Chapter 61: Too Terrifying

Seven hours later, on a certain highway, the helicopter, having refueled twice and resembling a falcon piercing through the darkness of the night, descended with a series of roars for a low-altitude flight.

“Upon identifying the vehicle suspected of aiding the suspect’s escape, we’ve initiated a blockade,” Wang Dong briefed. “Police personnel have been shadowing the vehicle for six hours, cautious not to act hastily to avoid endangering the hostages.”

“The driver, identified as a woman, appears to be in a state of fatigue. Our surveillance has confirmed no other individuals in the car apart from the driver,” he continued. “However, after deploying an infrared thermal imager to inspect the vehicle’s trunk, we detected a thermal signature.”

Listening to Wang Dong’s explanation while peering down through the helicopter window, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but marvel.

Thermal imagers, the pinnacle of technology, were once a spectacle reserved for cinematic experiences. 

Originating for military purposes, such devices now found utility in both defense and civilian contexts. In this era of technology, police gear has gotten significantly more sophisticated. There was a vast array of such cutting-edge tactics.

It was clear, just as Xiao Yu had deduced. The suspect was likely hiding in the trunk of that car.

Capturing the suspect might be simple, but ensuring the safety of the hostages was a challenge. 

‘What to do?’ Xiao Yu’s mind raced, seeking viable strategies.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a black commercial vehicle speeding on the highway. Commercial vehicles, often MPVs, were typically designed to seat seven or eight passengers. But what struck Xiao Yu as odd was this vehicle’s relentless overtaking, inching closer to the suspect’s car.

“It’s the military,” Wang Dong clarified.

Xiao Yu was baffled. 

‘What nonsense are you talking about? Since when can regular military forces be mobilized so easily?’

In local cases, managing to deploy even armed or special police units would be commendable. 

‘This isn’t a movie!’ he thought.

“The case has escalated too far and caused uproar at the top levels,” Wang Dong said with a forced smile, “Special forces have been deployed.”

Xiao Yu was left speechless.

In his past life, Xiao Yu had cracked countless significant cases, some even more critical than the one at hand. Yet, he had never encountered operations involving special forces.

The involvement of such elite military power was beyond the realm of ordinary life. The depiction in films and television of special forces tackling criminals now and then was, frankly, ludicrous.

The idea of deploying weapons of war, honed through immense investment and training by the state, for such tasks was laughable. It was not just overkill, it was akin to using nuclear bombs to swat mosquitoes.

Such an extreme response showed how angry the authorities were. 

Reflecting on it, Xiao Yu found it justified. The smuggling of hundreds, possibly thousands of bodies, was a matter no one could stand idly by. It demanded the most stringent repercussions and sanctions.

“It’s useless,” Xiao Yu shook his head, “unless we disregard the safety of the hostages.”

Indeed… 

A deeper shade of resignation colored Wang Dong’s expression. Wasn’t he acutely aware of this fact? Rules existed because they were universally upheld. Any breach invited the severest of retributions.

In a nation where the value of a human life surpassed all, no one dared to disregard the lives of the innocent, nor dared to act recklessly.

“Perhaps, there’s still a way,” Xiao Yu said, his gaze icy as he observed the suspect’s vehicle moving along the highway. “A person can go without food and water for a short time, but they can’t forever avoid using the restroom, right?”

“Why couldn’t they?” Wang Dong furrowed his brows. “What wouldn’t such people do?”

“It’s different,” Xiao Yu countered, shaking his head. “Some think they’re clever, relishing in their scheming. But, these individuals can’t stand personal disgrace. The ability to divert police attention to that villa, only to escape in the opposite direction, shows he’s not lacking in brains. Owen is likely such a person. I suspect it won’t be long before the suspect’s vehicle heads for a rest stop. If he can resist that urge and not stop, then we’re the ones in trouble. It’s not the smart ones who are frightening, it’s the brutes.”

Could someone of low intelligence engage in smuggling, only to be uncovered after six years?

Xiao Yu’s greatest skill was in analyzing the minds of criminals.

Did you really think his biggest advantage was the system?

No, it was his intellect, the simulation of the criminal mind. That was truly Xiao Yu’s most formidable cheat.

From his encounters with criminals in the past, Xiao Yu had deduced one thing. The more intelligent the criminal, the more they insist on dying with dignity. The thought of wetting or soiling themselves was utterly abhorrent to them.

It was the smart criminals who were easiest to handle. 

In contrast, the most dangerous criminals weren’t necessarily the intelligent ones, but those who were ruthlessly committed to their crimes, stopping at nothing to achieve their ends.

Half an hour later, the vehicle carrying the suspect pulled into a highway service area.

Wang Dong’s complexion shifted as he glanced at Xiao Yu, feeling a chill creep over him. It was like being exposed to the biting cold of midwinter without adequate clothing.

Was there anything beyond his deductive reach? 

If one day, this young man were to become an enemy, or worse, stand against the nation itself.

Wang Dong, with sweat beading on his forehead, dared not continue the thought. 

It was too terrifying!