Chapter 777 - 669: Seeking Chaos Amid Stability (Part 2)

Chapter 777: Chapter 669: Seeking Chaos Amid Stability (Part 2)

[Mask] probably didn’t expect us to jump down either, perhaps was taken aback for a moment and didn’t immediately chase us. By the time he jumped down, he was indeed distracted by the noise we created, and chased in that direction..."

Li Shang said this, his face slightly embarrassed:

"However, [Mask]’s footsteps were very light, sometimes there and sometimes not, very frightening.

We hid in the sewage the whole time, unable to tell whether he had left or not, so we didn’t dare to move or crawl out, afraid that he hadn’t left and was waiting outside for us to walk right into the trap.

Later on... I don’t know how much time passed, we heard noisy footsteps and shouting from above, carefully distinguished, confirmed it was the voice of colleagues, only then did we dare to be sure that [Mask] had really left.

Then, we hurriedly called for help... what happened afterwards, you should already know."

After Li Shang finished speaking, he exhaled a long breath, as if reliving that life-or-death escape, his forehead once again covered in cold sweat, both out of lingering fear and due to his still weak body.

It was clear that a truly outstanding detective must also be a master of lying at the pinnacle of the art.

Like the lie Li Shang had carefully woven, whether from the layout of factual evidence or the tightness of logical reasoning, it was nearly perfect, almost flawless.

Even if someone had doubts and turned to ask Chang Erbing, the testimony would still corroborate it.

Moreover, to completely eliminate the possibility of others suspecting their collusion, Chang Erbing’s responses would deliberately not fully align with Li Shang’s narrative, leaving subtle deviations in certain details.

For example, Li Shang would explain in detail why he decisively jumped into the sewer, while Chang Erbing might just say he instinctively wanted to escape but hadn’t had time to turn around before being pulled down by Li Shang;

Another example, Li Shang claimed he was "patrolling nearby" at the time, while Chang Erbing would frankly admit they were actually "slacking off," planning to sneak to a nearby nightspot for fun.

Such harmless inconsistencies from different perspectives would instead further enhance the credibility of the testimony, making it harder for people to doubt.

The only flaw would be if the special commissioner jumped out to expose him at this moment.

Aside from this, even if [Mask] or Feng Ju or Ma Bin jumped out to expose him, he was also confident he could confront them and turn the fake into real.

Hou Wendong naturally wouldn’t really go to the trouble of interrogating the also unconscious Chang Erbing, as he didn’t truly suspect Li Shang either.

He asked these things as a mere formality, to prepare for reporting to Mr. Wang later, to present a "complete" picture of the event in full detail to demonstrate his thoroughness and efficiency as a secretary.

They were all "good comrades" working for Mr. Wang, all on the same boat, focused on unity and overcoming difficulty together, so how could they casually doubt each other?

These inquiries were just normal concern between colleagues.

Thus, after listening to Li Shang’s thrilling and logically coherent account, Hou Wendong displayed just the right amount of empathy and lingering fear on his face. He exhaled a long breath:

"Captain Li, as the old saying goes, those who survive a great calamity will have good fortune afterward. This incident precisely proves your resilience and luck.

Now, you also have the strong support and deep regard of the Member of Parliament, and that’s your biggest backing.

As long as you handle this tricky situation excellently, get past this hurdle, there’s a broad road ahead of you. The position of Chief of Patrol Office has been vacant for too long; who has the capability and loyalty to sit in that position, the Member of Parliament knows in his heart."

Li Shang’s facial muscles twitched slightly, pulling out a grateful yet heavy smile.

Hou Wendong, understanding people’s needs, helped prove Li Shang’s innocence:

"In this way, your public vehicle mysteriously appearing at the entrance of Jade Garden is completely explained.

It must have been [Mask], who, after attacking you at the chemical plant, hijacked your vehicle and drove to Jade Garden to carry out the next stage of his crime."

Li Shang immediately climbed up along the pole, showing an expression of "that’s exactly it," and agreed:

"Secretary Hou sees through the details and deduces flawlessly, it should indeed be so."

Hou Wendong nodded slightly with satisfaction, pondered for a moment, then his expression turned extremely serious:

"Good. I understand your situation; I will report this to the Member of Parliament in full detail. What you need to do is immediately go to the scene and fully take over the investigation work.

But I must remind you of two matters..."

Li Shang’s heart tightened, knowing the real test and instruction were coming. He quickly straightened his still somewhat weak body and respectfully said:

"Please speak, Secretary Hou."

Hou Wendong slowly extended his index finger:

Currently, the temporary general commander in charge of the scene investigation is a special commissioner sent directly by the Executive Government’s Mechanical Department, named Zheng Geng. This person..."

He paused, seeming to select suitable words, and finally, a subtle curve appeared at the corner of his mouth,

"Has a notoriously stubborn and hard temperament, may have some business capability but doesn’t understand flexibility, often disregards the big picture, only sees his so-called procedures and evidence, often missing the forest for the trees.

And the Member of Parliament desires a swift resolution to this case, to mitigate impact, for it to conclude smoothly.

Zone 9’s stability is paramount."

Li Shang immediately understood, the hint couldn’t be more obvious, and he unhesitatingly stated:

"Rest assured, Secretary Hou, I understand, I will definitely ’assist’ Special Commissioner Zheng well, closely monitor every step of the investigation, and resolutely prevent him from making a mess."

Hou Wendong showed a satisfied expression, satisfied at seeing that Li Shang was a promising student. He paused slightly, his gaze becoming deeper:

"Second, the special commissioner’s identity is sensitive, his incident causes a great stir.

Now, countless eyes are fixed on Jade Garden, on us in Lower City.

Moreover, Upper City will surely send someone later. Unless the special commissioner is found immediately—and alive—this case will be anything but straightforward."

Li Shang possessed at least this basic political sensitivity.

As the "future Chief" of the Patrol Office, he understood a truth— the more significant a case, the more it needs to serve political purposes.

Anyone who doesn’t understand this is not fit to sit in the Chief’s chair of the Patrol Office.

Hou Wendong observed Li Shang’s expression, seeing the latter have some comprehension, and continued to offer advice:

"[Mask] might be the murderer, or maybe not—it’s up to you, the detective, to decide. But... let me ask you another way.

Captain Li, do you think if you ultimately pin the case solely on [Mask], will it satisfy everyone and please Upper City?"

Li Shang’s expression suddenly turned extremely grave; he understood everything.

[Mask] may be a household "star" in Zone 9, but in reality, is only a wicked monster not fit to see the light. [Mask]’s strength might suffice to kill the special commissioner, but in status and identity... far from sufficient.

A "murderer" commensurate in status and position with the special commissioner must be dragged out—to "perfectly" close the case.

Otherwise, it would be seen as Lower City arbitrarily pushing a scapegoat and perfunctorily deceiving Upper City; if so, the outcome for him, Li Shang, as the Patrol Office’s "prospective chief," was all too clear.

In an instant, Li Shang completely established his approach to handling the case.

Summed up simply—it was to ensure Mr. Wang’s safe passage through the storm and possibly rise higher;

At the same time, divert disaster—precisely towards Mr. Wang’s political adversaries, to create chaos among them.

Understanding this point, Li Shang took a deep breath; as Hou Wendong repeatedly reminded, he was already labeled with Mr. Wang’s tag, which couldn’t be washed off.

Thus, he had no choice; he had to listen, and the Member of Parliament would protect him, and his previous logically perfect testimony would be accepted.

Otherwise, regardless of his eloquence, his car appearing at Jade Garden’s entrance meant he factually aided [Mask]’s crime, making him a damned "accomplice."

Li Shang inhaled deeply. Unconsciously, he had recently become accustomed to risking his life, becoming somewhat desensitized.

His eyes emitted a numb glow of reckless abandon, declaring decisively:

"Please tell the Member of Parliament on my behalf, even if it costs my life, Li Shang will never betray the Member of Parliament’s trust.

The Patrol Office will thoroughly investigate, unearth the protectors behind [Mask], and eradicate these worms corrupting Zone 9, plotting against the special commissioner, returning genuine daylight to Zone 9!"

.....