He's going to shoot me dead!
Li Banfeng couldn't accept this reality.
The Big-eyed Man also couldn't accept such a command. "Chief Xiao, is it necessary to shoot him just because he took something?"
"This is an order, Light Bulb. You don't know how important this thing is, nor do you understand how many people it could kill! Don't forget why your parents lost their lives, and remember what kind of enemy we're up against! For the safety of the majority, we must shoot him immediately. It's our responsibility, our mission."
"But, Chief Xiao..."
"No buts. Do it in a place with no people around, then bring the thing back to me. Hide the corpse well, and I will send someone to take care of it."
The call ended.
Light Bulb, with his large eyes, stood in a corner, looking dazed. He didn't know what to do.
After more than a minute, he adjusted his breathing, approached the entrance of the supermarket, and looked inside.
Li Banfeng had bought a bottle of cola, two boxes of potato chips, and two packs of spicy strips—devilishly spicy—then carelessly walked toward the checkout counter.
After paying, Li Banfeng left the campus supermarket. He was now on the path between the second teaching building and the library.
It was the lunch break and nearing summer vacation, so there wasn't a single person on this road.
A short walk down the path led past the school's east gate; the subway station was less than eight hundred meters away.
Li Banfeng walked briskly down the path, and Light Bulb suddenly blocked his way.
The two were less than five meters apart, and they locked eyes for a moment.
Light Bulb took a deep breath and mentally rehearsed what he was supposed to say next.
He was supposed to say, "Put your hands on your head, squat down on the ground. Please cooperate with our investigation." Once Li Banfeng squatted, that would be the perfect time to shoot him.
But when Light Bulb actually spoke, he said something different: "I don't want to hurt you, but if you don't follow my orders, then you can't blame me for being heartless."
That wasn't something an agent of the Dark Star Bureau should say, but under intense stress, the words just came out.
Light Bulb really didn't want to kill anyone. He continued, speaking to Li Banfeng, "First, put your backpack on the ground, then stretch out your hands. Wait here with me for someone."
After that, Light Bulb took out a pair of handcuffs.
He wanted to restrain Li Banfeng and wait there for Chief Xiao. If Chief Xiao insisted on killing him, that would prove Li Banfeng truly deserved to die.
Li Banfeng nodded, took his backpack off his shoulder, and slowly placed it on the ground.
Light Bulb's gaze remained fixed on the backpack. When it hit the ground, he felt a sense of relief.
After all, he was just a student. He knew nothing. Catching him would be easier than catching a chicken. If Chief Xiao saw him like this, he'd probably spare his life.
Holding the handcuffs, Light Bulb was about to restrain Li Banfeng, but he didn't notice Li Banfeng slip a devilishly spicy strip out of his pocket.
Li Banfeng swung his arm, throwing the spicy strip at Light Bulb.
Within five meters, he never missed.
The spicy strip hit Light Bulb's left eye, and a searing pain shot through it. Light Bulb immediately clutched his eye.
At the same time, Li Banfeng threw a second spicy strip, hitting Light Bulb's right eye.
Light Bulb clutched both eyes, momentarily blinded.
He hadn't expected Li Banfeng to attack him.
Li Banfeng truly hadn't wanted to get involved in this.
But now that he was, he wouldn't back down.
A layer of greasy mucus oozed from Light Bulb's body as he prepared for a fierce fight with Li Banfeng.
He was nervous. This was the first real battle he had faced since joining the Dark Star Bureau. Faced with this sudden situation, he used a Dark Energy User's Skill.
So ruthless! Li Banfeng's move was so vicious! I underestimated him. Now that I'm blind, I can't act recklessly, or I'll suffer greatly. First, I need to stabilize my position, prepare my defense, and advance by retreating! Is Li Banfeng skilled in close combat or ranged attacks? I'm not afraid of close combat; he's just a White Lamb. If he encounters me, he's the one who will suffer. But if it's ranged attacks, that would be troublesome...
After a long wait, Li Banfeng still hadn't made a move.
Enduring the intense pain, Light Bulb forced his eyes open, but Li Banfeng was nowhere to be seen.
Had he run? Yes, he'd run away.
Carrying his backpack, Li Banfeng had already sprinted to the East Gate.
Light Bulb quickly concentrated the mucus on his feet. He hunched over, bent his knees, and, alternating his feet like a skater, sped after Li Banfeng.
Li Banfeng also ran fast. He dashed the eight hundred meters and hurled himself into the subway entrance.
Near the subway entrance, pedestrians grew more numerous. Light Bulb withdrew the mucus covering his body and resumed a normal running posture.
He didn't want to draw attention or harm innocent bystanders.
Light Bulb entered the subway station, only to find that Li Banfeng had already boarded a train.
Light Bulb rushed towards the train doors, but then he heard a DING-DONG DING-DONG. The bell sounded, and the doors closed.
Watching Li Banfeng's train car slide away until it disappeared into the tunnel, an anxious Light Bulb waited for the next train.
Wait, what am I doing waiting for the subway here? My car is parked at the school; why am I waiting for the subway! Think, where would he go? How would I know where he's going? How would I know which station he'll get off at? Trying to catch someone on the subway is just too difficult!
In desperation, Light Bulb called Xiao Zhenggong.
"Chief Xiao, I lost him."
Xiao Zhenggong's voice was furious. "How could you lose him? Didn't I order you to shoot him immediately?"
"I couldn't find the right opportunity to act." Light Bulb didn't dare admit that he had allowed Li Banfeng to escape because he'd underestimated him.
Xiao Zhenggong asked, "Where did he go?"
"He just boarded the subway."
"Which line?"
"Line 4, the 11:45 AM train from University Town, heading towards Meiyun Plaza." Light Bulb remembered very clearly.
Xiao Zhenggong fell silent.
Light Bulb was very nervous; he knew Xiao Zhenggong was furious. He hurriedly reported his idea: "Chief Xiao, if we just contact the relevant departments and close the exits of all stations on Line 4, we can definitely catch Li Banfeng."
Xiao Zhenggong roared, "Close the subway exits? What are you thinking! Do you want this to spread all over Yuezhou City? Do you want all of Yuezhou to know you're an incompetent fool!"
Light Bulb gritted his teeth and dared not make a sound.
Xiao Zhenggong pondered for a moment. "Line 4 goes to Yuezhou East Station. If Li Banfeng intends to leave the city, go to Yuezhou East Station and intercept him."
Light Bulb said quietly, "We could notify the station not to let Li Banfeng board a train..."
Xiao Zhenggong thundered, "How many times do I have to tell you? This matter is of great importance! We can't let the news leak! We cannot cause a panic!"
"The train station is crowded and chaotic. If you find him, don't act immediately. Wait for the right opportunity to kill him, and make sure no one else notices!"
"Light Bulb, your parents were heroes. I believe you are definitely not worthless. Such a simple task—I believe you can do it well. Don't disgrace our Dark Star Bureau any further, and don't bring shame to your parents!"
Xiao Zhenggong hung up.
Light Bulb sprinted back to the campus and started his car.
On the way to East Station, Light Bulb gripped the steering wheel tightly.
An incompetent fool! Don't bring shame to your parents! Isn't he just a university student? Isn't he also mentally ill? How could he possibly have escaped from me? How could I have let him escape? I am not worthless. If Li Banfeng really goes to the station, he must be shot immediately. No mercy.
Xiao Zhenggong, dressed in casual clothes, went from the second floor of his villa down to the garage and also started his car.
Light Bulb, don't make a big scene; don't let anyone find out. You kill Li Banfeng, and the item will be in your hands. Then I'll kill you, and it will all be over.
The subway arrived at Rock Wall Station; the next stop was Yuezhou East Station.
To Li Banfeng's left was a brawny man, his deep-blue clothing spattered with whitish-gray mud spots.
Li Banfeng smiled at the brawny man.
To Li Banfeng's right was a beautiful woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing earphones.
Li Banfeng also smiled at the beautiful woman.
He hadn't expected the subway to be so crowded at this time.
Li Banfeng unzipped his backpack and began to undress right there on the subway.
In the already crowded subway car, a space instantly cleared around him. People cast strange glances at Li Banfeng and quickly backed away.
After stripping off his shirt, Li Banfeng started to take off his pants.
The beautiful woman screamed.
The brawny man screamed along with her.
Some older people covered children's eyes.
Many people looked at Li Banfeng and said in unison, "Pervert!"
Li Banfeng took a long-sleeved white shirt and a pair of black trousers from his backpack and put them on.
Then he took out a mountaineering hat and put it on.
The whole process took less than a minute. Before the carriage could descend into complete chaos, the subway arrived at East Station, and Li Banfeng immediately disembarked.
After leaving the subway and arriving next to the train station's turnstiles, Li Banfeng sent a message to He Jiaqing: "Did you buy the ticket?"
"Got it. You can go through the ticket check now."
Li Banfeng swiped his ID card to pass through the turnstile and saw Light Bulb guarding it, but Light Bulb didn't notice him.
Light Bulb was very focused and anxious, trying to carefully observe everyone entering the turnstiles.
But it was impossible. The passenger flow at East Station was astounding. Too many people were entering the turnstiles, and he was only paying attention to those wearing T-shirts.
After passing through the turnstiles, Li Banfeng relaxed considerably. He Jiaqing sent a message: "Why were so many people on the subway calling you a pervert earlier?"
Why would he ask that? Can't he see? Could it be that he can only hear, not see?
Li Banfeng replied, "I was changing clothes on the subway."
"Are you crazy?"
"I'm not crazy."
"Weren't you afraid of causing a disturbance?"
"It took less than a minute. It wasn't that serious."
He Jiaqing couldn't understand. "You changed that quickly?"
Li Banfeng thought it was normal. "How do you think I got out of the hospital that time?"
He Jiaqing messaged back: "You ran out that time? Didn't they catch you and take you back?"
Li Banfeng couldn't be bothered to explain that question.
Why would they catch me? That was the hospital's psychiatric department, not a mental asylum.
After waiting for nearly half an hour by the turnstiles, Light Bulb still hadn't seen Li Banfeng.
Light Bulb grew more anxious. Suddenly, he saw Deputy Team Leader Xiao Zhenggong appear before him.
"Chief Xiao, why are you here..."
"How long do you plan to wait here?" Xiao Zhenggong pulled out his ID, spoke a few words to a staff member, and led Light Bulb directly through the turnstiles.
After scanning the waiting hall, Xiao Zhenggong led Light Bulb to the end of the second waiting area, past the restrooms, and into an underground passage.
(5 PM, one more chapter to come.)
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