"Woof… woof…"
Dozens of police cars sped overnight from the provincial capital toward Feng County, but the distance was far. By the time they arrived, the sun was rising.
The roar of police helicopters filled the air. Xia Zhengming donned his uniform and boarded one. Watching the convoy of red-and-blue flashing vehicles below, he knew that by the time they arrived, they could only clean up what was left. He pinned his hopes on the local armed police and public security forces.
The city police chief was overwhelmed. Awakened in the middle of the night and informed of a mass incident in Xianfeng Town — which the provincial authorities had already reported — he was caught completely off guard. This was a major dereliction of duty.
He hurriedly assembled a task force and rushed to the scene while calling Feng County's police bureau, demanding an explanation.
The Feng County police were equally dumbfounded. They wanted to question the validity of the incident, but the provincial notice left no room for denial. The county chief led his team toward the site.
Chief Wang's phone rang — the city chief was on the line, asking what had happened.
Wang explained that two outsiders had infiltrated Tashe Village, allegedly to abduct children, and the villagers, enraged, were attempting to lynch them. The local police couldn't hold them back.
"Nonsense! Even kidnappers must face the law. How can villagers take matters into their own hands?!"
"Control the situation immediately. Persuade the villagers to disperse — no more chaos!"
The chief hung up, knowing Feng County's rugged local customs and strong clan influence. If the villagers were enraged, even a police station could do little.
Wang arrived at the town hotel, pulling Chen Yao Dong aside, urging him to stop. The provincial authorities had been alerted, and reinforcements were on the way.
Chen Yao Dong was unafraid, a glint of madness in his eyes. His demeanor was unrecognizable compared to his usual refined self.
"Chen Jun! Chen Jun!!"
Chen Jun was engaged in a duel with Cao Yang, double-barreled shotgun in hand.
Despite being outnumbered, Cao Yang held his ground. Two of Chen Jun's men had already been hit and were in critical condition.
Bang! A nightstand crashed down.
Xia Dongdong had barricaded the staircase with chairs and furniture, aiming to block their advance.
"Cao Yang… are you okay?"
Seeing him covered in blood, Xia Dongdong's voice quavered with tears. She feared that if he fell, both of them were done.
"Do you think so?" Cao Yang shot back, silently thinking: Didn't you see me get hit with the shotgun and smashed by steel rods? Stop asking useless questions.
Xia Dongdong was scolded but no longer angry, just worried.
Cao Yang averted his gaze, focusing on the battle.
He was slightly panicked — only one bullet remained, and his gun had been taken. He fumed at Xia Dongdong for losing the firearm.
Strangely, the attackers had paused, seemingly retreating.
Cao Yang used this moment to throw all possible objects to the staircase, blocking the way completely.
Finally a moment to breathe, he peeked out the window. Below, a dense mass of people awaited, hurling stones and bottles at him.
"Damn it!" Cao Yang cursed — it seemed the entire village had come.
"When will backup arrive?" he called, unsure what to do if it didn't.
Below, Chen Jun had been called back by Chen Yao Dong.
He had seen Cao Yang's bravery — a single man holding the stairwell while dozens pressed forward, like a modern-day Xiang Yu.
"Dong Shu, that kid took my shot. How long can he last?" Chen Jun asked, puzzled why he was deployed now.
"It's too late. Police from the city and county are on the way," Chen Yao Dong replied.
"Heh… they won't get through."
Chen Jun sneered. "Not a single vehicle will get in or out tonight!"
"You've blocked it all?"
Chen Jun nodded.
Chen Yao Dong's expression hardened. He resolved:
"If they don't die, our whole village is doomed. If they do, I might suffer, but perhaps you'll survive."
"I won't let them leave alive," Chen Jun said, preparing to storm the stairs again.
Chen Yao Dong stopped him. "It's too late. Word is out; if we kill two cops now, the authorities will be furious."
"Then what do we do?" Chen Jun asked, confused.
"They must die, but it must look accidental."
"You mean…"
"Set fire. You can't take them by force for now."
"Burn the hotel?"
"Yes."
Chen Jun poured gasoline around the hotel.
He hesitated slightly, as there were other guests inside — three or five, not many, but still people. But now there was no time. More casualties would appear accidental.
A child nearby was assigned to ignite the gasoline. Without hesitation, he tossed the flame onto the soaked ground.
Boom! Flames erupted, quickly surrounding the small town hotel.
"Chen Chao, burn all equipment, materials, and counterfeit notes in the factory immediately."
"They're our hard work!" Chen Chao protested.
Slap! Chen Yao Dong struck him. Chen Chao covered his face and obeyed.
Chief Wang watched the inferno rise, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
"Crazy! Chen Yao Dong's gone mad!"
…
"Cao Yang! They're burning the place!" Xia Dongdong cried, terrified — they were about to be roasted alive.
Cao Yang sat on the floor, calmly lighting a cigarette.
"I see it."
"What do we do now?"
"Wait and see."
His phone rang. Xia Zhengming was calling.
"Dongdong, are you alright?"
"Dad, they've set fire to the hotel. I might not survive. If there's a next life, I still want to be your daughter!"
On the helicopter, Xia Zhengming's heart shattered at his daughter's words.
"Accelerate! Accelerate!" he urged the pilot.
The pilot, though cautious due to night flight dangers, obeyed.
On the roads to Xianfeng Town, dozens of police cars were stuck, red-and-blue lights flashing.
Both county and city units were trapped in a long jam.
"What's going on?" a superior got out, demanding answers.
"Report, sir! Two large excavators are blocking the road ahead!"
"Move them!"
"Sir, cranes are being contacted."
The massive excavators, tens of tons each, couldn't be moved by manpower alone.
The leaders realized the situation: tonight, Xianfeng Town was truly a land beyond the law.