Blazing Armor

This was the first time Ren Yi was forced to recall the events since Sun Dingyi’s departure. He tried his best to suppress his grief, constantly keeping Gong Yingxian’s reminder in mind—don’t let Fang Zhixu control your emotions. Stripping away many details, he calmly described the events once again.fqzTkZZlNeIVyVTVwlFDhxuTYXVLad

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Fang Zhixu listened with glowing eyes, incessantly asking about the details, only to be rebuked by Ren Yi.DBXwqJqGuZMpYhMSyHMqkTNjdgTDAF

PTuLeXIcgHqXdAZ

After Ren Yi finished, Fang Zhixu, still unsatisfied, remarked, “This is a textbook hero’s ending, you know? Even better than I imagined. It’s a pity I never paid much attention to Captain Sun before.”rACrKcKDBoVnRsOLTcfUlbTHqsIPLP

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Ren Yi glared at him. “Hand over what you found at Wenhui Mall.”qwiUnTmQeWbScOXBEhgKZAHNInfCbU

qovtlHYhJNsEVvX

But Fang Zhixu, still engrossed in his musings, continued, “Captain Sun’s story is hard to top—fire, children, ropes, sacrifice. Every element is like something out of a blockbuster, deeply moving.” He grew excited and said, “Captain Ren, how will you top his ending with something even more spectacular?”rCgxNvaVhGcJFcmwBElvucxQdqyDTH

MQYlycaJNieBKRy

Ren Yi, suppressing his anger, gritted his teeth and spat out, “Give it. To. Me.”TWUaGloHFeKHRLRbizBsbhWjkhEBem

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A sly glint flashed in Fang Zhixu’s eyes. “Do you have a recording of this?”WgLOwfWFbgTmUMoLMkfodMrrNaRtsI

LSxedbHdmzUbGDj

Ren Yi froze for a moment. “No.”KuvYmIQBHkdzoGmHIIKHpIxfLITxEq

XikzGyVaJVKCoCp

“Take off your coat, empty your pockets, and hand me your phone,” Fang Zhixu demanded.ulTIzZaNUzLdGHcVugkLJhYeGtYavL

TnnrFdopITzodbu

Ren Yi took a deep breath, removed his coat, emptied every pocket, and finally tossed his phone to Fang Zhixu. He urged impatiently, “Hurry up and hand it over.”peyDGfHMGKvBIYezCUNnmjSgbUIPod

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“But I already threw it away,” Fang Zhixu replied.GUzpkOhZHgyxefWTmqOkCwkOnYINlZ

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Ren Yi slammed a fist against the back of the sofa, furious enough to want to strangle this bastard. “Are you fucking with me?”eDgJnNZLSMJZZdbLUYLIgpdIULcvhn

zsZIevtHNYDtdDL

“I never said I’d give it to you. I only said I’d tell you what it was.” Fang Zhixu spread his hands, his expression casual. “I’m keeping my promise.”wTWQXFPpiArRCvXecmSMOuDgePvlkp

iMcZFCtWoLbcIKe

Ren Yi glared daggers at him.FgggTjBzFVscaqIZDyAoVCcAEiAkGi

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“Honestly, I can’t exactly describe what it was. It was a homemade timer device. Roughly…” Fang Zhixu gestured, “…about this big.”RbpfuiNLUaROjoklCCacEUMADwrAbs

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“…The size of a power switch socket?”oLgSvjRBZNMhoFknSbHXgSCPfmZGPq

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“Yeah, roughly. Maybe a bit larger.”qSjENHtcmzLtpWmPZLuVduiDGvCXDg

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Ren Yi thought of the mark he had found beneath the ashes of the fabric. As expected, an important piece of evidence had been taken—and by none other than this man before him. But how could such critical evidence, though buried under burnt fabric and ash, be missed by the police? Was their inexperience so severe that, days later, Fang Zhixu could still pick it up? Or had it really been washed away by the water hoses, leaving only traces behind? How then had Fang Zhixu managed to find it amidst the ruins? No, this couldn’t be a coincidence. He frowned and asked, “How did you know such a thing was at the scene?”puzjYDiyEjczZqNFjxkcjNzQCOHjMu

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Fang Zhixu replied nonchalantly, “You should know about Seraphim.”iCBjSwvLUQCIpzOzLfUKGqgZRtOLia

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“You’re on Seraphim?” Ren Yi wasn’t surprised. “You’ve got some nerve admitting that to me.”CTsqWmWRiKeezEUhznopVwsvXiKklI

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“Surfing the dark web isn’t illegal,” Fang Zhixu said, watching Ren Yi’s reaction intently. “Whether you tell the police or my parents, I don’t care.”dumZrtsvTSBbcKdPSLXpvLsegGdPuf

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“How did you learn about this from Seraphim, and why did you go to the scene to look for it?”tHqtLGqPVFvVAligeuGZhMBKxjXXnc

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“I joined a group a while back. Someone somehow figured out I was in this city and reached out to me privately. He offered me money to find an item and dispose of it. I didn’t take the money. I’d always wanted to visit the place—it’s unforgettable for you and has special significance for me too.”oSriXZKEELyZqFmDRkCSoLFGhuwvOi

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“Did he tell you when the surrounding police would leave?”dDIqSSzvVvuNdoJNgPOufxfOMbPMcQ

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Fang Zhixu shook his head. “He didn’t mention anything about the police. He just gave me a time, and I went.”wcKcpbSePGSEttkmfHoXqvBZTpKYDW

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“Then how did you find the item? Was it still in its original place?”DoVMVvzHKUWVdDdBFDRYyuPapPgROi

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“Original place?” Fang Zhixu thought for a moment. “I don’t know where the original place was. I found it digging through the trash. It’s metal, slightly deformed but not burned.”aAfCVDtEQTRvJabfjFFUEaOcYtPrmw

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“Where did you throw it?”nKZwhdMaqcTGFHTpclYVmqjKFRKvjU

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“On the side of the road,” Fang Zhixu replied with a smile.STFnnjeUwMfeaaSotzyTAPjHUKCpQO

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Ren Yi knew Fang Zhixu was lying. The current whereabouts of the item were something Fang Zhixu would never disclose. Still, he pressed, “Which side of the road? Be specific.”eEARGZdcEMLgcluWHgZxXamPudrNfw

fArQvuEGuljHjUE

“Just a random roadside.”cEviLxPzFugabXjfUEFCbJtiyGcZZT

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“I need an exact location.”BZvZLGUZRRXYBoUMswcDkPuIdPmvhB

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Fang Zhixu thought for a moment. “Probably in the trash bin in front of that flower shop at the second intersection on Anfang Street, on my way home.”ALDiPhTslNfmwLOxJvVFidAIneZsqC

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“Did you take any photos? What specific features did it have?”ZEzzCfnCBygWassAFZgmlEakVQHMji

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“No, it was burned beyond recognition. I couldn’t make much out. Well, it’s metal and smelled awful.”TjphvzkKlkdSDoFJyrxyqkiZZUNCfz

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“Then how did you know it was a timer device?”yrtuRFCHXWAUxzUhWuACPphHOFGMnw

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“I guessed it from what that guy said.”NBzDNmUAipoJYPSjEkWXWaDxvBMAZH

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“So everything is just your speculation.” Ren Yi sneered. “Your words are barely credible. You’re just trying to show off, aren’t you?”cRRGCLIIvpeRXtqYyTPsGdpCMRKKqX

axoxUaygPVxwVEk

Fang Zhixu snapped, “I told you the truth! Believe it or not, I just wanted you to know—I didn’t go there because I was bored, or stupid, or for money. I just… I just wanted to be involved, to be closer to you.”soBxgDCsJUMWWouVahFaqlLYDlwdjN

yIHfCoFVJtEdyWu

Ren Yi narrowed his eyes at the youthful yet unsettling young man before him. “Don’t you ever feel there’s something wrong with yourself? Don’t you think your mindset is abnormal?”hPnGJHlPhLnyHNEFreLYqqeQBCMOse

UYcgZNAYrBYAouj

“So what? How many people in this world are truly normal? Most just wear masks. I don’t want to pretend.” Fang Zhixu’s eyes shone brightly. “You’re different from everyone else. You’re a warrior against fire. Never turn into one of those ordinary people.”eWbVuFrCOoSidZtPBOzXOLAtacmGng

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“I am an ordinary person. This is just my job.” Fang Zhixu’s intense gaze made Ren Yi extremely uncomfortable. “You need to see a doctor. If you keep this up, you’ll destroy yourself.”QKaJukqVkWPJbaDNesZYUtAiplxVFI

vpzQFAQMnUCWRLP

Fang Zhixu replied earnestly, “I’ll keep watching you.”pJMimHiRfayNevCEGOqUToYFRNogzh

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“The police will be watching you too. You’re already at the age of criminal responsibility, so I suggest you avoid doing anything irreversible.”DAsddtUmGlDljUBUMdlDhCAHSThrWP

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“I know, I’m not that stupid,” Fang Zhixu replied with a grin. “I just want to do something meaningful.”ixWUDdNntnPphpEsmqhrVsCquIBLxW

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After Fang Zhixu left, Ren Yi retrieved a recording device hidden beneath the coffee table, something Gong Yingxian had insisted he prepare. He called Gong Yingxian and recounted everything. If Fang Zhixu’s words were to be believed, the chances of finding that item were nearly zero, as it was clear Fang Zhixu had concealed much of the truth.aDclUVJLrxOhQozLSKZiPdWVepeyWQ

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When he finished, Gong Yingxian was silent for so long that Ren Yi thought the call had disconnected. He asked, “Did you hear me?”bNiJeLkaumDUOKIukuBuJQFExHidvp

fYdTnZIHriXYqvJ

Gong Yingxian’s voice suddenly came through, muffled and subdued, “You haven’t called me in a long time.”lQGcIEBxewVQDCTXblRpJVDidvHqva

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“…Stay on topic.” The grievance in his tone made Ren Yi feel uneasy.NmNRwNqfztwrKwqxMvgMElPIjcfsoY

vmLdorQBUxQUDKt

“I heard you. His words are half-truths. He definitely won’t say anything incriminating and likely blurred or withheld a lot of information. But it does seem like the trace you found led to something important—otherwise, no one would risk returning to destroy evidence.”YmyljrLvvtkKCAmGxnlOrzqEjLdlTr

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“If it really is a timer device, it would explain why no one saw any suspicious individuals or activity before the fire.”SjYNubNqBfrewhItvneseOdadafBod

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Gong Yingxian let out a small “hmm.” “The fire broke out close to 8 PM. Wenhui Mall closes at 6:30 PM. If someone snuck in between 6:30 and 7 PM, it would coincide with the evening rush hour, with a high volume of people coming and going. That makes the investigation extremely challenging.”vfHbCIvHEDSCKRURxwaENnuRhWymNB

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Ren Yi’s voice was grave. “Especially since the surveillance at the scene had already been sabotaged.”KJxRHoVZMCYcyJdKcobiwWjniLwwJi

IIqjvpniMdoBLfG

“Exactly. Most of it was destroyed. We’ve already compared the remaining footage with all the registered employees at the mall, but found nothing unusual. Beyond that, the mall has a high turnover of transient individuals—new employees, customers, temporary workers, delivery drivers, garbage collectors, food couriers, salespeople… It’s a chaotic mix. The citywide surveillance system isn’t much help this time.”EcXRzBrWskdjwSYvLbBlcmSkuZDBWp

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“So even if we find the timer device, we still might not locate the arsonist?”JrPnbhsxHPafrJPhgfRsSzuEPGBkmK

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“Send me the recording first. I’ll analyze it.” Gong Yingxian then asked, “How feasible is a timed ignition device?”vjglWfVwecgExmgBxRArlLHfVxtjCQ

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“It’s not difficult. Anyone who understands the principles of combustion could create one using various methods. For example, at Hongwu Hospital, they used delayed chemical reactions for a timed device. In this case, any mechanism designed to ignite after one or two hours would work. The simplest, an igniter, is essentially a timer. Then, with the subsequent fire and rescue operations, much of the evidence would be destroyed, making on-site investigations nearly impossible.”jQIVXNhdrbhFfnpJmgOnnIgZNgVMgk

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“But you still noticed it. Why didn’t anyone else question the trace? Did they not see it?”UiWMbuFMHOZqapHzFnJHYxlLnPyAVU

dxHPMybCajTuYbm

“I find that unlikely. Both the fire investigation team and the police were meticulous during their on-site investigation and had professional equipment. Unless someone deliberately covered it up.” Ren Yi’s voice turned cold. “The night Fang Zhixu visited just so happened to be the night the police withdrew. Just combining these two facts is enough to suspect a mole within the police.”UBWvqDdZunDbTysjGgzvxQQLzRUciO

aMOKfXoJRZVpTAP

“Agreed. We haven’t let our guard down. Any new leads like this one won’t be shared in the main group for now.”xMCJbxuBeIxKjAHZSgRAOlnRwxLtgJ

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“What are you planning to do about Fang Zhixu?”VPTCFiogUaCazPSoLhMmxUZMjpBAzc

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“He could be a useful pawn,” Gong Yingxian replied. “I’m coming to your squad to get the recording.”xFAGeabbcCosgYgBYgZAYicgBkDwtB

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“You don’t need to—”LAQYnqjDnrLkHyyUIXxSECHAPcnTDD

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“I have something for you as well. Wait for me.” Gong Yingxian hung up before Ren Yi could refuse.dLMtXUKYkMbJeydhkZqsjqcMaNWPPX

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Ren Yi sighed. Every meeting with Gong Yingxian felt like a test of his limits.HazxTplgqqLjUURBzTDpHIjsIhLlkv

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Just then, there was a knock at the door. Without looking up, Ren Yi said, “Come in.”FlUKnpyibdAItTQdWeaxWwMrLUpNyS

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The door to the meeting room opened, and when Ren Yi turned his head, he froze in surprise.fZUbwHscHfdZTHQFwtEXPUzvaCLxbV

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Yan Jue casually waved a hand. “Hey.”idVpIwHrsaCZCZGDprxWRIsQCGojLn

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“You… why are you here?”GZsThueacMbOdPoAcHQCKZfApRRamS

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“The leadership at your squad called me over for a conversation. It’s about Captain Sun.”OxliVLCeraEOSvxGVzbtAeXgUGhKDk

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Ren Yi nodded, not surprised. The death of a commander during an operation was a serious matter. Everyone present had to be questioned and their responsibilities clarified to determine whether there was negligence or error.BwwchvhaFvhRvrGxwTZXXRTMoJNLgd

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Still, seeing Yan Jue at this moment made Ren Yi feel a bit awkward.KHfacmdwlwaQNgouBqkoQlcRjmPCez

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Yan Jue, noticing Ren Yi’s silence, smiled faintly. “Aren’t you going to ask me what we talked about?”NcDHONcaIhIHPtfZtQaFdOdwxFfgGa

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Ren Yi shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I’m not afraid of taking responsibility.” Maybe if he were punished, he’d feel better about it.MVeNymsmIDpFkYMbZSWSSrwnmQgHzO

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“Don’t worry, it’s not about you.” Yan Jue leaned against the doorframe. “After I finished, I suddenly remembered your squad’s cook makes amazing potato and duck stew, so I decided to drop by.”CYGCedccnRbvFnhCTBtnPlYOZbVZrq

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Ren Yi forced a faint smile. “I’m not sure if there’s duck today. I’d have to ask.”dOCwBFcetwaIEhxGIxsidGeDGBlZXj

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Yan Jue studied Ren Yi for a moment, then suddenly laughed. “You’re not afraid of me, are you?”pjdwcdtoVTHlpDYlwNmkhRVgZJWUIn

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