You Mingxu saw no reason for him to lie, especially now when he held all the advantages.

“When Xing Jifu arrives, who knows what will happen,” Luo Yu said. “If you want to save their lives, stay in the car. Once everything’s over, I’ll get you out.” He finished by giving the front seat another hard kick.

You Mingxu sat silently, motionless.

Finally, he checked his watch and smiled. “That should be convincing enough.” Then he loosened his tie, unbuckled his belt, and pulled down his zipper halfway… You Mingxu watched coldly as he turned and left the car.

…

You Mingxu’s gaze fell on Jing Ping, wrapped in Xu Mengshan’s coat. Jing Ping was looking at her too, slowly raising his blood-stained hand. You Mingxu grabbed it immediately. Jing Ping said, “I’m… glad you’re safe.”

You Mingxu’s heart ached at the sight. She nodded briefly. “Old Jing, Mengshan, hang in there! Backup is coming soon.”

She stood up, seeing the two leaders Sun Yuan and Lei Yu lying on the ground, groaning. She found two pairs of handcuffs and secured them, then collected two guns and handed them to Xu Mengshan and Jing Ping.

“You’re going after them?” Xu Mengshan asked.

“I have to.”

Neither Xu Mengshan nor Jing Ping argued. If either of them had been able to fight, they would have pursued the fugitives too. The police had paid such a high price, planned for so long, and even planted this surprising force on the hilltop. If there was an unknown undercover officer, this outcome was undoubtedly bought with their life on the line. Xing Jifu had kept his hands clean of illegal business for years. This was his first and surely last direct involvement. If he escaped, with his power and influence, capturing him again would be nearly impossible!

You Mingxu picked up another gun, glancing back at them one last time. She even smiled – that familiar proud, cold beauty, her eyes still gleaming with determination, before turning to descend the mountain.

Xu Mengshan suddenly smiled too, though it made his wounds hurt. He murmured, “She’ll bring them back.”

“Yes…” Jing Ping said. “Help me up.” After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Mengshan slowly helped him lean against a tree. They exchanged a look, no words needed, and raised their guns to watch the criminals the snipers had taken down. If anyone tried to escape, they’d have to answer to their guns first.

Of course, the snipers on the opposite hilltop, seeing their severely wounded comrades’ actions, felt their hearts burning with pride. They kept their heads down, maintaining their aim, silently standing guard alongside Xu Mengshan and Jing Ping.

Twenty minutes later, the special police forces would kill or capture several of Xing Jifu’s men on the mountainside, storm the hilltop, arrest multiple Class A wanted criminals including Sun Yuan and Lei Yu, successfully rescue Xu Mengshan and Jing Ping, and crack the largest drug trafficking case in recent years, sending shockwaves through central China – but that’s a story for another time.

—

When fleeing for their lives, people can display astounding strength.

While the special forces were delayed by Xing Jifu’s ambush on the mountainside, Huang Long and Guo Feirong took turns carrying the wounded Xing Jifu on their backs, covering a considerable distance.

Huang Long, with his rural background, was skilled at mountain climbing. Guo Feirong was steady and decisive. Combined with Xing Jifu’s cunning and ruthlessness, carefully observing the police’s advance and reading the mountain terrain, the three made their way down successfully, even managing to avoid a small police reinforcement team they encountered.

Despite being shot, a single bullet wound meant little to Xing Jifu. Lying on Huang Long’s back, he observed. Ahead lay the valley’s opening, where there must be a road. If they could escape the forest and reach it, find a vehicle somehow, they might break through the police cordon.

However this time, the police had nearly destroyed Xing Jifu’s main power base, likely making it impossible to return to Xiangcheng, forcing him into exile. But if they could escape, there was Yunnan, Thailand, Laos, Hong Kong… they could go anywhere. A cunning hare has three burrows – he naturally had other resources hidden away, making it difficult for the police to bring him to justice.

The three reached a steep wooded slope. Huang Long was exhausted, gasping for breath. Guo Feirong said, “My turn.”

“Alright.”

They stopped. Huang Long lowered Xing Jifu from his back as Guo Feirong took over.

“Ah Long, Feirong, thank you for your hard work!” Xing Jifu said.

Guo Feirong smiled. “Boss, we’ve been through worse with you when we first joined. We can always start over. Looks like Sun Yuan and Lei Yu didn’t make it out. Hah, serves them right for going against us. This time the Yunnan and Xiangtan gangs got it worse than us!”

Huang Long said bitterly, “If it wasn’t for that traitor Luo Yu conspiring with them to seize power, would we be in this situation?”

Xing Jifu: “You still think he was just a traitor? Heh heh…”

Huang Long froze, and Guo Feirong stared at Xing Jifu.

Xing Jifu said no more. “Let’s hurry.”

The three were about to move when they all suddenly stopped.

Because four or five meters ahead, a figure had appeared.

The person held a gun, aimed directly at Xing Jifu. The cunning, arrogant, vicious qualities they had known in this person had vanished. His shooting stance was surprisingly standard as if practiced thousands of times. His face showed only clear determination and resolve.

Without any backup, he stood alone before the three of them, blocking their only escape route.

Luo Yu said: “Xing Jifu, Huang Long, Guo Feirong, drop your weapons! You’re under arrest.”