But it wasn’t just for the sake of nostalgia. That person never acted purely on emotion—everything was done with purpose. That person wanted to win hearts and understanding. It was cunning, using this hero-legend format to show their past to the world. The cases handled by the Punishers over these two years had repeatedly caused sensations. We could understand tonight’s implications, and many others would too, possibly even uncovering the actual case.
When people learn how the Punisher organization came to be—these living people reenacting the scene, albeit in theatrical form—they’ll no longer see just a cold, criminal organization, but one of flesh and blood. They weren’t born evil, but rather their goodness was destroyed. Do you think people will still avoid them? When people understand and forgive the Punishers’ past, they’ll subconsciously view all the Punishers’ cases through a softer lens. They might even try to understand them—it’s human nature. Once such a seed is planted in people’s hearts, do you think the Punishers and their doctrine can still be eliminated?”
You Mingxu fell silent for a moment before looking back at the screen. “What choice will the audience make next?”
Yin Feng sneered, “After such an impassioned performance, attracting attention and calculating human psychology, that person will certainly get the answer they want.”
—
All police forces were in position, ready to launch a full assault on the 50th floor at any moment.
Ding Xiongwei stepped down from the command vehicle and gazed at the building before him. It stood completely covered in darkness, fluorescent lights flickering, like a silent giant looking down upon him. The wind howled around them, and pedestrians kept their distance, creating an atmosphere both solemn and silent.
Around the building, in the first-floor lobby, on the suspended observation stairs, and in places beyond sight, police officers were packed in so tightly that not even a mosquito could escape. In the sky, two helicopters circled nearby, standing by.
However, victory tonight wouldn’t come through brute force alone. Losing even one or two of the over 200 civilian hostages would be a police failure. So while the police force held an overwhelming advantage in numbers, even a fool could understand how precarious tonight’s situation was.
Although Ding Xiongwei had spent half his life preparing for battle, cases involving such serious public safety concerns were rare.
Fortunately… Ding Xiongwei thought those two had infiltrated, like having an unexpected piece on the chessboard. Used cleverly, it could have unexpected effects.
The current situation had everyone, superiors and subordinates alike, on edge, especially as the livestream progressed and the Punishers’ true face was finally revealed. Yet those outside still didn’t know what the perpetrators wanted.
Xu Mengshan came to ask for instructions: “Chief, what should we do now? When do we launch the assault?”
Ding Xiongwei said, “Wait. Call the provincial office immediately and have them investigate whether there’s a real case that matches what the Punishers are performing. I’m certain there is—it’s so obvious they want us to figure it out. Find out when and where it happened, who the survivors are, their real names.”
He had reached the same conclusion as You Mingxu.
Just then, the computer screen in front of him flickered—the LCD screen in the studio was changing.
“It’s out!” a nearby officer shouted.
Ding Xiongwei looked carefully, and indeed… was this the result?
When goodness is powerless, do you agree with fighting evil with evil?
Choice A: Agree. 140 votes.
Choice B: Disagree. 60 votes.
The audience’s current answer was agreement.
Meanwhile, many netizens watching the live stream on their computers and phones smiled with satisfaction. Life is so boring, isn’t it nice to see justice served? After all, it’s just a TV show.
But what if it wasn’t a TV show?
What if someone wasn’t treating this as a TV show?
As the play went on, especially after revealing the chemical plant pollution and the prevention of petitioning, and when they started asking the audience whether to let the police appear, some audience members began to sense something was wrong.
However, even those who harbored doubts hadn’t connected it to crime, at most thinking perhaps the TV station was producing a special program about clean governance or anti-corruption efforts, hence today’s unusual content.
But… when the audience chose not to let the police appear, and even chose to fight evil with evil, hadn’t things gone too far?
Yet, when this question was posed, most audience members still followed their instincts and supported “fighting evil with evil.”
You Mingxu and Yin Feng both chose A.
But no one would notice them.
Just then, the LCD screen in the studio suddenly went black. The entire venue plunged into darkness. Only the audience members’ phones provided any light.
People whispered: “What’s going on?”
“What exactly are they planning today?”
“Hey, who knows, but isn’t it exciting?”
In the darkness, suddenly a man’s laughing voice rang out. Yin Feng slowly raised his head upon hearing it.
You Mingxu’s heart also skipped a beat.
It had come.
It had finally come.
The prelude was over. They had gotten their answer, or rather, the audience’s attention and attitude, like a cold stone thrown into a previously calm lake. What was the situation outside now, and how were people reacting to this event?
It was Yin Chen’s voice.
He spoke slowly: “Hello everyone, I am the Punisher. Remember your choice just now—it’s very important. We’ve recorded each of your choices, and hope you won’t forget your initial decision.”
The audience erupted in a collective “whoosh” of noise.
—
Downstairs.
Seeing this development, Ding Xiongwei’s eyes flashed with intensity. While monitoring the progress in the studio, he discussed possible attack plans with several capable subordinates. However, the opponents had chosen this location after careful consideration—high altitude, completely enclosed, with only one entrance and exit, easy to defend, and difficult to attack. Someone had just reported that the elevator shaft was damaged and would take at least an hour to repair. Even if repaired, sending troops up would be risky—if the opposition threw down something like a bomb, the losses would be devastating. After all, they were facing the Punishers—the same group that dared to attack drug trafficking organizations, well-trained like special forces. This time they were fighting with their backs against the wall, and there was no telling what they might do.
Just then, a police officer hurried over: “Chief! Our department’s public email and Weibo account just received a letter! There’s a video from the Punisher!”
“Show me quickly!”
Ding Xiongwei took the tablet from the officer’s hands, opened the video, and everyone gathered around, holding their breath as they watched.
It showed a room about twenty square meters, with people crouching on the floor in a circle, all hands on their heads, trembling. Several men stood nearby, pointing guns at them. The gunmen all wore colored masks. They were all sturdy, upright men.
Another man, also masked, walked in front of the camera. Behind him on the wall hung a clock showing ten minutes ago. Next to the clock was a window with tightly drawn curtains.
The man looked at the camera and said: “Ding Xiongwei.”
Ding Xiongwei recognized Yin Chen’s voice immediately. His photos and all his past records had been thoroughly investigated by the police. His voice was naturally on record.
Yin Chen said: “I know you’re in charge of commanding the police operation today. As it happens, I’m commanding the Punishers’ operation today. Let’s make a deal.
Your goal is to save people and catch us. Of course, we won’t let ourselves be caught. But our purpose tonight isn’t to kill people. On this point, I think we agree.
So, our demand is—as long as the police don’t interfere and let us finish tonight’s broadcast, and as long as those 200 sheep don’t actively resist, we won’t harm anyone. All 200 lives, plus these dozen or so TV station staff behind me, will be returned to you completely intact.
But if we discover any sign of an attack, if any police officer sets foot on the 50th floor, I’ll start killing people. One after another. With over 200 people, we can kill for a long time, long enough to finish our broadcast.”