A cold wind blew, and snowflakes drifted down.
Han Ming hurried through the streets. After returning from outside the city, he had first gone home to wash off the stench of blood.
He was now rushing to the squad room. He'd heard there was an operation tonight, and if he was late, he'd be left out.
"Han Ming."
Just as he took a shortcut into an alley, he heard a shout from behind.
Han Ming stopped instinctively and turned around. "Liu Xiaoji? What do you want?"
With that, he started walking again.
"Han Ming, your chance has come."
Liu Xiaoji, clad in a Constable Uniform and a head shorter than Han Ming with a wiry frame, caught up and walked quickly beside him. "I've got news," he said. "Gu Zheng's operation tonight has an eighty percent chance of failure. Most of the men who go are probably going to die."
"And?" Han Ming didn't break his stride, his reply indifferent.
"And then, our chance will be here!"
Liu Xiaoji clenched his fist and pumped it excitedly. "As long as Gu Zheng is dead, we can go back to how things were before—raking in money everywhere, eating and drinking whatever we want, visiting the brothels every day! Gu Zheng is rich. He doesn't have to worry about food, clothes, or women. What right does he have to make us live on scraps? Tell me, Han Ming, am I wrong?"
"Get to the point," Han Ming said impatiently.
"Heh heh." Liu Xiaoji wasn't offended. He glanced around before lowering his voice. "The point is, during the operation tonight, if Gu Zheng tries to escape, you find a chance to stab him in the back. Lord Zhang said that as long as Gu Zheng is dead, the Chief Constable position is yours. If it weren't for Gu Zheng, you would have become Chief Constable six months ago! It was Gu Zheng who..."
"Lord Zhang sent you?"
Han Ming cut him off sharply. "And you're sure Lord Zhang would promote me if Mr. Gu weren't around?"
"I..."
"That kind of talk might fool some ignorant country bumpkin, but don't embarrass yourself with it in the city." Han Ming sneered. "You, Liu Xiaoji, you've always been bold when riding someone else's coattails, but don't take everyone else for a fool."
"Mr. Gu may forbid us from shaking down the common folk, but which of the brothers doesn't get their monthly cut from the Fan Building? Even the families of those who've died in the line of duty continue to receive their share. And you, Liu Xiaoji, you've taken more than your fair share!"
He jabbed a finger into the chest of the pale, speechless Liu Xiaoji and barked, "Finally, you want to use me as your pawn? Are you even qualified!?"
With that, he shoved Liu Xiaoji aside and strode away, not wanting to waste any more time with him.
Left behind, Liu Xiaoji's face shifted from pale to red. After a long moment, he spat out a curse, "Just go die, all of you! It'd be for the best if you all get wiped out!"
...
...
The Criminal Arrest Squad Room.
In the main hall, Gu Zheng sat behind his desk, his sharp brows knitted in concentration as he mentally ran through the plan to exterminate the Demon Fiend tonight.
The Demon Fiend had to be eliminated, but all the current information about it was pure speculation.
'It's fast and strong.'
'Countermeasures for those two aspects were essential.'
'But what else?'
'What about its defense?'
'Does it know any Demon Techniques?'
'If so, what kind?'
The "Demon Techniques" on his panel were a clear warning to Gu Zheng: the Demon Fiend wasn't just physically powerful. It was highly likely it could use Demon Techniques as well!
'Eliminating the Demon Fiend is the goal, but I also have to ensure the safety of my men.'
"Chief, everyone's here."
As he was thinking, a man entered, bowed, and reported.
"Mm."
Gu Zheng nodded, gathered his thoughts, and rose to walk outside.
Standing on the steps, Gu Zheng's expression was grim. His eyes swept over the thirty-odd sword-wielding constables standing silently below as he announced in a loud voice:
"Tonight's operation is the most dangerous one we have faced in years. For all of us, myself included, the chances of survival are slim. Although you won't be the main assault force and are only responsible for the perimeter, once the fighting starts, there's no telling if the culprit will try to break through by charging the outer circle."
"Therefore, you must all remain on high alert during the operation. The slightest..."
"Mr. Gu, the County Magistrate needs to see you urgently." A clerk suddenly ran in and whispered in Gu Zheng's ear, "His Lordship is waiting outside."
Gu Zheng nodded and continued, "I've already said everything that needs to be said before. In short, you only have one life. There's only a future if you stay alive. Now, everyone put on your Protective Clothing. We move out when I return."
"Yes, sir!"
The constables responded in unison, then broke formation and walked to a corner to put on the Protective Clothing, which had iron plates hidden in the front and back.
Meanwhile, Gu Zheng went outside the squad room and met with Tong Yuanshan.
"My Lord..."
"Ah, Gu Zheng..." Tong Yuanshan's brows were tightly furrowed. He bit into a cucumber with a CRUNCH, his voice low with a mix of frustration and guilt. "I'm ashamed to say I couldn't persuade Pang Qian Ding to dispatch the County Soldiers to help. That son of a bitch claims the cook accidentally used croton seeds at lunch, so all the County Soldiers in the barracks got hit. They're all running to the latrines every few minutes and have no strength to fight!"
Gu Zheng was speechless.
"That old bastard Pang Qian Ding only sees money; don't even think about getting him to send troops without it." Tong Yuanshan took a hateful bite of his cucumber and chewed forcefully. "But this time is different. I threatened him to his face, so he reluctantly provided twenty sets of Iron Armor and ten Crossbows. Gu Zheng, what do you think...?"
"It's enough."
Gu Zheng, who had been about to offer to pay himself, cut in, "With the Iron Armor and Crossbows, it's more than enough. The County Soldiers are useless in a real fight without them anyway."
"True. The County Soldiers are rotten from top to bottom. Their combat effectiveness has been gone for a long time."
Tong Yuanshan swallowed his cucumber, his movements slowing as he breathed a sigh of relief. "Still, Gu Zheng, you're dealing with a Demon Fiend this time. In the storybooks, none of them are simple. You must be extremely careful."
"Understood!"
Gu Zheng nodded and cupped his fist in a gesture of respect.
He then took charge of the sets of Iron Armor and the Crossbows, which were piled in a horse-drawn cart under a thick cloth, brought by Tong Yuanshan.
Returning to the squad room, Gu Zheng faced the gazes of the thirty-odd constables and announced loudly, "There's been a change of plans. Tonight, we're on our own. However, the County Magistrate has provided us with twenty sets of Iron Armor and ten Crossbows."