Chapter 124 Principles Are Principles

Page 1/3

Gao Qinghua stood nearby, tears welling in his eyes as he watched. He strode forward alongside Du Jianwu, and together they exerted great effort to lift Kang Ning out of the ditch. Weak and trembling, Kang Ning was supported by the two men as they moved him onto the road. Before he could steady himself, his handcuffed hands suddenly struck Du Jianwu’s right armpit, while his left foot swiftly entangled and swept Gao Qinghua, who was caught off guard. The nearly eighty-kilogram Gao Qinghua was forcefully lifted and thrown to the ground. At that moment, Kang Ning’s left foot pressed lightly yet firmly on Gao Qinghua’s neck.

Kang Ning released Du Jianwu, who was rendered paralyzed by his strike, then drew the gun from Du Jianwu’s waist and pointed it at Gao Qinghua, who was reaching for his own weapon. “Big brother, don’t move!” he warned.

Ignoring Du Jianwu’s snarling, fierce gaze, Kang Ning cautiously retrieved two pistols and the handcuff key from Gao Qinghua’s body, hastily tucked a gun into his waistband, and held the key between his teeth as he deftly unlocked the cuffs. Only then did he gently lift his foot off Gao Qinghua’s neck.

Apologetically, Kang Ning said to the coughing Gao Qinghua, “Big brother, I had no choice—I had to offend you! Brother Du will be fine after resting for an hour. It’s just that I’m not yet skilled enough; otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such pain.”

Kang Ning stood and gestured for Gao Qinghua to help Du Jianwu to the side of his jeep, where they sat beneath a large tree by the roadside. Gao Qinghua cradled the limp Du Jianwu across the road, helped him lean against the tree, then stood and watched Kang Ning, who was disassembling the pistol about three meters away.

Kang Ning smiled warmly but worked swiftly.

“Well done! You did great! The technique I taught you, you’ve fully mastered it!” Gao Qinghua said, his face flushed with anger as he stared at the scattered gun parts. “Why did you have to make it so complicated? You might as well have taken me and little Du out together!”

Kang Ning grinned and stood, slipping his Type 54 pistol back into his waistband. He confidently approached Gao Qinghua and said, “Big brother, I overheard your conversation with Brother Du just now. I promise both of you I won’t seek out Ni San within three months. But if Brother Du still hasn’t resolved the matter after that, I will have to find Ni San. Big brother, please step back five steps. Let me help Brother Du activate his circulation, or later when the pain hits, he’ll be gnashing his teeth.”

Gao Qinghua didn’t dare delay and quickly took five or six steps back, watching in surprise.

Kang Ning unbuttoned Du Jianwu’s shirt, placing his left palm over the acupuncture point at his chest’s center, while his right hand pressed and massaged the shoulder point. Within two minutes, a warm current spread through Du Jianwu’s body. His breathing eased, and his neck regained mobility. He looked helplessly at Kang Ning, their noses nearly touching, and gave a wry smile. “You villain, don’t cripple me! I’m weak all over, and my lower body feels numb. What technique is this?”

Page 2/3

Gao Qinghua stepped forward, intrigued. “You’re hiding secrets? After teaching you everything for over a year, you won’t even share this move with us? That’s hardly brotherly.”

Kang Ning took a step back and made a gesture to halt. “Sorry, brothers, it’s not that I was hiding it. I only just learned this technique today. Even if I told you, no one would believe it. Didn’t you hear the bell from the mountain just now? I reckon it’s related to this.”

Gao Qinghua and Du Jianwu were stunned. They never expected Kang Ning to encounter such an extraordinary opportunity in just a few hours at Ganlu Temple. Yet Kang Ning’s honest face left them no choice but to believe him. They exchanged looks and accepted their misfortune.

Gao Qinghua sneered angrily, “Well then! We’ve made a fine brother indeed. The moment you learn a deadly move, you use it on your own big brother! Good job! Haha, little Du, you’re lucky to be this guy’s first test subject.”

Kang Ning’s cheeks flushed red at the remark. Seeing Gao Qinghua sit beside Du Jianwu, he quickly stepped forward to apologize. “Sorry, brothers! I can’t let you take me away like this. If I’m escorted back to Guangxi, it’s a death sentence for me! Many friends and family are fighting for my wrongful cause. I can’t let over a year of effort go to waste, nor die unjustly without understanding the truth. Please forgive me.”

Du Jianwu sighed. “What are your plans?”

Looking at the two concerned brothers, Kang Ning’s expression turned sorrowful as he pleaded, “Big brother, Brother Du, please don’t trouble Lu Jing. She’s innocent, and she’s due to give birth in less than twenty days. The child is innocent too. I beg you.”

Their expressions darkened, and they nodded silently.

Du Jianwu shared what he knew, “Little brother, the reason you’re not allowed to confront Ni San is that Ni San is just a pawn. The local underworld in Leijiang has become too arrogant and reckless, drawing attention from above. If you keep your cool, by the end of the year, you’ll see Leijiang restored to peace. The Party and the people won’t tolerate those scoundrels.”

Kang Ning was surprised but grateful for Du Jianwu’s advice. “Brother Du, thank you! I don’t know if you’re just a detective, but I know you’re a man of honor, a big brother I respect! You’re right: friendship is friendship, but principles are principles. A righteous man can’t abandon his principles for friendship. I don’t know if you’ll still chase me next time we meet, but I want to tell you that I won’t give up my beliefs and principles either. As long as I live, I will fight to clear my name. Honestly, I’m selfish and afraid of hurting my loved ones or bringing them disaster, but since things are as they are, I can’t hide. I have to face it. Big brothers, take care. I’m leaving.”

Under their watchful eyes, Kang Ning walked five meters to the jeep. He cast a heavy glance at the two before getting in.

Just as he was about to drive off, Du Jianwu shouted loudly, “Little brother, watch out for Zheng Yi!”

Page 3/3

Kang Ning froze, his face pale and full of pain. After a moment’s thought, he nodded gratefully toward the two men by the roadside and sped off toward the city.

Gao Qinghua turned his gaze from the end of the road, crouched beside the scattered parts, tore a piece of his undershirt in half, and carefully wiped the components, his heart aching. “Little Du, where do you think this guy will hide?”

Du Jianwu rubbed his numb knee. “I don’t know. He’s incredible—both in mind and martial skill, a rare talent. I really want to recommend him to the higher-ups, but his situation is complicated. I’m not sure it’s possible.”

Gao Qinghua quickly reassembled the pistol, holstered it, collected the handcuffs and keys, and returned to Du Jianwu’s side. He holstered Du Jianwu’s gun, sat down, lit a cigarette for him, and took a deep drag from his own. “I think I’ve figured out your other identity. Don’t worry, I won’t ask. Principles are principles. But next time, if you meet him again, will you arrest him?”

“Arrest him? No way! This guy’s slipperier than an eel. If I hadn’t accidentally caught him tailing Ni San today, I’d still be clueless. I always suspected him, but lacked evidence. Now, putting it all together, many things make sense. Damn—he’s amazing. I’m going to look him up online when I get back. If what he says is true, he’s in serious trouble!” Du Jianwu looked deeply worried.

Gao Qinghua smiled faintly. “You’re not going to inform your bureau, are you?”

Du Jianwu punched Gao Qinghua lightly in the arm. “Do you think I’m that kind of person? As long as he doesn’t interfere with my case, I’ll pretend nothing happened! The bureau? You know how messed up it is, some traitors won’t last long... Hey? I can move now! Haha... this guy’s incredible... damn, I was suffocating!”

Du Jianwu jumped up, stretching his muscles. Except for soreness in his armpit, he felt fine. He turned to Gao Qinghua. “Big brother, maybe grandma really knew this technique.”

Gao Qinghua shot him a sharp look. “How would I know? You know best. If it existed, you’d have felt it already. If not, you’d be abusing your power! Alright, let’s walk a bit. The next intersection up ahead has more traffic... Damn it, that bastard dared to leave me in this wilderness. This isn’t over between us...”

Du Jianwu chuckled softly and hurried to catch up with the muttering Gao Qinghua.