao Mu kept chattering until they were about to enter the private room. Wang Lishong finally told him: "Tonight at 10 PM, Anshui Expressway Entrance, Five Kilometer Sign. One point for ten in exchange."
That Xu Tonglei must be waiting for the deal. Just hearing the transaction amount of one million made Xiao Mu's heart race.
Bang! The door opened. Inside, two people were pouring drinks for themselves. Wang Lishong stood at the entrance and shoved Xiao Mu inside with a push.
Damn! It felt like he was being shoved in with a phone. If it weren't for the recording, Xiao Mu wouldn't dare take it out. If he did, the buyer would probably think he was a spy. He took a few steps forward, and one of the men with dragon and tiger tattoos gestured for him to sit down. Xiao Mu sat down and stared intently at the two.
"Where's the goods?" the man asked.
This was an inspection. Xiao Mu pulled out the stack and handed it over. The man examined it carefully, shook his earphones, and pulled out a piece to feel its texture. Xiao Mu reminded him, "This stack is just a courtesy gift."
"Not bad. Thanks to Brother Han for that. But this isn't enough; we need a hundred pieces," the man replied.
"Understood, it's already prepared... but in our line of work..." Xiao Mu said seriously.
"You mean cash on delivery? Afraid we won't have money?" The man gestured, and another one brought over a briefcase, opening it and placing it in front of Xiao Mu. Xiao Mu casually touched it, smiled, and nodded in acknowledgment. The man checked the time and asked, "It's now 8:15 PM. Let's find a convenient place to do business; you choose the location. With Brother Han vouching for you, we brothers trust you."
One of them had tattoos while the other had a scruffy beard; neither looked like good company. Xiao Mu nodded and said, "Alright, at 10 PM tonight at Anshui Expressway Entrance, Five Kilometer Sign. We'll wait ten minutes; if we don't see you or if more than these two are present, we won't be in contact again."
"Alright, it's a deal... take care." The polite man said.
Xiao Mu stood up, grabbed half a chicken from the table, and swaggered out.
"Who is that guy? He doesn't seem local," the one who took the money whispered.
"Who cares where he comes from? Tonight, we'll take care of everything," another replied, his facial muscles twitching with a fierce expression, as if he were involved in some underhanded dealings.
...
It was indeed a recording. Xiao Mu was in the car, munching on the chicken while Wang Lishong listened to the audio extracted from Xiao Mu. This shady business was quite dirty, and they had encountered Striped Uniform, who was also an unrelated party.
They hurried into the city and got back into Xu Tonglei's car. Wang Lishong handed over the recording for him to listen to. Xu Tonglei asked, "Is it reliable?"
"Pretty much. They don't seem like good people. One has tattoos on both arms, and the other looks a bit older; neither seems trustworthy," Wang Lishong replied, having caught a glimpse of them as they left.
"Then we can go ahead with this deal. There's still over an hour left. The Old Man's contacts should be reliable," Xu Tonglei said, starting the car.
With the test concluded, they were ready for the transaction when Xiao Mu spoke up from the back, asking, "Can I say something?"
"Speak up; let it out," Wang Lishong replied.
"Those two are cops," Xiao Mu said.
With a squeak, Xu Tonglei was so frightened that he slammed on the brakes and hit Wang Lishong against the glass. Wang Lishong said angrily: "Fuck you, are you trying to scare me, right?" "It's really a policeman, I I dare to lie to you." Xiao Mu said. Xu Tonglei glared at Wang Lishong, and Wang Lishong said: "Impossible, there are police officers wearing tattoos to show off?" "Then let me tell you how to look at people. First, the color of the tattoo is very bright. , that is not true, it is either a fresh tattoo or a drawing. The tattoo that has been there for many years will seep into the skin and the color is not that bright. Secondly, they don’t know how to look at the leather of the banknotes, so they just shake it and touch it. I feel the pattern, look at Counterfeit Money normally, why don't you look at the hot stamping bar, and then look at the watermark, those two look like amateurs at first glance, they are not selling Counterfeit Money... And thirdly, those two look like Ruffians, But they are similar in appearance, but not in spirit. The gangsters look at people with side eyes. They are different, and their eyes look like they want to kill people... Brother Wang, have you seen them walking, looking like they are carefree or arrogant? " Xiao Mu said. Wang Lishong was scared and unsure, and cursed: "You said I feel doubtful? Is this really true or not?" "Of course it is true, I have done Pyramid Scheme, extortion, extortion, Regarding fraud and burglary, I have more opportunities to deal with the police than you. I think the first thing we Pimping learned back then was how to recognize the police. If you don’t recognize it, you will either be detained or fined.” Xiao Mu said and gave both of them an impeccable explanation. Xu Tonglei was also frightened. He looked at Wang Lishong uncertainly. Wang Lishong took out his mobile phone to look for Qiu Guanghan. Xu Tonglei pressed him down and he thought for a long time. , look at Xiao Mu who is chewing a chicken leg. This one is in control, and the other is a senior Lackey, who should I trust? He was hesitant and hadn't made up his mind for a long time...
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