Chapter 64 Three Captains Take Action, Clearing the Trash
“It’s all on me. I rashly continued the search before deciphering his shopping list. If not for my impetuosity, five officers wouldn’t have fallen. He’s formidable, exceptionally intelligent, arrogant, confident, and unbridled. He doesn’t hesitate to display his overwhelming abilities. I should’ve been more vigilant, not allowing our officers to arrest him so recklessly,” lamented Hong Feng, burdened with guilt.
His gaze fixed on the notebook before him, a bitter smile crept onto his face. “He had everything under control. Plaster statues, modeling clay, alginate, basic clay, salt, soy sauce, flour, tweezers, only now do I see he truly needed just the plaster statues, modeling clay, alginate, and clay, essentials for crafting a lifelike mask. The other items? Mere distractions he intentionally bought. He’d foreseen the bounty on him, turning it into a prime opportunity for retaliation. He meticulously planned, then made that fateful bounty call. Disguised as an elderly man, he manipulated the officers’ goodwill, directing the situation as he pleased. His scheme culminated in a perfect execution. I was utterly outplayed.”
Hong Feng’s eyes gently shut, overwhelmed by defeat.
Zhang Xingchen, despite his own setback, didn’t lose any of his team officers. But this failure, it cost five lives.
“It’s not entirely Captain Hong Feng’s fault. Wang Yun is exceptional. He’s no ordinary fugitive. Effortlessly ‘taking down’ five officers, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a ruthless ‘criminal,’” Wu Mingyu solemnly voiced from the side. “His unmatched ability to disguise, paired with a chilling intellect and planning insight, makes him a tough catch. We’ve indeed found a worthy adversary.”
“Every fugitive on my watch has been secured. For Wang Yun, he dared to ‘murder’ our officers, so there’ll be a price to pay,” an authoritative voice echoed nearby.
Jiang Youshan shifted his gaze to Hong Feng. “Captain Hong Feng, don’t blame yourself. He’s a tenacious and crafty criminal. I recall, during my days as a policeman, we would occasionally make mistakes when confronting clever criminals. If we fail to discern their true intentions, the cost of our mistakes can be grievous. Many years ago, because of a lapse in my judgment, we lost three officers…”
His words trailed off, the weight of the memory evident.
He continued, “Moreover, don’t the audience think such events are rare in our times? Our society revels in harmony and peace. Our nation’s crime rate has significantly declined over the years, ranking us among the world’s safest. Yet, some persist, driven by greed and audacity. Particularly perilous are the drug traffickers. While they may not resort to murder, their narcotics wreak havoc on innumerable lives. Just three days ago, an old colleague shared a somber story. In a neighboring city, a drug bust went awry, claiming the lives of three narcotics officers. Every officer must be ready to lay down their life for the greater good. In our quest for peace and order, we pledge to bring every criminal to justice. Such sacrifices are life’s most profound heartaches. There are tears shed… Indeed, the peace we cherish today is guarded by countless unsung heroes. Firefighters, police officers, soldiers, they all command our utmost respect. Without their unwavering service, our peace would be but a dream.”