Cao Yang kept running, and the mob kept chasing.Unfamiliar with the area, he darted into a narrow alley—only to find both exits packed with people.
"I'm a police officer! Don't let them fool you!"He shouted, but no one believed him.
Stones flew toward him. Others pushed forward swinging iron bars.
The fight broke out again.Trapped from both sides, most people wouldn't last three seconds.
But Cao Yang was different—he only fought harder the more he was pushed. No one could withstand a single strike from him. And even after taking several blows, he moved as if nothing had happened.
Those charging in first were already down, and the people behind were frantically dragging them away.
Spotting an opening, Cao Yang leaped toward the wall, braced himself, and climbed over in one swift motion.
Unexpectedly, he landed right in the hotel's parking lot—where his black Honda sat waiting.
He reached into his pocket.The keys and the film roll were both still there.
Cao Yang jumped into the car and started the engine.
The moment the engine roared to life, a new wave of people rushed in, smashing at his vehicle with iron bars, hammers, and even kitchen knives.
Cao Yang floored the gas.The car shot forward like a wild horse, knocking two people into the air.
The crowd erupted in rage, screaming for him not to escape, to kill him on the spot.
But Cao Yang didn't run.Instead, he spun the wheel, turned back, and charged straight at them again—ready to mow them down.
These weren't innocent bystanders; most were Chen Yaodong's men wielding weapons. Cao Yang never hesitated when dealing with criminals trying to take his life.
Let them go crazy—he'd go crazier.
Tires screeched.People screamed.Curses filled the air.
Chaos exploded everywhere.
Though his car was already battered and barely holding together, Cao Yang kept chasing them down like a hunter in a frenzy.
Suddenly—two vans rushed in from both sides, slamming into him and pinning his car in place.
A wave of men surged forward, eyes bloodshot.
"Everyone freeze!""Hands on your head—squat down!"
Military police and regular police finally stormed onto the scene, pushing the mob back and securing the area.
Cao Yang exhaled deeply.They'd finally arrived.
Meanwhile, Xia Zhengming's helicopter landed at the township government office. Staff and officers swarmed around him—he now held full command.
"Has the excavator blocking the road been moved?""Once it's clear, begin traffic control and open a rescue lane for ambulances and fire trucks.""Comrades from the armed police, head to Tashe Village immediately—seal the village, don't let anyone leave.""And the fire at Tashe Printing Factory—put it out as soon as possible!"
"Dad! Save Cao Yang first!"Xia Dongdong cut in anxiously.
"Cao Yang? Who is that?"
"He's a police officer who was with me. Without him, I'd be dead a hundred times over! Please—please save him first!"
"Where is he?"
"I don't know… but send people to find him. You must guarantee his safety!"
As she spoke, two black sedans sped past them.
Xia Dongdong recognized one—Chen Hao's car."Dad! Stop them! The main culprits are inside!"
Xia Zhengming waved his hand, and four patrol cars immediately took off in pursuit.
A moment later, another car—battered beyond recognition—roared past, following the police cars.
It looked oddly familiar, like Cao Yang's…But with the car so damaged and moving so fast in the dark, she couldn't see the license plate clearly.
She dismissed the thought.Cao Yang's car wasn't that wrecked. And he wouldn't be fleeing.
Little did she know—Cao Yang was indeed the driver.He had spotted Chen Yaodong's group trying to escape and instinctively gave chase.
Chen Hao's crew better pray the police catch them.If Cao Yang got to them first…their fate would be far worse.
Seven vehicles sped down the road. With the excavator removed, traffic police were setting up a checkpoint.
Seeing cars approaching, they attempted to stop them—but the fleeing sedans didn't even slow down, blasting through the blockade.
The police cars and Cao Yang's wrecked vehicle followed suit, smashing through as well.
Once they reached the national highway, Cao Yang finally eased up.He watched the six cars vanish into the distance.
With his injuries and his car falling apart, there was no need to steal the police's credit.Even if he caught them, he wouldn't get rewarded.
At the next junction, he turned toward Guan City.
As for calling Xia Dongdong?He never even considered it.
That damn woman ran off in a helicopter and didn't bring him along—heartless!He had risked his life for her.
Around 7 a.m., Lushan International was at its quietest.Only a few servants and doormen were on duty.
When the blood-covered, battered Cao Yang staggered into the lobby, they were terrified.
"Brother Yang!""Brother Yang, what happened to you?!"
A group of staff rushed to support him.
As Tang Shaojie's subordinate, Cao Yang held more status here than managers who had worked seven or eight years.No one dared treat him casually.
They brought him to the infirmary.The on-duty doctor was jolted awake to treat him.
Cao Yang stripped down, flopped onto the bed, and immediately fell asleep.
He was utterly drained—physically, mentally, and from blood loss.Now that the danger had passed, exhaustion swallowed him whole.
"Tsk, tsk…"The doctor shook his head as he examined the wounds.
Individually, none were fatal—far better than last time.But there were far too many bruises, welts, and blunt injuries all over his body.
Two gashes on his head from thrown stones.A few steel pellets embedded in his back from Chen Jun's shotgun.
As the doctor instructed the nurse to clean his wounds, he began pulling the pellets out with tweezers.
Then he trimmed Cao Yang's hair to suture the head wounds.To avoid waking him with pain, he injected a bit more anesthetic.Cao Yang drifted even deeper into sleep.
Back in Xianfeng Town, the cleanup continued.The fire had been extinguished.Three charred bodies were found in the hotel rooms.
They were relatives visiting from out of town.With no place to stay at home, they lodged in the hotel—only to fall victim to tragedy.
Three deaths.This was no longer simple.
Producing counterfeit money might not warrant the death penalty.But arson resulting in multiple deaths—someone was definitely going to face a firing squad.
"Cao Yang!""Cao Yang!!"
Xia Dongdong was still shouting, still searching. Tears streamed down her face.
If not for Cao Yang, she would have been dead.Now he had vanished, and she feared the worst—that he had been beaten to death and dumped somewhere.
"Officer Xia, what does this Cao Yang look like?"A nearby policeman asked gently, unable to watch her cry.
"Tall, strong, handsome… amazing."She answered.
The officer was speechless.How is that helpful as a description?
"Many injured have been sent to the county hospital. Maybe check there?"
It made sense.Xia Dongdong immediately got into a patrol car and headed straight to the hospital.
The hospital was packed—dozens injured, almost all thanks to Cao Yang.
Some were Chen Yaodong's men.Some were confused bystanders who had mistaken Cao Yang for a human trafficker.
She searched every ward, every room.
No Cao Yang.
Defeated, Xia Dongdong sank onto the corridor floor, eyes brimming with tears.