The man was powerfully built, with a broad back and a sturdy physique. He wore a lion-skin coat, its golden mane framing his neck. From the base of his skull, numerous crimson marks, crisscrossing each other like intersecting lines, had been etched by steel wire. These distinct markings formed countless blood-red Polaris symbols, adorning the entire circumference of his skull. It was impossible to fathom the agony he must have endured when the wire had first sliced through his skin.
Moreover, that area of the skull is densely packed with nerve endings. For this individual to have suffered no ill effects was bewildering. I cast a perplexed glance at the man's retreating figure, then at the densely packed surveillance screens before me. It appeared that all surveillance footage from Guangdong province was now laid bare before him.
Could it be that Polaris's objective this time was to control the entire Guangdong province, and not just Guangming City?
How terrifying. What were these people doing? Were they plotting a rebellion? Or perhaps aiming to destroy this civilized world?
While the latter seemed a bit far-fetched, what exactly was Polaris? It was a transnational criminal organization with a global reach, a group that even Interpol struggled to contend with. They commanded vast mercenary teams, black-clad special operations units, and possibly even special forces personnel. They were the most brutal terrorists imaginable, and if they launched a full-scale assault, it wouldn't just be Guangdong province that would be affected; the entire Huaxia could be in peril.
As I gazed at the monitoring screens, I noticed countless red dots flashing.
At that moment, I almost blurted out something foolish like, "What exactly are you doing?" Instead, I corrected myself and, in a highly deferential tone, said, "Lord Dragon King, I am He Sheng, who has come specifically to pledge my allegiance! I vow to be loyal unto death to the Polaris criminal organization!"
The Dragon King paid me no mind, his gaze fixed on all the red dots on the screen. He then suddenly stubbed out his cigarette. In his hand, a dart appeared as if by magic, and he hurled it directly at me!
I tilted my neck, evading the projectile with astonishing speed. However, the Dragon King then drew several throwing knives from his boot and sent them flying towards me. Within the vast control room, I executed several somersaults and twists, narrowly avoiding every blade. Unbeknownst to me, I had already grasped the very knives the Dragon King had thrown.
I casually flipped the knife tips and respectfully returned them to the Dragon King's hand.
"Heh heh, Detective He, it truly is you. It seems you have undergone a complete transformation. Mr. Zhuge of Norway would surely be greatly encouraged to see you in this state. Very well, from today onwards, He Sheng, you are one of my people, the Dragon King's man. This underground pipeline company is now yours. I must depart to another location to execute a more crucial mission assigned to me by the organization..."
"Yes, Dragon King." He finally glanced down at me. His bald head bore a blood-red Polaris symbol seared onto his forehead. His features appeared somewhat decayed, yet this did not seem to affect his senses in the slightest. A green dragon was etched onto his shoulder, seemingly through a branding process, with the dragon's head forming a pattern around his neck. Its eyes were like two flawless emeralds, deeply embedded into his bone marrow. I now understood why he couldn't grow hair. His entire scalp was a canvas of various burns and wire-scratched wounds. Perhaps sensing my unnerving gaze at the shocking injuries, the Dragon King seemed compelled to explain what had happened.
"He Sheng, I was once a formidable detective myself, just as you are, stubbornly believing in justice in this world. But I later discovered that so-called justice couldn't help me, couldn't protect those close to me. I couldn't even save my own wife, let alone my family. My name is Edwin Solomon.
"They call me the Dragon King; it's merely a symbol within our criminal alliance. The World Criminal Alliance is comprised of several organizations, including the Sky Punishers as the supreme leader, Polaris as the deputy leader, the Sinners, the Addictionists, and others. Therefore, we at Polaris are merely under their control. I, the Dragon King, am a relatively significant figure within Polaris, but there are always greater powers beyond. One day, you will understand that arrogance serves no purpose."
The Dragon King was unlike any of the Polaris leaders I had encountered before. Those individuals, including Crofts and others, were overwhelmingly arrogant and completely disregarded the police. Yet, this Dragon King, Solomon, displayed a humble demeanor in my presence.
This was a truly formidable adversary. A person like this, incredibly cautious yet cunning, would be exceedingly difficult to apprehend.
At this moment, I felt as if Zhuge Liang had faced the unmoving Sima Yi at Wuzhang Plains. But I would not perish there like he did. I was determined to alter this history!
I continued to feign flattery and sincerity. At that instant, Solomon pressed a button on a machine. A hidden door slid open on the side of the control room. He then pulled me outside. At that very moment, I saw Marcus signaling to me.
Truthfully, I was a bit bewildered. I wondered if this Dragon King had perhaps lost his mind. However, after he led me out, I discovered a vast underground plaza. Countless mercenaries and black-clad figures stood rigidly before us!
I estimated there were at least a thousand people present. Upon seeing us, one mercenary exclaimed, "Dragon King, is this He Sheng?"
"Yes, he has arrived. Are you all happy? He is He Guanghui's son!"
"He Guanghui! Everyone, let's celebrate! Celebrate the return of Polaris's successor! He has returned!"
"Indeed, his appearance truly, truly resembles that person..."
For some unknown reason, after scrutinizing me for a few moments, the mercenaries and black-clad figures began to weep and prostrate themselves on the ground, bowing deeply...
I looked at the Dragon King in astonishment. He nodded at me, saying, "Everyone, do not get overly emotional. The successor of our leader has returned. We should be celebrating, not crying. Remember how the leader educated you. As He Sheng's teacher, I have been observing his every move all these years. Everyone, rise!"
"Do not forget, we are all steadfast servants of Polaris. We will all be dispatched by our great leader. Everyone, rise now!"
At that moment, I couldn't utter a single word. I wanted to resist, but I knew deep down that this was not the time. If I openly defied them now, I would be in grave danger. I realized that although they showed me respect, they were ultimately loyal to the Dragon King.