Chapter 11: "Surprise"

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Tang Hu led a team that dashed like a gale toward No. 78 Jiangbei Road. At the alleyway entrance where No. 78 stood, Tang Hu and his squad slipped out of the vehicle like phantoms and crept silently toward the address. Three team members swiftly formed a human ladder, with the one at the top extending half his body over the wall like a gecko. After careful observation, the scout gave a relieved hand signal downward. Responding to the signal, another team member produced tools as if by magic and stealthily approached the gate of No. 78 Jiangbei Road.

Every move of theirs was captured by a man holding binoculars a hundred meters away.

“Looks like we’ve been spotted,” he muttered. “In my opinion, that guy deserves to be torn to pieces!”

Beside him stood another man, not holding binoculars but gripping a rifle with a venomous snake-like scope.

“What good does killing him do?” The man with the binoculars said calmly. “He’s a clueless fool; whether he lives or dies makes no difference.”

“How do you think these idiots will discover the ‘surprise’ we left for them?” the rifleman asked abruptly.

“That’s irrelevant. Have you packed everything up?” the binocular man asked nonchalantly.

“All set. Ready to leave anytime.”

The binocular man lowered his glasses and eyed the rifle in the other’s arms. “What about this?”

“I forgot,” the rifleman said dismissively.

The binocular man stared at him expressionlessly.

“Alright, alright, I’ll put it away right now. Is that okay?” The rifleman said as he headed toward the stairs, rifle in hand.

Meanwhile, Tang Hu and his team had already entered No. 78.

“Chief Tang, no one’s here.”

Inside the yard, everyone was on edge, gripping their weapons tightly and scanning their surroundings like hawks.

Tang Hu’s gaze sharpened, fixed on the room ahead. One team member was about to push the door open when Tang Hu swiftly grabbed his arm and hissed, “Don’t rush!”

From a distance, the man with the binoculars observed the scene and sighed, “Why did you stop him?”

Without hesitation, he pulled a remote control from his pocket, his finger pressing the button with the authority of a master of life and death.

Inside No. 78’s once tranquil room, a sharp ticking sound suddenly rang out like a death countdown.

After pressing the remote, the binocular man lowered his device and quietly ascended the stairs behind him.

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Tang Hu and his team opened the door with the utmost caution.

The moment the door cracked open, the faint ticking exploded into a thunderous roar.

The sound struck Tang Hu and his men like a lightning bolt; their bodies shuddered, and without hesitation, they fled in the opposite direction like startled birds.

But just steps into their retreat, a deafening explosion erupted behind them. A powerful shockwave surged forth like a tidal wave, flinging Tang Hu and his team through the air.

Tang Hu’s body slammed against the wall, and it took all his strength to recover.

“How are you all? Anyone injured?” Tang Hu gritted his teeth and shouted amid the pain.

His teammates, also thrown back, scrambled to their feet and stared at the room now reduced to rubble.

“Those bastards actually planted explosives inside!”

Rage blazed in Tang Hu’s eyes as the wounded men regrouped around him.

But No. 78 was now nothing more than ruins—any clues inside had been obliterated.

At the moment of the explosion, about a hundred meters away inside another building, six men emerged carrying boxes. All wore caps, and the leader had binoculars hanging around his neck.

As they stepped out, a van pulled up immediately.

The leader opened the door and got in first, followed swiftly by the others.

Within less than a minute from the van’s arrival to its departure with all six aboard, the scene was already cleared.

Back at the county government building where the task force was based, Tian Yun’s expression darkened after receiving Tang Hu’s report.

“Reckless, utterly reckless! Tang Hu, make sure the aftermath is handled properly, and send everyone for a medical check immediately—don’t take any chances!”

After hanging up, Tian Yun’s eyes still burned with fury.

“Secretary Tian, was Chief Tang’s operation unsuccessful?” Li Mo asked upon hearing Tian Yun’s words.

“Yes. Those audacious fools actually planted explosives in that house,” Tian Yun said grimly. “You two may head back. I will notify you of any further instructions.”

After receiving the dismissal, Li Mo and Zheng Tao nodded, rose quickly, and left the office.

Once they were gone, Tian Yun immediately picked up the phone to report to the Provincial Party Committee. Given the severity of the incident, he deemed it necessary to escalate the threat level before any formal orders were issued.

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After leaving Tian Yun’s office, Li Mo and Zheng Tao wore very different expressions.

Li Mo was deep in thought, contemplating the likely next moves of the assassin group based on his knowledge.

Zheng Tao’s face was heavy with concern.

“Li Mo, we can’t operate alone anymore!”

As they walked, Zheng Tao suddenly spoke. “Chief Tang and his team went to investigate, only to find the place rigged with explosives.”

“If we two went directly today—whether we crossed paths with them or they had already withdrawn—getting caught in an explosion would be far too dangerous.”

Though eager to claim the credit for this capture, Zheng Tao acknowledged the situation had become far more perilous than he expected.

Li Mo said nothing but continued to ponder.

Seeing no response, Zheng Tao grabbed Li Mo’s arm. “Li Mo!”

“Master, I know what I’m doing,” Li Mo lifted his gaze to meet Zheng Tao’s eyes. “I’ve known from the start how dangerous they are. Isn’t that precisely why it’s our duty?”

“Should we retreat just because the criminals are dangerous? We are police officers!”

Li Mo’s eyes held no hesitation, only resolve. “We must apprehend them swiftly to prevent any threat to the safety of the people.”

Hearing Li Mo’s resolute words, Zheng Tao fell silent.

“Of course, if it’s truly impossible, I won’t act recklessly,” Li Mo added, understanding Zheng Tao’s worries but unwilling to give up the chase. This was the closest he had ever been to capturing these killers.

If they succeeded this time, they might dismantle the assassin organization before it grew larger.

“But...” Zheng Tao wanted to persuade Li Mo further, but Li Mo was already striding toward a nearby Santana car.

Seeing Li Mo’s decision, Zheng Tao hurried to catch up...