Chapter 205: A Severed Hand With A Wave Of The Sword (1/2)

I asked, ”Why did you kill Cao Dazhuang? Weren't you two buddies?”

My intention was to stall for time. Xiaotao's radio had sounded a few times earlier but she didn't answer it, indicating that a police platoon was headed our way.

Zhang Qiang answered, ”He deserved to die!”

I tested the waters. ”You silenced him because he discovered your secret?”

Zhang Qiang roared, ”That bastard blackmailed me!”

Earlier this year, Cao Dazhuang had discovered their secret. But instead of calling the police, he blackmailed Zhang Qiang for hush money. At first it was thousands, then tens of thousands. Relying on their familiarity with each other, Cao Dazhuang mistakenly assumed that Zhang Qiang wouldn’t dare hurt him.

Finally, Zhang Qiang visited Cao Dazhuang at his home to negotiate for a one-off payment so this matter could be closed. He couldn’t stand being asked for money every few days. However, they couldn’t come to an agreement so Zhang Qiang killed him. Then, he dismembered the body in the house and disposed of it at a construction site.

When he recounted the incident, he only mentioned that he had killed them. However, the autopsy results clearly showed that there were two people involved. He was clearly taking the blame for his wife!

His feelings for his wife were definitely sincere, which made her a good target to start with. I could force him to put away his weapon by using Li Qin, but she remained hidden behind Zhang Qiang the entire time, leaving me no chance to approach her.

Zhang Qiang laughed sinisterly. ”The county police are as dumb as pigs. They didn’t even uncover anything from their investigation.”

Xiaotao retorted, ”And yet here we are before you. This is what you get for looking down on the police!”

Zhang Qiang dismissed, ”Enough of your smart remarks! The whole county knows about you because of Director Feng, that fucking idiot. I knew you were police officers as soon as you got here. That night, my wife was frightened and ran out when her illness relapsed. Otherwise, how could you have suspected me?”

Zhang Qiang glanced at Li Qin anxiously. She seemed especially sensitive to the words ”illness” and ”relapse.”

As it turned out, this matter had triggered the attack that night. Zhang Qiang thought too little of us. In fact, we would’ve sniffed him out even in the absence of an attack.

At this moment, the rustle of footsteps sounded in the woods. Yuanchao brought with him a team of policemen, their cold guns pointing at Zhang Qiang. Startled, he inched the knife closer. He shouted, ”Who said you could call for backup?”

Xiaotao spread her hands. ”As you can see, I’ve not answered my radio. They managed to find us on their own.”

Zhang Qiang was alarmed. He snarled, ”Get back or I'll kill her!”

Xiaotao ordered the others to stand down. The officers dispersed but adopted a scattered encirclement strategy. The woods were foggy and visibility was poor at night so Zhang Qiang hadn’t noticed.

Zhang Qiang listed his conditions once more. He asked for a car with a full tank of gas and warned the police not to follow.

Remaining at an impasse was frustrating. The hostage's condition didn’t look good either. Her life could be threatened by Zhang Qiang’s excessive use of sedatives. I gritted my teeth and made a decision. ”Why don’t I switch places with the hostage? It’s easier for you to move if you take me.”

Xiaotao stared wide-eyed at me.

Zhang Qiang sneered. ”Just who do you think you are?”

”I’m her captain. My life is worth more!”

Xiaotao refused. ”Song Yang, what are you babbling about? I’m the captain. Take me.”

Bingxin interjected, ”My dad is the director. Hold me hostage instead!”

Zhang Qiang threw his head back in laughter. ”Hmph, you’re even fighting over this. What great dedication! Even I’m tempted to give you a round of applause.”

He pointed the knife at me. ”Judging by your fair and silky skin, you must have the highest position. Come here!”

What poor vision he had! But this was good too. I had hoped he would take me.

I slowly walked over, and just as I was about to reach him, Zhang Qiang suddenly pushed the girl to the ground and pulled me. With one hand holding the knife against my neck, he used his other hand to search my body for a gun.