Blazing Armor

Gong Yingxian’s car slowly came to a stop at the squad entrance.pTGELFewtzdzQXkeamqVWmTJbVTfvb

wGuwoTDvBfniHMh

Ren Yi lazily unbuckled his seatbelt. The two of them stole a glance at each other, neither saying a word.FHkIKPfXNcLDiOiakuZUIioRUELtAu

eAxOYNtJyOpOBbR

The silence inside the car felt a bit awkward, so Ren Yi finally broke it: “So… should I head up?”wtGxtDnRoFLiVTVTOxfTLiuALYtfbP

ZcaPhOixsbpjyUs

Gong Yingxian still didn’t say a word, but his hand, resting by his side, quietly tugged at the corner of Ren Yi’s coat draped over his lap.rvkxVJDnAsuNPBnKMLlWpFfPUWXvWS

cPUvEZWySWqPZjI

With his hand on the door handle, Ren Yi hesitated a few times before he couldn’t hold back and asked, “Wanna come up and check on Miaomiao?”WSdTcFaKmYsNYOOQpwcmPLXMoWAEzg

QxMcxmKQquJZXsI

“Yes.” Gong Yingxian replied immediately.tCfulTRcXSrwMqBOqZEOFUuCOkGMIW

XrXYQhmEXnSNlvh

It was past lights-out for the squad, so apart from the guard at the entrance, they didn’t run into anyone on their way. As they entered the dorm building, a dog named Phoenix suddenly darted out from under the stairs, shaking its fur, eyes shining as it looked at the two of them.xMfxpmuHMwIYmpqAJGWYWhrXcGodpg

rDcNDVavVuoogPu

Ren Yi made a “shh” gesture: “Go back to sleep.”oNGESAVYTihWlrtVmLBybnfvJrPQvD

vSKweUOeGLidhSO

Just as they were about to head upstairs, they heard a meow from under the stairs.KMPVquAdFtElzMmSAkDrhBfkRyswFR

ukxgyfjQChQssBt

They had set up Phoenix’s bed there, and over the past few days, it had gotten familiar with Miaomiao.APpedyNzKEPxMlgCRsCVALMxSiJYEx

eGXqpeibotAgNHe

Ren Yi leaned over for a look and saw Miaomiao sprawled lazily in the bed, stretching a paw. He grinned, “Found yourself a new spot to sleep, huh?”oWldjiSkTkcxqBEbvGSdMXeHCwfNpb

GOuzUtiCtNPkwvy

Gong Yingxian asked, “When did you start keeping a dog?”pnLFGGGKMkKcAJFVANBaDcBdvdYzbD

xCUtdvxpbDMmHCN

“After that last package arrived, Yang Bo went to the training base and applied for one. Its name’s Phoenix—coincidence, right? Just like our squad. And it’s pretty smart, seems to understand everything.”ZFMrGfbQRSNLkGuEwSvflmjrviESlv

lWBdHCvodFUIUPh

Gong Yingxian looked down at Phoenix. “It doesn’t look like an ordinary dog.”TldPNxVbCRJkSiBEJRLkpuRajsZZYs

lbQKMHVCKvJDJTx

Ren Yi laughed, “What does an ordinary dog look like?”OpzmcogfUCvghqPlKfvbyccwngYvWp

pzcNfdmCLGbkEqe

“Most dogs raised by people love humans; this one isn’t as enthusiastic as other dogs.”hwHvNTpWEqTEsdyhlBeWzCOJNbtFdD

PGZyyxfmCepgThY

“It likes people too; it’s just calm.” Ren Yi rubbed Phoenix’s cheeks. “You’re one especially cool, calm dog, aren’t you?”vMLZfAOJfVKvlMdYpPTifMvkFRZxKk

glNxskFXpatllxV

Miaomiao crawled out from its bed and rubbed its head against Phoenix’s leg.jreXgPllysKkHnAMouQAQCJhRySvWT

NTwrdtvOMWlxtVF

Phoenix glanced down and nudged Miaomiao’s head with its nose.vAIJXaDVbsPSkHcygzDPwAnaIDrWIj

ANgBuToulECDIiQ

“Alright, you two, go back to sleep.”aKMYaxWaqUnPMIFyIKvvLxPGBQZDPh

eLvREDesjiwevRq

Hearing this, Phoenix obediently returned to its bed, and Miaomiao trotted over, curling up against Phoenix’s warm belly.hpQAndkBWqkHwIsdAGOVYIdPicVSqA

iasudMRTHRuGsrm

Well, Miaomiao’s been checked on, so now there’s no reason to go upstairs, Gong Yingxian thought irritably.iVbdUESDaFIziltjUrrKxrZhBupPsI

GFFRpxsiSeXDDtQ

But without saying anything, Ren Yi suddenly took Gong Yingxian’s hand and led him upstairs.OcTstWkVZJHRzGQQvtksSGuGgsBOPp

igBggLYECRCbOMq

Gong Yingxian’s heart pounded, his cheeks warming. For once, he felt regret over his habit of wearing gloves all year round—this was the first time he and Ren Yi held hands, and he should have been able to feel the warmth of Ren Yi’s palm.uHpXhHhbNGidHXoLUYxoIgqlximcwF

OZLTGQuZJLnuDMG

Once inside the dorm, Ren Yi turned around, pressed Gong Yingxian against the wall, and kissed him passionately.NfAEiqJPaxPQVinoGhNdqGwDBiekgx

BsUYIKIWMAVyrlk

Gong Yingxian, slowly catching on, tried his best to respond.MtXnQWOdygTrWhUgehjCIEqAKpFiqW

jnvtmXZKUapXoPS

Resting his forehead against Gong Yingxian’s, Ren Yi whispered, “Did you miss me these past few days?”kssgNIfMeVdFzqneGWjASwZryqyjXo

FWqJNmRMqpPWNeG

Gong Yingxian nodded.YvCYEdVovPEjmjSPqzwYVsVgsfZHsI

LKopHTewfhJJQqE

“I missed you too,” Ren Yi said, gently bumping their foreheads together. “So, what did you miss about me?”hDZzAQpLidqAMOMDtrkzcWaSFNJQAx

DCdZOOnmjDbDnJE

Gong Yingxian opened his mouth. “I… missed your safety.”YxHUbzjKxlTiZzHKiJyRoStjNqkdIF

LOOeEZWjEBaiQjM

Ren Yi chuckled. “That’s it? Nothing else?”ZjSdBrfjVAFhorftIuiqFhoYEgXGSM

mjNzgAZAUPTaSOT

Gong Yingxian couldn’t bring himself to meet Ren Yi’s shining eyes.EfssHlXPqmZOoJKZcawCWmhrdSwsBt

BsoAawJqJlgALQU

Ren Yi leaned close to Gong Yingxian’s ear. “Didn’t think of anything… not suitable for children?”dmBWooxfEevbCGPcIinAvqnwlAwQCK

mavUbyxahVfOYOS

Gong Yingxian’s breathing noticeably changed. He thought about it—he just couldn’t say it aloud.amkeeqgxDvnAjKivdzXBWrOOocVetQ

iwUxefeKrXCDTaT

“I did.” Ren Yi pulled Gong Yingxian into the room—sECBxVHrdbyNjWwplMoyNfhuCvLkAp

mnaHtNVsogRHbka

In the middle of the night, Ren Yi woke up.dDRNxolEyBgZMjIxcbFlZDFIpIxcoL

VSMngXXALgYASao

The events of last night hung over him like a heavy, dark cloud. Gong Yingxian’s warm embrace had managed to fend off the chill the cloud brought, but its massive shadow remained, lingering and unshakable.wrDCXOZjiUrYqtxUlITFWeKRzpYAyR

pxyewfyXNFPHhsA

Ren Yi glanced at the peacefully sleeping Gong Yingxian. Not wanting to wake him with his restless tossing and turning, he quietly got out of bed, threw on a jacket, and left the bedroom, heading into the office next door.TAIwrBardyywFZNqYMEiUxhjwhcmMx

UrzpKHvEUeivBem

From the desk drawer, he dug out a pack of cigarettes. He stared at the spread-out case files on the Gong family arson, silently inhaling and exhaling the smoke.CvKLvhkeOgDwVHFPGveNDDfbHYvlIx

PRILKLkrqwsADRs

He had quit smoking years ago, so there was no real craving, but a cigarette in times of agitation helped to calm his mind.LhBMDsHeyxOGgyYEmIoKVirbKAdSWj

pyUycoygxCVpuFe

He didn’t know how much time had passed when he heard someone calling him. Startled, he snapped back to reality and turned around. At some point, Gong Yingxian had come to stand behind him. He’d been so absorbed in thought that he hadn’t heard the door or footsteps at all.vKWdEfahQEvOXRFCbGiBBDjmteueoz

UZGyOtstqaTRNXE

“What’s wrong?” Gong Yingxian asked, a hint of worry in his voice. “Are you feeling unwell?”QYoufNbsqVFfHwSAdIbJyzvhSiIkBC

sBXvLkrgqOgXmiH

Not wanting to worry him, Ren Yi flashed a sly, mischievous smile. “I feel great.”MBmjDpeYMGkGdBaCggjMUvtnYvfzaX

fMutmPPMRSJWETu

Gong Yingxian’s face immediately flushed. “You… I meant, why are you up in the middle of the night?”zsrUKUQfDbHCErZwbQHxzpTJuwuLUf

SmRfPXjWTYqyOHo

“Just couldn’t sleep.” Ren Yi flicked the cold cigarette into the trash. “Go back to bed; you’re seriously sleep-deprived.”XFJiPiogdhVIzVlPtYyqpKUXKysXCX

TiOhTXOEZZQDdmD

Gong Yingxian came over, sat beside Ren Yi, and looked at the familiar documents on the desk. “You’re still looking at these.”eOhcnobzNqJXdhQTlKZubekiozptnI

WXNRQdaJCeWuIEA

“Going over them again might lead to new discoveries.”punPvrcGNWqQDbWZRnCpEHlTQTcGnx

RNvcShuNaHkLgwd

“The photos are too blurry; even after enhancement, they’re not clear. And too much evidence from back then is missing. You’ve already uncovered a lot,” Gong Yingxian sighed.vXvVBDsEDaczZguhgKzSIAqnnXfgjq

UBCsCJaOgUTHvQA

“Did your investigation into the people who handled the case back then yield anything?”UOxQpzdhQUEkDhZHkxoaEYmgNucVcw

zzfgauFGMjZjsJI

“There’s a former subordinate of my father’s and an investigator who are both suspicious, but even if we find evidence, overturning the case is tough. Due to the passage of time, the evidence chain is extremely hard to link and form a logical sequence. Plus, reopening a case requires layer upon layer of approval; after all, it means overturning the judicial decision made back then. Either we have undeniable, ironclad evidence, or we need a witness.”iMVTkzTASjkvHvYcKpiFfmUHMpdSow

fiNdDWkWWuJbMVu

“You’re talking about Ziyan.”sXMtBIIIcPrWRUzzyfVQJshlkRzQVK

MhXfHrDcTHIzQoH

Gong Yingxian nodded. “Catching Ziyan, finding his connection to this matter, and getting him to confess with his own mouth.”mnGXYsZLAepHiBiHrxvYtDiOuSGZlm

kMpBQqVGZIoiKGO

“Have you thought about what relationship Ziyan might have with the killer from back then? You mentioned that, according to your analysis, Ziyan isn’t the killer.”PSBpdAsLdebcQSIBaxaUGcRcJwMnDo

rYAFAuxpEoTyXCM

“I’ve considered three possibilities. First, the killer once boasted about it to members within the Angel’s Claw; second, Ziyan is a successor—the Church of the Holy Light wasn’t founded recently; we only discovered it in recent years, but the killer may have been a member once; third, Ziyan and the killer had a personal relationship, and he was groomed by the killer to become an arsonist.”mjgjcAbwZTaTwlEdKQekMEuPxroosm

pJQSVwPZBzqfzOK

“So, which possibility do you think is more likely?” Ren Yi asked.LwngZNLmPKLgVnsEvCxFwoujrFuMEY

bEckgKQqTfjlvSS

“I’d like to hear your thoughts.”XPtKvYLTcsIoTVEExYsePefSOEYiaV

SQeBERwgYfJBGDd

Ren Yi thought for a moment. “Based on your profile, Ziyan is under 35, possibly even younger. How did he brainwash such a large group of people to follow him so loyally? Usually, cult leaders have a bit of age on them to make it convincing, don’t they?”rCXotXayRcXFWhrnPXIoaOqfStEwVv

rzblSMAQeebKHbb

“So, you lean toward the third possibility?”HeOrocFTLXPqjdYEFzWdPDPoVnHwKy

lNVuXWoBpbGuWCk

“It’s just a guess. But if Ziyan really had a personal relationship with the killer, it would better explain how he could achieve all this at such a young age, and why he even knows the exact design of that bird mask. You recognized it at a glance back then, didn’t you?”NdlVekegPPHqXAWAqZyXhDtJIlseRm

KYcwgNmKHcQKasp

Gong Yingxian frowned slightly, hesitating with a long, drawn-out “hmm.”aHgWQepZbqTpzCfoalmSACBgiXZyJM

VdElkapTZSbxlxY

“What is it? Didn’t you say the mask he wore was the same as the one back then, or at least looked identical?”WgnYfcoiSvBSjccXRxCycayzrGnSmv

LCHIBKAUvzeMEPv

“In truth, I don’t remember exactly what the mask looked like. It’s just a vague impression. But when I saw that mask, I just felt it was the one.” Gong Yingxian shook his head. “This isn’t a good sign. Psychologically speaking, this kind of reaction likely comes from self-suggestion.”qmneXwbzFUNcJDrRuKGPyWQysZhQRI

sllspHOmZVIPmGB

“Self-suggestion?”BvMOATIAIXfOKtvRyVXdjzshAwDvdr

GhIVJbKtYYJYpVP

“Exactly. For example, a car drives past you, and someone asks how many tires it has. You didn’t actually see them clearly, but based on common sense, you assume it has four. The more you recall, the more certain you are that the car had four tires, but it could’ve been a three-wheeler.” Gong Yingxian explained, “The mask is similar. I never actually recalled the mask’s design or color; I only have a rough idea based on assumptions and imagination. When Ziyan appeared wearing the mask, his identity, the atmosphere he created, what he said, and all the connections to the case merged together, making that mask seem like a match with what I remembered. In such a tense, shocking moment without time to think, I immediately believed it was the same mask. But after calming down and analyzing it repeatedly, I’ve started to doubt it.”vbrSgSVRIjqNTEUYKYXgPdOOwwOkZy

LUmDkVZauIInPvd

Ren Yi was surprised. “The mask Ziyan wore might not be the one from back then? You think you might’ve been psychologically influenced?”TLjAfcNtGhJdRrFgIobLskmiwoDBvZ

xrVHjnbkieXIcsr

Gong Yingxian replied in a low voice, “I can’t be certain. Throughout my life, I’ve seen, and even specifically looked up, bird masks, but none ever gave me that sense of shock. I keep wondering if Ziyan really wore that same mask or if the atmosphere he created made me believe he did. The trouble now is that Ziyan’s mask left such a strong impact that my subconscious has already accepted it and merged it with the mask in my memory, to the point that I can’t even be certain myself.”dWbyuvwhWZPmLwInTywIkUZGNoluPR

boQjAfhoNBijjQN

“But Ziyan never once mentioned the mask he was wearing. If it were fake, wouldn’t you have noticed?”uHgFNrKexfWyEeQNdpxWpNsIbRigCH

tlXroLDHPwSnolJ

“That’s precisely his brilliance. He wore the mask, brought up the fire from back then, and hinted at a bond between us, but he didn’t reveal anything crucial. If the mask is real, he succeeded in planting fear in me. If it’s fake, it’s still highly effective because, to me, the ‘bird mask’ has symbolic significance. It doesn’t need to look identical.”hkgvyIPHMXFmIKLHKBGoXPcLTaJrqO

bUXICxvuqLYvOZB

Ren Yi took a deep breath. “This guy has such a sharp mind; why not use it for something good?”JskpAECVCvidvKBsqssTIERBHHVKhk

KnOtxnbshCHxFIO

Gong Yingxian replied gravely, “He’s extremely intelligent, with both his IQ and EQ far above average. In real life, he must be incredibly charismatic, yet he’s also skilled at making himself appear completely unremarkable.”PlVGzHuJTIgZWGrXpvJNPlRQVaqpzJ

VEMunEbovGxTXfW

“So, how will you determine if that mask is truly the one from your memory?”MJJggTuuxCaUUbwTvZxtIoNEiABYQv

yrUtKVVdIUPUgUz

“This is a deeply ingrained psychological suggestion. Even being aware of it doesn’t mean I can fix it myself. I’ve already asked my primary therapist to return to the country; he should be able to help me.”KWgQbPeinkAWDwpVRaHxSPTtUnmLKm

vkOcuXzdWBMQYdM

Ren Yi held Gong Yingxian’s face in his hands, his gaze steady. “No matter what difficulties come, we’ll face them together.”muXqYavdwePXiSrbzzXuUzNCBWKJaD

xWukeRsGTElzNsx

Gong Yingxian looked back at Ren Yi, filled with deep emotion, and nodded solemnly.tFvtuPVefRGDaPGNngMHZlmwsejPNc

ZPZdGdGaSQTNfEY