The entire provincial department was desperately trying to contact both of them. I went to the Information Department and asked He Xin to help track them using their mobile signals. The location was found to be on the road near a cosmetic surgery hospital in Dongyu Town, where their signals had disappeared simultaneously.
"They were also near Dongyu Town at that time?" I muttered.
"Send people to look around!"
I was utterly exhausted and couldn't move anymore. At this moment, officers from the second and third criminal investigation teams arrived. Upon learning that Xiahou and Xiao Yuande were missing, everyone mobilized overnight. I dozed off in my office, exhausted, and before I knew it, dawn had broken.
As soon as I woke up, I called colleagues from the second criminal investigation team. To my horror, none of them answered, and even some officers from the third team were unreachable. I started to feel extremely nervous. Could it be happening again...
I rushed out of the office and found only He Xin outside. I asked her, "Where are the others?"
"Didn't they go out to look for people? You're awake? Dad!"
"Their phones are all unreachable!"
I said nervously. He Xin then took out her phone and tried it. She cursed, "How could this be? This isn't some massive terrorist incident, is it? Are we going to have the same outcome no matter how many people we send out?"
As she spoke, He Xin was already investigating the mobile signals. When they saw dozens of red dots suddenly appear near Dongyu Town, we almost screamed.
Overcome by fear, I dialed Li Fan's number. Fortunately, it connected this time. I explained the situation to Li Fan, and he seemed to be in a car, saying, "You're saying the Punishment Squad members and officers from the second and third criminal investigation teams are all unreachable?"
"Exactly. What that bald guy said was true. Li Fan, prepare hundreds of special police for me. I'm going to sweep through Dongyu Town."
"Team Leader He, don't be impulsive. If what you just said is true, there are at least 50 officers missing now."
"Then what do you want me to do?"
"I'll come back first!" Li Fan seemed unwilling to argue and hung up.
While Li Fan was on his way back, I went out alone again. No one knew where I was going. In reality, I had just gone to a secluded corner outside when my phone rang. This time, it was a message from that "Dad": "He Sheng, don't let a small problem sway your decision. As long as you keep following the original path, you'll find an exit."
"Keep following the original path..." I repeated. Did Dad mean I should return to Dongyu Town?
But how would he know?
Some of his predictions had actually come true. Sometimes I even wondered if he was from Polaris, just saying all this to manipulate me.
I replied, "I'll try."
After that, I didn't check my phone. However, this time I didn't immediately do as my father suggested. Instead, I first went to the police cemetery. It had been several months since I last paid respects to him. I remembered it was Father's Day then.
Seeing his pale photograph again, I placed the prepared offerings in front of it and cleared away some weeds. As I was paying respects, I suddenly felt someone staring at me from behind. This feeling was the same as last time. In fact, I had sensed the presence behind me then. Perhaps that person didn't even realize I had noticed him.
This time, I deliberately didn't turn around and said directly, "Come out! Stop pretending. I know who you are."
I was referring to that old man. As expected, he didn't dare to hide. Only when I heard his footsteps behind me did I cautiously turn my head. "Tell me, why do you have that green-patterned jade? Do you know? That's not just an ordinary ornament; it's a family heirloom of the He family."
"Child, He Guanghui asked me to give it to you. He told me to stay here until I saw you and return this memento to you!"
"What is your relationship with my father?"
"Alas, I was also a police officer in the past, and his subordinate..."
As the old man spoke, his expression suddenly turned sad as he recalled the past. The old man's name was Lu Chusheng. Upon hearing this name, I was completely shocked. It turned out he was the one who had helped me before.
I gripped his hand tightly. "Officer Lu, I'm so grateful for your help last time!"
"It's nothing, hahahaha. Thirty years ago, if it weren't for the "Detective of Judgment," I probably wouldn't be standing here talking to you now!"
I had initially thought Lu Chusheng was not much older than me, but I didn't expect him to be so old.
After a moment of reflection, Lu Chusheng said to me, "We conducted those arrests together back then. During the last one, Guanghui, Lánzhēn, and Qǐmíng, as well as myself, were all present. We were advancing in the same direction. The fog that day was extremely dense, and the tree leaves almost completely blocked the sunlight in the forest. Your father, however, was fearless and led the way for us. But when we reached the vicinity of some rocks, He Qiming intended to go in another direction, believing it would be more effective to surround the criminals.
Your father pondered for a moment, but he refused. He Qiming insisted on acting alone and left by himself. There was nothing he could do. Your father then asked me to follow him secretly. That's why he and your mother went deep into that dangerous area alone.
At that time, there were quite a few swamps in that area, and one would get lost almost immediately upon entering. Many officers stopped there. When danger struck and Pierce appeared, gunshots were heard from not far away. I was still looking for He Qiming, but I was also worried about He Guanghui's safety. There was nothing I could do but give up my search and head towards the gunshots, weapon in hand.
As I advanced through the dense fog, the gunshots grew louder and closer. I used the trees for cover, moving left and right with great caution. However, when I reached a certain point, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my back as someone grabbed my neck forcefully!
I tried to resist, but the person was quick. In less than a second, my gun was thrown to the ground. 'Officer Lu, I'm sorry!'
'He Qiming, why?'
'I'm actually part of the organization. That's right, I've betrayed you. I'm sorry, Officer Lu, but I won't harm you even so!'
'Damn it, how did we not see this?'
'Could it be that you and Officer Du are also...'
'No, she doesn't know anything. Everything was my decision. If I hadn't done this, she would have been finished. I don't have time to explain the specifics now. If you want to take something with you before they die, do as I say!'"