Chapter 7: Acting Opposite Ah Ren

Infernal Affairs is a story with an ensemble cast, and it’s undeniable that the actors in the film show remarkable skill. As a performing arts student with dreams of his own, Ma Jun watched the film many times and studied it carefully. Thus, he knew every detail about the identities of the undercover agents in the story—there was no need for further investigation.

After enduring another grueling month at the police academy, graduation finally arrived. Thanks to Lu Qichang, who was good friends with the academy’s principal, and their combined efforts, Ma Jun didn’t have to start as a beat cop on the tough streets. Instead, he was directly assigned to the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau—commonly referred to as “OCTB”—working under Lu Qichang himself.

In the office, Ma Jun stood in full uniform before Lu Qichang.

“Sit,” Lu Qichang said with a smile, gesturing to a chair.

“Thank you, Sir!”

“So, how’s your investigation? Did you find the undercover agent in the academy?”

“I only know that the one tasked with assassinating Ni Kun is named Liu Jianming,” Ma Jun replied, shaking his head. “There’s nothing else. After all, they’re still in the academy; they probably haven’t had much contact with the triads yet.”

“Liu Jianming...” Lu Qichang narrowed his eyes and nodded. “Don’t worry about him. When the time is right, I’ll arrest him myself. Your contribution won’t be forgotten. For now, you’re to keep monitoring this year’s class of cadets—one by one, rule out the possibility that they’re undercover. The fewer people who know about this, the better. Until there are results, only you and I are in on this.”

He handed Ma Jun a document folder. “These are the files on this year’s cadets.”

Ma Jun took it but didn’t read it immediately. He stood and saluted solemnly.

Lu Qichang nodded in satisfaction, took out a cigarette, tossed one to Ma Jun, and lit his own. “Go on.”

“Sir...” Ma Jun lit his cigarette, grinning as he sat back down. “There’s something I’m not sure if I should mention.”

“Speak freely.”

“Ni Kun is dead, and Ni Yongxiao has taken over the business. Things may be stable for now, but there’s no way his father’s death will just be left unresolved.” Ma Jun paused, frowning. “I think once the business is running smoothly and he’s got everything under control, even if there’s no evidence or clear culprit, Ni Yongxiao will avenge his father. There’ll be no mercy—he’ll kill all five of his father’s lieutenants if he has to.”

“You mean, he’ll take out all five of his subordinates?” Lu Qichang’s eyes widened.

“Yes,” Ma Jun nodded. “Ni Yongxiao had deep feelings for his father and is ruthless in his methods. He doesn’t need proof to act.”

“So what? Should we protect Guohua, Han Chen, and the others?”

“We can plant informants to keep watch on them. If they’re killed, Ni Yongxiao will be guilty of murder,” Ma Jun replied.

“He’s no fool. He’ll cover his tracks so well you’ll never catch him,” Lu Qichang said with a puff of smoke, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Ma Jun knew this well enough, but as he was about to reply, Lu Qichang waved him off. “Enough. I’ll find a way to make them turn on each other. You get back to work.”

Ma Jun hesitated but could only nod.

Night fell over the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. In a bar, two gangs of thugs clashed violently. Machetes and clubs swung freely; screams echoed and blood splattered across the floor.

Suddenly, police sirens wailed outside. A swarm of officers burst in.

“Get down! Hands on your heads!”

“Nobody move!”

Once a fight like this starts, stopping is never easy. Ma Jun drew his sidearm and fired a shot into the air.

“If you don’t stop now, I’ll shoot!”

With a clatter, everyone dropped their weapons and slowly crouched to the ground. Ma Jun waved his hand. “Get the injured to the hospital first—the rest, take them all in!”

Indeed, after four years of hard work, Ma Jun had become a junior leader in the OCTB, holding the rank of Senior Inspector. He had handled scenes like this countless times and managed them with ease, though he knew that after arresting all these people, only a few would actually be sentenced to prison—it made little real difference.

He holstered his weapon, took out a cigarette, lit one, and exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the crowd of thugs.

Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face. Smiling to himself, he walked over. “Are you hurt?”

Chen Yongren looked up in confusion at Ma Jun. He now dressed the part of a typical street gangster.

Ma Jun tossed him a cigarette and said with a wry smile, “I recognize you. Be careful.”

Back at the station, the group of thugs was herded inside, and officers began their interrogations.

Ma Jun sat in his chair, smiling at Chen Yongren. “You didn’t hold back this time—several people were seriously injured. You’ll be spending a few years in prison at least.”

Chen Yongren’s expression was grave. He said nothing.

Just then, Wong Chi-shing hurried over. “Ma Jun, let me take care of this one. You don’t need to be involved.”

Ma Jun stood and shrugged. “You seem awfully interested in this guy, Sir.”

“What are you implying?” Wong Chi-shing turned to face him fully, his gaze sharp.

“Nothing.” Ma Jun grinned and shook his head, then leaned in to whisper, “It’s just odd—you know, if he hadn’t been expelled, he would probably have graduated top of his class. And before his expulsion, he had no contact with the Ni family; only afterward did he end up working for Ni Yongxiao.”

“What are you getting at?” Wong managed a forced smile, steadying his tone.

“Just a reminder, Sir—your face is quite familiar to the street punks.” Ma Jun lowered his voice. “Be careful whom you meet with in the future.”

Wong Chi-shing frowned. “Come with me.”

In the office, Wong handed Ma Jun a cigarette and smiled. “So, when did you figure out that Chen Yongren was undercover? Did Lu Qichang tell you?”

“No.” Ma Jun lit both their cigarettes. “Once, I happened to see you both on the street. You were careful, but I still managed to follow you for a while. After today, everything adds up.”

“If you knew, why send him to jail—trying to lure me out?” Wong said, annoyed.

Ma Jun laughed. “Just wanted to remind you—don’t meet him in person next time. It’s too risky. Your face is well known among the gangs.”

Wong pondered this, then said, “Since you already know, from now on, he’ll contact you first. You pass the intel to me—how about that?”

Ma Jun nodded. “If you trust me, Sir, I won’t let you down.”

“Alright, get back to work.”

As Ma Jun left the office, he felt a surge of satisfaction. “Xiao Hua, what’s my reputation score now?”

“Three hundred fifty.”

“That much?”

“You cut Liu Jianming’s story short yourself—of course it’s higher!” Xiao Hua replied, her tone tinged with jealousy.

A few days later, Ma Jun received a call from Chen Yongren and went out to meet him.