But now, Doctor Chen, Chen Fei, a man he considered part of that terrifying circle, had been arrested by a mere Public Security Bureau branch in his jurisdiction. Even as the Executive Deputy Mayor of Northern Mountain City, his face couldn't help but turn a shade paler. He quickly pulled out his phone to call his secretary, Qian Xiangrong, before dialing the Chief of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. "Comrade Qianye, I need you at the Public Security Bureau of High Tech Startup Zone within fifteen minutes. Something major has happened."

「On the other side of Northern Mountain City.」

Zhu Qianye, the Chief of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, had just gotten home and taken off his uniform, ready to rest. The moment Deputy Mayor Huang's call came through, he froze for a second before frantically throwing his clothes back on and rushing out the door.

By all rights, Zhu Qianye was the Chief of the Municipal Public Security Bureau of an Earth Level city, a member of the Municipal Party Committee's Standing Committee, and held a deputy-departmental rank. Even Huang Tao, despite being the Executive Deputy Mayor and a fellow Standing Committee member, had no business speaking to him like that. Therefore, Zhu Qianye knew instantly that something was terribly wrong. Could something major have actually happened?

Moreover, he had detected the anger and faint tremor in Huang Tao's voice during the call, which immediately alerted him to the severity of the situation.

Seriously, for the Executive Deputy Mayor to call him in the dead of night with such a tone… even a fool would know something catastrophic had occurred. Although, at present, Northern Mountain was considered Secretary Mo's personal territory, a place where he could blot out the sky with a single hand.

But hadn't there been rumors circulating in their circles recently? The current mayor was about to be promoted and leave his post. This would open up the positions of Mayor and Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee. Someone had to fill them, and it was a near-certainty that this person would be Huang Tao. At that point, he would no longer be a 'mere' Executive Deputy Mayor but the city's true second-in-command, someone with the standing to challenge Secretary Mo.

As this thought crossed his mind, Zhu Qianye flew down the stairs, already pulling out his phone to call Luo Qiang, the Chief of the Public Security Bureau of the High Tech Startup Zone. But the call wouldn't connect. "Damn it! Luo Qiang, that son of a bitch!" he cursed aloud.

At this point, even an idiot would know something was wrong. After all, a Public Security Bureau chief's phone should never be turned off.

"Get out of the car!"

Meanwhile, Chen Fei had been brought to the Public Security Bureau of the High Tech Startup Zone, where officers escorted him from the patrol car.

"Heh heh, weren't you acting all high and mighty before? Now you're on my turf. We'll see how I deal with you later," a mocking voice chimed in from nearby. It was Luo Chao, who was swaggering out of a Passat patrol car with an arrogant, ferocious expression, looking nothing like a suspect.

"Hmph!" Chen Fei snorted, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"Damn it, still acting tough? I hope you can still laugh once you're inside," Luo Chao threatened irritably, unnerved by Chen Fei's frigid glare.

"It seems you treat this Public Security Bureau as your home," Chen Fei said, staring coldly at him.

"Haha, you're not wrong! The chief of this Public Security Bureau of the High Tech Startup Zone is my dad. One word from him, and the entire branch has to do his bidding. Tell me, if this isn't my home, what is?" Luo Chao jeered, his expression screaming that he already had Chen Fei in the palm of his hand.

"Xiao Chao," Zheng Buxing called out as he got out of the Passat, signaling him to watch his mouth and not get carried away.

He then reverted to his imposing demeanor, barking at the officers standing by the patrol car, "What are you all standing around for? Get this man inside! He's a dangerous suspect. If something happens, which one of you can bear the responsibility?"

Following his command, two young officers flanked Chen Fei and led him into the Public Security Bureau building.

"You bastard, just wait! You dared to hit me? I'll make you pay..." Luo Chao was still spewing threats and arrogant nonsense, and Chen Fei finally had enough. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Zheng Buxing, the captain of the Public Security Brigade, saw the cold glint in Chen Fei's eyes. His expression changed as he started to shout, "What are you doing? Stop—" But he was a step too late.

With a THUD, Chen Fei viciously kicked Luo Chao, sending him flying. He crashed heavily onto the ground, unable to get back up for some time.

"You..." Watching Luo Chao groan in pain on the ground, unable to rise, a chill ran down the spines of Zheng Buxing and the young officers holding Chen Fei. They were stunned that the slender man could be so powerful and skilled.

Luo Chao finally staggered to his feet, his face a mask of ferocity. "I'll... I'll kill you!" he roared at Chen Fei.

"Xiao Chao, don't be impulsive!"

Zheng Buxing immediately intercepted the enraged Luo Chao and waved to his men. "What are you standing there for? Take him inside!" But instead of taking Chen Fei to an interrogation room, they escorted him to a holding cell with iron bars. Their malicious intent was self-evident.

Zheng Buxing opened the iron gate and barked, "Chen Fei!"

Chen Fei gave him a cold look, the corner of his mouth curling into a disdainful sneer as he walked inside without a word.

Although this was a Public Security Bureau, if I really wanted to leave, this flimsy place could hardly stop me.

However, Zheng Buxing and the others didn't think that way. "Kid, you were pretty tough just now, weren't you?" he taunted. "You even dared to hit Xiao Chao. Do you have any idea that his dad is the director of our bureau? You've got some serious nerve! Today, we'll see how you like what we have in store for you!"

As police officers, they knew exactly what this holding cell represented. Once a person was inside, they were clay in their hands, to be molded and flattened as they pleased.

Luo Chao had followed them inside. "You dared to hit me?" he snarled, his face hideous in the dim light. "If I don't fucking kill you today, my name isn't Luo Chao!"

"Oh, Officer Zheng, is it? Why did this idiot follow us in? Is he a police officer at your bureau too?" Chen Fei merely glanced at them coldly before walking to a corner, sitting down cross-legged, and speaking with indifference.

"What did you say? You dare call me an idiot!?" Luo Chao instantly flew into a rage.

"Insolence! Who gave you permission to speak? Are you the police, or are we? Shut up and stay put!" Zheng Buxing snapped.

With that said, a cruel smile spread across his face. He turned to Chen Fei with a mocking tone. "I have no idea who you pissed off, kid, but the orders from above are to finish you. And don't worry, someone's already arranged to take the fall. Xiao Chao, it looks like we get to have some fun today."

"What did you say? Someone wants me dead?" Chen Fei's tone turned icy. The temperature in the air seemed to plummet, making one shiver involuntarily.

"Damn, why is it so cold all of a sudden?"

Luo Chao muttered in confusion, then sneered viciously at Chen Fei. "Don't you even know what big shot you've offended? My dad personally got a call from Director Xu at the Municipal Bureau. He said you crossed someone you shouldn't have and that you're going to rot in jail for life!"

"Was the whole incident your setup from the start?" Chen Fei asked, his face devoid of emotion.

"That's— Shut your mouth! What's it to you? All you need to know is that you've walked into this Public Security Bureau, and you're not walking out. Just you wait and see how I'm going to take care of you!" Luo Chao laughed triumphantly.

"I advise you to clean up your language. Otherwise, I don't mind making you kiss the pavement again," Chen Fei said, a disdainful smirk forming on his lips.

"Damn it, still so arrogant in a place like this! Xiao Chao, let's go teach him a lesson!" At some point, Zheng Buxing had pulled on a pair of white gloves and was now holding two long, black police batons.

The holding cell was small, and a set of iron bars separated them from Chen Fei. How could they not do as they pleased? An ordinary person would have no room to resist at all.

Just then, an Audi with official government plates sped towards the Public Security Bureau of the High Tech Startup Zone.

The guards at the gate moved to stop the car, but when they saw the familiar license plate, they were so frightened they snapped to attention, saluted, and let it pass. As the Executive Deputy Mayor of Northern Mountain City, Huang Tao's official license plate was a number many people had committed to memory.

SCREECH!

The Audi screeched to a halt in the bureau's courtyard.

Qian Xiangrong scrambled out of the car. At that very moment, sirens wailed as two police cruisers roared into the courtyard behind them. The moment they stopped, Director Zhu Qianye and his men disembarked.

Director Zhu? Why is he here...? The officers at the branch bureau couldn't help but shrink back, a cold dread washing over them.

After all, Zhu Qianye, the Director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, was the absolute top boss for all police officers in Northern Mountain City.

But here it was, the middle of the night, and not only had Deputy Mayor Huang's car shown up, but a heavyweight like Director Zhu had come in person. What in the world was going on? What cataclysmic event had occurred?

At that moment, Secretary Qian rushed over to Zhu Qianye. "Director Zhu, my name is Qian. I'm Mayor Huang's secretary. It's a pleasure." He had already received Huang Tao's instructions and knew exactly what to say.

Director Zhu frowned upon seeing Huang Tao's secretary. "Oh, Secretary Qian. What's happened that brings you here in the middle of the night?" he asked.

Secretary Qian moved closer to Director Zhu, casting a quick glance at the officers standing behind him before lowering his voice. "Here's the situation, Director Zhu. A friend of Mayor Huang's has been arrested—a very important friend. Mayor Huang asked me to relay a message: he's asking for your help with this and says he will owe you a favor for it. He's on his way here now, as well."

Zhu Qianye drew a sharp breath, a flicker of shock in his eyes.

For the Executive Deputy Mayor to say something like that... to offer to owe me a favor just for my help... Who in the world is this person they arrested? What kind of background could he possibly have to be worth all this?

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