Chapter 336 - 181: Compromise

Chapter 336: Chapter 181: Compromise

He relented, no longer insisting on taking custody of the man, but demanded to be involved in the interrogation. This was both a way to retain influence over the case and a form of check and balance.

Before Qi Yue could respond, Zhao Shouzheng, who was standing nearby, sneered. "This is a major felon in a vile and serious case. It wouldn’t be out of line for the City Defense Bureau, the Inspectorate, and the Civil Affairs Bureau to conduct a joint interrogation. What do you think?"

He dragged the Inspectorate into it as well.

The muscle at the corner of Yang Kun’s eye twitched. He had clearly been rebuffed sharply by Zhao Shouzheng’s unyielding stance and knew that pressing the issue would only lead to further embarrassment.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Since you two directors have already reached a decision, let’s proceed according to regulations. I hope this yields a convincing result."

He said no more. With a final glance at the tightly bound Yang Haishan below, his form flickered and transformed into a pale-golden streak of light, merging with the golden pillar on the horizon that had yet to fully dissipate.

In a flash of light, he vanished from the sky, his aura disappearing with him as if he had never been there at all.

Qi Yue and Zhao Shouzheng exchanged a look, and both saw a hint of relief in the other’s eyes. Zhao Shouzheng then snorted coldly. "He knows what’s good for him."

With that, the two men descended swiftly, landing beside Yang Wenqing and Yang Haishan. Qi Yue’s gaze swept over Yang Haishan, who was restrained by an Imprisonment Talisman, and he tapped a finger in the air.

A speck of vibrant, emerald-green Spiritual Light emerged from his fingertip. Instantly, several thick, tough, grayish-green vines erupted from the earth and coiled around Yang Haishan’s body, binding him so tightly that only his head was left exposed.

The vines emanated an aura of pure Wood Spirit energy. They not only reinforced his bonds but also exerted a gentle yet persistent suppressive effect on his Spiritual Qi, robbing Yang Haishan of any strength to struggle. He could only glare with bloodshot eyes, desperate, guttural sounds catching in his throat.

"This is a big fish," Zhao Shouzheng said, looking at the vine-wrapped Yang Haishan. "He has connections to certain people at the provincial level."

Qi Yue nodded slightly in agreement, then turned to Yang Wenqing. "Wenqing, well done. You haven’t disappointed your master."

"You flatter me, Director Qi. I was only doing my duty," Yang Wenqing replied respectfully, sheathing his sword and standing at attention.

"Mm." Qi Yue nodded, then changed the subject to the follow-up arrangements. "We’ll take Yang Haishan back to the city headquarters immediately. Your mission now is to return to the Lingshan Mining Company and take full control of security and order on the factory grounds."

His tone grew serious. "The Cabinet investigation team is still there. You are the head of security for the Lingshan New District. That is your jurisdiction, and it’s your home turf."

He paused, then added a word of caution. "Also, you should pay a courtesy call to those investigators from the Cabinet, but don’t get too involved with them."

Yang Wenqing replied, "Yes, Director Qi."

"Alright, go on."

Qi Yue waved his hand.

Zhao Shouzheng also gave Yang Wenqing a nod of approval.

Then, the two deputy directors took the restrained Yang Haishan and shot up as two streaks of light, disappearing into the special Flying Shuttle hovering high above. The runes on the shuttle’s surface glowed faintly as the cabin door sealed shut. It then silently vanished into the night, speeding toward Coral City.

Yang Wenqing stood his ground, watching the Flying Shuttle disappear. He then glanced at the lingering signs of battle on the ground and the fragments of the shattered Turtle Shell Jade Pendant. He let out a long sigh. The sudden storm had been contained, for now.

But he knew the true aftermath—and the political maneuvering—had only just begun.

But those were no longer matters for him to consider. With a flicker, he activated the Wind Manipulation Technique and shot off toward the southern sector of the Lingshan Mining Company.

There was another mess waiting there for him to clean up.

En route, Yang Wenqing used his communicator badge to order Xia Meng, who was setting up an interception blockade near the port, to stand down and redeploy to the factory to maintain order on the perimeter. A short while later, he was back at the southern sector of the Lingshan Mining Company.

At the factory, Flying Shuttles from the City Defense Bureau’s Public Security Division flashed their emergency lights, cordoning off key intersections around the perimeter. Numerous vehicles and personnel from the Civil Affairs Bureau had also arrived. Liao Tianming was leading several of his trusted subordinates, directing the follow-up work of calming the scene and conducting the initial cleanup.

On the trashed clearing outside the security office, a few figures stood talking. Among them was Wang Yanzhi.

Seeing Yang Wenqing return, Liao Tianming immediately hurried over and said in a low voice, "Director Yang, Supervisor Wang arrived with the Civil Affairs Bureau’s Flying Shuttle, just a few minutes after us. As soon as he got here, he went to make contact with the members of the investigation team."

Yang Wenqing nodded, straightened the collar of his uniform, which was slightly disheveled from the fight, and walked toward the group with a composed expression.

Wang Yanzhi was sharp-eyed. The moment he saw Yang Wenqing, he preemptively stepped forward to greet him, his booming voice full of enthusiasm. "Director Yang! Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Team Leader Ding Yi of the special investigation team. Mr. Zhou, this is the Director of our Lingshan New District City Defense Bureau, Yang Wenqing."

Yang Wenqing’s gaze fell upon the young man Wang Yanzhi had introduced. This Team Leader Ding Yi was remarkably young, looking to be in his early twenties, with a refined face and dressed in well-tailored, dark plainclothes.

As Wang Yanzhi elaborated, Yang Wenqing learned that this team leader’s rank was already on par with his own. This was the typical career trajectory for a Divine Art Cultivator; they did not seek longevity.

Within the Cabinet, a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator might spend over a decade in seclusion, only to emerge and find that a Civil Affairs Bureau subordinate they once had to look up to has now risen to a high-ranking position.

But the glory of these Divine Art Cultivators was often as brilliant and fleeting as a shooting star. Their political patrons would also quickly fade from the core of power, disappearing into the river of history.

"Team Leader Ding, please accept my apologies for the security lapse. I am deeply sorry that you and your team were alarmed," Yang Wenqing said, stepping forward and clasping his hands in a formal gesture.

A genuine smile spread across Ding Yi’s face as he extended a hand. "Director Yang, you’re being too formal. It was our own questionable methods that led to this misunderstanding and conflict. If it weren’t for the swift response from you and your colleagues at the City Defense Bureau, the consequences would have been unthinkable. We are the ones who should be thanking you."

His tone was sincere, showing no arrogance despite his youth and high rank. On the contrary, he showed ample respect for a district-level director like Yang Wenqing.

Their subsequent conversation revolved around the evening’s incident, filled with empty pleasantries and official-sounding platitudes.

Wang Yanzhi did his utmost to dramatize the tense atmosphere and the difficulty of the cleanup, while Ding Yi maintained a polite smile, occasionally inquiring about details. He paid particular attention to Yang Wenqing’s performance during the chase, offering generous praise.

This bureaucratic song and dance of mutual flattery and probing for boundaries left Yang Wenqing, who had just been through a life-or-death battle and a high-level confrontation, feeling tired and bored. Besides, he remembered Director Qi’s warning not to get too involved with these people.

Just then, Deputy Director Wang Hai arrived at the factory perimeter.

Yang Wenqing’s spirits lifted. He said to Ding Yi and Wang Yanzhi, "Team Leader Ding, Supervisor Wang, Deputy Director Wang Hai from our district bureau has arrived. He’s very experienced. For any specific follow-up liaison, or if you need to coordinate any matters during your time in the New District, you can communicate directly with Director Wang."

Seeing that he wasn’t going to get any concrete information, he decided not to waste any more time with these seasoned bureaucrats.

Ding Yi nodded in understanding. "Alright. Thank you for your hard work tonight."

Yang Wenqing excused himself and left. He found Xia Meng, who was directing officers to maintain order, and gave him a few quiet instructions. He then spoke briefly with Wang Hai, who had rushed over.

Once the arrangements were made, he walked straight to the administration building, which had been temporarily requisitioned. The factory manager, the head of security, and seven or eight guards who appeared to be squad leaders were already being held in separate rooms.

These individuals needed to be interrogated overnight, a task that would be mentally and physically draining.

Yang Wenqing went to see the factory manager first. He was a middle-aged man in his forties, his face now ashen and his forehead beaded with cold sweat. When he saw Yang Wenqing enter, his knees buckled, and he almost fell to the floor.

"D-Director Yang... I... I was just following the chairman’s orders! I... I didn’t know they were from the Cabinet!" the factory manager stammered, his voice trembling.

Yang Wenqing took a seat at the head of the table. He didn’t ask a question right away, simply letting his gaze drift coolly over the man. The pressure of such silence was often far greater than any harsh rebuke.