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Dangerous Partner
墨書 Inktalez
The peaks are like a gathering of giants, and the waves rage like fury, the mountains and rivers intertwine at Tongguan Road.
Less than a hundred miles west of Weinan lies this historically significant land, with treacherous terrain. The rugged mountains twist around the Qinling range, shrouded in mist year-round. The ancient mulberry trees remain unchanged after a thousand years, but the once-troubled Tongguan Road, which witnessed the rise and fall of countless lives, has transformed into a highway stretching east to west, winding through the majestic mountains like a dragon.
As night fell, a special convoy approached on the highway, sirens blaring, waking the night owls resting in the distant hills; police lights flashed, cutting through the twilight of the night sky. The police cars sped forward, racing down the road.
At the Weinan exit, the convoy slowed down, leaving the highway. The sign indicated their destination: Weinan Psychiatric Specialty Hospital.
Following the lead vehicle was a command car marked with Shan A, its license plate starting with zero. In the co-driver's seat sat a middle-aged man in police uniform, clean-shaven and serious.
Fan Wenjie, Provincial Political Department Director, was on a special mission.
In the back seat was Ye Tianshu, recently transferred to the 402 Special Project Team.
As they neared their target location, Fan Wenjie leaned slightly forward and glanced back at his old subordinate sitting upright. He asked, "Tianshu, it's been half a month since your transfer to the 402 Special Project Team. How does it feel?"
"It feels... not very good," Ye Tianshu murmured.
"Ha ha... that's honest. Why don't you share what's not good? I can reflect it accurately when I report to Qin Hall," Fan Wenjie replied with a smile.
The 402 Special Project Team was numbered by time; its full name was the Action Team for Combating Illegal Pyramid Schemes. They had already made significant progress in half a month, but there was no hint of joy in Ye Tianshu's voice as he continued, "Old Leader, it's not that I'm complaining; it's just hard to get started. Most of the places we've uncovered are victims, and many have been Brainwashed. They don't see us as rescuers but view the police as enemies."
"Our job is to solve problems and eliminate hazards; it's not about seeking sympathy or understanding from anyone," Fan Wenjie said bluntly.
"Yes, I understand," Ye Tianshu quickly corrected himself. The attitude from above had never changed; security risks had to be addressed regardless of understanding. He explained further, "My biggest realization is that Pyramid Schemes and Brainwashing are incredibly terrifying—more so than criminal offenses—and they pose even greater harm... When dealing with criminal suspects, we can use any means we deem necessary. But these people are strictly speaking victims, which makes us hesitant."
After a brief pause, noticing that Old Leader remained silent, he added, "We've summarized several characteristics: first, their groups are tightly knit with familial ties; unless they are recruiting new members, outsiders find it hard to infiltrate. Second, their discipline is strict; they live and work together and even have unified ways of communicating with outsiders. Without being able to define their criminal involvement clearly, we cannot conduct investigations. Thirdly, their methods are varied—some operate under company names, some sell products, and others promote concepts. We've already discovered over a dozen different types; they're diverse and numerous."
"There are always more solutions than difficulties. What are our ways forward?" Fan Wenjie asked directly for results.
Ye Tianshu gathered his thoughts and reported: "We are coordinating with other members of the Provincial Task Force, preparing to send some of our own people into their hideouts through infiltration or exchanges. Ideally, we want to reach their organizational level; otherwise, this vast Pyramid Scheme across the province is larger than our Police Force, making it difficult for us to cope."
"Time is of the essence; we need to act quickly. This is our family heirloom, and we must mobilize the masses and rely on them," Fan Wenjie said.
"Yes, I remember... The project team has now contacted two grassroots anti-Pyramid Scheme alliances. The information they have gathered will be very helpful for our research on this illegal organizational form... Our next step is to develop a group of informants, still following the grassroots approach... Also, we have hired a psychological expert who will arrive tomorrow," Ye Tianshu replied. This case had begun to expand like a snowball.
"Good job. Pyramid Schemes are run by experts in psychology and behavior; we need to cultivate an Anti-Pyramid Scheme Team that can counter them. This approach is excellent; it will help the involved personnel correct their mindset and recognize the immense dangers of Illegal Pyramid Schemes. We must never treat this as a minor case," Fan Wenjie stated.
"Yes, during the confidentiality phase, our project team has temporarily named it according to the principles and forms of Pyramid Schemes. All personnel involved have undergone concentrated learning and training," Ye Tianshu added.
His voice trailed off as he noticed Old Leader staring blankly out the window. Among the mountains, there was a brilliantly lit place—that was their destination: Weinan Psychiatric Specialty Hospital.
Outside, the night was serene, with stars twinkling above and a bright river flowing in the sky.
Looking down, the bushes glistened under the car lights, while distant mountains outlined a flowing ink-like line.
Before such beauty, his mood could not improve. Fan Wenjie sighed and withdrew his gaze, saying, "What a great place! Such beautiful scenery—how can it be ruined by these petty criminals? Look at the harm they’ve caused; it’s far more serious than criminal offenses."
As they drove through the hospital gates and parked in the courtyard, two transport vehicles opened their doors. The staff from the Mental Hospital, along with police officers, began escorting those inside down—men and women of all ages, each one alert and suspicious of this unfamiliar environment, refusing to get out of the vehicle.
There was no choice but to proceed. A middle-aged man shouted loudly, "We are legal! You are violating our human rights! I will sue you! I will expose your ugly faces online!"
Another individual, visibly excited, introduced himself to the staff: "We are all brothers under heaven! I see we are destined to meet; would you be interested in joining us? Don’t rush to refuse; this wealth creation code can change your life..."
A woman among them even bit one of the staff members.
Another person kicked and struggled violently; it took four people to carry him out.
Then there was a bald man with violent tendencies who was escorted inside by several police officers.
In total, there were seventeen individuals, including nine women. Their symptoms varied greatly, but their root cause was the same: either they had lost everything due to their obsession with Pyramid Schemes or had been deceived by them. When rescued or repatriated, these individuals could not even clearly state their home addresses or had long since lost their homes.
"I've been working on this for some time now—the costs for repatriation and treatment must come from the department. These individuals are already mentally disturbed; those who cannot be sent back won't even be accepted at shelters. They can only be temporarily sent here for treatment... I can handle the funding issues; Tian Shu, dismantling their organization and removing this malignant tumor relies on you. We can't just watch as good families lose everything and become mentally ill," Fan Wenjie said.
"Yes! I weigh over a hundred pounds; I'm ready to take them on," Ye Tianshu replied excitedly as he stood at attention and saluted.
Those who were frenzied, those who had lost their sanity, those who clawed and scratched, and those who no longer possessed normal thought—such chaotic behavior made Ye Tianshu's blood boil, igniting a sense of shame and courage within him. He understood the significance of being urgently called to participate in this transport mission.
Fan Wenjie looked at him. The Police Force was never short of such passionate individuals, willing to stand in front of gun barrels and blades without flinching. However, at this moment, he was not entirely pleased. He gently lowered Ye Tianshu's respectful hand and spoke earnestly, "Cases like this are more about wits than strength. So far, the highest-ranking organizer we've captured is just a junior manager, someone who doesn't even have the qualifications to collect money... The Provincial Department has instructed us to mobilize all available forces to thoroughly and completely eradicate this tumor. Relying solely on temporary bravery won't suffice."
"Does the Provincial Department have further arrangements?" Ye Tianshu asked excitedly, catching the underlying meaning.
"It seems you understand. Besides supporting your Field Duty, the Criminal Investigation Division has also dispatched an Undercover Officer. Don't ask me who it is; I don't know either. But at the right moment, he will reach out to you," Fan Wenjie replied.
"How deep are we in? Have we reached their level?" Ye Tianshu was thrilled.
"If everyone knew, it wouldn't be called an undercover operation. Today isn't just about rallying you before battle; it's also about giving you an order: maintain strict surveillance here. We have a Cult Leader-level individual locked up—a Mental Patient with multiple escape attempts in his history. We cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes," Fan Wenjie said seriously, pointing to the Mental Hospital that was managed as strictly as a prison.
"Understood!" Ye Tianshu saluted with conviction.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to him so you can witness this crazy world. Our starting point may be here, but our endpoint must never return to this place."
Fan Wenjie led the way as Ye Tianshu followed closely behind. The path to the Therapy Room had three doors, more secure than any prison. Patients who had just undergone physical examinations were still causing a ruckus; newly admitted Mental Patients were screaming and rolling around in a frenzy, oblivious to the dangers posed by Pyramid Schemes that had already spread their poison so widely.
The last door opened, and their figures disappeared inside.
A mad story, a tale of madness—this crazy world had opened a door...
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