A flicker of displeasure flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes. The girl behind him immediately stepped forward and scolded loudly, "This is Captain Lyu from the Bureau headquarters. Show some respect!"
Seeing this, Ling Xun stepped in, fearing Yue Shi might impulsively resort to violence. He introduced him, saying, "This is Lyu Huan, a special investigator from headquarters and a Rank 4 transcendent."
He intentionally emphasized the words "Rank 4" before looking at the girl. "And this is Zhao Huaisha, a direct subordinate of Captain Lyu."
Hearing Ling Xun emphasize Lyu Huan's identity, especially the part about being a "Rank 4 transcendent," Zhao Huaisha tilted her chin up slightly. A look of reflected glory appeared on her face, her eyes brimming with pride.
Lyu Huan didn't speak. He simply scrutinized Yue Shi with a solemn expression. When he had patted Yue Shi's shoulder just now, it had been both a test and a lesson.
Although he hadn't used his full strength, it was not something an ordinary transcendent could easily avoid, let alone counter with such a vicious and cunning strike.
Lyu Huan suspected that Yue Shi's true strength far exceeded what was recorded in his file.
But on second thought, with Ms. Tang stationed here, it was only natural for anyone associated with her to be abnormal.
As soon as Ling Xun finished the introduction, Zhao Huaisha immediately pointed her finger at Yue Shi, her voice aggressive. "Regarding the death of Special Commissioner Wang, I believe there are major suspicious points. Mr. Yue Shi, I suspect you of settling a personal score and intentionally murdering a special commissioner from headquarters. The Amber City Investigation Bureau must provide a clear explanation for this!"
Yue Shi didn't even consider proving his innocence because he wasn't innocent at all. He caught the small loophole in Zhao Huaisha's words, and a look of perfect confusion appeared on his face.
"Settling a personal score? Intentional murder? Miss Zhao, you can eat whatever you want, but you shouldn't say whatever you want. What personal score could I possibly have with Mr. Wang? We've been getting along quite harmoniously these past few days. I respected Mr. Wang more than anyone; why would I intentionally harm him?"
Zhao Huaisha was momentarily choked up. She clearly knew what Mr. Wang had done—abusing prohibited drugs on local investigators. But such things couldn't be brought out into the open, and she wasn't supposed to "know" about it. Everything had to be treated as if Mr. Wang had acted entirely on his own.
Her momentum weakened for a second, but she quickly regained her self-righteousness. Avoiding the mention of "personal scores," she bit down hard on one point.
"Don't quibble! Special Commissioner Wang was only administrative staff. Why would he go to the scene of a supernatural incident? You were with him, and with your strength, you're completely unharmed, yet Special Commissioner Wang is dead? These are all suspicious points. You must explain yourself clearly!"
"Mr. Wang was dedicated to his work and insisted on going to the front line to provide guidance. His spirit is commendable. However, he was ultimately unfamiliar with the dangers of supernatural incidents. The situation on-site changes in an instant. Although I did my best to manage the situation, I failed to protect him in the end. I, too, feel deep regret."
Yue Shi let out a sigh, putting on an innocent expression that said, 'I did my best, but my teammate was a pig.'
"So what? You are a transcendent from a local branch. When a special commissioner from headquarters accompanies you to the scene of a supernatural incident, you should prioritize his safety! If something happened to him, it's your responsibility!" Zhao Huaisha blurted out.
"If that's how you feel, then I don't know what else to say," Yue Shi replied, acting as if he were at a loss for words.
"You!" Seeing that Yue Shi was impervious to her words, Zhao Huaisha pointed at him. "Investigate! This must be strictly investigated!"
"Retrieve all surrounding surveillance footage and isolate all witnesses for interrogation. This concerns the death of a special commissioner from headquarters. Anyone who knows something and doesn't report it, or reports falsely, will be charged with a serious crime!"
Her voice was sharp and high-pitched, filled with undisguised threats and condescension.
As soon as she said this, the movements of several Amber City Investigation Bureau personnel working nearby faltered. Their expressions varied as they cast furtive glances toward the group.
Ling Xun countered indifferently, "Miss Zhao, Amber City has been hit with frequent supernatural incidents lately, and we are extremely short-handed. Are you suggesting we stop all work protecting the public just for your baseless suspicions? To cooperate with your so-called 'strict investigation'?"
"We are also deeply saddened by Special Commissioner Wang's unfortunate death in the line of duty, but that doesn't mean you can waste our already insufficient public resources."
"A special commissioner from headquarters is dead, and you call that baseless suspicion? You call it a waste of public resources?" Zhao Huaisha's voice rose even higher.
She sneered. "I suspect there are serious problems within the Amber City Investigation Bureau. For such a severe supernatural incident to break out in a restaurant less than five hundred meters from your branch's front gate..."
"Either you are severely derelict and incompetent, or there is a massive loophole in your internal management. I think it is very necessary to conduct a thorough purge!"
The corners of Ling Xun's mouth curled up in contempt. Just as he was about to mock the girl for overestimating herself, Lyu Huan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, interrupting their conversation.
"Alright, that's enough from both of you. Business comes first."
His tone was flat but left no room for doubt. The indignant Zhao Huaisha immediately shut her mouth, though her gaze toward Yue Shi and Ling Xun became increasingly critical.
Ling Xun rolled his eyes inwardly. Lyu Huan had been letting his subordinate spout nonsense while he played the invisible man, and now he was stepping in to act as the voice of reason.
Tsk, tsk. This low-class act was something Ling Xun wouldn't do even if he were taught hand-over-hand.
Lyu Huan masked his displeasure and asked formulaically, "Mr. Ling, if it's convenient, could you take me to see Director Tang? I have some matters I wish to discuss with her in person."
"Our director has been busy with official duties lately and is not receiving guests. If Captain Lyu has any questions or requests, you can communicate directly with me. I will handle them or pass them on as appropriate," Ling Xun said.
The polite facade on his face had completely vanished, replaced by the posture of a superior.
At this moment, he wasn't just the section chief who frequently cleaned up his subordinates' messes; he was Director Tang's spokesperson.
This blunt refusal made Zhao Huaisha blow a fuse. "You didn't even bother to report it! What right do you have to make decisions for your director? How do you know Director Tang doesn't want to see guests? This is an overstepping of authority! Does your director know you're blocking a superior officer from headquarters like this?"
Lyu Huan's face darkened, but he still didn't immediately reprimand Zhao Huaisha. Instead, he tacitly allowed her questioning, his gaze locked onto Ling Xun, exerting invisible pressure.
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