Chapter 2 (Part 1) Drug Intermediaries

"Eight Directions?" Tang Shuxing murmured the two Chinese characters on the sign, "What does this mean?"

Wei Dagen pointed at the one-way glass and said, "Tang Shuxing was imprisoned a few years ago. He was originally sentenced to one year, with a suspended sentence. However, he appeared utterly unrepentant, and within the first week of his probation, he committed another offense, which led to him being incarcerated for an additional year and a half. After his release, he engaged in various activities, possessing an exceptionally rich social experience. He is quite glib and smooth-tongued. Although he looks like a thug, surprisingly, this guy has no other criminal record. Isn't that strange?"

On the other side of the one-way glass, Lei Yu and Wei Daxun exchanged a glance, both curious about what was written on that A4 sheet of paper. Most importantly, Ji Kefeng's actions clearly indicated that he did not want them to see it

"Don't be ridiculous, Chicken Master." Tang Shuxing leaned back in his chair, "You don't have the ability to transfer me from here. Who do you think you are? Do you think a single sentence can get rid of me? Do you have any evidence proving that I am Mr. Hook? No! There is also no evidence linking me to him, so I am merely a so-called suspect in this case, with no direct connection to your case. Even if they want to investigate, they will only monitor me. After a period of surveillance, they will find that I really have no connection and will give up, due to issues like manpower and funding, etc. Am I right?"

I have checked your information and records, but they are all from five years ago, which is when we met in Chengdu. At that time, you were still an insurance claims adjuster, slightly better off than now. We only met that once, and then you disappeared. These past five years have been completely blank. Where have you been?

You have mistaken the person.

"I don't know," Lei Yu shook his head and returned the documents to Wei Dagen, "Regardless of whether he is a good person or a bad person, this time he is the prime suspect."

"Captain Wei, this seems unrelated to us, right? This is the work of the narcotics police, isn't it?" said Lei Yu in surprise from the other side of the one-way glass.

Wei Dagen remained silent, showing no reaction, merely staring at the glass and observing the two individuals. After a long while, he remarked: "It seems that this Ji Kefeng has not conducted a thorough investigation into Tang Shuxing's past."

Outside the one-way glass, Lei Yu said softly, "Hmm, I have seen that movie, what he said is true"

"Strange," Lei Yu nodded and said, "It is indeed rare for someone like this to have no other criminal record. What crime did he commit to end up in prison before?"

Alright! Tang Shuxing directly took the money and pressed it under his wrist. "Go ahead and ask, I believe there will be more than ten questions, right? I will consider the rest as complimentary."

"Tang Shuxing, I am here to help you," Ji Kefeng said with a frown, feeling that the person before him was completely different from the childhood friend he once knew

The user of this email is the webmaster Lao Yantong. Therefore, after Lao Yantong received the email and confirmed with his comrades in Zhenyang City, he informed Ji Kefeng that Tang Shuxing had been found

Wei Dagen handed a photocopied document to Lei Yu, who glanced at it in surprise and said, "Because of this?"

It is hard to say. Ji Kefeng shook his head and said, "As the child of a soldier, why would you get involved in a murder case?"

"You are here to help yourself, aren't you? You simply believe that your father has connections with drug dealers, and coincidentally, my father has also gone missing at the same time. We both received the same items back, and among the old clothes your father sent back, there was a drug reaction. Naturally, you linked the disappearances to drug dealers. Moreover, it is quite a coincidence that a drug lord used my online name IwwwhetushucomcomD, which is exactly the same as my real name. You want to investigate this connection through me to find your missing father." Tang Shuxing said this as he slowly stood up, suddenly leaning closer to Ji Kefeng, a mocking smile on his face. "You are helping yourself, aren't you? Chicken Master."

Tang Shuxing held an A4 sheet of paper, on which was printed an email. The email clearly stated his address in Shenzhen City and even included a recent photograph. The sender's email appeared to be a temporary registration, while the recipient's email was the complaint mailbox set up by Ji Kefeng at the Honghe Prefecture inspection station.

Tang Shuxing called out for a while, but finding no one coming in, he could only sit down and nod, saying: "Master Ji, you certainly have your ways. Your hands are big and long enough that even the criminal police of Zhenyang City listen to you and act like your dogs. Impressive"

In the interrogation room, Ji Kefeng continued to question Tang Shuxing about everything related to the drug lord. However, Tang Shuxing merely shook his head, indicating that he knew nothing about any drug lord and that it had absolutely nothing to do with him. He was just an ordinary person living at the bottom of society in this city

"Alright, alright, I see you won't leave unless I say something, right?" Tang Shuxing curled his finger and said, "Bring me a cigarette, preferably a whole pack, as I like to smoke while I talk."

This is exactly right. Wei Dagen nodded in approval and said, "Lei Yu, you finally look like a criminal investigator. Never let emotions cloud your judgment; evidence is evidence, and facts are facts. Here, we do not subscribe to the saying 'the law is not separate from human feelings.'"

I am mingling in the old town of Shenzhen, doing everything and anything that makes money. "Don't believe me? Go ask the police officers; I have a temporary residence permit!" Tang Shuxing spread his hands and said.

What does "Team Wei" mean? And the book "Ray Yu is Confused"

"Are you saying that you are here to save me?" Tang Shuxing smiled faintly, "But I really am not the drug lord you are looking for"

Tang Shuxing tightened his grip on the stack of money, looking at Ji Kefu's face and smiling. After a good while, he explained: "There is an old American movie from the 1970s called 'The Sting.' One of the main characters is named Johnny Hooker. I like that movie and I like that character, so I changed my name to this. The term Mr. Hook can be literally translated as 'Mr. Hook,' but it also carries meanings of trap and deception. Therefore, I think it can also be referred to in Chinese as 'Mr. Deceiver.' Ji Ye, you don't like watching movies, do you?"

I do not know, I still hope that you can help me answer this. Ji Kefeng had Tang Shuxing take another look at that emblem, and then carefully put it away, glancing instinctively at the one-way glass

Lei Yu heard the commotion as someone was about to enter the interrogation room, but Wei Dagen stopped him, signaling him to pretend he was unaware and to continue watching and listening to see if Ji Kefu would ask anything revealing, as there might be unexpected gains. Lei Yu looked at Wei Dagen, knowing that this veteran detective, who had been in the field for many years, was always cautious yet very cunning. He must have his own reasons for doing this, so Lei Yu remained still and continued to observe.

Up to now, no one has been able to locate this individual. An undercover agent from the CIA, after several years of infiltration, finally sent out the intelligence he had gathered just before his death. The information was quite simple: it merely confirmed that this person was Chinese and that his former Chinese name was Tang Shuxing

Ji Kefeng saw that Tang Shuxing was about to speak, and immediately took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and threw it on the table, but kept the lighter in his hand, signaling him to light it for Tang Shuxing

"Alright, let's talk about your case in Shenzhen City regarding Tang Shu and the *Picture* Book Punishment. Go ahead and speak." Ji Kefeng remained calm and did not show any anger, simply sitting there.

"Indeed, so do you consider him a good person or a bad person?" Wei Dagen said with a smile

Wei Dagen remained silent, merely shaking his head to signal Lei Yu not to speak, and continued to listen.

Mr. Hook, an Asian drug lord who has been offered a bounty of over ten million by international anti-drug organizations, although merely an intermediary, has already surpassed the influence of many drug lords in today's world. Following the gradual disappearance of groups like Kunsha, many emerging drug organizations have struggled to flood the Asian markets with drugs in large quantities. However, this individual known as Mr. Hook has devised various methods to transport drugs across borders. His emergence has led to an immediate proliferation of drugs in regions such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, as well as in South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries, causing drug prices to fluctuate frequently. It can be said that while he controls the sources of drugs, he also manages the drug economy. Many drug lords have even threatened to find this individual and eliminate him to prevent disruption of the underground drug world they have painstakingly built, aiming to restore the former drug economic zones.

"Bafang, he just said these two words, right?" Lei Yu whispered, fearing that the two people in the interrogation room might hear him despite the soundproofing.

Ji Kefeng smiled slightly, but he was well aware that Tang Shuxing was speaking the truth, and this young man seemed to be quite familiar with the entire procedure, not having made a single mistake. His attempt to intimidate him had once again failed

I hope I am mistaken. Ji Kefeng sat down again and said, "A senior official from the FBI has directly stated that the disappearance of this person is equivalent to choking the throat of the drug source in Asia. Mr. Hook must die! You probably do not understand the methods of the Americans. If they find out that you are that person, you could inexplicably die one day on the streets of * T * Book."

Tang Shuxing chuckled softly and retorted, "Master Ji, are you feeling unwell? If someone is hit while driving, it is still an accident; does that mean the person who was hit is also committing a crime? I am merely the victim"

"Master Ji, no matter what I do, I will never engage in drug production or trafficking, you should understand that, right?" Tang Shuxing said with a grin, "Regardless of how I feel about my father, I know he was a soldier in his time. As the child of a soldier, I could never do such things, could I?"

Tang Shuxing faced the single-sided glass, cupped his hands into a trumpet shape, and shouted loudly: "Hey, officer, this armed police comrade is going to interfere in your case. I suspect he will resort to torture for confession. Are you going to take action or not? If not, I will go out and post about this on Weibo."

Ji Kefeng knew that Tang Shuxing was deliberately using provocation. He merely glanced at the one-way glass, smiled, and then turned back to look at Tang Shuxing, saying: "It’s useless. I now suspect that your case is directly related to the drug lord I am investigating, so I need to ask you some questions. You must cooperate; otherwise, I will find a way to transfer you from here into my jurisdiction and keep you detained until you are willing to tell the truth."

The most important point is that many of the IDs you registered online in the past are almost all called MrHook. Is this a coincidence?" Ji Kefeng asked again

Ji Kefeng remained silent for a long time, then took out a printed A4 sheet of paper from his pocket. He deliberately walked over to Tang Shuxing's side, facing the one-way glass, and held the A4 paper with its back towards it, allowing Tang Shuxing to see the text on it. At the same time, he pointed to the logo at the bottom of the A4 paper and asked, "Do you recognize this?"

"Alright, then answer me a few questions." Ji Kefeng took out a stack of cash again, "As per your rules, one question for one hundred."

Wei Dagen cast a sidelong glance at Lei Yu, and Lei Yu immediately fell silent