Chapter 21: Demanding a Gun

Some things may feel satisfying and empowering to do in the moment, but the consequences are rarely as pleasant, and they can even be downright dangerous.

On the surface, Xiao Ziguang had put Xiong Yaohui in his place and even caused Zhang Cheng to lose face. In reality, however, Xiong Yaohui had made a mental note of Xiao Ziguang and would undoubtedly look for any opportunity to make his life miserable.

Sure enough, the very next morning, Xiao Ziguang was pulled into Luan Jin'an’s office, where he met a man in his thirties who exuded an air of sharpness. His eyes were small but piercing, giving off the impression of someone highly calculating.

"You must be Xiao Ziguang. I am Yang Jin from the Narcotics Brigade. We need a fresh face for an ongoing case, and after hearing about it, Director Xiong personally handpicked you!"

Yang Jin of the Narcotics Brigade—Xiao Ziguang had dealt with him quite a bit in his previous life. Ostensibly, he was the brigade captain, but in reality, he was a "white glove" manipulated by a certain interest group.

Yang Jin did indeed work in narcotics. Over the years, he had arrested many drug dealers and received numerous commendations. However, a closer look at the records of those dealers would reveal that none of them had household registrations in Tianhai City; they were all small-time nobodies with no real backing.

The supply of drugs on the streets had not diminished due to the anti-drug efforts; instead, they had become more expensive. Some nightclubs, dance halls, and KTVs had even become notorious drug distribution hubs in Tianhai.

During his years as captain, Yang Jin had made plenty of money and earned plenty of credit, marking him as a corrupt element hidden within the police force who was difficult to expose.

Now that Yang Jin had come knocking to recruit Xiao Ziguang for an undercover mission, it would be foolish to assume there wasn't a malicious agenda behind it.

Xiao Ziguang initially wanted to refuse, but he caught himself before the words left his lips. There is no greater fear than being targeted by a thief. If he rejected this assignment, there was no telling what kind of retaliation he would face later.

Rather than passively worrying about the unknown, it was better to proactively embrace the known.

With this in mind, Xiao Ziguang began setting terms. "I can go undercover, but it’s too dangerous. I need a service weapon."

As a veteran who had transferred from the military, Xiao Ziguang had fired guns before and was an excellent marksman. Since he couldn't refuse the mission, he might as well secure a weapon for self-defense.

It was something he might not need to use, but he couldn't afford to be without. Under the barrel of a gun, everyone is equal. If Yang Jin dared to provide him with a weapon, Xiao Ziguang would dare to use it. Even if Director Xiong wanted to make his life difficult later, he would have to consider whether his own skull was harder than a bullet.

This demand was completely unexpected for Yang Jin. "That’s impossible. You just transferred over and haven't even been on the job for a year. You aren't qualified to carry a service weapon."

"Even if I were willing to make an exception for you, your credentials aren't sufficient to obtain a gun permit. If you’re caught, it’s illegal possession of a firearm. Not only will you be in trouble, but I will be, too."

Yang Jin’s refusal was blunt. Luan Jin’an also tugged at Xiao Ziguang, saying, "This isn't just difficult; it’s exceptionally difficult! Why don't you ask for something else?"

"We are all police officers, so let’s stop playing games. Compared to other branches, the casualty rate for narcotics officers is the highest," Xiao Ziguang replied, looking directly at Yang Jin. "You’re sending me undercover on a mission that is clearly a death trap, and you won't even give me a gun?"

"Do you want to watch me go to my death, facing a group of drug dealers with my bare hands?"

Yang Jin did not have a pleasant temperament. "Xiao Ziguang, are you saying that without a gun, you won't take this mission? Even if Director Xiong personally handpicked you, you’re going to defy his orders?"

His words were a blatant abuse of power, a display of pettiness that was truly nauseating.

Xiao Ziguang didn't back down. "I never said I wouldn't take the mission. Just find me a gun, and I’ll go undercover. After all, I was handpicked by Director Xiong! Yang Jin, are you questioning my ability, or are you questioning the Director’s judgment?"

It was a masterclass in fighting fire with fire. If Yang Jin didn't provide a gun, he would be questioning Director Xiong’s judgment, doubting Xiao Ziguang’s ability, and effectively defying the Director’s orders.

Yang Jin’s already small eyes narrowed further as he stared at Xiao Ziguang. Things had become complicated. As an ambitious man, Yang Jin wanted to carry out his leader’s intent, but with Xiao Ziguang being so uncooperative, how could he pull this off?

Yang Jin’s eyes darted around. "While it’s difficult, there’s a way! I can’t get you an official service weapon, but I can get you an unofficial one!"

That was an interesting proposition.

Xiao Ziguang paused for a moment before understanding Yang Jin’s intent. He planned to take a weapon from the confiscated stockpile to silence Xiao Ziguang, a move that would allow him to deflect blame if any problems arose later.

After all, with so many guns confiscated and destroyed each year, it was understandable if one or two went "missing."

The pressure was now back on Xiao Ziguang. His demand had been met—not with a standard-issue weapon, but with a gun nonetheless—something he could use for self-defense or to take a life.

Yang Jin was quick-witted and didn't play by the rules. While he seemingly agreed to Xiao Ziguang’s demand, he had actually dug a deep pit.

An unregistered gun in the hands of someone without a carry permit was a trap. If he accepted it and the gun went missing or was used to kill someone, he would have no way to explain it.

Given Yang Jin’s character, he would certainly refuse to take responsibility and would likely claim the gun was stolen by Xiao Ziguang.

Xiao Ziguang wouldn't trust his future to someone else’s integrity, unless...

"Unregistered is fine. But I have one more request: I want Zhou Huajian to be my handler." As soon as Xiao Ziguang finished speaking, Yang Jin’s eyes narrowed.

Luan Jin’an interjected anxiously, "Xiao Ziguang, don't be a fool. Although Zhou Huajian was once a narcotics hero, he’s now a drug addict. He still officially holds his position, but he can’t be trusted. If you make him your handler, he’ll sell you out!"

Zhou Huajian—a name that sounded the same as the famous singer but was written with different characters. Ten years ago, he was a renowned narcotics officer in Tianhai, having broken a 300-kilogram heroin case and received the Golden Shield Medal from the Ministry of Public Security. He was a hero of the system, hailed as the "King of Anti-Narcotics."

Had things gone differently, Zhou Huajian would have been a rising star. With his reputation and his keen logical mind, he likely would have been promoted to the provincial department and eventually the Ministry of Public Security.

But tragedy struck. Six years ago, a media outlet published a report on Tianhai’s anti-narcotics efforts, revealing Zhou Huajian’s name, address, and photograph without any redaction.

The drug dealers sought their revenge. His son was injected with drugs, his father was shot nine times, his wife suffered a mental breakdown, and his mother died of a stroke three months later.

His once-happy home was shattered. The former hero, the recipient of the Golden Shield, spiraled into pain and became addicted to the very poison he had spent his life fighting.