However, Lu Guangyao refused to take the Jeep. He was, instead, utterly amazed by Xia Liang's beaten-up BMW.

"Young friend, I heard from Xixi that you've driven this car up to nearly three hundred kilometers per hour. Is that true?"

Lu Chuang, who was about to persuade his father to take his own car, was immediately intrigued when he heard the old BMW could reach nearly three hundred.

"Impossible. I've driven BMWs before, and even with heavy modifications, two hundred is about the limit, and that's on a highway."

Xia Liang didn't hide anything and popped the hood.

The knowledgeable Lu Chuang was instantly dumbfounded.

"A W16 direct-injection engine? Where in the world did you get this?"

Upon closer inspection, the old BMW looked plain from the outside, but its internals were absolutely explosive. After some incredible modifications, it boasted all-wheel drive, a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission, and a masterfully calibrated suspension. Even the smallest motor was a top-tier component from a supercar.

It was basically a supercar wearing a BMW's shell.

"How in the hell did this thing pass inspection? They actually let you drive this on the road?"

The more Lu Chuang looked, the more shocked he became. No wonder it could hit nearly three hundred. If it were on a racetrack, it would definitely be faster.

"It was a gift, hahaha." Xia Liang laughed, brushing off the question.

Lu Chuang was also a perceptive man. He knew these parts couldn't be bought with money alone. It seemed Xia Liang wasn't as simple as he appeared.

"Alright, alright. No matter how fast it is, it's still just a car. I'll take this one home."

Old Master Lu got right into the back seat, curiously touching and poking at everything.

Lu Chuang wasted no more words and hopped into the front passenger seat.

"You guys head back on your own. I want to experience this too."

The dozen or so men in camouflage uniforms looked at each other, bewildered.

"But your safety, and Old Master Lu's..."

"Safety my ass." Lu Chuang waved his hand impatiently.

"Who in Qingyun City could possibly catch up to his car? Scram."

Since the Lu family father and son were getting in his car, Xia Liang naturally welcomed them. He figured that giving a ride to people with their special status would surely lead to a reward later. Why turn down a freebie?

Shortly after Xia Liang departed, Yun Long arrived, leading Yun Bing and a group of Protectors straight into Jiang Wei's office.

"Who the hell..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Yun Long leveled a cold stare at him.

"Where is he?"

Jiang Wei considered putting up a tough front, but when he thought about the retaliation he'd face from the Lu Family, he knew he was finished. Thinking about what was to come, Jiang Wei sighed, his fiery temper instantly extinguished.

"He already left..."

Yun Bing couldn't care less about pleasantries anymore. "Left? Where did he go?"

Jiang Wei shook his head. "How would I know? Once I let him out, he could go wherever he wanted."

"Phew..." Yun Bing breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, he produced an arrest warrant.

"Jiang Wei, you are suspected of condoning the criminal activities of an organized criminal group. Please come with us."

Jiang Wei was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.

He hadn't expected Yun Long to act even before the Lu Family made their move, and with such speed. An arrest warrant had been issued in just over an hour. The implication was unmistakable.

Before he could say another word, two Protectors escorted him away.

Meanwhile, on the way back to a certain high-security compound, Xia Liang kept the speed steady at around sixty kilometers per hour. Any faster, and the life Lu Guangyao—a man in his late seventies—had just gotten back might be forfeited.

"Qianqian said you don't even blink during a car chase or a gunfight."

Lu Chuang rolled down the window, lit a cigarette, and offered one to Xia Liang.

Xia Liang waved his hand in refusal. "I don't smoke, thanks. And don't forget, I'm a Protector too."

In the back seat, Old Master Lu was dozing off, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.

"That's true. But I never expected our Counselor Xia, so young and yet already a tycoon. If your wealth was made public, you'd probably be the richest man in Dragon Country."

Xia Liang just smiled at Lu Chuang's words, unsurprised. Lu Chuang might appear carefree, but he was actually extremely meticulous. Not every transmigrator could be a Long Aotian, with all the side characters being blind, idiotic fools. As for bamboozling a colonel? Heh, in your dreams.

"You think I'd let a dangerous, unidentified person drive my father into the compound?" Lu Chuang flicked his cigarette ash, his gaze fixed on the passing streetscape.

"Brother Lu, some things are better left unsaid, right? I just want to live a quiet life like a salted fish."

Xia Liang didn't deny anything. The fact that Lu Chuang had dared to get into the passenger seat meant he held no ill will, at least for now.

The more Lu Chuang had investigated, the more alarmed he became. Who would have thought that someone so young could possess such wealth and still remain unknown? And most critically, the sources of his wealth were all legitimate and traceable.

"Your skills are impressive. Ever thought about joining the Weiguo Army?"

"Join the Weiguo Army?" Xia Liang immediately rolled his eyes.

"Why would I give up my good life as a tycoon to go be a soldier with you?" Xia Liang rolled his eyes again.

"That's true." Lu Chuang lit a second cigarette from the butt of the first, blowing smoke out the window. "I'm just grasping at straws here. I've just been feeling so frustrated lately with no way to vent."

Xia Liang chuckled. "You think I'd believe that? A man of your status? With so many men under your command, what could possibly frustrate you?"

"Sigh, it's precisely because I feel like I've let my brothers down." Lu Chuang vigorously ran a hand through his hair. "Brother Xia, have you ever heard of the Northern Border Training Base?"

The Northern Border Training Base was the only facility on Azure Star that could rival America's Fort Irwin. It was shrouded in extreme mystery, and only the most elite units were qualified to train there.

"I've heard of it," Xia Liang said softly. "I also know it's notoriously brutal. The simulated enemy there has the best technology combined with the discipline and morale of our own army. Everyone who trains there gets pulverized."

"Damn right, you are!" Lu Chuang said hatefully. "You have no idea. Six months ago, I took my brothers into the Northern Border drill. Guess what the opposing Blue Force did? They came at us with twenty F-22s and thirty F-35s, not to mention their M-series tanks. Even then, my brothers and I held our ground and went straight for their command post. But guess what came next? A full-scale, tactical fusion strike! Seriously, what kind of person does that?"

Xia Liang almost drove into a ditch.

Holy crap! I'm speechless! I'd heard that place was intense, but I had no idea it was this insane!

"But there must be a way around it, right?" Xia Liang offered. "An armored vehicle cluster has a chance of surviving a fusion strike. Next time, you could just hide a dozen or so vehicles in a corner. The strike would completely disrupt communications on both sides, then you could just rush in for some close-quarters combat."

Lu Chuang's eyes lit up. "Brother, you really know your stuff! Exactly! I had a backup plan, but the enemy just had more armored vehicles stockpiled. We were completely wiped out in the ensuing brawl. Afterward, I kept thinking, what if I had a driver with unparalleled skill? Could he have punched right through the enemy's armored cluster and taken out their command post?"

"Whoa, stop right there!" Xia Liang quickly held up a hand. He knew exactly where this was going. "I'm just a rideshare driver, and you want me to drive an armored vehicle? Don't even think about it."

A look of realization dawned on Lu Chuang's face, followed by a sly grin. "Brother Xia, you said you *don't want* to drive it, not that you *can't*. If you can handle a BMW like that, I don't believe you'd be bad with an armored vehicle. It wouldn't be for long, just a guest appearance. I'll even give you the best Type 99A."

"I wouldn't go even if you gave me the Liaoning to drive. Besides, letting a rideshare driver guest star in an armored vehicle at the Northern Border Training Field is a serious crime, you know! Enough. Don't say another word. We're at the compound. Let's just state our business so we can go our separate ways and forget this ever happened."

Xia Liang didn't want to get involved with these big shots. If you walk by the river long enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. Besides, Lu Chuang's idea was extremely dangerous, and Xia Liang had no desire to end up in a military court.

"Why don't you give it some more thought—"

"Hm? We're at the compound already?" Old Master Lu stirred. "That was a very comfortable ride. Even steadier than when Xiao Liu drives."

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