The Huajinhan Bathhouse, where Yun Lai’s Jin Han had been, suddenly became unnervingly quiet. Apart from a few staff members standing in the lobby, seemingly going through the motions of their shift, there wasn’t a hint of life.

Pei Qing’s car landed softly before the entrance of the Huajinhan Bathhouse. As usual, he tossed the keys to the valet, striding toward the elevator with a brisk step, completely oblivious to the strained, unnaturally rigid smiles on the faces of the few employees in the lobby.

The elevator began its slow ascent. Yu Xiao emerged from behind the counter with a wicked grin playing on his lips, lifting his gaze to track the changing numbers on the display panel.

Never getting out? The best method wasn't incarceration; it was a sudden, unfortunate accident.

For instance...

Yu Xiao watched the numbers on the elevator display plummeting and rising rapidly, a colder smile touching the corners of his mouth. Wu Hui’s mechanical aptitude, if applied inside an elevator...

The sound of a heavy iron cabinet crashing onto the ground suddenly broke Yu Xiao’s train of thought. A faint tremor ran through the floor beneath his feet, the physical echo of an elevator cabin plummeting from a great height, signaling that the matter was concluded.

The few staff members from Datang stood frozen in place, their gazes instantly snapping to Yu Xiao. Without a word from this young master, none dared to move, especially considering he was the one commanding dozens of armed police officers carrying submachine guns.

“What are you dawdling for?” Yu Xiao gestured toward the phone on the reception desk. “With such a serious accident, aren’t you going to call an ambulance?”

The staff quickly sprang into action. Yu Xiao leaned back lazily on a sofa, his cold, unforgiving eyes fixed on the elevator entrance. He murmured under his breath, neither caring nor showing emotion, “Anyone today who can use money to force a bathhouse to violate an innocent little girl with no connections—who knows what more socially damaging things they might do tomorrow? People like that are better off dead, aren’t they?”

Wu Hui descended from the building and plopped down next to Yu Xiao. “When can we leave?”

Yu Xiao shifted comfortably on the sofa. “Surely we have to wait for the ambulance to arrive, right?”

“True enough.” Wu Hui casually picked up a magazine and began flipping through it. “I’m quite curious right now. How is the Chief doing?”

“The Chief?” Yu Xiao couldn’t suppress a laugh. “He must be very busy right now?”

Busy! Han Jing had never experienced a day as hectic as this one. The three phones on his office desk were ringing off the hook. Before he could hang up one, another would already be signaling.

This was the first time in several years that the Tianbei City Police Bureau had launched a sudden prostitution crackdown—without even giving the major bathhouses a courtesy heads-up. Furthermore, the sheer number of personnel deployed amounted to an entire battalion of troops.

An entire battalion! What in the world were they trying to achieve? Were they preparing for a federal war?

Han Jing rubbed his temples, which felt ready to burst, and cast a deeply aggrieved look at Qin Fen, who was sitting casually on a nearby sofa. This man was indeed a time bomb planted by higher-ups. He had spent two quiet months ticking away, and the moment Han Jing had slightly relaxed his guard, Qin Fen had detonated such a massive incident.

Did anyone need connections to open a bathhouse? Without a significant backing force, who would dare operate one? Han Jing sighed repeatedly, but he simply didn’t have a moment to speak with Qin Fen; he had to deal with the ceaseless ringing of the phones.

At the Tianbei City Police Bureau, it wasn’t just Chief Han Jing who was swamped; his officers were immersed in an unprecedented wave of activity.

A battalion of armed police had swept through every bathhouse in Tianbei City, arresting people with absolute impartiality. The number of people currently being held at the station far outnumbered the actual police force.

The task of merely taking statements was overwhelming everyone, and the subsequent paperwork was a bureaucratic nightmare. They had no time for anything else; even officers on leave had been recalled to assist with this grand clerical effort.

“Very well, goodbye.”

Han Jing hung up another call, his gaze toward Qin Fen growing even more mournful. This time, they hadn’t just raided the bathhouses; some of the people arrested also had problematic backgrounds.

“Sigh…”

Han Jing slumped back in his normally comfortable chair, sighing again and again, frequently darting a resentful look toward Qin Fen’s face.

Han Jing continued to massage his throbbing temples. He couldn't openly reprimand Qin Fen today, as the actions taken by the Special Public Security Detachment were, technically, entirely legal.

Moreover! This massive anti-vice sweep had managed to apprehend several wanted fugitives! One of them was an SS-level wanted criminal!

Han Jing knew perfectly well that, according to police protocol, capturing just this one SS-level fugitive would be enough grounds to award Qin Fen a major commendation! Coupled with the other wanted criminals, Qin Fen shouldn't just avoid punishment; he deserved significant rewards!

What kind of situation was this! Han Jing shot another aggrieved look at Qin Fen. This young man had lit a massive explosive barrel, yet he was letting others take the heat while he sat back waiting for praise.

“Little Qin,” Han Jing carefully chose his words. Qin Fen was someone sent down from higher authority. Rumor had it that Snake King—a major faction leader in the military—had taken a special interest in him. Although not a police figure, Qin Fen maintained iron-clad friendships with the top brass of the police force.

“You did very well this time, very well… truly excellent,” Han Jing managed three consecutive ‘verys well,’ tasting only bitterness. “It’s just that, you should have given me a heads-up beforehand, don't you think?”

“Chief is right; I was inconsiderate about that point.”

Qin Fen adopted a posture of humbly admitting fault. Following Instructor Hao’s advice, since the deed was done and the benefits secured, a few soft words now wouldn't hurt.

“How many times have I told you, stop calling me Chief.” Han Jing waved his hand. “I call you Little Qin; you can call me Brother Han.”

“Yes, Brother Han,” Qin Fen nodded again. “At the time, I heard my comrade’s sister had been taken, and I became quite agitated.”

Han Jing nodded gently, mentally cursing the owner of the Huajinhan, Niu Jinhan, and all his ancestors. How could this fool invite trouble? Picking a fight with the sister of a martyr!

Could people casually mess with the family of a soldier? What was a soldier? They might have internal squabbles, but when facing external threats, they were an exceptionally unified group!

Especially when that soldier had died for the country! That meant he had comrades who fought bloody battles beside him—brothers forged in shared blood and life-or-death situations!

Han Jing felt a surge of retroactive fear just thinking about what could have happened if the girl hadn’t been safe today. The most fiercely passionate people in this world were those who had come from the military.

As the Police Chief, Han Jing knew from years on the job just how terrifying a group these soldiers could become when their blood ran hot.

To this day, every city’s police station archive room was stacked high with cold cases. Many of these were clearly the work of soldiers—the victims often being people who had bullied a soldier’s relative, only to be inexplicably hacked to death shortly thereafter.

These soldiers were all highly trained, executing their actions cleanly. Even when suspicion pointed toward military involvement, there was never any evidence, and the cases remained unsolved.

What was the military? Han Jing understood too well. Besides defending the nation, they were simultaneously the Federation’s largest organized force of violence!

If that girl had been harmed today, Han Jing had no doubt Qin Fen would have done something extraordinary! A soldier without ferocity—what kind of soldier would he be? How could he charge the line? How could he kill the enemy?

Jing-ling-ling…

The ringing phone interrupted Han Jing just as he was about to speak, making him grit his teeth as he reached for it again.

“Hello… what…?”

Han Jing’s fingers rapidly tapped the virtual keyboard on his desk, pulling up the Tianbei City Police Forum, the Tianbei City News website, and other local portals.

“This…”

Han Jing looked at Qin Fen with genuine admiration. How much time had passed? The news media in Tianbei City had already begun broadcasting reports about this special anti-vice operation.

Han Jing quickly switched the display to the Tianbei TV channel. The local station was currently airing a special news segment detailing the exact incident of the special crackdown.

News organizations were quick, but they shouldn't have been that quick—reporting the news the moment the people were brought in.

Based on the images and footage, Han Jing was certain that many of the raid teams had brought reporters along for the action.

Then, Qin Fen’s photo appeared on the news broadcast. The anchor began introducing the newly appointed Deputy Chief to the Tianbei City viewers, even digging up footage from the sensational hijacking incident from a few days prior.

Naturally, the news also fully covered Deputy Chief Qin’s bravery in capturing the Federation-wanted criminal, Yin Zhong (SS-level), along with several other fugitives during this crackdown.

There were, of course, some strategic remarks thrown in. For instance, the anchor was currently saying that, according to Deputy Chief Qin’s briefing, the biggest credit for this operation belonged not to him, but to Chief Han Jing, who masterminded the layout over the past month; without his meticulous planning, such great results would have been impossible.

Han Jing watched, nodding repeatedly, his thumb sticking up in approval. This move was brilliant! Everyone knew that such a sudden raid would inevitably offend a large number of people. By instantly creating intense public fervor, they had silenced those who lost out, while strategically placing Han Jing in the spotlight.

What did it mean to be grasshoppers on the same rope? Han Jing looked from Qin Fen to himself—this was what it meant.

“Little Qin, what do you plan to do next?” Han Jing tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. “We can’t just stack this many people in the precinct; it doesn’t look good.”

Qin Fen spread his hands. “Since things have reached this point, I suggest we proceed through normal procedures. Isn’t there the option of fines or detention? Those willing to pay the fine can pay; those who refuse can be detained. The media is watching outside anyway.”

Han Jing let out a long sigh and leaned back heavily in his chair. “Let’s handle it that way. I’m just worried!”

At this stage, Han Jing knew that saying anything more was futile. Since the actions were done, they were done! At worst, they could push the entire matter onto this young Deputy Chief.

A heavy weight lifted from Qin Fen’s heart. Getting fines was the best outcome; otherwise, settling the commission owed to the armed police would have been tricky.

According to Yu Xiao’s explanation, while borrowing troops like this could be done without payment, it was far too inhumane. For future cooperation, this was a common unwritten rule.

Qin Fen rose and left the office, but Han Jing’s headache did not subside. Today’s events weren't truly over; Qin Fen had arrested a batch of Federation wanted criminals! The number was greater than the total number of long-term wanted criminals the Tianbei City Police Bureau had apprehended in an entire year!

The biggest issue: most of these people were captured in a single bathhouse! It was clear they had been hiding there for more than a day or two. The initial trial would immediately expose how long they had evaded justice, making Han Jing look like a chief who had willingly allowed wanted criminals to hide in plain sight.

“Old Zhang,” Han Jing kept his eyes closed, refusing to look at Deputy Chief Zhang, whose face was ashen. “You handle this matter as you see fit. Qin Fen captured this group of wanted criminals today. I believe that even if we don’t report it, the news is already out thanks to the media. It can’t be covered up. You’ve been a policeman for so many years; you know how great the merit he earned today is, right?”

Deputy Chief Zhang nodded numbly. Under normal circumstances, Qin Fen would be due for a promotion, perhaps even transferred to the provincial level.

The problem was, the higher-ups had given explicit instructions when Qin Fen arrived: there would be absolutely no promotion for him. Everyone had been told not to worry unnecessarily.

If a person who achieved such massive success could not be promoted, what was the alternative? He would convert that merit into pure capital and political leverage—a kind of modern-day iron certificate of immunity.

The Chief’s office fell into a deathly silence. Han Jing continued to mentally curse Niu Jinhan. Although the two young women had no overt background, their brother was a martyr! And their brother had a group of battle-hardened comrades—were these people easy to provoke?

Qin Fen walked through the bustling administrative building. The police officers who hurried past him now looked at him with a mix of respect and curiosity.

Qin Fen knew what they were curious about: how had a young man under twenty managed to shatter over forty bones and severely damage one-fifth of the meridians of Yin Zhong, that vicious ten-star martial artist?

A ten-star martial artist under twenty? Qin Fen shook his head with a slight smile. It was indeed hard to believe. At this age, reaching six stars was already astonishing; reaching eight stars was considered heaven-defying.

Ten stars? Qin Fen himself was slightly amazed. It had only been less than a year to reach the tenth star realm.

Returning to his office, Qin Fen found Yang Ruoruo and Yang Xixi already there. They were sitting quietly, not engaging in any tearful, sisterly embrace; they appeared remarkably composed.

“For now, do not return to your place,” Qin Fen walked over and spoke in a semi-commanding tone. “Stay at my place temporarily. It might get chaotic outside for a while, and your residence won’t be safe.”

“We should…”

“Your brother is gone; I make the decisions now,” Qin Fen waved his hand, his tone hardening slightly. “I believe your brother would agree with my decision. It’s settled. Lin Feng, go with them and help pack their things; move them to my place.”