The originally sunny winter day suddenly changed its face. Tiny snowflakes fell, and soon a thin layer of white snow blanket covered the ground.
Zheng Yubai and the man who was chasing him remained in a stalemate for more than ten minutes without moving. A layer of fine snow covered their bodies, making them look like white sculptures.
If it were an ordinary person, maintaining the same action for such a long time in such a low temperature, I'm afraid the body would have stiffened long ago. But Zheng Yubai and that person were not ordinary people. Their breathing was still steady and fine. They both thought of one solution after another, but they didn't dare to act rashly. Once this situation of mutual restraint was broken, it would very likely result in a lose-lose situation, which was something neither of them wanted to see.
"Let go of your hand and let's talk." The man finally spoke, his voice as cold as the snowy winter day.
"As long as you put the gun down, I will let go." Although Zheng Yubai was a relatively honest person, he would not be stupid enough to let go first. After all, he was a mortal, and at such a close distance, no matter how good his kung fu was, he could not dodge the bullet.
Cheng Tinghua, the Baguazhang master who was famous for his extraordinary martial arts, was much better than Zheng Yubai. Even so, he was shot to death by the foreigners when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, leaving behind a legendary story that made people sigh. Nowadays, the technology of guns has been further improved. For example, the UPS pistol in the hands of the man in front of him has great power and fast firing rate. As long as he is shot, even if he has the protection of the Golden Bell Cover, Iron Cloth Shirt, and Thirteen Taibao, he will die.
It was precisely because he was afraid of the gun in his hand that Zheng Yubai would not let go, even so. However, although the other party had a gun in his hand, he lost his position. He had his back to Zheng Yubai. Even if he could determine Zheng Yubai's approximate position, if he missed the shot, he would be at the mercy of others. Therefore, the two of them were afraid of each other and neither dared to move.
"I'm Leng Tie, the director of the Special Affairs Management Bureau. This time, I'd like to ask you to go back and assist in the investigation of a murder case that occurred in a suburban villa area last month. Can I consider your current behavior as resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer?" The one who followed Zheng Yubai and was in a stalemate with him was Leng Tie, known as the "Perfect Hunter."
The two were in a narrow passage outside the back door of the mall. There were many things everywhere and few people were coming and going, so they were not discovered for a long time. Leng Tie knew that he could not delay, so he explained his intentions, hoping to shock him and make him surrender.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Yubai was not moved at all, and just said: "This matter has nothing to do with me."
Leng Tie said coldly: "That villa has nothing to do with you, but you can't deny that you lived there, right? And after the murder, you never went back. What does this mean?"
Zheng Yubai knew that it was natural for him to have doubts, but he certainly couldn't betray Xu Jin, so he said: "I can only tell you that this matter has nothing to do with me, and I have nothing else to say."
"What a good no comment..." Leng Tie hadn't heard Zheng Yubai's answer for a long time. For several years, he had been in a high position, torturing prisoners with thunderous and cruel interrogations, but now he and Zheng Yubai were tied up and it was difficult to escape. This made him feel angry and he became more and more certain of Zheng Yubai's suspicion.
Although Zheng Yubai was very tough, he knew that this was not a solution. Leng Tie's men were all nearby, and nearly twenty minutes had passed. Who knew if Leng Tie had any positioning device on him? If his men found him, he would be doomed.
"Director, Director..." The more Zheng Yubai worried, the more inevitable it was. Leng Tie's communicator started to ring, and although the sound was very slight, it still reached Zheng Yubai's ears.
Leng Tie hesitated for a moment and did not speak. The two stood at the two ends of the seesaw. Just a little external force would break this fragile balance, and no one knew what the consequences would be.
The call of "Director" kept ringing in the communicator. It seemed that Leng Tie's subordinates were very anxious. Zheng Yubai knew that he couldn't remain silent, so he said, "Respond. You should know what to say. If I have no way out, I don't mind taking one more person with me."
He said it fiercely, but he was actually a little nervous. When he knew that the other party was from a state agency and came to him to investigate the previous FBI death case, Zheng Yubai deliberately held back. He didn't want to have any grudges with the state agency, not to mention that his identity had been exposed, so he couldn't kill people blatantly.
Leng Tie had investigated Zheng Yubai's background and found that he was just a young man who had just graduated from college and had never had any criminal record. He was very suspicious of his connection with the FBI murder case. He had originally planned to follow up and investigate, but he was discovered by Leng Tie, so he decided to arrest him temporarily. Otherwise, with his deployment and command capabilities, even if Zheng Yubai had superb martial arts skills, it would be difficult for him to escape easily.
However, seeing the ability displayed by Zheng Yubai, Leng Tie still had lingering fears. He was not sure whether the young man behind him was a hidden and murderous criminal, and he did not want to gamble with his life. After hearing what Zheng Yubai said, he could only say softly: "I'm fine, I'm working. You search nearby and don't let the target escape."
A "yes" voice came from the communicator immediately, and someone else reported that they had asked nearby companions for reinforcement, and personnel were deployed to block the main traffic arteries within a one-kilometer radius.
Zheng Yubai was shocked by the so-called Special Affairs Management Bureau's great power. They first found out his identity and whereabouts, and then searched for him in the downtown area without making any noise. It was obvious that they had great power. However, he was unwilling to surrender no matter what. Even if it would cause misunderstanding, he had to go back to the apartment to clarify the matter first.
The communicator finally went silent again. After this little incident, the stalemate between the two showed some signs of loosening, and at this time, the snowflakes stopped falling. The sun came out again, melting the snow that had fallen for a short time. The snow on the two people's bodies and heads melted, making them wet all over, looking a little embarrassed.
"How about we count to one, two, three and stop together?" Leng Tie hesitated for a long time and finally proposed this idea. Leng Tie, who almost never made any concessions and always dealt with suspects with thunder and lightning, finally loosened up. If his subordinates knew this, they would probably think that the sun rose from the west today.
Zheng Yubai had been wanting to make this suggestion for a long time. Although Leng Tie's posture was far more unfavorable than his, and he might be unable to move in a while due to stiff limbs and low temperature, the black muzzle of the gun was a threat anyway, and it would be no joke if it went off accidentally. So when he heard Leng Tie's suggestion, Zheng Yubai said cautiously: "A gentleman's word..."
"It's hard to catch up with a good guy..." Leng Tie laughed secretly in his heart, thinking that this young man has a bit of ancient style.
"One..." Zheng Yubai's hand loosened a little.
“Two…” Leng Tie slowly raised his left arm, and the muzzle of the gun also shrank.
Before the last word of "three..." fell, Zheng Yubai let go of Leng Tie's neck, bent his body and jumped out of the gun's aiming range. Leng Tie retracted his gun and his neck at the same time, leaped forward, and rolled on the ground. In this way, even if Zheng Yubai made any unusual moves, he could protect himself.
However, when Leng Tie got up from the ground and looked around with his gun in hand, he happened to see Zheng Yubai's figure passing over a pile of debris and disappearing.
Leng Tie stomped his feet in anger: "He actually got away..." However, his face was no longer as cold as it was at the beginning, but was gradually thawing.
"It seems there is something else behind this matter." Leng Tie muttered to himself.
Zheng Yubai walked around several blocks and made sure that no one was following him this time. Then he found a taxi and returned to the safe apartment.
Xu Jin and Yu Luo were anxiously waiting for Zheng Yubai. When they saw him return safely, they immediately came up to him and asked him about his life. Zheng Yubai told them about the thrilling scene just now, which made the two girls cover their mouths and exclaim from time to time.
"Brother Yubai, what should we do this time? Things seem to be getting worse and worse." Yu Luo was usually fearless and seemed to be able to play pranks on anything, but now he was a little scared. The FBI and the Special Affairs Bureau were both tough opponents, and they were backed by two countries. If they pursued him, Yu Luo would probably never be able to live an ordinary life again.
Zheng Yubai had no other options. He didn't know what the FBI and the Special Affairs Bureau wanted. As the saying goes, knowing yourself and the enemy is the key to success. This matter might cause trouble for Caoji again.
I found Cao Ji and told him what happened in detail. Cao Ji's expression changed a little.
"You actually managed to escape from Leng Tie's hands?" Cao Ji looked at Zheng Yubai in astonishment, "You are so lucky."
"He is indeed very powerful." Zheng Yubai also felt a little fortunate. He first used his four pupils to discover Leng Tie's tracking, and then found a favorable terrain to ambush him, and only then did he barely fight to a draw.
"His nickname is the Perfect Hunter, and some people call him the Nemesis of Crime. Many of my brothers have died at his hands. This man is notoriously ruthless and heartless. Our boss has to give him face and dare not mess with him." Cao Ji said in a low voice.
What kind of person is Xu Heixing of Black Star Company? In the underworld of Asia, he is second to none, and almost no one dares to claim to be first. But the Special Affairs Bureau is not an ordinary organization. They have the support of powerful national forces and unique power, which is similar to the ancient "behead first and report later" imperial sword. No matter how powerful Xu Heixing is, he is just a gangster, and of course he dare not go against the power of the state. So whenever the Special Affairs Bureau came to him, he would often bear the pain and cut off his flesh in order to have peace. The result of his tolerance is that everyone has lived in peace for many years.
However, this balance seems to be on the verge of breaking because of Zheng Yubai. If Leng Tie really finds out where Zheng Yubai is and asks Xu Heixing for him, Cao Ji cannot guarantee whether the company can still support Zheng Yubai as before.
"I won't cause trouble for the company." Zheng Yubai said hurriedly. He hated to trouble others. He had asked Caoji for help many times, and the company had to step in to support him. He was a little embarrassed. If this incident would involve the company and affect the company's business, he would definitely step in and solve it himself.
"It's not a question of whether I'll be implicated or not." Cao Ji groaned, "Don't be impulsive about this matter. I'll get some information. If there's a solution, that would be great. If not, I won't let you suffer any loss."
"Thank you, Brother Caoji." Zheng Yubai was very grateful.
"We are brothers, why are you being polite?" Cao Ji said generously, but he was actually completely unsure.
Cao Ji made one phone call after another, asking his friends in both the black and white worlds to help him get information. Zheng Yubai stood aside for a while, and the phone in his arms rang.
He took out his cell phone and saw that the number was from his aunt's home. Zheng Yubai groaned inwardly, hesitated for a while, and finally answered the call.
"Yubai, meet at Xiaoxiang Building in an hour. Your father is here, and our family will have dinner there tonight." Aunt's voice came from the receiver, bringing the news that Zheng Yubai least wanted to hear.
"Where is he? Let me talk to him." Zheng Yubai felt his throat was dry and he really wished there was a bucket of water beside him so he could gulp it down.
"He's out with your uncle." said the aunt, "You'll see him soon." Then she hung up the phone, and it seemed that she was still a little angry with Zheng Yubai.
Zheng Yubai put away the phone helplessly, thinking about the last time he saw his father, he was forced to fight with him, and ended up lying in bed for three days before he could get up. Although his martial arts skills are no longer what they used to be, violating the sect rules is no small matter. I wonder what will happen this time...
Half an hour later, Zheng Yubai went out. This time, he specially got a cap from Xu Jin and put it on his head. I heard from Caoji that the situation was very tense now. Leng Tie had ordered the Special Affairs Management Bureau to dispatch the Criminal Team 5, which was specially responsible for hunting down major criminal suspects. These elite personnel were already all over the streets and alleys of Jinghai, looking for Zheng Yubai everywhere.
Knowing that there was a tiger in the mountain, Zheng Yubai had no choice but to go to the tiger mountain. If he did not attend the family dinner, given the tempers of his father and aunt, they would think that he was absconding from the crime, which would be a big problem. He had no doubt that if the brother and sister got angry, Jinghai would be in big trouble.
Walking on the street, Zheng Yubai was very careful, because Caoji reminded him that among those passers-by who looked like ordinary people, there might be a few tracking experts like Leng Tie. The Special Affairs Management Bureau has great powers, and once it has set its sights on a prey, it will not stop until it successfully captures it.
Xiaoxiang Building is not far from Hailong Community where the Safe Apartment is located. As the name suggests, it mainly serves southern cuisine. The consumption there is mid-range and the dishes are excellent. It is a restaurant that people from Beijing and Haiyang like to go to. Zheng Yubai had been there when he was in college. Now he is familiar with the route. As he walked along, he soon saw the two-story white building of Xiaoxiang Building appear in his sight.
Zheng Yubai quickened his pace, wanting to get there earlier. Just as he turned a corner, an idea flashed in his mind and a familiar feeling came over him.
He first became alert in his mind, and then the sound in his ears told Zheng Yubai that someone was attacking him from behind.
There were a lot of cars and pedestrians on the road, and there was a lot of noise. However, Zheng Yubai still heard the sound of breaking air from behind him. He didn't care about the pedestrians beside him, and kicked with his left foot, rolling to the right.
Passersby looked at Zheng Yubai in surprise, wondering how he could have suddenly fallen down while walking normally. Zheng Yubai rolled on the ground, supported himself with his hands, and bounced up like a spring, looking behind him, looking for the attacker.
A man in his fifties stood about ten meters behind him with a smile on his face, slowly withdrawing his hand. He was not tall, only about 1.70 meters, with dark skin and a strong body. He was wearing a blue cloth shirt and black pants that were completely out of tune with the fashion trend of big cities like Jinghai. His trouser legs were tied up, making him look quite rustic. Behind him, there was another man, Zheng Yubai's uncle Tang Yunsheng, who was staring at Zheng Yubai in amazement.
Seeing them, Zheng Yubai couldn't help but take a deep breath, walked forward, and said with a tone that didn't know whether he was happy or sad: "Dad, you're here." Then he greeted his uncle.
The man was Zheng Yubai's father, Zheng Jingzhe. He glanced at his son and said in a low voice, "Let's go. Don't make your aunt wait anxiously."
Zheng Jingzhe walked in front, and Tang Yunsheng and Zheng Yubai followed behind. Seeing Zheng Yubai's helpless face, Tang Yunsheng made a gesture to him, meaning to reassure him. Zheng Yubai gratefully bowed to his uncle, knowing that this was more like a Hongmen Banquet than a family dinner. If he was not careful, he would be beaten half to death by his father.
The three of them walked towards Xiaoxiang Building one after another. A passerby not far behind them looked at their backs and quietly pressed the communicator: "Director, three suspicious people were found going to Xiaoxiang Building..."
Zheng Jingzhe took the lead and walked into Xiaoxiang Building. The two receptionists at the door wanted to laugh but didn't dare to laugh when they saw his outfit, so they could only force themselves to invite him in. Tang Yunsheng was a regular customer here, so he hurriedly took the first two steps and led Zheng Jingzhe to the second floor. Zheng Shuangjiang and Tang Qing had already arrived and were waiting for them in the private room of Lvzhuxuan.
Opening the door of Green Bamboo Pavilion, Zheng Jingzhe strode in. Tang Qing immediately stood up and said to him with a smile: "Uncle, why did you go out for so long? It's quite cold outside. Let me pour you a cup of tea." As she spoke, she picked up the teapot and poured Zheng Jingzhe a full cup of hot tea.
Zheng Jingzhe turned around and said to Tang Yunsheng with a smile: "Brother-in-law, my niece is really sensible. You are much better at educating children than I am."
Tang Yunsheng hurriedly said, "No, it's all because of Shuangjiang's good discipline."
Zheng Jingzhe glanced at his sister and couldn't help but smile: "She can educate children. Hahaha, don't I understand her temper?"
Zheng Shuangjiang said with a smile: "Alright, alright, please take a seat."
Zheng Shuangjiang, Tang Yunsheng, Tang Qing, Zheng Jingzhe and Zheng Yubai, the five of them sat down in this order. Tang Yunsheng ordered a few special dishes of Xiaoxianglou. When the waiter left, the atmosphere in the private room immediately became tense.
Zheng Yubai sat upright, the more he couldn't show fear at such a time. He remembered that when he was a teenager, he made mistakes and was punished by his father. Zheng Jingzhe's famous saying is: A real man should hold his head high and bear it even if he did something wrong. If I beat you now, if you beg for mercy, I will break one of your legs. If you beg twice, I will break both of your legs. If you say it a third time, I will beat you to death!
The stick education he received since childhood did not leave a shadow on Zheng Yubai's psychology. There is no doubt that this kind of education has an effect. In fact, Zheng Yubai's fear of his father is more out of respect for family authority and morality, rather than cowardice against violence. I don't know if this can be regarded as the success of Zheng Jingzhe's family education.
Tang Qing was particularly enthusiastic today and kept asking about things in her hometown. While Zheng Jingzhe was drinking the hot tea poured by his niece, he told Tang Qing about the new things that city people would never encounter in his northern dialect with a strong accent.
Zheng Shuangjiang and Tang Yunsheng listened with Tang Qing, feeling very surprised that their daughter, who seldom asked about these things, had so many questions today.
Zheng Jingzhe kept talking until the dishes were served. When all the dishes were served, Tang Yunsheng asked Zheng Jingzhe, "What kind of wine do you want, brother?"
Zheng Jingzhe narrowed his eyes and said, "Let's do something stronger. After we have eaten and drunk enough, I can teach Yu Bai a lesson."
After hearing this, everyone looked at Zheng Yubai.
Zheng Yubai thought that it was a blessing in disguise, so he simply said, "The alcohol content of Jinghai's wine is too low. Give my dad a bottle of Erguotou."
"Erguotou is good." Zheng Jingzhe nodded. "My son knows me well. He knows that if I drink it, he will suffer less."
Tang Qing was horrified when she heard this, and hurriedly said, "Uncle, cousin Yu Bai didn't make any mistakes."
Zheng Jingzhe waved his hand and said, "Qing'er, don't worry about this matter. Xingyiquan has its own rules, and the Zheng family also has its own family rules. These rules passed down by our ancestors cannot be violated. Yu Bai made a mistake and must be punished."
The waitress listened to their conversation and didn't know what was going on, but she thought these guests were a little strange. She hurriedly wrote down the drinks she ordered, left the room, and just as she walked downstairs, she was stopped by two men.
The people in Green Bamboo Pavilion naturally didn't know what was happening outside. Everyone's focus was on Zheng Yubai. At Zheng Jingzhe's request, he was reciting the rules of Xingyiquan and the family rules of the Zheng family one by one. Although they were two sets of rules, except for a small part, the contents were almost the same. Zheng Yubai had known these by heart since he was a child. Although he had been away from home for several years, he had not forgotten them. Although he could not recite them by heart, he could recite them word for word.
When Zheng Yubai finished reciting, Tang Qing immediately clapped her hands and said to Zheng Jingzhe, "Uncle, look how fluently my cousin recited. This shows that he respects the sect rules and family laws. Shouldn't he be exempted from punishment?"
Zheng Yubai secretly groaned when he heard this. Sure enough, Zheng Jingzhe smiled and said, "Qing'er, although I, your uncle, have not received much education, I do know one truth. Knowing the law and breaking it is a heavier crime."
Tang Qing had been trying to find ways to help Zheng Yubai, but after hearing what her uncle said, she immediately lost her temper. She couldn't help but look at Zheng Yubai and thought to herself: Cousin, take care of yourself, I'm afraid I can't save you.
The waiter brought in Erguotou and Tang Qing's drinks, and then left after a few greetings. No one noticed that when she left, she installed a small eavesdropping device behind the cabinet where the dishes were placed in the private room. This time, everything said in the private room fell into the ears of Leng Tie, who was preparing to close the net in the private room next door.
"Brother, let me pour it for you." Tang Yunsheng opened the Erguotou and poured a full cup for Zheng Jingzhe.
Zheng Jingzhe said with satisfaction: "We have wine and food, why are you still standing there? I won't be polite."
Leng Tie next door was stunned when he heard this. A name flashed through his mind and he thought: It can't be such a coincidence, could it be that person? (To be continued)