"What do you mean by that? Are you doubting me too?" Liu Feng asked, though—he felt a distinct lack of conviction deep down.

After all, the crucial documents hadn't been found, he lacked a warrant, and now even the Police Chief, an official ranking below him, was questioning his authority. A natural apprehension settled over him.

"—No, I'm not doubting you. I heard from the call that you received a tip claiming highly sensitive, state-security-threatening material was hidden here. And now... I believe you know exactly what I'm implying!" The Police Chief's abrupt shift in tone stunned Liu Feng into silence.

"Could it be..." Liu Feng narrowed his eyes, studying Yang Yi for a long moment, his thoughts obscured.

Yang Yi, naturally aware of his internal turmoil, allowed a slight, almost sardonic smile to touch his lips. "Secretary Liu," he said coolly, "it seems your luck has run thin today. Even your own subordinates are starting to lose faith in you. Indeed, if I were to press charges now, perhaps even bring this matter to court, I imagine you’d face quite the headache!"

"—Thud!" Mentioning the court sent an unaccountable wave of guilt through Liu Feng. "It’s over. If this young man takes me to court and accuses me of abusing my power, then..." His complexion grew increasingly strained the more he considered it.

"Heh, well, this is..." Liu Feng forced a strained smile, glancing at Yang Yi. He knew his attempt had failed today, all while privately wondering just who this person was, possessing such formidable capabilities.

"Mr. Yang, on behalf of my precinct, I apologize for this unauthorized intrusion and search," the Police Chief, clearly a seasoned political operator, transitioned smoothly.

"Heh, Chief, no need to be so polite. Just have your men clear out," Yang Yi replied with a relaxed smile, his words aimed at the Chief, but his eyes fixed solely on Liu Feng.

"Very well, we’ve overstayed our welcome." The Police Chief then shot a meaningful look at Liu Feng before stating, "Secretary Liu, I will be reporting today's events to my superiors. If you cannot secure Mr. Yang's forgiveness, I doubt your tenure as Secretary will last much longer."

"—You—!" Liu Feng stared in disbelief as the Police Chief turned and led his men away, a bitter resentment already churning within him.

It was clear the Chief’s parting words were a calculated move to shed responsibility while simultaneously currying favor with Yang Yi—a demonstration of ruthless pragmatism.

"So, you are Secretary Liu. Heh, I wonder how you intend to resolve this matter?" Yang Yi asked with a slight grin.

"I happen to have an excellent solution, Secretary Liu. Are you interested in hearing it?" Lin Fatty, who had remained silent until now, seemed to revert to his usual dissolute demeanor, lounging lazily on the sofa, sipping his tea, and not missing the chance to mock the now visibly sweating Secretary Liu.

"What do you people want..." Liu Feng was utterly defeated now. Secretly, he mentally cursed Lin Tian’s ancestors hundreds, perhaps thousands of times. He was clearly caught in their net.

"What do we want?" Yang Yi’s pleasant smile abruptly sharpened. He leaned in, fixing Liu Feng with a cold gaze. "Secretary Liu, why don’t you tell us what you want? Let’s dispense with the pleasantries..."

"—Alas, it seems I have completely walked into your trap today," Liu Feng finally seemed to realize.

He understood why Lin Tian’s company had gone bankrupt within days and been completely acquired. These people before him were clearly operating on an entirely different echelon. The feeling of crushing inadequacy intensified.

"A trap?" Yang Yi countered with a mocking laugh. "I believe you are the Provincial Party Secretary of A City, the one with those rather murky ties to the Lin Tian father and son, aren't you, Secretary Liu? Hm—?"

Liu Feng remained silent for a moment, merely staring intently at Yang Yi before finally asking, "What exactly do you people want? Just name your price..."

"Good—as expected of Secretary Liu! Direct and decisive!" Yang Yi applauded, taking a sip of his drink.

But Liu Feng was no fool easily swayed by empty praise. He just wanted this person to state his demands so he could pay and leave.

"Actually, we are businessmen, so we’d like to discuss a business deal with Secretary Liu."

Hearing this, Liu Feng paused, asking with confusion, "Discuss business?"

"Yes, discuss business..."

"I am a Secretary, not a merchant. How exactly do we conduct business?" Liu Feng was even more perplexed.

"Heh, our business is not difficult to negotiate. You know, we are affiliated with the Black God Gang. We have our rules here. So, regardless of whether you are a Secretary or not, once you step onto our turf, you must abide by the rules," Yang Yi’s playful expression grew more pronounced.

"Fine, name your terms!" Liu Feng had no choice but to agree. Having already offended them, refusing to comply would surely lead to his downfall, likely permanently. He had struggled for so long to climb to the position of A City Provincial Party Secretary; he wasn't about to let a few days of comfortable living be snatched away so easily.

"Money is a powerful thing, capable of solving many issues. If you say it’s a thing, it is a thing. If you say it isn't, it isn't. I trust Secretary Liu understands what I mean?"

"Alright, name your price. How much?" Liu Feng was relieved that money might resolve the situation; that would be the best possible outcome.

"Hmm, considering how long you’ve been in office, Secretary Liu, you must have skimmed quite a bit of fat. How about this amount?" Yang Yi smiled and held up one hand.

"Fifty thousand? Very well, I can give you that amount," Liu Feng quickly agreed upon seeing the single raised hand.

"No, no, no!"

Just as he reached for his checkbook, Yang Yi’s refusal stopped him. He paused, resentment already brewing, and asked through gritted teeth, "Five hundred thousand?"

"Secretary Liu, you really underestimate yourself. You’ve guessed wrong twice now," Yang Yi shook his head dismissively.

"What? Not five hundred thousand?" Liu Feng’s jaw dropped so wide it could fit an ostrich egg, his eyes bulging in utter disbelief as he stared at Yang Yi.

"Correct. Not five hundred thousand, but five hundred million..."

"Five hundred million?" Liu Feng’s body trembled slightly, his mouth struggling to close. But this time, he reacted quickly, erupting in anger, "This is pure extortion!"

"Yes, this is pure extortion. You don't have to pay, Secretary Liu, but I can’t guarantee you’ll still be Secretary tomorrow. And worse things could happen..."

Not only Yang Yi, but everyone else present was subtly smirking.

Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou were practically worshipping Yang Yi, feeling he had ascended to the heavens. Lin Fatty inwardly applauded his audacity. Feng Shi and Han Zhong, however, appeared more grounded, recognizing the sheer ruthlessness Yang Yi was displaying by treating the A City Provincial Party Secretary with such disdain.

"—You—!" Liu Feng was so enraged steam felt like it was pouring from his orifices.

"What is it... Secretary Liu, you can certainly take your time to consider. Five hundred million secures your position and eliminates significant trouble. Don't you think that's a rather good deal?" Yang Yi asked with a gentle smile.

"Fine, I’ll give it to you..." Liu Feng gritted his teeth. Though he loathed Yang Yi to the bone, he knew he was completely powerless now, reduced to submitting to their will. Suppressing the physical pain of losing five hundred million, his hand trembled as he pulled out his checkbook. After several hesitant strokes, he tore off the check and handed it to Yang Yi. "Is this sufficient?"

Yang Yi accepted the check without even glancing at it, smiling, "A pleasure doing business with you. You can see yourself out..."

"Hmph. I don't need you to see me out. But you had better keep your promise; today's events never happened," Liu Feng scoffed coldly.

"Don't worry, Secretary Liu, I will forget this incident by the end of the day," Yang Yi replied with a strange, knowing smirk.

"—Hmph!" Liu Feng snorted and turned to leave.

Not long after he departed—

"Holy crap, Boss, you are too amazing! You actually played the Provincial Party Secretary like a fiddle! Haha, worthy of being my Boss!" Xu Ming suddenly yelled out in awe.

"Exactly, exactly! In the blink of an eye, we just made five hundred million. Boss, you’re incredible!" Ye Xiaohou chimed in.

Yang Yi looked at the two shameless fellows with amusement, handing the check to Han Zhong. "Take this and transfer the funds into the Black God Gang’s general account."

"Yes, Young Master!" Han Zhong took the check, inwardly appreciating how brilliantly Yang Yi had handled the situation.

"Boss, what's our next move? Are we just going to let that Lin Tian father and son off the hook?" Ye Xiaohou inquired.

"Don't worry, I’ve already made arrangements. Yanran, I'm leaving this task to you!" Yang Yi cast a mischievous glance toward Feng Shi.

"Yes—Young Master!" Feng Shi understood immediately and walked toward the door.

"Holy crap!" Xu Ming suddenly leaped to his feet, bellowing.

"Damn it! Third Brother, can you stop being so neurotic? Your sudden yelling is going to frighten my pure little heart," Lin Fatty pretended to clutch his chest dramatically.

"What the hell, Second Brother, I'm realizing our Boss is getting increasingly devious."