The cold handcuffs, the cold high walls, the cold iron windows… everything appeared frigid in Jiang Xiaochuan’s eyes. However, no matter how chilling the surroundings, it couldn’t freeze his heart.

Humans are peculiar creatures. They often knowingly engage in wrongdoing, teetering on the edge of an abyss for fleeting pleasure and insatiable greed.

“Jiang Xiaochuan, today is your last day. Let’s go,” a senior official from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection stood at the end of the corridor. It was quite unconventional for someone like Jiang Xiaochuan to be invited personally. For some reason, he burst into laughter.

The man appeared younger than Jiang Xiaochuan, even though his official rank was lower. Jiang Xiaochuan had gained notoriety, and if he didn’t meet his end, the public would be unsatisfied. Those on death row were often treated with politeness and tolerance.

After his laughter subsided, he surveyed the many armed guards surrounding him and offered a sarcastic smile. How had his life journey led him to this point?

Once, he had been an exemplary official, characterized by honesty, dedication to the people, and compassion for his subordinates. Alas, it was all in the past.

No one paid any attention to this fallen man.

Suppressing his emotions, he followed the young man with indifference. Before entering the interrogation room, he stopped, turned to look at the younger official, and unexpectedly asked, “Are you an upright and honorable official?”

The young man did not expect this question from Jiang Xiaochuan. He hesitated for a moment before responding angrily, “Of course!”

Jiang Xiaochuan realized that the young man was probably much younger and had a promising career ahead. They might have interacted before, but he had met so many people that he could no longer remember them. At one point, he, too, had spoken with such unwavering determination.

He smiled at the young official, turned around, and entered the interrogation room.

Inside, someone was already waiting for him.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection was thorough in its investigations. Once they acted, the evidence was airtight, and their goal was to expose corruption and prevent those who feigned innocence from continuing their deception.

“Jiang Xiaochuan, did you sleep well last night?” The interrogator was a high-ranking official from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

His relentless pursuit of justice had put his life in danger multiple times. Even his wife had perished in what appeared to be a random explosion, but he never wavered from his thankless job, earning respect from his colleagues.

Jiang Xiaochuan’s smile, was typically charming and friendly. But now, his smile was had a hint of indifference. “If I hadn’t slept well in the past few nights, I wouldn’t have this opportunity.”

“Have you carefully considered what I told you yesterday?” Zhang Qing inquired, “I hope that what you say next is true.”

The man smiled at Jiang Xiaochuan. Zhang Qing had been familiar with Jiang Xiaochuan’s smile for the whole month of interrogating the man. Every time that smile appeared, it meant Jiang Xiaochuan had figured something out.

Jiang Xiaochuan’s information was an indelible scar in the eyes of everyone in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

“I’ve already admitted to receiving 6 million from Huaxin,” Jiang Xiaochuan replied, shaking his head. “The remaining 24 million is not in my possession.”

Zhang Qing frowned, puzzled by the discrepancy in the reported sums. Huaxin Construction Group’s substandard projects had triggered Jiang Xiaochuan’s downfall. Investigation had painted Jiang Xiaochuan as the main corrupt figure. Yet, according to Huaxin, they had given him 30 million, while Jiang Xiaochuan’s bank account showed only 6 million. What happened to the missing 24 million? Was Xiaochuan Jiang being untruthful, or was there a problem on Huaxin’s end?

Jiang Xiaochuan had no intention of divulging more information. He was about to be sentenced to death, and the 24 million was a minor issue in comparison. His words were calm and composed, a stark contrast to the stereotypical image of a corrupt official.

Zhang Qing couldn’t help but question his judgment. Jiang Xiaochuan had already admitted to various wrongdoings, so why withhold information on the 24 million? For someone on death row, such an admission shouldn’t be a significant hurdle. Zhang Qing had known that Jiang Xiaochuan’s end was inevitable.

“But the people of Huaxin said that it was 30 million. The remaining 24 million is a huge number. You know we must investigate it clearly.” Zhang Qing could only continue to try persuaded the man.

“I told you, the rest 24 million isn’t in my hands.” Jiang Xiaochuan sighed and looked at Zhang Qing, he suddenly asked,

“Secretary Zhang, have you ever regretted your choice of entering politics?” Jiang Xiaochuan inquired.

Zhang Qing replied, “I’ve never regretted choosing justice.”

In Jiang Xiaochuan’s eyes, even the world of politics was tainted, but Zhang Qing remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice. Yet, Jiang Xiaochuan’s life had taken a darker path.

Jiang Xiaochuan gazed at the ceiling’s lights and recalled various moments of his life. His actions, choices, and desires were etched in his memory. Money and power, the worst aspects of human nature that could overshadow one’s judgment and values, pushing them into darkness.

“Zhang Qing, I don’t know you well, but I’ve heard about you and many of your colleagues at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. I always felt like you don’t want to know the truth from me,” Jiang Xiaochuan mused. He couldn’t bear to utter that person’s name.

Jiang Xiaochuan had no wife or children, his parents had passed away a few years ago.

This solitary man’s connection to the corruption case raised questions. What could be the reason for his action?

Zhang Qing sighed, “Why are you so stubborn? The investigation over there will be completed soon.”

As he finished speaking, the door of the interrogation room rang once and was pushed open.

The guards outside the door were still standing in rows. A young man entered the room, he was dressed in a smart suit, holding a printed document and an old portfolio.

He approached the interrogation table and said, “Secretary Zhang, these are the results of the investigation.”

The young man stood beside the table and glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan without a smile.

“Governor Jiang, we might have a history between us. We’ve met a few times. My name is Lian Ceng. If you don’t mind, you could just call me by my name. There may be a document here that can help you recall some things.”

Jiang Xiaochuan shook his head and smile, “Don’t shoot me, Deputy Director. It’s just a joke.”

Recall? When was he not being himself?

He had no interest in looking at those documents.

However, Lian Ceng saw that Jiang Xiaochuan was ignoring him. He opened the file and pulled out a document that appeared to be old, “This document is form the Archive Bureau,” he said as he pushed it to Jiang Xiaochuan.

Jiang Xiaochuan sneered and casually lowered his head to glance at the document but he was stunned for a bit. His expression gradually changed, his hands were clenched and he covered his face with his palms. As If trying to compose himself, he took a deep breath.

He leaned back and remained silent for a long time.

The interrogation room fell into a profound silence. Eventually, Jiang Xiaochuan lowered his hands from his face, tears was streaming down his cheeks.

After blinking back his tears, he picked up the document and examined it closely. While reading, he was crying and laughing in turns.

Zhang Qing and Lian Ceng stayed silent.

“I will say it all.” Jiang Xiaochuan said.

The entire truth, he had confessed.

But Zhang Qing couldn’t help it, he felt that Jiang Xiaochuan was right. It might have been better if he hadn’t confessed at all.

After years of working in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, this was the first time Zhang Qing felt everything was absurd.

This was about that person…

What followed was just a formality: confessing, going to court, sentencing and awaiting execution.

If it weren’t for that encounter.

Jiang Xiaochuan was walking with Lian Ceng. He was dressed in prison stripes but felt oddly liberated and at ease.

“He’s going to be promoted to Deputy Director soon…”

Before Lian Ceng could respond, they noticed a man walking in their direction also wearing a prison stripes.

The man stopped, as Jiang Xiaochuan did.

The man’s features were rugged and even though he was handcuffed, his demeanor remained resolute.

Yue Qingci.

He was Jiang Xiaochuan’s partner in corruption. He was once a respectable figure but, in a flash, he had become a target of public scorn.

Jiang Xiaoxhuan asked, “Did you ever truly like me?”

Yue Qingci replied, “Never, I was just using you.”

After a short conversation, they parted ways.

Jiang Xiaochuan looked up at the blue sky, “Deputy Director Lian, can you let me see the things you gave me that day again?”

Lian Ceng was the entourage sent by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to escort him.

He hesitated before replied, “Maybe…. Okay.”

The streets were lined up with armed soldiers, their military green camouflage uniforms and long sniper rifles creating an eerie charm. Unfortunately, they were escorting the death row inmates to their execution.

After entering the vehicle, Jiang Xiaochuan looked back and said, “Well, Deputy Director, I hope to see you again.”

It was his last wish.

The car departed, followed by several other vehicles filled with police officers.

Jiang Xiaochuan had often imagined what the execution ground would looked like but when the moment arrived, he found it was hard to recall the scene after just one glance.

All he saw was pale blue sky as though a curtain had been drawn.

When the bullet pierced his head, he felt its trajectory through his brain. Before he collapsed on the ground and closing his eyes, he noticed an old piece of paper falling.

Then, he was gone.

A once-powerful corrupt official ended his tumultuous life with a single bullet.

“It shouldn’t be like this…”

“… But it is.”

“Secretary Zhang…”

“He was once a good official…”

The old document laid on the ground was picked up by a clean hand. The aged writing was illuminated by the gentle hazy sky and became blurry with the light. There was still a faint fragrance of ink from the old paper.

This paper was an oath the corrupt official once swore.

Be true to yourself, uphold goodness and justice. Never fear and declared war on all evil