Chapter 11: The Firearms Case (Part II)

We sped along the road like the wind, while the trucks ahead seemed utterly unconcerned about being pursued. We followed their tracks to a hidden, abandoned processing plant, surrounded by rusted machinery and tools scattered across the ground.

The last rays of the setting sun slanted into the vast, dim space, casting a faint golden sheen over the cold metal. The five of us slipped silently from our vehicle, guns in hand, our steps light as we moved like phantoms among the massive machines.

In one corner of the factory, a group of men in workwear were hurriedly hauling goods, their expressions tense and anxious. At their center, a woman in a lavish gown sat with regal composure. Her features were cold and sharp, her gaze piercing, and the powerful aura that radiated from her left no doubt as to her identity: she was the queenpin who ruled over everything here.

We held our breath, gathering our thoughts on how to launch a surprise attack and catch the traffickers off guard. Just as the plan began to take shape, a flurry of footsteps approached from behind.

Our hearts tightened. We spun around, but there was no time to hide. A bandit with a cunning look and a machete in hand burst into view, his shout shattering the tense silence. Instantly, my companions opened fire in return, bullets slicing through the air with shrill, piercing cries.

Forced to retreat, we pressed ourselves against the side of a rusted, dust-covered shipping container, using its battered shell for cover from the hail of gunfire. Each bullet that struck the metal sent sparks flying and set our nerves on edge.

At that critical moment, a group of bandits silently circled to the other side of the container. Their shadows stretched long in the glow of the dying sun, ghostly and menacing.

The leader grinned wickedly, gripping a special blowpipe in his hand. At the tip of each dart, a cotton wad soaked in tranquilizer swayed. His eyes glinted with malice as he aimed at Lu Yun, who stood beside me, and fired without hesitation.

The dart sliced through the air in an eerie arc, heading straight for Lu Yun.

Startlement flashed across Lu Yun’s eyes before his body went limp and collapsed. Immediately, the other bandits unleashed their own “arrows of death.” My three other roommates were struck in turn, each slumping to the ground, their breaths growing heavy and slow.

The four of them were roughly tied to rusted iron chairs, facing the cold and beautiful queenpin. The last glimmer of sunset lit her expressionless face, lending her an even more sinister air.

I, however, sat beside her. She was my childhood friend, Zhao Jiangshan. Orphaned at a young age, she had always relied on the money I earned from odd jobs to get by.

Zhao Jiangshan beckoned one of her lackeys to serve me tea. Just then, I noticed signs of my companions waking. I quickly whispered to Zhao Jiangshan, “Hurry and tie me to a chair as well. My identity must remain hidden. Do as you would normally, but be careful—don’t go too far.”

“As you wish,” she replied.

Soon, her men bound me to a chair. I bowed my head and feigned unconsciousness. By then, all four of my companions had awakened, though their heads still buzzed in a daze.

Seeing them awake, Zhao Jiangshan parted her lips in a frosty smile, her tone as chilling as ice: “Speak. What business do you little cops have, tracking us here?” When they remained silent, her eyes grew sharp and dangerous. With a wave, a group of burly thugs closed in, their fists and boots raining down on the four.

Blood trickled from the corner of Lu Yun’s mouth, but he clenched his jaw and remained silent, his eyes full of stubborn defiance.

With a sudden surge of strength, Lu Yun broke free of his ropes like a lion awakened, roaring as he lunged at his attackers.

My other three roommates reacted swiftly, working together to untie each other. Determination blazed in their eyes—a force not to be underestimated.

In the chaos, I too was freed. The four of us erupted into motion at once, charging toward the processing plant’s only exit. But the bandits, disciplined and numerous, rapidly formed an impenetrable wall.

We barely took a few steps before we were surrounded and forced to the ground.

Dust swirled as we were subdued once more, encircled by the bandits’ savage grins and the cold gleam of their guns.