After 10 p.m., Ancient Pond Mountain was shrouded in darkness, the moonlight casting a mottled glow through sparse clouds onto the winding paths between the trees, the surrounding area so quiet that only the occasional sounds of insects chirping, birds calling, and the rustle of feet on dry leaves could be heard.

Hundreds of uniformed, armed police officers were proceeding cautiously, from different directions, through the woods toward their target, the cold metal of their weapons reflecting sharp gleams of light in the night. As they drew closer to the den of thieves, their footsteps became even lighter.

After moving forward like this for another fifteen minutes, Aoyama Xiu Xin spotted a flicker of firelight ahead. He immediately gestured, signaling everyone to take cover on the spot.

There was a fair-sized cave about twenty meters up ahead, with two young men sitting by a fire at the entrance, grilling meat and chatting idly. They had not yet spotted Miyashita Ritsuki; he must have been tied up inside the cave.

The irregular distribution of trees between them obstructed both their view and their line of fire, meaning that even at this proximity, Aoyama Xiu Xin judged that the snipers would not be able to make a kill shot.

After pondering for a moment, Aoyama Xiu Xin gestured to the Asahikawa Police Chief to come over and whispered, "Pass it down, when you hear my command, everyone charges and opens fire all at once, shooting down the bandits."

Twenty meters was not a far distance, and with Miyashita Ritsuki not at the entrance, as long as they charged quickly and fired intensely, the two Miyazaki Ting men would certainly be killed on the spot.

Firepower was the key.

After all, this wasn't a movie, where hundreds of guns firing at once could all miss their target.

"Ah!" The Asahikawa Police Chief was both shocked and flustered.

Is this solving a case? It's more like anti-terrorism!

Aoyama Xiu Xin couldn't be bothered to explain, simply waving his hand for the chief to hurry and relay the order.

Meanwhile, Miyazaki Ting and Big Back Head at the cave entrance remained oblivious to the imminent danger.

"Alright, Brother Miyazaki, try this and see how it tastes," Big Back Head said as he passed over some grilled meat.

Miyazaki Ting took it, biting into it and blowing air to cool it down. After chewing the meat in his mouth and swallowing, he said, "Not bad, you try some too."

"Brother Miyazaki, what do you plan to do after you've avenged your mother?" Big Back Head asked curiously.

Having taken a sip of cola, Miyazaki Ting answered, "Set up a small business, marry an ordinary woman, start a family and live my life. I will be a qualified father, educating my children well."

"I never thought Brother Miyazaki would also yearn for an ordinary life," Big Back Head remarked, then laughed and shared his own plans. "Then I'll buy a house near yours, be your neighbor, and we can still hang out when we're both free and have a few drinks together."

"Charge!" Aoyama Xiu Xin shouted, staying put, shielding his men as they, like tigers pouncing on their prey, sprang from the ground and charged, pulling the triggers as they ran.

In the darkness, they should not have been able to see the targets clearly, but the fire provided them with a direction to shoot.

Miyazaki Ting and Big Back Head turned pale when they heard the commotion, instinctively looking in the direction of the sounds. They saw flickering shadows in the dense woods but before they could react, intense gunfire erupted, bullets flew, mostly striking trees with wood chips flying everywhere. Some bullets, however, hit their marks.

Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang…

The gunfire lasted for a full half minute. When the police reached the cave, Miyazaki Ting and Big Back Head were already down, shot several times, with bullet wounds in their chests, legs, and arms, blood flowing freely. They twitched and gasped for breath, not quite dead yet.

"We've found the hostage! The hostage is safe!" yelled a police officer who had rushed into the cave to rescue the hostage.

After the situation below was under control, Aoyama Xiu Xin and the Asahikawa Police Chief approached.

"Heh—Heh—"

Miyazaki Ting, blood bubbling from his mouth, looked up at the dapper and imposing Aoyama Xiu Xin, eyes filled with defiance, uttering an indistinct sound.

Idiots!

Local police lack martial virtue!

Aoyama Xiu Xin cast a casual glance at him and turned his attention to Miyashita Ritsuki, who was being helped out by two officers. He quickly stepped forward.

"Councilman Miyashita, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," replied a composed yet pale Miyashita Ritsuki, breathing slightly fast. Grasping Aoyama Xiu Xin's hand tightly, he said, "Thank you, Minister Aoyama, for your rescue!"

He had thought for sure he was a goner.

But unexpectedly, he had been given a second chance at life.

His gratitude for Aoyama Xiu Xin was genuine, and his disdain for the man's involvement with his sister lessened.

"Part of my duty, and thanks to the cooperation of the colleagues at the Asahikawa Police Station," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, then added, "You should go to the hospital for a check-up first."

"No need," Miyashita Ritsuki said gratefully, giving the Asahikawa Police Chief a nod and declining Aoyama Xiu Xin's suggestion. "It's all superficial wounds."

"Let's take you home then. Mrs. Miyashita, Miss Liangzi, and Mr. Naoyuki are all waiting for news of you at home," Aoyama Xiu Xin said kindly.

Miyashita Ritsuki nodded. "Please, Aoyama, tell me about tonight's events on the way."

"Sure!" Aoyama Xiu Xin replied.

"Bang!"

A sudden gunshot startled everyone.

After a moment, a high-ranking police officer hurried over and saluted, reporting, "Minister Aoyama, the informant who was leading the way tried to escape and has been shot dead by me!"

"You did very well to prevent the escape of the criminal, a significant contribution that merits commendation," Aoyama Xiu Xin affirmed and praised his action. He turned back to Miyashita Ritsuki and said, "Councilman Miyashita, the car is parked on the road below. Let's go now."

On the way back, after hearing Aoyama Xiu Xin's account, Miyashita Ritsuki understood that the other had been helping to silence the Miyashita family's problems, and expressed his thanks again.

"Too much formality, Councilman Miyashita," Aoyama Xiu Xin declared. "Mayor Miyashita has always been a great help to me, and I could not allow some lawbreakers to spread rumors and tarnish his reputation!"

"Words cannot express my gratitude; you will be my eternal friend," Miyashita Ritsuki solemnly promised, then added, "May I use your phone?"

"Of course," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, handing it over.

The Councilman dialed and began speaking into the phone.

"Of course," Xiu Xin passed over the phone.

Miyashita Ritsuki immediately called his father. After connecting, he briefly and shockingly recounted the events.

Miyashita Hidekatsu, lying in the hospital bed, was silent for a long time after hearing the story. He had not expected such a complex and dangerous situation to unfold during the two days of his hospitalization.

After a moment, he let out a long sigh of relief. No matter how perilous and twisted the process had been, the matter was finally resolved.

Though there were imperfections, they were insignificant.

"Give the phone to Xiu Xin."

"Sir!" Miyashita Ritsuki responded with a look towards Xiu Xin and said, "Father wants to talk to you."

Xiu Xin immediately took over the cordless phone and greeted respectfully, "Mayor Miyashita."

"Minister Aoyama, you did a very good job," Miyashita Hidekatsu said in a firm tone, with clear emphasis.

"Sir!" Xiu Xin responded loudly.

Miyashita Hidekatsu then hung up the phone.

.........

Upon arriving at Miyashita Ritsuki's home, they saw from afar a large group of journalists gathered at the door, obviously having caught wind of the developments. Even late at night, these people were really dedicated.

"It's Councilman Miyashita and Minister Aoyama!"

Seeing them alight from the car, the journalists who had been waiting for a long time immediately swarmed around the two men.

"Minister Aoyama, what exactly happened tonight? Why are you in Asahikawa City?"

"Councilman Miyashita, how did you get the injuries on your face?"

"Quiet! Please, everyone, quiet down! Give me a chance to answer," Miyashita Ritsuki raised his hand and shouted, waiting for the noise at the scene to subside before speaking gravely, "I was kidnapped."

As these words were uttered, an immediate uproar swept through those present.

"Kidnapped? Was it Minister Aoyama who saved you?"

"Have the kidnappers been caught?"

"Can you tell us about the kidnapping?"

Miyashita Ritsuki earnestly recounted a fabricated story, "Yesterday evening, on my way home from work, both my driver and I were abducted by armed criminals to a cave in Ancient Pond Mountain. My driver was killed, and the criminals demanded thirty million from my family."

"Since becoming a Councilman in Asahikawa, I have always emulated my father's dedication to integrity and honesty. My family doesn't have extra income beyond my salary; where could we find thirty million? With no other option, my wife had to both appease the criminals and report to the police for help. Upon learning of this, Minister Aoyama immediately traveled to Asahikawa himself to organize a rescue."

"Under his wise leadership and command, we used thirty million in counterfeit bills to deceive two of the criminals into coming to my house for the money, and intercepted them as they were withdrawing. One criminal was shot dead on the spot, and another was captured alive. After interrogation, we learned the location where I was being hidden."

"An hour ago, he led over a hundred police officers from Asahikawa Police Station and staged an attack on the criminals' hideout. He was courageous and at the forefront, killing two criminals on the spot and rescuing me. Here, I want to express my deepest gratitude again; he gave me the opportunity to continue living and serving the citizens of Asahikawa City!"

He spoke with fervor and sincerity before turning to Xiu Xin and bowing deeply.

"Bravo, bravo, bravo!" As his oration concluded, enthusiastic applause filled the venue.

"Minister Aoyama, do you have anything to say?"

All eyes were on Xiu Xin.

Xiu Xin smiled demurely and said calmly, "I have nothing to add. It was just part of my duty. Even if it had been an ordinary citizen kidnapped tonight, I would have been on the frontlines because that is my responsibility as a police officer!"

Seeing that the journalists still had questions, he raised his hand to interrupt, "Alright, ladies and gentlemen of the press. Councilman Miyashita has just survived a great ordeal. Let him rest and enjoy some time with his family, please make way."

Afterward, with the help of a team of police officers, the pair shook off the persistent journalists and entered the house.

"Husband! Oh, thank goodness you're safe!" No sooner had he entered than Mrs. Miyashita threw herself into his arms, sobbing.

Miyashita Ritsuki held her and patted her back to soothe her, then pushed her away and slapped her across the face, "Idiot! How could you, as his sister-in-law, put Liangzi and Naoyuki in danger?"

"I... I'm sorry," Mrs. Miyashita, covering her face, spoke guiltily and turned to Liangzi, bowing deeply, "Liangzi, Naoyuki, I have wronged you this time. Please forgive me!"

"All's well that ends well, brother. And sister-in-law was just worried about you," Miyashita Ryouko stepped forward to help her up and spoke to Miyashita Ritsuki.

"What a foolish woman!" Miyashita Ritsuki snorted coldly, then exhaled, "The good fortune is that none of you were harmed, otherwise, she would not have been forgiven."

Mrs. Miyashita had tears streaming down her face but was not angered by these words; she knew her husband was helping her gain the forgiveness of his younger brother and sister.

Miyashita Naoyuki also feigned concern, "Sister-in-law loves you too much, brother. I'm sincerely happy for you that you've found such a good wife; how could I possibly blame her?"

"Sigh." Miyashita Ritsuki let out a sigh as if he did not know what else to say, and then promptly changed the subject, "It's getting late. Mr. Aoyama and Liangzi, you may stay over tonight."

"I wouldn't want to impose, brother; I have urgent matters back in Sapporo," Miyashita Naoyuki hurriedly declined.

The last thing he wanted was to stay in Miyashita Ritsuki's house, and indeed, he did have urgent matters—he was expecting a shipment that night.

Xiu Xin also declined, "Returning to Sapporo is not far, so I won't trouble Councilman Miyashita."

"I'll head back too," Miyashita Ryouko added.

"Then, when I return to Sapporo, I will make a visit to express my thanks to Mr. Aoyama," Miyashita Ritsuki said, seeing this and not persisting any further, bowing deeply.

Then Xiu Xin and the others took their leave.

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