Chapter 186: Blood‑Stained Dawn

After the military‑industrial mission was successfully completed, the relaxed atmosphere was quickly replaced by new tension. Based on the clues provided by Chen Ming, the Public Security Bureau followed the trail and uncovered a deeply embedded Spy Network. The net‑capture operation was set for 4 a. m., and Li Ping'an personally led the team in coordination.

Director, everything is arranged. Wang Dahu lowered his voice and pointed to a two‑story building not far away. According to intelligence, there are at least five spies inside, all armed.

Li Ping'an glanced at his wristwatch—3:50 a. m. The surroundings were silent, save for occasional dog barks. He gave a hand signal, and the team members slipped away silently, forming an encircling ring.

Remember, stay alive, Li Ping'an instructed, especially the leader with that codename.

At exactly four o'clock, the operation began. The deafening crash of a battering ram smashing the wooden door split the night, and the team surged into the courtyard like a tide.

Don't move!

Raise your hands!

The rebuke echoed through the yard. Two spies on the first floor were subdued while still asleep, but gunfire erupted from the second floor.

Bad! Li Ping'an's face changed; he was the first to rush up the stairs.

In the second‑floor corridor, a team member lay in a pool of blood, blood spurting from his chest. Another teammate was returning fire, bullets whistling through the cramped space.

Wang Dahu, cover! Li Ping'an shouted, as someone rolled over to the wounded.

The injured one was the new recruit Xiao Zhang, only nineteen. His face was pale, his lips trembling: "Director… Director…"

Don't speak, hold on. Li Ping'an tore open his shirt, saw the bullet lodged in his left chest—critical condition.

At that moment, another gunshot rang from the room at the end of the corridor, followed by Wang Dahu's muffled groan.

Dahu! Li Ping'an's heart tightened.

"No… it's nothing…" Wang Dahu's voice came from the room, a small piece of skin torn…

Li Ping'an quickly gave Xiao Zhang a simple bandage, then told the team behind him: "Take him to the Yi Yuan! Quickly!"

Two teammates hoisted Xiao Zhang and ran downstairs. Li Ping'an darted into the room, where Wang Dahu leaned against the wall, his arm drenched in blood. The window was wide open, clearly someone had leapt out to escape.

How are you? Li Ping'an examined Wang Dahu's wound.

Just a scratch. Wang Dahu gritted his teeth, "Two bullets went through, one might be…"

A cold glint flashed in Li Ping'an's eyes:

He vaulted out the window, landing on the mud in the rear yard. In the darkness, two black silhouettes were scaling the back wall.

Stop! Li Ping'an barked sternly.

Bullets answered him. The spy turned atop the wall and fired; a bullet struck the wall beside Li Ping'an, spraying a shower of sparks.

Li Ping'an sidestepped, a silver needle firing from his hand. A scream rang out as a black silhouette toppled from the wall, but the other had already leapt over and vanished into the night.

Damn! Wang Dahu, arriving later, cursed, "Nightingale got away!"

Li Ping'an approached the spy subdued by the silver needle, tore off his mask. It was an unfamiliar face, a silver needle embedded in his right shoulder, and he was groaning in pain.

Where did Nightingale go?

The spy sneered, suddenly trying to bite a poison pill to kill himself, but Li Ping'an was prepared, seized his jaw and removed the poison‑laden fake tooth.

Want to die? Not that easy.

At dawn, the operation ended. Four spies were captured, one was killed, and only one escaped. But the cost was heavy: Xiao Zhang succumbed en route to the Yi Yuan due to severe injuries; Wang Dahu was hit in the arm and required hospitalization; two other teammates sustained minor wounds.

Li Ping'an stood in the Yi Yuan corridor, watching the nurse wheel away Xiao Zhang's body, his fists white‑knuckled. That youthful face, never having lost its childlike hue, was forever frozen at nineteen.

Director… Wang Dahu, after bandaging his wound, walked over, "It's not your fault."

Li Ping'an remained silent for a long while, then hoarsely said, "He was still so young…"

Returning to the Steel Rolling Mill, a stifling atmosphere shrouded the Security Department. The teammates kept their heads down, no one spoke. Xiao Zhang's seat was empty, and on the table lay the half‑bun he hadn't finished.

Director, the Public Security Bureau called, a teammate whispered, "Deputy Director Liu wants you to come over."

In the Public Security Bureau conference room, the atmosphere was equally heavy.

This operation, we paid a blood‑stained price, Deputy Director Liu said gravely, "but we also made a significant gain."

He pointed to the seized documents on the table: the intelligence shows that Zhu Jiguān is plotting a larger conspiracy. Their goal is not merely to disrupt production, but to create mass panic.

Li Ping'an opened a file that recorded the spies' plan to launch simultaneous attacks on several major factories in Beijing during the Spring Festival.

They're going all‑in, Li Ping'an said.

Therefore we must completely destroy this network before the Spring Festival. Deputy Director Liu looked at him, "Li Ping'an, your pressure is huge."

Leaving the Public Security Bureau, Li Ping'an didn't return directly to the plant, but went to the Union Hospital where Lin Xueqing was.

What brings you here? Lin Xueqing said, having just finished a surgery, her face weary.

I came to see you, Li Ping'an whispered.

Lin Xueqing keenly sensed his mood was off: "What happened?"

Li Ping'an briefly recounted the pre‑dawn operation and the casualties. When he mentioned Xiao Zhang's sacrifice, Lin Xueqing's eyes reddened.

He was only nineteen… she murmured.

It was my mistake, Li Ping'an said, closing his eyes in pain, "if I had planned more meticulously…"

Don't say that. Lin Xueqing grasped his hand, "On the battlefield, no one can guarantee zero casualties."

Her hand was warm, giving Li Ping'an's icy heart a hint of warmth.

Your wound… Li Ping'an noted the bandage on her wrist.

I nicked it during surgery, just a minor cut. Lin Xueqing smiled lightly, "But you, your complexion looks off; should we check?"

I'm fine. Li Ping'an stood, "I just came to see you. I should return to the plant."

Wait a moment. Lin Xueqing pulled a small pill bottle from the drawer, "This is a calming medicine; take one when you can't sleep. Don't push yourself."

Li Ping'an took the bottle, a warm surge rising in his heart: "Thank you."

Returning to the Siheyuan, night had fallen. Li Pingle was heating rice, and when he saw his brother return, he greeted him joyfully.

"Brother, you're back! I made the braised dish you love…" Her sentence halted abruptly, and she looked at Li Ping'an with concern, "Brother, what's wrong with you?"

It's nothing, just tired. Li Ping'an forced a smile.

You're lying. Li Pingle grabbed his hand, "Did something happen?"

Under Li Pingle's repeated questioning, Li Ping'an could only briefly explain today's events.

Brother Xiao Zhang... was sacrificed? Li Pingle was stunned; just last week he had come to the house for a meal and said he would marry after the New Year...

The brother and sister sat opposite each other in silence, and the dishes on the table gradually cooled.

That night, Li Ping'an indeed suffered insomnia. As soon as he closed his eyes, all he saw was Xiao Zhang's pallid face and blood covering the ground. He got up, took the medicine Lin Xueqing had given him, and only then managed to fall asleep reluctantly.

Early the next morning, Li Ping'an arrived at the Security Department. The team members' morale was still low, and upon seeing him they forced themselves to lift their spirits.

Chief...

Chief early...

Li Ping'an stood in the center of the office, looking around at these comrades he had spent day and night with.

I know everyone's mood is heavy. His voice was a bit hoarse; Xiao Zhang is gone, Wang Dahu is still in the hospital. This blood debt, we must settle!

The team members lifted their heads, and renewed fighting spirit flared in their eyes.

But anger alone is not enough. Li Ping'an continued, we must be more cautious, more professional. We cannot give the enemy any more opportunities.

He began to redeploy the work, strengthening safety measures at every link. At the same time, he intensified the hunt for fugitive agents.

At noon, he went to Yi Yuan to visit Wang Dahu.

Chief, when can I be discharged? Wang Dahu asked impatiently, the team is currently short of manpower.

First, heal your injuries. Li Ping'an placed fruit on the bedside table and said not to worry about the team's affairs.

And Xiao Zhang's funeral arrangements...

The Steel Factory will arrange it properly. Li Ping'an's tone was heavy; he will be posthumously recognized as a martyr.

After leaving Yi Yuan, Li Ping'an deliberately took a detour to Xiao Zhang's home. It was a large courtyard; Xiao Zhang's parents were ordinary workers. Upon learning of their son's sacrifice, the elderly couple wept until they became a blur of tears.

Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, Xiao Zhang was a brave fighter; the Steel Factory decided to award Xiao Zhang the title of martyr, and this is Xiao Zhang's stipend. Li Ping'an took out five hundred yuan, clasped the two elders' hands, and said if there are any difficulties, come find me at any time.

Back at the Steel Factory, Li Ping'an locked himself in his office. On the desk lay the file; this cunning spy leader had added another human blood debt to his hands.

Ding—ding— the Telephone rang.

Li Chief? It was a stranger's voice, saying they had prepared a gift for you, placed at the old spot.

The Telephone was hung up immediately. Li Ping'an promptly led a team to the abandoned factory where the last intelligence handover took place, and there discovered an Iron Box.

Inside the box was a bullet and a note: The next one is you.

Li Ping'an let out a cold laugh, pinching the bullet in his hand.

He has resolved this war.