Chapter 138: Irrelevant Personnel Must Not Listen In
The atmosphere in the Patrol Office courtyard had been relaxed. Everyone was watching Wu Mengyao with mocking gazes, expecting to see her humiliated.
But to everyone’s surprise, they didn’t see her humiliation. Instead, they saw her forcefully shove Pan Guang away!
The atmosphere in the Patrol Office instantly grew heavy!
The whispers instantly died. Even breathing grew fainter. Director Dai’s face had turned as dark as ink, looking as if a storm was about to erupt at any moment.
"Captain Wu, that wasn’t a discussion. It was an order! Hand the suspect over to Captain Pan immediately!"
Wu Mengyao didn’t back down an inch, confronting Director Dai directly. "I’m sorry! But I can’t follow that order! I will not allow anything to happen to the suspect I brought in!"
Everyone watching gasped, staring at Wu Mengyao in utter shock.
’Has Captain Wu lost her mind?’
’Has she just decided to go for broke?’
’Actually going head-to-head with the Director?’
Veins bulged on Dai Zhen’s forehead as he seethed with anger. He pointed a finger at Wu Mengyao and roared, "Wu Mengyao! Are you disobeying a direct order?"
Wu Mengyao wasn’t the least bit intimidated. She stared straight into Director Dai’s eyes and declared loudly, "I am carrying out the leadership’s orders! I am the deputy head of the special task force for the kidnapping case! I have the authority to handle this case! No one can take my suspect from me! Not even you, Director Dai!"
The Luocheng Patrol Office was Director Dai’s personal fiefdom. This was the first time anyone had ever defied him so openly.
Dai Zhen’s face turned green with rage. He pointed at Wu Mengyao’s nose and roared, "The leadership’s orders? Why wasn’t I informed? In this Patrol Office, I, Dai Zhen, am the highest authority! My orders are the final word! Men! Seize Wu Mengyao immediately! Rip the insignia from her cap!"
The members of Team One didn’t move. After all, Wu Mengyao was their captain. Even those who might have had issues with her wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on her.
The members of Team Two, however, had no such reservations. They had been held in check by Wu Mengyao for a long time and were desperate for a chance to vent.
The members of Team Two rushed forward without hesitation and surrounded Wu Mengyao.
The expressions of the warriors on the helicopter darkened. ’We’re the ones who caught him. This Director Dai’s methods are just too shameless, aren’t they?’
’So many men ganging up on one woman?’
’Have some damn shame.’
Han Jiang turned to look at Cheng Yuan, his eyes asking for permission. If Cheng Yuan just nodded, he would lead the warriors down and back Wu Mengyao up.
Cheng Yuan shook his head slightly. Because Shen Jiangnan had already arrived.
Shen Jiangnan had only brought Wu Fei and a driver with him, but he advanced as if leading an army of thousands, his aura radiating an all-encompassing authority as he strode forward.
"So, you, Dai Zhen, are the final word? Since when are you so high and mighty? Even I, Shen Jiangnan, wouldn’t dare claim my will is supreme!"
In an instant, every head turned.
Everyone’s expression changed drastically. They turned to look at Shen Jiangnan with awe, unable to fathom why the City Lord would suddenly appear at their Patrol Office.
The iciness on Dai Zhen’s face melted in an instant. A smile, as wide as a blooming morning glory, blossomed on his face. He scurried forward with mincing steps, his expression fawning as he went to greet the newcomer.
"City Lord, what brings you here?"
"What? Am I not welcome? Or do I need permission from the ’final word’ to visit the Patrol Office?"
Dai Zhen quickly shook his head, forcing a sycophantic smile. "In our Luocheng, your will is the only one that is supreme. I am your soldier; I strike wherever you point."
"Is that so? Then have everyone disperse. Don’t interfere with Captain Wu and I interrogating the suspect."
Beads of sweat instantly formed on Director Dai’s forehead.
’Shen Jiangnan wants to interrogate Zhu Wenhu personally? What has he heard? How much of the inside story does he know? How deep does he plan on digging?’
’I absolutely cannot let Shen Jiangnan get near the suspect!’
’If necessary, I’ll have to sacrifice a pawn to save the king!’
Dai Zhen forced a laugh. "Sir, you oversee the entirety of Luocheng. It’s best to leave such trivial matters to the professionals! Captain Pan is our Patrol Office’s best interrogation expert. I’m sure he will give the people of Luocheng a proper ’resolution’."
Dai Zhen heavily emphasized the word ’resolution.’ Shen Jiangnan understood his meaning perfectly; it was an offer of a small concession.
But Shen Jiangnan had no interest in such small fry.
If he was going to root someone out, it would be the biggest fish of all.
"Captain Wu graduated first in her class in Interrogation Studies at Xingbu University. I trust her professional skills and no one else’s."
With that, Shen Jiangnan ignored Dai Zhen’s reaction, turning to fix the Patrol Officers of Team Two with a commanding gaze. "What do you think you’re doing surrounding Captain Wu? Is this how you welcome a hero? All of you, stand down!"
The members of Team Two didn’t dare make a peep and hastily parted ways.
"Captain Wu, take the suspect to the interrogation room immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
Dai Zhen’s pupils constricted, and a flash of hatred crossed his eyes. ’If Shen Jiangnan wants to drop all pretenses, then so be it!’ He couldn’t worry about the consequences anymore.
"The suspect is extremely dangerous! Men, protect the City Lord!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following the order, the members of Team Two moved to surround Shen Jiangnan and Wu Mengyao.
Shen Jiangnan flew into a rage. "Dai Zhen! Are you staging a rebellion? Are you placing me under house arrest?"
Dai Zhen put on an aggrieved expression. "City Lord, you misunderstand! I am purely concerned for your safety."
On the helicopter, Cheng Yuan could no longer stand by and watch. He said coolly, "Han Jiang, your orders. Go down immediately and protect the Luo City Lord."
"Yes, sir!"
With a rustle of gear, a dozen fully-armed Dragon Flame Warriors disembarked from the helicopter. They double-timed it toward Shen Jiangnan, instantly scattering the officers of Team Two.
"We are under orders to protect the City Lord! No one is to approach him! Anyone who does will be killed without mercy!"
At Han Jiang’s command, there was a sharp series of clicks as the warriors disengaged the safeties on their weapons in perfect unison.
The members of Team Two were completely stunned. They all fell back, not daring to take a single step forward. They were holding low-powered handguns, while the others were armed with rifles! The difference in firepower was staggering; they weren’t in the same league at all.
Dai Zhen was on the verge of losing his mind. ’What is with these warriors? How dare they interfere in the Patrol Office’s affairs? Aren’t they afraid of causing friction between the Battle Department and the local government?’
Dai Zhen didn’t dare confront the warriors directly. His only option was to call Teng Qingshan.
"Sir, we have a major problem! Wu Mengyao captured Zhu Wenhu and brought him back. The City Lord has stormed the Patrol Office with a group of warriors, and he wants to interrogate Zhu Wenhu personally!"
BANG! The person on the other end of the line slammed a table and let out an enraged roar.
"You stall Shen Jiangnan! I’m on my way with reinforcements!"
Dai Zhen gave a bitter smile. With so many warriors present, how could he possibly dare to stop them?
But no matter how difficult, he had to buy Teng Qingshan some time.
Soon, the group arrived at the interrogation room. Dai Zhen didn’t hesitate, habitually moving to follow Shen Jiangnan through the door.
As the Director of the Patrol Office, it was perfectly normal for him to observe an interrogation.
What Dai Zhen hadn’t expected was for Shen Jiangnan to suddenly raise a hand, blocking his way. "Director Dai, this case is of the utmost importance. Unauthorized personnel are forbidden from observing."