Only Huajia kept his eyes fixed on He Haisheng.
"Captain Chen, He Haisheng has escaped!"
Captain Chen also froze. He Haisheng had escaped... His attention hadn’t been on He Haisheng; he was still thinking about the explosion in the ward.
This had not been part of the operational plan.
"Which way did he escape?"
"The hospital’s back door!"
Chen Changrui did not act rashly. He instructed the others to stay put at their respective positions, and he went alone to capture He Haisheng.
He took out a lighter from his pocket and flipped the wheel with his thumb. The flame ignited, and Chen Changrui’s speed suddenly became extremely fast.
This was a Prohibited Item of the Wanderers. Empowered by this item, Chen Changrui reached the backyard and could still vaguely see He Haisheng’s figure.
He Haisheng burst through the back door.
Light Bulb and Chuuni were observing at the back door.
Chen Changrui was not worried about Light Bulb, but he was worried about Chuuni.
If Chuuni made a move against He Haisheng, his death would be certain.
Chuuni did not make a move; he watched indifferently as He Haisheng escaped the hospital.
Chen Changrui continued to chase after He Haisheng, running down a street until the flame of the lighter went out.
He did not catch up to He Haisheng.
He Haisheng’s figure turned into thick smoke and vanished. Chen Changrui put away the lighter and returned to the hospital.
Nothing else happened in the ward; only the mangled flesh of He Jiaqing remained in the room.
But many things had happened in the hospital.
Crabapple Fruit and Preserved Fruit were sent for treatment. Big Head and Brick cordoned off the scene.
The entire hospital had heard the explosion. Many people were startled. Orange and Cone were in contact with the hospital authorities, working to maintain order.
Chen Changrui sat in the ward, looking at the blood and flesh on the ground, lost in deep thought.
Chen Changrui covered his forehead, replaying the entire mission in his mind.
After thinking for over ten minutes, Chen Changrui bent down, picked up a piece of flesh, and sniffed it.
There was a smell of blood, a burnt smell, and a smoke smell.
Not the smell of something burnt, but the smell of cigarettes.
After a long moment of stunned confusion, Chen Changrui’s mind slowly pieced together the clues.
He Jiaqing had escaped early, but the Dark Star Bureau had made no response because there was still a Puppet lying in the ward.
This was He Haisheng’s trick. The Puppet, controlled by him, was covered in smoke. It was this smoke that deceived Chen Changrui’s eyes.
After the operation began, everyone’s attention was on "He Jiaqing"; only Huajia was responsible for surveilling He Haisheng.
After "He Jiaqing" exploded, even Chen Changrui forgot about He Haisheng, granting He Haisheng the chance to escape.
Chen Changrui prided himself on being the most experienced in the Dark Star Bureau.
He believed that the members he led were the best of the best.
In front of Puluo State’s high-ranking figures, they appeared so naive. Their seemingly fail-proof plan was actually full of flaws.
「...」
"Next, they should be celebrating their victory," He Haisheng said, lighting a cigarette for himself and tossing one to He Jiaqing.
He Jiaqing asked, "Will they issue a warrant for your arrest?"
He Haisheng shook his head. "No, their goal was to capture you, and if that failed, to kill you. Now that you’re ’dead,’ the flesh and blood at the scene is the evidence.
"They can take it for testing. The DNA of the flesh matches yours, so their mission is complete. They won’t bother with anything unnecessary,
"especially after all this commotion. The Outside Provinces will do everything possible to calm things down. As for what the truth of the matter really is, not too many people will care."
He Jiaqing sighed deeply. "I haven’t spent enough time in the Outside Provinces. I still don’t understand the People from other provinces well enough."
"Understanding them isn’t difficult. They are much simpler than the People of Puluo State. I’m not worried about the Dark Star Bureau; my concern now is with the Border Defense Envoy.
"Xiao Zhenggong is a Balancer, and by the looks of it, he’s already used the Equilibrium Seal. Our family business is going to suffer because of this."
"That can only be dealt with by my aunt now," He Jiaqing said.
He Haisheng shook his head. "She won’t be able to handle it."
"Why don’t you go back and have a look?" He Jiaqing suggested.
He Haisheng gave a bitter laugh. "What for? To wag my tail at the Border Defense Envoy?
"I’ve been wagging for too many years. I’m sick of it.
"Jiaqing, you’re right. We have to live with dignity."
「...」
In the He Family Mansion, He Yuxiu snuffed out her cigarette, looking at the hundred or so people in the hall.
Among these hundred or so people were blood relatives of the He Family and their subordinates. They had gathered together to support He Yuxiu in a major endeavor.
All day yesterday, the Border Defense Envoy’s people had sealed off the He Family’s businesses and frozen their accounts at various Silver Shops.
The Border Defense Envoy had not provided any explanation, and He Yuxiu had received some news after making inquiries.
The incident was related to the Jiang Xiang Gang; two of their Hall Entrances had been wiped out, and the Border Defense Envoy had subsequently sealed the He Family’s affairs.
"What the hell does the Jiang Xiang Gang count for! Their Hall Entrances are gone, what does that have to do with us? Why should they mess with the He Family’s business?" He Yuxiu was furious.
She did not know that Xiao Zhenggong was a Balancer. She had no concept of Balancers, nor did she understand the power of the Equilibrium Seal. All she knew was that the He Family’s fortune was at risk. She could not let it be destroyed on her watch and was resolved to reclaim the family’s business!
Dozens of capable family members were present.
Steadfast in-laws had also sent quite a few representatives.
He Yuxiu was now ready to lead these people to storm the Defense Agency, demanding an explanation from the Border Defense Envoy.
As everyone prepared to leave, Lu Chunying ran into the mansion, blocking He Yuxiu’s path.
"Sister Xiu, listen to me, you absolutely cannot go!"
He Yuxiu stroked Lu Chunying’s hair lightly. "Girl, I’m quite fond of you. Be good and go home. I didn’t involve you in this, so this matter doesn’t concern you!"
Lu Chunying looked up at He Yuxiu, knowing exactly how to communicate with her:
"Sister Xiu, I’m putting it out there: If you’re going to hit the Defense Agency, I’m with you. If I back down today, I’m a coward!
"But you can’t go today. The Chu Family has already stationed people at the Defense Agency. The moment you go, Boss Chu will set a trap for you.
"If you don’t believe me, we’ll go together. I’m ready to risk it all with you today!"
"Boss Chu? Chu Huaijun? Why would he work for the People from other provinces?" He Yuxiu couldn’t understand.
Ma Wu said, "Sister Xiu, the Border Defense Envoy has promised Chu Huaijun that if they get the job done, half of the He Family’s business will go to the Chu Family.
"The Chu Family is now utterly loyal to the Border Defense Envoy, and Chu Huaijun will even send people to attack right at the He Family Entrance!"
(Chu Huaijun’s father had once died at the hands of the Border Defense Envoy, but he didn’t seem to care too much about it.)