Blazing Armor

Ren Yi had been coughing in the back seat for quite a while, and the driver turned back several times wanting to speak to him, but couldn’t find the right moment.FIaIMFTMRmcqfVxYVELXqwTypSRBZh

KiAELeyYbMrUWrl

Finally, after Ren Yi finished coughing, the driver asked, “Hey, buddy, you just came out of the hospital, right? Why didn’t the doctor keep you in?”fahKUXhvGQQoymNNWqocueatraqSGD

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“The beds were full.”EkwfFNngeqkuZsGZgRJRZGPwDUUjxc

PpQpnXaJyNgVJfq

The driver nodded in understanding, then asked with some concern, “This stalking business, it’s not illegal, is it?”dTOvCZnTxcnMkzhrJXNyOXYZIqpVLb

uLUuALQFTvEbQqB

“I’m a police officer.”tTMArJzfwDASGwkjiIWiOpJEmnbjkx

hPpYjgmRIQcoTiL

The driver’s eyes widened, and a hint of excitement showed in his gaze: “Is there a criminal up ahead? Don’t worry, even if it grows wings, I won’t lose track of it.”gJgQKEqAMyqMhOHrotYFtUCljYcbFW

arngXCrBRAZarmp

Ren Yi smiled: “It’s up to you, driver.”wZlKCshiYBCGyCiDzoOSPxokZTceRo

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On the road, Ren Yi kept an eye on the car ahead while texting Gong Yingxian: I ran into Feilan’s dad at the hospital. He received a text with a code and left, which I find suspicious. I’m following him now, heading east on Minhui Avenue.LZJFQwogkBCtFHvNceeoODykkFZQww

hJCAlORRptbMHsM

After about ten minutes, Gong Yingxian called. Before Ren Yi could say anything, Gong Yingxian shouted angrily, “Ren Yi, are you trying to get yourself killed? You just got out of the hospital and you’re already out? Get back here right now!”BrLDUBuffqieSbsBMGtrNopZrkYbaJ

NpmGwlUunscolEE

Ren Yi reassured him, “Calm down, I’m just sitting in the car watching where he goes. I’m not doing anything; I was just sitting in the hospital too.”yCCqgNTCOoeIYAbSYICzSWaCpkPLKp

oKhmFrhIPgWZKHx

“Nonsense! Your lung function is compromised; you can’t breathe in dirty air, and your skin injuries have just healed. Give me his license plate number, and I’ll send someone to follow him. You need to come back immediately.”gMawuXnXsYZGuCXLwLMujGjvXjTyHV

ZkcQSZmQZzKOkvv

“I’ve followed him this far; he might be arriving soon.” Ren Yi still gave Gong Yingxian the license plate number. “I’ll go back once I confirm your people are on him.”KcUtNCWpYojLxivyvyJkcjZEvEceGx

JCcDDYHMEPTeKMu

“Where are you now?”LBFLDBIqRPceWmEMfWjOfdAxaxVAPs

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Ren Yi looked out the window: “Near Jianxing Bridge.”PmQPEzcUNqVWuShOXmUQfCisZreCFq

XQQwnqsWIGIrzjR

Gong Yingxian paused for a moment: “I’m nearby too; I’m monitoring Bai Yan’s hotel room.”uUScnRdaaAhPICyYAreIpIWWRXmEnx

CBRJoyMgemjGzYk

Ren Yi gasped: “You mean he might be going to that hotel?”PbXDfBiedhclcLSsHZIssCWmjWLfoT

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“Possibly. If he really goes to Jianxing Hotel, confirm it with me when you see it, then you can go back.”advZHcSlLsVLjSrlxCOCCOYNAgBSMF

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“Alright.”bFnCnMymOPjDQNVaOOaNZvXiMAFlYt

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“Be obedient; you must return. This isn’t your battlefield.”yLNmnkAESOsPscMnlSLMVFmmkxbTTt

zLZrkjFSXCudiPU

“Okay, I’ll head back right away.” Ren Yi sighed, “To be honest, Yue Xingu doesn’t look like a bad person. I can’t understand why, if he really has ties to the organization, he would let Purple Flame harm his own daughter.”LfOZXLJrFjaDPDuYIJLTeUtRgUwvJI

JehFHgnwCLcbcVJ

“Anything is possible. Only when the water recedes can we see the rocks.”XBNePzKOpCpyIjMetCwuEDUoFlNAFD

ugsZgzJdVYafvpX

The taxi Ren Yi was in turned north, following Yue Xingu’s car, and the large sign of Jianxing Hotel became clearly visible ahead.xhfFTvJXvyLwBvcvFAaKXpDeKposZP

FPppBgxQYsfQmGg

In the final stretch, Ren Yi almost held his breath. He had already guessed the outcome, yet he still held a glimmer of hope. Both he and Gong Yingxian didn’t want Yue Xingu to be involved in this matter. Gong Feilan had already endured too much pain that she shouldn’t have to bear; she was so innocent, having to pay for the mistakes of adults.fxklaiiaRkRVjFLcMbKycESwhGOcbF

mvhHyhCgxjVTmSB

But he still watched helplessly as Yue Xingu’s car drove into the underground parking lot of Jianxing Hotel.ystMAHCHKfiaQbKZXSxMpCdEkWCZiM

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Ren Yi took a deep breath, slumping back against the seat, feeling a bit lost.QCnICUleWpdyVKTsUZDlKpyjAPFVbq

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The driver asked, “Comrade police, should we go in?”fbBUQrwJVBlGiTuZezlFRiOHnOyDQM

xyxjMuwYsIBDwgV

“Just stop by the roadside for now.” Ren Yi relayed what he had seen to Gong Yingxian, estimating that Gong Yingxian was somewhere high up where he could observe the entire hotel, perhaps already watching through binoculars.WBXLLTQklJpyMhClCjRSBQSyIfifpF

llyRTEvhBOxyoCW

Just as he sent the message, almost simultaneously, he received a text from Gong Yingxian with just two simple words: Go back.FPDnVslpislGmYhaWnTTLMyBoHBqYO

LMQCDWtQzLjlKOc

Ren Yi said, “Driver, please take me back to the hospital.”BBSUXsVrTowyFoOOEniHYwHPSGJeLe

kjnvaPAIcTOQqar

“Ah, is that it?”NaxfBZNzsmdQMWheuRxqmCsjYshuij

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“Yeah, let’s go.”lyCUVdPXOdMceINFCYyTrLaoGaFQAJ

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“Alright.”MGoAXJECdPmVQhUVKqjdKQvCdBqfPU

BlsNiTiGDTDhNbe

As the driver turned the car around, Ren Yi’s phone rang again, this time from an unknown number.EvUngvCotgiVjpcAgGPvLUcdeDkSvU

TSLDMJsIZfkOQPz

Looking at the number, Ren Yi felt a strange emotion arise, two voices echoing in his mind: one shouted for him not to answer, while the other urged him to pick up, a struggle between the instinct to avoid danger and the belief in saving lives.PjpqNbvUKmsSFqnqspzsJpuIRVuMSk

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Even though he had never seen this number, and couldn’t guess who was calling or why, he just knew that this call was significant.nhdYwJxhzzNqqgMVpwAduASlHoRQxE

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Ren Yi clenched his fist, trembling as he pressed the call button: “Hello?”USlxkaIaooEkcRkZgdjUiQkLSoMPYo

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“Captain Ren, I’m Feilan’s father.” A slightly trembling voice came through the phone.pDyebffWixZNXDfVNznmKqlNGXEAYY

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“I’m listening.”cPQTtEtxivemQSIRfIsFuXUZBGVwMK

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“I… need you to get out of the car now and arrive at the multifunctional conference hall on the third floor of Jianxing Hotel within three minutes, or I will die.”QAJktnonaxYDnSZBDFJCZRWcttVhLM

EmTsvlpGvypqNbr

For a moment, Ren Yi even forgot to breathe.jeYLYlSGncgFuGOTzKzBFpURiTTmhg

ZRjzPVFUYnDNFuj

“Two minutes and fifty seconds left.” Every word Yue Xingu spoke felt like he was reading from a script, but the tremor and fear were real.tRbNROUgQqDWdCQQLSGZiNuyTzEnnW

eVAtGtrdJaifQhR

Ren Yi instinctively looked around, as if seeking help. He knew that somewhere, at a high point, Gong Yingxian was watching him, but Gong Yingxian couldn’t help him now. The only one who could help him was himself, rationally returning to the hospital, which might ensure his safety.VzHQwLOJZFlSKqalZOOUjlewXCshFW

ovxNEvHBUxXsmMn

But that was Feilan’s father. Feilan might still be able to establish a genuine bond with her “not-so-familiar” father, something Gong Yingxian could never have. Would Gong Yingxian want his sister to endure the same pain he did?VipWLdkquYxjWZPaXSmLHnOpYFihVH

mQxlTnBAQBKHxgz

“Two minutes and thirty-five seconds left.”oBizQocELyIZOKCjkpuqqXrdaFAdaP

EClVZgXBRoBUXRD

As Ren Yi opened the car door, he patted the back of the front seat and quickly said, “Driver, I’m in a hurry. A really handsome police officer will come looking for you soon; he’s wealthy, so ask for more.”ekvRyiKdOJeEpUojkbFCgsWLDZANFS

SKsoBgMyPxSuehy

With that, he dashed toward the lobby.fvnOOGQWVDfYYQwOuIIMvofNlgOULA

fVJwfgriPJPvqNO

As soon as Ren Yi stepped into the lobby, Gong Yingxian’s call came in. He grabbed a nearby staff member, “I’m a firefighter; we need to evacuate the crowd. There’s a bomb here, hurry!”wYBbqjqEbjPegNEgFPIwNKHtqAwGHK

VgnTsXdhhHWAuNG

The staff member looked at him in confusion.OahHbHrWbokLMcroCijXtFgALezpLD

nAufIbALRTZgVaB

“Hurry!” Ren Yi pressed the call button while running upstairs, panting heavily, but he managed to shout before Gong Yingxian could speak: “Yue Xingu has been kidnapped! I need to get to the multifunctional hall on the third floor immediately, or he’s in danger.”kfYvHFGRNwRJXSYumELlExcOyaSIbh

UIsimZqRLwsOjHE

“You can’t go!” Gong Yingxian shouted frantically, “You can’t go, you can’t! It’s a trap! If you dare go, I won’t let you off! You can’t go!”GrkMYhYoCKvomNWzEpLAMqFgkSrJvH

VJjdJscpZZeIOyv

“I know it’s a trap, but if it were you, wouldn’t you go? For Feilan, and for the truth.” Ren Yi pressed the phone to his ear, pretending to be relaxed, “I’ll wait for the police uncle to come save me; you always save me.”sOkFIstMNBkPaMcPUXwcvXwWiGyocs

XCXHaoAymRYfWFg

With that, Ren Yi decisively hung up the phone, as he had already reached the third floor and immediately spotted the grand, imposing door of the conference room.TJDyLEtwvfYOGAMRLgmGBRKXMXiHKb

WQxfOkgknMiAArr

Ren Yi pressed his hand against his chest, trying to calm his racing heart and the uncontrollable cough, then pushed the door open.uLcvNBedNEXkdpRbzdbPFSknVEFrcC

IElVqGGxaYScbAC

Inside the spacious conference room, rows of tables and chairs were set up, typically used for meetings or weddings. When there were only a few people in the room, it felt particularly empty and cold.gClJRSGZiMShyVRFnfpjMIuHoJazuW

TsZnJpmBRtkLqye

Ren Yi stood at the door, looking at the two people seated at the head table.HzsjwKizCVuoigwemynHSmPfBAhPkJ

ScGVFdbpRyhcaQC

One was Yue Xingu, and the other was Bai Chicheng—Ren Yi had seen his photo many times, so he recognized him at a glance.rqublDIgripTdGhfFxGVpbZsaCblWy

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Ren Yi walked over slowly.ZXttJfyGPYhfQtkQSbyibppjsCOFHM

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Bai Chicheng was tall and slender, with a refined and elegant appearance, wearing frameless glasses and a cheap suit that didn’t fit well but was appropriate. His appearance perfectly matched that of a chemistry professor, like every teacher you might pass by on campus.FbOAsvooWoBKeuEHAZlJvMhIakaWza

GqMzWwTPllXqdLn

Who would believe that such a person was a mad, perverted, and cruel murderer? Even having killed his own wife and daughter?eYtLWsICTgencCfZpcNRYIfexPEVRl

OGYkBpCsmbatDwY

Bai Chicheng looked Ren Yi up and down.mfIdBGwghsIGpUiwaParGJqdNgUdmu

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Ren Yi stopped about twenty meters away from them, which felt like a psychological safe distance: “Bai Chicheng.”djFhkihscBVawrIxwvwBPoKVpsvvLS

jRYFWIjgAwkjZWd

“Captain Ren, it’s finally nice to meet you.” Bai Chicheng looked at Ren Yi with a blank expression, “You’ve known I was here for a while, haven’t you?”DqBbhHzvIzLdxtpodPtdoqkCLLdlKO

GDVkptRiOAMRCwe

“You’ve known I knew you were here for a while too, haven’t you?” Ren Yi glanced at Yue Xingu, who appeared outwardly calm, even without the dramatic scene of being held at gunpoint, merely sitting beside Bai Chicheng. But Ren Yi could see his fear, so intense that his posture was tense, his eyes flickering as if he had many things to say.CeCOTqxihpjXAcuNIdGIdUeFkwqdfU

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“I know I can’t escape; I’m wanted nationwide.”AZsjhIHPLeQFGwgcefBGnYhbYqEHBN

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“Then how did you check into the hotel?”bKctQwvhYqePQqpskExQSXmGBCyjBK

MZfBIQljsYKmvUc

“Do you think I would go to the front desk with my ID to book a room?” Bai Chicheng looked at Ren Yi mockingly, “Are you asking such stupid questions to buy time for Dr. Gong to come save you?”FpwnFFzCBOjyjWWYKwFasIgRIzfWaL

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“Since you dare to appear so brazenly in front of me, you must be prepared. I’m afraid it won’t be so easy for me to be saved.” Ren Yi nodded toward Yue Xingu, “What’s going on with him?”LTAkotwGOAeOHEzPDjSStnsQVXKtmS

jqvhWqFhGLVJDcI

“Didn’t you already suspect him? Why ask me?”RnVsDsPTNUQKPCvrbhmVxaCwyXWjWN

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“Without evidence, it’s called suspicion. If we knew, we would have arrested him already.” Ren Yi said, “Did you make him lure me to the hotel?”BzjnvknTOLTAoZVBOtNQRERWeLJRUB

tBuojVGxhfijMKs

“Yeah, it’s almost impossible to find an opportunity for you to be alone now.” Bai Chicheng said, “Throw your phone to me.”vYIaYJjcSQJrQnBwNVSiYylmWljOdD

guueGQSgqtcdTxt

Ren Yi narrowed his eyes: “What are you threatening me with? Just sitting next to him can threaten me?”PBeFTfQzwNpLLyEjsRcrxzBQTXAsWZ

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Bai Chicheng slowly opened his suit jacket.eHsXKHpWxSAVZjgTvHUhXbTtvZDYnq

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Ren Yi felt a chill run down his spine.IIfWbKDaZeVUICYkoSFaTWjivVNpgz

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Bai Chicheng was strapped with a bunch of small bottles of chemicals, connected to explosives with wires.TgaPXFcmvavvmxkhkwQjpDGvXePSus

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“What, are you here to make a sacrifice today?” Ren Yi gritted his teeth.PatVMboazCOUPWwoXzDKECgMlktkAJ

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“Your phone.” Bai Chicheng looked coldly at Ren Yi.pVvOBRlDxFFUMosMMnJdSXFBGEZSck

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Ren Yi placed his phone on the ground and kicked it over.SPFcxlwbFOkUZGZEtevLBRNNeOgERk

LUdZIvwjbQTMYsV

Bai Chicheng picked up the phone and placed it on the table: “Aren’t you going to ask what I want to do?”LwtMpBadThXYlktMybCsNttTrIWpWR

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“No matter what you want to do, we will stop you.”vQOjYOWdcTCxSjYxcvYGSuFbdfoEub

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“That’s not the issue.”GEUftSCJLkEqDOhunHAXRJrFBdTBfI

ypUJEKrdZRIJUwg

“…What do you want to do?”XEhdvoJwyKCNxowRlGnCOrxVUSiYaI

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Bai Chicheng gazed deeply into Ren Yi’s eyes: “Have you ever contemplated the meaning of life?”KuoHFwRwegIZPuuApmWVTkTnwfWVGj

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