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墨書 Inktalez
As the taxi came to a halt, Xiao Mu and Zhang Quan jumped out, racing towards the Exit Point leading out of the country.
The only evidence left was the missing stolen funds. Two days ago, they had tracked Yang Yun's whereabouts, but without confirming where the money had gone and with no sign of Lu Hongbo, the pursuit team dared not take action. They had followed Yang Yun to this border city, waiting for her to make her escape.
Now, at the Exit Point, Lian Qiang hurriedly jumped out of the Field Duty vehicle. Xiao Mu and Zhang Quan looked towards the Exit Point, both gasping in shock.
This was truly not a good place. The Exit Point leading to Macau was connected by several kilometers of passageways filled with thousands of merchants. Everything from food and clothing to crafts and ornaments could be found here. Every day, tens of thousands of residents crossed the border. Xiao Mu and Zhang Quan walked briskly through the crowd, their spirits heightened a hundredfold, eyes shining as they scanned their surroundings.
"The call was made ten minutes ago; the recipient is right here. She entered just two minutes before you arrived, and the other one should be nearby," Lian Qiang reported. He had obtained the number through an undercover operation at a hotel and held a locator device in his hand that displayed a red dot moving towards the Exit Point.
However, this place was somewhat unexpected.
"We can't wait any longer. Director Luo Guanquan is already monitoring the Exit Point. Facial recognition won't be quick enough; if we miss her, it will be troublesome for her to leave," Zhang Quan said. Finally speaking up, Xiao Mu asked curiously, "How do you think she will get through?"
The key wasn't Yang Yun; it was another person who hadn't shown up at all.
"She'll just pass through like that; using a fake identity is easy for her," Zhang Quan replied. Given all the work done at home, they should have successfully lowered her guard.
"That's not right... I think she will definitely change her appearance," Xiao Mu said as he walked and pondered. The manic Professor Lu in the mental hospital; the disheveled Professor Lu in a rundown city; suddenly returning as the revered Professor Lu in the Pyramid Scheme—he shifted seamlessly between madness and normalcy. What would he become?
"The skin is the canvas of the soul; the body is its projection... She will transform into an image closest to her soul," Xiao Mu murmured, stopping in his tracks. His adrenaline peaked at that moment, his expression one of frenzied excitement.
Zhang Quan stared at him in astonishment, unable to comprehend what this little wizard was rambling about. Without time to explain, Xiao Mu continued directly: "Look for an elderly figure—thin, about 1.75 meters tall, spirited and dignified—with a hat or glasses to obscure their face. Or perhaps more than just those coverings; maybe she understands your facial recognition system and will alter her facial features. How can we mess with that?"
"Stick-on beard," Zhang Quan said, increasing the chances of fooling facial recognition software.
"Yes, a beard, just like the Old Wizard in Harry Potter. He is a wise figure, a Pioneer. The more despicable and degenerate a person is, the more they yearn for an image that is beyond their reach... Just like how I want to be a police officer and you want to be a Tycoon; both are impossible..." Xiao Mu remarked. That guy who loved to show off would definitely leave gracefully like a scholar, rather than pretending to be a nouveau riche or any other persona.
Zhang Quan paused for a moment, and Xiao Mu urged, "Quickly report back; find the image that closely matches his age and personality."
Zhang Quan didn't dare to delay and promptly sent the report.
After another ten minutes without results, Xiao Mu and Zhang Quan moved deeper into the area, nearing the Exit Point. Behind them, a large business van carried a group of Undercover agents, all of whom were being dropped off at Exit Point street like scattered beans...
Every day, tens of thousands of travelers and residents passed through Exit Point. In this precious space, no one paid attention to the hurried men, women, and children passing by; they were all fleeting figures in each other's lives, exchanging quick glances that would likely never meet again.
Among the throng of pedestrians, some would occasionally stop at nearby shops to buy one or two small trinkets not found on the mainland. The entire street bustled from morning till night without a moment's peace. In yet another group preparing to cross over, an elderly man wearing a straw hat and leaning on a light cane approached Exit Point. He glanced at his watch and casually stepped into an exquisitely decorated Silver Jewelry Store. As he wandered among the various Silver Jewelry pieces, he suddenly stopped upon seeing a shiny Silver Lock. Its ancient design resembled the Longevity Lock used in rural areas long ago.
With squinted eyes, he gazed at this ordinary object for quite some time. He gently reached out and picked it up, smiling as if pondering whether giving such an old-fashioned item to a child in this era would earn him ridicule from Beauty. After thinking it over, he put it back... but surprisingly felt a twinge of reluctance. He liked this simple blessing, even though it felt distant from him now.
"How much for this...?" he asked aloud but turned around in shock.
The Waitress was keeping her distance while he noticed that at some point, a burly man had stood with his arms crossed nearby, smiling at him as he spoke, "You don't need to spend any money; it's unnecessary."
Zhang Quan appeared behind him, speaking to the collar with a tone of realization: "Found you, it's him."
He could deceive others, but not those who had once spent every day with him.
The "old man" held the Silver Lock, hesitated for a second, then said nothing. He collapsed with a thud, limbs twitching, eyes wide open, foaming at the mouth.
"Hey, damn it, Lu the Madman, are you playing tricks again? Do you believe I’ll kill you?" Zhang Quan panicked. The waiter behind screamed and ran away. Then Zhang Quan froze; this trickster was about to cause chaos, likely trying to protect someone else. He crouched down, but unexpectedly, the old man's convulsions worsened. He foamed excessively and made choking sounds as a crowd quickly gathered around, pointing and murmuring in confusion about what was happening.
"Make way, make way..." Xiao Mu squeezed through the crowd and stepped forward. He suddenly splashed something from his hand onto the "old man," hitting him right in the groin. The old man yelped in pain and sat up abruptly, clutching his pants while shouting angrily at Xiao Mu, jumping up and down in outrage. Then he paused, staring incredulously at the two of them as if he couldn't believe they had appeared together.
"What did you spill? So effective?" Zhang Quan asked with a laugh.
"Freshly brewed milk tea, ha ha..." Xiao Mu grinned mischievously.
The onlookers from the Leftover Crowd laughed; it seemed like no big deal to them as they dispersed in small groups. Thus, the revealed "old man" found himself awkwardly exposed, his eyes darting around as if searching for a way to escape. He chuckled nervously and asked, "Oh, how have you been, Baldy... and Lin?"
This guy had a mouth like a steel trap; he wasn't just thick-skinned but iron-skinned. As he spoke, more people arrived and gathered at the entrance of the shop. The defeated Lu Hongbo plopped down on the ground in frustration and exclaimed, "What is going on here... why do I always have to deal with this lunatic?"
"Damn it, pulling tricks right under my nose."
Zhang Quan stepped forward and kicked him. From beneath the shelf, he pulled out Lu the Madman, who had taken advantage of the chaos to stuff his passport and a mini phone inside. Then he looked at Lu the Madman, who smiled back. Zhang Quan reached out and ripped off his Beard, pinching it between two fingers before taking his cap.
Thus, the long-missing Professor Lu reappeared before them—though fifty years had passed, he looked remarkably well and much younger than his actual age.
"Professor, when did you realize I was a cop?" Zhang Quan asked with a smile.
"Are you out of your mind? You're a cop?" Lu Hongbo asked, puzzled, his expression completely genuine.
"Lu the Madman, keep pretending. Now that I've found you here, do you think the other one can escape? Do you have any idea how I tracked you down?" Xiao Mu chimed in with a grin. Lu the Madman tensed up, instinctively recalling how Zhang Quan had pinned him down. Xiao Mu taunted him further, "You didn't see it coming, did you? I'm also a cop."
"You're lying, absolutely not," Lu Hongbo retorted angrily.
"Heh heh, Baldy, look at him. He's not crazy at all; he knows what's going on and can tell I'm lying," Xiao Mu laughed, digging at him.
Having let slip a little too much, Lu Hongbo slapped his own mouth in frustration. His expression quickly turned fierce as he gritted his teeth and said:
"You won't get anything from me."
"From the river's dragon to the land's worm, understand this: what you say doesn't matter now... close the gate."
Xiao Mu mimicked Lu the Madman's former tone and raised his hand. Outside, the Undercover agents immediately locked the shop's gate, sealing off the area.
………………………………
………………………………
Once one was caught, it would be easier to get the other. A group of Undercover agents raced toward the source of the Signal.
In the Sensitive Area, it was certainly impossible to deploy the Police Force with guns drawn for a lockdown, especially since this wasn't a wanted criminal on the list. They had to act with urgency. One by one, items were pulled from Lu Hongbo's possession. Unsurprisingly, nothing of significance was found—just a passport, a phone, and some loose change. Even the cane was examined; with a forceful kick, it snapped in half, revealing it to be nothing more than an ordinary bamboo stick.
Seated on the ground with handcuffs, Lu Hongbo laughed, looking at Zhang Quan with a mischievous grin that only grew wider, until he was shaking with laughter.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Mu slowly reached out and turned on the sleek phone. The startup screen flashed in front of Lu Hongbo before Xiao Mu tucked it into his pocket. This simple action startled Lu Hongbo; he glared at Xiao Mu with a fierce intensity, as if he wanted to pounce and bite him, his demeanor almost resembling that of a Mental Patient.
How should he approach this? Zhang Quan felt somewhat troubled. This frail-looking individual was mentally tough; any light or heavy-handed approach might provoke him further. As a police officer, while he didn't mind using interrogation techniques, they had to be applied to someone who could withstand them. He glanced at Xiao Mu, who had already sensed his thoughts. Lu Hongbo sneered, "Hurry up and take me back for a proper interrogation; I’ll end up in the Mental Hospital anyway."
"Where did you get the fake passport?" Zhang Quan asked.
"Are you blind? It's clearly real! I'm from Hong Kong. Go ahead and check if you don't believe me," Lu Hongbo replied with a laugh.
"It seems you're planning to retire in Hong Kong? That amount of money doesn't seem like much," Zhang Quan probed.
"With hands and feet, how could I starve? Don't give me that nonsense; a fake ID will only get me detained at worst. Who are you trying to scare?" Lu Hongbo scoffed.
Zhang Quan felt defeated; he clenched his fists, wishing he could solve this problem with one punch. However, facing someone like Lu Hongbo—who had been repeatedly beaten down yet never compromised—his fists were no match for their mental resilience.
Xiao Mu remained silent but calmly remarked, "The door is closed, and the space is isolated. If you're thinking of causing trouble, that's impossible; if you want to be taken away, that's also impossible... With so many people here, are you waiting for someone?"
The power of those calm words was as impactful as physical blows. Lu Hongbo's expression twisted into one of rage again. He lunged forward, but Xiao Mu dodged just in time. Zhang Quan quickly restrained him, but Lu Hongbo was wild—kicking and biting in a frenzy. Frustrated, Zhang Quan added another pair of handcuffs and secured him to the storage rack. Even then, Lu Hongbo refused to give up; he yanked at the rack loudly, shouting for help.
"Damn it, he's gone crazy again," Zhang Quan said angrily.
"No, you are wrong. This is precisely where he is not mad at all; he wants to warn that woman," Xiao Mu said.
Lu Hongbo, who was going mad, suddenly stopped, glaring at Xiao Mu with hostility.
"Professor, you are someone who is pointed at by thousands wherever you go, and no one will sympathize with you. In Shaanxi Province alone, you have deceived tens of thousands of people. I wonder how many people you have cheated in your lifetime; I bet you can't even keep track," Xiao Mu continued, squatting down to look at him from a distance. He then shifted his tone and said, "However, I still feel sympathy for you. You saved a woman who was humiliated, bullied, and at her wit's end, and gave her a happy life. Do you know? A glimmer of humanity can become the greatest weakness of a suspect... You haven't lost to anyone; you've only lost to yourself."
Lu Hongbo looked at Xiao Mu and surprisingly fell silent. He regarded Xiao Mu with suspicion and asked hesitantly, "Who... exactly are you?"
His voice carried a hint of fear. Zhang Quan felt a surge of joy; it seemed that Lu the Madman, who could hardly be dealt with by the legal system, had finally met his match.
"You guessed correctly; I have lived abroad for many years. However, what you can't guess is that I studied psychology—abnormal psychology, forensic psychology, and criminal psychology. The purpose of psychology is to solve human psychological problems, but unfortunately, most of it is used to pry into others' psychological secrets. Even the most upright scholars indulge in this... I am one of them. In fact, I chose this major because I thought I had psychological issues myself. But later I realized that most people have problems, and the problematic aspects are often the most fascinating parts of a person," Xiao Mu said with a smile, his expression lively and animated.
In contrast, Lu Hongbo felt as if he were walking on thin ice. He watched Xiao Mu warily as if pondering the truth behind his words. Out of fear, he even chose to remain silent.
"You told me that joining a pyramid scheme would bring unparalleled fulfillment. I never expected that I would indeed find it today. Even the most outstanding scholars rarely get the opportunity to encounter real-life cases like this. Honestly, I'm not very interested in academics, money, or status, but I didn't expect you to help me discover my greatest interest," Xiao Mu said cheerfully as he sat down on the ground without any urgency. Zhang Quan signaled him discreetly, but he ignored it as if he were simply having a chat with Lu the Madman.
Lu the Madman turned away from him and ignored him entirely. Typically when confronted by police, he would pretend to be mad; however, in front of this person, he didn't even consider putting on an act. Anyone who could think of using hot milk tea to splash on your pants was definitely not someone easily deceived by illusions.
The lack of response significantly diminished Xiao Mu's sense of achievement. He reminded Lu Hongbo: "Professor, aren't you curious about how I discovered you? Don't you also wonder how I found out about your affair with Yang Beauty?"
Lu Hongbo reacted this time; he turned his head slightly and glanced at Xiao Mu as if seeking further information.
"You seem to have forgotten my background. I am quite sensitive to high-end and luxurious things. The first time I met Yang Menglu, she was wearing a pair of Louboutin heels—the brand known for its 'red soles,' which are considered every woman's dream shoes. Their design is extremely distinctive and represents an individualistic style. Of course, they don't come cheap; they must cost around seven or eight hundred dollars."
"Xiao Mu said, and Lu the Madman was unconvinced. Xiao Mu continued, 'We don't even need to talk about her clothes. Although she carefully cut off the tags, the style of a high-end brand doesn't change. I noticed she takes good care of herself; even her ankles are well-maintained. Her skin is smooth and hydrated, not at all inferior to that of a young girl, especially for someone in her thirties approaching forty... Oh, and the perfume, Guerlain, a French brand that's hard to find on the market unless you go through a purchasing agent. It definitely shouldn't be found in such a backward place like Shaanxi Province.'
Lu the Madman felt a bit lost, unsure whether to be nervous about Xiao Mu's keen observation or angry at that woman who loved to dress up. He suddenly retorted, 'Bullshit! I've been in the Pyramid Scheme business for twenty years. Have you ever heard of someone being in it for twenty years and still having a wife at home?'
'That's exactly what I wanted to talk about next... Remember that day on the road when I accused you of soliciting?' Xiao Mu asked.
In an instant, Lu the Madman looked like a defeated rooster, speechless.
'The good thing about high-end perfume is its longevity. That morning, I smelled it on you... From that moment on, I knew you two were having an affair, and it wasn't just a short-term fling. Do you know why?' Xiao Mu asked.
'Why?' Lu the Madman's curiosity was piqued.
'Because all along the way, I was teasing and flirting with Yang Beauty, but she always skillfully avoided me... To be honest, I'm quite confident in my ability to seduce women, especially someone like Yang Menglu who should be in her prime. I really wanted to have a go with her... But I retreated in front of her; at most, I could touch her thigh or her face but couldn't go any further. At that moment, I realized someone else had already filled her heart...' Xiao Mu said, feeling both disappointed and secretly pleased.
The madman truly was mad; Lu Hongbo felt triumphant as he laughed heartily, his pride evident.
'So later on, I figured it out first. The expenses for being a lecturer couldn't possibly support a woman like her. The key to unlocking that complex organization must lie with her. Even if she jumped out as a whistleblower.' Xiao Mu chuckled.
Laughing, Lu the Madman suddenly went crazy again. He turned his head and spat at Xiao Mu, saying, 'Get lost! You're just a little brat who doesn't know anything!'
With such intense emotions, Zhang Quan realized he had hit the nail on the head. He stood in front of Lu the Madman and kicked him while shouting, 'Behave yourself!'
It was better not to say anything; as soon as he did, Lu the Madman turned his head and bit him on the leg. The pain made Zhang Quan flinch away. Once free, Lu the Madman grinned widely with blood-stained teeth, his smile chilling enough to send shivers down Zhang Quan's spine."
"Actually, within this Pyramid Scheme group in Shaanxi Province, there are those who once treated Yang Yun, also known as Yang Menglu, as a tool for their desires... I heard that back then she was given as a 'nurturing reward' to some of the subordinates." Xiao Mu said calmly, throwing in another harsh remark.
Lu Hongbo suddenly went mad, pulling at the shelf with all his might, making a loud clattering sound. He wanted to pounce but couldn't get close, so he spat at Xiao Mu repeatedly. Xiao Mu remained unmoved, looking at Lu the Madman with a complex mix of pity and awkwardness. After a moment, Lu the Madman sat down in despair, blood dripping from his wrist. He stared blankly at Xiao Mu, his white teeth biting into his lips until they bled, and spoke slowly: "Kid, killing someone is just a matter of degree. You better pray and burn incense to ensure I die in prison."
"No, if I pray and burn incense, I would wish for you two to stay together. You can pretend to be crazy, deceive people, and commit crimes; she can betray everyone for you and take risks. Surely you both have endured a long period of hardship together... thinking that one day you could escape and live a peaceful and happy life?" Xiao Mu replied, his eyes sharp as surgical knives piercing through Lu Hongbo's frantic expression to uncover what he was trying to hide.
Lu the Madman felt struck by lightning; he suddenly understood why he couldn't escape. His lips moved silently, his throat dry and unable to produce any sound for a long time, as if he had encountered the most terrifying thing of his life.
After a moment, a sound that resembled weeping, pain, madness, and obsession emerged—it was an oddly strange laughter that sent chills down one's spine.
This madman was truly difficult to deal with. Zhang Quan gestured to Xiao Mu, pressing him for the whereabouts of the stolen money.
Xiao Mu shot him a glance but ignored him completely. Instead, he moved closer and sat beside Lu Hongbo, pulling out a tissue to cover Lu Hongbo's bleeding wrist.
This small gesture seemed to touch Lu Hongbo; he turned his head and stared blankly at Xiao Mu. Zhang Quan remained on high alert, fearing that this guy might lash out again. However, he was mistaken; the two maintained their gaze for a long time without moving.
Just when Zhang Quan felt he could no longer endure it, Lu Hongbo let out a hissing laugh, baring his blood-stained white teeth as he mocked Xiao Mu:
"I underestimated you; you actually managed to find me. But even if you did find me, you'll gain nothing... Do you really think you're correct just because you believe it's me? She can be a decoy; why can't I be one? We're only eight hundred meters from the Exit Point, and more than eight hundred people pass by every minute... How many Police Forces do you have that can seal this off? Or even if you could seal it off, with your capabilities, it wouldn't be possible."
A smug and satisfied smile spread across Lu the Madman's face. Zhang Quan's heart raced with alarm just as Luo Guanquan's surveillance phone call came in...
Field Duty had already tackled a woman, thinking she was the source of the Signal. However, it turned out that the phone being tracked by Field Duty was actually in the basket she was carrying.
The sudden mistake in the capture caused a commotion, as the Undercover agents were escorting the lady back to the Exit Point.
Caught off guard by this situation, Luo Guanquan frantically notified over the phone:
"Capture failed, repeat, capture failed. Yang Yun has disappeared, Yang Yun has disappeared..."
Inside a secluded shop, Zhang Quan stared in shock at Lu the Madman, whose mouth was bloodied. He was at a loss for what to do. If Yang Menglu, who had been in sight all along, was indeed the mastermind, then disappearing with the stolen goods at the last moment would mean that the pursuing officers were about to make the biggest blunder since their operation began.
"Haha... there’s no point in talking anymore; now there’s no chance left... Haha, not a single penny! You still have to send me back to the Mental Hospital... Haha..."
Lu the Madman grinned with his blood-stained teeth, laughing joyfully while sending chills down the spines of those watching...
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