The Hunter's Path: Starting as a constable, ascend to the Old Ones.

Chapter 145 Negotiation, Asian Eagle, God's Armed Forces

"Inspector Lu, how could your superiors treat you like this? They're clearly using you as a scapegoat! You work so hard on cases, and all the credit goes to them, while you have to take the blame all by yourself!"

Lu Ming and Alan came out of the headquarters, and Alan angrily stood up for Lu Ming.

Following the director's and Uncle Biao's approach, if Lu Ming makes any mistakes during the rescue, he will immediately be made a scapegoat and kicked out of the police force to avoid international disputes.

Lu Ming paused, then smiled and said, "Alan, remember this: from this moment on, I am no longer a Hong Kong police officer, but a bounty hunter, codename—"

"Hmm, I'll think about it before I say anything."

"There's something I need to tell you beforehand: I'm not helping for free; I'm going to get paid."

He had to lay out the unpleasant truths upfront to avoid future conflicts.

"Charge?" Allen's eyes widened in disbelief. "You police officers charge money for rescuing people?"

"See, you've forgotten again. I'm not a policeman anymore, I'm a bounty hunter. Have you ever seen a bounty hunter accept a commission without taking payment?"

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow and smiled as he corrected Alan's form of address.

"Can----"

Alan was completely dumbfounded, his mind a bit foggy. He had come to seek help from the Hong Kong Island Police to rescue his wife, but since the Hong Kong Island Police did not have the authority to enforce the law abroad, they came up with a compromise: Lu Ming, an elite police officer, would accept his commission as a bounty hunter to help him rescue his wife.

Isn't being a bounty hunter just an excuse? Why are they actually taking money?

Lu Ming's eyes flickered slightly as he used his Insightful Eye to observe the subtle expressions on Alan's face, quickly deciphering Alan's thoughts. He said slowly and deliberately, "Alan, let me ask you something. What do you think of my future in the police force?"

"Inspector Luk, who in the entire Hong Kong Island doesn't know that you are the rising star of the police force? You've only been a police officer for less than a year, yet you've been promoted to inspector thanks to your outstanding performance. Your future is bright and promising."

Allen casually remarked on the most basic understanding of Lu Ming held by the general public.

In the eyes of the public, Lu Ming is a police hero, a rising star with a bright future. As long as he doesn't make any major mistakes, his future achievements will certainly be remarkable.

Even those who accumulate seniority can rise to high positions.

At the very least, one can become a chief superintendent, capable of handling matters independently and taking charge of a region.

In terms of authority, it is roughly equivalent to a deputy director-general or director-general in mainland China, which can almost be said to be the pinnacle of an ordinary person's life in the officialdom.

Lu Ming smiled and said, "So you see, I'm risking my bright future to help you save people, so you think you shouldn't spend a little money?"

"Is that right?"

"this--

After listening to Lu Ming's words, Allen fell into deep thought, because he realized that what Lu Ming said made a lot of sense. Lu Ming, a promising star policeman, was willing to risk his entire career to help him rescue Luo Na. This kindness was greater than anything else and could not be measured by money.

However, he felt a little strange. Normally, he should be grateful for Lu Ming's efforts and take the initiative to give Lu Ming a gift to express his gratitude.

This is the normal procedure.

Lu Ming's initiative in bringing it up now has changed the nature of the matter.

Alan took a deep breath and asked curiously, "Officer Luk, it's not that I'm stingy with money. I'd be willing to pay any amount to save Lorna. But aren't you afraid of being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) afterward for openly accepting money like this?"

"First, I might be dismissed from the police force and become an ordinary citizen while I'm abroad, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) won't be able to touch me."

"Secondly, our relationship is not a transaction of power and money. My trip abroad to help you save people was not in the course of performing my duties, but rather an act of bravery during my vacation. Therefore, the money you donated to me to thank me for saving my life is legal extra income, not a bribe, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption has no jurisdiction over it."

Lu Ming wasn't worried at all about being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), since he had already submitted his resignation and was in the process of leaving his job.

Procedure status.

Moreover, the process by which he helps Allen rescue people and then receives money is indeed legal and compliant, as he claims.

Even the King of Heaven can't interfere.

Alan nodded knowingly. "Inspector Lu, I understand. How much compensation do you intend to ask for?"

He has gradually figured out the logic of the whole thing.

Lu Ming thought for a moment and held up one finger: "One million US dollars." He wasn't very familiar with the bounty hunter market, but he had been in contact with the assassin industry when he was with the Revenge Fund, and the price of top assassins was about that amount.

Although he was a newcomer to the bounty hunter profession, he was still a rising star in the Hong Kong Police Force and believed he deserved the price.

"One million dollars?"

Allen gasped.

"Is it expensive? My future is already worth more than that. Besides, I'm helping you save people in my personal capacity. If I die abroad, I won't even get the British's settlement allowance. With my rank, if I were to die in the course of a case, I would normally get at least a million yuan in settlement allowance."

Lu Ming slowly explained his reasons.

"That's true—but I need to think about it." Allen frowned. A million dollars was no small sum; anyone would have to consider it carefully.

"You don't have much time. Tell me your answer by tomorrow at the latest. After all, I can wait, but Lorna can't."

Lu Ming waved his hand unhurriedly, "Call me again when you've thought it through."

After saying that, he got into his car and went straight home.

He was certain that Allen would eventually agree, since Allen could only rely on him now.

"Hey, Officer Lu, I agree to your request. One million dollars it is. When are we leaving to rescue Lorna?"

Lu Ming had just returned home and sat down on the sofa to rest when Allen called in a panic. He had been hesitating about whether to pay the million-dollar reward, but in the blink of an eye, he changed his mind and agreed.

The change came too quickly, and Lu Ming felt a strange unease: "Alan, did something happen? Why did you agree so quickly?"

"The kidnappers just called. They demand that I take three pieces of God's Armor and five million dollars to a small border town in Spain to exchange for Rona."

Allen hurriedly recounted the extortion call he had just received.

"Five million dollars — no wonder you agreed so quickly."

Lu Ming's lips twitched. It turned out that after weighing the options, Allen realized that compared to the five million dollars the kidnappers were asking for, his asking price of one million dollars was a "reasonable price".

"Well, this isn't the time for that. I can pay up, but where am I supposed to get a God Armor? I've only heard Jack say that it's priceless and that finding it will make you rich, but I have no idea where to find it."

Allen was frantic.

"Jack—your friend?"

Lu Ming pressed for details about the "Jack" that Allen had mentioned.

"Oh, Jack is my best friend from childhood. We used to be in a band together, but he had a terrible voice, so he couldn't make it in the band and ended up as a bounty hunter, known as the 'Asian Flying Eagle.' He said he was going to hunt down God's weapons to make a fortune. I wonder if he's found them yet."

Allen gave a brief introduction to Jack's character.

Lu Ming's eyes flashed, and he instantly sorted out his thoughts. "The matter is very clear. The kidnappers' target was never money and Rona, but the God Armor. You said that Asian Flying Eagle has been searching for the whereabouts of the God Armor for years. I guess they should have found three pieces of the God Armor, and the kidnappers should know this information, which is why they accurately asked you to bring three pieces of the God Armor in exchange."

"That bastard Jack—he went into trouble himself and dragged us down with him. He just can't stand seeing Lorna and me living a peaceful life."

o

Allen gritted his teeth.

After Lu Ming's analysis, Allen clearly understood why the kidnappers had kidnapped Lorna. It was obvious that the kidnappers saw their close relationship with Jack and planned to use Lorna as a hostage to coerce Jack into handing over the God Armor.

It could be said that this matter had nothing to do with them; they were simply innocent victims.

Lu Ming said slowly, "So now things are very clear: only by finding the Asian Flying Eagle can I obtain the God's Armor and have a chance to find Rona."

"Are you good friends? You should have each other's contact information, right?"

"Um—we used to be good friends, but we had a falling out over some things. Of course, if he knew it was to save Rona, he would definitely help without hesitation."

Allen coughed lightly, then confidently stated that as long as they contacted Jack, Jack would definitely find a way to save Lorna.

"So—you can't contact Asia Flying Eagle?"

Lu Ming directly pointed out Allen's embarrassment.

Allen scratched his head and said helplessly, "He changes his phone number seven or eight times a year, who knows how to contact him?"

"I'll make a call and find out the whereabouts of the Asian Flying Eagle before I set off."

Lu Ming shook his head, hung up the phone, and after thinking for a while, called Ya Zi from the Interpol team.

Someone as well-known in the bounty hunter industry as Asia Eagle must be registered with Interpol, so it would be most appropriate to have Interpol investigate Asia Eagle's whereabouts.

"Hey, Officer Luk, you're such a busy man, how come you have time to call me? Is there something I can help you with?"

Soon, Ya Zi's teasing voice came from the other end of the phone.

The two of them had no contact since the case involving Ichiro Iemoto and his grandson, Eiji Iemoto.

The fact that he's suddenly calling now makes it obvious to anyone with eyes to know that Lu Ming needs something from him.

"I don't come here without a reason, so I really do have something to ask of you." Lu Ming frankly admitted, "Ya Zi, do you know Asian Flying Eagle?"

Could you help me find out where he is now?

"Asian Eagle is a celebrity in Hong Kong, and a key target of our Interpol's surveillance. Of course I know him. But why are you suddenly asking about his whereabouts? Did his theft in Hong Kong get caught?"

Ya Zi was somewhat surprised.

"I do have a case involving him. You should have heard about him in Interpol, the superstar Alan Tam."

My wife was kidnapped in Paris, France. The kidnappers just called demanding ransom, and the money they're asking is related to the Asian Flying Eagles. That's why I'm asking for your help in investigating the whereabouts of the Asian Flying Eagles.

Lu Ming briefly recounted the kidnapping of Luo Na, then pondered for a moment before adding, "I guess he might be in Spain or somewhere in Africa right now."

When Lu Ming strung together the keywords "Lorna kidnapping," "Asian Eagle," and "God's Armed Forces," he instantly realized that he had stumbled upon the plot of "Dragon Brothers and Tiger Brothers."

According to the plot, Jack the Asian Eagle has just returned from stealing treasure from an African tribe and should be in Spain preparing to auction off the sword he obtained.

"I see." Yako suddenly realized that this was a serious matter, so she immediately stopped joking and said seriously, "I'll go ask for you."

The most important role of Interpol is to exchange police intelligence with its member countries, forming a global intelligence network.

Of course, this intelligence network is limited to exchanging case information and does not involve espionage.

Asian Eagle, a bounty hunter who travels the world stealing treasures, is a key target of Interpol's surveillance. Whenever he appears in a city, he can easily be monitored and recorded.

If any major treasure is stolen in the city, the Asian Flying Eagles will be immediately summoned for questioning.

Just like when a murder occurs in a city, people with criminal records near the crime scene will be subject to close investigation.

Lu Ming waited at home for less than fifteen minutes when Ya Zi called. "We've found the whereabouts of Asian Flying Eagle. He is indeed in Madrid, Spain. According to the information I've received, he seems to be entrusting an auction house to auction a treasure for him. He shouldn't be leaving anytime soon."

As she spoke, she told Lu Ming the address of the hotel where the Asian Flying Eagles were staying.

"Thank you, Ya Zi." Lu Ming wrote down the hotel address and said with a smile, "I owe you a favor. If you ever need any help in the future, just let me know."

"Officer Lu, you don't need to be so polite. Investigating cases is our duty; it's not about personal relationships," Ya Zi said with a smile. "Alan's wife was kidnapped in Paris, France. Do you need our Interpol team to help you?"

Hong Kong police have no law enforcement authority overseas. If they want to arrest or rescue someone, they can only ask Interpol to coordinate with foreign police and get help from local police.

"No need, we have our own way."

Lu Ming thanked Ya Zi before hanging up the phone.

On the other end of the phone, Ya Zi stared into thought as she watched the call end. Logically speaking, since the case occurred overseas, it was impossible to bypass Interpol if one wanted to investigate or rescue someone. However, Lu Ming had unusually refused outright.

That's a bit strange.

After thinking it over, Ya Zi finally picked up the phone and called the chief's office. "Inspector Lin, this is Ya Zi from the Interpol team. I'd like to ask you about something—"

"Inspector Lu is currently on a secret mission and cannot disclose specific information. Please understand."

Hearing the reply on the phone, Yako's doubts deepened.

"Inspector Lu, you're the most reliable one. You found that bastard Jack's whereabouts in one investigation."

Lu Ming relayed the relevant information to Allen, who was overjoyed, thinking to himself that the million dollars hadn't been wasted, and that this Officer Lu was truly a hero.

They're really capable; not only did they immediately guess the kidnappers' true intentions upon hearing their ransom demands, but they also quickly discovered Jack's whereabouts.

"Enough with the small talk, pack your things, buy the fastest plane tickets, and we'll fly directly to Madrid, Spain."

Lu Ming gave Alan some instructions and then hung up the phone. He checked his documents, took a travel bag from the closet, stuffed in some changes of clothes, and that was it—he had packed his luggage.

Immediately afterwards, he called Serena to inform her that he would be going abroad for a while.

"Is it that urgent?" Serena was surprised that Lu Ming would leave the country so suddenly. Her voice was low. "You must be careful. I'll be waiting for you to come back at home."

"Don't worry, I'll be back in about a week, and I'll bring you a gift."

"Hmph, you weren't out picking up girls, were you? I think you brought back a little lover, not a gift!"

Serena gave a soft hum.

"That's possible too. You said you didn't care how many families I had outside. I might have affairs everywhere, with flags flying in the wind," Lu Ming teased her on purpose.

"Go away, if you're so capable, go ahead and seduce every woman in the world. As long as you don't bring them home, I won't bother with you."

Although Serena expressed her disdain verbally, there was a hint of jealousy in her tone.

Lu Ming laughed heartily.

"I'm not going to banter with you anymore. When you're out and about by yourself, remember to wear warm clothes when it's cold, eat when you're hungry, and call me if anything happens—also, remember to wear a raincoat if anything happens."

Lu Ming chuckled to himself as he listened to Serena's nagging, which sounded like that of an old woman. "Don't worry, I'll remember to run home when it rains."

"If you have any problems in Hong Kong Island, you can go directly to Uncle Biu. As long as it's not a huge problem, he will help you solve it."

"Okay, I understand."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Ming slung his backpack over his shoulder and took a taxi directly to the airport to meet up with Alan.

The two took the next available flight directly to Madrid, Spain.

Asia Television.

In the chairman's office.

Le Huizhen knocked on the door and walked in with a report in her hand, reporting in a serious tone: "Chairman, this is our news department's viewership ratings for the past two days. Please take a look."

"—Yes, the ratings have been rising steadily these past two days. Thank you to all the staff in your news department for your hard work."

Looking at Lok Wai-ching's businesslike attitude, Lok Tak-cheung felt a sense of helplessness. He coughed and brought up the interview with Luk Ming that Lok Wai-ching had mentioned earlier, "I have already called the police department, and they replied that Inspector Luk is currently on a secret mission and cannot give any interviews in the near future."

"A secret mission?"

Le Huizhen was stunned for a moment, then looked at her father suspiciously, strongly suspecting that the old man was lying to her.

"I see."

She pursed her lips and said nothing more.

"Ah Zhen, the New Year's Day dinner party—"

"I'm too busy with work, I don't have any free time."

Lok Wai-ching picked up the report, said a few words, and left in a hurry, as if she was so busy she barely had time to breathe.

Looking at his "rebellious" daughter, Le Dechang sighed helplessly.

The chairman of the Far East Group, a man of immense influence within the company, is struggling with how to thaw the ice in his relationship with his daughter and restore harmony.

Le Huizhen left the chairman's office, found a quiet spot at the TV station, took out her phone, and called her cousin, Ya Zi, who worked in Interpol. "Cousin, I need to ask you something."

"Inspector Lu?"

When Ya Zi heard that Yue Huizhen planned to interview Lu Ming, she said helplessly, "Lu Sir is currently on a secret mission and cannot be interviewed in the near future."

"Oh, I see. Thank you, cousin."

When Yue Huizhen heard Ya Zi say that Lu Ming was on a secret mission, a hint of disappointment flashed in her beautiful eyes. Her father had indeed not lied to her.

"Being busy is good."