Nominal: Hou Liangping blocking the door? He was slapped away!

Guangming Branch of Jingzhou Public Security Bureau. Director's Office.

Qi Tongwei, wearing the police uniform he had just been issued, looked at the familiar office in front of him, and the image of Cheng Du's dead face flashed through his mind.

This was his third day in office. There was no pomp and circumstance of a deputy director-general, no fawning entourage.

After the demotion disciplinary document was issued, those subordinates who used to fawn over him now avoid him whenever they see him.

He didn't care at all. Being able to keep his job was already a huge favor from Secretary Shen.

Just then, the door was pushed open with a thud, and Qi Tongwei frowned.

Just as he was about to reprimand her, he saw Chen Yanshi walk in, his cloth shoes making a dull sound on the tiles.

The old man slammed a report document on his desk.

"Director Qi! I want to file a formal complaint! Chen Qingquan, the vice president of the Jingzhou Intermediate People's Court, is currently soliciting prostitutes at the Shanshui Manor! The impact is extremely negative!"

Chen Qingquan. Shanshui Manor. Foreign Language Class.

He knew all too well what was going on inside. He used to be a regular there. Chen Qingquan was also a member of the Handa gang.

To arrest or not to arrest?

Qi Tongwei's mind raced. This was definitely not an ordinary public security case.

Arresting Chen Qingquan would mean completely severing one's ties with the Shanshui Manor.

He picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number.

The call connected, and the sound of rustling pages being turned could be heard. Gao Yuliang remained silent on the other end.

"Teacher Gao, Comrade Chen Yanshi has filed a formal complaint against Chen Qingquan for suspected illegal activities at Shanshui Manor. I'm preparing to dispatch officers." Qi Tongwei's voice was very low, but his words were emphasized.

There was a pause on the other end of the phone. Gao Yuliang picked up his thermos, took a sip of tea, and tightened the lid.

"We will handle cases according to the law and will never tolerate any wrongdoing. If there are any issues, we will proceed directly according to procedure."

Beep. The call ended.

Qi Tongwei slammed the microphone back onto the landline. Gao Yuliang was completely unresponsive, not giving him even a single extra instruction.

Okay! Then I'll do it myself!

Qi Tongwei opened a drawer, took out his service pistol and tucked it into his waistband, then strode out of the office.

"Captain Qian! Notify the entire Public Security Brigade to assemble! Bring your riot gear, get in the car downstairs!"

The night was pitch black. Eight police cars, flashing red and blue lights, tore through the night wind in Jingzhou, speeding towards the Shanshui Manor on the outskirts of the city.

Before the gate barriers at the manor entrance could even be raised, the lead riot control vehicle crashed through the wooden poles and came to a stop next to the European-style fountain with a screech of brakes.

A large number of fully armed police officers pushed open the car doors and rushed out.

Several security guards in black suits quickly stepped forward, the head guard holding a walkie-talkie, ready to call for backup. But when he saw the officer leading the team getting out of the second car, the guard captain froze.

Qi Tongwei. A former VIP at Shanshui Manor, and a frequent guest of President Gao.

"Director Qi..., what is this...?" The security captain stood in front of the steps with a forced smile.

Qi Tongwei pulled out a search warrant from his pocket and shoved it directly at the security captain's face.

"Routine inspection by the Guangming Branch of the Municipal Public Security Bureau! Everyone stand back! Anyone who dares to obstruct will be summoned on the spot for obstructing official business!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Captain Qian, along with two police officers, shoved the security captain aside. The dozen or so men headed straight for the luxurious VIP area on the top floor of the main building.

The corridor was covered with thick carpets, and leather shoes made no sound when they stepped on them.

Captain Qian kicked open the double mahogany door of the No. 1 VIP room.

The private room was dimly lit, and deafening music blared from a large screen. On the sofa, Chen Qingquan was embracing two tall, blonde women, their clothes disheveled and their behavior utterly disgraceful.

The lights were on.

Chen Qingquan was blinded by the glare of the fluorescent light. When he saw the police officers rushing in, he angrily grabbed a wine glass from the table and smashed it on the ground. Broken glass shards littered the floor.

"What are you doing! Who gave you the guts to barge in! Call your bureau chief here!" Chen Qingquan shouted, pointing at Captain Qian's nose as he pulled up his pants.

Qi Tongwei stepped out from the back of the crowd, his hands behind his back, and coldly looked at the vice president of the court.

Upon seeing Qi Tongwei, Chen Qingquan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly put on a smiling face. "Director Qi, what's going on?"

Qi Tongwei ignored him completely and turned to look at Captain Qian.

"Caught red-handed. Handcuff him and take him away."

Chen Qingquan panicked, his fat face jiggling. "Qi Tongwei! Are you crazy! Do you know what you're doing?"

Two police officers stepped forward, twisted Chen Qingquan's hands behind his back, and with a click, the gleaming silver handcuffs locked shut. The two blonde women cowered in a corner, screaming in terror.

Just then, Qi Tongwei's cell phone vibrated urgently in his pocket.

He took out his phone and looked at it. Zhao Ruilong.

Qi Tongwei pressed the answer button and turned on speakerphone.

A furious roar came from the other end of the phone from Zhao Ruilong. "Qi Tongwei, have you lost your mind?! You led men to Shanshui Manor to raid prostitution?! Release them right now!"

Everyone in the private room was staring at Qi Tongwei. Chen Qingquan thought he had grasped a lifeline and struggled to get closer to the phone to speak.

Qi Tongwei looked at Chen Qingquan, who was being held firmly against the wall, and replied into the phone microphone.

"I am handling the case in accordance with the law."

With a tap of his finger, he hung up the call. He then promptly added Zhao Ruilong's number to his blacklist.

"Take everyone downstairs! Take photos as evidence!"

The elevator doors at the end of the corridor opened. Gao Xiaoqin, wearing high heels and her signature red cheongsam, rushed over.

She was completely devoid of her usual elegance and composure; her hair was disheveled and her face was pale.

Seeing Chen Qingquan being escorted into the elevator, Gao Xiaoqin rushed to Qi Tongwei and grabbed his arm.

"Tongwei! Do you know you're driving us to our deaths! Chen Qingquan can't be arrested! If we arrest him, all the land transfer documents from Shanshui Group will be dug up!" Gao Xiaoqin said in a low voice, her tone pleading.

Qi Tongwei looked at the woman in front of him.

This was the woman he had once longed for and promised to protect for a lifetime. They had sworn an oath in a mountain village at the foot of Lone Eagle Ridge to build their own empire on this land of Handong.

But now, the dream is over.

Qi Tongwei grabbed Gao Xiaoqin's wrist and pulled her into the nearby fire escape. The heavy fire door closed, shutting out the noise from outside.

There were only dimly lit emergency indicator lights in the hallway.

Qi Tongwei looked at Gao Xiaoqin, his eyes reddening, and a tear slid down his cheek, landing on the collar of his police uniform.

"Xiaoqin. It's over."

Gao Xiaoqin stared at him blankly.

"Hand over all the evidence you have of Shanshui Group's financial fraud and illegal money laundering. Reveal every single thing Zhao Ruilong has instructed you to do."

Qi Tongwei released her hand.

"This is your only chance to live. Don't hold onto any illusions. Things have changed."

Gao Xiaoqin took two steps back, her back against the cold wall. She looked at the once arrogant Director of Public Security in front of her.

She gave a bitter smile.

"Turn myself in? How can I turn myself in? I'm already inextricably linked to the Zhao family. If I were to reveal those messy debts and blood debts, Zhao Ruilong would have someone kill me in the detention center."

Gao Xiaoqin tidied her messy hair, resuming her cold demeanor. "Tongwei, go your own way. I can't go back. Take care."

Qi Tongwei gritted his teeth, his cheeks puffing out.

He didn't try to persuade her further. In this arena of power, everyone has to pay the price for their choices. He offered his life as a sacrifice, barely managing to save his own. Gao Xiaoqin chose to fight to the bitter end, which meant certain death.

He turned around and pushed open the fire door.

With his back to Gao Xiaoqin, Qi Tongwei strode into the corridor and went downstairs without looking back.

The Provincial Party Committee Cadre Hospital in Handong. Intensive Care Unit.

The electrocardiogram monitor emitted a monotonous beeping sound. Zhao Lichun lay on the hospital bed, an oxygen tube inserted into his nose.

Secretary Bai stood at the foot of the bed, holding a newly delivered internal briefing, and was reporting it point by point.

"At the Standing Committee meeting, Governor Liu and Secretary Tian worked together to suppress the matter of Ouyang Jing, and Li Dakang escaped unscathed. In addition... Qi Tongwei from the Guangming Branch just led a team to raid Shanshui Manor and arrested Chen Qingquan."

Zhao Lichun immediately opened his eyes, his withered fingers gripping the bed sheet tightly.

With Chen Qingquan's downfall, the last line of defense of the Jingzhou Court has crumbled. The assets that the Shanshui Group has acquired through trickery and coercion will immediately be exposed to the light of day.

The major general in the pine-green military uniform was hiding behind the scenes, using absolute force and intelligence to dismantle the web he had woven in Handong over the past thirty years.

A strong will to survive overcame his physical weakness. Zhao Lichun ripped the oxygen tube from his nose and struggled to sit up.

"Notify Ruilong." Zhao Lichun's voice was weak, but it carried a ruthless edge. "Have him transfer all the working capital in Shanshui Group's accounts to overseas accounts through underground banks. Also, at all costs, destroy all the original ledgers for the Dafeng Factory project."

Secretary Bai quickly jotted it down in her notebook.

"Act quickly! Tell him not to be reluctant to part with those jars and containers. As long as he's alive, the money is safe. Make him get his passport sorted immediately and prepare to leave the country."