Meeting of the Big Shots

"Beep beep beep~~~ Beep beep beep~~~"

Director Han’s right hand had just touched Le Erya when the badge on his chest suddenly began flashing red. It sounded twice in succession, and the expressions of several patrolling security personnel instantly changed. The way they looked at Le Erya changed as well.

"Director, watch out!"

Two patrolling officers immediately rushed forward to pull Director Han back, while another charged toward Le Erya and took something out, preparing to strike her.

"What are you doing!"

Lin Qinghe seized the wrist of the hand holding the strange-looking weapon. After struggling and failing to break free, the man’s gaze instantly changed. He swung a fist at Lin Qinghe’s cheek with his left hand while kicking toward her vitals with his right foot. He showed no mercy, and his attacks were vicious.

Lin Qinghe reacted even faster to his combination of attacks. She drove her bent elbow into his chest, releasing his wrist at the same time, then smoothly extended her arm and landed a snapping punch squarely on his nose.

"Bang~"

Lin Qinghe’s swift combination knocked the man to the ground. By the time Director Han and the others reacted, he was already lying there unconscious and motionless.

"Don’t move!"

As the two patrolling officers who had pulled Director Han back spoke, they quickly drew their pistols and aimed them at Lin Qinghe and Le Erya.

"Don’t move!"

The two officers’ actions were like a fuse being lit. Without anyone giving an order, the Criminal Inspectors turned their guns toward them. Lin Qinghe was a well-known figure in the Hangcheng City Police Department.

She had risen from the grassroots level to her current position without any connections, working tirelessly on the front lines and earning many merits. Many people had already been dissatisfied with her being pushed forward as a scapegoat. Now that someone had actually drawn a gun on her, several Criminal Inspector squad leaders could not stand by. They took the lead in drawing their weapons and aiming them, determined to protect their Flower of the Criminal Inspectors.

"Stop! All of you, stop!"

Director Zhang immediately realized that the situation was bad. He hurriedly stepped forward to stop the impulsive Criminal Inspectors, then shielded Lin Qinghe and Le Erya behind him. Turning toward Director Han, he demanded, "Director Han, what is the meaning of this? Our Criminal Inspectors are cooperating with your work, and this is how you operate? Do you think you’re the Special Secret Service?"

Although the importance of this incident had forced him to temporarily abandon Lin Qinghe, he was still a responsible leader. When it was time for him to step forward, he would not back down.

"Lower your guns!"

Director Han also came to his senses. He stopped the two officers holding their guns, then said seriously to Director Zhang, "Director Zhang, are you certain these two are truly Criminal Inspectors from your department?" He needed to confirm Lin Qinghe and Le Erya’s identities once more. After all, the matter involved far too much.

"What kind of question is that? How could they be fakes?"

Director Zhang frowned. "Detective Lin was promoted by me personally. She was under my command when I was a Criminal Inspector brigade leader. How could I possibly mistake her for someone else?"

"Xiao Ya is a Criminal Inspector school intern this year. I’m her supervisor, and the department has her records."

Lin Qinghe spoke to Director Han. She felt that the two of them might have been dragged into something extraordinary, and words Gu Sheng had casually mentioned—things like Ability Users—flashed through her mind.

"Good, that’s good~"

A smile appeared on Director Han’s face. He stepped forward and repeatedly apologized to Director Zhang and the others. "Director Zhang, Detectives, I’m sorry about what happened just now. It was a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding!"

Seeing Director Han repeatedly sizing up Lin Qinghe and Le Erya behind him, Director Zhang developed a bad feeling. This fellow isn’t planning to poach them, is he?

Lin Qinghe had been brought up by him personally. Even if he had planned to make her take the blame this time, he had never intended to abandon her completely.

Director Han’s expression turned serious. "This matter is very important. Director Zhang, sorry to trouble you, but please contact Director Qi. I have something extremely important to discuss with him."

"Director Qi!"

A robust middle-aged man with a vigorous stride and a lean, capable build entered the venue. Director Han, who had been making casual conversation with Lin Qinghe and Le Erya, stood up, while Director Zhang of the City Police Department led the two women over as well.

"Old Han, you’re causing trouble on my turf again, aren’t you?"

Director Qi and Director Han were old acquaintances. He had received news of what happened at Zhenglin Manor long ago, and when Director Zhang called him, he had already been on his way here.

"What are you talking about, Old Qi? There are young Criminal Inspectors here. Why put it so harshly?"

Director Han smiled at Director Qi, then waved him over. "Come, come, sit down. It’s been a long time since the two of us brothers caught up. Come over and let’s have a proper chat."

"Director…"

Director Zhang walked over to Director Qi and recounted everything that had just happened in full.

"Oh!"

Director Qi glanced at Lin Qinghe, and his eyes held a little more approval. He walked over and sat down opposite Director Han. "Explain yourself. Why did your man attack my people?

"If you don’t explain this clearly, you’re not leaving today. As for the fellow who attacked a Criminal Inspector, I don’t care whose man he is. I’ll detain him for fifteen days first and ask questions later." Director Qi showed Director Han no mercy and did not give him a pleasant look either.

"We’ll explain this later. Let’s wait until my people arrive, then we can discuss everything properly."

Director Han smiled, then beckoned to the somewhat timid Le Erya and Lin Qinghe. "Qinghe, Xiao Ya, sit down too. Where were we just now…"

"Director!"

Director Zhang walked over to Director Qi, looking worriedly at Lin Qinghe and Le Erya, whom Director Han had pulled over for a conversation.

"Don’t worry about it yet. Let’s see what trick he’s playing. I won’t let our people suffer."

Director Qi shook his head. Although his rank and authority were slightly higher than Director Han’s, his internal privileges were still inferior. He lacked access to many of Director Han’s channels and had no idea what kind of medicine the man was selling in his gourd.

"Knock knock~~ Come in! Creak~"

The person who had knocked opened the door and entered. A beautiful, bespectacled woman in a white lab coat and a somewhat disheveled old Daoist in a bright yellow robe walked in.

"This matter is extremely important, so I don’t want our conversation to be leaked. Old Qi, you and the others must keep this confidential!"

Director Han reminded Director Qi and the others, then introduced the newcomers. "Let me introduce you. This is Dr. Wu Mengchen and Daoist Yiyouzi. They’re both capable members of our patrol security force. Dr. Wu is researching a major topic that’s been making waves recently—the reason Ability Users have been appearing in such numbers."

"Ability Users? Appearing in such numbers?"

Lin Qinghe and Le Erya exchanged a glance. They had heard Gu Sheng’s offhand remarks and learned that they themselves were Ability Users, but they still did not have a particularly clear understanding of the concept.

"Ability Users are what we commonly refer to as people with supernatural abilities, individuals with innate talents far beyond ordinary people. Their abilities can be great or small…"

Dr. Wu seemed to notice Lin Qinghe and Le Erya’s confusion. She adjusted her glasses and explained with a smile. At the end, she added, "Just like the two of you. Unless something unexpected happened, you’re both Ability Users."