Chapter 99: Qi Yu and Zheng Mingliang Are Apprehended
Zhang Ze’s subtle maneuvers naturally went unnoticed by anyone in the Investigation Division. No one could have imagined that, at this critical juncture, someone would focus their attention on the cult.
...
That evening.
Less than twelve hours had passed since Chen Hao was declared innocent and released.
It was at this moment that Zhuang Ning received a call from headquarters.
When he saw the caller ID, Zhuang Ning was momentarily stunned. Recovering quickly, he stood up and answered promptly.
“Director Li,” Zhuang Ning greeted respectfully.
“Captain Zhuang, right?” came the voice on the other end.
“This is Zhuang Ning speaking.”
The middle-aged man’s voice turned serious. “I heard there’s news about those two cult members who escaped?”
Zhuang Ning was slightly taken aback. He had just learned of this himself—how did Director Li know?
But he didn’t dwell on it. He replied solemnly, “We have indeed located the whereabouts of the cultists Zheng Yangliang and Qi Yu.”
“Heh,” the man chuckled lightly. “Those two fled from Beijiang Province all the way to Changhu City in Nanjiang Province, and in the end, it was Changhu that gave us the tip.”
“Captain Zhuang, don’t you think the Investigation Division has been a bit negligent?”
Though the man’s tone carried a hint of amusement, Zhuang Ning felt a pang of discomfort—it was a clear rebuke of his performance.
“Yes,” Zhuang Ning admitted frankly.
“According to the information from Changhu, we’ve pinpointed the location of Zheng Yangliang and Qi Yu.”
“And I acknowledge that we didn’t coordinate well with the task force during the operation to suppress the cult.”
He made no excuses and accepted the fault outright.
Director Li, on the other line, didn’t dwell on this and swiftly instructed, “Take your team to Changhu immediately to apprehend them. Remember to cooperate with the task force to gather evidence.”
“Some people have been quite defiant lately. I only detained his son for two days, and the phone calls nearly wore my line out!” Director Li finally showed his displeasure.
“I understand!” Zhuang Ning responded.
After hanging up, he quickly summoned his team to his office to plan the next steps.
Around seven in the evening.
Zhuang Ning and three others boarded the high-speed train.
It’s worth noting that including Zhuang Ning himself, only four agents from the Investigation Division were dispatched. Yet, all four possessed the rank of third-grade martial artists.
With the local Investigation Division in Changhu cooperating, it was nearly impossible for Zheng Yangliang and Qi Yu to escape.
...
Speaking of Nanjiang Province, it borders both Anqing and Beijiang provinces.
The Qingfeng Ancient Town, where Zhang Ze and Cai Hu had gone a few days earlier, was only about a hundred or two kilometers from Changhu City.
Vehicles traveling between the three provinces often stopped in Qingfeng Ancient Town.
In hindsight, Zhuang Ning’s offhand remark to Cai Hu might have had some truth to it.
It was simply that Zhang Ze and company acted too slowly and failed to catch Zheng Yangliang and Qi Yu at Qingfeng Ancient Town.
...
Meanwhile,
In a residential complex in Changhu City.
“Can’t you shut up for once?” Qi Yu snapped angrily at Zheng Yangliang.
“I’m beginning to see it clearly—your little issues down there are going to be your undoing sooner or later!”
Zheng Yangliang gave an awkward grin.
Scold him all he wants—he wasn’t losing any flesh over it.
Muttering to himself, he quickly packed his belongings and said to Qi Yu, “You’re just too cautious.”
“We’ve been in Changhu for over ten days, and no tails have followed us.”
“Besides, this place was bought by a distant cousin of mine. There’s no way they can trace it back to us.”
With that, Zheng Yangliang headed out the door, leaving Qi Yu frustrated but powerless to stop him.
...
“Captain Xu,”
“Target number two has left.”
As Zheng Yangliang descended the stairs, two whispered voices came from a nearby van.
After a faint crackling on the walkie-talkie, a middle-aged man’s voice responded, “Understood. I’m sending someone to follow target two. You keep watching.”
At the corner of the residential complex,
Xu Kai threw the walkie-talkie aside and grumbled, “Why haven’t the guys from Nanye City arrived yet? If they don’t show up soon, I’m going to catch these two rats myself.”
Though complaining, Xu Kai had no intention of letting anyone act rashly.
...
It wouldn’t be long before he had to wait.
Around 10:30 at night, Zhuang Ning and his three companions arrived at the complex.
“Well now,”
“You folks from Nanye City sure have guts,” Xu Kai teased upon seeing them.
Zhuang Ning smiled awkwardly but said nothing.
What could he say? Their weaknesses had been exposed—Beijiang Province had been talking about suppressing the cult, yet a couple of rats had escaped and they had to rely on others to tail them.
All were frontline operatives, so Xu Kai refrained from further jibes and soon led Zhuang Ning’s team to their temporary command post.
“There’s a situation,”
Xu Kai began as everyone settled down. “Zheng Yangliang went out to see a prostitute again. Only Qi Yu is left in the apartment.”
“Want me to send people to assist you? We can coordinate and take these two rats down simultaneously.”
But Zhuang Ning shook his head, replying gravely, “I’ll have two people tail Zheng Yangliang and deal with him directly. As for identifying and capturing the other one, leave that to Qi Yu.”
Xu Kai nodded, “Alright, we’ll do it your way.”
...
About three to five minutes later.
Qi Yu sat on the sofa, anxiously flipping through TV channels, unaware of the three burly men just outside his door.
His phone vibrated slightly. After reading the message, Zhuang Ning motioned subtly to Xu Kai and the others.
Bang!
Suddenly, a loud crash shattered the silence.
What a worthless security door!
Without hesitation, Zhuang Ning and his team burst inside.
Crash!
Qi Yu knew full well who he was dealing with.
A sudden midnight break-in left no room for doubt.
Almost simultaneously as the door was kicked open,
A muffled thud came from beneath Qi Yu’s feet. He sprang up from the living room, kicking outward.
Hmph!
Xu Kai’s earlier teasing echoed in Zhuang Ning’s mind.
If Qi Yu escapes again, would Zhuang Ning still have a job in the Investigation Division?
Suppressing a grunt, his right hand’s muscles bulged as he struck sharply at Qi Yu’s foot.
Stomp, stomp, stomp!
Qi Yu hadn’t expected Zhuang Ning to be so formidable.
He’d thought his sudden attack might create an opening to break free.
But as Xu Kai and another agent closed in, he realized he was done for.
Three third-grade martial artists against one—how could he possibly win?
“May the glory of the Holy Sect descend upon the world…”
“Shut your damn mouth!” Xu Kai, fearing he might miss his chance, cut off Qi Yu’s chant and landed a heavy punch on his face.
Bang!
Zhuang Ning and the other agent also moved in. Under the assault of three, Qi Yu lasted barely thirty seconds.
...
Slapping Qi Yu’s cheek repeatedly,
Xu Kai laughed, “You can’t even manage this, huh?”
“How did you even slip out of Beijiang Province?”
Hearing this, Zhuang Ning was speechless.
Still bitter about it, huh?
Still bringing it up?