The Arrest

Han Bin glanced at the contact information in the Tianshan card players’ group chat and speculated, “Could it be the person who won the most last night’s gambling game?”

Zeng Ping rubbed his chin and recalled, “Tonight’s Tianshan Sword Debate, Sword in My Hand, Heroes of the World, Who Dares Compete?”

“Then why didn’t he just say he was the one who won the most money?” Li Hui asked.

Han Bin took the phone and examined it carefully. “This photo was taken on the bus, from front to back, the image is a bit blurry. I guess he might have just gotten his phone and hastily sent the message.”

“That’s possible, maybe it wasn’t convenient to say it outright,” Zeng Ping said without dwelling on it, immediately organizing the surveillance tasks.

“It’s almost six o’clock now, and there are already pedestrians outside. Binzi, come with me off the vehicle to keep watch and see if we can spot any suspicious individuals.”

“Yes, sir.” Han Bin checked his pistol and got off the car.

Han Bin handed Zeng Ping a cigarette and lit one for himself. They chatted casually, but their eyes never left their surroundings.

After a while, Han Bin saw a blue bus approaching. After passing the traffic light, it stopped near Blue Star Macalline.

“Everyone, the bus has arrived,” Zeng Ping announced in the group chat. “Han Bin, Li Hui, focus on the Sword God; Tian Li, Zhao Ming, watch for any suspicious motorcycles around.”

“Received,” the others replied.

Shortly after the bus stopped, more than twenty people, both men and women, got off one after another.

“Captain Zeng, it’s such a pity to let these people go just like that,” Li Hui sent a voice message.

“Don’t worry, when the net closes, none of them will escape,” Zeng Ping assured.

“Found the Sword God, waiting at the intersection for a ride, looks like he’s taking a taxi to leave,” Han Bin reported.

“Binzi, get in the car too. You and Li Hui will follow him,” Zeng Ping instructed.

Han Bin acknowledged and got into the passenger seat of the SUV. “Li Hui, are you confident we won’t be noticed?”

“I’ll try my best.” After last night’s incident, Li Hui didn’t dare to boast. Otherwise, with his nature, he would have taken over the whole operation.

The Sword God wore a white T-shirt and carried a blue bag. Traffic was heavy nearby, and he quickly hailed a taxi with the license plate Lu B3549 and left.

Li Hui pressed the brake and started the car.

“Wait a moment, let’s see if there’s a motorcycle tailing,” Han Bin reminded.

Han Bin opened WeChat and sent a voice message: “Any sign of suspicious motorcycles?”

“No,” Zeng Ping, Tian Li, and Zhao Ming all responded similarly.

Han Bin watched the taxi driving away with no motorcycle tailing. Just as he was about to tell Li Hui to follow, another taxi stopped by the roadside to pick someone up and headed in the same direction.

Because the passenger also had just gotten off the bus, Han Bin paid some attention but didn’t think much of it—after all, there are only four directions, it’s normal to go the same way.

However, when the first taxi with plate Lu B3549 turned left at the first intersection, the second taxi followed and turned left as well. Han Bin grew alert.

“Li Hui, as long as the second taxi is heading the same way as the Sword God’s taxi, don’t overtake it for now,” Han Bin instructed.

“Do you think this taxi is suspicious?” Li Hui asked.

“I can’t say for sure yet,” Han Bin shook his head. “Better to be cautious.”

“But last time, the suspect used a motorcycle to commit the crime, right?” Li Hui countered.

“That’s uncertain. The suspect might have switched vehicles to avoid police surveillance.”

“Look, the first taxi is turning right,” Li Hui pointed out.

Han Bin watched the second taxi occupying the far right lane, signaling right turn. He pulled out his walkie-talkie: “Captain Zeng, one taxi is tailing the Sword God’s taxi.”

“Are you sure?” Zeng Ping replied.

“They’ve passed two intersections and are still following.”

“Be careful, don’t let them notice. We’ll follow closely behind,” Zeng Ping ordered.

“Captain Zeng, any sign of suspicious motorcycles?”

“No.”

“Received.” Han Bin put down the walkie-talkie. “They haven’t found any motorcycles. The suspect likely switched transportation.”

“Damn, looks like we’re about to make a good catch this time,” Li Hui said enthusiastically, stepping harder on the accelerator.

After a few more intersections, the two taxis drove one after the other, confirming that the second taxi was indeed tailing the first.

Han Bin rubbed his chin and murmured, “The passenger in the trailing taxi also just got off the bus, meaning he participated in the gambling game too. He probably isn’t carrying any weapons. I think he has accomplices.”

“Could the taxi driver be one of his accomplices?” Li Hui wondered aloud.

“Hard to say.”

“It’s possible that his accomplice took a taxi earlier, and when he saw the target get in, the driver was sent to pick him up,” Li Hui speculated.

“That makes sense,” Han Bin nodded.

“So that means there might be two robbers.”

Han Bin took out his walkie-talkie and reported again to Zheng Kaixuan.

A few minutes later, the first taxi pulled over. The Sword God, carrying his bag, got out.

Li Hui eased off the accelerator and slowed down.

At the same time, the second taxi also pulled to the side. A tall man got out; his features were unclear, but from his silhouette, he was the man who had come off the bus.

“Captain Zeng, both the Sword God and the suspicious taxi passenger have gotten off. So far only one suspect spotted,” Han Bin reported.

“Follow them and secure the taxis,” Zeng Ping ordered.

“Li Hui, get out.” Han Bin unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out first.

The Sword God and the tall suspect walked briskly into a side road, with Han Bin and Li Hui tailing closely behind, fearful that any delay might give the suspect a chance to harm the Sword God.

After all, this Sword God is not the legendary one; no one knew whether he could defend himself.

Once in the side road, the Sword God stopped and lit a cigarette. The suspect quickened his pace, closing in.

At this dangerous moment, Han Bin exchanged glances with Li Hui and hurried after them.

With less than a meter between them, Li Hui suddenly wrapped his arms around the suspect, tackling him to the ground and pinning his left hand firmly. Han Bin followed, grabbing the right arm and snapping on handcuffs.

“Don’t move! Police!”

The Sword God stood frozen, stunned, forgetting even to run. The cigarette in his mouth dropped to the ground.

Only his hands remained tightly gripping the straps of his bag.