HLM -Chapter 1297 A People’s War

Four teams squeezed their way in. Conley and Sweet Boy sprang into action at once, grabbing two young men and wrenching their arms behind their backs.

Wang Bo and the others surged forward, crowding the two youths in the middle and forcing their way outward with them.

Three or four girls were startled and cried out, “What are you doing?”

Conley flashed a handsome smile and said, “Happy party! We’re just joking around with friends—hope you all have a wonderful night here!”

They retreated quickly. A few of the girls were dazzled by Conley’s smile. One busty girl said dreamily, “He’s really handsome.”

Another girl said, “The guy next to him is cool too. He’s got that intoxicating tough-guy vibe—seeing him makes me wet.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Go find them—let’s do both of them tonight,” the ponytailed girl giggled.

Wang Bo and the others took the two youths outside and shoved them straight into the command vehicle. The two struggled desperately. One red-haired youth shouted, “Kidnapping! Help! Kidnapping—mmph!”

Sweet Boy punched him under the ribs, right at the lung. The youth couldn’t catch his breath and naturally couldn’t shout anymore.

After pushing them inside, Wang Bo slapped his police badge down on the table and said, “Alright, hand it over.”

The other youth, wearing an earring, jumped in fright when he saw the badge. His eyes darted as he said, “Sorry… what exactly are we supposed to hand over?”

Realizing they were police, the red-haired youth stopped shouting and said weakly, “Officer, you’ve misunderstood—we’re not thieves.”

Wang Bo said, “See that dog? That’s our narcotics dog. If we let it go and have it search you, what happens next is anyone’s guess.”

With his back to the two, he beckoned. Zhuang Ding immediately pretended to charge forward, baring his teeth. “Grr—woof woof woof!”

Atulu struggled to hold Zhuang Ding back and shouted, “Hey, Zhuang Ding, calm down, calm down! Do you want to eat them? You’re not allowed to do that!”

Stared down by Zhuang Ding’s ferocity, both youths’ legs went weak.

Wang Bo continued, “This dog is a military dog. Its training says that once it detects a threat, it strikes first—attacking, for example, by tearing apart your calves or arms.”

Zhuang Ding’s savage fangs were terrifying. Combined with its low growls, even the Oak City police officers who knew the dog felt their hearts race.

The red-haired youth slumped down in dejection and reached inside his clothes. Instantly, several armed officers drew their guns and aimed at him. “Hands out! Hands out!”

Facing the dark muzzles of the guns, the youth collapsed completely. He screamed, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! I’m taking out salvia—I’m not pulling a weapon!”

“Where is it? We’ll get it,” Uncle Bing said as he stepped forward.

The red-haired youth pointed miserably to his inner pocket. Uncle Bing pulled out a packet of dried leaves, sniffed it, then nodded. “It’s salvia, not GHB.”

Wang Bo said, “Arrest them first. Salvia is also a controlled drug.”

He was familiar with the stuff. When remnants of the Mountain Monster Gang had entered the town before, he had seized this very thing.

Like GHB, salvia can produce strong hallucinations, visual distortion, emotional swings, and abnormal euphoria. Compared with GHB, it affects the body faster—some people enter a hallucinatory state just seconds after inhaling its smoke.

However, it lasts for a short time and its hallucinogenic effect is weaker, usually only one to five minutes, and people do not lose consciousness. In that respect, GHB is far more frightening.

But just as Wang Bo said, it is still a controlled drug. In New Zealand’s 2013 Guidelines on Illegal Psychoactive Substances, salvia is listed as a strictly regulated item.

According to the guidelines, without special government authorization, importing, manufacturing, or selling it is illegal, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 New Zealand dollars.

Needless to say, these two youths certainly did not have any government-issued permit.

Later, they caught several more people smoking big MA, men and women alike. Wang Bo expelled them from Sunset Town on the spot instead of detaining them.

This was one of the frustrating aspects of New Zealand. Government control over big MA is not strict, and the currently ruling Labour Party even supports its legalization. Of course, under existing laws, it is still classified as a prohibited substance.

With only Sweet Boy and Conley, finding GHB users in such a massive crowd was extremely difficult—like looking for a needle in the ocean.

Unlike big MA, mere possession of GHB is a clear-cut crime, so users are extremely low-key and cautious.

But Chief Smith had a method. He separated the detainees, intimidated them, and questioned them about GHB.

The young people were stubbornly tight-lipped and refused to say anything.

Seeing this, Wang Bo became serious. Clearly, there was GHB at his party. These youths definitely knew the inside story; otherwise, they would have looked confused or simply said they didn’t know, instead of keeping their mouths shut.

“What do we do?” Uncle Bing asked.

Gerald said impatiently, “Why go to all this trouble? Everyone get out and leave it to me. Give me ten minutes and I’ll have them begging to tell me everything!”

Wang Bo stopped him and rolled his eyes. “Are you trying to get us sued?”

“Then how do we handle it?” Uncle Bing asked.

Sam from the AOS PNT coughed and said, “I do have an idea. Didn’t we find salvia? Give these guys a bit. In small doses it’ll make them emotionally excited—then it’ll be easier to break their psychological defenses.”

It was a clever move, but far too risky. If this ever got exposed, it would become a massive police scandal, and both Wang Bo and Smith would have to step down to take responsibility.

After discussing it, the two shook their heads and rejected the proposal.

This wouldn’t work, that wouldn’t work—the officers grew increasingly frustrated.

Wang Bo gritted his teeth and said, “Damn it—launch a people’s war! Let the vast ocean of the people drown these evil little boats!”

It was a last resort. But with no superior or middle-ground option, the worst option became the best one.

Soon, a booming voice rang out from the stage:

“Dear friends, thank you all for taking part in the Sunset Party! From now on and into the future, our party will launch a long-term game—the Bounty Informant!”

“Starting today, everyone at the party is a bounty informant. Keep an eye on your surroundings. If you discover theft, harassment, or—most importantly—drug dealing or see others taking drugs, don’t hesitate—call us!”

“As long as the information is confirmed to be accurate, we’ll give you a generous reward, starting at five hundred dollars, with no upper limit! Please trust us—we will ensure strict confidentiality for everyone!”

“And everyone who contributes to the safety of our party will become a VIP guest of Sunset Town!”

“So—take action! Go! Go! Go!”