Chapter 55: The Sniper Order

Zhang Jun’s mind remained in a state of intense alertness. It was the first time in his life he had witnessed a capture operation firsthand.

With the deployment complete, Lu Honglin waved his hand and led a team toward the West Warm Pavilion.

Suddenly, Zhang Jun remembered—Shen Xue was still waiting for him in the West Warm Pavilion!

He quickly bent down and said to Ma Hongqi, who was sitting in the car, “Boss, I’ll go in and have a look.”

Ma Hongqi nodded.

Zhang Jun hurried to catch up with Lu Honglin and the others, entering the main hall on the first floor of the West Warm Pavilion.

Manager Wu Guoguang, bald-headed, was visibly startled when he saw Lu Honglin but quickly hurried over to meet him.

“Don’t move! Everyone, step back!” Lu Honglin commanded sternly.

Seeing this serious stance, Wu Guoguang realized that Director Lu wasn’t here for a meal or drinks. He immediately ordered his subordinates to stand down.

Lu Honglin’s sharp eyes scanned the second floor, then he waved his hand decisively: “Move out!”

The SWAT officers accompanying Lu Honglin swiftly moved toward the second floor.

They had already pinpointed the exact private room where Jin Dalong was hiding.

The officers arrived at the door and kicked it open with lightning speed.

“Don’t move!” the lead officer barked.

The room was a large private suite with three tables, nearly thirty people seated inside.

Jin Dalong’s group, always alert, erupted into chaos the moment the door was kicked open.

Some scrambled to open windows and jump out, others dashed toward the exit.

Though the officers were armed, the cramped room made gun use impractical.

They grappled hand-to-hand to subdue Jin Dalong and the others.

“Don’t let Jin Dalong escape!” Lu Honglin shouted from the corridor.

Zhang Jun had seen reports about Jin Dalong in the newspapers. Though he had never encountered the man before, recognition came instantly.

“Jin Dalong is climbing out the window!” Zhang Jun yelled, spotting a figure scaling the window.

Chaos reigned. Trapped suspects fought like cornered beasts, grabbing chairs to strike the officers.

Jin Dalong seized the moment, hoisting himself out the window.

Outside, however, a tightly woven net of police lay in wait.

He froze, staring down at the flashing police lights and fully armed officers below. A single leap meant certain capture.

Panicked, he scrambled toward the ledge of an adjacent window.

The West Warm Pavilion was built in traditional style, with no burglar bars on the windows. Between two windows was an air conditioning unit.

Jin Dalong leapt onto the external AC unit, then vaulted onto the neighboring window ledge.

With agile skill, he performed a swift pull-up, hoisting himself onto the ledge before jumping into the adjacent private room.

Zhang Jun stood in the corridor, watching the harrowing fight unfold inside.

Suddenly, a woman’s scream came from the next room!

“Shen Xue!” Zhang Jun recognized the voice immediately.

He dashed over and pushed open the door.

Jin Dalong had Shen Xue in a tight chokehold, pulling out a switchblade. With a snap, the gleaming blade flicked open. His face twisted in menace as he growled, “Let me go, or I’ll kill her!”

Lu Honglin and his team arrived, their faces darkening with fury.

Despite meticulous planning, a critical oversight had allowed Jin Dalong to reach this room.

To avoid alerting suspects, no customers had been evacuated.

What was supposed to be a sure capture had become a tangled mess.

Lu Honglin’s voice was low but firm: “Jin Dalong, we ask you to come with us to assist in an investigation. Do not harm the hostage. I urge you to put down the knife and surrender voluntarily. Confession brings leniency.”

Jin Dalong pressed Shen Xue tightly against the window, knife at her throat, and snarled, “Everyone back off, or she dies!”

Shen Xue’s throat was crushed; she struggled for breath, unable to speak. Tears welled in her delicate eyes as she stared silently at Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun’s hatred surged; he wished he could shoot Jin Dalong on the spot.

But with a hostage involved, Lu Honglin was cautious, unwilling to rush forward recklessly.

Both sides stood firm, locked in a stalemate.

Zhang Jun murmured, “Director Lu, the snipers outside should have a clear shot at Jin Dalong.”

Lu Honglin paused, considering.

Was this an order to shoot?

From the snipers’ vantage point, one clean shot to the head could end it.

Jin Dalong would be dead beyond doubt.

Lu Honglin would not give such an order unless the hostage’s life was in imminent danger.

They still hoped to capture Jin Dalong alive—his cooperation was crucial for the ongoing investigation.

Zhang Jun only wanted to free Shen Xue as quickly as possible.

Every moment delayed increased her peril.

Jin Dalong had already taken lives before; he wouldn’t hesitate to add more.

“Director Lu, saving the hostage is paramount! If anything happens, no one can bear that responsibility. Maybe you should request permission from higher-ups?” Zhang Jun urged anxiously.

At that moment, the capture in the adjacent room concluded. All suspects there were secured by SWAT.

Those who tried to escape through windows were caught by officers outside.

Only Jin Dalong remained fiercely resisting.

Lu Honglin tried to reason with him again, but Jin Dalong refused to surrender.

“Back off!” Jin Dalong’s temper frayed, voice rising.

Keeping Shen Xue restrained required constant effort, exhausting him.

Zhang Jun could wait no longer. “Director Lu, if you don’t authorize the snipers now, the chance will be lost!”

Jin Dalong seemed to sense the danger outside. He pressed Shen Xue closer, retreating into a corner.

Zhang Jun sighed deeply.

Now, even a sniper’s shot was impossible.

“Jin Dalong, release the hostage, and we will let you leave,” Lu Honglin suddenly offered.

“Fine! Get me a car at the hotel entrance. Once I’m in, I’ll let her go,” Jin Dalong agreed.

“All right, we’re preparing the vehicle. You can come out now. Everyone, step back!” Lu Honglin gestured for his men to clear the way.

Jin Dalong pushed Shen Xue forward, cautiously emerging.

Zhang Jun met Shen Xue’s gaze, silently urging her to stay calm; he would save her.

Despair flooded Shen Xue’s eyes as she fixed her unblinking stare on Zhang Jun.

In that look lay boundless affection and unspoken sweetness.

Zhang Jun’s eyes burned red with helplessness, cursing himself as a powerless scholar unable to rescue her from danger.

The officers slowly withdrew in the corridor, clearing a path.

Jin Dalong, ever watchful, pushed Shen Xue down the stairs, warning sharply, “Don’t move! Anyone who does, she dies!”

Zhang Jun and the others followed cautiously behind.

The hall was empty; the guests had long since left.

A car waited at the hotel entrance.

Jin Dalong quickened his pace toward it, as if boarding meant escape from capture.

At that moment, Lu Honglin took out his walkie-talkie and whispered, “Number Three, ready.”

Though his voice was low, Zhang Jun caught it.

Number Three—surely the third sniper!

Lu Honglin had finally given the order to shoot.