Chapter 72: The Capture
Chapter 72: The Capture
After waiting for about five or six minutes, Wei Chang'an's car arrived at the dormitory building. He opened the passenger door and called out to Chen Chuan, who was standing on the steps, "Let's go, junior. Follow me."
Chen Chuan wasted no time and quickly descended the steps, getting into the car.
Wei Chang'an waited for him to fasten his seatbelt before speaking, "After bringing this guy in yesterday, he quickly confessed during the interrogation. Scarface is hiding in the Gateway Zone."
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and said, "That place is crowded and diverse."
The Gateway Zone was located in the southwestern part of the city, surrounded by several counties and towns, and even some areas outside the city. Most people traveling to Yangzhi City would pass through this zone, making it a complex area with a high volume of traffic. It was also relatively easy to exit the city from here.
"The Patrol Bureau has been searching for him throughout the city, but the focus was on the areas under the influence of the Bloodstain Gang," Wei Chang'an explained. "That's why we couldn't find him."
"Is there a connection between the Gateway Zone and the Iron Chain Gang's territory?" Chen Chuan asked. "Could this be related to them?"
"It's hard to say," Wei Chang'an replied. "Scarface isn't Chou Huzi; he's an outsider who has only been in Yangzhi for about a year. Unlike Chou Huzi, who has connections in many places, Scarface doesn't have the same kind of network. However, the Iron Chain Gang often clashes with the Bloodstain Gang, so they might do anything to cause trouble for them. But it's also possible that neither gang is involved, and someone else is helping them."
"But these aren't things we need to worry about," Wei Chang'an continued. "The important thing is that we now know Scarface's whereabouts. Previously, Chou Huzi had been supplying drugs to Fang Dawei's group through Scarface. Now it seems that this connection hasn't been severed. So, as long as we capture Scarface, we can use him to pinpoint Fang Dawei's group!"
"Has the capture operation started yet?" Chen Chuan asked.
"If the Patrol Bureau sends a large number of people to pursue him, it will create a huge disturbance and may leak information," Wei Chang'an explained. "Besides, we need to capture Scarface alive, which isn't the kind of job the Patrol Bureau is suited for. So, the Bureau has already assigned the task to a specialized team."
"Since we were the ones who initially pursued this lead and captured 'Brother Tian,' the Bureau has decided to entrust the task to us," Wei Chang'an added.
"Wei Ge, does the Patrol Bureau really trust us with this matter?" Chen Chuan asked.
Wei Chang'an smiled and said, "Before this, we were the ones following the trail. Otherwise, we wouldn't even have a clue to start with. And... junior, you and I are both from the Patrol Bureau. Who else would they trust if not us?"
Chen Chuan understood the situation. In this world, circles were clearly defined, and outsiders were often rejected. This was especially true within the Patrol Bureau, where nepotism was prevalent, and now even more so with the succession of fathers and relatives. Although he and Wei Chang'an were students at Wu Yi Academy, they were still considered insiders due to their Patrol Bureau backgrounds and family connections.
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and then asked, "Is there a commissioning company involved, Wei Ge?"
Wei Chang'an nodded. "Although the specific assignment will be determined by the company, the client's opinion is also crucial," he said. "At least in the case of Scarface, we can be assured that it's in our hands. The problem now is how to capture Scarface and his gang."
"Do we have any specific information?" Chen Chuan inquired.
"That's what I'm about to tell you," Wei Chang'an said, producing some documents. "Take a look, junior."
Chen Chuan took the documents and examined them one by one. After a moment of thought, he asked, "How did 'Brother Tian' come to know all this? Isn't he just a small gang leader?"
"Look at the back," Wei Chang'an instructed. "Yes, this one. He's a distant relative and fellow townsman of Scarface's right-hand man, 'Fast Legs' Tian Yaozu. Because of this connection, he was chosen to conduct this transaction.
'Brother Tian' was supposed to return and report to them after the transaction. To avoid raising suspicions, the Patrol Bureau arranged a street blockade and search operation yesterday. They also had 'Brother Tian' send a letter and inform them that he would visit before noon. Surveillance has confirmed that Scarface and his gang are indeed there, and for now, they seem to be staying put.
This gives us some time, but only until noon. We need to capture Scarface and his gang within this short window!"
Chen Chuan studied the documents and said, "Based on these documents, Scarface has a couple of trusted aides and has also recruited a few others. It seems we won't be enough, just the two of us."
Wei Chang'an smiled and said, "Since the company is entrusting this assignment to us, we can utilize some resources. There will be a specialized team to assist us, but..."
He became more serious, "In this kind of operation, anything can happen. Nothing is foolproof, and as this is my first time leading such an assignment, there may be oversights. So, junior, I'll position you in a supporting role, but rest assured, you'll still play a significant part."
"Chen Chuan didn't mind this arrangement. It was his first time participating in such a high-profile fugitive capture task, and he was more focused on learning and gaining experience rather than taking the lead.
The car headed southwest, and after half an hour, they arrived at the Gateway Zone.
Chen Chuan glanced out the window; the area was similar to the Xigang District, with a chaotic layout but more crowded. The streets were bustling with people, and tricycles and pedestrians occasionally darted across.
As the car slowed down, Wei Chang'an intermittently honked the horn.
After twenty minutes of stop-and-go, they finally reached the front of a department store. Wei Chang'an parked the car and asked Chen Chuan to follow him out. They then turned into a narrow alley.
After a few twists and turns, they arrived at a small red-brick building. Climbing up the narrow stairwell, they reached the top floor. Wei Chang'an knocked on the door and said, "Fourth Brother, open up."
The door opened from the inside, and a young man with long hair appeared. He greeted Wei Chang'an and then turned to Chen Chuan, smiling, "So, you must be Brother Chen?"
Wei Chang'an introduced them, "This is Cai Si, also from Wu Yi."
Chen Chuan greeted him, "Senior Brother Cai."
Cai Si waved his hands, "No, no, don't call me that. It makes me sound like a beginner. Just call me 'Fourth Brother.'"
Wei Chang'an said, "Let's go inside and talk."
Cai Si led them in and checked outside. Seeing no unusual activity, he closed the door.
Wei Chang'an went inside and headed straight for the window, looking out. "What's the situation?"
Cai Si joined him, "No unusual activity. Even if they suspect the letter is a problem and haven't found a new hideout, they won't relocate. Moreover, there are people like Old Wu watching over there."
Wei Chang'an nodded and pointed outside, explaining to Chen Chuan, "Brother Chen, see that building over there."
Chen Chuan looked out the window. The building was about five stories tall, with the surrounding structures a bit shorter. It was located at the other end of the street, about two hundred meters away. It resembled a corridor building with a north-south orientation and four floors, but the windows on both sides were old and lacked balconies.
Wei Chang'an continued, "According to Brother Tian, Scarface and his gang are holed up in the three connected houses on the east side of the fourth floor. The east and west sides are residential areas, and to the northeast, behind the building, there's an alley about a few dozen meters away leading to an open-air trade market. The south side is an empty lot."
Cai Si also explained to Chen Chuan, "Capturing them isn't difficult if we have enough people, but we have to consider that Scarface isn't stupid. If he places a lookout in any of the nearby residences close to the street, they'll notice any unusual activity. Even if they suspect the letter, without a new hideout, they won't move. Plus, we have people like Old Wu keeping an eye on them."
Wei Chang'an added, "Fortunately, the tallest buildings around here are that one and ours. Since they're on the top floor, we plan to send someone over to find a hidden spot to climb up and wait on the rooftop. That way, we can launch the capture operation from the north window and increase our chances of success."
Chen Chuan asked, "The martial arts society? Will they really cooperate with this?"
Wei Chang'an smiled, "The patrol bureau is after a wanted criminal so close to this martial arts society. After the fact, they might use it as an excuse to investigate them. If we ask for their cooperation, we're actually helping them avoid suspicion. They won't refuse."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment, understanding Wei Chang'an's meaning. The martial arts society was a local powerhouse, a force to be reckoned with. With the wanted criminals so close by, it was like having them right under their noses. Even if they claimed no connection, the patrol bureau could still target them for investigation. They had no choice but to cooperate.
"What do you need me to do, Brother Wei?" Chen Chuan asked.
Wei Chang'an replied, "The commissioning company has assigned many professionals to assist me. They're experts in capture operations, so you don't need to be involved in the direct action. Your task is to work with Fourth Brother and the others to guard the northeast alley leading to the trade market, preventing any escapees."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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