Breaking Out of Misurata
An overwhelming stench assaulted Li Changjiang’s senses, almost causing him to faint. If he could choose, he would never have left Misurata in such a humiliating way. This river was Misurata’s only drainage channel leading to the Mediterranean. The water wasn’t deep, barely reaching his chest, and Li Changjiang had to wade through it with his bag raised above his head.
Countless pieces of trash floated on the surface. Despite his frown, his desire to survive had never been more intense. They all knew that, once they crossed this threshold, a wider world and endless freedom awaited them. Who doesn’t long for freedom?
The river flowed northward.
Upon entering the tunnel, the channel quickly narrowed, and the water grew colder. Yet, at this point, no one bothered to frown at the recurring stench. Because right in front of them, there was a glaringly bright light.
The sound of rushing water grew louder and louder, until the river surged into the dark sluice, reaching the end of the tunnel. Only then did the group frown at the swirling black water of the pool before them.
“Damn it, what is this hellhole? Are we supposed to dive out through here? Hell no! I’d rather go back and fight those Libyans than get out this way,” Shi Junqiang said with utter disgust.
The scene was indeed revolting. This must have been an intermediary treatment station before the river entered the Mediterranean, with heaps of floating garbage collected on the surface and swept through another waste gate—a dead end. The only way out was the drainhole overflowing with black water.
One could easily mistake this place for a cesspit; the only difference was the water below still churned with frothing currents.
The light they’d seen at the tunnel entrance was clearly not an exit but a fluorescent lamp overhead.
Click!
Without warning, Li Changjiang suddenly shoved Eliza aside and swiftly raised his sniper rifle.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!”
The group immediately stared into the shadowed corners ahead.
“We’re coming out, don’t shoot!”
It was Mandarin!
The voice spoke Mandarin.
Li Changjiang was shocked.
The tunnel was dim, but as the speakers stepped forward, Li Changjiang was stunned.
It was them!
Emerging were the very man and woman Li Changjiang had seen at the intersection of Highway 88 and 89, the ones taken away by the Americans and later captured in Misurata.
“It’s you!” Eliza and the Russian instantly recognized these two Chinese as the ones they had rescued from the Libyan prison in Misurata.
“Why are you still here?”
“Sorry, we couldn’t find the exit. There’s been gunfire outside all along, so we had no choice but to hide here.”
Li Changjiang scrutinized the woman, his gaze suddenly turning razor-sharp.
Wu Delong’s senses were keen; as the young Chinese man's eyes fell upon them, he sensed danger.
What a terrifying aura!
Wu Delong instantly felt the threat.
“Do you know anything about Li Lin?”
As expected!
Li Changjiang couldn’t help but ask straight away.
Wu Delong and Wu Sisi frowned. Li Changjiang? Who was he, and how did he know that name? They immediately glanced at the Russian.
Nikolai had traded information about Li Lin with them when they left the prison, so the two could easily deduce the reason.
“You’re Li Changjiang? I can tell you, but could you lower your gun first?”
“I don’t like negotiating too much. Tell me, where is Li Lin?”
Though Nikolai had already told him the answer, Li Changjiang never fully trusted it; now, facing the source, he needed clarity.
“If nothing unexpected happened, he should have returned to the country. If you’re Li Changjiang, I suggest you head home and look for your father immediately.”
Smack!
A sudden slap landed on the man’s face. Aside from the sound of Nikolai chambering his weapon, no one moved.
“This is on behalf of my father. You should pray he was rescued by the Americans—otherwise, you wouldn’t be alive and standing here now.”
Li Changjiang knew full well that his father was not the sort to sacrifice himself for the country out of noble ideals; everything had been orchestrated by the middle-aged man before him. Perhaps even more terrifying.
But now, aside from leaving this damned place and returning home, Li Changjiang didn’t want to think about anything else.
In Libya, never before had he yearned so desperately to return to China.
On the other side, witnessing Li Changjiang’s sudden violence, the woman became furious, glaring intensely at the back of his head. But aside from that, she gained nothing more. She had no idea Li Changjiang had claimed over two hundred lives, if his enemies could still be called people.
“Nikolai, are there any other ways out of Misurata?”
“Yes! Misurata isn’t a prison; naturally, there are many exits.”
No explanation was needed—the exits existed, but escaping was another matter. Li Changjiang didn’t even bother to ask further, already guessing the answer. If there were alternatives, the Russian wouldn’t have brought them to this wretched place.
He glanced at the two Chinese.
Those two must be pigs, to have stayed in this stinking place for a full two days.
“Li, time is running out!”
“What about you? Jump or not?”
Li Changjiang suddenly asked Shi Junqiang.
Despite his tough talk, Shi Junqiang had already resigned himself, but before he could answer, Li Changjiang kicked him in the waist.
“I—”
He hadn’t finished his sentence before the whirlpool of the drainhole sucked him in.
The Russian gave Li Changjiang a look of disbelief, then jumped in himself, struggling on the surface for a while before being pulled under—the bag of money was buoyant.
“Eliza!”
“No need—I’ll do it myself!”
Seeing Eliza’s reaction, Li Changjiang couldn’t help but laugh; clearly, that earlier kick had left a lasting impression.
With a splash, Eliza jumped into the black water without a trace.
“If you don’t want to die here, jump!”
He shouted at the two Chinese.
The young woman hesitated, covering her mouth and retching several times—her cleanliness must be severe.
But even the squeamish must jump!
Wu Delong whispered something in her ear, then leaped into the pool, leaving only Li Changjiang and the woman at the drainhole.
“Jump! Once you’re in, I’ll follow.”
Looking at her, Li Changjiang couldn’t help but remark. But as soon as he spoke, a chill ran down his spine.
This was definitely not the Jack-and-Rose version!