<h4>Chapter 848: Chapter 848: Using Your Brain to Survive</h4>


    The Land Rover revved up its engine and sped down the highway.


    The mountain vige, already isted, was devoid of vehicles at this hour nearing midnight.


    Lin Fan, gripping the steering wheel tightly, kept his gaze fixed ahead with a mix of determination and decisiveness. He, who always preferred using his intellect to earn a living, had no choice but to put his driving skills to the test today.


    "He didn’t take the highway!"


    Seeing Lin Fan suddenly turn the car sharply and speed towards the county town, Huo Ben was somewhat surprised. This waspletely different from what he had anticipated. As a result, the group waiting at the highway entrance was rendered useless.


    He hurriedly led the convoy, continuing to furiously chase in the direction Lin Fan was fleeing. On a national road with a speed limit of sixty, the car’s speed soared to over one hundred and twenty.


    "Screech..."


    But with a sudden screech of brakes, the Land Rover finally came to a halt in the middle of the road. Looking at the five or six trucks ahead blocking the way and the pursuers arriving from behind, he was now trapped with no escape. However, ncing at the time, the chase had been going on for almost half an hour; it was time to end it.


    So Lin Fan simply turned off the engine, rolled down the window, lit a cigarette, and watched the approaching convoy. In the shing lights, over a dozen cars blocked both ends of the roadpletely. Huo Ben then got out, stepping towards the front of Lin Fan’s car under the re of the vehicle’s headlights.


    "County Magistrate Lin, nice driving! Speeding like this could cause a traffic ident. Might I add, a respectable Deputy County Magistrate breaking thew should certainly face harsher penalties."


    "Boss Huo, you’re the one truly breaking thew with so many people ambushing a government official. Byw, I merely acted in self-defense."


    Lin Fan took a drag on his cigarette and smiled at Huo Ben, but Che Laojiu, who was walking up behind, shouted angrily, "Cut the riddles, you two! Stop pretending to be ignorant and hand over the people already!"


    "What people?"


    Lin Fan flicked his cigarette butt at Che Laojiu’s feet and said, "I’m the only one here. Haven’t you been chasing after me all this time?"


    "Bullshit, why would we look for you? Hand over the two women that County Magistrate Luan kept!"


    As Che Laojiu spoke, he reached and opened the back seat, only to find it empty, leaving him stunned. "Where did you hide them?"


    "I told you, it’s just me here. County Magistrate Luan is no more, so don’t tarnish his reputation. Beware if hees to haunt you in a dream. I heard his death was quite tragic, and if he watches over you from the side of your bed at midnight, that would be a real thrill."


    Lin Fan then pushed open the door and stood underneath the vehicle. "Pursuing a government official without cause, are you all trying to rebel?"


    "Stop pretending, dammit! If you don’t hand them over, I’ll cripple you!"


    Che Laojiu reached for a dagger from his back and red maliciously at Lin Fan.


    "Oh, you wield a knife too? I heard you’ve been hiding for years because of Wang Liyou’s incident, now surfacing only when the heat’s died down. So, you think you can flee after stabbing a Deputy County Magistrate in front of so many witnesses?"


    Lin Fan didn’t dodge, instead, he stepped towards Che Laojiu. "You want to stab me, right? Here, my heart’s right here, aim carefully. Don’t worry, I’m not like you street thugs; I won’t fight back... But once yound in prison, many will take good care of you."


    "You’re bluffing me!"


    Che Laojiu’s face turned dark. Gripping the dagger firmly, he was not easily frightened.


    "It’s not a bluff; it’s a warning. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and try, see if those influential families in the Provincial City will expend their efforts for a mere henchman like you."


    Lin Fan continued to lock eyes with Che Laojiu, causing him to instinctively swallow.


    Being Wang Liyou’s assistant was proof enough he wasn’t just any fool; otherwise, he would have long perished on the streets.


    "The godfather wants them alive, so you better put that knife away!"


    Huo Ben red at Che Laojiu, then looked back at Lin Fan. "County Magistrate Lin, stop wasting time. Some tricks are good only once, and I won’t be fooled again by your diversion tactics!"


    "Oh, a diversion tactic! Boss Huo, instead of doing business, you’re studying military strategy now? But I don’t quite get what you’re saying!"


    Lin Fan squinted, asking.


    "About that incident on the highway, I’ve already checked the surveince. Bashen wasn’t in your car but in Zhao Xiaozhuang’s car behind. You deliberately created chaos to attract my attention, letting the car behind take the people away. Now you’re ying dumb to buy time, aren’t you, hoping those two women can escape? Don’t bother dreaming!"


    With a cold sneer, Huo Ben stepped closer to Lin Fan, locking eyes with him. "While my team chased you, I had people left at the vige entrance. To be precise, your escape was part of my n. If I’m not mistaken, once you left, those two women would have started their escape. But too bad for you, the men I left behind will soon capture them!"