As I was driven away from Xingyuan Village, I happened to see a line of police cars entering through the car window.
Judging by the situation, the commotion had clearly gotten too big, and someone, unable to stand it, had anonymously called the police. The officers were there to catch them in the act and secure the scene.
Watching the police cars speed past in groups, a fine layer of cold sweat broke out on my forehead.
Fortunately, Master Camel and his disciple had managed the pace of this major melee quite well. If we had left even a moment later...
It was likely that we would all have been standing in a line, heads down, shoulders slumped, being driven away in free police cars!
After narrowly escaping, I couldn't afford to feel grateful for my survival. Gritting my teeth, I told Camel to take me straight back to the detention center.
Although my parole period hadn't ended, every extra minute I lingered outside increased the risk of my detention being extended.
Hearing my words, Camel didn't say much, but simply complied.
Before long, the car arrived at the main gate of the detention center. Just as I was about to get out...
"Brother Xiang!" Cheng Minglang said, his eyes red and his shoulders trembling, "It's all my fault! I was too impulsive, not considering any consequences!"
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have to resort to hiding in the detention center just to save your life."
Hearing this, I shook my head and sighed softly, "Don't be foolish! Being brothers means we celebrate together when we win and bear the consequences together when we lose!"
"Besides, your so-called impulsive actions don't necessarily mean you did anything wrong."
"Since ancient times, blood debts can only be repaid with blood!"
"You simply avenged Han Jinlun in the most simple, direct, and also the most dispute-provoking way!"
Before getting out of the car, I glanced back at Camel, signaling him with my eyes to keep an eye on Cheng Minglang for me.
Camel nodded in agreement, then stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
I watched the receding car in silence, a wave of emotion washing over me.
Did I make a mistake on this trip to Longxi...
Setting aside everything else, let's talk about Han Jinlun.
He was still very young, about my age, but he ultimately died because of me.
Now, regardless of whether Xiao Tianci had any direct or indirect involvement in Uncle Camel's death, the hatred involved could no longer be easily resolved.
Because my life was given to me by Han Jinlun! I would not rest until I avenged him!
And then there's Cheng Minglang.
He was originally the last disciple taken in by Helian Shan, a veteran of the underworld, before his retirement. He aspired to make a name for himself in society.
But now, following me, he hasn't made a name for himself, and instead has to live a life of constant hiding and anxiety.
And all of this was also caused by me!
In a daze, I suddenly felt as if I were like the "lonely star of doom" described in martial arts films.
Anyone close to me was destined to have a bad end!
It was the same for my mentor, Uncle Camel, and my good brother, Han Jinlun!
Although Cheng Minglang hasn't reached that point yet, it's hard to say what might happen later...
It's impossible to turn back now. I can only grit my teeth and see this through to the end, fighting Xiao Tianci to the death.
Either he lives, or I live.
The third month of detention.
Originally, based on the detention period, I should have been released at the end of March.
But for some reason, after only a week into the third month, I was informed by the guard that my detention period was ending and I should prepare for release.
When I asked the guard the reason, he said the early release was because my performance in the previous two months had been very good, especially during several labor reform outings where I worked very actively.
This reason was utter nonsense!
In a detention center, the most important principle for dealing with others and avoiding being targeted was: never be the first to act!
Interacting in a detention center was exactly like navigating the workplace.
Unless you have a strong background or your personal abilities are truly outstanding, rushing to be first in everything is essentially cutting off your own retreat.
While leaders might appreciate you, colleagues will genuinely resent you.
In such an awkward situation, even if you have room and opportunities for advancement, the ultimate height of your position will be extremely limited, belonging to the category of not being able to advance nor stay put.
...
Since the guard was unwilling to tell me the truth about the early release, I didn't bother to ask further.
After signing the release papers and collecting all my belongings, I walked out of the Longxi Detention Center and took a taxi directly to meet Cheng Minglang and the others...
According to folk customs, after coming out from inside, one should first buy sandalwood and tap it on the palm three times.
First, people who have just been released from prison should buy sandalwood and tap their palms three times.
The first tap is to ward off disaster, the second is to ward off hardship, and the third is to forget the pain and troubles inside, to open your heart and broaden your horizons.
Next, sprinkle yourself with orange peel or orange water to remove bad luck and disaster.
Then, cross a brazier to dispel evil spirits and bad luck.
Finally, go to a bathhouse for a hot shower, change into new clothes, symbolizing the old giving way to the new, and forgetting past troubles.
After completing this ritual, I gathered everyone at a hotel for a meal.
Besides Cheng Minglang, Zhu Wenjing, Camel, and Xiao Long, Yu Shuang and Jiang Xiaowan were also there.
During my detention, Yu Shuang and Jiang Xiaowan had both put in considerable effort to look after Camel and the others.
For both reasons of sentiment and obligation, I felt I should express my gratitude.
We drank and chatted at the table, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
It wasn't until I asked Yu Shuang if she had found someone to shorten my detention period, and she shook her head and said no, that...
Suddenly, my phone in my pocket vibrated.
Taking it out, I saw a text message from an unfamiliar number. It read:
Meet me at Tianci Building at nine tonight. Our grievances will be settled thoroughly through gambling! We will compete in skill, both to determine victory and to decide life and death!
After reading the text message, I immediately realized that my early release from the detention center was due to Xiao Tianci's intervention.
He couldn't touch me inside the detention center, so he had to find every way to get me out.
As for why the dispute would be settled through gambling, it was most likely because Xiao Tianci knew that if he used other means to deal with me, my full-force counterattack would cause him considerable trouble and pressure.
After all, Yu Shuang and Jiang Xiaowan were still in Longxi, ready to follow my commands at any time.
Therefore, Xiao Tianci resorted to a strategy of returning to the source, bringing the method of resolving grievances back to the gambling table.
This was because Xiao Tianyu's conflict with me also originated from a gambling match.
After revealing the content of the text message, Yu Shuang and Jiang Xiaowan unanimously agreed that this was another unavoidable stratagem by Xiao Tianci.
The gambling match was real, and the decision of victory and death was also real, but he would definitely not participate himself.
Given Xiao Tianci's status and financial resources, finding a master to compete against me would be a matter of minutes.
In other words, if I won this life-and-death gamble, the best outcome would be merely survival, with Xiao Tianci suffering no loss whatsoever.
Conversely, if I lost the gamble, I would surely die!