Chapter 23: Fugitive
Chapter 23: Fugitive
In the Xigang District of Yangzhi City, Qi Ge stood outside an old, abandoned factory, a remnant from the city's early development. He leaned against the wall, smoking a cigarette.
After a while, the door opened, and a man in a floral shirt emerged. "How are the brothers doing?" he asked.
"Qi Ge, that kid was too ruthless," Floral Shirt replied. "Lao He said some of the brothers will be disabled even after treatment."
Qi Ge cursed under his breath. "Lao He always boasts about his skills, but he can't even treat these minor injuries properly?"
Floral Shirt hesitated, "Lao He said the money you gave is only enough for this level of treatment. If you want them fully healed without any issues, you'll need to pay more or use better medicine."
Qi Ge was displeased. "What medicine is so expensive that this money-grubber wants?"
"Lao He said he needs the blood gel from Qingnang Yufang."
Qi Ge was startled. He knew Lao He was trying to squeeze him for money, and he couldn't help but curse aloud, "Damn it! I've been covering for him for so long, and he's treating me like a fool! He's not a decent person at all!"
Floral Shirt also expressed his frustration, "That's right, Qi Ge. No wonder everyone says Lao He is so greedy!"
Qi Ge clenched his teeth and said, "Tell Lao He that we'll owe him this money for now. First, let him treat the brothers' injuries! As for what he asked of me the other day, I'll take care of it!"
Floral Shirt breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, Qi Ge."
"And that kid!" Qi Ge added fiercely. "He messed with my people, and this isn't over! Can't we beat him up? Later, we'll find a master to take him out!"
Floral Shirt echoed loudly, but he knew it was futile. Their small gang couldn't afford to hire such a person.
Just then, a younger gang member rushed in, saying, "Big Brother, there are many unfamiliar faces here today. You should go and take a look; the brothers are worried something might happen."
Qi Ge muttered a curse and flicked away his cigarette butt. He strode outside, saying, "Let's go and check it out."
They walked along the corridor and reached a two-story platform. In the distance, two people were at the railing, secretly trading something. One of them, a tall and thin man, heard their footsteps and looked over cautiously. Seeing it was Qi Ge, he withdrew his gaze.
Across from this man was another wearing a duckbill hat and a mask. Upon seeing them, he pulled his hat brim down a little.
Qi Ge glanced at him and said to Floral Shirt beside him, "The one with the hat must be new. Go remind him to pay the transaction fee."
"Yes, Big Brother," Floral Shirt replied.
Qi Ge led his men downstairs. Below, several gang members were walking around with steel pipes. Seeing Qi Ge, they all greeted him.
The bottom floor was clearly a former factory workshop, with unused machinery still hanging above. The area was enclosed by iron railings, and inside, two bare-chested men were fighting while twenty to thirty people surrounded them, shouting, cursing, and making all sorts of noises. The environment was filled with smoke and haze, and the ground was littered with cigarette butts and broken glass, left unattended in the corners.
Small gangs like theirs didn't dare to openly organize underground fighting arenas like the Bloodstain Gang or Iron Chain Gang. They could only manage these smaller-scale operations.
This place primarily served as a trading venue for prohibited drugs. As long as they kept it off the streets, the Patrol Bureau rarely intervened in this part of Xigang District.
However, places like these were prone to trouble. With a full crew, it was manageable, but after Chen Chuan's beating earlier, their numbers were drastically reduced, and most of those left were the less capable ones.
Those who came to such places were seasoned criminals and repeat offenders. If they couldn't control them, chaos would ensue.
When Qi Ge and his men descended, the roaming, scrutinizing eyes around them calmed down a bit.
In a corner they had passed earlier, the two traders were still talking. The tall and thin man said, "Do you know how much the Xingqing Capsules from Tiancong Baocao cost? And do you know how hard they are to get?"
The man in the duckbill hat whispered, "No matter the cost, as long as you have them, I'll buy."
"Oh, so you're a rich guy," the tall and thin man sized him up. "Why are you buying such good anti-mutation medicine? Does someone have an implanted mutation where you're from?"
"What does that have to do with you?" Duckbill Hat replied calmly.
"It does," the tall and thin man said matter-of-factly. "How do I know you're not just toying with me? If I get the medicine and you can't pay, I'll be left holding the bag."
Ducksbill Hat looked at him, took out a bundle of money, and waved it in front of his eyes. Then, in an even tone, he said, "Hand over the goods, and I'll hand over the money."
The tall and thin man's eyes lit up, and after a moment of hesitation, he said, "I don't have Xingqing Capsules right now, but do you want the injection anti-mutation medicine from Talied Company? The 'Little Grey Bottle,' as they call it. Although it's not as good as the medicine from big companies like Qingnang Yufang and Tiancong Baocao, it's still sufficient for now. I'll get the medicine you want later."
Ducksbill Hat thought for a moment and said, "I'll take two boxes for now."
"Hey, just wait," the tall and thin man replied.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Qi Ge was thinking about how to make some money when a burst of hurried footsteps approached. A panicked gang member rushed in, saying, "Big Brother, it's bad! There are Patrol Bureau officers outside!"
Qi Ge was shocked. He froze for a few seconds before shouting, "Quick, cut the power! Retreat!"
At that moment, the entire abandoned factory erupted into chaos, with everyone running and scurrying in all directions.
Although Qi Ge had ordered his men to cut the power, the chaos might have been too much, or perhaps something else had happened, as the lights remained on.
Qi Ge and his men prepared to exit through a side door, but before they could reach it, the guard at the side door ran over, looking terrified. "Big Brother, it's bad! The back doors are also blocked by Patrol officers!"
Qi Ge's heart skipped a beat, and the gang members beside him showed signs of panic.
Then, they heard several sharp whistle blasts, followed by the crisp, synchronized sound of military boots on the ground. A group of Patrol officers, each holding a large rifle and wearing gray uniforms and steel helmets, rushed in. The front row crouched, and the back row stood, all aiming their dark gun barrels at everyone in the factory.
A commanding voice shouted, "Everyone, crouch down and put your hands on your heads! Anyone who doesn't comply will be shot on the spot!"
Qi Ge's face turned pale. How could his small operation attract the attention of the Patrol Bureau?
And I've been making regular offerings too. It must be Lao He! He definitely got his hands on some incredible medicine, and I've been completely taken advantage of by him this time!
The people in the arena didn't dare resist and obediently crouched down. The patrol officers were reservists, and with a change of uniform, they could be deployed to the battlefield in an instant. The guns in their hands were real killers.
Qi Ge and his men had no choice but to crouch down as well, clasping their hands behind their heads.
Once the arena quieted down, a stern-looking patrol captain emerged from the reserved passage in the lineup. He glanced around and asked, "Which one of you is Dou Qi?"
The gang members turned their heads together, all looking at Qi Ge.
The patrol captain smiled, "Seems like I don't need to search anymore," he waved his hand, "Drag him out."
Immediately, two tall and sturdy men rushed forward and struck Qi Ge several times with their gun handles, causing his head to split and bleed. He lost a few teeth, and then they dragged him like a dead dog, his hands cuffed behind his back, and presented him to the patrol captain. They grabbed his hair and pulled his face into the light.
The patrol captain slapped him twice with his gloved hand and asked, "Are you Dou Qi?" A smile played on his lips as he spoke, "Do you know what you've done?"
Qi Ge was forced to lift his chin, and in a trembling voice, he said, "Please, sir, spare me. I'll make sure to show my respect and pay you properly."
"You know the rules."
The patrol captain seemed satisfied and pointed around, "I brought forty brothers here today. We traveled a long way to come to you, and you should cover our travel expenses."
Qi Ge quickly responded, "Brother, I understand. Even if I have to break the pot and sell the iron, I'll make sure to cover your travel expenses."
"That's why I said you know the rules."
In the 1691 version of the book, there's not a single mistake!
The patrol captain smiled again, but suddenly his expression changed, and he slapped Qi Ge hard enough to make him wince. "You understand the rules, and you still dared to attack the patrol officer's family? It seems like you did it knowingly?"
Qi Ge's face showed fear, "Sir, I didn't, I didn't..."
The patrol captain said, "Didn't? Let me remind you, what did you do this afternoon?"
The man in the flower shirt in the crowd shivered, his body trembling.
Qi Ge also reacted, suddenly realizing he had been set up by Shan Xiong. He hurriedly shouted, "Sir, I don't know, I really don't know. I didn't know that young man was a relative of the patrol officer. I was deceived."
Shan Xiong never mentioned this matter to him and even said that the other party was just lucky. Otherwise, he would have been more careful when he encountered him.
But he knew it was pointless to say this now, so he quickly added, "Sir, I know Qi Wu from the Iron Chain Gang. I've been making offerings to him."
The patrol captain snorted, "What? You're using the Iron Chain Gang to pressure me?" He turned to a well-built patrol officer at the back of the lineup and said, "Brother Wu, I've found the man for you. How you handle it from here is up to you."
The young patrol officer, Wu, silently drew a Jianzhi Fifteenth Year Model Pistol and fired four shots at Qi Ge's hand.
Qi Ge screamed in pain, his body convulsing, and then he slumped like a dead dog.
The patrol captain said, "You're merciful, leaving him alive."
Officer Wu pointed the gun at Qi Ge and said in a natural tone, "We still need to bring him back and ask who else is involved in this matter."
The patrol captain patted his shoulder and walked to the center of the arena. He shouted, "Search them, check for any prohibited items, and then let's wrap this up."
A patrol officer asked, "Captain, what about these people?"
"Take them back, and interrogate them all."
"Yes, sir!"
The patrol officers handcuffed the gang members one by one, but when they got to the man with the duckbill cap, he suddenly jumped up and bolted for the door.
The officer guarding the door was well-trained and decisive. Seeing the commotion, he immediately opened fire on the man. But after several shots, the man's body only shook slightly, seemingly unaffected. He dashed forward, and with a light flick of his hands, he sent the officer tumbling to the sides, creating chaos.
However, someone was quick, and as the man fell, his mask was ripped off. "It's Tong Qianjiang!" someone exclaimed.
By this time, the man had already escaped outside.
More patrol officers were waiting outside, and they opened fire, their shots ringing out. It seemed like they hit the man several times, but to no avail. By the time the patrol captain rushed out, the man had disappeared into the shadows, his whereabouts unknown.
The patrol captain's face was filled with anger, "Damn it, this kid is wearing protective gear!"
In Daming Republic, protective gear that could effectively withstand rifle fire was closely monitored. Such gear was like ancient armor; if a person with exceptional martial power wore it and held a lethal weapon, ordinary people would be at their mercy.
A patrol officer ran over, saluted, and reported, "Captain, the brothers are fine, just a bit bruised."
The patrol captain's expression turned serious, "Are you sure it's Tong Qianjiang?"
"A brother saw him last year. He was a member of the escort team, so it shouldn't be a mistake."
The patrol captain was puzzled, "How did Tong Qianjiang get here? And where did he get the protective gear?"
However, his expression changed again, and he became excited. Tong Qianjiang was the fugitive Tong Baotao's brother, and they had been silent since their escape, assuming they had left Yangzhi City. He never expected to encounter them here today.
These dangerous fugitives had been hiding for so long, and if this case was solved, it would be a significant achievement. He never expected to stumble upon such good fortune while just helping out.
The patrol captain called Officer Wu and said, "I'm heading back to the bureau. This is no small matter, and I need to report it. Tell Captain Nian that if Fang Dawei's group is found, the credit for solving the case will also go to the Baofeng District."
(End of Chapter)
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