The police also realized the problem and began firing their guns in a panicked state. The inmates, in no hurry, took cover; they were all well-trained and knew how to handle this situation. Additionally, with prisoners on all five floors rioting at the sa ti, the police forces were spread thin. There weren't many officers stationed on each floor, and their firepower was limited, posing little threat to the inmates.
After a burst of gunfire, another policeman was ambushed and killed. The warden's face turned icy as he hurriedly shouted, "Quick, turn off the flashlights."
However, the warden failed to realize that his command, given in a state of panic, was a fatal mistake. Once the flashlights were out, apart from the burning blankets at the iron gates, everything else was pitch dark. The inmates had been sowhat wary of the flashlights in the hands of the police and hadn't dared to charge boldly, but with the lights extinguished, the police couldn't see clearly, and everyone knew the police were just ahead in the corridor. The corridor was so narrow that firing at random could probably hit a target.
Thus, so inmates who believed they had good skills stealthily moved forward, swinging their steel pipes toward the corridor ahead. The panicked police ducked and the pipes hit the walls, bouncing back and landing on an officer. Thinking he had been struck, he was startled and involuntarily pulled the trigger.
"Dada dada!" The sound of gunfire rang out, hitting the ground, which was made of solid steel, creating sparks and causing the bullets to ricochet, hitting one of the officers. This officer, already on high alert, suddenly felt a pain in his body and realized he had been shot. In a panic, he too instinctively pulled the trigger.
The sound of gunfire erupted again. Although it was aid at the ceiling, which was also made of poured steel, the bullets flew erratically, causing ricochets. Moreover, the flash from the gunfire revealed their position. The inmates, who had already prepared, took the opportunity to launch an attack, hurling countless steel pipes and with the ricocheting bullets, more victims fell.
The already tense police imdiately panicked and began retreating en masse. The policen who were hit also accidentally pulled their triggers, causing stray bullets to fly and injure their own. The warden himself was shot by a ricochet that hit his thigh. Fortunately, it was not fatal, but he bled profusely. His face grew cold as he realized continued defense would only lead to more casualties. In anger, he commanded, "Retreat, retreat quickly, set up the second line of defense."
Upon hearing this, the officers felt as if they had been pardoned and turned their guns to retreat, moving quickly. The police in charge of guarding the prison were not battle-hardened soldiers. They had courage but lacked combat strength. Staying put might not turn out well, so retreating to set up a defense seed better. They hurriedly departed.
Luo Zheng noticed the police retreating and found the madman. The two made their way to the entrance to see many inmates using thick steel pipes to pry the iron doors. The doors didn't budge and had beco too hot to handle, which troubled everyone. Luo Zheng glanced at the door and shouted, "Quick, get water, as much as you can."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned and ran back inside the cells to find water. Lacking proper containers, they resorted to using cups, and so even soaked towels and blankets to bring water. At Luo Zheng's signal, they splashed water on the gates, and as steam billowed, the red-hot swollen tal of the doors contracted. The magnetic seal at the doors' closure weakened, and with a forceful lever using the steel pipes, the doors opened.
Everyone stared blankly at the now-open doors, so unable to believe what they were seeing. Soon, cheers erupted as the inmates howled and dashed out, but a few reached the corridor only to be felled by indiscriminate gunfire. Luo Zheng was shocked and bellowed, "Don't run around, inform people upstairs and downstairs to use water, hurry up and open the doors."
Suddenly, soone shouted loudly, telling people upstairs and downstairs how to open the doors. Everyone cald down from the surprise, did not rush chaotically, but looked toward Luo Zheng, waiting for Luo Zheng's command. The situation was critical, and Luo Zheng didn't know what was the right move, he could only rely on his instincts, and he shouted, "Charge upstairs, be careful of police bullets."
Jeff roared and led his brothers up, wielding steel pipes. Luo Zheng could see these inmates were skilled fighters, more than a match for the police, so he lingered at the back of the group to protect the madman, a forr warrior, a hero who, because of the long prison life and a disability in his leg, was no longer as capable in combat as he once was. Luo Zheng did not like the idea of this old hero falling on the path to hope.
Indeed, the attacking force of Jeff and his group was formidable—they quickly took out several policen on the fourth floor and seized their weapons. Instantly empowered, they assisted the inmates on the fourth floor to charge toward the fifth floor. The policen on the fifth floor, facing a pincer attack, had no choice but to retreat to the sixth floor. Everyone helped the inmates on the fifth floor to open the iron gate, and they did not attack imdiately. Instead, they dispersed spontaneously, scouted the surroundings, and waited for Luo Zheng to make a decision.
When Luo Zheng got to the fifth floor, everyone greeted him respectfully, nodding their heads as a sign of honor. The situation had developed to this stage, all thanks to Luo Zheng's strategic planning—everyone held enough respect for Luo Zheng. They also understood that at this mont, they needed to stick together, or else no one could escape. With Luo Zheng present, their cohesion would be stronger.
"Those bastards have run up, there's definitely an ambush in the corridor above, what do we do?" Jeff, seething with murderous intent, charged over from the stair entrance, his face was ashen, and his eyes twinkled with excited anticipation—as if he could already sll the freedom that he was eagerly looking forward to.
Luo Zheng rembered the madman once ntioned that the prison could possibly be located inside a cave, but it was only a possibility. Still, heading upward was never a mistake. Not knowing how many floors were above, he said, "Gather the unburned blankets, light them, and throw them upwards to smoke out the police first."
"Yes!" Jeff shouted excitedly, as if he was back to the tis of heated battles, and then looked at the others and called out, "Brothers, did you all hear that? If you want to live, get moving!"
No one challenged Luo Zheng's authority, nor was there a need to. Luo Zheng's suggestion was undoubtedly correct, and everyone sprang into action. At this ti, the inmates from the first and second floors also rushed up. Many of them were ard with guns, likely seized from the police, and three policen were captured, looking dirty and scared.
Luo Zheng casually inquired and learned that there weren't many policen left below; all had been killed or subdued. These three had beco afraid and surrendered on their own. The insurgents were not truly evil prisoners, they didn't indulge in senseless slaughter but brought them to Luo Zheng for judgnt. After a mont of thought, Luo Zheng decided to have the three policen tied up for the ti being.
Just then, soone ca over with a burning blanket, and Luo Zheng called out to Jeff, "Have those three throw the blankets upwards. Keep a close eye on them—if they dare to run, open fire."
"Understood." Jeff looked at the three pale-faced policen and excitedly agreed.
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