"Agreed, Director," Liu Ying immediately concurred. "I also want to deal with that wicked woman first. To steal a husband used such despicable tactics—it’s outrageous enough to anger both men and gods. If we don't bring her to justice, it will be hard to quell the public's righteous fury."

I paused to consider, then said to Liu Ying, "But this case doesn't seem to have much to do with the official rectification campaign, does it? Why is such a case landing on our rectification office's desk?"

Liu Ying sighed helplessly. "The other departments treat us like a dumping ground for bureaucratic stonewalling. Any case they can't handle gets tossed our way first. By the time we filter through and pass it on, months have already gone by. Still, this does count as improper official conduct. How dare her daughter be so arrogant without the explicit backing of the Prefectural Party Secretary?"

"Alright, it's settled then," I checked the time. "Let's prepare to leave immediately. We aim to wrap up this case by tomorrow morning, then issue a nationwide announcement through the media to warn those corrupt officials. If they don't stop now, they will face severe punishment when we catch them!"

Liu Ying was startled. "Ah, leave now? We haven't done any preparations."

"Preparations for what?" I countered. "We take our full team, charge in, swiftly resolve the matter with a kīlī kāchā (whirlwind action), and come right back. I have to start school the day after tomorrow."

"What!" Liu Ying exclaimed. "Director, you are still attending school?"

"That's right," I confirmed. "I just got accepted into Longteng University this year."

It took Liu Ying a long moment to manage a response. "I truly find that hard to believe."

"You'll believe it soon enough," I said. "Hurry up and notify those three waiting outside to prepare for departure."

"But we have nothing," Liu Ying protested. "Even securing a vehicle requires application and approval from the Central Office of State Affairs."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Don't bother them. Just gather all the official documents, the great seal, and enough supplies for one night's stay. Meet me outside the main gate in half an hour."

Although Liu Ying harbored some doubts, she hurried out of my office to announce the news to the three people waiting outside. I pulled out my phone and called Zhu Da; Peaches was still with him, and handling this case without her would be difficult.

When Zhu Da heard I was going to the neighboring province for a case, he immediately offered cars and manpower. That was a blessing, saving me the trouble of appealing to my wives for aid or mobilizing troops from Xia Huren. Only using the underworld to handle official cases was theoretically difficult to justify.

Next, I called Xiao Chuchu and asked her to gather reporters from her father’s network to film the proceedings, preparing for a national broadcast via a prime-time interview tomorrow night.

Half an hour later, everyone assembled at the main gate. Zhu Da pulled up in eight large Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Shouldering Peaches, he greeted me, "Commander Zhao, what do you think of this entourage? Fifteen of the Super Soldiers returned the day before yesterday; I brought them along to help you apprehend or interrogate anyone you need."

I nodded. "Good. That should certainly shock those fellows. Time is precious; get in the cars quickly."

Xiao Chuchu and the others were driving one of the news vans. While it was perhaps too conspicuous, I was set on a swift resolution this time, so there was no need for covert movements. If we were conspicuous, so be it.

I got into Zhu Da's car with Xiao Chuchu, while the others dispersed into the remaining seven vehicles. The convoy of nine cars headed straight for the express highway out of Capital City. With a total distance of over 300 kilometers, if things went smoothly, we should reach P District by afternoon. I planned to apprehend the subject tonight, interrogate her immediately, and return by daybreak.

Xiao Chuchu, holding Peaches, leaned toward me. "Why are you rushing things so much? We haven't prepared anything."

"Prepare what the hell for?" I retorted. "Let Peaches settle things quickly in a few moves. You just focus on broadcasting the story properly. My image doesn't need to appear, of course. Then, my Rectification Office can use this momentum to start our larger campaign. That would at least be worthy of my 40,000 yuan monthly salary."

Xiao Chuchu sighed. "It's a shame Mengmeng isn't home; otherwise, she'd certainly join the excitement."

I asked her, "Aren't you happy she isn't here?"

Xiao Chuchu paused, then smiled at me. "That's right! How could I forget? She's my enemy now. It’s better that she's not here. Tonight will be a world for just the two of us."

Zhu Da, driving up front, coughed a few times. "You two, don't treat me like I’m invisible."

I asked Zhu Da, "Commander Zhu, how did this morning’s matter go?"

Zhu Da spat out a curse. "Damn it, we didn't even have to deploy Peaches! With just a few quick maneuvers, we scared a kid so badly he wet his pants. He took a payoff from Urban Construction and was trying to sabotage the Yuejin Tower, attempting to damage the reputation of Yuejin Construction Engineering Company before their bid. However, the kid said he couldn't manipulate the elevator's weight capacity because he couldn't figure out the internal control program."

Peaches spoke to me. "Actually, it’s no big deal. That Energy Heart has such immense power; it wouldn't be impossible for it to cause anomalies in a specific location, just like the photographs back in Peach Blossom Village—there are many things we still can't explain clearly."

"As long as no more strange things happen in the future, that’s fine," I concluded. "As for things we can't figure out, let’s not dwell on them for now; they don't affect Yuejin Company's normal operations."

Xiao Chuchu looked at me with playful resentment. "You're constantly thinking about Susu. I suspect you might not even like me anymore."

I reached out and pulled Xiao Chuchu close. "When have I ever stopped liking you? Aren't I holding you right now?"

Xiao Chuchu nestled into my embrace. "The US dollar has severely devalued. Out of the Jaguar's 40 billion, they only managed to secure 4 billion. The chaos in the US domestic financial system means they can no longer focus on overseas expansion. Thus, their economic aggression against Great Dragon Country has been defeated without a fight. Moreover, Pan-American Media allowed you to take advantage and acquire a large portion of their stock, making acquisition imminent. Your move was a triple win: you enriched yourself, helped the nation, and aided your beloved."

I chuckled heartily. "That just shows how capable your husband is. You should be happy about that."

Xiao Chuchu sighed plaintively. "Happy about what? Now Susu is completely devoted to you; she wouldn't leave even if whipped. What am I supposed to do? My father calls every day asking when you’re going to propose to him. Give me an answer!"

Before I could speak, Zhu Da chimed in from the front. "Commander Zhao, I truly admire you, brother. If I could reach your level of wooing women, I would die without regret."

We finally arrived at the seat of P District Government, P City, at four in the afternoon. The economy here wasn't particularly developed. Although it was a municipal district, the city lacked any imposing high-rise buildings, and even the hotels weren't top-tier, forcing us to share bathing facilities. Fortunately, we were only staying one night, and whether we’d actually get any sleep tonight was still uncertain, so we weren't too fussy.

Peaches vanished as soon as it stepped out of the car. It knew it was the main player tonight; we were just putting on a show. It needed to hurry and contact the Rat Soldiers responsible for managing this area. As of now, throughout the entirety of Great Dragon Country, and in major cities across the world, there are virtually no places where Peaches’ Rat Soldiers or Snake Soldiers are absent.

With their assistance, our intelligence gathering felt effortless. Otherwise, winning the financial war wouldn't have been so easy. Every move the enemy made was within my grasp. If I couldn't win with that advantage, I might as well bash my head against a wall.

After showering, Zhu Da physically shoved Xiao Chuchu and me into the room. He shouted from outside the door, "You two go inside and get affectionate quickly! No more cuddling and flirting while interrogating witnesses later! Those comrades from the Rectification Office are watching you—aren’t you worried about damaging your brilliant images?"

I wasn't worried about Liu Ying or the others seeing; we weren't in the same car on the road, nor were we on the same floor at the hotel. But Zhu Da was right; taking advantage of the free time for some intimacy wouldn't hurt.

Xiao Chuchu sat at the desk, flipping through the case files, and murmured, "This girl, Lei Lei, is truly pitiful. Why didn't we know about this sooner? If we had, the tragedy surely wouldn't have happened. This woman, Nie Juan, is utterly vicious. How could she think of finding hooligans to assault Lei Lei, ultimately ruining her face?"

I sat beside her. "There are too many injustices in this world; tragedies unfold every day. We can stop this one, but we can't stop that one. Greed is human nature. Perhaps humanity will never see a day of true peace, tranquility, and happiness, unless they lose their minds. Otherwise, that day will never truly dawn."

Xiao Chuchu walked over and sat gently in my lap. "But no matter how perilous the world is, Zhao Qianshi, I am not afraid because you are by my side. I know you will protect me every moment. You will stay with me until we are old, won't you?"

"Yes," I embraced Xiao Chuchu and kissed her. It had been a while since I had let my emotions run wild, and having just read a sorrowful love story easily stirred my mood.

Xiao Chuchu began removing my shirt but then stopped. "Husband, let's not do this for now. I can't stop thinking about that poor girl. Let's conclude the case quickly, and I'll accompany you later, okay? Besides, you were wild until nearly dawn last night; your body can't take it."

I realized she was right. I picked up Xiao Chuchu. "Then I'll take a short nap first. We'll probably be up late tonight anyway. Wake me when Peaches gets back."

I don't know how long I slept before I heard Liu Ying's voice. "Is our Director in there? I am his secretary, Liu Ying."

Xiao Chuchu replied, "He’s resting inside. Is there something urgent? I can wake him if necessary."

"Secretary Nie sent his secretary to inquire about the situation," Liu Ying explained. "We don't know how to respond, and they request the Director meet with him."

"I see," Xiao Chuchu said. "Please wait a moment; I’ll go wake him."

Liu Ying’s voice drifted in shyly. "You must be the Director's girlfriend? You are very beautiful."

Xiao Chuchu laughed charmingly. "You are beautiful too. You must help me watch over your Director in the future, so he doesn't get whisked away by other girls."

Liu Ying sounded very bashful. "That won't happen. Our Director must love you deeply. You two will grow old together."

Xiao Chuchu, loving that sentiment, came to nudge me awake. "Zhao Qian, wake up! Your beautiful secretary is here to see you."

I opened my eyes. "Alright, I'll be there in a moment."

Secretary Nie’s assistant was surnamed Huang, and he carried an air of unwarranted maturity. He sat in Leng Feng's room, seemingly rooted like an old monk in meditation. Only when I pushed the door open did he lift his head to glance at me.

Zhu Da, accompanied by two Super Soldiers and Xiao Chuchu, stood behind me. After sitting down, I addressed Secretary Huang. "I am from the Central Rectification Committee, sent to investigate this case. May I ask what you needed, Secretary Huang?"

Liu Ying and the four others could tell I didn't want the visitor to know our true depth, so they remained quiet. Secretary Huang looked at me, his face filled with suspicion. "What case are you investigating? Why didn't you contact the local government first upon arrival so we could prepare? Such a sudden action is highly detrimental to our governmental work."

I found it hard to adapt. Was he expecting me to notify them in advance so they could prepare an escape route? His excuse—'highly detrimental to governmental work'—was truly grand. It seemed the leadership team here was also compromised. Improper official conduct—that fell under my Rectification Office's jurisdiction.

I picked up the case file from the table and tossed it to Secretary Huang. "To be frank, we are here to arrest that vicious woman, Nie Juan. We will finish the investigation tonight and take her back to the capital first thing tomorrow morning. She will face the appropriate punishment, execution if necessary, and we will report the entire matter nationwide through the news media."

"What did you say!" Secretary Huang shot up from his seat. Beyond disbelief, his face showed clear anger. "The Nie Juan you speak of—is she the daughter of our Secretary?"

"I don't know whose daughter she is," I replied calmly. "I only know she caused the death of another man's daughter. If she is your Secretary's daughter, then please return and tell your Secretary to wash his daughter's neck clean. We will be there shortly to take her head!"

"Insolence!" Secretary Huang dared to shout at me. "Secretary Nie’s uncle is the Director of the Central People's Congress Office!"

Zhu Da took two swift steps forward and smacked Secretary Huang across the face with a loud guā. "You insignificant secretary dare to shout? Believe it or not, I'll cut your tongue out right now!"

Zhu Da usually had a brutish face, but now he looked every bit the tyrant, leaving Secretary Huang speechless with fear.

I spoke to the man on the floor. "In five minutes, I am going to make the arrest. I don't care if you are a Director’s relative—even if Nie Juan’s father were the Jade Emperor himself, if the law was broken, I would arrest him without hesitation!"

"You just wait! You will regret this!" Secretary Huang scrambled up from the floor, muttering as he left.

Liu Ying asked me in a small voice, "Director, the Director of the Central People's Congress Office holds a very high rank. Should we perhaps..."

Before I could reply, Zhu Da cut in with an insult. "Should what, nonsense! Even if it were the US President, Commander Zhao wouldn't fear him! Hurry up and issue a directive; I'm going to make the arrest now. I’ve spent half my life in the underworld, and I’ve never encountered anyone as vicious as that woman!"

I gave Liu Ying an apologetic smile. "Don't mind him; that's just my brother's temper. You brought the great seal, didn't you? Quickly issue the official document for him, stamp a few blank sheets too. Later, have someone bring in the parents of Lei Lei and the young man involved, and one sheet for each of those hooligans."

Liu Ying asked, "Didn't those hooligans flee? How do we catch them?"

Zhu Da became impatient. "Look at you, child! Can they escape the solar system? Your Director has given the order—why aren't you getting things done? I saw Lei Lei's photo; what a beautiful girl, what a pity. If she were my girlfriend..."