Bed planks, bedding, washbasins, porcelain bowls, everything inside the prison was angrily picked up and thrown outside, unleashing a thoroughly suppressed rage. Emotions completely lost control, scaring the surrounding guard police to retreat in confusion, unsure of how to respond. The situation caused the warden's face to turn a ghastly pale as he realized the gravity of the matter; unless there was a harsh crackdown, at any cost, the only other option would be to compromise.
No one knew how big the cost would be, not even the warden. However, he was clear about one thing: he had to extinguish the prisoners' frenzied anger. Otherwise, it would cause much trouble in the future. To quell this anger, the best solution was Luo Zheng in the cell. At this mont, the warden frustratingly realized he really couldn't kill Luo Zheng—not just for the money that would follow but also to pacify the other inmates' fury.
Thinking this, the warden dared not delay any longer and was about to order the police to touch off and retreat when he saw the indignant fury on the officers' faces. Being led by the nose by a prisoner and having lost two officers, everyone was furious, itching to rush in and kill Luo Zheng. The warden suddenly realized the problem was even more complicated than he thought. If he compromised, he feared the police would blow the lid off the situation, and he would could end up in big trouble.
"Warden, give the order to take him down," a police officer shouted angrily.
"Yes, give the order," other officers also seethed with rage, shouting loudly. With so many police being blackmailed by a single inmate, where would their dignity lie?
The warden's face turned bitter. Giving the order was easy, but if Luo Zheng were really killed, how would he deal with the aftermath? And the warden had a sneaking suspicion Luo Zheng's identity was not simple; otherwise, Song Yan wouldn't have transferred him here. Why not just kill him directly? If Luo Zheng turned out to be a big deal, his death could trigger a chain reaction, and if exposed, the warden feared he wouldn't be able to clean up the ss.
Pressured by his subordinates on one side and the inmates on the other, worried about his own future on yet another, the warden had no good choice. In a fit of rage, he bellowed, "Kill kill kill, is that all you know? Killing him would bring back our n? What if killing him triggered a riot? Who among you could bear the consequences? Do you want to kill all the prisoners here?"
The officers stared at the warden in surprise, beginning to question.
"Of course, since they killed one of our own, a lesson is necessary. Spread out and be careful as you throw the tear gas in," the warden roared angrily. They couldn't kill, but a beating was always possible. If he didn't let his officers vent, he feared the team would fall apart, also resulting in a loss.
Upon hearing this, the police's resentnt towards the warden lessened slightly. They each produced tear gas grenades and opened them, throwing them into the cells. Luo Zheng had heard the warden's orders and had already taken refuge under the faucet, turning the water on and letting the clear stream wash over him, with a wet towel protecting his face.
Soon, white smoke billowed through the cell, giving off a pungent odor. Still worried, the warden continued to have them throw several more grenades in. After waiting and seeing that the cell was engulfed in white smoke with no one visible, he felt satisfied and ordered, "On my command, withdraw."
"Aren't we going in to teach him a lesson?" An officer asked in surprise.
"What if he's unhard? Wouldn't going in be suicide? If you want, I allow it, but don't bla for not warning you," the warden said unpleasantly, spotting another deputy warden who didn't get along with him.
The deputy warden sneered, thinking that going in to teach Luo Zheng a lesson would not only allow him to vent his frustration but also secure the support of others. Donning an anti-poison mask, he approached the door with two confidants, gesturing with the walkie-talkie for the control center to open it. With so many tear gas canisters deployed, those inside couldn't possibly have any fight left in them.
"Bang!" Before the door could open, a gunshot rang out, and a bullet struck the deputy warden right between his eyebrows, killing him instantly. The other two officers were so frightened that they turned tail and ran. From a distance, the warden watched this scene unfold with a trace of gratitude welling up within him, thankful that Luo Zheng had eliminated a rival for him. However, he dared not show it and shouted coldly, "Throw in more tear gas, and be careful."
Several more tear gas canisters were hurled inside, the billowing white smoke spreading everywhere. Despite the flushing with water, Luo Zheng still felt difficulty breathing, his head starting to spin, overwheld by the sheer amount of tear gas. He couldn't help coughing, and gradually, tears began to stream down his face as he grew dizzy and his consciousness began to scatter.
After waiting for so ti, Luo Zheng faintly saw the iron door open and several people rushed in. They pulled him out from under the tap and threw him to the ground, where they started to beat him fiercely with gun butts, fists, and combat boots. The intense pumling awakened Luo Zheng from his stupor, leaving him feeling weak and unable to fight back. He quickly curled up to protect his head and vital areas, tensing his body to endure the assault. As his internal anger surged, a sweet taste filled his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
The officers too were exerting all their strength, punching and kicking Luo Zheng relentlessly, venting their rage. Their emotions getting sowhat out of control, the warden hurried over and saw what was happening. Panicked, knowing that a living Luo Zheng was more useful to him than a dead one, he quickly raised his gun in warning. The gunshot startled everyone, halting their beating as they looked over in confusion.
"Enough, all of you out! You're police officers, not criminals. Do you really want to beat him to death?" the warden barked furiously.
"But?" an officer complained discontentedly.
"But what? Hmph, are you trying to say 'but he killed a police officer', right?" the warden retorted coldly. He glanced around at the others, all wearing angry expressions, and beca urgent, exclaiming, "But you are still police officers, wearing the uniform! His life or death is for the judge to decide, not you. Who wants to kill him? I'll indulge you, go ahead, but you'll also have to face legal punishnt."
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback. As law enforcent, they couldn't decide who lived or died, and if they really killed Luo Zheng, they would have to face legal consequences as well. This realization jolted them to their senses, and they sheepishly began to leave. Relieved, the warden also stepped out and commanded, "Close the door."
"Yes." soone promptly responded. The warden had ordered the door shut, so no one was going to remind them that Luo Zheng should receive dical treatnt. Dying from injuries and being beaten to death are two different matters; everyone would rather Luo Zheng die and thus chose to remain selectively silent.
The warden knew perfectly well that Luo Zheng should be treated, but he dared not ntion it. Stopping their direct killing of Luo Zheng had already cost him support; if he showed benevolence now, it could incite the opposition of all his subordinates. He left briskly with a stern face. This incident had caused severe losses, and he had to get an explanation from Song Yan.
In the cell, the white smoke from the tear gas slowly dissipated. On the ground, Luo Zheng lay motionless, his eyes tightly closed, his mouth sared with fresh blood, resembling an injured tiger—proud, sorrowful, yet filled with boundless defiance, silently contending against an unjust fate, even while covered in scars.
Note: I recomnd an urban fantasy novel full of imagination, "The Close-Range dicine King", for those who enjoy this genre to check out.
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