Chapter Thirteen: Loyalty, Righteousness, and Faithfulness

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Chen Guozhong looked stunned and said, "You want to go after Aji?"

Song Ren paused briefly before replying, "Given the current situation, I really don’t intend to let him walk away unscathed."

Lu Guanhua’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily, and he couldn’t help but curse, "What the hell are you up to this time, kid?"

"We arranged for you to get close to the assassin Aji, to go undercover with Wang Bao."

"If you mess with him, how the hell are you going to infiltrate Wang Bao’s circle?"

Song Ren glanced at him and said, "Officer, are you really from the Major Crimes Unit? You have such a fiery temper and impatience—there’s none of the calm a true cop should have."

Lu Guanhua charged forward again, grabbing Song Ren by the collar. "Kid, you’re really pushing me, huh?"

Chen Guozhong stopped him, shaking his head. "Brother Hua, don’t do this."

Lu Guanhua finally suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and released Song Ren. The chewing gum he had in his mouth seemed to have lost its flavor, so he spat it out to the side.

Chen Guozhong looked at Song Ren earnestly. "Aren, you’ve changed a lot recently. Is going undercover really that stressful?"

Song Ren smiled ambiguously without answering. Instead, he said, "I’m just stating facts. On my first day here, people from the Loyalty Sect tried to attack me."

"I was too gentle at first, but that only made them more brazen in targeting me."

"So the second time trouble came knocking, I chose to give them a lesson they wouldn’t forget."

"If that still doesn’t prevent trouble, heh—"

At this, he shrugged helplessly, but his eyes seemed to crush any superfluous emotion, growing colder.

Chen Guozhong frowned. "Aren—"

Song Ren interrupted, "There’s no choice."

"In this prison, showing mercy is truly a crime."

"Besides, how many good people are locked up here? I won’t feel a shred of guilt taking action against them."

Chen Guozhong furrowed his brow, staring at him silently before finally saying, "Aren, don’t lose your way."

Song Ren paused, then smiled. "Same to you, Officer."

In the movie "Kill Zone," Chen Guozhong’s Major Crimes unit in Western District would later take a desperate gamble due to the death of the original undercover agent.

With Chen Guozhong about to step down, they risk everything to pin the death of undercover agent Aren squarely on Wang Bao, even resorting to foul play by pushing one of Wang Bao’s henchmen down the stairs.

Unfortunately, it all ended in failure, and the film’s conclusion is rather bleak, with the protagonist team wiped out.

...

Leaving Stanley Prison

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While driving, Lu Guanhua said to Chen Guozhong, "Brother Zhong, I feel like that kid’s not right."

Chen Guozhong was silent for a long time before replying, "It’s nothing. We have to trust our own men."

"Aren won’t betray us."

Lu Guanhua chewed his gum again, asking casually, "Brother Zhong, can that kid really handle the Loyalty Sect? There are quite a few of them inside Stanley."

This time Chen Guozhong did not answer.

...

Back at Stanley Prison, after the brawl, all the prisoners except those severely injured were placed in solitary confinement.

Specifically, the notorious black cell.

A cramped, dark confinement room.

About two square meters in size, three walls and one iron door without a window; the room also contained a toilet, taking up some space.

The entire cell was exceedingly narrow, and the air was thick with a sour stench.

There was no lighting inside, not even a sliver of natural light.

The moment Song Ren entered, discomfort crept over his face.

He wasn’t afraid of blood and had a strong heart.

But facing such a tightly sealed environment brought immense psychological pressure.

Despite Chen Guozhong’s warnings, the punishment of solitary confinement could not be reduced.

He endured a full 24 hours inside the black cell, only receiving simple meals through a small hatch in the iron door at fixed times, with no other human contact.

When the cell door finally opened again, Song Ren’s face was pale, sweat beading on his forehead.

His dark brown eyes shrank violently at the sudden sunlight.

He lowered his head slightly, burying the violent rage born from the oppressive darkness and cramped space.

Two prison guards pushed Song Ren impatiently, "Hey, move it!"

Song Ren silently returned to the main cell.

Inside, Fat Dog and his crew were loudly chatting. Hearing the door open, they all turned to look.

The room instantly fell silent.

Fat Dog and the others quickly averted their eyes, unwilling to look longer.

News of Song Ren’s solitary confinement had spread.

The new inmate in this area was feared by all—he took on several at once.

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Not only did he pierce Hua Gu’s hand, but also kicked him until he suffered a concussion; A Lang had a broken rib from the fight.

Both were still in the infirmary and would likely be out of commission for some time.

The feud between Fat Dog and Song Ren was out in the open.

They could have settled it quietly before, but after Song Ren enlisted Aji to stand up for him, there was no going back without losing face for the boss.

Song Ren paid no mind to Fat Dog for now. After a whole day of solitary confinement, his inner rage was barely contained.

If he fought now, he feared he wouldn’t control his strength and might kill someone outright.

Under so many watchful eyes, even Chen Guozhong’s unconditional protection wouldn’t save him.

Qiu Gang’ao had just returned from the black cell, looking exhausted, but joked, "Brother Ren, how’s it going? Can you take it?"

Song Ren looked up.

Qiu Gang’ao was momentarily stunned by those jet-black eyes.

The cold indifference in them was almost indistinguishable from that of a desperate fugitive he had once arrested.

But after a moment, Song Ren’s face broke into a faint smile. "Not bad. First time in a place like that. Surprisingly tough on me."

Qiu Gang’ao explained, "Most solitary cells are like that, but Stanley’s black cell is particularly harsh."

"Small space, no light, and the smell is even worse."

Ghost Zone’s Wan Gui chimed in, "Stanley’s black cell is in a league of its own."

"Damn, it’s pitch black and cramped, the stench is disgusting as hell. Stay too long and it can drive you mad."

He looked up at Song Ren. "Aren, you’re really tough this time!"

"The prison’s buzzing about you, breaking A Lang’s rib with one kick and crippling Hua Gu with another."

He gave a thumbs-up. "You made a name for yourself in your first fight inside Stanley."

As Song Ren approached, Ghost Zone stopped laughing and lowered his voice to warn, "But be careful. It’s not just the Loyalty Sect targeting you now."

"Hua Gu is from the Number Gang; they have plenty of allies in this prison. Watch your back."

Song Ren nodded. "Thanks."

Ghost Zone’s eyes brightened, finally hearing the thanks from his brother—maybe he could win him over after all.