"Who's there?" The guard squinted at a figure striding confidently toward him, assuming it was someone he knew. But as the figure approached, he realized he had no idea who it was.
"You—"
Before he could shout, Cao Yang's hand shot up, gripping his neck.
A sharp blow to the back of the guard's head sent him crumpling to the ground.
Cao Yang quickly retrieved the keys from the guard, opened the factory doors, and switched on the lights. Rows of production lines came into view — stacks of finished counterfeit bills, semi-finished notes, and raw materials everywhere.
He raised his camera and began shooting furiously, the rapid click-click-click echoing through the hall.
Midway through, a rustle behind him caught his attention. Turning around, he found a massive wolfhound staring him down, sniffing his scent insistently.
"Easy… don't bark," Cao Yang cooed, reaching out to pat the dog.
The instant his hand touched the dog, it barked ferociously and lunged at him.
"You damn mutt!" Cao Yang roared, gripping the dog by the neck and hurling it aside.
Bang!
The wolfhound yelped, staggering out of the factory, its howls setting off a chain reaction. One dog barked, and soon the entire village's dogs joined in, turning Tashe Village into a chorus of barking.
Chen Yao Dong, who had just lain down, furrowed his brow. Pulling on his clothes, he realized the factory lights were on again — trouble had arrived.
"Chen Jun! Chen Jun!"
"Dong Shu?" Chen Jun, living next door, sensed the urgency and scrambled to get dressed.
"Someone's infiltrated the factory! Go catch them, or the whole village's operations are doomed!" Chen Yao Dong's fingers trembled, his emotions raw.
Chen Jun understood the gravity. While dressing, he roused the other villagers.
"Dong Shu," Chen Hao joined, already clothed.
"Call your men immediately. Check if those two are still in the hotel. If they've left, block all routes — they cannot escape!"
"Dong Shu, are you saying they're police? Their identities were already verified."
Slap!
Chen Hao staggered as a sharp slap landed across his face.
"No nonsense! Call now!"
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
By the time Chen Jun arrived at the factory with his team, they only found the unconscious guard. The factory doors were open, lights still on, but the intruder had vanished.
"Dong Shu, it's happened. Amin's been knocked out — someone really got in."
…
At the town hotel, Xia Dongdong was anxiously waiting for Cao Yang.
Her phone rang — it was him.
"Hello?" She snatched it up.
"Pack your things. Leave immediately."
"Where? You're not back yet."
"Don't worry about me. Just get out. Leave Xianfeng, wherever you can."
"Did something happen?"
"Stop talking! Move!" Cao Yang's voice was low, fierce.
Knock, knock, knock…
Summer Dongdong tensed, grabbing her pistol and approaching the door.
"Who's there?"
"Is Cao Yang there?" Outside, one of Chen Hao's men asked.
"We're asleep. Whatever it is, tomorrow."
"Not possible, urgent matter."
"Tomorrow! I said tomorrow!" Xia Dongdong feigned anger.
The person outside refused to leave.
"Let Cao Yang say something."
"He's asleep. Tomorrow!"
BANG! The door was kicked hard.
Xia Dongdong's heart raced. One hand on the gun, the other dialing emergency services.
Four men stormed in. They scanned the room, didn't see Cao Yang, and immediately called Chen Hao.
Chen Hao's face darkened. This Cao Yang was trouble.
"Dong Shu, what now?"
"Secure the woman first. Search for Cao Yang — he's nearby. Get all villagers to help, the town, nearby fields, don't leave anywhere unchecked."
Chen Yao Dong forced himself to stay calm, organizing his people.
Cao Yang, meanwhile, crouched in the dark fields, seeing the entire village lit up. Hundreds of villagers poured to the village entrance, some in cars, some on motorcycles, others with flashlights heading toward him.
Back at the hotel, the four men confronted Xia Dongdong.
Facing four men, a single woman might seem helpless — but Xia Dongdong had skills. Though a "small fry" to Cao Yang, she was deadly to ordinary men. Armed, she incapacitated one; a gunshot to a thigh left him howling in pain.
She grabbed something and ran downstairs. Outside, a police car arrived, two uniformed officers stepping out. Relief washed over her.
"Who called this in?" the officers asked, noticing her gun. Tension flared as one hand hovered near the holster.
"I'm from the provincial bureau," Xia Dongdong said, reaching for her ID.
"Don't move!"
"Lower your gun!"
The officers were tense. Xia Dongdong slowly set her guns on the floor, signaling she wasn't a threat. Still wary, they ordered her to kick the gun over. She complied.
Suddenly, screeching brakes heralded a convoy of cars pulling up. Chen Hao and his men emerged.
"They're from the counterfeit group!" Xia Dongdong warned the officers, but they ignored her and instead greeted Chen Hao warmly.
She watched in disbelief as her gun was confiscated and the men drove off.
Chen Hao's face was dark as he advanced, slapping Xia Dongdong across the face.
"Where's Cao Yang?!"
Before she could react, a sharp pain hit her. She retaliated, a kick landing squarely, leaving him doubled over in agony.
"Seize him! Capture that bastard!"
Xia Dongdong held her own against two, but against this many, she was quickly overpowered and dragged back to a room.
Cao Yang's phone rang — Xia Dongdong calling.
"Did she get out?" he asked, heart sinking. If she escaped, his exit would be easy.
"Brother Cao, without you, she can't leave."
Hearing Chen Hao's voice, Cao Yang's heart sank. He was already too late.
"If you don't want her dead, come back to the hotel. We need to talk."
Cao Yang hung up abruptly, leaving Chen Hao stunned.
Was he coming or not? No clue — he just hung up.
Chen Yao Dong, learning one person had been caught, felt slightly relieved. He led a team to the hotel himself.
Meanwhile, Cao Yang was behind the hotel, climbing a window with the agility of a monkey. In minutes, he reached the fourth-floor window.