Chapter 673: Evading Responsibility
Xu Wuyi had come to the Inspection Department to see the other side of this world with his own eyes—to see how privilege was abused, how corruption bred, and how Order was broken. And he had seen it.
Wang Haidong’s case showed him how an ordinary businessman could use connections and money to weave a massive protective net. Li Mingyuan’s situation revealed how a Quasi-Master Level expert could leverage his status and position to trample the Rules with impunity. Meanwhile, Luo Jing’s attitude exposed something on an even higher level. In the eyes of those who truly held power, Rules could be weighed, interests could be traded, and even justice itself could be placed on a scale to be measured.
Xu Wuyi didn’t think there was anything wrong with this. This, too, was Order—a naturally formed Order. However, Xu Wuyi had his own considerations. From the moment he took over this case, he never intended to play small.
Catching one Wang Haidong and confiscating a batch of smuggled goods—what did that amount to? Even if Wang Haidong were sentenced to death, what would it change? The Federation was full of people like him; catching one would only pave the way for the next. What he needed to do was tie the case to the Celestial Swallow Battle Group and to Li Mingyuan, then use absolute force to suppress the opposition and bring the man in. He wanted everyone to see that no matter who you were or what background you had, if you broke the law, you would pay the price. This wasn’t for justice, but for Order. Power was the cornerstone of Order; Order had to be established and maintained through power. This was his understanding, and he was currently putting it into practice.
The next morning, at the provincial capital of Celestial Swallow Province, the Celestial Swallow Battle Group’s headquarters.
Xu Wuyi stood outside the headquarters’ main gate, looking at the massive iron doors and the sprawling Training Ground beyond them. The compound’s walls were towering, reaching five or six meters in height, topped with a dense grid of electrified wire. Two rows of fully armed warriors stood at the entrance. Each stood tall with a vigilant gaze, gripping standard-issue Energy weapons in their hands. Xu Wuyi wore an ordinary black coat, his face obscured by that black-and-white mask. He simply stood quietly outside the gate, like an ordinary visitor.
An on-duty warrior stepped forward. His gaze lingered on the mask on Xu Wuyi’s face for a few seconds before he asked, "This is the Celestial Swallow Battle Group headquarters. Who are you looking for?"
"Captain Meng Zhishou, Captain of the Fourth Squad, Field Operations Group of the Inspection Department," Xu Wuyi said. "I’m looking for your vice-director, Li Mingyuan."
The warrior paused for a moment. "Please wait a moment. I’ll announce your arrival."
He turned and jogged back to the guard booth, picking up a Communicator to speak a few words. A moment later, he ran back, his expression turning slightly subtle. "Vice-Director Li is not at the headquarters. Our director said that if you have any business, you can speak with him."
Xu Wuyi nodded. "Then I’ll see your director."
The warrior hesitated briefly. "Please follow me."
He led Xu Wuyi through the main gate, across the expansive Training Ground, and stopped before a small three-story building. Two on-duty warriors stood at the entrance. Seeing Xu Wuyi approach, their eyes zeroed in on his mask with obvious curiosity.
The guide stopped and turned to Xu Wuyi. "Our director is waiting for you inside. Please."
Xu Wuyi nodded and pushed the door open to enter the building.
In the first-floor lobby, a middle-aged man in his forties sat on a sofa. He had a burly build, a square face, thick eyebrows, and a sharp gaze. He wore a dark blue Battle Group uniform with three gold stars on his epaulets—the insignia of a Battle Group director. This was Li Jingsong, director of the Celestial Swallow Battle Group and a Level 49 Quasi-Master.
Seeing Xu Wuyi enter, Li Jingsong stood up. A polite smile appeared on his face, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Captain Meng, I’ve heard a lot about you. Please, have a seat."
Xu Wuyi sat opposite him and cut straight to the chase. "Director Li, I’m here for Li Mingyuan. He is suspected of organizing the smuggling of military supplies. The evidence is conclusive, and he needs to return with me to cooperate with the investigation."
Li Jingsong’s smile remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered slightly. He poured Xu Wuyi a cup of tea and pushed it in front of him before picking up his own cup. He took a sip and spoke at an unhurried pace, "Captain Meng, Mingyuan was indeed at the headquarters yesterday, but he went out early this morning. As for where exactly he went, I have no idea."
Xu Wuyi looked at him, saying nothing.
"As you know, Mingyuan is the vice-director," Li Jingsong continued. "His daily work is very busy, and he often has to go out to handle various matters. Even as his director, it’s not my place to pry too much into his whereabouts.
"Captain Meng, it’s not that I’m unwilling to cooperate. I truly don’t know.
"If you want to find him, you can go check his home or contact his family to ask. As for the headquarters, he really isn’t here."
Xu Wuyi listened and remained silent for a few seconds. He then stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the expansive Training Ground. On the Training Ground, squads of warriors were drilling. The wind howled from their punches, and their battle cries shook the heavens. From the distant shooting range, the rhythmic sounds of Energy weapons firing occasionally rang out—BANG BANG BANG.
Watching the training warriors, Xu Wuyi suddenly spoke. "Director Li, may I ask a question?"
Li Jingsong stood up and walked over to his side. "Please do, Captain Meng."
Xu Wuyi turned to look at him. That black-and-white mask concealed his expression, but his voice was devoid of any emotional fluctuation. "If I were to leave right now, what would you do?"
Li Jingsong paused, seemingly not expecting him to ask this. But soon, he recovered that polite smile. "What do you mean by that, Captain Meng? I would, of course, see you out, and then continue with my work."
Xu Wuyi nodded, as if highly satisfied with this answer. "But I am not leaving."
Li Jingsong’s smile stiffened slightly.
"Li Mingyuan is right here at the headquarters," Xu Wuyi continued. "I know it, and you know it. Those words you just said were both an evasion and a test. You wanted to see what I would do—whether I would go back and report to my superiors or just let it drop.
"I’m telling you now: I won’t do any of that. I won’t go back to report, nor will I let it drop. I’m only going to do one thing."
"What is that?"
"Find him."
After saying that, Xu Wuyi turned and walked toward the door.
𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Li Jingsong’s expression changed. He quickly chased after him and reached out to block Xu Wuyi’s path, his voice carrying a trace of suppressed anger. "Captain Meng, this is the Celestial Swallow Battle Group headquarters, not your Inspection Department’s turf. If you want to search the premises, do you have a search warrant?"
Xu Wuyi stopped in his tracks and looked at him.