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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 118: Cross-Border Pursuit 2
Being a Patrol Officer is no easy task, especially during the night shift. You never know how many streetwalkers, bag snatchers, thieves, and all sorts of odd activities you'll encounter. With so many people causing a ruckus, there’s bound to be trouble.
The leading officer charged in with confidence, shouting, "Stop! What are you doing?"
"Step back! Step back..." another Patrol Officer warned those outside.
A group of seven or eight, emboldened by their numbers, pushed inside while shouting. However, once they entered, they hesitated; the place was packed with heads bobbing everywhere. Just as one was about to speak, he felt a movement at his waist. Turning around, he only saw a hand reaching for him, and then… his words vanished into thin air. A member of the Leftover Crowd noticed this and gasped; just as he pointed and shouted, there was a loud bang—the lights went out.
At that moment, the last Patrol Officer had just reached the door when he was shoved inside by a Big Gourd outside. The door slammed shut behind him.
"Brothers, how many times have you been chased down the street by these Striped Uniforms? You have no grievances with them, yet they don’t give us any leeway… Block the exits; not a single one is allowed to escape," Xiao Mu shouted in the darkness.
"Roar… Revenge for our grievances."
"Damn it, this is madness."
"Hey! Hey! Hey… Are you daring to assault an officer?"
"You think you can act tough? Who do you think I am?"
The battle erupted instantly. These were street fighters who had never lacked for opportunists and backstabbers. It was like a clash of titans; one officer trying to call for help had his radio snatched away immediately. Another officer who attempted to pull out his phone suddenly felt multiple hands diving into his pockets. By the time he found a moment to react, not only was his phone gone, but even his wallet had disappeared. In an instant, the reflective strips on the uniforms of several Patrol Officers became the most obvious targets. A few officers managed to keep their composure; they swung their batons and took down several attackers, forming a defensive circle back-to-back.
Once stability was achieved, the fear of calmness set in; once calmness prevailed, the boldness of the crowd began to wane.
With a loud bang, the lights came on. Just as they had adjusted to the darkness, they were suddenly blinded again. As they opened their eyes, someone tossed a handful of Hundred Dollar Bills towards the circle of Patrol Officers. The eyes of the crowd lit up, and with a roar, they broke through the barrier and lunged for the money.
Another voice stirred the pot: "Brothers, did you see that? Unity is strength; only together can we find a way out. As long as we stand united, what do we care about the police... If they block us, dare to fight back? I'll take responsibility for any trouble that arises with Wood Master..."
"Ah... mine, mine..."
"Did you hear that? You dare to meddle in Wood Master's affairs?"
"Strip him of his uniform; what’s so impressive about that..."
With Wood Master backing them up and money scattered everywhere, it seemed no one could control this situation. The excited crowd surged forward, seizing and grabbing until the Patrol Officers were completely overwhelmed. Resistance was futile; their batons were snatched away, hats were knocked off, and even their uniforms were tugged at. In just a few minutes, the money was gone, and when the crowd formed a circle again, the seven Patrol Officers looked utterly humiliated—disheveled and crouching with their heads down, too scared to speak.
Among the crowd surrounding them, several individuals held belts they had taken from the Patrol Officers, laughing mockingly at their captives. This time, they had actually won against the police; indeed, unity brought strength.
Big Gourd was terrified. With his years of experience in the underworld, he knew that today’s reckless behavior could lead to dire consequences. He quietly moved next to Xiao Mu, hiding behind a shelf. Big Gourd asked, "Brother, what's wrong? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Checking the time—only ten minutes had passed—Xiao Mu pondered and whispered back, "Wrong. I want to live impressively for once. Aren't you up for it?"
Talking to Big Gourd required a special kind of logic, which Xiao Mu clearly understood. With just a little encouragement, Big Gourd puffed out his chest and said defiantly, "What’s there to be afraid of? We just beat them up! Worst case scenario, we get beaten back later."
"Go on, take a few people and drive their Electric Cart away; just dump it somewhere in a trash heap." Xiao Mu incited him further. Big Gourd didn’t quite understand at first until Xiao Mu pulled him closer and whispered instructions: "You and Liu Yang take a group out to drive off with the cars. Lock the doors from outside. Then... once everything is settled here, I'll slip out through the back door."
"I understand. No one will know we're up to no good in here with so many people around. Tomorrow, they'll definitely cause trouble for Golden Dog," Big Gourd realized.
"Look, you're already framing someone... Let me teach you a good trick. Go find Golden Dog's wife and tell her that Golden Dog has been arrested by the police. Make sure she runs away quickly," Xiao Mu schemed.
"What do you mean? Just get those two to take advantage of his wife?" Big Gourd said viciously, still harboring a grudge.
"What's the point of just sleeping with her? When she runs, we can grab her luggage; there must be something valuable in it," Xiao Mu replied.
"Oh, that's a brilliant plan... I'm in!" Big Gourd exclaimed excitedly. He called a few people, exited the shop, locked the door behind them, and swaggered away in two electric patrol cars.
At that moment, the lights in the shop suddenly went dark, making it impossible to see anything from outside.
However, Guo Wei and Guan Yiqing, who witnessed everything firsthand, were quite shaken. No matter how much they tried to imagine it, they couldn't fathom how Xiao Mu had grown to this level. The seven Patrol Officers had entered and vanished without a trace.
"Shouldn't our boss have revealed his identity?" one of Lin Qizhao's subordinates remarked.
"Forget it. Anyone who dares to reveal they're a cop would get beaten to a pulp. Didn't you see how chaotic it was earlier? In this situation, what the police say doesn't matter," Guo Wei scoffed.
"What kind of people are these?" another subordinate wondered aloud. "Wait a minute, Deputy Commissioner Shen went in and came out without any issues?"
"Our boss is still inside, isn't he?"
"Could something have happened?"
"Stop overthinking it, just wait for the backup."
The two of them certainly couldn't make sense of such a puzzling situation, while Guo Wei and Guan Yiqing exchanged knowing smiles. For some reason, this made them feel more at ease...
Chen Shaoyang hurriedly made his way to Criminal Investigation Team Five. During his days of suspension, he had been drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Suddenly, he received a call from Shen Lingchen. He had come directly from the bar, and as he got out of the taxi, Shen Lingchen was already waiting for him. Chen Shaoyang saluted and said, "Deputy Commissioner Shen, Chen Shaoyang reporting for duty."
Oh dear, the smell of alcohol was overwhelming. Shen Lingchen waved his hand dismissively and said disapprovingly, "You've been drinking like this? Can you even work?"
"Drinking like this? Can I even work?" Shen Lingchen repeated, clearly displeased.
Chen Shaoyang chuckled and replied, "I've been suspended; what work can I do?"
He had rushed over thinking it was a major case situation, but seeing Shen Lingchen alone on his bike made it clear that it wasn't. This realization disappointed him, and he noticed a hint of desolation in Shen Lingchen's eyes.
As fellow fallen professionals, Shen Lingchen understood this feeling well. He patted Chen Shaoyang on the shoulder and said, "I won't waste time with small talk; there's just one question: can I trust you?"
"Political Commissar, I'm just a rough guy with no ulterior motives. This is who I am; believe it or not," Chen Shaoyang replied bluntly, not particularly polite given their rank difference.
"With that attitude, it seems you're worth trusting. What I need to tell you about the case situation is that we've just discovered the hiding spots for Mourning Hair and Widow Ma's loot. There’s a possibility that someone from our side is involved. I need manpower; I need interrogations done. We must keep this absolutely confidential until everything is clear. Can you manage that?" Shen Lingchen's expression turned serious, and his voice grew cold.
The few sentences were more sobering than a downpour for Chen Shaoyang. He exclaimed in disbelief, "No way!"
Shen Lingchen raised his phone, displaying the recently taken photo in front of Chen Shaoyang.
This was more convincing than anything else. Chen Shaoyang inhaled sharply, feeling all his energy coalesce. He wiped his face vigorously, remaining silent as he headed straight for the Fifth Squad.
Gathering... he shouted at the top of his lungs in the courtyard.
The duty officer pressed the emergency mobilization alarm. Those watching TV jumped up and ran, those in the shower hurriedly put on clothes and dashed out, while others who had just lain down slid down the banister from the second floor without a second thought.
The veterans brought their military style into the Police Force. Shen Lingchen watched with satisfaction. In less than two minutes, over twenty team members had assembled neatly in the rain. The last to arrive was the duty officer, who saluted and asked, "Captain Chen, what happened? Do we need to report to Team Liu?"
Right, there was another question: Can a suspended captain lead the team? Chen Shaoyang glanced at Shen Lingchen, who saluted in front of the team and declared loudly, "This is a secret mission. Including your suspension, it falls within this scope. I hereby announce that effective immediately, Captain Chen Shaoyang's position is reinstated. Therefore, all personnel present, including those on duty, are to respond... At ease, Confidential Officer, open the Armory."
"Captain Chen... this." The armory keeper was terrified; managing firearms was a heavy responsibility. Who would believe a mere verbal command? Especially from Captain Chen, known for being reckless.
"I'll take responsibility if something goes wrong; can you afford to be held accountable for delaying an emergency?" Chen Shaoyang shouted angrily.
The armory keeper fell silent and rushed to the Armory. The firearms were kept separately by two custodians. The entire criminal investigation team took their weapons and ammunition clips and split into several police cars, racing towards Trade City Toy Store while collecting communication devices along the way, each person tense and alert.
"Political Commissar, how many people do you have over there?" Chen Shaoyang asked nervously in the car.
"Dozens," Shen Lingchen replied.
"How many people are there? Do we still need to help?" Chen Shaoyang expressed his disbelief.
"The problem is, those dozens of people aren't on our side," Shen Lingchen replied.
"Huh? Dozens... not on our side? Is there such a large organization in this city?" Chen Shaoyang questioned, still skeptical.
"Well, there are some," Shen Lingchen said with a smile, adding a precautionary note: "Just so you know, Never might be surprised later. They only catch the goods, not the people. This pile of evidence basically nails down Ma Yubing, Mao Shiping, and He Shi. There might even be a bigger case behind it... We're almost there, let's meet up with them."
Shen Lingchen was on the phone as they approached the two parked cars. A figure knocked on the window; the car stopped, and Guo Wei climbed in, pointing ahead and saying, "It's just up ahead."
"But up ahead... there's nothing?" Chen Shaoyang said, puzzled.
"There is. Two patrol cars and seven Patrol Officers have all been taken down by them," Guo Wei explained.
"What? What exactly..."
"Don't worry, Master. It's good that we haven't been exposed."
"Surround them!"
There was no time for further discussion. As the police car parked, the officers braced themselves for action. With doors and windows secured, guns drawn, the lights suddenly flashed on. Those attempting to rush in were stopped by Shen Lingchen, who called out from outside, "Open the door."
The door swung open in response, and the officers rushed in swiftly, guns aimed at several individuals in the center of the store, while one person hid behind the door. Someone shouted, "Hey! Hey! We're on your side; don't shoot!"
"Ah? What's going on?" Chen Shaoyang looked at the few people on the ground, bound hand and foot, their mouths sealed. The clothing looked like it belonged to his own team. One of them, trying to speak, had his mouth tape torn off, and he urgently shouted, "Chen Team, they stole the police car and took all our equipment... there are so many of them."
"You know me?" Chen Shaoyang was taken aback.
"Yes, I'm from the Business District Public Security Team. I've seen you before... he, he, he... he's the leader," the man exclaimed, turning his face towards Xiao Mu. Xiao Mu covered his face and said, "Don't frame me; you don't even know me."
"Ah? Chen Team... he, he... he is..." another detective exclaimed in terror. Wasn't this the same person they had tried to catch last time but failed to apprehend, the black market figure Mulin Shen?
"Guo Wei, take him away," Shen Lingchen said deliberately. Guo Wei grabbed the face-covering Xiao Mu and pulled him away.
Something felt off; this suspect seemed too honest. Where were those who attacked the police? Shen Lingchen couldn't let the people on the ground identify anything. He pointed at them and arranged, "Major Case Situation; we'll explain later... You all act as if nothing happened and stay right here; you're not allowed to go anywhere... Chen Team, set up a perimeter."
Chen Shaoyang gave a few instructions and followed Shen Lingchen's steps to the shelf. He opened the cover and found a bunch of people hiding underneath. They jumped down, and Lin Qizhao had been waiting impatiently. He said helplessly, "You finally made it; that guy outside has been causing quite a stir."
Chen Shaoyang rushed towards the box of stolen goods. As he opened three boxes and saw everything inside, all his worries vanished. He let out a sigh of relief and turned back to Shen Lingchen with a deep bow. "Thank you, Political Commissar... thank you."
"What is this for?" Shen Lingchen smiled.
"These things are finally going to see the light of day again, and I can too. Thank you." Chen Shaoyang bowed deeply again; it's hard to find someone willing to share such credit.
"Don't be in such a hurry; there's still much to do. I can't let you off this easily," Shen Lingchen replied.
"Just give the order; even if it's my last day as a police officer, I won't be ashamed," Chen Shaoyang said.
"This person... take him away and conduct an immediate interrogation. You wait here to meet with the people from Binhai," Shen Lingchen said seriously. Lin Qizhao handed him the phone and said, "From now on, you will only accept direct orders from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Provincial Department. I am Lin Qizhao from the Special Training Division of the Provincial Department."
"Oh, I've heard of you... Yes, I will resolutely complete the mission," Chen Shaoyang replied, surprised and saluting nervously.
Golden Treasure was blindfolded and taken into a car, guarded by five criminal police officers. Once the convoy sped away, silence returned to the area. In the dim light and shadows along the windows, criminal police were stationed. The cars outside were hidden in the courtyard, and those on duty had been locked inside, as if nothing had happened. Following Lin Qizhao's instructions, Chen Shaoyang began to interrogate the shop staff.
In the darkness, a few heads peeked out from a distance, watching as the car drove away before they dashed along the wall.
"Punk A" said while running, "This is bad; Brother Mu got caught."
"Punk B" replied, "Brother Mu is really something; he let us go and took all the blame himself."
"Why do I feel something's off? Usually when the police arrest someone, it's more lively than a market day. Today feels too quiet," Punk A added.
"Just run! With this heavy rain, who would want to watch this commotion? Are you crazy?" Punk B said.
The two of them sprinted out to the street corner and hailed a taxi, urgently reporting to Big Gourd and Erhu Lu: "Hu Ge, congratulations! Your brother's position is solidified; Wood Master has been taken away by the police and probably won't be coming back."
...
...
In the car, Xiao Mu was riding with Guo Wei, Shen Lingchen, and Lin Qizhao. After driving for a short distance, Xiao Mu turned around and said, "Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss over such a small character?"
"Hey, I heard you mention there's a big player involved?" Shen Lingchen asked curiously.
Xiao Mu didn't respond directly and instead asked, "Have you taken care of my matter?"
"Is it done, Lin Department Head?" Shen Lingchen inquired.
Lin Qizhao was on the phone, instructing the other party to report back. Soon, a video from Binhai came through. Lin Qizhao received it and handed it to Xiao Mu, saying, "They've already taken her away. It seems your stepmother is experiencing quite severe pregnancy symptoms and has been sent directly to Overseas Chinese Private Hospital. There are four teams there, each with three officers guarding her. You can rest assured, she is completely safe."
Xiao Mu seemed not to hear him as he watched the few seconds of video. His stepmother, with a large belly, was lying on the bed while his father sat beside her, looking overjoyed. This video must have been taken secretly. Xiao Mu's hands trembled slightly as he returned the phone and muttered, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, it's the least I could do... Also, your wanted notice has been sent out nationwide. By now, all duty officers should have received it," Lin Qizhao added.
Guo Wei felt a pang of anxiety but was surprised to hear Xiao Mu say again, "Thank you."
Just as he was about to speak further, Shen Lingchen reached out and gently touched Lin Qizhao in the dark, signaling him to remain silent and allow Xiao Mu a moment to calm down. Shen Lingchen softly said, "Your father cares about you. After you went missing, Commissioner Zhang and I made a special trip... It's clear that he cares for you in his own way, even if he doesn't express it openly."
"It will soon be replaced by new concerns," Xiao Mu replied lightly. He no longer seemed as lost as when he first left home. He asked, "How long do you think the review will take?"
"Well... it might take some time given the severity of the case," Shen Lingchen replied.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but there won't be much time. Once news gets out, this line will be cut off," Xiao Mu stated.
"Then what do you think... Oh right, does your earlier comment mean there's still a big player involved?" Shen Lingchen asked.
"Yes, but I'm not sure. It's possible... possible to catch the one who committed the crime today, Locksmith," Xiao Mu said.
"Where?" Lin Qizhao and Shen Lingchen both exclaimed in excitement, speaking in unison. Shen Lingchen quickly added, "This person is more important than Golden Treasure. How can you say that?"
"Just to be clear, I said it's possible... here's the thing: this person is extremely sleazy. He looks at women with such a hungry gaze that he could drool right there. It's a desperate kind of look, and he's really ugly... You can tell this guy has an insatiable need for sex that he can't fulfill," Xiao Mu recalled the image of Locksmith.
The description left the two officials stunned. What does that mean? Most men are like that, Lin Qizhao asked, "Are you talking about behavioral habits? But without a name or face, how do we find him? Plus... you all have makeup on."
"I've given him a lot of hints these past few days."
"What hints?"
"I hinted to him that there are many beautiful women in Suzhou and Hangzhou, great service—basically the whole deal about big breasts and fair skin. I also sensed he might have some sexual quirks... he probably likes group activities. When I mentioned twins or multiples, he practically drooled."
"I'm still not following."
"I mean, Political Commissar, how can you be so dense? I was hinting to him that Suzhou and Hangzhou are great places to find prostitutes."
"But Suzhou and Hangzhou are so big! How do we catch him? And he's in disguise."
"Hehe, while he was in makeup, I did a little something to help—shaved his head bald. He's easy to spot now... as long as he can't resist coming here, we should be able to catch him."
Xiao Mu spoke with excitement, and without needing to see his face, it was clear he was secretly pleased. Lin Qizhao pondered over it; after all, this kind of task had its difficulties. Those entertainment venues weren't something the Police Force could easily control. He remarked, "This is quite challenging. Without an exact location, it will be hard to catch him."
"Ha ha, Head of the Lin Department, you wouldn't understand this. It's difficult for Xiao Mu to find someone else, but finding a client is too easy," Shen Lingchen said with a smile.
Lin Qizhao slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "Oh, I understand now. Mr. Mu is actually..."
He quickly stopped himself, but Guo Wei had already burst into laughter. Everyone was afraid of the awkwardness and didn't dare to bring it up, but surprisingly, it was Xiao Mu who took it lightly. He chuckled and said, "A pimp... Ha ha, so it's an intermediary between clients and prostitutes. Now it's an intermediary between the police and the bad guys. The distinction isn't that great, Old Shen. That director over there, you need to give me some benefits; otherwise, I won't have any motivation moving forward."
"Right, you can propose conditions," Lin Qizhao replied.
"My demands aren't high. Just give me a bonus and help me get my passport sorted out; I want to go abroad," Xiao Mu said, having already planned his way out, likely leaving everything he experienced here behind.
After a moment of silence, Lin Qizhao glanced at Shen Lingchen and nodded, "No problem."
"I hope you keep your promise. Actually, Nie Qifeng and Rong Wu's group has quite a good reputation; they are righteous and pay promptly. I really feel guilty about betraying them for your cooperation," Xiao Mu said seriously, sounding nothing like a casual joke. After finishing his words, he leaned back in his chair with a sigh, as if he felt he was entrusting his fate to the wrong people.
In the darkness, Shen Lingchen gently touched Lin Qizhao to signal him to remain silent. He was worried that this emotionally unstable individual might throw a tantrum that would be hard to manage.
The car drove on in silence until they arrived at the Fifth Squad headquarters. The corridor lights were all on as they were brought inside. The iron door of the interrogation room closed behind them, marking the official start of an operation aimed at dismantling an underground organization that began here at Golden Treasure...
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