Chapter 121: The Reason

Chapter 121: The Reason

"Someone has escaped from custody," Wu Zhengke said to Bai Zeshao with a grave expression.

"How is that possible? Our Secret Service headquarters is under such tight security. Who could have the ability to pull that off?" Bai Zeshao looked at Wu Zhengke, feigning utter astonishment.

"Tian Yaopeng," Wu Zhengke uttered the name softly.

"Impossible. Team Leader Tian was only sentenced to three days of confinement. He would have been released automatically once the time was up. To break out now—even if he succeeded—the consequences would be dire. Such a self-defeating move... unless he has lost his mind, he would never do it. This action is truly unwise."

Bai Zeshao was genuinely caught off guard. He never expected that the person the Secret Service was mobilizing so aggressively to find would be Tian Yaopeng. It was completely beyond his expectations.

"I didn't think Tian Yaopeng would make such an unwise move either, but the facts are clear. Not only did he escape, but he also murdered the guards responsible for his confinement. The cruelty of his methods and the heinousness of his actions are simply appalling," Wu Zhengke said with a pained tone.

"Captain, I cannot fathom Tian Yaopeng's motive for doing this. Given his shrewdness and intelligence, he would never be so reckless. Could there be some hidden circumstances?" Bai Zeshao speculated.

"Who knows? But that is no longer important. The bureau has already issued a warrant for his arrest. Tomorrow, while searching for Li Huihui, you will have an additional task: capture Tian Yaopeng. If he resists, kill him on the spot," Wu Zhengke said, his voice filled with murderous intent.

"Understood," Bai Zeshao replied firmly.

Regardless of Tian Yaopeng’s reasoning, the moment he fled the Secret Service, his fate was sealed. Bai Zeshao felt no pity for this operative who had once infiltrated the Red Party; in fact, he longed to kill the man himself.

Meanwhile, inside the Intelligence Section Chief's office, Liu Peiru was smoking silently. Opposite him sat Liu Xiaobing. "Uncle, wasn't that Tian Yaopeng your former informant? How could he commit such a foolish act as killing guards and escaping today?"

"There must be hidden motives. Though Tian Yaopeng is greedy, he is not stupid," Liu Peiru said with certainty.

"Even if there are hidden motives, it’s too late. Captain Wu of the Action Team has already applied for an arrest warrant. By tomorrow, every street and alley in Shanning will be plastered with his wanted posters," Liu Xiaobing said, shaking his head.

"Xiaobing, don't stay in the bureau tomorrow. Get out on the streets and find him," Liu Peiru said, stubbing out his cigarette.

"Don't worry, Uncle. Once I find a trace of Tian Yaopeng, I will pull the trigger immediately. I won't let him get away," Liu Xiaobing promised resolutely.

"No, you are not to do that," Liu Peiru countered.

"Ah? Does that mean you have other intentions, Uncle?" Liu Xiaobing looked at him, confused.

"Exactly. I want you to help Tian Yaopeng. If you encounter him, not only must you not fire at him, but you must assist in his escape. Do you understand?" Liu Peiru locked eyes with his nephew.

"I understand. You can count on me, Uncle," Liu Xiaobing nodded heavily.

"Good," Liu Peiru said. "Tomorrow, remember to bring more men so it's easier for you to maneuver."

"Yes."

"Go on then."

After Liu Xiaobing left, Liu Peiru fell into deep thought. He wondered what could have happened to drive Tian Yaopeng to choose the path of no return—murdering his way out of prison. Regrettably, he had no way of knowing the truth.

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, the Shanning police began posting the arrest warrants for Tian Yaopeng. It drew the attention of many, including members of the Red Party's underground organization.

"Captain, look—how did this dog of a secret agent end up being hunted by his own people?" a member of a Special Action Team asked Guo Xiaofei at a contact point.

"It is strange. Could this be a trap to lure us out and wipe us out?" Upon seeing the warrant, Guo Xiaofei's first thought was suspicion.

"That seems unlikely; the posters are everywhere."

"Enough. Keep a close watch on this situation. And if you find a trace of Tian Yaopeng, tell our comrades to kill him on sight. No need for hesitation or concern," Guo Xiaofei commanded.

"Understood."

While the various factions in Shanning were fixated on Tian Yaopeng, the man himself was holed up in an abandoned temple south of the city. His condition was dire.

He was not only injured, with his arms and legs covered in wounds, but one of his eyes had been gouged out. He wore a black eyepatch, making him look like a one-eyed dragon—a ghastly and terrifying sight.

The physically weakened Tian Yaopeng was still reeling from the shock. Yesterday afternoon, he had been sitting in his cell when an unexpected accident occurred during mealtime.

The person delivering the food had been changed. At first, Tian Yaopeng hadn't paid much attention, but just as he picked up his chopsticks to eat, the delivery man suddenly lunged at his eye.

Though Tian Yaopeng reacted quickly, the delivery man succeeded; a pale chopstick had been driven almost to the root into Tian Yaopeng's eye.

Tian Yaopeng could see the man intended to kill him. He dodged and counter-attacked while shouting for help, hoping for reinforcements. Unfortunately, his cries went unanswered because the guards outside the cell had already been killed by the assassin.

"Who are you?" Tian Yaopeng asked during a lull in the struggle.

"Heh, don't you know who you've offended?" the assassin sneered vaguely.

"Li Huihui... the Wen family," Tian Yaopeng gasped.

Seizing the moment of distraction, the assassin lunged again, a sharp dagger slashing toward Tian Yaopeng's neck, drawing blood.

The pain snapped Tian Yaopeng back to reality. He cast aside all other thoughts and focused entirely on surviving. As time passed, Tian Yaopeng slowly gained the upper hand, and the assassin began to grow anxious.

While few people usually visited the confinement cells, the longer the fight dragged on, the higher the risk of being discovered. The assassin knew he had to finish this quickly or he would be the one to die. His attacks became increasingly swift and vicious.

As for why he didn't use a gun—the assassin was no fool. Firing a weapon inside the Secret Service headquarters would alert everyone, and his only outcome would be death—riddled with bullets by the guards.