The Punisher Organization wasn’t omniscient—they couldn’t have known they would escape this way.

Unless there was a mole. Someone who, like her, had a tracking device. Leading the Punishers here.

The identity of the mole was crystal clear.

She moved so quickly that the three survivors hadn’t yet reacted before she lunged at Guo Feirong, emerging from under the car.

The police had previously investigated Guo Feirong’s background and capabilities. By all accounts, he shouldn’t have been able to dodge You Mingxu’s strike. Yet a cruel glint flashed in his eyes as his head swiftly jerked aside, somehow evading her attack. Then he smiled, reaching for You Mingxu’s arm. She wouldn’t let him succeed, changing direction mid-motion to strike at his face. However, he moved just as quickly as she did, raising his gun.

You Mingxu had been at a disadvantage from her position under the car, making it harder to gain the upper hand. She stopped abruptly, her forehead pressed against his gun barrel, motionless.

Xing Yanjun, who had been hiding behind Guo Feirong protecting his father, watched in a daze. Xing Jifu suddenly grabbed the gun from his son’s hand.

But Guo Feirong seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, saying, “Boss, don’t move. Want to see your daughter’s head split open?”

Xing Jifu’s hand froze.

The tide had turned.

Seven or eight men in black emerged from the deep grass beside the path. With one glance, You Mingxu noticed they carried themselves with the same quality as Gu Tiancheng—cold, calm, not overtly menacing, yet somehow making one’s heart shiver. As if something within them had died long ago, while something else had come alive.

Their guns were aimed at the three—Xing Jifu, Xing Yanjun, and You Mingxu. One of them took the gun from Xing Jifu’s hand. Guo Feirong slowly stood up.

It was a strange feeling. This man usually gave off an impression of being steady, cautious, less fierce than Huang Long, not as cunning as Luo Yu, appearing far more ordinary. But now, just by standing straight, his presence changed completely, becoming tall and austere, emanating a chilling quality.

He walked back to his people, looked at the three captives, and smiled, saying, “Xing Jifu, see how nice this is? Your whole family reunited in my custody.”

You Mingxu froze, staring intently at Guo Feirong, wondering: Who is he?

Who is he?

The men in black brought out another van from behind the farmhouse—such vehicles were commonplace in rural mountain areas, deliberately inconspicuous. Their planning was meticulous. Xing Yanjun was forced into one van separately, while Xing Jifu and You Mingxu were taken to Guo Feirong’s vehicle.

The back seats of the van had been removed. The two sat on the floor with their hands bound, several guns trained on them. Guo Feirong took the front passenger seat. Instead of heading toward town, the van drove deeper into the mountains.

Someone came to treat Xing Jifu’s wounds and gave him an injection. They didn’t know what was in it, but Xing Jifu’s complexion improved noticeably.

Guo Feirong sat on the floor, leaning against the front seat. His gaze was deep as he watched them.

Xing Jifu asked, “Why?”

Guo Feirong rested his arms on his thighs, a simple gesture that somehow exuded a dark, somber aura. He even showed a hint of lazy comfort, as if their lives were in the palm of his hand.

“Because you’re guilty,” Guo Feirong answered.

You Mingxu suddenly noticed that while Guo Feirong’s features were merely strong and proper, his eyes were exceptionally deep and beautiful. It gave her a strange feeling, making her heart skip a beat.

Xing Jifu asked, “Who are you?”

Guo Feirong glanced at You Mingxu, answering, “I’m Guo Feirong, who’s served you for ten years. Though ten years ago, I indeed had a different name.”

You Mingxu asked, “What was it?”

Guo Feirong smiled, his expression cool, saying, “Care to guess?” His tone toward her carried a hint of playfulness.

You Mingxu’s mind raced.

He was asking her to guess.

Did that mean it should be a name she knew?

Xing Jifu smiled slightly. Even in this situation, with an unknown adversary, he maintained his composure and presence. He said, “You’ve been close to me for ten years. Do we have a grudge?”

Guo Feirong replied flatly, “Yes, of course, we have a grudge.”

Now You Mingxu was confused, wondering if Guo Feirong was someone from Xing Jifu’s past in the criminal underworld, or someone he had wronged, who then joined the Punisher Organization. That would make sense.

Yet, looking at Guo Feirong’s bearing and his authority over so many Punishers—after the police’s previous strike against the organization, there couldn’t be many members left, so today might be their full force—could Guo Feirong be…

That person.

You Mingxu suppressed her doubts, observing their exchange.

Xing Jifu fell into contemplation. He had dominated the underworld for decades with an exceptional memory, yet he had no impression of this person from ten years ago. If this was an old enemy, he had been thorough in eliminating his foes, so where did this figure come from?

Xing Jifu stopped pressing about identity and asked, “What do you want? Everything is negotiable.”

Guo Feirong smiled, clapping twice, saying, “Boss Xing is still so direct. But… Mingxu, why don’t you tell him what we want?”

That strange feeling returned. He called her “Mingxu,” as if they should know each other. You Mingxu maintained her composure, saying coldly to Xing Jifu, “They call themselves Punishers, and have already killed many fugitives. What do you think he wants?”

Guo Feirong was pleased with this answer, his smile unchanged.

Xing Jifu understood, and though it seemed incredible, his response was decisive: “Fine, I’ll go with you, submit to whatever you want to do. But my daughter and son are innocent. Release them, and I can give you a substantial sum—enough for you to do anything you want. Since the police are already watching you, things must be difficult. With this money, your operations would become much easier.”

Even You Mingxu was startled, glancing at Xing Jifu. At this point, he seemed indifferent to his own life, still negotiating with them, keenly identifying their weakness and tempting them with profit, with the clear goal of saving her and Xing Yanjun’s lives. You Mingxu felt conflicted. She didn’t want to feel grateful, yet couldn’t ignore his actions.

Guo Feirong laughed, saying, “Such fatherly devotion! Unfortunately, I never negotiate with the guilty. How can law enforcers bargain with those they must punish? As for your son and daughter, I can’t release them—I have other uses for them.”

You Mingxu’s heart sank.

Since negotiation was futile, Xing Jifu fell silent.

The van bounced along the mountain road, but the Punishers remained vigilant, their guns constantly trained on the two captives. You Mingxu had no chance to escape. However, her wooden hairpin was still in place—she had held back during her attack on Guo Feirong, not revealing this advantage. She could only wait patiently.

There was still Yin Feng and the other police officers.

The Punishers had emerged from the deep mountains only to return to them.

Could Yin Feng still track her signal?