Chapter 7: Never Misses

He’s going to kill me!

Li Banfeng couldn’t accept this reality.

The big-eyed man also couldn’t accept the order: “Boss Xiao, he just took something—do we really have to kill him?”

“It’s an order, Lightbulb. You don’t know how important this thing is, or how many people it could kill!”

Don’t forget why your parents lost their lives, don’t forget what kind of enemy we’re facing!”

For the safety of the majority, he must be eliminated immediately. This is our duty, our mission.”

“But, Boss Xiao...”

“No buts. Find a place with no one around, act, retrieve the item, and hide the body. I’ll send someone to handle it.”

The call ended.

Lightbulb stood in the corner, staring with wide eyes, expression blank.

He didn’t know what to do.

After over a minute, he adjusted his breathing and walked to the supermarket entrance, peering inside.

Li Banfeng bought a bottle of cola, two boxes of chips, two packs of spicy strips—extremely spicy—then strolled casually toward the checkout.

After paying, Li Banfeng left the campus supermarket, walking along the path between the second teaching building and the library.

It was lunch break, nearing summer vacation—no one was on this path.

Beyond the path, not far ahead, was the school’s east gate; less than eight hundred meters from the gate was the subway station.

Li Banfeng walked quickly along the path when Lightbulb suddenly blocked his way.

The two stood less than five meters apart, locking eyes for a moment.

Lightbulb took a deep breath and mentally rehearsed what he was supposed to say.

He was supposed to say: “Put your hands on your head, squat down, and cooperate with our investigation.”

Once Li Banfeng squatted, that would be the perfect moment to kill him.

But when Lightbulb finally spoke, he said something else: “I don’t want to hurt you, but if you don’t obey my orders, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

This wasn’t something an Dark Star Bureau agent should say—but under extreme tension, the words slipped out.

Lightbulb truly didn’t want to kill. He added to Li Banfeng: “Put your backpack on the ground, then extend your hands. Wait here with me for someone.”

After speaking, Lightbulb pulled out a pair of handcuffs.

He wanted to restrain Li Banfeng and wait for Boss Xiao to arrive. If Boss Xiao insisted on killing him, then Li Banfeng truly deserved it.

Li Banfeng nodded, unslung his backpack, and slowly placed it on the ground.

Lightbulb’s gaze never left the backpack. The moment it touched the ground, his heart eased.

After all, he’s just a student—doesn’t understand anything. Catching him is easier than catching a chicken.

Boss Xiao seeing him like this might spare his life.

Lightbulb reached for the handcuffs to cuff Li Banfeng, but didn’t notice Li Banfeng pulling a spicy strip from his pant pocket—extremely spicy.

Li Banfeng whipped his arm, hurling the strip at Lightbulb.

Within five meters, he never misses.

The strip struck Lightbulb’s left eye. Burning, searing pain surged—he immediately clapped his hand over his eye.

At the same time, a second strip flew out—Li Banfeng hit Lightbulb’s right eye.

Lightbulb covered both eyes, blinded.

He never expected Li Banfeng would attack him.

Li Banfeng truly didn’t want to get involved in this—this was true.

But now that he was involved, he wouldn’t turn back—this was also true.

A layer of oily, sticky fluid oozed from Lightbulb’s body—he prepared for a brutal fight with Li Banfeng.

He was nervous. This was his first real battle since joining the Dark Star Bureau. Faced with an emergency, he activated his dark energy ability.

So ruthless!

This Li Banfeng strikes with terrifying cunning!

He’d underestimated him.

Now blind, he mustn’t act recklessly—otherwise he’d suffer dearly.

First, hold his ground, defend, and retreat to advance!

Is Li Banfeng better at close combat or ranged attacks?

Close combat? No problem. He’s just a white lamb. If he faces me, he’s the one who’ll suffer.

But if he’s ranged... that’s trouble...

Long minutes passed. Lightbulb waited, but Li Banfeng didn’t attack.

Through the pain, Lightbulb opened his eyes—but Li Banfeng was gone.

He ran?

Yes, he ran.

Li Banfeng, backpack in hand, had already reached the east gate.

Lightbulb concentrated the sticky fluid on his feet, bent his knees, and pushed forward in alternating strides—like ice skating—he sprinted after him.

Li Banfeng ran fast too. He dashed eight hundred meters and sprinted into the subway entrance.

Near the subway entrance, pedestrians grew thicker. Lightbulb retracted the sticky fluid, returning to a normal running posture.

He didn’t want to draw attention or harm innocent bystanders.

Lightbulb entered the subway station—Li Banfeng had already boarded.

Lightbulb rushed toward the doors, but “Ding-dong, ding-dong” rang—the doors closed.

Watching Li Banfeng slide away through the carriage until he vanished into the tunnel, Lightbulb waited anxiously for the next train.

Wait—why am I waiting here for the subway?

My car’s parked at the school. Why am I waiting for the subway here?

Think—where would he go?

How do I know where he’s going? How do I know which station he’ll get off at?

Chasing someone on the subway is too hard!

Helplessly, Lightbulb called Xiao Zhenggong.

“Boss Xiao, I lost him.”

Xiao Zhenggong’s tone was furious: “How could you lose him? Didn’t I tell you to kill him immediately?”

“I didn’t find a good opportunity to act,” Lightbulb dared not admit he’d underestimated Li Banfeng and let him escape.

Xiao Zhenggong asked: “Which way did he go?”

“He just boarded the subway.”

“Which line?”

“Line 4, 11:45, departed from University City, heading toward Meiyun Square.” Lightbulb remembered clearly.

Xiao Zhenggong fell silent.

Lightbulb was tense. He knew Xiao Zhenggong was furious. He quickly reported his idea: “Boss Xiao, if we contact the authorities to close all exits of Line 4, we’ll definitely catch Li Banfeng.”

Xiao Zhenggong roared: “Close subway exits? What are you thinking? Do you want this to spread across all of Yuezhou? Do you want everyone in Yuezhou to know you’re a useless fool?!”

Lightbulb clenched his teeth, saying nothing.

Xiao Zhenggong thought a moment: “Line 4 leads to Yuezhou East Station. If Li Banfeng wants to leave the city, go straight to Yuezhou East Station and intercept him.”

Lightbulb muttered: “We could notify the station not to let Li Banfeng board...”

Xiao Zhenggong roared: “How many times must I tell you? This matter is critical—no leaks! No panic!”

The train station is crowded. If you spot him, don’t act yet. Wait for the right moment to kill him—absolutely no one must notice!”

Lightbulb, your parents were heroes. I know you’re not a failure. This simple task—I believe you can handle it.

Don’t bring shame to the Dark Star Bureau. Don’t bring shame to your parents!”

Xiao Zhenggong hung up.

Lightbulb sprinted back to campus, started his car.

On the way to East Station, Lightbulb gripped the steering wheel tightly.

Useless fool!

Don’t bring shame to your parents!

Lightbulb wiped his swollen eyes, gritted his teeth repeatedly.

He’s just a college student.

He’s still a lunatic, isn’t he?

How could he escape me?

How could I let him escape?

I’m not a failure.

If Li Banfeng really went to the station, he must be killed immediately—no mercy.

Xiao Zhenggong put on civilian clothes, descended from the second floor of his villa to the garage, and started his car.

Lightbulb, don’t make a scene. Don’t let anyone notice.

Kill Li Banfeng, and you’ll get the item.

I’ll kill you again, and the matter will be over.

……

The subway arrived at Yanbi Station; the next stop is Yuezhou East Station.

To Li Banfeng’s left was a burly man, his dark blue clothes speckled with gray-white mud.

Li Banfeng smiled at the burly man.

To Li Banfeng’s right was a beautiful woman, her shoulder-length hair flowing, earphones in her ears.

Li Banfeng also smiled at the beautiful woman.

At this hour, I didn’t expect the subway to be this crowded.

Li Banfeng opened his backpack and began taking off his clothes on the subway.

The already crowded carriage instantly cleared a space; everyone around him cast strange glances and quickly retreated away from him.

After removing his clothes, Li Banfeng began taking off his pants.

The beautiful woman screamed.

The burly man screamed along with her.

Some elders covered their children’s eyes.

Many people stared at Li Banfeng and shouted in unison: “Pervert.”

Li Banfeng took out a long-sleeved white shirt and black dress pants from his backpack and put them on.

Then he pulled out a hiking cap and placed it on his head.

The entire process took less than a minute; before the carriage descended into total chaos, the subway reached Dong Station, and Li Banfeng immediately got off.

After exiting the subway station, he stood beside the train station turnstiles and sent a message to He Jiaqing: “Did you buy the ticket?”

“Bought it. You can pass through the turnstile now.”

Swiping his ID card through the turnstile, Li Banfeng saw the bulb standing beside it—but the bulb didn’t notice Li Banfeng.

The bulb was serious and tense, trying hard to observe every person entering the turnstile.

But it was impossible: Dong Station’s passenger flow was astonishingly huge; too many people passed through, and he only paid attention to those wearing T-shirts.

After passing the turnstile, Li Banfeng relaxed. He Jiaqing sent a message: “Why did so many people call you a pervert on the subway?”

Why did he ask that? Couldn’t he see?

Could he only hear, not see?

Li Banfeng replied: “I changed clothes on the subway.”

“Are you crazy?”

“I’m not crazy.”

“Aren’t you afraid of causing a disturbance?”

“It took less than a minute. It’s not that serious.”

He Jiaqing couldn’t understand: “You changed that fast?”

Li Banfeng thought it was normal: “Don’t you wonder how I got out of the hospital in the first place?”

He Jiaqing replied: “You ran away? They didn’t bring you back?”

Li Banfeng didn’t bother explaining this question.

Why would they bother catching me?

That was a psychiatric ward, not a mental hospital.

……

He waited nearly half an hour beside the turnstile—the bulb never saw Li Banfeng.

The bulb grew more anxious when he suddenly saw Deputy Team Leader Xiao Zheng appear before him.

“Team Leader Xiao, what are you doing here…?”

“How long are you planning to wait here?” Xiao Zheng showed his credentials, said two words to the staff, and led the bulb straight through the turnstile.

Scanning the waiting hall, Xiao Zheng took the bulb to the far end of the second waiting area, passed the restroom, and entered an underground passage.

(5 PM. One more chapter coming.)

PS: Dear readers, if you have monthly tickets, give them to Shala.

(End of chapter)