Chapter 1013 - 998

Chapter 1013: Chapter 998

Clearly, Old Zhao wasn’t concerned about the contents of the record book. After all, similar incidents occur daily. Although it was tragic how those officers died, the survivors, having grown accustomed to such events, were not particularly upset.

However, since Old Xu brought up this matter specifically, Old Zhao figured he must have a reason.

Without delay, he followed Old Xu’s instructions and turned to the last page of the record book.

"This..." The expected list of criminals didn’t appear. Old Zhao glanced at Xu Renjie, remembering clearly that the record book mentioned the contents listed on the final page were supposed to be the criminal list.

Luo Baochun was just as surprised as Old Zhao. When Old Xu asked Old Zhao to turn to the last page, his heart nearly jumped to his throat.

Nothing! From the marks on the last page, it looked like it had been torn out.

Seeing this scene, Luo Baochun also glanced at Xu Renjie, unexpectedly meeting his gaze.

As their eyes met, Old Xu slightly nodded, as if to reassure Luo Baochun not to worry.

"Whew~" Luo Baochun let out a long breath, realizing Old Xu wasn’t intending to betray him. Recalling what Old Xu said before departing, Luo Baochun was further convinced.

"The list on the top was torn. Xiao Hu, do you remember that dead body we saw at the precinct?"

"Are you talking about the one in the prison?" There was more than one corpse at the precinct, Hu Xiaodong confirmed.

"Yes, that’s him! If I’m not mistaken, he should have been the station chief of that precinct and the keeper of this notebook."

With Hu Xiaodong joining in, Old Xu could continue his narrative seamlessly.

"I think this is likely what happened: while negotiating with the criminals, the chief was struck by a black hand and they took his gun to kill him. Fearing their identities would be exposed, these people tore out the notebook. After destroying evidence, they gathered resources and equipment from the precinct and fled. That’s why we found nothing when we arrived."

"Yes, what you said makes sense. But Old Xu, discussing this now, what good does it do? The incident has already happened; it seems that the life or death of those people doesn’t concern us." Hu Xiaodong didn’t quite understand why Old Xu was discussing this at this point.

But Old Zhao found something intriguing: "Hehe, Old Xu, are you worried that this group might pose a threat to us? Afraid they might find out our whereabouts and harm us?"

Having been stabbed in the back multiple times before, Old Zhao instinctively suspected Old Xu was worried about the escapee.

"Yes!" Confirming with a nod, Old Xu said seriously, "Since these people were extradited by SWAT, they likely aren’t kind souls. Previously, they were constrained by law. Now, in this post-apocalyptic world, it’s even more fertile ground for their misdeeds. I believe if they know our location, they will undoubtedly act, so..."

"So you plan to strike first?" Hu Xiaodong raised an eyebrow and asked.

Old Zhao was also puzzled: "We don’t even know the location of these people. What are you planning to do, Old Xu?"

"No, I might know where they are currently."

As soon as he said this, everyone present, including Old Zhao, Hu Xiaodong, and the survivors, tensed up.

"Old Xu, do you know where they are?"

"Are they far from us?"

"How do you know? Is it mentioned here?"

"No, Old Xu, I’ve read this notebook; it doesn’t mention where they went?"

One by one, everyone questioned Old Xu, except Luo Baochun, who watched Old Xu calmly.

As the only one who knew the truth, he knew it was best to remain silent and cooperate with Old Xu’s lie.

"Yes, the notebook indeed mentions the location of the criminals. However, I saw a phone record note in the chief’s office as well. It had two sentences written: one was ’stay for assistance,’ and the other was a place. The location is listed after the ’stay for assistance’ sentence. So I speculate, the precinct must have received two upper-level instructions: one was to stay and organize rescue personnel. The latter, as the situation deteriorated, the rescue team couldn’t delve into the village, they instructed the precinct folks to meet up at the specified location to facilitate rescue."

"Your analysis makes sense, Old Xu. Are you planning to check out that place?"

"Yes, I believe if that location exists, the criminals might head there."

"But even if they might go there, they might not be there now." Wen Quanxin timely refuted.

Old Xu, having anticipated this, responded calmly: "Indeed, they might not be there now, but if they succeed, it’s hard to say if they didn’t settle nearby."

"Why? Old Xu, why are you so sure? They’re criminals; I don’t think they have the ability to wipe out the rescue personnel." Wen Quanxin persisted, though Old Xu’s remarks were somewhat unreliable.

"No, I’m not sure they will be there. As for whether they can eliminate the rescue team... Don’t forget, those rescuers aren’t familiar with the prisoners’ appearances. If the criminals are smart enough, they could impersonate officers and strike while the rescuers are complacent, coordinating with their equipment and personnel. It’s possible to eliminate the other party."

"But even if they really have the ability to eliminate the rescue squad, they have no reason to remain there."

"Initially, I thought so too, but I returned to check the location noted at the precinct..."

"What happened?"

"I’ve changed my mind; I believe there’s a possibility they’ll settle down there."

Listening to Old Xu’s round after round of nonsense, Luo Baochun completely altered his view of him.

Is this still the straightforward Xu Renjie I know? He seems more like a dishonest swindler.

Unaware that Old Xu was lying, Wen Quanxin seriously questioned: "After all the talk, where is this rendezvous point you mentioned, Old Xu? Tell us why it changed your perspective."

Without a doubt, Old Xu’s words had piqued the interest of everyone, who were curious about the "half-hidden, mysterious rendezvous point" he spoke of.

Seeing the opportunity was ripe, Old Xu stopped acting and went straight to the point: "That place isn’t in the city area. From the map, it’s in a mountain forest. I roughly estimated, it’s about a 3 to 4-hour drive from here. So I plan to go out this time, first verify the situation there, see if those scoundrels are still around. What do you all think?" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)