Outside the abandoned building that served as the Mountain Lion Gang's stronghold, Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Seth finally arrived with a few accompanying Public Security officers.
After confirming this was indeed the gang's base, Zhu Yuan's expression turned serious.
"Everyone, stay sharp and ready your weapons. This enemy is cunning—watch for ambushes."
There had been a time when another unit was ambushed during a Mountain Lion Gang pursuit. The entire squad had suffered heavy casualties.
Zhu Yuan was determined not to let that happen to her team.
She gripped her sidearm with both hands as they advanced cautiously toward the building, eyes scanning every corner, finger on the trigger.
Beside her, Seth was equally tense, holding his shield tightly as he stepped ahead of both Zhu Yuan and Qingyi.
Qingyi, however, looked completely at ease.
Arms folded behind her head, she hadn't even bothered to draw the weapon at her waist. If not for the need to keep pace with Zhu Yuan, he might've pulled out his tea set and brewed a pot while they waited—for himself and for Sam Li, when this was all over.
No matter how vicious the gang was, they were nothing compared to Notoriety Ethereals.
Judging by the timing, Sam should have wrapped things up by now.
Just as the group advanced cautiously toward the entrance, cries echoed from within—moaning, pleading, begging...
Zhu Yuan paused, confused, and looked toward Qingyi.
Qingyi smiled faintly.
"Looks like Sam kept his cool and left a few of them breathing. Come on, Captain Zhu Yuan—let's go clean up."
Zhu Yuan blinked.
"Wait… Senior, you mean—?"
Qingyi chuckled.
"Tracks in snow, threads in grass... a few clues reveal the full picture. Time to catch bandits in tall towers."
Zhu Yuan frowned.
"…I'm losing track of your metaphors."
Still, seeing Qingyi pick up the pace, she quickly followed, bringing Seth, the other security officers, and Ellen in behind her as they rushed into the abandoned building.
...
The moment they burst inside, Zhu Yuan raised her shotgun and called out in a firm, commanding voice:
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say from now on may be used as evidence in court—"
But her words cut off mid-sentence as she froze.
"...Huh?"
What… was this?
Zhu Yuan stared in disbelief at the open hall. Around twenty Mountain Lion Gang thugs lay sprawled across the floor, moaning in pain. Every single one looked like they'd been thoroughly beaten—swollen faces, blackened eyes, barely able to move.
Zhu Yuan frowned.
"What happened here?"
Ellen looked around but didn't spot Sam.
"Where's Sam Li?"
Qingyi didn't look the least bit surprised. He glanced down at the thugs and asked casually,
"Where's your boss? Where's Sam Li?"
These same men who usually acted fearless now shook like frightened animals. The sight of Public Security agents was enough to make them too scared to speak—terrified they'd get another round of beatings.
One finally raised a trembling hand and pointed toward the back door.
"H-he's back there… the boss too…"
Ellen didn't wait—she bolted ahead alone.
Qingyi chuckled.
"Come on, Zhu Yuan."
Zhu Yuan nodded and turned to Seth.
"Secure the area. I'll go with Senior Qingyi and bring in Razor."
Seth hesitated—he wanted to follow—but seeing the sorry state of the gang members on the ground, he knew someone had to maintain order.
"Break out the emergency kits," he told the officers. "Treat their wounds first."
He also radioed the Janus District Sub-Bureau for backup, requesting more personnel to transport the prisoners.
...
Meanwhile, out back—
Ellen arrived first and immediately saw the shattered remains of a wall... and a nearly three-meter-tall rock giant.
Lying in the debris was Razor, the Mountain Lion Gang's leader—beaten to a pulp by Sam.
As Ellen arrived, the rock giant suddenly crumbled into dust, dissolving into rubble that sank back into the earth—vanishing with nothing but a thought from Sam.
Like a magic trick.
One moment, it was there. The next, gone without a trace.
Ellen gaped at Sam.
"Was that rock giant... some kind of magic too?"
Sam gave her a faint smile.
"Something like that."
He had formed it with condensed Geo. Saying it was "conjured" wasn't too far off.
Just then, two more people arrived—Zhu Yuan and Qingyi.
As soon as they saw the scene, Zhu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought he'd gotten away…"
Then she turned to Sam.
"Thank you—once again you've done a huge favor for Public Security."
Just minutes earlier, Zhu Yuan had been genuinely worried. The gang was dangerous, and she feared Sam might get hurt.
She knew he was strong—but never imagined he could take down the entire Mountain Lion Gang alone.
No... not quite alone. Technically, it had been two people.
She glanced toward Jane. Surely she had played a role too.
Even so, it was staggering. The Bureau had thrown everything they had at this gang. Zhu Yuan herself had led past operations, and not once had they succeeded in capturing Razor.
Suddenly, she remembered Qingyi's attitude the whole way here.
He hadn't been worried about Sam at all—in fact, he seemed more concerned Sam wouldn't leave any survivors.
Now she understood why.
Sam Li was far stronger than she'd ever imagined.
Beside her, Qingyi gave a sly smile.
"After all this, a little medal isn't going to cut it. Don't worry, Sam—I'll make sure Zhu Yuan recommends you for something special. How about... Honorary Public Security Officer?"
Honorary officer?
Sam wasn't particularly interested. But if they insisted, he wouldn't refuse.
"Thank you, Miss Qingyi," he said calmly. "You're the enforcers of the law—these people are yours now."
Zhu Yuan's face turned solemn and firm.
"Rest assured. Not a single member of the Mountain Lion Gang will escape justice."
Qingyi grinned.
"With this many arrests at once, the entire Janus Sub-Bureau's going to be shocked."
As she spoke, she walked over to Razor, who was still lying motionless in the rubble. She pulled out a stick and tapped his helmet lightly.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
"I know you're not dead. Quit pretending."