Chapter 82: Failure at the Final Hurdle

Chapter Eighty-Two: A Failed Endeavor

As the gunfight ended, some bold onlookers began to gather around the Hongxi Photo Studio. Having changed his clothes, Baize Shao mingled among the crowd to observe the situation. He was unaware that the Hongxi Photo Studio was a Red Party contact point, but after overhearing a casual conversation among the Secret Service agents, he quickly pieced it together.

Through the glass window, he saw the shattered, blood-stained scene inside, and his heart ached. His gaze fell on the wounded and captured Ye Weitian, and he wavered—should he intervene? And, if he did, how great were the chances of success?

Although he did not know Ye Weitian’s precise identity, given Lu Tiankang’s former rank, he must have known highly sensitive information.

He scanned the environment. There were about nine Secret Service agents—three stood guard outside, two escorted Ye Weitian toward the car, and the rest, including Liu Xiaobing, searched the studio.

As Ye Weitian was about to be loaded into the car, Baize Shao made up his mind. He grabbed a piece of cloth to cover his face, raised his gun, and fired at the two agents escorting Ye Weitian.

Bang! Bang!

The sudden gunshots caught everyone off guard; no one expected such boldness. Thus, after Baize Shao took down the two agents, he even had time to fire at the three sentries.

Yet, his brief advantage soon faded as the Secret Service agents recovered from their shock. Fortunately, Ye Weitian was, for the moment, out of immediate danger.

Shooting as he moved, Baize Shao edged closer to Ye Weitian.

Ye Weitian was still bewildered as the masked man approached. He had no idea who would risk so much to save him, but he was certain this was an ally. Still, the situation was exceedingly perilous.

“Hurry!” Baize Shao tossed Ye Weitian a gun and, supporting him, made for the car.

At that moment, Liu Xiaobing and Lu Tiankang, who had just begun searching the studio, were startled by the gunfire and rushed outside.

They arrived just in time to see Baize Shao half-carrying Ye Weitian into the car.

Bang! Bang!

The staccato of bullets echoed in their ears. Knowing time was short, Baize Shao dragged Ye Weitian into the back, slipped into the driver’s seat, and started the engine.

But as he looked back, he was stunned—Ye Weitian had climbed out and tumbled from the vehicle. Baize Shao shouted in frustration, “Get in, hurry!”

Ye Weitian shook his head gently and gestured to his wounded leg. In the chaos, as Baize Shao had pulled him into the car, he’d been shot in the leg by the approaching agents.

His legs gave out, and he fell from the back of the car. In his haste, Baize Shao had not noticed his injury.

“Come on, get in!” Baize Shao called desperately, firing back from the car while trying to reach Ye Weitian again.

Ye Weitian, realizing what he intended, turned grim. He shouted, “I can’t make it, you go! I’ll cover you! Go!”

With that, Ye Weitian turned and opened fire at Liu Xiaobing and his men, pinning them down. Wanting a live capture, they dared not shoot Ye Weitian directly and instead concentrated their fire on Baize Shao.

As the agents closed in, Baize Shao’s heart sank. Though he was masked, Liu Xiaobing knew him well—recognition was a real risk.

In the end, Baize Shao had no choice but to flee alone.

With a roar, he floored the gas pedal and the car shot away. Lu Tiankang watched the speeding car and the now-silent Ye Weitian with an ugly expression.

Liu Xiaobing’s face darkened as well. Their earlier assault on the Hongxi Photo Studio had cost them little, but this sudden Red Party attack had resulted in three dead.

“Get in the car and pursue them! Also, notify the police to keep a close watch on the fleeing vehicle’s movements,” Liu Xiaobing ordered.

He then approached Ye Weitian. “Tell me, who was that man?”

“I don’t know,” Ye Weitian replied honestly.

“You expect me to believe that? So you refuse to cooperate. Fine, you’ll have a taste of the Secret Service’s prison cells first,” Liu Xiaobing sneered, grabbing Ye Weitian by the collar.

Ye Weitian merely smiled silently.

Lu Tiankang came over, sighing with a mix of regret and resignation. “Secretary Ye, you might as well confess. Last time, Mr. Li was rescued because we had a traitor in our ranks. This time, you’re not so lucky. Speak up and spare yourself the suffering.”

“Hmph, do you think Red Party members are so weak-willed? Pah!” Ye Weitian spat at Lu Tiankang.

Infuriated, Lu Tiankang wiped his face and pressed his pistol to Ye Weitian’s forehead.

“Go on, shoot if you dare! If you’re a real man, pull the trigger!” Ye Weitian taunted him with feigned scorn.

“You think I won’t?” Lu Tiankang gripped the gun tighter.

“Then do it!”

“Come on!”

Their voices rose, exchanging provocations until, unexpectedly, Lu Tiankang fired.

Bang!

But the bullet struck the ground beside Ye Weitian’s head. Lu Tiankang chuckled darkly, his face calm, betraying no trace of anger. “You want to die by my hand? Not that easy. Keep dreaming.”

Watching Lu Tiankang’s emotional transformation, Liu Xiaobing felt a chill. This man could shift his emotions so expertly; beneath his fury lay a perfectly controlled mind. No wonder his uncle, Liu Peiru, had chosen Lu Tiankang as an undercover agent—he was both supremely rational and daring.

Afterward, Liu Xiaobing ordered Ye Weitian bundled into the car, and the group quickly withdrew, leaving behind pools of blood and scattered bodies.

Meanwhile, after escaping, Baize Shao sped through the city streets. He soon noticed Secret Service agents tailing him, but shook them off with his exceptional driving.

He abandoned the car in a secluded spot, then hurried toward the Secret Service headquarters.