Although generalizations should not be made lightly, those who navigate the world of officialdom often value one thing above all: face. This is especially pronounced within circles of the same rank. When Liu Guangrong heard Wang Ye's words, his first thought was not whether his brother-in-law had actually broken the law or maliciously withheld project funds. Instead, he was enraged. How dare a mere director of the County Public Security Bureau disrespect him, Liu Guangrong, the County Party Secretary? It was an outright display of contempt, and he found it intolerable.

"Wang Ye, it seems you have no regard for me, Liu Guangrong, or my position as the County Party Secretary! Fine, we'll see each other at the Public Security Bureau later. Hmph!" On the other end of the line, Liu Guangrong slammed his desk and hung up with a cold snort.

I'll see if Wang Ye, who showed me no respect over the phone, maintains the same sarcastic tone when I'm there in person. My backing may have collapsed and I may have been transferred to an economically weak, peripheral city that has nothing to do with my expertise, but I still wear this official hat. I am still nominally the top official in Chengyang County! I'm not someone just anyone can provoke! Hmph!

Meanwhile, Wang Ye also hung up. He turned to Chen Fei, his tone involuntarily becoming more grave. "Mr. Chen, Liu Guangrong says he's coming to the Public Security Bureau."

Clearly, although he knew Chen Fei had a formidable background and influence unmatched by anyone in Chengyang County, the other party was still Liu Guangrong, the long-established County Party Secretary of Chengyang and, nominally, the true top leader.

If this were the past, before Secretary Mo was transferred and before Mayor Huang was promoted, Wang Ye would never have dared to be so audacious in Liu's presence.

"What? Secretary Liu is coming to the Public Security Bureau?" Yi Shu's face turned pale upon hearing this, and he stuttered nervously.

Despite his previous bravado and his determination to retrieve the project payment owed to his construction team from Wang Yifa, hearing that Secretary Liu Guangrong was personally stepping in to back that scoundrel sent him into a panic.

After all, he was just an ordinary citizen. How could he possibly dare to contend with a County Party Secretary? That was practically a death wish!

Not only him, but even Zhou Xuanzheng, the Deputy Director of the Labor Bureau, looked panicked. For someone at his level, it didn't matter one bit whether Liu Guangrong was still as powerful as before or was a setting sun. He was nowhere near influential enough to challenge Liu's authority.

"He's coming? Perfect. Let me make a call," said Chen Fei, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, cold smile as he took out his phone and dialed Huang Tao's number.

I had originally thought that Liu Guangrong, as the parental official to the hundreds of thousands of residents in Chengyang County, shouldn't be so irrational and devoid of a sense of right and wrong, even if he is on the decline. But now, without asking a single question, he immediately demanded that Wang Ye give him face and release the man. What more is there to say? Since you, Secretary Liu, are so intent on courting your own destruction, I might as well oblige!

"Uncle Huang, it's Chen Fei…"

As Chen Fei was calling Mayor Huang Tao, the Mayor of Northern Mountain City had already arrived quietly in Chengyang County, accompanied by Zhong Bingyue, Secretary of the Municipal Disciplinary Committee.

Recently, with the reassignment of Mo Cheng, the previous Party Secretary of Northern Mountain City, and the promotion of former Executive Vice Mayor Huang Tao to Mayor, the city's officialdom had undergone a rare, major shake-up. Among these changes, the new Mayor Huang Tao attracted the most attention.

Although the provincial leadership had already decided who would fill the now-vacant position of Party Secretary, the appointee was expected to be an outsider. This meant they would have little foundation in Northern Mountain City, unlike Huang Tao, who had worked his way up from the grassroots level to become Mayor. The difference in their respective strengths was clear at a glance.

So when Zhong Bingyue, Secretary of the Northern Mountain City Disciplinary Committee, received a call from Mayor Huang Tao that afternoon, she dared not delay. She rushed to Chengyang County with Huang Tao without even having time for lunch. Of course, Secretary Zhong still had her doubts.

While it's customary for a new official to crack down on misconduct, does Huang Tao really need to be this proactive? He just received his reassignment notice this morning, and this afternoon he's already conducting an unannounced visit to make an example of someone. And of all places, he chose Chengyang County, one of the lower-ranking counties among the five districts and six counties under Northern Mountain City's jurisdiction. It's truly strange.

But strange or not, having spent over thirty years in Northern Mountain City's political scene, Secretary Zhong knew very well when to speak and when to stay silent. Sometimes, playing the fool was quite advantageous.

RING! RING! RING!

Just then, Huang Tao's phone rang. He answered and listened for a moment before responding, "I understand, Mr. Chen. I'm heading to the Chengyang County Public Security Bureau right now." On the other end, Chen Fei hung up. But on this end…

Chen, Mr. Chen?!

Hearing this, Secretary Zhong couldn't help but twitch, a look of astonishment in her eyes as she blurted out, "Secretary Huang, Old Huang, you…" Clearly, she was startled by Huang Tao's respectful tone.

It was hard to believe that Huang Tao, now the Mayor of Northern Mountain City and a departmental-level official, was speaking in such a humble and respectful manner, even using the reverent address 'Mr. Chen'.

"Now do you understand why I called you over here without even eating lunch?" Huang Tao said with a wry smile, offering her an indirect reminder.

"Could it be?"

Secretary Zhong jolted, a grave look appearing in her eyes as she finally seemed to grasp why the new official was so "enthusiastic" about his duties. She then forced a smile and said, "Old Huang, just give it to me straight. What's his status? I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing later if I don't know the situation."

"His status?"

Huang Tao rubbed his nose and warned her gravely, "I really can't tell you his exact status. But he is a very special person, whose abilities are enough to pose a great threat to society. So, for now, I'm treating him as I would Governor Zhao himself. I will handle any matter he raises with the utmost seriousness!"

"A great threat to society?" Secretary Zhong was stunned at first, then shuddered as a chill crawled up her spine.

She knew that with Huang Tao's status and their relationship, he would never be an alarmist. Furthermore, at her level, she was aware that beings with Extraordinary Martial Power—powerful enough to make even the state wary—did exist in this world.

"Yes, so be very careful with your words when we get there. As for everything else, we'll follow procedure. There's no need to show any favoritism. That is also what Mr. Chen Fei wishes," Huang Tao said with a nod.

"Don't worry, Old Huang, I understand," Secretary Zhong replied, taking a deep breath and nodding. She etched the name Chen Fei deep into her mind.

「...」

About twenty minutes later, in the Criminal Investigation Team office of the Chengyang County Public Security Bureau.

"Hey, hurry up and take off these handcuffs! If my brother-in-law gets here and sees this, who among you can take responsibility?"

Ever since learning on the phone that his brother-in-law, Liu Guangrong, was personally coming to the Public Security Bureau to rescue him, Wang Yifa was filled with a boundless sense of pride. He felt like he was on top of the world. With his head held high and his eyes seemingly on his forehead, he bellowed in the Criminal Investigation Team office, causing the detectives' faces to turn grim.

"Sorry, the director isn't back yet. Without his orders, we don't have the guts to take off your handcuffs," a young, hot-blooded policeman retorted, unable to stand Wang Yifa's arrogance inside their own office.

"You! You! I'll remember you! Just you wait until my brother-in-law gets here! We'll see how I deal with you then!" Wang Yifa snarled, glaring venomously at the young detective, daring to threaten a police officer in public.

"It seems you really haven't grasped the gravity of your situation. You're already in the Public Security Bureau, yet you still dare to threaten my officers. Don't you know that's an additional crime?" a cold voice came from outside the office. Wang Ye, dressed in a commanding police uniform, strode in with an imposing stature and a stern expression.

"You… No, I…" Wang Yifa panicked when he realized Wang Ye had overheard him. He began to stammer, his earlier bravado gone now that he knew they were playing for keeps. All he could do was pray his brother-in-law would arrive soon to save him from this mess and put this damned Wang Ye in his place.

"Wang Ye! Director Wang! Throwing your weight around, aren't you?"

Just then, a cold voice full of anger rang out from outside the office.

A tall, thin, middle-aged man with a greasy, pockmarked face walked in, his expression grim. It was none other than County Party Secretary Liu Guangrong.

"You're quite arrogant yourself," Chen Fei, who had been standing to the side, sneered before Wang Ye could even speak. "Do you even know where you are? You come in here and start mocking Director Wang without even asking what happened?"

"Insolence! What gives you the right to speak to my brother-in-law like that? Do you have any idea who he is? My brother-in-law is the County Party Secretary, the top authority here!"

Seeing Chen Fei—the very man who had 'beaten' him—daring to speak so disrespectfully to his brother-in-law, Wang Yifa saw his chance. A sly, insidious look appeared on his chubby face as he jumped out and pointed at Chen Fei, cursing loudly.

The bigger the scene, the better! As long as my brother-in-law gets truly angry, will I, Wang Yifa, lack a chance for revenge? Heh heh... he thought, a malicious smile creeping across his face.

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