"He's the head of that kind of department, after all. Just being in his presence is suffocating."

After Wang Dashan had left, even a man of Dong Wencheng's status couldn't help but let out a long, deep breath. He leaned back lazily in his chair, stared at the ceiling, and mumbled to himself. As someone with connections to the Martial Forest, I can faintly sense the unnerving aura and powerful energy fluctuations coming from Director Wang. It's enough to make my skin crawl. Compared to him, the presence I've cultivated over so many years feels completely naive, not even worth mentioning.

Yet, such a powerful figure, one that even I find imposing, had to respectfully address Chen Fei as 'Chief Instructor Chen.' What does that imply? The mere thought made him click his tongue in amazement.

"Liu Taiping... Liu Tianping... as the saying goes, what goes around comes around. It seems you're in for some big trouble this time." He picked up the file from his desk again. As his eyes glanced over the words, his lips curled into a cold sneer. I'm an upright official. Naturally, I can't stand people who aren't clean. Now that Mr. Chen has exposed them, I can't turn a blind eye anymore.

"Shen Kai, come in for a moment," he said, picking up the internal phone on his desk and dialing his secretary, Shen Kai, who was outside.

"Secretary." A moment later, Shen Kai pushed the door open and walked in briskly.

"Inform Comrades Xuanhua, Ming Liang, and Hao Yong to come to my office immediately," Dong Wencheng said without expression.

Hearing this, Secretary Shen's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "Yes, Secretary!"

I'm all too familiar with those three names: the secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, the director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, and the head of the Municipal Organization Department. One handles party discipline, another investigates and arrests criminals, and the third manages official appointments... For Secretary Dong to suddenly summon all three of them can't be an ordinary matter.

However, his mind immediately went back to yesterday's events. Recalling that scene, he understood what was happening and hurried out.

"Secretary, you wanted to see us?"

Not long after, three significant figures from the officialdom of Tongzhou City gathered in Secretary Dong Wencheng's office. One of them, a gray-haired man named Hao Yong, the head of the Municipal Organization Department, asked with a grave expression.

Men who have reached our positions are naturally shrewd. How could we not realize that something extraordinary was afoot when Secretary Dong summoned all three of us? They knew better than to treat this lightly.

"You're here. Take a look at this," Dong Wencheng said, not bothering with pleasantries as he tossed the document in front of them with a stern face.

Director Hao Yong picked up the file. After flipping through just a few pages, his expression subtly changed. Seeing this, the Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, Xuanhua, and the Director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, Ming Liang, leaned in to look. Instantly, their expressions changed as well.

The civil service examination was an issue that could be either minor or major. On a larger scale, it concerned the reputation of an entire city. But now, it had been tampered with, and the evidence was right here on paper, handed to them personally by Secretary Dong Wencheng. The implication was glaringly obvious.

"Liu Tianping?"

Just then, Director Hao Yong's expression shifted, and he muttered the name subconsciously. At the mention of the name, the other two men were taken aback.

As officials in Tongzhou City, we're all familiar with the name Liu Tianping. Reaching the position of Deputy Director of the Municipal Finance Bureau is quite an achievement. More importantly, Liu Tianping has a powerful backer: Deputy Governor Xiao Nanyun of Jiangnan Province.

"You two shouldn't just stand there. Read the rest of it," Dong Wencheng said curtly.

"Oh, yes, of course."

Startled, Xuanhua and Ming Liang took the document from Director Hao Yong. They hadn't read much before their expressions became just as peculiar and uneasy as Hao Yong's had been.

"This... Secretary Dong, what is this?!" the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, Xuanhua, asked reflexively, holding the incriminating file. As someone in charge of party discipline, I'm no stranger to this kind of material. But now, a dossier on Liu Tianping, the Deputy Director of the Municipal Finance Bureau, has appeared before me. Could it be... could it be that Dong Wencheng is preparing to move against him? But the problem is... the problem is Liu Tianping is backed by Deputy Governor Xiao Nanyun.

"Comrade Xuanhua, what are your thoughts on this?" Dong Wencheng asked suddenly, his tone flat.

"Secretary, this..." Hearing the question, Xuanhua faltered, unsure of what to say. He could only hesitate with a conflicted expression. He was truly in a difficult position and at a loss for words.

"What? You don't want to speak... or you don't know how?" Dong Wencheng's face hardened, and his authoritative gaze swept over the man. Xuanhua immediately lowered his head in fright, not daring to meet his eyes.

Seeing this, the other two men's expressions changed, their eyes flickering. They could now see that Secretary Dong Wencheng appeared to be... completely serious about this.

"No, Secretary Dong, I..." Xuanhua snapped back to his senses and opened his mouth to explain.

"Enough. I think by now you all understand why I called you here. Take these documents. I expect to see results as quickly as possible. Understand?" Dong Wencheng cut him off and turned his back, a clear gesture of dismissal.

"Secretary... Yes!" Hearing his resolute tone, Hao Yong and the others exchanged glances. They finally understood the depth of Secretary Dong Wencheng's determination. Without another word, they took the documents and left the office, visibly shaken.

After the three of them had left, Dong Wencheng slowly turned around again, shaking his head. "Looks like there's one more problem to deal with..." he muttered with a wry smile.

As he spoke, he picked up the telephone and dialed a number. It was the line for Xiao Nanyun, one of the Deputy Governors of Jiangnan Province.

Liu Tianping was under Xiao Nanyun's protection. To make a move on him, Dong Wencheng had to give notice, even if he was already acting first and reporting later.

「」

"Dong Wencheng?"

Meanwhile, in the Deputy Governor's office in Jiangnan Province, Xiao Nanyun answered the call, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Although Dong Wencheng is 'only' a Municipal Secretary and I'm a Deputy Governor, his position is special. He's the leader of the provincial capital. More importantly, he's also a member of the Provincial Standing Committee. Strictly speaking, his status is even more significant than mine, so I can't afford to be careless.

"Secretary Dong, hello. What wind blew you here today?" Xiao Nanyun asked politely as soon as the call connected.

"I hope you're not offended, Deputy Governor Xiao. I'm calling to apologize," Dong Wencheng replied with a chuckle.

"Apologize?" Xiao Nanyun was baffled. "I don't understand, Secretary Dong. Apologize for what?"

"It's like this. A very serious case just occurred in Tongzhou City involving the behind-the-scenes manipulation of the civil service examination. I've already ordered comrades from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission to take Liu Tianping in for investigation," Dong Wencheng explained bluntly.

Hearing this, Deputy Governor Xiao Nanyun's face instantly darkened. He understood that Dong Wencheng was calling to present him with a fait accompli.

A very serious case? Someone manipulating civil service examination slots? Aren't 'trivial matters' like this common in our circles? Was it necessary to exaggerate so much, to make a mountain out of a molehill to the point of arresting the man! Could this be a power play aimed at me?

As this thought crossed his mind, his tone turned icy. "That's as it should be. We must resolutely crush these parasites within our ranks. You've done the right thing, Secretary Dong. However... this case doesn't sound particularly major. Don't you think this grand response is a bit excessive?"

Dong Wencheng naturally detected Xiao Nanyun's displeasure. After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Deputy Governor Xiao, this matter isn't about me targeting you. It's because this case involves a special person."

"Oh? A special person? Who?" Xiao Nanyun asked, slightly surprised.

"I'm not sure if you know him, but he should have had contact with the Xiao Family before. His surname is Chen," Dong Wencheng said.

"Chen?"

A look of thoughtful confusion crossed Xiao Nanyun's face before he suddenly froze. His expression turned extremely grave, even tinged with a hint of panic.

"Secretary Dong, are you referring to Chen Fei, Mr. Chen!?" he exclaimed, unable to stop himself from bolting upright.

"So you know him, Deputy Governor Xiao? Good, then you should understand his status. This case involves him, so I had no choice but to take it very seriously." Dong Wencheng breathed a sigh of relief, glad he wouldn't need to explain further.

"So that's how it is. This matter involves Mr. Chen... My apologies, Secretary Dong. I misunderstood you. You did the right thing," Xiao Nanyun said with a bitter smile. He couldn't believe this matter involved *that* man. Thankfully, he hadn't acted rashly.

Never mind our last unpleasant encounter, where Chief Luo Yuanzhi of the Flying Leopard had personally called to warn me. Look at what happened with my third uncle. Even after the Old Patriarch personally intervened, he's still locked up in jail. No face was given, and there has been no further news from the Old Patriarch's side since. Would I, Xiao Nanyun, dare to provoke such a fearsome figure? That would be courting death... Thank goodness. Thank goodness.

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