Chapter 1

On an early autumn morning, while it was still dimly lit, a high-speed train pulled into the northern station of Yucheng City.

A few minutes later, a somewhat slender figure slowly emerged from the station's exit. The man, about 1.85 meters tall, had a gaunt face and furrowed brows that revealed a hint of weariness. His deep, sharp eyes conveyed a faint sadness.

As he slowly walked out of the exit, the man glanced at the bustling traffic outside the station, and a spark of life finally returned to his eyes, making them seem more human.

Eight years as a hitman, eight years of a painful life, and in the end, he had returned to the place he had left. What he gained, he would ultimately lose, but what he lost could never be regained...

Looking around at the busy crowd in the sunlight, Ye Huang suddenly felt out of place in this bright world.

"Never mind! Since I'm back, I'll leave the darkness behind and return to the light!" With a bitter laugh, Ye Huang prepared to pick up his suitcase and catch a bus.

At that moment, someone suddenly darted out from behind him. Before Ye Huang could turn around, the person covered his eyes.

"Guess who I am? You get three chances." The man, who had covered Ye Huang's eyes, spoke with a Shandong accent.

Hearing this, Ye Huang was initially stunned, but then he laughed inwardly. Although he had been living abroad for years, he had always kept an eye on domestic affairs.

He was also familiar with mainland films, and this line reminded him of a scene from Ning Hao's "Crazy Stone," where the character used this trick to deceive a Hong Kong hitman.

Thinking of this, Ye Huang smiled and, imitating the Hong Kong accent from the movie, said, "I think you've got the wrong person."

"No, you still have two chances!" the man replied. Meanwhile, another person sneaked up to Ye Huang, stealthily took his luggage, and ran off.

"Sir, please let go..." Ye Huang, mimicking the angry tone of a thief in the movie, said.

"Okay, okay, okay! Don't open your eyes..." Seeing that his accomplice had succeeded, the man quickly let go and fled.

Standing there, Ye Huang opened his eyes but did not chase the person who had covered his eyes. Instead, he looked down at the suitcase that had been by his side, which was now gone.

Looking at the empty ground, Ye Huang didn't know whether to cry or laugh. While others were welcomed by friends and family upon returning home, he had been greeted by two thieves.

Moreover, they had used such a low-intelligence method to take his luggage. Although he had deliberately let them, it still didn't look good.

Gently pressing the tracker on his wristwatch, Ye Huang set off in the direction the thieves had fled...

In the KFC next to the station, Xiao Lin quietly observed what had just happened between Ye Huang and the two thieves. After Ye Huang's belongings were stolen and the thieves left, she picked up the walkie-talkie on the table.

"Attention all teams, attention all teams! The rat has left the hole. Immediately implement the包围 plan, immediately implement the包围 plan. Don't let a single rat escape. Action!"

With that, Xiao Lin sprang up from her seat, drew her gun from her waist, and rushed out of the KFC, following the direction where the two thieves and Ye Huang had gone.

Xiao Lin, it turned out, was a deputy captain of the Yucheng City Criminal Investigation Team. A few days ago, they received a report about a gang of robbers operating near the train station, specializing in stealing passengers' luggage. Their methods were unique, and many passengers had fallen victim. They would first lure a passenger to a secluded corner and then a group would rush in, using iron rods and knives to intimidate the passenger into handing over valuables like wallets and credit cards. In the past month, there had been at least five such incidents.

To address this, the Criminal Investigation Team had assigned Xiao Lin to take over the case, leading to the scene where Ye Huang was robbed. Everything was set up to lure out the mastermind and catch them all.

It was indeed unfortunate for Ye Huang, who had returned after eight years only to encounter such an incident. Despite his misfortune, he had to chase after them, as his suitcase contained many secrets. If they were to spread because of a few thieves, it would be problematic.

Following the two thieves through several turns around the station, Ye Huang realized that they had deliberately taken his luggage to lure him.

"Looks like they have other intentions. Fine, I'll play along," he thought, a sly smile forming on his lips. He followed the two into the urban village as if he knew nothing.

When Ye Huang entered a narrow alley, over a dozen men armed with sticks and knives suddenly emerged from both sides, advancing menacingly towards him.

Seeing this, Ye Huang smiled. His guess had been correct. This wasn't just the work of two people but a gang. It was amusing that he had initially thought their acting was poor, but it turned out to be a double bluff.

"Hehe, looks like you're operating with organization and planning. I thought it was just two of you," Ye Huang said calmly, scanning the dozen or so men closing in on him.

"Hmph! You only realize now? Too late! I'm sure you know what I want. Hand over your jewelry, credit cards, and tell me the passwords. I'll let you live. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?"

"What else? I'll beat you until you can't take care of yourself! Hurry up, I don't want to waste time!"

The leader, a man in black, felt that this guy was a bit unusual, but his greed overcame his caution. He ordered Ye Huang to hand over his valuables.

"Oh... I see. Sorry, I don't have much valuable stuff on me. The valuable things are all in that suitcase." Ye Huang pointed to the silver suitcase held by one of the men and smiled.

"Kid! Don't lie to me, or you'll regret it! Hei Zi, open the suitcase and see what's inside!" The man in black, after hearing Ye Huang, glared at him and then turned to his subordinate.

"Boss, I tried, but the suitcase has a password, and I can't open it," the subordinate, Hei Zi, said with a pained expression.

"Aren't you an idiot? Can't you just break it open? Do I have to teach you everything?"

"Boss, this suitcase looks expensive. Isn't it a waste to break it?"

"Shut up! Do as I say and break it open. Stop whining!" The man in black was furious. How did he end up with such a dim-witted subordinate?

"You're right. This suitcase cost me ten thousand dollars. If you don't mind the extravagance, go ahead and break it. But I suggest you give me the suitcase, and I'll open it for you."

"You think you can take the suitcase and run?" The man in black's face darkened, and he sneered.

"Do you think I can escape with all of you blocking me? I just want you to leave my passport and ID. That's all."

"Hmph! I don't think you can pull any tricks!" The man in black thought for a moment, then took the suitcase from his subordinate and walked towards Ye Huang.

As the man in black approached, he noticed a playful smile on Ye Huang's face, which made him uneasy.

"You're trying to trick me!"

"You're right!" Ye Huang laughed coldly and suddenly lunged forward. Before the man in black could react, he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and was thrown back, while the suitcase was now in Ye Huang's hands.

Seeing their leader attacked, the others roared and rushed forward.

In an instant, the alley was filled with chaos and continuous cries of pain.

Hearing the inhuman screams, Xiao Lin and her team, who were searching for the robbers in the urban village, quickly changed direction and rushed towards the source of the noise.