C12 Too Disappointed!

"It's the honor of a lifetime!" Ye Fan declared, standing tall and proud.

He had once fought alongside Jiang Zhuo, who at the time outranked him by two military grades.

Though the phrase 'side by side' was used, it was really under Jiang Zhuo's command that they quelled the turmoil in the Southern Hills.

From then on, Jiang Zhuo became his idol.

Despite being a decade or two younger, Jiang Zhuo's prowess and leadership skills made him a mentor in Ye Fan's eyes.

Indeed, when the accomplished serve as teachers, age is irrelevant.

In both military acumen and personal strength, Jiang Zhuo was akin to a mentor for Ye Fan.

Witnessing the amiable exchange between Ye Fan and Jiang Zhuo, Huang Lijin shook uncontrollably, his complexion ashen, his face etched with disbelief.

Thud!

His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide with terror and astonishment.

"General Jiang! Provincial Chief Lei Hu sends his regards!"

The Provincial Chief approached with a fervent expression, as though meeting a legendary hero, and bowed deeply.

"Chief Lei, please, there's no need for such formality," Jiang Zhuo responded earnestly.

Though from different branches of service, who hadn't heard of the State Protector, God of War Jiang Zhuo's formidable renown?

It's fair to say that the peace and prosperity of Lunamis today owes much to this very God of War!

"Mayor Wang Bo Tao of Jiangbei City sends his greetings!"

The Mayor of Jiangbei City quickly stepped forward, all smiles, reaching out for a handshake.

"General Jiang, I'm Ma Dongshan, the Police Chief of Jiangbei City. I'm terribly sorry for the lack of discipline among my staff, allowing them to commit such an egregious act against you," Ma Dongshan stammered, approaching Jiang Zhuo with trepidation.

"Chief Ma, your subordinates have indeed left much to be desired," Jiang Zhuo commented coolly.

Lei Hu's eyes widened with fury as he pointed at Ma Dongshan and barked, "Ma Dongshan, gather all the senior officers of the police force immediately. It's time to purge your department of any bad apples!"

"Yes, right away," Ma Dongshan replied, eager to comply.

Ma Dongshan was drenched in sweat, his whole body soaked as he bowed and scraped obsequiously.

Just as he was about to leave, Huang Liqin clung to his leg, crying out, "Director, I just..."

"Huang Liqin, having someone like you in our department is a true disgrace to Jiangbei City! To think you would resort to unauthorized punishment against General Jiang without any justification? You've brought shame upon us all. If I don't lock you up to cool your heels for a few years, my name isn't Ma Dongshan!"

With a swift kick, Ma Dongshan sent Huang Liqin sprawling and glared down at him, roaring furiously.

He was so enraged he felt like his lungs would burst, having heard every word of Huang Liqin's threats against Jiang Zhuo.

"No, please! Director, I was wrong. Forgive me!" Huang Liqin wept bitterly, bowing his head repeatedly in desperate supplication.

Zhu Zhiyong and the bandaged man stood there, stunned, their minds blown as if by a nuclear blast, a complete void.

They were rigid, their gazes vacant, as they looked towards Jiang Zhuo, their hearts seized by an unparalleled terror.

Thud! Thud!

Their faces turned ashen, their bodies suddenly devoid of all strength, collapsing limply to the ground.

They shook uncontrollably, as if trapped in an icehouse, limbs icy cold.

A sense of boundless despair enveloped them both.

Jiang Zhuo's gaze shifted to Zhu Zhiyong and the other man, his voice detached, "It seems your cousin can't help you now. Why not see if there's anyone else willing to back you up? Call them out, and I'll take care of them all in one go."

Zhu Zhiyong felt as though he was on the brink of an abyss, his head spinning, terror-stricken, he stammered, "I, I..."

"Lost for words?" Jiang Zhuo's eyes narrowed as he looked down upon him.

"Zhu Zhiyong! You've doomed me! Damn you, I'll kill you!"

Huang Liqin turned his gaze to Zhu Zhiyong, seething with a mix of intense loathing and bitterness.

He let out a roar and, with a twisted face, lunged at Zhu Zhiyong, the two of them grappling fiercely.

"Quick, separate them!" Ma Dongshan commanded.

Several officers hastened to intervene, prying Zhu Zhiyong and Huang Liqin apart.

Zhu Zhiyong was a mess, his head bleeding and his face marred by scratches, his body shaking uncontrollably.

"Director Ma, Zhu Zhiyong claimed that not even the law could touch him. Therefore, I must ask you to look into his associates. Spare no one connected to him; we need to address those who embolden him to flout the law so brazenly," Jiang Zhuo stated calmly.

Ma Dongshan promptly bowed, responding earnestly, "Understood! I will root out this individual's supporters and thoroughly excise this blight from Jiangbei City."

"And this one, a bane to our police force. Gather evidence of his illegal activities and teach him the consequences of abusing power for personal gain!" Lei Hu angrily pointed at Huang Liqin.

"Understood, understood!"

Ma Dongshan nodded vigorously, then turned to the officers and ordered, "Lock them up now!"

"Director, please, no!" Huang Liqin pleaded, still resisting.

But it was to no avail.

After the officers escorted Zhu Zhiyong and the rest away, Jiang Zhuo surveyed the influential figures before him and spoke dispassionately, "I've returned to Lunamis on a mission from our superiors. I trust you'll keep this confidential and not disclose any information. Should there be any leaks, I'll have to suspect collusion with a criminal syndicate."

Lei Hu and the others wore grave expressions as they assured him, "Rest assured, Commander Jiang. We will guard this secret with the utmost diligence."

"Good."

Jiang Zhuo nodded in acknowledgment and was about to depart from the precinct when suddenly, someone emerged in haste.

It was none other than Bai Ningshuang!

Seeing Jiang Zhuo about to leave, Bai Ningshuang's eyes widened in fury as she barked, "Surnamed Jiang, who gave you permission to go?"

Jiang Zhuo's brow furrowed, and he paused to turn back to Bai Ningshuang.

Ma Dongshan, visibly alarmed, quickly intervened, admonishing, "Bai Ningshuang, show some respect!"

"Director, what brings you here?" Bai Ningshuang exclaimed with surprise upon seeing Ma Dongshan.

Ma Dongshan blocked Bai Ningshuang's path, signaling with his eyes before clearing his throat and stating, "Bai Ningshuang, I've taken this case into my own hands. You should attend to other matters now."

Bai Ningshuang's brow furrowed in discontent as she challenged, "Director, you're not seriously considering bending the rules to let this man walk free, are you?"

"It's none of your business how I handle things! You are expressly forbidden from meddling in this affair!" Ma Dongshan retorted, his eyes blazing with fury.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Ningshuang's eyes filled with anger as she turned her gaze to Jiang Zhuo.

After scrutinizing him intently, she bit down on her lip and accused, "I get it now, this guy has connections, doesn't he? Director, I'm shocked that you would stoop to such levels, ingratiating yourself with those in power and bowing to the elite. You've utterly disappointed me!"

Enraged, Ma Dongshan cast a covert glance at Jiang Zhuo, finding himself at a loss for words. Through clenched teeth, he barked, "And who are you to be disappointed in me? I'm giving you an order—leave this instant!"