Chapter 666: Applying Pressure
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath. "But Li Mingyuan is a Level 49 Quasi-Grandmaster. If he personally stepped forward to demand the man’s release and we stubbornly refuse, he’ll definitely..."
"I know," Xu Wuyi interrupted her. "But the case isn’t closed yet. The suspect cannot be released, it’s that simple."
Sun Jing leaned back in his chair, studying Xu Wuyi with a hint of amusement in his eyes. He suddenly chuckled. "Captain Meng, I’m a little curious. What exactly is your background?"
Xu Wuyi looked at him.
"I know a bit about Li Mingyuan," Sun Jing continued. "He has operated in Celestial Swallow Province for years, and his word has always been law.
"When he personally steps in to demand a release, even the Head of Field Operations has to give him some face, let alone our Squad Four. For you to stubbornly refuse, you’re either completely oblivious to who you’re dealing with, or you have substantial backing."
He paused, staring intently at Xu Wuyi’s mask, and enunciated every word. "And you don’t strike me as someone who is oblivious, Captain Meng. So it has to be the latter."
Zhou Bin and the others also looked at Xu Wuyi, harboring the exact same question.
They wondered what this masked captain’s true background was. On what grounds did he dare to openly defy Li Mingyuan?
Xu Wuyi remained silent for a few seconds before speaking. "My background isn’t important. What matters is how we handle this case."
He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the simulated sky outside. His voice was light, but everyone heard it with absolute clarity.
"We will investigate Wang Haidong’s case to the very end. I will handle Li Mingyuan."
Over the next two days, events unfolded faster than anyone had anticipated.
Li Mingyuan received word that very afternoon. He was informed that the Inspection Department was refusing to release the prisoner and had even put out a statement that no one would be let go until the case was officially closed, regardless of who came asking.
Sitting in his office, he listened to his subordinate’s report, his face completely expressionless.
The subordinate stood there cautiously, hardly daring to breathe. He knew that while the Deputy Director usually appeared mild-mannered, if he were to lose his temper, the entire Celestial Swallow Battle Group would tremble in fear.
But to his surprise, Li Mingyuan did not get angry.
He just remained silent for a few moments before saying indifferently, "Understood. You may leave."
The subordinate felt as though he had been granted a royal pardon and hastily retreated from the room.
𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Li Mingyuan was left alone in his office. Leaning back in his chair, he gazed at the sky outside his window, his eyes growing profound.
He had heard of this Captain Meng from the Inspection Department. Word had it that he was a newcomer who wore a mask and kept his identity concealed. Li Mingyuan had originally assumed he was just an ordinary captain and that a casual greeting would be enough to secure the release. He hadn’t expected the man to be so unyielding.
Interesting.
He stood up, walked over to the window, and clasped his hands behind his back.
Since the other party was refusing to hand over the prisoner, he would just have to take a different approach. There were higher-ups in the Inspection Department, as well as contacts in the military. The vast network the Li family had painstakingly cultivated over the years wasn’t just for show.
He refused to believe that a lowly captain could withstand pressure from the higher-ups.
However, Li Mingyuan soon discovered that things were not as simple as he had thought.
He reached out to the upper echelons of the Inspection Department through his connections, only to be told that Squad Four was handling the case, and any decision regarding a release would be up to the investigating officers.
He applied pressure on the Inspection Department through his old comrades in the military, but the response he got was that the Inspection Department operated independently and the military had no authority to interfere.
He even leveraged the Li family’s network to track down a Vice Minister within the Inspection Department, but the Vice Minister simply gave him a dismissive reply.
"Director Li, I’ve looked into this case. The evidence is indeed lacking, but the colleagues working the case insist on continuing the investigation. It’s not my place to forcibly intervene."
Li Mingyuan finally realized that something was very wrong.
How could a mere captain command such steadfast protection from the top to the bottom of the Inspection Department? The only logical explanation was that he had someone backing him, and someone with a highly significant background at that.
He ordered an investigation into Meng Zhishou’s origins. After exhaustively searching, they only managed to dig up a single line of information: Military Special Operations background, Level 47 Quasi-Grandmaster, Heart Image Power unknown, codenamed "Mountain." Other than that, there was absolutely nothing.
The Military Special Operations Department.
Those words caused Li Mingyuan to frown.
That department specialized in highly classified Federation missions. The identities of its personnel were strictly guarded secrets, and even he couldn’t dig up any further details.
Those capable of joining that department were either exceptionally gifted young Geniuses or powerful, veteran experts.
A Level 47 Quasi-Grandmaster was considered high-ranking even within the Special Operations Department. Why would someone of that caliber suddenly be transferred to the Inspection Department to act as a lowly squad captain?
Unless he had an ulterior motive.
Sitting in his office, Li Mingyuan lightly tapped his fingers against his desk, lost in deep thought.
On the morning of the third day, Li Mingyuan appeared at the Inspection Department headquarters once again.
This time, he didn’t head to the reception room. Instead, he directly had someone announce his arrival, stating explicitly that he wanted to see the captain of Squad Four, Meng Zhishou.
When the news reached the Squad Four office area, Zhou Bin and the others were stunned.
Fang Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened. "Li Mingyuan came in person? And he wants to see Captain Meng?"
Li Zhaowen adjusted his glasses, a hint of worry lacing his voice. "He hasn’t come with good intentions. Captain Meng rejected his demands last time, so this personal visit is probably to apply pressure face-to-face."
Sun Jing looked at Xu Wuyi. "Captain Meng, if you feel this will be too difficult to handle, you don’t have to see him. Just say you’re out on a mission and not at headquarters."
Xu Wuyi shook his head. "I’ll see him."
He stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked toward the door.
Zhou Bin and the rest exchanged glances before following closely behind.
In the reception room, Li Mingyuan sat on the sofa with a freshly brewed cup of tea resting on the table in front of him. He held his cup, sipping slowly, his demeanor as relaxed and leisurely as if he were waiting for an old friend.
The door pushed open, and Xu Wuyi walked in.
Li Mingyuan looked up, his gaze fixing on the black-and-white mask. He stood up, offering a gentle smile.
"Captain Meng, I’ve heard a great deal about you."
Xu Wuyi walked over, took a seat on the sofa opposite him, and nodded. "Director Li."
Li Mingyuan sat back down, taking a moment to size Xu Wuyi up.
The mask completely concealed the man’s expression, but judging by his posture and aura, he was incredibly calm—so calm it was as if he were facing an ordinary person rather than a Level 49 Quasi-Grandmaster.
Li Mingyuan smiled. "Captain Meng, I’m here today regarding Wang Haidong again. Let’s lay our cards on the table. He is under my protection. Whatever conditions you have, just name them."
Xu Wuyi looked at him, remaining silent.
"I know the Inspection Department has its procedures for handling cases," Li Mingyuan continued. "You investigate what you must and go through the motions. But in Wang Haidong’s case, the evidence only points to Zhang Yuhuai, and you know this better than I do.
"Continuing to detain him won’t yield anything new. It’s better to just release him early and save everyone the trouble."
He paused, his tone softening even further. "Captain Meng, you come from the military’s Special Operations. You have a limitless future ahead of you. After spending a few years padding your resume here in the Inspection Department, you’re bound to go on to bigger and better things.
"There’s no need to offend so many people over a single Wang Haidong. Wouldn’t you agree?"