When Luo Yu saw Xing Jifu at the end of his rope, hunched over and supported by others as he stood before the barrel of his gun, his emotions were profoundly complex.
Years of deep undercover work, bordering on hopelessness, trapped in darkness, walking alongside guns and bloodshed. Most of the time, Luo Yu had long forgotten he was a police officer. The thoughts, actions, and habits of Luo Yu—the unscrupulous lawyer, the trusted gangster confidant—had been deeply etched into his Soul. There were also many moments of confusion. He had asked himself more than once: Was it really worth persevering? Even his secret contact superior had been replaced, with none of the life-and-death camaraderie of the past. Was he still a valued asset to the police, or had he long been discarded as a pawn?
At other times, he was stubborn and unyielding. He thought of all he had sacrificed—his parents’ rejection, being despised by all, having no friends, no lover. If he couldn’t achieve a result, if he couldn’t capture the godfather Xing Jifu, he would never rest in peace.
Fortunately, he had survived the internal and external power struggles time and again, climbing higher and higher.
Fortunately, You Mingxu had appeared at the right moment. And the importance Xing Jifu placed on this long-lost daughter exceeded Luo Yu’s expectations. Through her, he rose even further, and Xing Jifu had vaguely hinted at passing the reins of his operations to him...
All these years, he had been waiting. Waiting for an opportunity to capture Xing Jifu.
When Xing Jifu planned to expand the drug market and collaborate with the Yunnan faction, Luo Yu realized the opportunity had finally arrived.
So, step by step, he laid the groundwork. A grand scheme. He despised these criminals, yet understood them intimately. This time, he had accurately predicted every reaction and choice. He knew that once this deal concluded, Xing Jifu would fade into obscurity. And the scale of this transaction was enough to sentence them all to death.
This was his only chance to capture him.
...
Huang Long and Guo Feirong stared at Luo Yu with intense loathing and hatred. Luo Yu ignored them completely, his gaze fixed solely on Xing Jifu.
After a moment of locked eyes, Luo Yu felt his heart pounding faster, his eyes growing warm, and he shouted, “Xing Jifu! Tell them to drop their weapons! Get down on the ground!”
Huang Long snarled in fury, “You! Are you even human?”
Guo Feirong added, “Luo Yu, we were brothers once. Everyone saw how the boss treated you. What can the police possibly offer you? Half the Xing family’s business is practically yours now—mountains of gold and silver, even the boss’s daughter was given to you. Calm down and think clearly. How you live your life is still living. If you really take the boss in today, the whole of Hunan will descend into chaos. You’ll face endless pursuit from our people. Even as a cop, you won’t escape.”
Luo Yu merely smiled and said, “I know all that. I’m still taking him in. Do you think I’m afraid to die?”
Huang Long and Guo Feirong exchanged a glance—this man was impervious to reason.
Xing Jifu said, “Enough.” Slowly, he raised his hands toward Luo Yu and said, “Come on, come arrest me.”
Luo Yu froze.
Then he heard the former godfather say calmly, “Luo Yu, betray me, and you will die. Not just you—everyone connected to you, everyone you care about, will not escape.”
A cold sweat broke out on Luo Yu’s back, but his icy resolve steadied him, his gun remaining unwavering.When You Mingxu ran behind several large trees, this was the scene she witnessed. She had overheard most of the conversation among the four individuals.
After everything that had happened today, she had already begun to suspect something. But actually witnessing this scene and seeing Luo Yu reveal this side of himself still left her deeply shaken.
The contradictory aura about him, his consistently unfathomable behavior—it all made sense now. Yet in front of her, he had always acted like a complete villain!
Peering through the branches and leaves, You Mingxu gazed at his stern profile, her heart filled with a tumult of emotions.
Reflecting on the twists and turns of this transaction and its current outcome, she felt as if a sudden clarity had dawned upon her.
So, from the very beginning, Luo Yu had approached her because of her identity?
His sniping of Ahua that day was to seize control of this drug trafficking route. Unexpectedly, it had saved her.
He then seized the opportunity, proposing the transaction with her to lure her closer. First, to put on a show for Xing Jifu and gain his trust; second, to use her and Sister Yun to create a "feint to the east while attacking in the west" illusion. Who could have known this was part of his intricate scheme? Such elaborate efforts were all to make Xing Jifu believe that the police had deployed most of their forces in northwestern Guizhou, lulling him into complacency. That was why Xing Jifu dared to bring his son and confidently take charge in southeastern Guizhou.
And what about the first raid by Jing Ping and the others? Was that also part of his calculations? He had even manipulated his own allies, using them to severely weaken the forces from Yunnan, Xiangcheng, and Xiangtan.
Having secretly aligned himself with Xiangtan Lao, the attack on Xing Yanjun was likely also part of his plan. So even if Yin Feng hadn't intervened, Xing Yanjun would have ended up in his hands.
All of this was for the final move at the mountaintop. Xing Jifu had avoided direct involvement in the business and public appearances for years. But what if a massive shipment, money, his son, his daughter, and his trusted aides all fell into someone else's hands? If all his cards were taken, wouldn't he be forced to reveal himself?
This might be Xing Jifu's first and last public appearance.
The moment Xing Jifu appeared on the mountaintop, Luo Yu had already won this game. Caught red-handed, there was no escape.
...
Subtle clues laid out like a trail of grass ashes, ambushes spanning thousands of miles. Ruthless and merciless, cutting ties without hesitation.
This was the impression undercover agent Luo Yu left on You Mingxu at this moment.
She steadied herself. Regardless, she had accepted the fact that Luo Yu was on her side. That was why he had found excuses to stop them from killing Jing Ping and Xu Mengshan, even if his methods were utterly absurd. And despite his repeated verbal provocations along the way, he had never laid a finger on her.
She was about to step out and help him apprehend the three when suddenly, Huang Long moved with lightning speed, reaching for the gun at his waist. You Mingxu tensed and raised her own weapon. But a gunshot rang out faster than her reaction—a "bang" that struck Huang Long's wrist. Huang Long cried out in pain, his pistol clattering to the ground, his hand covered in blood, his expression contorted. Guo Feirong, who had also been about to draw his gun, froze at the sight.
You Mingxu glanced at Luo Yu.His stance was extremely steady as he aimed at Xing Jifu once more. Such precise marksmanship and such quick reflexes were almost on par with Jing Ping. Yet earlier in You Mingxu's eyes, he had been nothing but a pathetic weakling, someone she could knock down with a single punch. So You Mingxu realized that his previous weakness, including being beaten by her, had all been an act. After all, a lawyer shouldn't possess such formidable combat skills.
A trace of guilt unexpectedly arose in You Mingxu's heart. Without further hesitation, she stepped forward with her gun drawn. The few people noticed her, with Luo Yu's expression remaining unchanged. Xing Jifu's expression shifted slightly when his eyes met hers.
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