Blazing Armor

Ren Yi had been sitting in silence for an entire day. Since he woke up in the hospital, he hadn’t said a word, hadn’t drunk a drop of water, just stared blankly.mcaXCNwqppaoSCiXIiADhndGbokBqE

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Yet, his mind was constantly racing. His body and soul seemed to have been forcibly torn apart; one was rigid, the other functional, but they could not coexist, even repelled each other—because his heart could not believe everything his eyes saw.UeOcJqVPWsWYYlqDXTTljwgZusQasm

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He had been shot. Although the bullet was stopped by his bulletproof vest, the close range had cracked two of his ribs, leaving a large bruise on his lower ribs, as if he had been poisoned, spreading outward from that point. Even the slightest action of breathing brought waves of dull pain.tHFYvFnjooNsgcKiOelrnlpESkhYnu

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But these were trivial compared to everything he had experienced.frZVvMbuzuEVDelQUQqlslCqSxlGmQ

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Qiu Yan was dead. She died on the spot after being shot, not even making it to the hospital.enBatoeBaZUpcysELrPpTajucVSnfh

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The first question he asked upon waking was about Qiu Yan, and the answer he received was like a bullet to his brain, leaving him dazed and in unbearable pain.lIVRzRSGqUWszIIHLAjkzcscFWpprG

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He could not believe it, could not believe what was happening now, could not believe that Gong Yingxian would disregard Qiu Yan and his own life just to capture Purple Flame.njqDIufFbylKLvzlvGSqEFANYqDzij

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He did not believe that person was Gong Yingxian; he absolutely did not believe it, did not believe it!gWpAamwSyBlTWSbixaKGosANTddhTB

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Not long ago, he and Gong Yingxian were still whispering sweet nothings, dreaming of the future. The more perilous the road ahead, the more precious their hopes became, and all their hopes for the future rested on each other.FdgMGCPIDtJQURRLuztBHlyTLRwxqi

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Was he the only one who thought so? Had he overestimated his importance in Gong Yingxian’s heart from the beginning to the end?MtYMveibxOFRDJYeAVySjUGTUpsIEE

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Perhaps Gong Yingxian hadn’t lied; the affection was real, but it was also insignificant, at least compared to his obsession, something that could be abandoned at any moment.BcOscUORSCDLNgTcQdgBcXceoEBtwK

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Is that so, Gong Yingxian? So you don’t care about hurting me, don’t care about abandoning me…ohGtjCgybYzczuKvZYqHzhEOpdWbrV

MhGuwSPBuchAGYO

But what about Qiu Yan? Wasn’t she family to you? How could you bear to watch her perish?ithDkxmzUOmIgHDFejFdYpQYEWjbNO

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Gong Yingxian, what have you done?!KXBmTVBAJRlLdGDBAUVZvQNRXLHycN

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Ren Yi felt like an apple, with a few colors left on the outside, but the inside was already crawling with worms, just like his pain silently spread within him, gnawing at his flesh and blood every second.CHKMQzCTBmXyzheiEoLfVqzFvCWKff

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He neither ate nor drank nor slept, just kept replaying what had happened that night, as if possessed. The struggle between reason and emotion was tearing him apart, and he even began to lose track of reality and illusion.xxrBQeBnKpfihwIDUaQkpDednOnvrM

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He knew that in the past two days, people had been coming to see him. Those who cared for him, like Qu Yangbo, Yan Jue, and the brothers from the squad; those concerned about the case, like Captain Zhao and Zheng Pei. He could see their expressions and hear their words, but he could not respond, did not dare, did not want to respond. What could he say? How could he answer others about things he himself could not comprehend?JZJBPYIKIMNAHsSotPlazBMOZFvEjA

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Why did Gong Yingxian do this?UwupgPBLPLDAJjsTNwbtaWJohJsNny

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Yes, why? Why were these people still asking him why? He wanted to know more than anyone else in the world!yXYuenUnBWKQxFFOVBhOnUjeNDZlrb

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Why did Gong Yingxian allow the bad person to shoot at Qiu Yan and himself?QwQgPcusmVwddDerOrCJxPJdayTzZN

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Why did Gong Yingxian disregard their lives in order to capture Purple Flame and seek revenge?rPxkZzVjSfaeMCayflFVqBpUWRrkqM

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Why could Gong Yingxian be affectionate one moment and cold-hearted the next?woynliahgVauekAsIJsJKdMbZEVYcE

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All the complicated and chaotic plots and images gradually faded, leaving only Gong Yingxian’s eyes, which became clearer and clearer in his mind.LbgFZNFcljCwTYeJdSJQpAqBeEmDfl

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Those eyes had shown arrogance, shyness, deep affection, as well as ruthlessness, coldness, and madness. Gong Yingxian was multifaceted; he thought he loved all aspects of this person, but now he realized that the one who could shoot and kill without hesitation, who could swiftly wield a dagger to slit throats, had already exceeded his understanding of the one he loved, ultimately becoming an unbearable nightmare.vFTdKsuEKdOXGSjnSRMTCotimLEguA

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“I’m sorry.”EwipxApFosUAjTzpfcRalQsSkLRDdH

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This was the last thing Gong Yingxian said to himself.PlyzWVptPieuIyDABGEYRqrhLHBzlf

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These were the most jarring three words he had ever heard in his life.efgCDKQVqGjEXQWpbktSSVFtolpIWl

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It turned out that when pain and fear became unbearable, a person truly just wanted to escape. Ren Yi “escaped” into his own shell, curling up and cutting off contact with the outside world.wYXJXlnPkqmEbhNhMrtELtVtKIAjEg

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By the next day, Zheng Pei finally lost his patience, grabbing Ren Yi by the collar and shouting at him, trying to “wake him up.”fVbbgGzIaQFOxRMibYuFhRmwZqxvEf

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Qu Yangbo rushed forward, and if not for someone nearby advising him, he would have almost fought Zheng Pei.QxNHUdIenhrEbUwkjRYpyVAduqJuEf

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Ren Yi’s protective shell was cracked open, and he finally looked Zheng Pei in the eye, with a dazed and murky gaze, and said wearily, “What do you want to ask?”WjunkdoivHyEEbZnorjobWFPxZYNnt

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Zheng Pei straightened his clothes and said angrily, “I thought you could pretend to be stupid forever.”VapuBwzlSOpCOczuOaNinjJBllfMEN

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Ren Yi said in a low voice, “Is there… news about him?”ZXHCwGACyblVgJLOAHfhsqxtVJNyTW

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“That’s exactly what I want to ask you,” Zheng Pei said coldly. “You helped him evade police capture, helped him exchange hostages, and ultimately helped him escape again. You don’t know where he is?”LzdCPboSWzJuUBqiXTfpbQHnvwQpuo

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“He went to find Purple Flame,” Ren Yi murmured.IMFbuNtoyLSTFWaelBlfhPtWPAqqmH

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“Clarify what happened that night.”sauGRQJevgiDZXOpYVcgpQmEKJJnGs

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Ren Yi glanced at Zheng Pei with his swollen eyes, then looked at the worried Qu Yangbo, realizing he could not continue like this. He could hide for a moment, but not for a lifetime; sooner or later, he would need to confess, whether to himself or to the police.yWyoPPkTifoyuKZOjInaeioubzOtbx

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He hoarsely said, “Give me a glass of water.”HVCAgkEIEQedGISIRiHtKoNLaXDzoi

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Qu Yangbo poured a glass of water, fed it to Ren Yi, and then voluntarily left the ward.KrtancwxmEJXQCBqgrXahTTDRrsQNd

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Once only Zheng Pei and Ren Yi were left in the room, Zheng Pei stood at the head of the bed, looking down at Ren Yi—despite the chair being right beside him, Zheng Pei had no intention of sitting down, instead using his height to exert invisible pressure on Ren Yi: “Speak. If you don’t open your mouth now, you probably won’t have the chance later.”ddKQNcOngSKjGmzsqucOEiHsIDTHJL

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“What do you want to know?” Ren Yi knew he still wouldn’t speak freely to Zheng Pei, but this time it wasn’t for Gong Yingxian; he was also worried that Zheng Pei had ulterior motives. Not knowing what to say and what not to say, he at least wanted to keep his cards close to his chest.XKUpqnOBXDjImUodPAjRDItZgWFCFc

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“Everything,” Zheng Pei emphasized. “Everything you know.”NezAAGPxBYevWYLMJuPsMwhlCVxBSs

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Ren Yi looked at Zheng Pei, his gaze somewhat hollow. “I don’t know where to start.”uWLsdxxhhPsgcUNNUTxxMUMRqJYiwo

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“How did Captain Qiu die?”KXWlklmHHqEGZcqEOYzFgXsGhkxNQU

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“…” Ren Yi didn’t expect Zheng Pei to stab him with the most painful question right from the start. He was instantly at a loss, pain and regret surfacing on his face.eQSrsaMnjFMfMYyFYLBShXMcDwAUlr

tVyfWRxCMRIWCht

Zheng Pei said coldly, “Feeling guilty? Feeling self-reproach? You know in your heart that if it weren’t for you sheltering and assisting Gong Yingxian, Captain Qiu should still be alive.”WpiIMRreGrbLuNHillCMHaFIeVMiIc

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Ren Yi’s body began to tremble, guilt cutting through his heart like a knife. It was true; even Qiu Yan appearing in that warehouse was because he had actively sought her out.OsrclvWcqjKMtVIEEfSHDltQtEPyTo

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He had been too clever for his own good, only thinking of Gong Yingxian, ultimately harming others and himself.XwaHBCBteLiTDpEfRFcbTdxwUZBXZV

CXbhuZgMyYvsMCV

“If you don’t want to repeat the same mistakes, answer all my questions,” Zheng Pei said sharply. “First, tell me how Captain Qiu sacrificed herself.”doSrxcNSmwVlIjauyeHnygdYTDOExU

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Zheng Pei gave Ren Yi no chance to catch his breath, pressing him relentlessly. Ren Yi could only answer with difficulty, “Shot by Huang Yan… killed.”wxUrNARTaRjtxNYhMipHqKlaabKHSE

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“What about the bullet you took? Was it also Huang Yan?”uvwpcHBYRUxfqqlUyViUySYKEshPBY

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Ren Yi nodded and roughly described what had happened that night.AGCxwYrLDPgiabKpocDaWUEtUBRozu

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After listening, Zheng Pei fell silent for a long time before saying, “Both of you were shot, but Huang Yan, Bai Yan, and Gong Yingxian left. If it were you, how would you interpret such an outcome?”RQpldETwRplPGicSLQfjOIsJAOKOyF

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“…”wkbzCJVUAXhKrWIRASXrhmJcmflSKK

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“Why did Gong Yingxian leave with them?”tKTbnWgPVqDcOMgNOBFYoyYCuNaPNN

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“I said, he went to meet Purple Flame.”JVZKhBoVHJHqZsEjhngXuCmOWUIlht

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“Isn’t Purple Flame mysterious and elusive, with no one having seen his true face? Did Bai Yan really contact Purple Flame?”omaVHHXDqStYYgmuZHOJcdTmRnGZWf

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“I don’t know. Even if that was a fake Purple Flame, we couldn’t tell.”QgvlQCmnBUoWLKyOZLnRGuXdATTlWJ

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“How did those six people in the factory die?”WuwJMdUNjrmtyzMpbWeXLxescYMYHE

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“…Six?” Ren Yi was taken aback, repeating in surprise.HfRPwzjRdDwYrwbDPgVququeFMeaZN

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“Yes, six. Didn’t you know?”xlyPjYkscPgQHWxFsqUcrbnEzPIbJK

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Ren Yi recalled that if six had died, it meant Purple Flame had at least sent five people, plus the two posing as hostages and Huang Yan, making a total of eight. Only Huang Yan and the last person they subdued were still alive.AzlDPfuafOtZFmJYAAJDudiMBBRPsS

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Ren Yi said, “From what I saw, Gong Yingxian shot two, subdued one; the other three, I don’t know. Maybe they were… taken out by Captain Qiu.” He felt some doubt in his heart; could Qiu Yan handle so many people by herself?VjlNarJxYyhvsAQaHPsfpCePuXBJpu

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“Which area were you mainly active in at the time?”FuMrDmaMSYpVnoHMGLbQkeGVmbapRV

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“The southwest.”BbhlPKOLLSRJngKNThBqHnrpuDQixs

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“Aside from the body found in the storage area, the other few were scattered in different areas. The captured criminal said they came with five people in total. Based on your activity range, at least two were killed by Captain Qiu,” Zheng Pei squinted, revealing a thoughtful expression.LztczOcEYKLmbOhPbTDsYssuMdrLhy

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Ren Yi felt a mix of emotions.vvPKEiRnAxbCRXylgAjjPvmnkYOPll

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“But Captain Qiu’s gun wasn’t found at the scene. Whose gun did she use? Her gun had already been surrendered during her suspension.”jRQDTAHNcTbrulGMzsHhlGhQxFKTox

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“The criminal’s. One of the hostages, who was the first to be shot by Gong Yingxian, Captain Qiu took his gun.”ZirvlbFTXusNqNDFduSLlniQNCNTGG

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“That was a Smith 9mm pistol; they all used this type of gun. But why did this gun disappear?”cLbxxvXTalvwVizCrBHYssbSJdcyxP

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“…Maybe Huang Yan took it.”ZpJmUZccbBqCOGKtReRKERAcFbgNrT

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“Huang Yan had already kidnapped her; there was no need to take her gun. The other criminals’ guns at the scene were also not taken, so clearly he had no need to destroy evidence. Why did only Captain Qiu’s used gun disappear?”knEVlEVeOcrUDmZtZkDqktiOrbqeCm

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Every time Zheng Pei brought up Qiu Yan, Ren Yi was forced to recall her death. He wearily said, “I don’t know. Is this important?”YoTIIpshEsRnAOpnTGuhzEpdXJjvMI

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“Of course it is important. Any illogical detail at the scene could be the key to the case.” Zheng Pei stared at Ren Yi. “Are you hiding something from me?”fEUnveyrxeeFsPRgLOiUkmlLCrlevj

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Ren Yi looked at Zheng Pei expressionlessly, neither answering nor denying.OyDMIhGCBaRDaUjiWqqCEuIfsbXhyk

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“At this point, what else are you hiding from me?” Zheng Pei said in a deep voice. “Do you still believe in Gong Yingxian?”uHfwuhYNhjhUABrCgpdYrPuJXVbbmz

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“Even if I don’t believe him, should I believe you?” Ren Yi said softly. “Why are you so intent on obstructing their retrial?”lJZWMCMSBVRmdBENQPFmomDKhkvHAL

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Zheng Pei took a deep breath and said calmly, “You’ve been brainwashed by Gong Yingxian. I’m not necessarily trying to obstruct their retrial; I was sent to investigate all possible misconduct in their entire case. This is separate from whether the case from nineteen years ago should be retried. Gong Yingxian has been using you, over and over again. You’ve become his best helper, his best defender. Why do you help him like this, even now that he disregards your life and death to achieve his goals, you still protect him?”ihfgKpZbqNbFAgJgflQrBbJaCfKKnm

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“I don’t!” Ren Yi suddenly shouted, “I want to know more than you what he’s really thinking, what he’s really doing!”jUsezfoGjvkOrqcHjdkfqsPCCXWHiM

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He wanted to know how much of Gong Yingxian was real and how much was fake. He wanted to know if everything he had believed in the past was an illusion. He wanted to know if Gong Yingxian truly only saw him as a tool?!RpGWcUxCTNxgZTNuGhpZMWgegJFZRu

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