Chapter 726: Wind Rises

Wu Zhou Municipal Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Laboratory.

Liu Shu stood beside the DNA comparator, the progress bar on the screen slowly climbed to 100%. Technician Xiao Wang quickly tapped the keyboard, calling up the database comparison result.

"Chief Liu, a match." Xiao Wang's voice held suppressed excitement: "The owner of that hair has a criminal record—imprisoned for three years in 2018 for intentional injury, released just last year. Name Wang Hu, nickname Qingmianhu, a small-time thug in the southern part of the city, having worked under several bosses, specializing in dirty work."

Liu Shu leaned in, staring at the photo on the screen—a man in his thirties, his rough face pitted with many small acne scars, his gaze fierce.

"Check his recent movements and contacts." Liu Shu said in a low voice: "Especially before and after the accident."

"Already looking into it."

Xiao Wang brought up another window: "The communication records show that at 4 p. m. on the day of the accident, he received a call from an overseas virtual number, lasting three and a half minutes. At 3 a. m., his phone signal appeared near the northern section of Binjiang Road, staying for forty minutes, and later appeared near Dock No. 3."

The northern section of Binjiang Road is the accident scene.

Dock No. 3, that was Li Hengbo's originally planned escape destination.

Liu Shu's eyes narrowed: "This kid's involvement is not small, have you caught him?"

"Still locating." Xiao Wang said: "His phone signal last appeared in the western urban village, it was turned off two hours ago; I've already notified the field team to go investigate."

"Send more plainclothes, don't startle the snake." Liu Shu cautioned: "Wang Hu definitely has others behind him; arrest him and follow the vine to melon."

As his words fell, Liu Shu's phone rang.

The caller ID showed Fang Zhanhong.

Liu Shu frowned slightly, answered the call: "Secretary Fang, what's up?"

"Chief Liu, are you free to come to the municipal party committee?" Fang Zhanhong's voice showed no emotion: "Secretary Li wants to see you; there's an important matter to discuss."

"Shouldn't Secretary Li be resting in the hospital?" Liu Shu was somewhat surprised.

"He just left the hospital this morning." Fang Zhanhong paused: "Shuting's funeral is set for the day after tomorrow; Secretary Li said some things must be settled before the ceremony."

Liu Shu's heart stirred: "Understood, I'll be right over."

After hanging up, he told Xiao Wang: "Keep investigating Wang Hu; notify me immediately of any news. Also, assign two teams to take turns guarding Li Hengbo. Without my order, not a fly can be let in."

"Yes!"

……

At 10:10 a. m., Wu Zhou Municipal Party Committee Secretary's Office.

The curtains were half-drawn, the indoor light dim.

Li Zhenyang sat behind the desk, the gauze on his head removed, the suture scar on his forehead clearly visible, his left arm still slung across his chest.

The ashtray before him was full of cigarette butts, the air thick with tobacco smoke.

Only three days.

This man seemed to have aged ten or more years.

His eye sockets were sunken, his temples also sprouting white hair; the once imposing aura was replaced by deep fatigue and sorrow.

Yet the light in his eyes remained sharp as a hawk's.

"Chief Liu, have a seat."

Li Zhenyang pointed to the chair opposite.

Liu Shu sat down, noticing several documents spread on the desk; the top one bore the red-header words "Z Discipline Inspection and Supervision Commission".

"Any instructions from above?" Liu Shu asked tentatively.

Li Zhenyang did not answer the question; he simply picked up the red-header document and looked it over again.

Finally……

His fingers lightly rubbed the keywords "suspected of endangering national security" and "escort back to the capital for unified interrogation", his gaze dim and unreadable.

After Along while, he set down the documents and spoke slowly: "Chief Liu, you've followed me for twelve years. These twelve years, how have I treated you?"

Liu Shu's heart tightened: "Secretary Li, your kindness to me is as weighty as a mountain."

"As weighty as a mountain……"

Li Zhenyang repeated those four words, a bitter smile touching his lips: "Then tell me, what should I do now? My daughter is dead, the killer still lies in the hospital. The superiors want to transfer the criminal suspect, saying it's procedure, asking me to avoid suspicion… but who will avenge Shuting's death?"

His voice was soft, yet it carried a piercing, heart-wrenching pain.

Liu Shu opened his mouth.

Wanting to say something, but in the end he just remained silent.

"Li Mingtang's reasons for demanding the person are solid." Li Zhenyang looked at Liu Shu: "According to procedure, we must complete the transfer within forty-eight hours—what do you think?"

Liu Shu answered cautiously: "We can only comply with regulations. But Li Hengbo's injuries are severe; the doctor says he cannot withstand long-distance jostling at all. We can use this as grounds to request a postponement of the transfer, waiting until the suspect's condition stabilizes, then……"

"Useless."

Li Zhenyang cut him off.

He emphasized solemnly: "Li Mingtang specifically noted in the document that medical personnel could accompany the escort to ensure safety during transport. This time, they are determined to take Li Hengbo away."

He paused a moment.

Li Zhenyang asked Liu Shu again: "Chief Liu, who do you think was behind this accident?"

Liu Shu's heart jumped, he weighed his answer: "Still under investigation. The evidence so far shows that the accident driver Chen Dazhi was being used; the true mastermind is highly professional, his methods ruthless."

"Professional, ruthless……"

Li Zhenyang muttered to himself.

A flash of cold light crossed his eyes: "You say, could it be Lin Dongfan? He's always wanted Li Hengbo dead. Now that we need to detain him, in his desperation he would resort to such vicious means?"

"This……" Liu Shu hesitated: "From a motive standpoint, Lin Dongfan indeed has suspicion. But the technical division's investigation shows the remote brake device is an imported overseas model, and the communication route points abroad. Lin Dongfan may have considerable influence, but mobilizing resources of this level……"

"What do you mean?" Li Zhenyang pressed.

Liu Shu spoke with difficulty: "The possibility is very low; he's a politically reliable third-generation red, the Lin family is part of the establishment, he shouldn't be colluding with foreign forces."

The office fell into a brief silence.

Li Zhenyang leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, fingers gently massaging his temples. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtain gaps, casting mottled light and shadow on his face.

"Chief Liu."

Li Zhenyang suddenly spoke, his voice returning to its usual calm: "Just follow procedure. Li Hengbo can be transferred, but there is a condition. The escort convoy must be fully guarded by our Wu Zhou Police all the way until entering Jingcheng territory. This is our bottom line."

Liu Shu blinked: "Secretary Li, this doesn't comply with regulations. For inter-provincial escort, according to regulations the receiving side should lead; we can only cooperate up to the city border..."

"Shu Ting died in Wu Zhou, died at Li Hengbo's hands." Li Zhenyang opened his eyes, gaze like a blade: "As a father, I want to see the murderer escorted away with my own eyes; this request isn't excessive, right? As for the procedures, go coordinate with the Provincial Department, just say it's my order. If any problems arise, I'll take responsibility."

Liu Shu looked at Li Zhenyang, suddenly understood something.

Full escort...

This means that from the hospital to Jingcheng, a journey of thousands of kilometers, the Wu Zhou Police will fully control Li Hengbo's safety.

It also means that if any "accident" occurs along the way, the Wu Zhou Police will have the greatest operational leeway.

"I understand." Liu Shu said in a deep voice: "I'll go arrange it now; when will the escort convoy depart?"

"Tomorrow morning at six." Li Zhenyang stood up, walked to the window, back to Liu Shu: "We'll depart before dawn, to avoid the morning rush hour and also avoid certain people's eyes."

"Yes."

Liu Shu turned and left.

Upon reaching the door, he glanced back.

Li Zhenyang remained standing by the window, his silhouette appearing especially lonely in the dim light.

But for some reason, Liu Shu suddenly recalled Lin Dongfan's words: "What would a politician trapped in a desperate situation do? You and I both know."

He shivered, quickly walked out of the office.