Chapter 118: Arrogance?

The tension in the air was palpable. Li Zhengdao’s brows were deeply furrowed, casting shadows on his already stern face. Every officer in the vicinity could sense the weight of the situation, a silent testament to its gravity.

No matter how high his rank, this was a crisis that demanded utmost care. One wrong move and the fallout would be catastrophic. His hard-earned career might be jeopardized, or worse, he could find himself behind bars.

Officers nearby exchanged uneasy glances, their faces drawn with anxiety. They all awaited Li Zhengdao’s next move, sensing the pivotal moment at hand.

Taking a deep breath, Li Zhengdao turned to the closest officer, his voice betraying a hint of impatience, “Is SWAT positioned?”

“They’ve encircled the mall and have the high ground. But with the criminals holding sixty hostages inside? It’s a complex situation, sir,” the officer replied, his gaze fixed on a distant point, perhaps imagining the scene inside.

Li Zhengdao’s voice turned steelier, demanding, “Get me Captain Li. Now.”

Moments later, Captain Li, an imposing figure dressed in SWAT gear, approached with purposeful strides. When he reached Li Zhengdao, he paused, standing at attention, and offered a crisp salute. “Chief.”

Li Zhengdao didn’t waste any time. “Captain, talk to me. How confident are we in a successful extraction?”

Captain Li met his gaze, eyes reflecting the weight of responsibility. “Sir, it’s not going to be easy. These aren’t run-of-the-mill criminals. They’ve got tactical know-how, perhaps even more than some of our younger recruits. If we take them on directly, there will be a price.”

Another officer, a younger man with a fresh scar on his cheek, added, “We did manage to neutralize four during the initial skirmish. But that victory came at a heavy price. We lost three of our own men and two SWAT members. And we have another twelve officers nursing injuries. Their firepower is impressive, clearly military-grade. They’ve positioned themselves strategically within the mall, using the hostages as both shield and leverage. If we make an aggressive move? It could be catastrophic, not just for our men, but for the hostages as well.”

Li Zhengdao processed the information, his face a mask of contemplation. After what felt like an eternity, he exhaled slowly, his voice carrying a hint of resigned determination, “So, our best move now is to wait.”

The younger officer looked puzzled, “Wait, sir?”

Li Zhengdao nodded, eyes sharp, “They’ve made their move, taking hostages but not resorting to mindless violence. They’re playing a game, and they want something. We’ll listen.”

“Since we don’t have a direct advantage at this juncture, we exercise patience,” Li Zhengdao declared, trying to exude calm in front of his men. “We’ll stand by, wait for their demands, and strategize accordingly.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than an officer raced towards him, a mobile device clutched in his hand. “Chief Li, someone on the line claims their call is related to the perpetrators inside the mall.”

Grasping the situation’s potential gravity, Li Zhengdao took the phone, “Chief Li Zhengdao of the Jinghai City Police Department speaking. Proceed.”

A composed, yet discernibly feminine voice responded, “Hello, Chief Li. I’m Wan Caixuan, President of Brilliant Aya Limited.”

Li Zhengdao’s eyebrows raised a fraction. The name wasn’t foreign to him. Brilliant Aya Limited was an industry titan in Jinghai City, and Wan Caixuan was whispered to belong to Xia Country’s elite echelons.

“Miss Wan, with due respect, the clock is ticking. Can we bypass formalities and delve into the matter at hand?” Li Zhengdao’s tone was one of urgency.

“Certainly,” came her swift reply. “My personal bodyguard is inside that mall. He requested this call be made. I believe you should speak with him directly.”

She then relayed the pertinent contact details and disconnected.

A glimmer of hope stirred within Li Zhengdao. Only moments ago, they were grappling with uncertainty, and now, seemingly from nowhere, an insider had reached out.

His men, too, seemed a shade more animated. While the road to a potential resolution was undoubtedly long and fraught with peril, they were no longer entirely in the dark.

Without missing a beat, Li Zhengdao immediately called the number Wan Caixuan had given.

***

Nestled in a discreet corner of the mall, Lin Xiao lay in wait. His eyes, sharp and predatory, fixed on a robber hidden behind the entrance of the first floor.

In mere minutes, he had managed to discern the criminals’ layout. Six in total, two guarded the first floor, and the rest were stationed on the third.

The mall’s design was relatively simple. The bustling activity was predominantly concentrated across the initial three floors, with the fourth floor housing a scarcely populated cinema. The fifth floor, where Huang Xinyu and Huang Caixing were hiding, was lined with empty warehouses and seemed utterly deserted.

The bandits on the first floor vigilantly watched the mall’s two primary exits. Those on the third floor had a more daunting task, guarding a throng of terrified hostages.

Lin Xiao was confident in neutralizing the duo on the ground floor. He only hesitated because of the quartet on the third floor. Ensuring the safety of the hostages was paramount, and he wasn’t sure how they would react if they found out their comrades were taken down. So for now, he waited, poised and ready.

The discreet hum of Lin Xiao’s phone interrupted his watch. Without hesitation, he answered.

“Am I addressing Mr. Lin Xiao?” a determined voice asked from the other side.

“You are?” Lin Xiao asked, keeping his hawk-like gaze on the criminal below.

“I’m Chief Li Zhengdao, head of Jinghai City Police Department, currently overseeing this hostage situation. We’re positioned outside the mall, weighing our options.”

Li Zhengdao tried to maintain his authority, but the strain was evident in his voice. “What’s the status inside? Have they harmed anyone? Any fatalities?”

Remaining cool in front of a high-ranking official, Lin Xiao detailed, “The majority of the hostages are untouched. But there’s one fatality, and another injured. Six culprits altogether. Four have cornered hostages on the third floor, and the other two guard the mall’s first floor. In my estimation, a frontal assault would be ill-advised.”

Hearing the grim update, a pang of anguish forced Li Zhengdao to pound his fist against the nearby police vehicle, his spirits plummeting further.

The call was on speaker, allowing the gathered officers to hang onto Lin Xiao’s every word. A mix of anger and helplessness echoed in their expressions. The criminals had the advantage, and the police force, despite their eagerness to intervene and rescue, couldn’t rush in without a plan.

Li Zhengdao’s voice conveyed a mix of desperation and skepticism, “Mr. Lin, I’ve been informed you’re President Wan’s personal bodyguard. Do you have any insights or suggestions that might help us manage this hostage situation?”

Deep down, he wasn’t truly convinced that Lin Xiao could offer any viable solutions. After all, how could Lin Xiao, a lone individual without any weapons, stand a chance against six heavily armed adversaries?

Still, considering their dire circumstances, Li Zhengdao thought it prudent to at least listen to what Lin Xiao might suggest.

“I can secure the hostages, but I’ll need your full cooperation,” Lin Xiao’s words cut through the tense air, sending ripples of surprise among the police officers on the other end.

Li Zhengdao paused momentarily, caught off guard by Lin Xiao’s bold claim, but swiftly countered, “Mr. Lin, how do you propose we execute the rescue?”

“Neutralize all the criminals. Once they’re out of the picture, the hostages are inherently safe, aren’t they?” Lin Xiao said nonchalantly.

Arrogant! Naive! Such were the sentiments that surged through the minds of the listeners upon hearing Lin Xiao’s proclamation.