Volume One, Chapter 14: A New Goal

“Zzzzt—!”

The crackling sound of the stun baton slicing through the air still echoed in Li Yang’s ears, mingling with Ah Qiang’s convulsions and agonized screams, as well as the foul stench of the fetid water in the detention cell—it all seemed etched deep into his mind.

He hadn’t slept a wink these past few days.

The suffocating pressure from that night at the KTV hadn’t fully dissipated. Wang Meng patted his shoulder, telling him he had potential, then forced him to personally torment Ah Qiang in the office, making sure everyone witnessed his “execution ability.” He had no choice—no right even to refuse.

“Either become a demon, or die.”

He knew Wang Meng had set his sights on him. Every move he made, even the slightest shift in his gaze, could become the trigger for the next test.

Li Yang sat rigidly in his seat, eyes fixed on the computer screen, heart pounding wildly.

“What are you staring at?”

—It was Scorpion.

Li Yang’s muscles tensed instinctively, his peripheral vision catching that everyone else pretended to be busy, no one daring to meet his gaze.

Scorpion’s hand gripped his shoulder like an iron clamp, voice laced with a chilling sneer: “How many times have I called you? Didn’t you hear?”

Li Yang steadied his breath, looked up with a respectful expression. “Brother Scorpion, what’s the matter?”

Scorpion’s eyes locked onto his, a faint smirk curling the corner of his mouth. “Come with me.”

A heavy weight sank in Li Yang’s chest. He knew he had no choice. Rising, he followed Scorpion out of the scam hall.

Behind him, all the “piglets” lowered their heads in tacit agreement, as if nothing had happened.

Scorpion led Li Yang through the corridor, turning into a dimly lit passage.

The air was thick with mold and decay, the floor damp, with bloodstains seeping into concrete crevices—some long dried, blackened. Li Yang’s throat tightened; he knew this was the park’s “detention zone.”

Ahead, an iron door creaked open, chains clinking, faint groans escaping from within.

Li Yang’s steps faltered.

Inside were several “wasted piglets.”

They were skin and bones, clad in filthy rags, barefoot, sitting on the damp floor beside a bucket of putrid leftovers. One curled up in a corner, hands clutching his head, body trembling uncontrollably, face bruised and bloodied.

“Do you know why they’re here?” Scorpion stood at the door, lighting a cigarette, his cold eyes sweeping over Li Yang.

Li Yang paused for a moment before nodding.

“Useless.” Scorpion exhaled smoke, his voice low, “Useless because they can’t scam money. Useless because they only eat and do nothing. Useless because their hands aren’t clean.”

He lifted his foot and kicked one man’s calf.

The man collapsed, curling up in terror, whimpering low like a dog with its throat stepped on.

Scorpion grinned, turning back to Li Yang. “Do you want to end up like them?”

---

Li Yang’s fists clenched at his sides, nails digging deep into his palms. Finally, he slowly shook his head.

“That proves you have value.” Scorpion stubbed out his cigarette, slapped Li Yang’s face, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Brother Wang wants to see you. You’d better act smart.”

Li Yang was brought to Wang Meng’s office.

It was the only place in the entire park where the outside world could be seen through windows. The bulletproof glass filtered the light, as if even the sky outside was shrouded in gloom.

The room was thick with the spicy scent of cigars. On the tea table sat an opened bottle of brandy, several empty glasses toppled askew, ash scattered across the ashtray.

Wang Meng lounged on the sofa, cigar clenched between his teeth, lazily glancing at Li Yang before patting the empty seat beside him. “Sit.”

Li Yang took a seat.

“You’ve done well recently.” Wang Meng flicked ash from his cigar, a meaningful smile tugging at his lips. “So here’s a chance for you.”

He raised his chin, and Scorpion promptly tossed a file folder in front of Li Yang.

Li Yang opened it and glanced inside; his pupils contracted sharply.

Target: Cao Zhiguo

Scam amount: Ten million yuan

Identity: Chairman of a large corporation, suspected of corruption, money laundering, multiple illegal transfers

Background: No children, mistress died in a car accident, funds being transferred overseas

“Ten million?” Li Yang couldn’t help but look up, eyes darkening.

This sum was enormous.

Previously, their targets had mostly been ordinary wealthy businessmen or corrupt officials, but the amounts were generally around three to five million. Ten million was enough to make many resort to murder to cover their tracks.

“Scared?” Wang Meng narrowed his eyes, exhaling smoke lazily.

“No.” Li Yang calmed himself and spoke slowly, “I just think… this one won’t be easy to deceive.”

“Of course not.” Wang Meng chuckled. “But everyone has a weakness.”

“What’s his weakness?” Li Yang pressed.

Leaning back, Wang Meng’s tone was light, almost teasing. “He likes gambling. And he’s a gambler who can’t afford to lose.”

Li Yang frowned slightly.

“Your job is to drag him into our trap.” Wang Meng shook his glass, his smile cold. “He likes to gamble, right? Then let him gamble till everything’s upside down.”

Li Yang pondered.

Gambling was the easiest way to make a person lose all reason.

If he could use that to make him sink step by step into the mire...

---

“If you succeed, your status will change.” Wang Meng’s eyes narrowed, voice seductive. “You can lead ten teams, with annual bonuses exceeding ten million.”

“And if you fail...” He chuckled softly, a bloodthirsty gleam flashing in his eyes. “You know the consequences.”

A chill ran down Li Yang’s back.

Back in the hall, Li Yang spent half a day studying Cao Zhiguo’s social circle, discovering he had recently frequented several private clubs, even spending four days straight at a Macau casino once.

“A gambler.” Li Yang muttered under his breath, a faint smile curling his lips.

Adjusting his script, he dialed Cao Zhiguo’s private number.

“Hello?” The voice on the other end was low and cautious.

“Mr. Cao, good day.” Li Yang’s tone was steady, confident. “I’m Director Li from the Interpol Asia Anti-Corruption Task Force.”

Silence for a second, then a cold laugh. “Interpol? Do you take me for a child?”

“You can verify my identity anytime.” Li Yang pressed on. “We have records showing six million yuan transferred through Company Y, involving multiple suspicious remittances.”

Cao Zhiguo fell silent.

Then he laughed. “Where’s your evidence?”

—He’s hooked.

Li Yang steadied his breath. “The X City Procuratorate has already opened an investigation. If you want a swift resolution, we have better options.”

“What options?”

“Fund supervision.” Li Yang said casually. “If you cooperate and deposit part of the funds into our supervised account, you can prove your innocence.”

Cao Zhiguo did not respond immediately.

One minute later.

Three million arrived.

Just as Li Yang exhaled in relief, a new anonymous email popped up on his screen.

“You think you can walk away unscathed?”

Li Yang’s fingers trembled slightly as he opened the email—

A photo: Wang Meng, Scorpion, Li Yang, and the satellite map of the entire park.

He clenched his fists tightly, heart racing.

Someone was counter-fishing.