Chapter 3: The Blood-Soaked City

Three months later.

Zhao Shi rented a two-bedroom apartment of about sixty square meters. It wasn't too far from the Municipal Bureau, and he chose this place because of its convenient transportation and the principle of "the darkest place under the lamp."

Now, Zhao Shi was an ordinary police officer in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Municipal Bureau. His forged file stated that this 38-year-old officer had climbed the ranks step by step to reach the Municipal Bureau, with no deep background, a high school education, no parents, and no marriage. His background was simple, and there was nothing particularly noteworthy about him. His entry into the Municipal Bureau was a matter of chance; the Criminal Investigation Division needed more personnel, and a leader in the personnel department casually selected this grassroots officer to join the Municipal Bureau.

This person could do anything and never complained. Although he was somewhat eccentric and taciturn, not particularly close to anyone, he didn't seek credit, cause trouble, or speak recklessly. He did whatever he was told, and so the officers in the Criminal Investigation Division were quite pleased to have such a reliable "old yellow ox" in their ranks.

Zhao Shi slowly opened the door to the basement. Compared to his sparsely furnished living quarters, the basement could only be described as luxurious. It was entirely decorated with nanotechnology soundproofing materials. In the middle of the basement was a large rectangular table, with a few chairs around it. The floor was a bit shabby, just ordinary marble, which people generally no longer used in living spaces due to its radiation. Most importantly, there were two hidden doors leading to the city's underground pipeline system. One could be used for escape, and the other could be used to dispose of garbage directly into the underground water circulation system, unnoticed by anyone.

At this moment, a man was tied to one of the chairs in the basement. He was a man in his forties, known as "Chicken Feather." Perhaps he had watched too many Hong Kong triad movies, which led to his peculiar name. His real name was Bai Guoqing, a name typical of those born in the 1960s, reflecting the era's emphasis on patriotism and dedication.

But this man had no thoughts of serving the country or the people. He was a minor leader in the Wild Wolf Gang, the largest criminal organization in S City. Zhao Shi chose to target him for several reasons. First, his position was ideal, bridging the gap between the upper and lower ranks. He was responsible for collecting profits from all the entertainment venues in the southern district of S City each month and personally delivering them. He also managed many pimps and had access to important figures, with a well-informed network. Second, he was a minor figure, and his disappearance for a few days would go unnoticed.

Information was just information, and some things Jin Chengmin couldn't obtain, so Zhao Shi had to act himself.

Bai Guoqing was stripped naked, his body covered in tattoos that seemed to scream his criminal identity, leaving few blank spots.

It was late summer, and the students had just returned to school. The weather was starting to cool down. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but the basement was always dark and damp, and Zhao Shi had turned on the air conditioning, which blew a bone-chilling cold wind. Before leaving, he had poured a bucket of cold water over Bai Guoqing. Initially, the man had been lively, spewing profanities, but after a day, he was shivering uncontrollably, struggling to speak coherently.

Dealing with such a small-time thug usually wouldn't require so much effort. Zhao Shi, descending to the basement, looked at Bai Guoqing with disgust. They were two entirely different kinds of people, and in Zhao Shi's eyes, the other was as insignificant as an ant, easily crushed. But perhaps the memories from his past were too vivid, and he felt that anyone from the underworld who fell into his hands deserved to suffer a bit.

He moved a chair in front of Bai Guoqing and saw the man's head, covered by a hood, turn immediately, indicating that his body was still in relatively good condition.

"Who... who... are you? Which... which gang are you from? Do you... know who I am?" Bai Guoqing's voice trembled like someone with Parkinson's disease. He was filled with indescribable fear. Such methods were typically used by the police to interrogate suspects, but this wasn't a police station, and he was certain of that. The more he realized this, the more worried he became. Dealing with the police was much easier than dealing with his fellow gang members. After all, this was the Wild Wolf Gang's territory, and the other party wouldn't dare to go too far, right? He clung to this hope.

A cold voice replied, "I only need to ask you a few questions. If you answer correctly, I'll let you go. If you lie to me, you'll regret it."

"Before you answer, let me tell you something to help you avoid unnecessary suffering. I have a knife, a very sharp one. For each wrong answer, I'll shave a layer of your scalp. I've tested it and can shave thirteen layers, a very unlucky number. After that, you'll see your brain and brain matter. I'm not as skilled as someone who can shave sixteen layers, but he was a psychopath, and I'm not. I just want to know what I need to know. Think carefully before you lie. Don't worry, we have plenty of time to play. The police and your Wild Wolf Gang brothers won't come to disturb us. You've only been missing for a day, and you just reported this month's accounts. No one will be looking for you now."

Bai Guoqing's heart sank. If the other party knew everything, including his affiliation with the Wild Wolf Gang, and wasn't a police officer, things were bad.

Zhao Shi emerged from the bathroom, the smell of blood completely masked by the scent of shower gel and shampoo. It had been years since he had been involved in violence, and he felt a bit excited. Unfortunately, the other party wasn't a strong warrior, and there was no challenge.

The second person to go missing was one of the men who had invited Hu Weiguo for a drink. This man was supposed to travel to G City on business and became the second victim. His disappearance for three or four days wouldn't raise many suspicions.

Exactly three months and fifteen days later, it was National Day. The Municipal Bureau was on routine duty, and the rest of the staff were on holiday.

October 1st, a day that the citizens and government officials of S City would never forget. That night, four police officers were found dead, one of whose bodies was discovered only on the sixth day. By then, more murders had already occurred.

First, Duan Yongfa, the chairman of Jade Group and the leader of the Wild Wolf Gang, was stabbed seven times in his mistress's home. His body was found the next morning, already stiff. The weapon was a common folding knife, and the technique was not professional, but there were no fingerprints or other traces left behind. The perpetrator was familiar with the environment, breaking in and setting off the alarm, which the on-duty officer ignored, assuming it was a false alarm, a common occurrence.

On the same night, Peng Ju, a major figure in the Wild Wolf Gang, was stabbed multiple times in the restroom of Minghai Entertainment City and died on the spot. The technique was still clumsy, and the weapon was not found. The crime scene was completely destroyed by the crowd that gathered and the gang members who accompanied him.

Next, Li Shengli, who had come with Peng Ju, was stabbed five times in the chaos. No one saw the perpetrator's face, and the weapon was the same spring knife used to kill Peng Ju. The perpetrator's boldness and audacity were shocking.

It was the National Day holiday, and although the police tried to recall officers after receiving the news, half of them were unreachable, highlighting the laxity of the national police force.

When some people tried to contact Deputy Director Fang Guoli of the Municipal Bureau, his phone was off, and his home phone was also unreachable. Someone immediately rushed to Fang Guoli's residence, which was usually bustling but now stood in eerie silence.

The first person to realize something was wrong broke down the door and rushed in. This person later suffered from mental instability, repeatedly muttering about blood, many bodies, and other such things.

But anyone who entered Fang Guoli's residence afterward understood him. Over a dozen members of the Fang family, including children, were all murdered. The perpetrator entered through a window and began attacking the people inside one by one. At the time, Fang Guoli's family, his son's family, and his daughter's family were all in the Fang residence, and none of them survived. The perpetrator had just left when people arrived, and Fang Guoli himself was still alive, convulsing until the ambulance arrived, when he finally died.

What shocked people the most was the message left on the front wall of the house: "Know the law, break the law, and the punishment will be doubled."

A major case, a shocking case that stunned the nation. Since the founding of the country, no one had ever dared to challenge the entire public security system so brazenly. The message left by the perpetrator was intentionally or unintentionally concealed.

But it didn't end there. On the third night, just as people began to realize the gravity of the situation, three more police officers were killed, one of whom was stabbed multiple times in the back while on duty. At the same time, the headquarters of the Wild Wolf Gang, the Jade Group's office building, was invaded, and all the gang leaders were killed during a heated meeting. This time, the perpetrator's technique was much more professional, with all twenty-four victims dying from a single stab wound. The last victim didn't even make it to the door, and the gang members in the parking lot below were completely unaware of the chaos upstairs. The perpetrator left calmly, and the three security guards in the security room were already dead when the perpetrator entered.

Two people survived. One was Li Tao, the administrative director of Jade Group, who was on a business trip and was returning when the incident occurred. The other was Huo Lan, the financial manager of Jade Group, who was out organizing the finances. Both went into hiding, too scared to show their faces. It wasn't until six months later, when the truth about Fang Guoli's case gradually came to light, that they were finally caught.

On the fourth day, Zhao Shi did not act again. The police's response was much faster than he had anticipated, and he was recalled to the police station. The risk of acting again was too high, and there were still fifteen people on his list. But he no longer planned to act. The situation had escalated to the point where even if he didn't act, those with ulterior motives would already know what was happening. It was impossible to cover up the deaths of so many people, especially since most of them were police officers. This was a major case on par with the armed murders by the Wang brothers in the 1980s. The Ministry of Public Security had already sent people to take charge of the investigation. As the investigation deepened, anyone involved would be caught, and Zhao Shi had confidence in the efficiency of the state machinery once it was fully activated.

Zhao Shi knew it was time to leave. His identity couldn't withstand scrutiny, and the provincial police chief, Fang Jun, had already been removed from his position and was under investigation. It was clear that with the investigation into the organized crime case, a review of the S City police force was inevitable. To maintain stability in S City, the investigation might be conducted in secret and in batches, but it was coming.

The National Day holiday was not yet over, and he was already at the train station, heading to a small city on the Sino-Mongolian border. He carried 60,000 yuan in cash, planning to cross the border and enter Russia via Mongolia, a contingency plan he had prepared long ago.

But an unexpected event occurred. Zhao Shi slowly entered the train station ticket hall, pausing at the entrance to casually scan the crowded crowd. Such a scene was common during the National Day holiday, but his body immediately tensed.

A few people caught his attention. They were scattered near the entrance, dressed differently, but all with their eyes fixed on the entrance, carefully observing everyone who entered and exited, their expressions alert and tense.

They came so quickly. One of them saw Zhao Shi, his eyes lighting up, and he pulled out a photo. Zhao Shi didn't hesitate, turning around as if nothing had happened and leaving the ticket hall before the man could shout. He took off his outer jacket and threw it away, ignoring the puzzled looks from the people around him, and quickly disappeared into the crowd. The few people who followed him stood at the entrance of the ticket hall, looking around, but Zhao Shi was nowhere to be seen. One of them immediately took out his phone and dialed a number, "Contact the Ministry of Public Security and issue a nationwide arrest warrant. The suspect, Zhao Shi, is still in S City. Have all S City police officers armed and block all roads, bus stations, train stations, and airports. Search all hotels, entertainment venues, and saunas. Note: the suspect is a veteran with special military training, skilled in military techniques, and has strong anti-investigation abilities. He is extremely dangerous and likely armed. Police officers should shoot to kill upon confirming the suspect's identity, without hesitation."

Someone had betrayed him. Jin Chengmin's slightly slick face appeared in Zhao Shi's mind. He didn't feel much anger at being betrayed; he had never trusted the young man from the capital, so it didn't matter whether he was betrayed or not. Perhaps he saw him as a big achievement? A hint of a cold smile appeared on Zhao Shi's lips.

He dialed a phone number, "Hello, I'm looking for Deputy Chief Jin at the Military District Command. Tell him my surname is Zhao, and he'll know who I am."

A short while later, Jin Chengmin's voice came through, but it was very low, "Shi?"

"It's me."

"Hey, do you know what a mess you've caused? The military district just issued an order, and the special forces are on standby 24/7, all for you. You're quite the hero, just like the Wang brothers and Tan Chenglin back in the day."

"Brother, where are you now? The captain is right here with me. Even if it's not for the sake of old comrades, it's for the captain. I have to help you..."

Just as he said this, the phone was abruptly hung up.

Zhao Shi closed his eyes. Although he was cold and ruthless, he still felt a pang of pain in his heart at that moment. Captain, what a deep bond of brotherhood. He only believed one thing Jin Chengmin said: the captain was right there with him. Jin Chengmin was still too inexperienced. Back in the military, he had always been a bit of a slacker and hadn't learned much. He started asking where Zhao Shi was before even saying a few words, like a bumbling character in a police drama. The captain must have known something was wrong as soon as he heard that and immediately hung up the phone, or he might have revealed something to Zhao Shi.

The Northern Military District of S City was to the northwest of the city. Zhao Shi could imagine how many people were waiting for him there. Betrayal always made people lose their reason, and warriors always answered betrayal and treachery with blood. He had already given them a hint: I will come for you one by one. They must be thinking that, right?

A deep, mocking smile appeared on Zhao Shi's face, but the last bit of warmth in his heart was completely severed. From then on, Zhao Shi was alone, with no ties.

He hailed a taxi, "Yin-Yang Mountain," and handed over three hundred-yuan notes. The driver didn't say a word, immediately starting the car and heading toward Yin-Yang Mountain, located to the southeast of S City.

Yin-Yang Mountain, also known as Ghost Mountain, was not very high, only a few hundred meters, but according to local legends, it connected the world of the living and the dead. One half was in the mortal world, and the other half was in the underworld, with many ghost stories circulating among the people. It was said that before liberation, a Japanese artillery battalion was stationed on the mountain, but one night, a violent storm struck, and fewer than ten Japanese soldiers managed to escape. At the time, the locals believed that the Japanese soldiers had been punished by heaven and sent to the eighteenth level of hell.

After liberation, a few archaeological teams and scientific expeditions came to the mountain, but they found nothing unusual, so no one came back. Then came the Great Leap Forward, the Great Steel Campaign, and the ten years of the Cultural Revolution, during which people said, "We would rather have the grass of socialism than the seedlings of capitalism," and "Surpass Britain and catch up with America." Other places suffered, and the mountains were stripped bare, but no revolutionary youth dared to touch a single blade of grass on Yin-Yang Mountain. First, the elders prevented them, and second, people often went missing in the mountain. So, by now, Yin-Yang Mountain was lush with vegetation, and many rare species had survived, including a national key protected primeval forest.

Zhao Shi planned to cross Yin-Yang Mountain and head to the southeastern coast, a place where all sorts of people mixed, making it an excellent hiding place. If necessary, he could even sneak out of the country, which would be quite convenient.

That night, after Zhao Shi entered the mountain, a violent storm broke out, with thunder and lightning. S City, just a short distance away, was calm, as if in a completely different world. The old people who knew the legends of Yin-Yang Mountain would say something about someone opening the ghost gate, but their grandchildren would refute it with irrefutable scientific facts, and experts would give even more confusing explanations, talking about changes in the magnetic field causing thunderstorms and other incomprehensible theories.

Leaving these idle talks aside, when Zhao Shi opened his eyes again that night, everything had changed.