Chapter Thirty-Two: Ambition and Fury (Part Two)

After enduring the old warden’s “training,” Zhao Li seemed to have regained a measure of calm. Faced with the current situation, he did not explode with rage as one might expect, but instead accepted it with a curious serenity.

His family’s financial circumstances were not so dire that his father’s injury would leave them destitute. Even without the half-hearted assistance from that man, their medical insurance and savings were more than sufficient to see his father safely through this ordeal.

Yet, this incident made Zhao Li even more acutely aware of the advantages of power. It was as if this thing were a universal panacea—possess it, and black could turn to white, ugliness to beauty. With it, the warden could indulge in the finest luxuries, and could even command a real power-holding major general with a mere gesture.

Zhao Li felt no interest whatsoever in the one who twisted truth and falsehood. No matter how he strutted about, in the eyes of the old warden, he was likely nothing more than a slightly more amusing clown than Zhao Li himself. The true power resided with the mysterious old warden.

Zhao Li had not forgotten the warden’s words at their first meeting, spoken with such confidence and swagger: “This is my prison!” Nor had he forgotten how, within less than a day after receiving his transfer order, the old warden had investigated every person Zhao Li had ever interacted with and deduced the closest version of the truth from their reports. Zhao Li also remembered how, three hours after promising to investigate, the warden delivered a dossier containing detailed information on everyone involved—the traffic officer who handled the case, the journalist who reported it, and even the perpetrator, whose family history was laid out for generations.

The fire within his chest, after seeing what his parents had endured, did not diminish; instead, it burned fiercer than ever. That raging flame forced Zhao Li to frantically employ his basic fitness technique to restore balance. Yet, for reasons unknown, the remedy that had always worked before now failed to quench the fire. It merely offered brief relief while he practiced, but the moment he stopped, the flames flared violently once again.

The next day, when Jiang Hao saw Zhao Li, he was startled by the bloodshot redness of his eyes. Out of concern for his colleague, Jiang Hao asked after him, but Zhao Li replied politely that there was nothing amiss.

The duty roster remained unchanged from the previous day, but this time Zhao Li faced the mocking gazes and laughter without a trace of fear. As several men with fierce eyes began to circle him, he coldly and loudly barked, “Step back, or don’t blame me for what happens next!” This time, Zhao Li’s words carried a newfound force, as if the events of yesterday had driven him past the point of avoidance or humility—he wanted only to vent his anger.

The fact that this greenhorn dared threaten them sent the group of tough men into peals of laughter. They had been here for some time, but never had they seen Zhao Li’s like: patient no matter the provocation on the first day, yet transformed on the second, seemingly eager to challenge them.

“What, you think you can actually lay a hand on us?” The burliest among them stepped forward, flexing his fingers until they cracked, creating a brief, ominous melody.

“Brother Jiang, what’s the procedure if an inmate attempts to attack a guard?” Zhao Li’s red eyes seemed to flicker, but he did not act immediately. Instead, he turned to Jiang Hao, who stood not far off. So far, Zhao Li had only met Jiang Hao and the old warden; Jiang Hao was the only colleague he could turn to.

Jiang Hao knew this scene all too well. Once, he himself had been just as fearless—back then, a top officer in the military police, yet still humbled by these men. Zhao Li was fresh from the training center; could he fare any better?

“Knock them down and throw them in solitary—what else is there to say?” Though he felt a pang of sympathy, Jiang Hao knew that if he didn’t make his position clear, he would surely be bullied as well. Tradition dictated the rules here, and besides, he had done his duty, warning Zhao Li several times about the danger these men posed.

“Excellent.” Zhao Li licked his lips, feeling their dryness. Facing the hulking man advancing toward him, he barked again, “Sir, please step back, or I will charge you with attempting to assault a guard!”

His earnest words and expression only made the group laugh harder. Two of them even felt disappointed that the burly man had gotten ahead of them—otherwise, they would have taken the opportunity to amuse themselves.

In the midst of their laughter, Zhao Li suddenly moved. With a slight smile on his face, his body shot forward like an arrow, the T-shaped baton already gripped tightly in his hand, swinging fiercely at the burly man.

Zhao Li was well practiced with the T-baton—so much so that even Instructor Xiao Qiang had struggled against him in sparring. Now, fueled by anger, his movements were faster and more forceful than ever, as if he were pouring all his fury into the weapon.

The big man was no slouch either. Though his martial skills had been sealed, his basic fitness technique remained, and decades of training had left his body quick and strong. As soon as Zhao Li moved, the man adopted an attack stance, undaunted by his lack of weaponry.

The instant his stance shifted, the atmosphere around them chilled, a murderous aura emanating from the big man as he faced Zhao Li, even his lips curling into a pleased smile.

Bang! Their attacks landed almost simultaneously. Zhao Li’s baton struck the man’s abdomen with force, while Zhao Li’s own chest took a heavy punch in return.

The blows were so vicious that the onlookers could not help but believe both men intended to kill. Jiang Hao had already stepped back—he wanted no part in this one-on-one fight. Whoever won was none of his concern.

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Some readers may not have liked Zhao Li’s previous character, but starting with this chapter, there will be a significant transformation.

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