Blazing Armor

Ren Yi fully understood Gong Yingxian’s shock and fury at this moment. He tried to comfort him, “Yingxian, calm down. Are you at the scene?”pqZgYaTsmfEgHOBMwpNRDXZxcxyzIU

AaIPJUEKoPwdXje

“I’m on my way to the scene.” Gong Yingxian’s voice was still trembling. “What about you?”DJWNRVvvYAREPzyVBZJPxtOviDGCPH

iDkZtFLBsOVaNhi

“I’m on my way too. Do you know what’s going on there?”fhMTBKMraMEwoYkZyvVfHhBhNBWCrF

zKeETyKMIJuVRoJ

“All I know is that the explosion happened in Zhou Chuan’s room.” Gong Yingxian’s breath was heavy, and through gritted teeth, he said, “The west side of the ward has collapsed. Zhou Chuan has almost no chance of survival. These bastards… these animals…”HwjuyoqiMhirMhzXnBSYoZXtPZmvrr

HDvGRazCJghsPAZ

They had only just started to glimpse the shadow of this criminal organization, and the other side had already resorted to killing to silence witnesses. Zhou Chuan could have been their biggest lead at this stage, so his death was a massive blow to Gong Yingxian. Not to mention, innocent people were also caught in the crossfire.WVrXrPIDkyOrlkFzIZvPoZBHORvdaY

WKyYxTzdNTuPZqL

“They dared to pull something like this because they’re desperate, like a cornered dog. The planning was rushed, so they’re bound to have left plenty of traces behind,” Ren Yi said confidently, trying to reassure him. “Don’t worry. You’re one step closer to catching them.”JmUvbaIMldrqynyyEJMOOxAqaCFSSW

werkbUEXfvRVNCF

Gong Yingxian took a deep breath. “How long until you get here?”zIhUCTyIIKIyOiUTxoWAFeyJJblaeD

iZbKGwxIDSpwYyn

“Six or seven minutes. What about you?”nVDqREboMOImDDGXtBYgDVNiArnaaO

KflURlosmLgSFoh

“About the same.” Gong Yingxian hesitated for a moment. “Don’t hang up.”zEhsavALtAaJwrirYKXiSHvjbCLrKG

kamncmCrnaylCGF

“Why?”LLNVYAtPgzuXYBAqfuoKJYOazHDoQS

oVFKMAnSoUUITGp

“Just don’t hang up.” Hearing Ren Yi’s voice, Gong Yingxian could feel the burning rage within him gradually starting to subside.AWwsNQKBhBHOZDSKVzvojtOoHZCFyL

IJifTkoUqRbHtei

“Alright, I won’t hang up.” Ren Yi’s tone unconsciously softened.ZlShfCqDLYRQqvIKgceaEudULnSqZA

QaJOhGBxfIzaRsx

The soldiers riding with Ren Yi all gave him strange looks.uZvdUWWwEXZSFQIeKPaVCGGBPKYhJa

NLEHncMZYAicvAk

Ren Yi cleared his throat and asked, “Have you pulled up the hospital’s blueprints and the emergency response plan?”FvDDKZSCfnjGZgLJVgSgtmdJFAblsh

VRVeYhrMTidmsxw

“Here.” Ding Qing handed Ren Yi a tablet. Ren Yi took it and, while looking at it, asked in a low voice, “Do you have any other updates from the hospital?”VJrbcVVGEZvaoGquBSPqQTgXRkJVYl

hkqJFRiaXelmdWF

“The officers guarding the ward have lost contact.” Gong Yingxian’s tone was grim. “I’m afraid… the worst might have happened.”OYcdElJVjOuoXOvBUTRnnEduudVvRA

NuCKhqczXmxBaAh

“Not necessarily. Let’s wait until we get there and see the extent of the collapse.”EXpfJaQAAEDvEeubJaIDkxIRpXlJxf

IicolJayLjorAMu

“Our original plan was to visit the hospital tomorrow. After all this time working on Zhou Chuan, he was just about to crack. I didn’t expect them to act first.”UGyjqZoQABwtjdNEjVUmkeBDBSTmxr

hBOvVdUuGyJWrKG

“It seems Zhou Chuan knew more than we thought. Once he talks, the police will be able to catch Hong Yan. That’s why Hong Yan took such a desperate risk.”IHosuAHNiooZPDtWfBcGVmxiqaYDCG

vBXkSIXxNywDBRl

“This man is even more dangerous than Chen Pei. Chen Pei was just a thug who did dirty work for money—at most, he’d throw his weight around. But this guy? He’s willing to bomb a hospital and kill to silence witnesses,” Gong Yingxian spat with venom. “That bastard doesn’t deserve to live.”iWdAdwXmSgXzqHPAKzQkidYRuWaUcE

QwlOLVEPuimaWhx

A few minutes later, the fire trucks arrived at Hongwu Hospital. Several police cars and ambulances were already parked outside, and Ren Yi’s team was the first fire unit to arrive.jsCJkPwTkTyFVfNidsnnLZlsHoGkIc

BnurZleczbmMmah

Ren Yi looked at the inpatient building in the distance. The west side of the four-story structure had collapsed starting from the second floor. The first floor had been crushed, and although the third and fourth floors were still intact, they were severely tilted. Cracks ran along the walls, and one massive fissure split the building. From the windows, people were waving clothes and shouting for help as the hospital was being evacuated. The scene was pure chaos.oJDWkddkXYpjivQqQfgmCBAZGPUAXo

mXXbODRGekvBMhN

Ren Yi’s expression grew grim; he knew tonight would be a tough battle. He called out, “Turn on the lights.”lVXggVuhiWAEkNOReFtApuRsoVqCyc

MGrSXgUwIGAZayi

The driver activated the fire truck’s floodlights, casting a harsh beam over the collapsed section. The sight was harrowing.bWswegkIjzXDlnFDIjBYUInCbpzbzb

QpBwkJsxTuWHRaf

“Captain Ren! I think there’s someone here! I can hear something!” A soldier pointed to the rubble.kAMjAUuilMXNkEeQGPCuiQyvZzLPaG

TnWvaNhDVyxapXp

“Sun Dingyi, take the first and second squads and start digging.” Ren Yi commanded. “Third squad, raise the ladder and get those people out from the upper floors. No one goes deeper into the building without my orders.”soWybLFuVSCHZLPrFcIsSisosBituZ

aSkfIUJIezwRzim

“Yes, sir!”XFsgcDMzfkqGTwqDQXEtiSFTTtGhVO

JkwoijfmqkLUppI

The first and second squads began removing debris, while the ladder slowly extended toward the window where someone had been calling for help.QPGhHuQiubYMRfnoJtuhceKeAQIOxe

EnWIiAclhRqGoRH

A man in a white lab coat approached Ren Yi. “Captain Ren, right? I’m the deputy director, Dr. Song. I was on duty tonight.”CdYXRFrbzjkahtGkghKPwGiNsnbobR

KOsHUPKbCeWtMAQ

Ren Yi was still focused on the building plans. “Dr. Song, do you know how many people are trapped in the collapsed area?”KHQeaSYtcNViUCBanSDIxbpfojLHri

CqNDmBGOFGOASKS

“At least sixty or seventy people,” Director Song said anxiously. “Some of them are patients who cannot move.”RGcGThLdlXbMDEekOuAjyrkxOJyrsF

ivXzfyTECYCaZFU

“Is there any contact with the medical staff?”KJCfGMtusBhibLuDKiRSiSvhPKgrhV

wtCXVyERBGiuQrd

“Yes, there are trapped medical staff on the third and fourth floors. As for the first and second floors…” Director Song held back tears, “we don’t know their situation.”qPLJJaQjQGrPXJGvWjQMnzcyHXDzlh

dtFMqooIJlRrkat

“Ren Yi!” Gong Yingxian, who had just arrived at the scene, rushed over to Ren Yi, accompanied by Qiu Yan, Cai Qiang, and others.tNKuvKYtbOywNCAsyBebQKiBQbfolK

ZzOsgfIUghlhtTx

Seeing Gong Yingxian, Ren Yi felt a strange sense of calm. When their eyes met, an indescribable emotion surged between them. Ren Yi nodded slightly towards Gong Yingxian, “You should organize a search of the surrounding area as soon as possible. It’s been less than 20 minutes since the explosion. The culprit might still be nearby, watching.”CzxAvpNLDyvWvzTaCQSRynnIfEOqBt

EYDvfLjsvykHidJ

Qiu Yan said, “We’ve already deployed a large police force immediately.”MuZnvtxOsnRDlpUYBnSTAZfMyxrDfw

jiHEzWkBBGpMCEi

Gong Yingxian added, “If we can determine what type of bomb it was, it will be easier to capture the culprit.”rgTzYUgxlpDQedjoyPpTazFvMFmUhV

uKunuYHqosbLEgf

“We’ll probably have to wait until we start digging to find out. We…” Just then, the sound of a fire truck’s siren rang out in the distance. Ren Yi patted Gong Yingxian’s arm, “Our chief of staff is here.”gpCCcZxpgtgoTMMpsmCNmewfNQvLAo

wMaqQgORgUaRngc

A fire patrol car pulled up in front of Ren Yi. Xu Jin got out, and another person emerged from the back seat—Chen Xiaofei.WvXjzRtvbhKnFyhfXOwTqZSGQapkGA

xhneHgkQlrdKyxz

Wang Meng, captain of the Luo Xiangkou team, and Lin Shaoping, captain of the San Ning team, also reported in one after the other.cvaNZqYUBQVcOfwnuPQApqvzQaeQro

rYOoMteRHPsaLyF

“Captain, Chief of Staff.” Ren Yi saluted and handed them a tablet, giving a brief overview of the situation at the scene.pFFhQMxWygKTyKcePcejWunONMoMCR

jpCzucJCHPbWcFl

Chen Xiaofei surveyed the site. “The detectors and search dogs will be here shortly. Wang Meng, drive your platform truck to the back of the building and assist the Phoenix team with evacuating the people on the third and fourth floors as quickly as possible. Shaoping, take two men and check out the third floor, but don’t go too deep—stay safe. Old Xu, Ren Yi, let’s go over the building plans.”eKOZrAnhrDVOTAzYJukubtQPJBSjXk

saaTLSOpgRHHMGB

“Yes, sir.”fJrCClEqePWDhEIhkclPalYPLPVWRd

YhLWnHXnFtPFwkL

They circled the collapsed part of the building, starting with an external assessment of the damage.zENkdiMhLgJfidrqEvLoSUUhTJpgkC

WRrDmHhZZqTQSKC

This inpatient building was one of the oldest structures at Hongwu Hospital, with low floors and outdated facilities. However, its internal layout was simple—a straight corridor with rooms on both sides, a straightforward design.WhVcyBBIAzlmXxCsBAayZcVrgYUhvZ

YxxDFNUhTirkVue

To avoid disturbing other patients, Zhou Chuan’s room had been placed at the end of the west corridor. The collapse, triggered by the explosion, was mainly concentrated in the last few rooms and hadn’t affected the main structure. This was a small relief amid the disaster.WUFcHanGuGfycEFTZYzXMwkWnRNMtv

KwYmGlIMQwPMoHc

Not long after, Lin Shaoping’s voice came through the intercom: “Captain Chen, we’ve basically assessed the situation on the third floor. The west-side fire escape is completely destroyed, so there’s no way to get down to the second floor. The steel structure on the third floor is currently holding under pressure from both above and below. It seems stable for now, but there’s still a risk of secondary collapse. Also, I can see some firelight through the cracks on the third floor, coming from the second floor. I’m not sure if the explosion ignited something down there.”PtLZHPtSXFlqApCjJOgcEIEWxGoRIm

puyqdcuCoqcrVun

Everyone turned to look at the building but didn’t see any visible flames, indicating that the fire wasn’t too large yet. Chen Xiaofei said, “To be safe, notify the hospital to shut off both the power and heating pipelines. Shaoping, you guys need to pull out.”LjzAbHrPQFMqvUnJCMcYNwpbYYbJNj

rTJEMdXtPuhRDCn

At this moment, using ladders and elevated platforms, the firefighters successfully evacuated 36 trapped civilians from the third and fourth floors. Aside from one person who was seriously injured, the others had no life-threatening injuries.KOmrSxRTXAyaECISvhVkqCgKcFZIhG

VRUXidIMBuAAOET

Meanwhile, Teams One and Two managed to rescue a woman who had been buried under debris and quickly transported her to the emergency room.kbTecDyorwAEMbUOnRatTNNXkEUSxk

qDGZVnyvTRiMyai

Director Song anxiously said, “Captain Chen, we can cut off the heating, but we can’t completely shut off the power. There are patients inside who rely on ventilators, and surgeries are still ongoing in the operating rooms.”CbTJBeOLcSWeFYBcXkHmwmuZcLpjsS

CnKtTRuEvfRrqpC

“Get the electrician over here to see if we can cut off power specifically to the collapsed areas. There’s already a fire inside the building, and if a short circuit happens, a full power outage is inevitable. You all need to prepare for that in advance.”FmRnzGgSiPpkNgoICPPHUdhJZPLHZa

tuwFDRllgEWvYoD

Director Song quickly nodded. “I’ll go find the electrician.”CujUJvKPLSUhfRqPDzxsoXBqJkZqVI

wBrMxqavwtCZvao

Chen Xiaofei gathered the three squad leaders in front of him and said sternly, “There are still a lot of patients and medical staff trapped on the first and second floors. The passage from the third floor down has been destroyed, so the only way in is through the cracks on the first or second floor. This mission is very dangerous. Pay attention not to add too much pressure to the structure, and don’t go too deep. All of you, listen to me carefully—don’t go too deep. If you notice any signs of collapse, you must evacuate immediately.”CKPmgrjYzRqXIYJyoissqOAwzXVXCR

cRDTxxuDExXpDtq

The three men responded in unison, “Yes!”XYVJNnSzoxlWlfadbHHNtcYyFKVmwL

GAUGIpcNvPiGRFs

“You each take two soldiers, split into three teams, and no group is allowed to act alone. If you find any injured people, report it immediately. Don’t rush to rescue them—first, make sure it’s safe to do so. The rest of the personnel will be tasked with clearing debris outside.”FtRkufAhnbIZfvTWVSYilRFZcbiwNO

qQLgeXKSRikFHsJ

“Yes.”YDytwjONTvKJQoZorcfiYMYzNqLlyc

RqfIEMClPPDEKfb

“Captain Chen.”QLQqsxzmodkauOdiSiWSAoMsKPiCTy

PGEnKbGtbfOwxXO

Ren Yi turned his head and suddenly saw Gong Yingxian standing beside them, though he hadn’t noticed when he arrived.wNaBjtDAZpIOYlSFsiFaHjlcRJfOot

akRzHOXULDiwaYo

Calmly, Gong Yingxian said, “Captain Chen, I’m Detective Gong Yingxian from the Criminal Investigation Unit of Hongwu Sub-bureau. I request to go in with them.”NnvtkNQVAaGZVnAoBIVuAosDYuHpZW

gdFjFRUzAQrdery

Ren Yi’s eyes widened in shock. “Gong Yingxian?!”BOFgZTMCuPKmAKskcXdTlJVAQkkiDd

tKBUGqgyNEARgyO

Gong Yingxian shot him a brief, indifferent glance. “Fire rescue is bound to destroy some of the evidence on the scene. I need the most untainted evidence. Moreover, understanding the explosives as early as possible is crucial to catching the perpetrator. If we wait until the rubble is cleared in a few days to analyze the explosives, we’ll have missed the best opportunity.”pVCJaywhODWesjYoFPZOxghHnexOYX

WVZTaDyDLuYbjpB

Ren Yi pushed Gong Yingxian back, gripping his shoulder. “Catching criminals is your job, but rescue is mine. Why the hell are you meddling?” He saw the seriousness and determination in Gong Yingxian’s eyes, and a wave of panic surged within him. Searching for survivors in the collapsed building was far too dangerous. How could he possibly let Gong Yingxian risk his life along with them?NaBSzPhVjCrQIkpXHuzUjQJBlXvghf

jkKmqMXRlFqawSk

Chen Xiaofei frowned and said, “Young man, we each have our own duties. You’re not a trained rescue worker, so don’t interfere with our operations.”iVgJkdelwVjAFiSyehUMYiGYMrmVyj

apfcnvGaARaYTcM

Without hesitation, Gong Yingxian grabbed Ren Yi’s wrist and, whether intentionally or not, pressed Ren Yi’s palm firmly against his chest. Looking sharply at Chen Xiaofei, he said, “The explosion was caused by a key witness in my case, silenced before they could testify. Buried beneath that rubble isn’t just the truth the killer wants to hide—my colleague is down there, innocent civilians are down there, as are the residents of Wanyuan District who died, and the justice owed to your fallen firefighters!”qCbDjwmpFwvTGCmnWqRhNIfVYCtNnP

dsOpMNVCpwakKpY

Silence enveloped the scene.lymZeBYoOGxEPNSEEoTbOEMWZoGuEO

JUenYQsJTYkglEJ

Ren Yi gritted his teeth and said, “Gong Yingxian, I know you’re anxious, I’m anxious too, but do you know how dangerous it is in there? That’s not—”dPHbczIosMPaVzURwKwFTcBSzcOPHQ

MnbHBHfjtevuPgK

“If I’m afraid of danger, why the hell am I a cop?!” Gong Yingxian roared.ddXddAEYMVKplRELZVULJviHdoucyd

yxmavnOVsfBcawM

Ren Yi stared into Gong Yingxian’s bloodshot eyes, neither of them backing down as they glared at each other.rWqnaBxvjxpFcNIhUEsrHxDGfrzPvp

qEqwCwTLlAnxoNt

Ren Yi’s hand, covered by a thick glove, pressed against Gong Yingxian’s chest, separated by his early winter coat. Yet, it felt as if he could still sense that powerful, vigorous heartbeat.eEbDTOHqLnYDwRUOSkldlAmwtsSgqY

vsGbTpQtNfDlFgj

“Captain Chen.” A middle-aged man approached, his face tough, his body burly—definitely a hardened man.JDdikWnVRfAndTHcYDYfIZtsRMIFwx

cfwZMoattTeqVLm

Ren Yi had seen this man twice before at the Hongwu Division; he was Zhao Pengfei, the captain of the Criminal Investigation Team One.hYPwFGMHmWJDsrYBRVzHCvtGtdUehG

JaPpDKFMDWRRjEg

“Captain Chen, let him go. This case is now a top priority for our division. The murderer was involved in at least three arson cases, and it’s linked to a criminal organization. And with this…” Zhao Pengfei nodded toward the collapsed building. “There are at least double-digit fatalities involved. Even if we can catch him one day earlier, we’re willing to take the risk.”WSmAwwaJXAzVIQAemajPuGrHoAsUkq

qbtIFBcNENEGNPu

Chen Xiaofei sighed. “Old Zhao, you’re putting me in a tough spot.”fRmhWRzrnImDjTFeUHFQMffHhyZkoC

qTHooFLOerdfcRK

Xu Jin whispered, “Captain, Ren Yi has been assisting them in investigating the arson cases. Behind it is a criminal organization specializing in arson, and they’re our common enemy. Now, the only witness has been killed, so I understand how they feel.”NjwCVjqMCeYGPQZMzeqvZPFSuBszhh

VDLiLIpZDOYXYmb

Zhao Pengfei’s expression was serious. “Old Chen, we still have some of our young officers buried in there. We urgently need leads, we need to catch the killer. Help us.”prwngEKDVORGJSZgYaoiXDIYGmtqtV

TXInMUZsMkWWbJd

Ren Yi clenched his trembling fists, helplessly watching as Chen Xiaofei finally nodded. He yanked Gong Yingxian, “Come with me to get changed.”OkcAmqLAbCJvsSJcGFTVQQtmNVDelD

rpftSfYfoXiqHbB

The two of them jumped into the firetruck together. Ren Yi shut the door and pressed Gong Yingxian down onto the seat, angrily saying, “Why do you always have to do these life-threatening things? Last time with that chemical tanker overturning, too—why do you have to put yourself in danger?”PaoshReyfQKDXAovGlTaKkFNoWMdcb

XkZgSpjjgKayrIB

Gong Yingxian glared at him fiercely. “What about you? Why do you do these life-threatening things? Why do you have to put yourself in danger?”mpMloDfwSatfojFinSjNwMNaRsGrSJ

mSeMOcMEsjQpaPm

“This is my job!” Ren Yi snapped.BHCbLweFPTQkiAHwCrRyAldorUZRRM

xlnHbVQtGyEApgb

“It’s my job too!” Gong Yingxian raised his voice, “My job is to fight crime at all costs.”kStpqMOqGREcMRiDnghfzfJEhNveqR

CnNQkjusZQedhct

Ren Yi’s face flushed red with anger.xXzsHhDMKnRVJihlnxozuUNYKJxpAi

XhIsBaWkfUzmxFU

The two of them sat face to face in the cramped space, their knees and gazes inevitably colliding. They could even feel each other’s heavy breaths blowing across their faces.qcnvkClZgxJajItpxNFlueqRONVVdd

sOuUMizhQskKuCB

Gong Yingxian stared at Ren Yi’s flushed face, his tightly pressed lips, and his heaving chest. Those beautiful eyes were filled with worry, though his eyebrows carried a hint of frustration and grievance. Gong Yingxian’s heart gave a violent tremor, his blood inexplicably boiling. An unfamiliar thrill stirred within him, making him suddenly anxious.fPEbFkobqsPUgdYJXqeHxSjQdkjzQX

izJmvTITnZDpkju

Ren Yi threw a set of fluorescent orange rescue gear at him. “Put it on.”mAcBMODhkqyNAAIqRbjKhWqMCjEBnV

jplZyPAWwJPZwMP

Gong Yingxian didn’t take it. “I don’t wear other people’s clothes… I want to wear yours.”NsMCbBlsxbgvnVWmbSxMWgyQKjDgCA

nXKKZZtHxunMmeg

Ren Yi rolled his eyes in frustration, roughly stripped off his own uniform, and threw it at Gong Yingxian again.NdVNjeoktLtCxWvjcxxDEQtQKbUxKX

lGvEDqEpSGsQBVl

Gong Yingxian put on the rescue suit, still warm with Ren Yi’s body heat. That gentle, enveloping warmth calmed his restless emotions.UhaQUNKjnbJbQESiVMZOelXeCKZBOf

oUqaJTtXhTnFeDg

Ren Yi also finished changing, his expression serious as he spoke, “Gong Yingxian, listen up. From now on, you must strictly follow my orders. I’m not just saying it—you have to follow my instructions completely. Got it?”agxneSKSPMOtZsAHgLjhmzIuWdgxIL

lwJjhEbWkCzXDzw

“Got it.”rifSRzsTRXHlMuMvkHEItuzScNBtBq

XtBPOmSUszxnzUW

“Swear it. Swear you won’t act on your own and will absolutely obey my orders.” Ren Yi emphasized, “Normally, I can listen to whatever you want, but not during a rescue. If you act on your own, you not only endanger yourself but others as well, so…”obIMCRZMTrullpCbrbjvWoVVdOBjWc

pakSnqwuVYGCcsK

Suddenly, Gong Yingxian placed his hand gently on Ren Yi’s cheek, gazing deeply into his eyes. In a solemn tone, he said, “I swear, I will follow your orders.”LwxYZhkKTswSsWOBhjLHWqEZqvqFef

ZqItaAJEYBMAUXs

Ren Yi’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his face away to hide his reaction, taking a deep breath. “Let’s go.”HxhmQEnRQBWyDFTSRXBIwCxIzRzoWO

qLFukYflhdOSbGf