The Encounter Begins

The train sped through the tunnel, and the sudden change in air pressure made everyone's eardrums slightly uncomfortable. Although this didn't affect Li Xuan much, he unexpectedly failed to notice someone approaching from behind.

"That watch... I'm giving it to you."

Though the tone was calm, it sent a chilling sensation through Li Xuan's heart. In an instant, his hair stood on end, and he became intensely alert.

Li Xuan sensed danger, not knowing the intentions of the person behind him. He felt a sense of imminent threat, his mind flooded with caution.

Li Xuan cautiously inquired, "Who are you?"

"You don't need to know who I am."

Wang Hua pulled out the stool behind Li Xuan and took a seat.

"You're quite skilled."

"Where did you learn?"

Li Xuan immediately realized that this unexpected person was likely an accomplice of the thief who tried to steal from him. The question about learning referred to the art of theft.

"Self-taught."

"Self-taught?"

Wang Hua was somewhat surprised but quickly accepted the answer. After all, he hadn't been taught by anyone either. Yet, precisely because of this, Wang Hua's passion for nurturing talent swelled. "Interested in joining me?"

"Your life could be much better than it is now."

Li Xuan furrowed his brows.

While conversing, his mind raced to determine the identity of the person addressing him. The voice didn't clearly reveal the speaker's age, but it exuded the demeanor of someone in a position of power.

Based on Li Xuan's encounter with the thief earlier, this individual might well be the leader of the thief's group. However, Li Xuan had no intention of accepting the offer. He promptly replied, "I have my own job."

"That's a pity."

Wang Hua continued, "I'll give you twenty hours. Before this train reaches Jinling, I hope to hear a satisfactory answer."

Suddenly, light filtered through the window, but this time, Li Xuan was extra cautious and didn't let any sound go unnoticed.

Whoosh!

As the train exited the tunnel, the sudden brightness illuminated the entire compartment. The transition from darkness to light temporarily affected Li Xuan's vision. However, his sense of hearing remained unaffected. Prepared for this, he swiftly turned around!

However, due to the obstructed sight, he only caught a glimpse of a blurry silhouette...

Even this indistinct figure swiftly vanished from his sight.

Only then did Li Xuan notice the fine beads of sweat on his forehead...

This mysterious person had undoubtedly brought immense pressure upon him!

"Who is this person?"

Li Xuan's brows furrowed tightly; he hadn't expected to encounter such a situation.

The train reverted to its earlier brightness, as if nothing had happened. Yet Li Xuan's previously calm demeanor was now replaced with intense nervousness.

He turned his gaze back to the window, his brows furrowed as he analyzed the situation based on the clues he had.

"The person asked if I wanted to join them."

"And they stood behind me during the tunnel..."

"First, this person is part of a group... Second, they wouldn't easily reveal themselves as the group leader."

"So cautious?"

"What kind of person is this?"

"If they really are a group, how did they board the train?"

"Or... did the Railway Police intentionally allow them on?"

Many uncertainties plagued his mind, and Li Xuan's expression grew more serious. In reality, he wasn't particularly worried about the threat posed by the mysterious individual. His greater concern was being apprehended by the police from Central Sea.

"Tsk..."

He clicked his tongue and stood up, walking toward the front of the train. It became clear that understanding the immediate surroundings wasn't enough; he needed to gather more information. At the very least, he needed to know the current situation he was in.

...

Central Sea City Police Department.

Jiang Jingtong and Zhang Tao were seated at the head of the conference room once again.

"Today, we've received information about Li Xuan again."

"This guy can't stay hidden forever. He's started to take action and has boarded the train to Jinling."

Jiang Jingtong held a file in his hand and spoke as he read.

Upon hearing his words, the expressions of the officers below changed.

"He left from the train station?"

"How did he manage that?"

"He's already on the train to Jinling? He escaped?"

Jiang Jingtong was well-aware of the hushed whispers below, but he didn't stop them or address their doubts.

"We've established contact with the Fentian Police Department. They're conducting a confidential operation on the same train."

"To avoid alarming him, they'll arrest the fugitive Li Xuan while commencing their operation."

"At this point, we can cancel the alerts at the train station, bus terminal, airport, and highways."

"Thank you all for your hard work over the past month."

Jiang Jingtong hesitated, feeling a bit uneasy and embarrassed. After a brief pause, he cleared his throat and continued, "Zhang Secretary, do you have anything to add?"

Zhang Tao glanced at Jiang Jingtong, his anger simmering. Allowing an 18-year-old kid to escape was beyond ridiculous. However, he couldn't display such emotions in front of the officers.

"Comrades, you've done well..."

Crash!

Before he could continue, a rough door-opening sound interrupted him.

Ye Gaoyi walked into the room. "Leaders, I'm willing to apprehend the suspect."

Zhang Tao remembered this guy; he had cut him off during his last speech. Despite his anger, Zhang Tao maintained his composure. He looked at Ye Gaoyi and said, "He's on the train. How will you catch him? Wait in Jinling?"

Ye Gaoyi immediately shook his head, speaking earnestly, "I'm going to Zhanchuan now. Train K331 arrives at Zhanchuan Station at 9:50 PM. I'll fly from Central Sea... There's still time!"

"Rather than pin our hopes on others, it's better if we take action ourselves!"

"Leaders, Fentian may not take our situation seriously. If we don't catch him..."

Ye Gaoyi stopped speaking, but everyone present understood what he meant.

The Central Sea Police Department had become a laughingstock. They couldn't even catch a student!

Zhang Tao clenched his teeth and immediately made a decision, "Go!"

Without a second word, Ye Gaoyi turned and left the conference room.

Jiang Jingtong watched Ye Gaoyi's departing figure and then glanced at Zhang Tao, sighing inwardly.

"What's a little embarrassment?"

"Just because you're going doesn't mean you'll catch Li Xuan."

"Do you think you going will guarantee his capture? If Fentian is so confident, then great. If they catch him, it's good for us. If they don't, it doesn't really matter to us, does it?"

But how could he say such words aloud?

By now, Ye Gaoyi had already rushed to the entrance of the police department and hailed a taxi, heading straight to the airport.