Forbidden Zone of Deception

Chapter 156 Refusal to be Recruited!

As it was nearing the end of the workday, Jiang Jin pushed open the door to the forensic lab and found Li Ruoxi peeling an apple with her back to the door.

"Forensic Doctor Li," Jiang Jin cleared his throat, "can we talk?"

"No time." Li Ruoxi didn't turn her head, and the tip of the knife "clicked" into the apple core.

Jiang Jin sighed and magically produced a paper bag from behind his back: "Freshly roasted chestnuts, from the one on Mingping Road, the best chestnuts in the entire Jinlin District."

Li Ruoxi's ears twitched.

“If Forensic Doctor Li doesn’t like it, I’ll give it to Old Zhang,” Jiang Jin added.

Li Ruoxi turned around, walked over, and snatched the paper bag: "Don't think you can buy me off with this little favor!"

Then she sat down and began peeling chestnuts. Her movements were quick and ruthless, as if she had a grudge against the chestnut shells.

Jiang Jin dragged a stool over and sat down, waiting for her to eat three before speaking: "Me and Liu Yan..."

"Stop!" Li Ruoxi peeled another chestnut. "I admit I overreacted. It's your freedom to marry whomever you want, and I am—"

She scratched her short hair, unusually at a loss for words.

"You're just unwilling to lose to someone like me who can see the next thirty years at a glance?" Jiang Jin raised an eyebrow.

"Get lost!" Li Ruoxi kicked him. "You're really lucky, kid. I don't know what Liu Yan saw in you! Remember this: if you dare to treat her badly, I won't hesitate to dissect a living person with my scalpel!"

Jiang Jin rubbed his kicked calf, but a smile played on his lips: "Ouch, that was terrifying! Please, Forensic Doctor Li, have mercy!"

Li Ruoxi glared at him, squeezing the chestnut shell in her hand so hard it made a cracking sound: "What, you don't believe me?"

"I believe it, I believe it, Forensic Doctor Li's knife skills are top-notch." Jiang Jin raised his hands in surrender. "But seriously, it's your birthday party tomorrow."

"What?" Li Ruoxi raised an eyebrow. "Are you afraid I'll bring a scalpel to cut a birthday cake?"

Jiang Jin thought to himself: Would I tell you that I almost fed the ghost a birthday cake?

"I was afraid you'd cut me up like a cake." Jiang Jin pulled a small box out of his pocket and pushed it over. "Here, an early birthday present for you."

Li Ruoxi opened it with suspicion. Inside was an exquisite multi-functional Swiss Army knife with the words "To the best forensic doctor" engraved on the handle.

"When did you become so good at picking gifts?" Her voice suddenly softened.

“Liu Yan and I chose it together,” Jiang Jin confessed honestly. “She also had the words carved on it.”

Li Ruoxi stared at the Swiss Army knife for a long time, clicked her tongue, and said, "Alright, considering the sentiment, you two can come over for a meal tomorrow."

She stood up, picked up another chestnut, and popped it into her mouth: "But I'm warning you, dare to show off your love in front of me and torture single people..."

"No, no, Dr. Li." Jiang Jin smiled and made a gesture of surrender.

He actually understands Li Ruoxi very well. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart, and a strong sense of justice. It is precisely because of this that she can become friends with Jiang Jin.

The next night.

Jiang Jin and Liu Yan stood in front of the Li family villa, carrying a carefully prepared gift—a box of fine Longjing tea.

The purpose of my visit today is not only to celebrate Li Ruoxi's birthday, but also to meet with Mr. Li.

"Nervous?" Liu Yan gently squeezed Jiang Jin's hand.

Jiang Jin shook his head, but his gaze swept over the cars parked in the corner of the yard, many of which had license plates from Yanjing.

As expected of Old Master Li, he is a high-ranking inspector in the Muxu City government.

The person who opened the door was Li Ruoxi's brother, Li Ruofeng. Upon seeing Jiang Jin, he immediately smiled broadly and said, "You're here? The old man has been talking about you for ages."

As the eldest grandson of the Li family, Li Ruofeng also holds an important position in the government. Given his position, he is likely aware of the reincarnators, and thus would know that Jiang Jin and Liu Yan are now members of the Nirvana team.

In the living room, Grandpa Li was sitting on the sofa making tea. Beneath his gray eyebrows, his eyes were sharp as an eagle's.

Standing beside him was Li Ruoxi's father, also dressed in a formal dark suit, his brows exuding an imposing and authoritative aura.

"Xiao Jiang, Xiao Liu, you've arrived? Please have a seat." The old man pointed to the seats opposite him and personally poured tea for them. "Try it, authentic Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao."

Li Ruoxi also came over to greet the guests, and was stunned to see her grandfather being so enthusiastic.

What's going on? Grandpa is very familiar with Jiang Jin and Liu Yan?

Judging from the old man's attitude, Jiang Jin knew that he most likely knew their identities. The old man's respect was probably directed at Commander Yu, who was behind them. It's just a pity... the old man is retiring this year.

Jiang Jin accepted the teacup with both hands, but his eyes glanced towards the restaurant—where a middle-aged man with a beer belly was standing, exchanging pleasantries with Li Ruoxi's mother while holding a wine glass.

Liang Zhiyuan, deputy head of the imperial envoy delegation from the Yanjing court.

Jiang Jin's fingertips tightened slightly.

The official surnamed Liang who pressured Commander Yu earlier was this person!
The imperial court dispatched them to cooperate with the local government of Muxu in managing the reincarnated individuals and to assist the Meme Pollution Monitoring Department in preventing and controlling meme pollution.

"Old Master Li, your tea is quite good!" Liang Zhiyuan walked over, swirling his wine glass, a fake smile spreading across his chubby face. "It's not much different from the special supply from Yanjing."

Old Master Li didn't even lift his eyelids: "I'm not fortunate enough to enjoy the special tea supplied by Yanjing. Also, just call me Old Li."

Liang Zhiyuan, having been rebuffed, turned his gaze to Jiang Jin: "And who is this?"

“Jiang Jin from the Jinlin Branch, Ruoxi’s colleague. This is his wife, Liu Yan,” Li Ruofeng introduced.

“Oh—” Liang Zhiyuan drawled, then suddenly “realized something,” “I’ve heard so much about you, Officer Jiang.” His eyes swept over Jiang Jin and Liu Yan meaningfully.

The living room gradually became lively, and the originally spacious area felt crowded due to the continuous influx of guests.

Li Ruoxi's mother was busy greeting the guests. Exquisite porcelain plates were piled high with various pastries, and a variety of fine dishes were also laid out on the table.

"Old Zhang! Over here!" Li Ruoxi waved to her colleagues who had just entered the room. The other person was carrying an extravagant gift box—obviously bought by the group of rough men in the team pooling their money together.

Even her and Jiang Jin's superior, Wang Zhenguo, the director of Jinlin Police Station, came. As soon as he entered, he went straight to Old Master Li: "Old Master Li, I'm sorry to bother you. It's your granddaughter's birthday, and our station has specially prepared some small gifts."

The old man took the gold-embossed envelope and knew without even opening it that it was a prepaid card for the famous Yaochi Club in Changming District. He immediately pushed it back, saying, "Director Wang, you're too kind. Simple meals at home are fine, there's no need for that."

Wang Zhenguo's forehead was beaded with sweat. Just as he was about to offer more advice, he suddenly noticed Jiang Jin standing in the corner and immediately changed the subject: "Little Jiang is here too? Your brother handled that serial theft case recently brilliantly! Sigh, isn't he here today?"

Jiang Jin raised his glass in a toast: "Director Wang, you flatter me. My brother has indeed been very busy lately."

Suddenly, laughter erupted from the direction of the restaurant. Liang Zhiyuan was surrounded by several people toasting him, and from this angle, his beer belly made his shirt look incredibly tight.

“I actually know about your situation,” Li Ruofeng said, standing next to Jiang Jin at some point, his voice very low. “The old man can’t do anything about it. He’ll be retiring soon, and there are some things he can’t interfere with.”

Jiang Jin nodded in understanding. He had indeed come here today hoping to use Old Master Li's influence to intimidate the Bloodthirsty Team, since they could detect his hunting marks at any time. He hadn't expected that this guy surnamed Liang would also be here today.

Li Ruofeng continued in a low voice, "Yanjing is currently undergoing a purge, and one day, the court will be completely transformed."

Jiang Jin nodded, but he didn't have much hope in his heart.

The stories say, "It's all because of treacherous officials who have misled the emperor; he is actually a good emperor," but that's just a way to comfort the common people.

After the banquet began, Liang Zhiyuan struck up a conversation with Old Master Li, pretending to be familiar with him: "Old Li, Minister Long from the Monitoring Department was also planning to come..."

“I’ve told Minister Long that our relationship is one of supervision and being supervised, and we’re not suited to associate with each other. I appreciate his kindness.” Old Master Li picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks.

"If you ask me, some things don't need to be taken too seriously," Liang Zhiyuan said in a low voice. "Meme contamination is something that should be handled by special departments. Why should we, as laymen, instruct the experts?"

"A layman?" Old Master Li put down his chopsticks. "I don't know much about meme pollution, but when it comes to matters concerning people's lives and property, am I an expert or a layman?"

The dining table fell into a deathly silence, except for the birthday girl, Li Ruoxi, who continued eating.

Liang Zhiyuan's smile froze, and his thick chin twitched: "Old Li, what...do you mean by that?"

"The literal meaning." The old man picked up his teacup. "We officials must live up to the rank we hold. Especially those of us in the political and legal system."

Jiang Jin and Liu Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

The old man was indeed incorruptible and upright!

Immediately afterwards, Liang Zhiyuan said, "Yes, you're right. But the situation is changing rapidly now, and it's difficult for everyone... Actually, Minister Long also cares about the people."

Old Master Li replied, "Whether I'm acting like an ordinary citizen or not is for the people to judge. I'm retiring this year, so I can't concern myself with much anymore."

Upon hearing this, both Jiang Jin and Liu Yan felt a pang of anxiety.

Liang Zhiyuan looked at Jiang Jin and Liu Yan with a meaningful gaze, the meaning of which was crystal clear: If you want to ask Old Master Li to protect you, don't even think about it!

Then, the old man took out a pack of cigarettes and said, "I'm going to have a smoke."

He walked up to Jiang Jin and asked, "Little Jiang, come with me for a moment."

"it is good!"

The two went to the balcony. Old Master Li lit a cigarette and asked Jiang Jin, "How is Commander Yu now?"

"He... is really not doing well right now."

Old Master Li sighed.

"He's a hero of Muxu City! In the end, there's nothing I can do to help him. After all, we can't interfere too much in the affairs between reincarnators."

"Old Li, we have truly been driven to a dead end."

Jiang Jin knew very well that even if he offered the Bloodthirsty Team the resentment crystals, things would not end well now.

“Little Jiang,” Old Master Li said seriously, “you probably don’t understand. What the higher-ups actually hope is that the number of civilian reincarnators like you can decrease, while the number of official reincarnators can increase. As for whether some people are profiting from this process, the higher-ups are actually turning a blind eye.”

The reason why Old Master Li spoke so bluntly was because he knew that Jiang Jin was most likely doomed in this situation.

The court in Yanjing was riddled with factions and rife with infighting. Even the current emperor could not single-handedly establish a firm rule.

After watching too many period dramas, ordinary people often subconsciously feel that the emperor can solve all problems by sitting on the dragon throne and issuing an imperial edict.

But the reality is that an emperor's edicts can only be implemented if they satisfy the interests of his core ruling group. If the highest decision-maker's decrees cannot guarantee the interests of his ruling group, why would they support you as their master? Unless you're a Super Saiyan, and no one can defeat you!

At the same time, the emperor only cared about whether the imperial edict could be successfully implemented, not about the cost. Therefore, when Jiajing implemented the policy of converting rice paddies to mulberry fields, even if his subordinates destroyed dikes and flooded fields, he didn't care if it was implemented smoothly. In Jiajing's words, "The Yellow River and the Yangtze River are both indispensable; both must be controlled and utilized."

What the imperial court wants is for all reincarnated beings to be used by them, to become sharp weapons in their hands!

"So we are the 'price'?" Jiang Jin felt a chill in his heart.

"After all, your very existence is dangerous," the old man said.

Yes, for the imperial court, no matter how many corrupt officials there are, they are not so scary. What is truly a major threat is the Liangshan Marsh, which refuses to submit to their control! The only way out is to be granted amnesty!

But Jiang Jin remembered very clearly what happened to the Liangshan heroes after they accepted the imperial pardon!
(End of this chapter)