Blazing Armor

Back in the functional area, the surroundings plunged into darkness again. Ren Yi pressed himself against the wall, a flashlight clutched tightly in his hand, his palm slick with sweat. Despite having the lighting device in his grasp, he dared not press the switch. It wasn’t an ordinary flashlight; it was a low-spec shotgun, with only one shot available – perhaps his only lifeline.tViLluukskETXLpdmBdrfFzctrCBmc

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In the darkness, only sounds were discernible. Ren Yi pricked up his ears, listening intently. He dreaded hearing gunshots, yet he needed them for guidance.ZauKXufAqkKLaLVmfhuFOHgIbQKTYV

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After walking along the wall for a while, gunshots rang out again, this time from above!eYbkSRTZrukryJNztazEDrOocalxUi

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Ren Yi turned and ran back, as he had just passed a staircase.kBbyCdjdMkiRCVYfWqqHXGzsJPeoNn

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Ascending the stairs, Ren Yi lightened his footsteps. The gunshots were close, indicating the shooter’s proximity, and there was a fifty-fifty chance it was his enemy. Darkness coupled with the unknown fueled fear, its tendrils of black spreading from his feet to his head. He trembled slightly, his hand trailing along the wall as he continued forward.JzqWaZJSFoTSfOxRGRswxcOkCVrZaE

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Suddenly, a rustling sound of fabric came from behind, faint and fleeting, yet Ren Yi heard it. Before he could turn, he felt a rush of air behind him. A thud – a heavy object hitting the ground – followed by a gunshot!aiLOxAVqpGAqotZkicoABuDloNSFgA

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Since graduating from the People’s Armed Police University, Ren Yi hadn’t touched a gun, let alone been this close to a bullet. He distinctly felt the bullet whiz past his ear, its trajectory creating a gust of wind that stirred his hair.TQwbidhiMHhNTsrbqEPOunfeBVuawN

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His blood ran cold.FGEdzkWjuJlTmGnEcuoZqFIoKPSdDA

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“Ren Yi, run!” Gong Yingxian yelled.YfJipdqkoChejMFUdVzCKdvjbxoZha

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Ren Yi turned his head. In the faint moonlight, he saw Gong Yingxian tackling a man to the ground. It wasn’t Huang Yan, nor the fake hostage, but an unfamiliar man in black.WojnbECAyfjyKgmpkQWcdcvuTJLCzO

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More people?!gNAUlXaORZwypEtpnhxGLGettgoacA

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Gong Yingxian pinned the man down, one hand gripping his wrist, slamming it repeatedly against the ground, attempting to dislodge his gun.oGhdplheCxHOIVtLJRiaNDJUKHgJyb

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But the man clung to his weapon, and in his panic, fired again, the bullet landing near Ren Yi.zZBZGlAeyhZSpskKgPYdVdBsDChEzG

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“Run!” Gong Yingxian roared at Ren Yi.lKmBIYZUkSFAjQVvXUXULyvyOqFFxS

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Ren Yi wanted to help Gong Yingxian, but with the two men grappling, all his “weapons” were useless. Close combat risked a bullet, so he could only hide around a nearby corner, at least to prevent Gong Yingxian from being distracted.mQonqxSipglXyecfLXORqjZQAqDxQl

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Gong Yingxian flipped, straddling the man’s back, one hand yanking his arm, twisting it viciously.TAZEHchqpCWlHOyAHEEJLWipUnKiUx

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A scream ripped through the night. The gun finally fell to the ground.OmhZQqXvPIyFLKTnjBuZLyCrBFvqsw

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The man kicked Gong Yingxian in the head with a powerful back kick. Gong Yingxian fell, and the man took the opportunity to push him off, scrambling to his feet, aiming a punch at Gong Yingxian’s face.LJwDtvvLmsPuXBzeSocZoLestHPXhb

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Gong Yingxian dodged, the fist grazing his temple, burning with pain.hlByAzFxZIKhqbnYaUZVrUAJMbMMmE

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The man turned to retrieve his gun, but Gong Yingxian grabbed his ankle, pulling him back, his elbow striking the man’s kneecap with brutal force.toNnoNlXdRjCdmsZoIVmmWUMdbTznF

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The man screamed again, his legs kicking wildly. Gong Yingxian protected his head and face with his arms, backing away as the man again tried to reach his gun.QJbpmHnGsIBDLrNOcrgUHaJoJvEeXu

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Gong Yingxian lunged forward, tackling the man. He grabbed the man’s collar with one hand, and punched his temple with the other.hkVWntTvUrXJhoNUUmgPcGVnWqrbcN

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The man ducked, twisting his body, turning halfway around. A knife appeared in his hand, aimed at Gong Yingxian’s eyes.MkIossYYpMQjexEuUcXihrJkOiUzca

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Just inches from Gong Yingxian’s eyes, Gong Yingxian seized the man’s wrist, his other hand grabbing the man’s thumb, breaking it with a swift, decisive snap.OMJHVPdySRrcKMKYSwdPZOFdQKzBQb

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The sound of breaking bone and the man’s scream intertwined in the night’s symphony of terror.bLOcLjuZSqsXDenkzSFEbnzmWzLjFK

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Gong Yingxian snatched the knife, his arm extending in an arc as elegant as a soaring bird, slicing the man’s throat.aLczmRFGjScOIBibeWXjgndPSZvRWR

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Blood gushed from the severed artery, forming a geyser a meter high.VfCFskhGvdTpSTurdPoRuXPseNYowK

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Ren Yi watched the blood surging from the dying man’s body, realizing that despite having witnessed countless terrifying scenes, this one ranked among the top five.RqkICylpZbVNWGfSPnRFtlRlEwnPOb

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The man’s body went limp.JBKchlvUyTxHSbqdxjZjEfrJeoHiAo

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Gong Yingxian, clutching the knife, slowly stood up.yHQyjMhXoDTSPPGwdynsLVpyaFksHD

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“Ying…Yingxian,” Ren Yi whispered.sItcfDFyXmcRFmRlUecOlguxMydRZU

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Gong Yingxian slowly turned around. His chest was covered in blood, his usually fair face splattered with crimson, like a beast that had just torn its prey apart.ZHvVeHuvDdMqVkTsmiXqCbwnlxKzUm

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Ren Yi dared not breathe.AnlPwreIlZsexLsgFWqgnwFDDEvyRl

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Gong Yingxian said softly, “Do you have any paper?”vvvMlpwpeIIemxmAovLwydvkYRAZHy

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“…What?”EWtjoteLRuAUFJanklpgqFLBTJqKnf

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“It’s so messy,” Gong Yingxian looked down at his clothes.DcgeEiYLmMZNUQmaxgjQzfmXIbaRMa

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Ren Yi snapped back to reality, patting his pockets. He found two napkins, not knowing when he’d put them there. He walked over and wiped the blood from Gong Yingxian’s face.wTIjmOGJqvlaSGtGVucONzlxkBQAHK

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Gong Yingxian stared intently at Ren Yi. In the darkness, his pupils shone with a faint, orchid-like light. “Why didn’t you run?” Gong Yingxian said expressionlessly. “Why did you come back?”fKNhcAKPMzqUBSTVeffXbBBlJubRfh

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“Could I have left you both and run? Where’s Captain Qiu?”CRjpbYUYYonqAGIyGwKBUgTliizpab

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“I don’t know. Weren’t you together? What about Bai Chicheng?”YTCyPfPxXmIttOfOTzrBduqYXZmnTZ

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“Captain Qiu went after Huang Yan. Bai Chicheng tried to run, but I caught him, knocked him out, and tied him to the gate.”GBdozBUIaUDdpqzlXlsYcaTfqoobVI

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“You shouldn’t have come back!” Gong Yingxian said coldly. “You should have either waited for us in a safe place, or taken him away. We agreed to follow orders, where did that go?”QUgtpfmiJoxFRwqeSwlrtnEJqBBFOr

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Normally, Ren Yi would have retorted, but catching sight of the still-bleeding man on the ground, he couldn’t utter a word. He pursed his lips. “Let’s go together.”FUsnznGLlwjWBteVIXCBhGrTOMtSbG

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“We can’t leave now.”mrGkRGrXFkCIKHVxmsghLgaQrTNFKv

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“Why?”qHvTGalBHYNryQMnGHbviZwlTgbkIF

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“There are others, and we don’t know how many.”ZMhmfABfCLvWgDfUIuFDzVauoieuRU

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“What? Who was that man?”QoAuxDpAVGMfvWnBBwyQHmjItyTzTy

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“Besides Huang Yan, those two ‘hostages’ were their people. Purple Flame arranged for others, each with a gun, each trained, to ensure we die here.” Gong Yingxian gritted his teeth. “We won’t get out unless we kill them all.”GBPHeSeRZxcHstEycVOiSFacrORiao

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Ren Yi was stunned.YRBBcWNFMyXwxXJpDZhlJjLKznVjoh

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Gong Yingxian glared at him: “That’s why you shouldn’t have come back!”JRUpTmjdZKwGoVYhNuPtRgeHbCNBfC

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“But I should have come back, at least for an extra hand. No, we need to find Captain Qiu quickly, she’s a woman alone, it’s too dangerous.”rAjKpRFCbGBNOSWQTimdMqVDncmhmd

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“She can protect herself better than you.” Gong Yingxian picked up the man’s gun, checked the magazine, then patted the body, disappointed. “Only two bullets left.”sBFUvuxSwnqcHbqkAwaKOmtNJeNtGQ

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“Your gun’s out of bullets too?”htOASMpoCMeRdCdaAGnDILOgQpVgFQ

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Gong Yingxian shook his head.CwQKmzPnWeMPMwvWPxSCeKNpnRnLMw

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“Captain Qiu took the gun from the man dressed as a woman, to chase Huang Yan. Huang Yan is extremely dangerous, I’m really worried about her.”MPrTlsDtjkFNhsMygJWmkDMVDhbJJR

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“I’m worried too, but there’s no other way. I don’t know how many people Purple Flame sent, these guys seem like hired killers.” Gong Yingxian gritted his teeth. “Here, we at least have cover. If we leave, if there are snipers, we’ll be sitting ducks in the open.”XPcKpqliypMrVUoVrdTycpcplIMnYq

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Ren Yi was speechless. Their situation was dire, but at least they had each other. But what about Qiu Yan? Could a woman really protect herself against such a dangerous fugitive?EYnukRyobGvMhJoJGBBOIVIPHkrqUo

XMqEEUficckNtoM

“We need to find her…” Gong Yingxian said. “Let’s count what we have. I don’t know how many enemies we have.”xKZMLfLiVvmfCfFIIKDzVxUIHkovkZ

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They counted their “weapons”: two bullets, one flashlight, seven lightbulb grenades, over thirty small bottle bombs, and two knives.HGBusaqmznYPFdMwnhylVjEdPSKyIo

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Gong Yingxian gave Ren Yi the flashlight and most of the small bottle bombs. “The lightbulbs are a bit dangerous, the cotton wicks burn unevenly, and the wind can cause premature detonation, so I’ll use them. You take the rest.”JSSOJPtnJUqlwNVxhefgMdIYRItlfr

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“Okay.”AlbprKRLyuFxPXBSYgeOkqScIAgdUA

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Gong Yingxian started taking off his jacket.iNMhJNAEMabGJcUugbgJprtfBInhkO

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“What are you doing?”LuKTwWVloRfjoRHGrYFplusDiHgCzi

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Gong Yingxian was wearing a bulletproof vest under his sweatshirt. He was taking it off.CPwkQzSgIqOlWxpisRcJMbnBGcmLEu

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Ren Yi understood his intention and pressed his hand. “Don’t give it to me, you’re much more dangerous than I am.”IAxZQTwMzWKJOzaJIxlmOxLbJgFtWg

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Gong Yingxian pulled his hand away, took off the vest, and ordered, “Put it on.”jLMkXpwBYpfOEEIDmRWFuEoKUOqrMo

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“I won’t wear it, you need it more. This thing is like my protective gear, whoever goes to war wears it, whoever wears it goes to war.” Ren Yi glared at Gong Yingxian. “Are you making me the main force?”rgqYKcYeDicisnSRJFuyeqyFXsgeib

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Gong Yingxian’s tone was cold and uncompromising: “Put it on, or I’ll put it on for you.”fyyPfMlOOkxoBYnmJfaHKSTyqfRGjM

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Ren Yi pursed his lips.NWoapYBXtjHJwKIpGsJxKbcHVucoKl

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Gong Yingxian grabbed Ren Yi’s arm and started putting the vest on him. Ren Yi struggled, and Gong Yingxian grabbed his chin, roughly kissing his lips, even lightly biting his lip.wGBYjLESDjysxynhEtDeNpRTqcdkQF

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Ren Yi let out a soft hum, trying to push Gong Yingxian away, but Gong Yingxian seized his arm, slipping it into one sleeve of the vest, then his other arm into the other sleeve.DZQHXHBLwTMwEXetOkbVLWJLPYWGBz

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Ren Yi protested, tugging at the front of the vest to take it off, but Gong Yingxian seized both his wrists, pinning them against his chest, his other hand on Ren Yi’s head, deepening the kiss, leaving Ren Yi no escape, kissing him thoroughly and completely.BTcZfoYHFISGpFQUMKYFuYTNaqYtVL

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Gong Yingxian kissed Ren Yi until his head swam, then zipped up the vest before releasing him.MLOVWrdiZaTrpHhwRxXsVDwQJrOJXh

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Ren Yi gasped for breath, glaring at Gong Yingxian, but his glare lacked any intimidation, even softened by the lingering intimacy, the corners of his eyes still holding a trace of warmth, which to Gong Yingxian, seemed more like a provocation.pmREPanvEIpKfQPFAkwujoWJhutxAE

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At that moment, Gong Yingxian dared not think too much, snapping, “Get it on.”mqnJRLTBEHqZxzYSBbMbJXBNvdlcln

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Ren Yi tugged at the bulletproof vest and had to accept it.XcsTVCsukraWEolZYLWgBjfrzOhFWs

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Gong Yingxian stuffed various homemade weapons into his pockets, saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here. No matter how many enemies there are, even if we have to fight our way out, I’ll get you home safely.”OnOWNcPIcDJrdTCtesXsfJRRSYozDd

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Ren Yi silently gazed at Gong Yingxian, as if no matter what danger they faced, no matter what enemies they encountered, Gong Yingxian could protect him – a thought he shouldn’t have – but even if he died here with Gong Yingxian, he would have no regrets.ybSoaqQGHGqFVriwjhTMXasxjmoJdz

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