Around three in the afternoon.

Four police vehicles belonging to the Provincial Public Security Department drove into the gates of the Wulan City Public Security Bureau.

After the first vehicle's door opened,

Cao Zhongyi, dressed in a white police uniform, stepped out.

The political commissar of the Wulan City Public Security Bureau, Gu Chang, Executive Deputy Director Guo Pingsheng, and Vice Director of the provincial Criminal Investigation Department, Li Li, hurried over to greet him.

The three men approached.

Each of them stood at attention.

They respectfully saluted.

Cao Zhongyi waved his hand.

He said, "Comrade Pingsheng, the case files, the body, and the witnesses for Sun Jiye's case are now, effective immediately, to be transferred to the Provincial Public Security Department's Criminal Investigation Department for handling."

"Director Cao, our bureau has already been handling this case,"

Guo Pingsheng said somewhat fearfully.

Cao Zhongyi nodded and said, "I know, but this case was initially reported to the provincial office, so it is only proper that it is now handled by the provincial office. No more dawdling, get on with it."

He was the Deputy Director of the Provincial Public Security Department.

His words were commands.

In his view, Guo Pingsheng would certainly execute them unconditionally.

Unexpectedly, Guo Pingsheng swallowed hard and said, "I'm sorry, Director Cao, but the case can't be transferred. The incident took place in Wulan City and should rightfully be handled by the Wulan City Public Security Bureau."

"Do you know what you're saying?"

Cao Zhongyi asked after a moment of surprise.

Guo Pingsheng nodded.

He said, "Of course I know. I've been a police officer for a long time, and I understand this much."

Since he could not command Guo Pingsheng,

Cao Zhongyi did not mind.

Turning to political commissar Gu Chang, he said, "Comrade Gu Chang, then you give the order."

Gu Chang was slightly stunned.

He said, "Director Cao, I am in charge of political affairs, and the specific operational matters are handled by Executive Deputy Director Guo, so..."

"What? Is the Wulan City Public Security Bureau planning a rebellion?"

Cao Zhongyi started to see signs.

He began shouting loudly.

Just at that moment,

a voice rang out at the gate: "Director Cao, don't you think your words are a bit too severe? What does 'planning a rebellion' mean? This is an order from the municipal government, and as a subordinate of the municipal government, isn't the Public Security Bureau just following orders?"

Cao Zhongyi suddenly looked up.

He saw a middle-aged man in an administrative jacket walking down the steps with his hands behind his back.

Chen Fang was following by his side.

"I was wondering who it could be. It turns out to be Mayor Zhao. Mayor Zhao, are you also wading into these troubled waters?"

Cao Zhongyi asked coldly, scoffing.

The newcomer was indeed Zhao Yiping.

He responded with a cold laugh.

He said, "What do you mean, Director Cao? As the mayor, how can I ignore incidents that happen in Wulan City? The International Hotel of Shiyezhou is a well-known hotel in our city. If such an issue occurred there and we were unable to handle it, wouldn't that be a joke?"

"Mayor Zhao, I hope you understand the gravity of this situation. Please, don't look for trouble when there is none,"

Cao Zhongyi said.

This statement meant to remind Zhao Yiping that behind this matter stood the Hou Family.

Zhao Yiping laughed heartily.

He said, "Director Cao, I am the head of the Wulan City government. If there's a problem, I, Zhao Yiping, can take responsibility. I don't need others to remind me. Besides, if faces are to be turned, haven't they already been turned?"

This statement made it clear.

He was telling Cao Zhongyi,

Zhao Yiping had already completely broken ties with the Hou Family.

Bringing up the Hou Family to intimidate him was no longer effective.

This statement made Cao Zhongyi's face visibly uncomfortable.

Indeed.

Although the appointment authority of the Municipal Public Security Bureau also had to pass through the review of the Provincial Public Security Department, the real decision-making power lay with the municipal party committee and government. Technically, higher-level agencies could only provide business guidance.

His threats towards Gu Chang and Guo Pingsheng were limited.

On the contrary, it was different for Zhao Yiping.

He was the chief official of the municipal government.

The Municipal Public Security Bureau was a subordinate agency of the municipal government.

If they didn't listen to him, who would they listen to?

He had intended to use this incident to curry favor with the Hou Family.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yiping actually intervened.

By then, Cao Zhongyi had no other options.

He glared fiercely at Chen Fang, who had remained silent.

He said, "Fine, since Mayor Zhao is so determined, we'll just wait and see."

After dropping that statement,

Cao Zhongyi turned and left resentfully.

As soon as he left,

Zhao Yiping turned to Chen Fang and said, "Secretary-General Chen, I've helped you again. You should remember this favor."

Hearing this,

Chen Fang smiled faintly and said, "Mayor Zhao, you're mistaken. You're not helping me, you're helping yourself."

"I have nothing to do with this matter, and both of us can see that Cao Zhongyi is backed by the Hou Family. I am taking a risk to shield you from this, so why should it be for my own benefit?"

Zhao Yiping snorted coldly.

Chen Fang, full of confidence, said, "Mayor Zhao, this matter involves Hou Zhan, and behind Hou Zhan is Hou Yuanshu. If I can seize the opportunity to handle Hou Zhan, Hou Yuanshu might no longer be able to stay with face in our Jiangdong Province. As a result, the Hou Family's influence will suffer repeated setbacks, which would be a great benefit for you. Right now, the Hou Family is not in a position to deal with you, but who can say for sure about the future?"

Chen Fang hit the nail on the head.

He saw right through Zhao Yiping's ulterior motives.

Zhao Yiping had initially intended to gain a favor from Chen Fang.

Now, it seemed he could forget about that.

Zhao Yiping scoffed and said, "Let's not even talk about whether you can get the evidence of Hou Zhan's crimes. Even if you do, do you really think you can touch him? Besides, the Hou Family already knows you're after Hou Zhan; he might have already fled back to Yuanjing. Are you really going to take people to Yuanjing to arrest him?"

"It's worth a try."

Chen Fang said.

Zhao Yiping took a deep breath.

The look in his eyes became very complex as he gazed at Chen Fang.

He knew Chen Fang always acted unrestrainedly, but he hadn't expected his boldness to be to this extent.

"Director Guo, Director Guo, the results are out..."

Suddenly,

a police officer rushed out from the main entrance.

Everyone tensed.

Watching as Guo Pingsheng took the forensic report.

He glanced at it briefly.

Guo Pingsheng's brow furrowed.

"What's the result?"

Li Li, who was beside him, couldn't help but ask.

Guo Pingsheng looked up and said, "The victims Shi Xuan and Sun Ziwen, mother and daughter, were both sexually assaulted before their deaths. Shi Xuan's body had semen from three different men, and Sun Ziwen's body also had semen from three different men, which means they were both gang-raped by six men..."

It was like a bolt from the blue.

Chen Fang and others were stunned on the spot.

After a long silence,

Chen Fang clenched his fists and asked, "What about Sun Jiye?"

Guo Pingsheng sighed deeply.

He said, "Sun Jiye's hands and feet had marks of being tied up, and there were slight sharp instrument wounds on his neck. According to my experience, Sun Jiye must have been restrained when the mother and daughter were assaulted..."

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