Qiu Yan kept two car lengths between herself and the car Gong Yingxian was driving, following it cautiously. However, it was late at night, making it very easy to lose sight of the car, so neither of them dared let their attention wander.
“They’re heading toward the suburbs,” Ren Yi said. “That makes sense. Huang Yan has a hostage with him, so he wouldn’t go somewhere densely populated.”
“Exactly.”
“Since he kidnapped a hostage, did he make any demands to the police?”
“No.” Qiu Yan furrowed her brows slightly. “It’s really strange. Everything that happened at the hotel was strange. Our analysis suggests that their original plan might not have been this. Bai Chicheng may have betrayed Purple Flame to save his own life, changing the plan.”
“Looks like not everyone has been completely brainwashed. There’s at least one person who values his own life.” After saying that, Ren Yi thought it over and added, “But Bai Chicheng was even capable of killing his own wife and daughter. He doesn’t seem like someone who values his life. If anything, he might be crazier than anyone else.”
“You have a point. Also, we previously discovered that White Flame may have purchased a large quantity of chemicals, but we still haven’t found them. We searched the entire hotel, so they were probably transferred somewhere else before the group entered the building. Wherever they are, they remain a potential threat.” Qiu Yan sounded worried. “All of this makes us suspect that White Flame has another objective. However, White Flame is now under Yingxian’s control, and this development hardly seems advantageous to him. That’s why I still lean toward the theory that he changed his mind at the last minute.”
“I hope so. I’m also afraid he has more schemes up his sleeve. Everyone says Yellow Flame is dangerous, but in terms of destructive capabilities, White Flame is actually the most dangerous one.”
Ren Yi thought of the chemicals Gong Yingxian had purchased. Those substances might be completely useless in an ordinary person’s hands, but in the hands of people like Gong Yingxian and White Flame, they could become weapons.
Thinking of this, Ren Yi grew even more worried. He had no idea what other terrible things this evil X cult was planning to do. He asked again, “Is there anything special about the hostage? I wonder if they’re still alive…”
“We looked into it. They’re a married couple who came from another city to travel. Nothing about them seems unusual. This X cult has targeted innocent people indiscriminately before. They were even willing to burn people alive just for the sake of a single livestream.” Qiu Yan’s voice grew solemn. “I’m afraid their chances of survival are slim.”
Ren Yi couldn’t help reaching back to touch his lower back, where he had hidden a fruit knife. If he really got the chance to see Yellow Flame today, he wasn’t going to stand aside and watch.
Gong Yingxian’s car turned left onto another road. Because the buildings blocked their view, the car disappeared from sight in an instant. Qiu Yan panicked and quickly pressed down on the accelerator to catch up.
However, as soon as they turned the corner, they saw the car parked by the roadside. Gong Yingxian was standing beside the car door, evidently waiting for them. The lower half of his handsome face was hidden behind a mask, making his full expression impossible to discern, but the oppressive aura surrounding him was almost palpable.
They’d been discovered…
Qiu Yan and Ren Yi exchanged glances.
Qiu Yan pulled over and said sheepishly, “Sure enough, he found us.”
Ren Yi unfastened his seat belt, got out of the car, slammed the door shut, and strode toward Gong Yingxian.
Gong Yingxian glared at Ren Yi. “How did you find me?”
“I planted a tracker among those things.” Ren Yi folded his arms and looked at him. “Didn’t see that coming, did you?”
Gong Yingxian narrowed his eyes. “I really should have tied you up.”
“What makes you think you can just leave me behind whenever you want?” Ren Yi snapped. “What’s wrong with wanting to help you? Haven’t we always fought side by side? Besides, Yellow Flame is the one who killed Sun Dingyi, and you fucking didn’t even tell me!”
“If I had told you, you would have acted impulsively. You might even have alerted him to our presence. I told you, Yellow Flame is extremely dangerous.”
“Precisely because he’s dangerous, you shouldn’t go alone.”
Qiu Yan also opened the car door and got out. “Ren Yi is right. You shouldn’t go alone.”
Gong Yingxian’s expression remained cold. “I can handle him.”
“That’s not for you to decide, because no one can predict danger.” Ren Yi looked firmly at Gong Yingxian. “We’re going together. I’ve already followed you all the way here. How are you going to stop me now?”
Gong Yingxian’s brows drew tightly together. He turned to look at the person sitting in the front passenger seat of his car, seemingly hesitating.
Qiu Yan walked over as well. “Yingxian, you’re so smart. Don’t do something stupid. You know our chances of success are better with us here.”
“…”
“I know you’re afraid of dragging us into this, but after all these years, this case has become an obsession of mine too. I can’t recover until it’s solved.” Qiu Yan spoke gently. “Captain Ren is right. We fight side by side. We did before, and we still do now.”
Gong Yingxian thought for a moment. “All right.”
“Tell us what’s going on.”
“I’m going to exchange White Flame for the hostage, then seize the opportunity to capture Yellow Flame.”
“How do you know Yellow Flame will come alone?” Ren Yi asked. “What if he brings several people with him? You’d be walking straight into a trap.”
“That’s why I have ‘preparations’ in place,” Gong Yingxian said calmly. “It’s not as if I intend to confront him head-on.”
Ren Yi sighed. “Then what’s your plan? What about White Flame? What’s his situation now?”
“He still refuses to give me what I need unless I help him escape Beijing.” Gong Yingxian let out a cold laugh. “But it doesn’t matter. As long as he’s in my hands, I’ll get it out of him sooner or later.”
“Did you arrange a time and place with Yellow Flame?” Qiu Yan glanced at her watch. “It’s almost ten.”
“Exactly midnight, at an abandoned factory in the western suburbs. Get in my car. We’ll go together.”
Qiu Yan glanced at the car. “Where did you get it?”
“Borrowed it,” Gong Yingxian said casually.
Qiu Yan shook her head helplessly, opened the car door, and got in.
Ren Yi was about to walk around to the other side and get in too, but Gong Yingxian pressed a palm against his chest. “Wait.”
Ren Yi looked at him.
Gong Yingxian grabbed his collar and pulled him aside. His expression was serious as he said, “Promise me one thing.”
Ren Yi said nothing. He could guess what Gong Yingxian wanted to say.
“I know you want revenge, but don’t forget who you are and the responsibility on your shoulders. The most important thing right now is to capture Yellow Flame alive while ensuring our own safety. Promise me you absolutely won’t act impulsively and that you’ll follow my instructions in everything.”
Ren Yi looked back at Gong Yingxian just as seriously. “I’m a fire station squad leader. Staying calm at all times is my principle. Don’t worry. I absolutely won’t let my emotions control me.”
Gong Yingxian nodded. “Let’s go.”
Ren Yi suddenly leaned closer to Gong Yingxian and whispered in his ear, “If you want to tie me up, I wouldn’t be opposed to it either. I’ll play along with you next time.”
Gong Yingxian hadn’t expected Ren Yi to tease him at a time like this. Caught completely off guard, he flushed bright red.
Getting the last word in felt satisfying. Ren Yi felt he had finally regained the upper hand. He patted Gong Yingxian’s shoulder teasingly, turned around, and got into the car.