Within the grand auditorium of Long Gang University, a roaring tide of voices filled the hall. Young scholars gathered in great numbers, awaiting the arrival of the speaker.
The man set to deliver this special lecture was the university’s honorary professor—a veteran Major Crimes investigator who had, for decades, exhausted his heart and soul safeguarding the people, earning countless merits. Now serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Xie Ying Jie, he was to speak on the subject:
“Crime and Society”
Backstage, a staff member carefully adjusted his uniform, straightening his insignia and medals. His assistant, along with several security personnel, stood nearby in tight vigilance.
At the assistant’s waist, a specially tuned brick phone chimed insistently. He cast a questioning glance—Should I answer?—but Xie Jia Hua merely waved it off.
From the front of the hall, the host’s voice rang out, fervent and bright. Amid thunderous applause, Xie Ying Jie strode onto the stage. His uniform was adorned with medals, his spine straight as a spear, his expression solemn.
Under his gaze, the audience gradually fell silent.
Taking the microphone, he delivered a brief introduction before beginning his lecture.
“Over the long course of study, most criminologists have held that violent crime primarily arises among the lower socio-economic strata, linked to the inequalities they suffer in both wealth and social standing… Yet there are also those who argue that individuals of high socio-economic status likewise commit many forms of crime—crimes that often escape sufficient scrutiny by society…”
……
Within the dim office, He Chu San stared fixedly at the computer screen, where red and green numbers battled without cease. His fingers moved restlessly, stroking the ring that hung against his chest.
“Call him again.”
“He won’t answer,” the proxy replied.
“Call him!”
Once more, the proxy set the mobile phone before him.
“Beep—! Beep—! ……”
Suddenly, He Chu San seized the keyboard and smashed it viciously against the ground!
“Bang—crash!!”
The proxy remained unmoved by this display of fury, merely averting his gaze in silence. But in the next instant, He Chu San vaulted onto the desk, grabbing the proxy by his tie and yanking him forward with brutal force. Dragging his neck close, he leaned toward the receiver and spoke in a voice cold as venom:
“Tell him this—I’ve staked everything I have, and everything my clients have! If another half hour passes and my money’s wiped out, none of you will walk away unscathed!”
The proxy covered the receiver, his voice low and sharp. “No one threatens him! You’ve crossed the line!”
“Is he after my loyalty?!” He Chu San roared. “He wants me dead! You think I left no escape when I handled accounts for Qiao Chun An and for you?! If I die, none of you will escape either!!”
The proxy struggled free from his grip. “By four o’clock at the latest—he will call.”
With a savage kick, He Chu San overturned a chair and spun out of the room like a storm. The office door slammed shut with a deafening “Bang!” Immediately after came his furious bellow toward the managers outside:
“Get up! I’ll do it myself!!”
……
On the rooftop of the opposite building—
Xia Liu Yi, drenched in sweat, had been dozing beneath his parasol when he suddenly jolted awake. Rubbing his aching eyes, he quickly raised his binoculars again and peered across.
“Ha… haha…” He let out several relieved laughs.
At last—He Chu San had appeared.
He was now seated at a computer in the lobby office, a phone clamped between his shoulder and ear.
But the smile on Xia Liu Yi’s face soon faded.
Through the lens, he saw tension erupt within the office. The atmosphere grew taut as drawn steel. One man, agitated and furious, gestured wildly and pointed as he shouted insults—only to be seized by He Chu San, his arms twisted behind him and slammed face-first onto the desk!
Moments later, several men in black sunglasses and masks rushed in from outside, guns drawn, forcing the other staff to sit rigidly in place, not daring to move. He Chu San flung the restrained man aside and returned to the computer, operating swiftly.
Xia Liu Yi was certain those oddly dressed men were not He Chu San’s bodyguards. Yet they had appeared here—and were now maintaining order on his behalf.
He glanced toward the tightly shut general manager’s office.
There are others inside.
Very likely—the Shopkeeper.
No… that old fox would never come in person.
Then perhaps… the “proxy” He Chu San had mentioned before?
Xia Liu Yi’s eyelids twitched violently again. Unease gnawed at his heart. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Xiao Ma.
“Hello? You, A’Nan, and A’Mao—leave the island at once. Change into low-profile clothes and come to Wan Chai.”
“Did something happen to Sister-in-law?! Should I call Black Chicken to bring a few hundred men?!” Xiao Ma’s voice came back, agitated.
“Nothing’s happened! Shut your crow’s mouth!” Xia Liu Yi snapped. “Their informants are everywhere—what’s the point of bringing an army?! Just the few of you—quietly!”
……
Inside the Long Gang University auditorium—
“…The more civilized and prosperous a society becomes, the more just and equitable its systems grow, the fewer crimes will occur. You, students, are the pillars of our future. Study diligently, fulfill your roles, and contribute your strengths—together, build Hong Kong into a more civilized and just society. Thank you.”
Thunderous applause echoed through the hall.
Xie Ying Jie descended from the stage with measured authority. His assistant hurried forward, adjusting his attire and presenting the vibrating mobile phone.
With a slight gesture, Xie Ying Jie dismissed those around him and stepped alone onto an outdoor platform.
“Speak.”
“……”
“And where is He Chu San?”
“……”
“Heh. A child who cannot hold his breath.”
“……”
As he listened, he took a few steps forward. Beneath his feet, fallen leaves cracked with a harsh, brittle sound.
“Enter.”
He ended the call.
Long Gang University was built along the mountainside. Beneath the blazing afternoon sun, towering green trees stretched out below him—everything lay under his feet.
……
Back in the office—
The proxy lowered the phone.
At that very moment, He Chu San burst in from the outer lobby and shut the door behind him. His expression was tense as he looked toward the proxy.
“They’ve entered the market,” the proxy said.
He Chu San lowered his head and let out a hoarse, guttural growl. The rigid tension in his spine finally loosened as he slid down against the door.
Out of the proxy’s sight, his fingers quietly turned the lock behind him.
……
On the rooftop—
Xia Liu Yi tracked He Chu San’s movement through the binoculars. When the man disappeared from view, he lowered them anxiously and glanced down toward the streets—
Only to notice something… off.
A few individuals he had earlier suspected to be watchers had vanished without a trace. In a narrow alley near He Chu San’s building, a box truck disguised as logistics transport had appeared. Several plainclothes men, firearms tucked at their waists, slipped into the building through different entrances.
……
Inside the lobby office—
The television broadcasting live market updates suddenly dissolved into static!
Dozens of computer screens began to flicker violently, their flowing data collapsing into chaotic gibberish!
The managers, held in place under guard, showed shock and confusion. Kevin rushed to the television, slapping the casing as he shouted to the two guards by the door:
“Come over—help me check this!”
One guard approached, puzzled. He glanced at the surrounding computers, then craned his neck to look behind the television—
—and spotted a strip of torn tape.
In that instant, Kevin raised a syringe still half-wrapped in adhesive tape and plunged it into the back of the guard’s neck!
The other guards reacted at once, reaching for their guns—but several seemingly frail “managers” suddenly sprang from their seats, vaulting over desks and tackling them to the ground!
Chaos erupted as both sides clashed!
“Bang—!” A gun discharged, the stray bullet striking the wall clock.
……
That faint gunshot snapped Xia Liu Yi fully awake!
He swung the binoculars upward—inside the lobby office, a full-blown melee had broken out, yet He Chu San was nowhere in sight!
Throwing aside his parasol, Xia Liu Yi vaulted over the railing and dashed toward the stairs!
……
Meanwhile, in the dim general manager’s office—
The proxy’s hand moved for his gun—but He Chu San lunged forward, knocking it aside. The two slammed into the desk in a violent struggle!
He Chu San employed Taiji grappling techniques, seizing the proxy’s arm and pinning him down. Yet in a flash, the proxy flicked his wrist—his watch transforming into a concealed blade that shot toward He Chu San!
He Chu San rolled away, only to be countered and slammed onto the desk. The computer crashed to the floor with an explosive boom, sparks flaring in blinding light!
Instinctively flinching, the proxy faltered—giving He Chu San the opening to seize a desk lamp and smash it toward his head!
“Thud!”
…Yet it did nothing.
The lamp was too small, its fabric shade collapsing uselessly over the man’s forehead. Aside from a brief daze, it caused no real harm.
The proxy raised the knife again and lunged—
But He Chu San thrust the lamp forward and flicked the switch.
A burst of searing light!
Blinded, the proxy slashed wildly, only to be kicked square in the abdomen, sent stumbling backward!
He crashed against the door, scrambling to pull it open—only to find it locked.
He fumbled to break the lock—
—but in that instant, He Chu San was upon him.
Grabbing the back of his collar, he hurled him forward!
The proxy slammed before the floor-to-ceiling window. As he struggled to rise, he inadvertently tore the curtains open—
Golden sunlight exploded into the room like a blazing tide!
Both men raised their arms, shielding their eyes.
Through his fingers, the proxy caught sight of the fallen gun. Staggering forward, he reached—
—but the moment his hand touched it, He Chu San smashed a keyboard into his face!
“Crack!”
The proxy fell backward, collapsing onto the floor.
He Chu San lunged, wrapping the mouse cord around his throat, dragging him violently aside. The proxy clawed desperately toward the gun—
Almost—almost within reach—
—but was yanked back again!
“Ghk… ghk…” Choked gasps tore from his throat, yet his hand still stretched stubbornly forward.
“Kick it away! Don’t force me to kill you!” He Chu San roared beside his ear.
“Ghk…”
“Did you hear me?! Kick it away!”
His face flushed dark red, consciousness fading—the proxy finally lashed out weakly, kicking the gun into a corner.
He Chu San released him.
The proxy’s head lolled to one side—he lost consciousness.
Futile Devices Scans 
Leave a comment