In the detention cell.
Scarface and Xie Dong's group were temporarily locked in the same room.
After enduring the "special treatment" from the Wanlong Society, getting tangled up with Xiao Caiwan, and being caught red-handed, everyone was physically and mentally exhausted, each curled up in their own corner.
Just as everyone was on the verge of dozing off—
Suddenly, an exaggerated and ill-timed voice broke the silence.
"According to Article 347 of the Criminal Law, the crime of selling prohibited substances, involving 10 grams or more but less than 50 grams, is punishable by imprisonment of seven years or more, along with a fine."
"If the quantity exceeds 50 grams, the punishment is 15 years imprisonment, life imprisonment, or execution, with confiscation of property..."
Er Kun, holding a criminal law book he’d begged from the police, flipped through the pages while shaking Scarface's arm. "Scarface, Scarface, we might actually get the death penalty..."
Scarface: "???"
Wait, why does your tone sound almost excited about the prospect of execution?
The drowsy group was instantly jolted awake by the mention of "execution."
"Wait, Er Kun, did you say execution? We could get executed?"
"But we weren’t involved! It was all that dead bastard Qiao Yong’s doing—we’re innocent!"
"Yeah, I don’t wanna die, I don’t wanna get executed!"
"..."
Some were so agitated they nearly jumped up, tears and snot streaming down their faces.
Er Kun continued fanning the flames. "Whether there’s evidence or not isn’t up to us. Oh, and I heard nowadays they use self-funded bullets, not lethal injection. But if they aim well, it shouldn’t hurt much, right?"
"Just my guess, though. Anyone here got experience? Care to share?"
The group: "..."
Though they really wanted to beat the crap out of this loudmouth right now, their fear far outweighed their anger. After Er Kun repeatedly emphasized how they’d be executed, the group was on the verge of a breakdown.
They wailed like ghosts and howled like wolves.
Scarface couldn’t take it anymore either and raised his hand to slap Er Kun. Right now, he felt that taking Er Kun under his wing was the biggest mistake of his life.
Damn it, I’m barely holding on myself, and this idiot’s stabbing me in the heart, talking about execution like it’s some kind of thrill. Did the Wanlong Society mess him up?
But just as his palm was about to land, Er Kun turned to him excitedly and said, "Scarface, I think I’ve got a way out."
Scarface’s hand froze mid-air. "You better not be screwing with me."
Er Kun lowered his voice. "Scarface, I was just scaring them on purpose—to get the cops to come over so I could see how many are on duty tonight."
Scarface blurted out, unable to hold back, "Wait, you’re planning a prison break?"
The others, hearing this, instantly fell silent. Multiple pairs of eyes locked onto the two of them, gleaming with hope.
If you’re talking about breaking out, we’re wide awake now!
If we’re facing seven years or more, maybe even life or execution, then breaking out together sounds like a plan...
"Break out? Are you insane?" Er Kun shot Xie Dong and the others a look. "Scram, all of you. Stop eavesdropping."
The more Er Kun shooed them away, the more convinced Xie Dong’s group became that he had a real plan. They grew desperate. "Er Kun, save us! We don’t wanna rot in jail!"
"Er Kun, we messed up. We shouldn’t have listened to that dead man Qiao Yong’s lies."
"Come on, Er Kun, Scarface, please take us with you. We’ll do whatever you say!"
"..."
If Er Kun hadn’t been reciting criminal law earlier, they might not have been so terrified. None of them had ever been locked up before, but now, thanks to Er Kun, their nerves were shot.
"Er Kun, my brother, you really have a way to get me out?" Scarface’s voice trembled with excitement.
"Yeah, there’s a way." Er Kun glanced at Xie Dong’s group again, then leaned in and whispered, "Truth is, I ran into someone I know here—my cousin."
Scarface’s eyes lit up. "You’re saying your cousin can get us out?"
"I’m not sure. She’s just a low-ranking officer. If she lets us go, she’ll get disciplined—might even lose her badge."
Scarface’s hope deflated. "Damn it, then why bring it up? You messing with me?!"
"Scarface, hear me out. Ever heard of the phrase ‘sacrifice the plum to preserve the peach’?"
"Sacrifice the what?"
"‘Sacrifice the plum to preserve the peach.’"
"What’s that supposed to mean? Spit it out clearly."
"If my cousin lets us go, she’ll get in trouble. But you know, I know, and The Young Lady knows we’re innocent. So why’d she frame us? Because—let’s be real—you’re Boss Pan’s right-hand man. She’s dead set on taking you down, and now she’s got her chance..."
"So here’s the key—we need leverage to trade for our lives. And I’ve got the perfect bargaining chip: Lang Ya and Hei Bao."
"Lang Ya and Hei Bao are getting out tomorrow after serving their time. But Scarface, do you really think The Young Lady wants them free? Compared to you, those two are her real nightmares."
"So here’s the plan: we get them in here to take our place. Even if The Young Lady notices the switch, she’ll turn a blind eye. Hell, she might even pull strings to get us off the hook completely. That’s ‘sacrifice the plum to preserve the peach’—let Lang Ya and Hei Bao take the fall for us. And my cousin stays out of trouble..."
Scarface’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "Er Kun, have you lost your damn mind?! Those two are the boss’s most trusted men! If I betray them, he’ll skin me alive!"
"Scarface, then what’s your plan? You wanna rot in jail? Or maybe you’d prefer a self-funded bullet to the head?"
"I..."
"Scarface, I’ve followed you since Wushui County because I believed you were destined for greatness. I don’t wanna see you go down like this. And if Lang Ya and Hei Bao get out, the last open position for the Xuanwu Hall leader will go to one of them. You’ll be left with nothing."
"Scarface... better them than us."
Scarface’s breathing grew heavier. Er Kun’s final words struck a chord deep within him.
It was true—if Lang Ya and Hei Bao walked free, the last leadership spot would never be his. Those two had always been Boss Pan’s favorites.
After a long silence, Scarface finally made up his mind. "So what do I need to do?"
Erkun narrowed his eyes and said, "It's simple... As the boss's right-hand man, you must know some of their incriminating evidence..."
