Chapter 317 - 172: The Bureau Chief’s Duties

Yang Wenqing turned to glance at Liu Xin, then looked back out the window and asked, "Are you sure you can make the arrest now?"

Qiu Zheng replied without hesitation, "We believe the time is right. We must arrest Li Xiulan immediately and perform a Soul Search. A successful Soul Search will allow us to uncover everyone she has been in contact with. It's the fastest and most direct breakthrough we have right now."

'The Special Case Office certainly moved with lightning speed.'

"To be honest, my branch's Major Case Team has a lead as well. Team Liu is in my office right now. Give me ten minutes to think it over." After saying his piece, Yang Wenqing cut the communication without waiting for a reply.

'He was testing just how important this Li Xiulan really was.'

He waited, lightly tapping his fingers. Not even two minutes passed before the Communication Token pulsed with Spiritual Qi again. This time, the fluctuations were faster, a clear sign that someone with greater authority was contacting him.

A glint flashed in Yang Wenqing's eyes. He took a Sound Insulation Array from his Storage Bag and activated it before accepting the call.

A steady voice came through the Communication Array. "Director Yang Wenqing, this is Sheng An, Deputy Director of the Municipal Special Case Office. I'll make this quick. I want you to arrest Li Xiulan immediately."

Yang Wenqing's grip on the Communication Token tightened. In that instant, he understood Li Xiulan's importance—and by extension, Huang Heng's. They were likely more than just suspects in the bombing; they were a potential fulcrum for disrupting the deep-rooted, tangled power structures of Coral City, and perhaps even all of Donghai Province.

'The storm is really here, and it's come much faster than I anticipated.'

"Understood. I'll make the arrangements immediately!"

Countless thoughts flashed through Yang Wenqing's mind before he gave his decisive agreement. He cut the communication, deactivated the Sound Insulation Array, and turned to Liu Xin, who was sitting ramrod straight. He commanded:

"Gather your people and await my orders…" Yang Wenqing commanded, his words clipped and fast as he strode toward the door.

"Yes, sir!" Although Liu Xin had no idea what had transpired in the last few minutes, she accepted the command without hesitation and followed Yang Wenqing out of the office.

The moment he stepped out of his office, Yang Wenqing activated his badge under Liu Qin's astonished gaze, connecting to Xia Meng, the Section Chief of Operations. "This is Yang Wenqing. Immediately assemble a team that excels at stealth, infiltration, and close-quarters indoor assaults. Equip them with non-lethal apprehension gear and high-potency sedative Talismans. Have them report to Warehouse Three in the backyard in five minutes, on standby!"

"Yes, Director!"

Xia Meng's reply was crisp and efficient.

Next, Yang Wenqing contacted Zhu Yunchuan. "Director Chu, bring the Soul Search device from your Internal Affairs Inspection Division and meet me at Warehouse Three in the backyard. As fast as you can."

'The target might have strong self-destructive tendencies or a death-activated Restriction. If she dies, we need to be able to extract her key memories immediately.'

Zhu Yunchuan didn't ask why, simply responding, "I'll bring the equipment over myself!"

With those arrangements made, Yang Wenqing continued on without breaking stride. When Liu Qin moved to follow, he waved her off. "Stay in the office and handle routine communications. Only contact me if it's an emergency."

As he reached the stairwell, the Communication Token from the Special Case Office pulsed again. When Yang Wenqing answered, the person on the other end quickly recited an address. "Number seven, Locust Tree Alley. It's a detached house with its own courtyard. The target is inside and hasn't moved in a while. The courtyard has a basic shielding Array, but its intensity is low."

"Roger that." Yang Wenqing memorized the address and ended the communication.

Just as he stepped out of the main building, Liu Xin approached with four key members of the Major Case Team, all in plain clothes. Yang Wenqing gave her the address and ordered, "Have your team pose as junk collectors or visiting relatives. Approach Locust Tree Alley from different directions and monitor everyone entering or leaving. And don't mess it up this time!"

Liu Xin's heart clenched at his words. She replied instantly, "Don't worry, Director. I guarantee the mission will be a success!"

After dispatching the Major Case Team, Yang Wenqing strode toward Warehouse Three. It was used to store old, modified cargo vans for covert patrols and other special missions.

Xia Meng was already standing at attention with six fully-equipped operatives. Beside them, Zhu Yunchuan had arrived with two agents from Internal Affairs Inspection, one of whom carried a metal case engraved with complex runes on his back.

"Director!"

The group greeted him in low voices as he entered.

Yang Wenqing nodded, walked straight to a windowless box truck that looked like an ordinary delivery van, and opened the rear doors.

"Everyone in. We'll debrief on the way." Yang Wenqing boarded first.

Xia Meng, Zhu Yunchuan, and the others filed in. The cargo bay was suddenly crowded, but the only sounds were the soft clink of equipment and steady breathing. Yang Wenqing then gave the address to the driver.

The truck immediately pulled away.

Leaning against the wall of the van, Yang Wenqing's gaze swept over the focused faces in the vehicle as he began to brief them on the target. As soon as he finished, he turned to Xia Meng. "Section Chief Xia, what's your plan for the assault?"

Xia Meng pulled out a city map and studied it for a long moment before speaking. "Locust Tree Alley is narrow and densely packed with houses, but the neighbors don't seem particularly close. Since Number Seven is a detached house, we can go for a direct entry."

"My plan is a three-pronged assault. Team One will breach the front door. Team Two will scale the side or back wall to enter. Team Three, consisting of myself and another operative, will be the mobile support unit. We'll also guard Director Chu's equipment and respond to any unexpected developments."

"Once inside…"

Yang Wenqing listened to the entire plan, then added, "The Major Case Team is already setting up a perimeter around the alley. They'll seal both ends when you make your move. I have full confidence in your professionalism, so I'm giving you free rein. One more thing: once you have the target, bring her directly back to the municipal bureau. No stops along the way. And you are to ignore anyone from the municipal Special Case Office. Do you understand?"