Chapter 332 - 179: Frenzy

Chapter 332: Chapter 179: Frenzy

Just as Yang Wenqing was mentioning several key security proposals for tomorrow’s meeting, the badge on his chest suddenly pulsed with a sense of urgency.

He gave Li Yi and Sun Yan an apologetic gesture to wait, then walked over to the study window to answer.

"Director, we have a situation!" It was the voice of Wei Cheng, the head of the Public Security Section.

His voice was laced with panicked disbelief. "I just got a report saying that investigators sent by the Cabinet are being cornered in a factory by Yang Haishan’s men. Someone told me he’s going to silence them—kill them all!"

Yang Wenqing’s first reaction was that it was absurd. ’Investigators from the Central Hub? Cornered in a factory and about to be silenced? By Yang Haishan? It sounded more like a drunkard’s ravings or a malicious rumor.’

"Be clear. What exactly is happening?" Yang Wenqing’s tone was calm. "Verify your information before you report it. Central Hub personnel follow strict protocols. How could a local company possibly obstruct them, let alone harm them?"

Just as he finished speaking, the private Communication Array on his desk began to pulse with urgent fluctuations of Spiritual Qi. He suddenly had a bad feeling. Telling Wei Cheng to hold, he rushed over to accept the connection.

"Director Yang! It’s a huge crisis!"

It was Liao Tianming’s voice. His opening was almost identical to Wei Cheng’s, and any lingering hope Yang Wenqing had was completely shattered.

Liao Tianming continued, speaking rapidly, "The Second Seat of the Cabinet sent a team of investigators to our Lingshan New District to look into tax matters. Now they’re trapped by Yang Haishan at the ore processing plant, and he’s claiming they’re bandits!"

Yang Wenqing could hardly believe it. "Is he insane? Does he have any idea what the consequences will be?"

"Maybe he really has gone insane." Liao Tianming’s voice was trembling. "But this isn’t the time to worry about that. Director Yang, you need to mobilize your forces and get over there immediately. No matter what, you must ensure the safety of the investigators. And... restrain Yang Haishan if at all possible!"

"Alright, I’ll make the arrangements at once!"

A thousand thoughts flashed through Yang Wenqing’s mind, but he made his decision in an instant. No matter the reason, these secret investigators could not come to any harm in Lingshan New District. If they did, his career as Director would be over.

After hanging up with Liao Tianming, Yang Wenqing spoke to Wei Cheng, who was still waiting for orders. "Mobilize your units and get to the ore processing plant at top speed. Do whatever it takes to maintain order at the scene and in the surrounding blocks."

Yang Wenqing hung up as the other end replied, then turned to Li Yi and Sun Yan. "Gentlemen, that’s all for tonight. Go home and prepare the materials for tomorrow morning’s regular meeting."

"Yes, Director!" Li Yi and Sun Yan immediately rose to their feet. They didn’t know the specifics, but from the snippets they’d overheard and the grim atmosphere, they knew it was serious and didn’t dare ask questions.

After seeing them out, Yang Wenqing walked toward the backyard, activating the Communication Array in his badge and connecting to the emergency channel for Xia Meng, the head of the Operations Section.

"This is Yang Wenqing. There is a violent incident in progress at the Lingshan Mining Company. My orders are as follows: Immediately assemble all on-duty night-shift operational teams and proceed to the south plant area of the Lingshan Mining Company at maximum speed. I’m closer and will arrive before you. Report directly to me when you get there. If you meet any resistance, you are authorized to use any means necessary to suppress it."

"Yes, Director!" Xia Meng’s voice was firm and resolute.

After ending the call with Xia Meng, Yang Wenqing strode toward his parked Flying Shuttle and activated an encrypted communication line to his master, Qin Huaiming.

"Wenqing? It’s late. What’s wrong?" Qin Huaiming’s voice held a trace of almost imperceptible exhaustion.

"Master..." Yang Wenqing spoke in a rush. "The investigation team sent by the Second Seat of the Cabinet was ambushed by factory personnel while investigating the Lingshan Mining Company. A conflict may have already broken out. Does the City Defense Bureau have any information on this team?"

"A Cabinet investigation team? When were they sent? The city received no notification whatsoever. According to protocol, an investigation of this level must inform the highest local authorities to ensure cooperation and security. That’s precisely to prevent these kinds of misunderstandings and conflicts."

His tone was laced with disbelief and a hint of anger. "No matter how high the security clearance, it shouldn’t be so high that even the chief local official is kept completely in the dark. This is against protocol. Unless... they’re investigating the chief local official himself."

"But now isn’t the time to get into that." Qin Huaiming quickly suppressed his suspicions and instructed:

"Wenqing, listen closely. Whatever the reason, those investigators absolutely cannot come to harm in your Lingshan New District. If even one of them is injured, it will become a massive political incident, a disaster for the entire Donghai Province. Your number one priority right now is to ensure their absolute safety!"

"If Yang Haishan is merely containing them, try to negotiate and control the situation. But if he’s lost his mind and uses force..." Qin Huaiming paused. "Then you will suppress him with force. The City Defense Bureau has both the responsibility and the authority to take all necessary measures against a madman who would openly defy the Cabinet!"

"I understand, Master!" Yang Wenqing was already aboard the Flying Shuttle. As the hatch closed, the engine emitted a low, powerful hum.

"I’ve already ordered Xia Meng from the Operations Section to lead a team to the scene at full speed. I’m on my way there personally right now."

"Good! Keep communications open and report your progress. I’ll start coordinating on this end at the City Defense Bureau and attempt to verify the investigation team’s identity and mission with the higher-ups." Qin Huaiming added this final instruction before ending the call.

The Flying Shuttle ascended lightly and swiftly, streaking across the quiet night sky above the Yang family’s estate and racing toward the mining district.

Yang Wenqing leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed through the viewport on the distant area, which was enveloped in the lights of the mining district and a faint, unusual halo of light.

He didn’t approve of Yang Haishan’s methods, but he felt a certain satisfaction. For now, he wasn’t too concerned about the investigators’ safety. A Divine Art Cultivator might lack overwhelming offensive power against ordinary people, but their arts could erect a barrier. They should be safe for a short time.

A few minutes later, the sprawling complex of the Lingshan Mining Company came into view. In a southern section of it, an unusual Spiritual Light flickered, exceptionally stark against the night sky.

As the Flying Shuttle whistled over the south plant, Yang Wenqing looked down through the viewport. He saw that several marked rapid-response Flying Shuttles from the Civil Affairs Bureau had already arrived and were hovering at the perimeter. People were jumping out and rushing toward the scene.

And the scene below came into sharp focus for Yang Wenqing...

Outside a security booth, a translucent, pale-gold dome of light, like a massive inverted bowl, firmly protected five figures inside. Solemn, divine runes flowed across its surface; it was the protective barrier raised by the Cabinet’s investigation team.

Outside the barrier, dozens of factory security guards in matching uniforms held standard-issue runic rifles, surrounding the dome in a semicircle.

Most of them looked nervous. Although their rifles were pointed at the barrier, no one actually pulled the trigger. After all, these guards were just following orders and still retained some basic sense.

However, that fragile balance was shattered in the next instant.

A figure shot out from the depths of the plant like a phantom. In just a few bounds, he crossed hundreds of meters and landed steadily between the two opposing sides. The newcomer was none other than Yang Haishan, dressed in an elegant silk suit. His eyes were bloodshot, and the Spiritual Qi around him was raging and disordered due to his extreme emotional turmoil. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Upon landing, he completely ignored the Civil Affairs Bureau Flying Shuttles hovering nearby, giving no one a chance to speak. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the pale-gold Divine Art barrier, brimming with a madness and a desire for destruction born from terror.

For an instant, hesitation flickered in his eyes. He had felt a flash of regret after giving the order, but now that things had come to this, there was no room for him to back down.

Of course, this was just his own stubborn thinking. If anyone beside him had offered even a single word of persuasion, he might have stopped. Unfortunately, he was surrounded by his subordinates, who didn’t dare say a word out of line on a normal day, let alone at a time like this.

"Enough of your parlor tricks! Break for me!" Yang Haishan roared, his right hand plunging into his sleeve and then whipping out!

SHIIING—

A piercing shriek tore through the air as a long blade, crimson red and wreathed in roaring flames, flew out from his sleeve. The blade grew as it met the air, instantly transforming into a giant flaming saber over ten feet long!

The scorching heat distorted the air, and the leaping flames exuded the ferocious aura of a Fire Spirit. It was clearly a high-grade Fire Attribute Magical Artifact.

The flaming saber, carrying all of Yang Haishan’s desperate madness, tore through the night sky. With enough force to split mountains and shatter stone, it hacked viciously at the pale-gold Divine Art barrier!

BOOOOM!!!