The Capture

As dusk deepened and the last rays of light vanished, a shadowy figure ascended the mountain path. Huo Xuan's extraordinary vision allowed him to clearly recognize the approaching man from a distance, and his pulse quickened.

The visitor turned out to be Deputy Captain Lian Fang of the Criminal Investigation Brigade—someone Huo Xuan had seen before, taking orders beside Zhuo Bin.

Lian Fang arrived outside the stone hut and called out loudly, "Mao Er, why no lights?"

The hut door swung open immediately, revealing a burly man with a red birthmark on his neck. Grinning widely, he said, "Fang-ge, been waiting for you. Didn't light up to avoid drawing attention."

The two men stood at the doorway talking as Lian Fang took out cigarettes and offered one to Mao Er. While lighting up, Mao Er asked, "Fang-ge, what's the job this time?"

Lian Fang replied, "Nothing major. Just need you to take care of someone."

Huo Xuan, concealed nearby, quietly activated the high-quality recorder Shen Rong had given him, capturing every word of their conversation with perfect clarity.

Mao Er responded casually, "Easy. Tell me who it is, I'll have it done within three days."

Lian Fang then shifted to small talk, asking, "Mao Er, how's the lock-picking business treating you? Making good money?"

"Not bad," Mao Er said gratefully. "Pulling in three to five hundred a day now, all thanks to your help, Fang-ge. Couldn't even make a hundred before."

"You're not getting any younger—why no kids yet?" Lian Fang inquired, feigning concern.

"Too much trouble," Mao Er chuckled. "And my line of work doesn't exactly mix with family life. Maybe I'll have a son after retiring—you can be his godfather then, Fang-ge!"

Lian Fang sighed inwardly. Mao Er had been his most reliable right-hand man, and he genuinely didn't want to eliminate him—but orders were orders.

"Fang-ge, was this really worth coming all the way up the mountain for? Could've just called," Mao Er remarked offhandedly.

"Better safe than sorry," Lian Fang replied. "We can't be too careful in our line of work." He then suggested, "Go light the lamp inside—let's talk over some food and drinks."

Lian Fang had brought two bottles of liquor and some prepared dishes, while Mao Er had also brought snacks and alcohol—a long-standing tradition between them whenever they met in the mountains.

Inside the hut, Mao Er secured the door tightly, allowing only slivers of light to escape. A single candle flickered on a crude willow table laden with food, liquor glasses, and chopsticks. Mao Er filled Lian Fang's cup to the brim, grinning. "Fang-ge, let's toast first—just us brothers."

Outside, Huo Xuan stopped his phone recording and moved away to call Zhuo Bin.

The moment the call connected, Zhuo Bin demanded, "Investigator Huo, any developments? Old Tong said you might have a lead."

Keeping his voice low, Huo Xuan reported, "Director Zhuo, suspect Mao Er is currently meeting with your deputy captain, Lian Fang. From their conversation, they've been colluding for some time."

Zhuo Bin was stunned. Lian Fang—one of his most capable investigators, a man he'd personally mentored—was the mole? Collecting himself, he ordered gruffly, "Maintain surveillance. Don't intervene yet—I'm mobilizing a team immediately!"

Normally, Zhuo Bin wouldn't personally handle such operations, but police involvement changed everything. He knew this case likely implicated the deputy county chief's son.

After providing coordinates, Huo Xuan returned to the hut, using his X-ray vision to monitor the interior.

Mao Er and Lian Fang continued drinking, reminiscing about past jobs. Huo Xuan edged closer to the door, reactivating his recorder as their voices carried clearly through the cracks.

Their conversation turned to two specific cases—both murders Lian Fang had commissioned Mao Er to carry out, naming victims and details. They also mentioned "Boss Qiang," whom Huo Xuan deduced was Zhou Ziqiang.

"Fang-ge, rich guys really have it made," Mao Er slurred. "One word from Boss Qiang, and we jump. And what do we get? Scraps from his fortune."

"His father's the deputy county chief," Lian Fang said, narrowing his eyes. "Money can't buy that. This world runs on power—justice is just a fairy tale."

As the liquor flowed, Mao Er grew increasingly incoherent over the next half hour while Lian Fang remained sober, steadily refilling his glass.

Ten minutes later, Mao Er collapsed face-first onto the table, snoring heavily.

Only then did Lian Fang rise deliberately, drawing a dagger from his belt. His eyes gleamed murderously as he poised the blade over Mao Er's exposed neck—

CRASH!

The door exploded inward. A gust of wind preceded the dagger flying from Lian Fang's numbed grip as a crushing blow to his gut doubled him over with a grunt.

Looking up through pain-blurred vision, he met Huo Xuan's glacial stare. "You—!"

A kick sent him sprawling. "I heard everything," Huo Xuan said icily. "Conspiring with a killer? Ten executions wouldn't atone for your crimes."

Lian Fang's face turned ashen. With a thud, he dropped to his knees. "Investigator Huo! Have mercy—spare me!"

Huo Xuan arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And how should I spare you?"

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Lian Fang babbled frantically, "Money! I'll give you money! Over a million—all my savings from working for Zhou Ziqiang these years! And Mao Er's stash too—several hundred thousand more!"

Huo Xuan's expression remained impassive. "Quite a sum. But first, some questions." The recorder in his hand continued running silently.

"Ask anything! I'll tell everything—just let me go!"

"Why kill Mao Er?"

"Zhou Ziqiang's order!" Lian Fang confessed immediately. "When I reported your investigation into Mao Er, he demanded his elimination!"

"And the elderly couple poisoned by gas?"

"Mao Er did it! They refused to relocate—delayed the construction project."

For twenty relentless minutes, Huo Xuan extracted damning details, every answer implicating Zhou Ziqiang deeper.

Finally, Huo Xuan looked down at the groveling man. "Lian Fang, karma's justice arrives. Keep your blood money."

Lian Fang froze mid-plea, comprehension dawning—

Crash!

The hut door burst open again. Police swarmed in, led by a livid Zhuo Bin.

"You snake!" Zhuo Bin roared, his face dark with fury. "We've got you now!"