Chapter 41: Caught Red-Handed

Woo~

Very soon, the roar of a car engine drew near, slicing through the air and arriving right before their eyes.

The next moment, a red van skidded to a stop in front of the warehouse, raising a cloud of yellow dust.

With a clatter, the door swung open.

Six men descended from the vehicle one after another, while the driver remained in his seat, engine still running.

“Boss Han, we meet again!”

The man at the head of the group, about forty years old, stepped out with a broad smile and greeted Han Gongyan. He was the broker for this transaction, and his connection to these people stemmed from a former subordinate who, after venturing out into the world, had introduced them.

“Hahaha, Mr. Wu, you’re looking well! It’s only been a little over a month since we last saw each other, and you’ve put on some weight! Business must be booming; no wonder you look so full of spirit.”

Han Gongyan approached with genuine warmth.

Hua and the others stood still behind him. In such dealings, only one person needed to negotiate. Too many voices was a cardinal sin in the underworld.

“You always know what to say, Boss Han. It’s a pleasure to hear you speak. But let’s not waste time here—these transactions are best kept brief. Once we’re all safe, we’ll drink till we drop!”

Wu Kui laughed again and got straight to business. Every extra minute at a deal like this meant extra risk. Take the money and leave without a trace—that was their code.

“Alright! Let’s exchange the goods and the cash.”

Han Gongyan waved to the others, and Hua stepped forward.

With a soft click, the lock on the briefcase snapped open. Inside, stacks of crisp bills were neatly arranged—dozens of thick bundles.

“Check the goods!” Wu Kui glanced at the cash and immediately gave a command to the man behind him.

All eyes turned to a young man carrying another briefcase. He stepped forward, placed it down, and opened the lid.

Inside were stacks of white solid chunks, each wrapped in plastic, about the size of a palm—dozens of them.

“Please, Boss Han.”

Wu Kui gestured for Han Gongyan to inspect the goods himself. Transactions like these involved hundreds of thousands and carried immense risk; verifying the goods on the spot was standard practice.

Han Gongyan took a few steps forward, picked up a prepared dagger, slit open a packet, and dabbed a little powder with the tip of the blade. He drew back his arm, licked the tip, and let the taste linger in his mouth.

A sharp rush of euphoria surged from his mind and flooded his body—an airy sensation, as if floating on clouds, tipsy and basked in spring sunlight, his whole being light as air.

“Good stuff!” Han Gongyan shouted with excitement.

Though it was his first time handling such goods, he had already consulted others about the experience. Sampling was about purity, and the most direct test was personal. If it gave that floating sensation instantly, it meant high purity and quality. If not, it was garbage.

And just now, as soon as the powder touched his tongue, before he could even draw a breath, that wave of pleasure hit him—a sign of top-grade product.

“Hahaha, so Boss Han knows his stuff! In that case, our deal is done. Until we meet again!”

Seeing the inspection complete, Wu Kui laughed and prepared to take his leave. At his signal, his men closed ranks around him as they retreated swiftly toward the van. Hua and his group watched them warily, and the feeling was mutual. In this line of work, the greatest danger was the other party turning greedy and trying to seize both goods and cash. That risk often ended lives right there.

“Very well, until we meet again,” Han Gongyan replied cheerfully, turning back to his own group. Their goal was to buy the goods with cash, and while caution was wise, they harbored no ill intent. The last thing they wanted was for their first deal to end in bloodshed and draw police attention—that would be a disastrous loss.

Wu Kui’s heart finally settled when he saw Han Gongyan’s response.

“So they’re still green after all—I was just too suspicious,” he thought, waving his hand. His men quickly dispersed, preparing to pile into the van and leave.

But then, abruptly—

Bang!

A clear gunshot shattered the silence, its sharp crack slicing through the air and ringing in every ear, eardrums humming from the shock.

The next moment—

“You are surrounded! Everyone stand where you are, do not move! Anyone who disobeys will be subdued on the spot!”

A commanding shout pierced the dusk.

Immediately after, the sound of hurried footsteps approached—chaotic, yet disciplined. A large, fully armed squad appeared, advancing from all directions.

Special police!

Every man moved with the force of a dragon, their aura overwhelming as they charged toward the abandoned warehouse in the center.

“What’s happening? Why are the police here?”

Hua was the first to react, cold sweat breaking out all over. He had imagined such a scenario before, but the meticulousness of their preparations had made him dismiss the idea. How could such a secret operation be leaked?

“It’s over! If we’re caught, our necks are as good as broken!”

Han Gongyan, only just steadying himself, collapsed onto the ground, his face ashen as the special police swept in like a tidal wave.

“Impossible! Everyone here today is a trusted confidant! How did the news get out?”

Yan Changxing stared ahead in confusion. Caught red-handed—there was no escaping death now. If he’d known it would come to this, why get into the drug trade? Collecting protection fees on his own turf could have kept him rich and free. Greed and the lure of wealth had undone him before he’d even seen the money.

“It’s over,” was all Ma Si managed to say, falling silent. At this point, what was the use of wondering how the information leaked?

“Damn it, we’ve been set up! You bastards were working with the police? Get in the van and break through, now!” Wu Kui’s face changed dramatically. In his mind, there was no other explanation except that the others had betrayed him.

But now, with their lives at stake, escape was all that mattered. He barked orders to his men.

With a roar, the van’s engine thundered to life. The vehicle spun in a sharp turn and shot forward at breakneck speed.